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Beat the Heat

It’s the time of year when the only acceptable outdoor activities are watering the garden in the morning or going for snoballs or ice cream. Otherwise, it’s time to cultivate a list of indoor activites until sometime in September or October. For me, this means deep cleaning (because no one wants to be indoors during […]

Arlyn Jimenez

  Love of a woman brought artist Arlyn Jiminez (@buloyasanchez) to New Orleans in 2009. Since then, the “magic” of New Orleans and its kinship to Jiminez’s native Dominican Republic have kept the artist engaged in creating sculpture mining the rich culture around him.  “The buildings and the architecture look like the city I’m from, […]

Enchanting Escape

When Hurricane Katrina flooded a home in Old Metairie with 6-to-8 feet of water, the property was bulldozed to create a clean slate. Once a new home was built, the then homeowner hired René Fransen and Greg Pierce of Fransen Mills Landscape Architects to create new architectural and landscape architectural designs. While a new owner […]

Okra

Appearance Okra plants have small erect stems that can be bristled or hairless. The heart-shaped leaves have five to seven lobes, and the plant produces flowers with five white to yellow petals. The seed pods can grow up to 10 inches long, however, it is the young, immature pods that should be harvested. Okra can […]

Festive Moments

“Let’s hang up some glassware. Let’s get some signage. Let’s make texture and color. Festoons, for an outdoor party — well — those are just a given,” laughs Fresh Johnson, a New Orleans-based event and wedding planner, who loves throwing a shindig outside.  Johnson got her early start in professional, full-time event planning in 2009, […]

Pack Your Bags

It’s the season when many of us hit the road. Whether an overnight getaway or extended vacation, it always pays to pack smart. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite bags and packing strategies plus tips for storing travel gear between trips so it’s ready to go when you are. Petite pack For a carry-on […]

Clean and Clear

Bottled water has become increasingly popular in recent years as consumers become more aware of contaminants in public drinking water, with especially extreme cases in cities like Flint, Michigan. Many people in the New Orleans area and beyond are turning to whole-house water filtration systems to improve the quality of their drinking water. But safer […]

Rhythmic Design

  While well-painted walls provide a pretty backdrop for art and other furnishings, wallpaper can be used as art and decor itself. Local artist and designer, Bradley L. Bowers— who uses contemporary digital-modeling tools in unison with traditional craft techniques — has a new line of wallpaper called the Moire Collection, which does just that. […]

Go Big and Go Home

  Living in the Crescent City is like living in technicolor — everything seems bolder, brighter and bigger. Why not incorporate a maximalist attitude into our homes? Here, we showcase a few bold and beautiful looks. Armless curved sofa in lush spiced ochre velvet at eclectichome.net “Lets Be Friends” pillow at eclectichome.net Rhea coffee table […]

Flora and Fauna

Heron sculpture, plates and paper flowers: Understated white heron metal sculpture by local artist Ronnie Cardwell; Camellia serving bowls handmade from a low-fire white clay slab, depicting a classic southern floral, with raised texture design; handcrafted paper flowers in vibrant, assorted designs, by Marais Paper available at Home Malone, homemalonenola.com. Foxglove serving tray: stunning Caspari […]

Design Diary

Haute Design Sunday Shop released a new collection of furniture, dubbed Sunday (work)Shop, locally designed by co-founders Katie Logan Leblanc and Jensen Killen. Each of the 13 pieces in the collection are customizable in both size and finish. Inspired pieces include the Euclid Coffee Table, featuring angular legs and natural wood grain, and the Themis […]

Family Affair

Local Color The abundance of local artistic talent is impressive given that we are a relatively small city. Works by Gretchen Howard, Amanda Talley and Kevin Gillentine are among our favorites thanks to their rich colors, forms and textures. Kevin Gillentine, kevingillentine.com.   Marvelous Materials  When installed on unexpected surfaces, grass cloth, tile, copper, and parquet […]

Flow Tribe

  For a city surrounded by water, residents often feel they have limited access to this resource that offers a respite from the summer heat and a relaxing environment for reflection and relaxation. Many homeowners are turning to outdoor water features as a way to be closer to the sights and sounds of clean running […]

Garden Variety

Napa Cabbage Salad with Mint and Herb Vinaigrette Serves 4 to 6 1 cup lightly packed fresh mint leaves ¾ cup lightly packed fresh basil, tarragon and parsley or a combination ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons rice vinegar 1 egg ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons neutral oil, like canola or sunflower seed ¾ cup olive […]

Planting Seeds

This time last year, I  finally achieved a long-held goal of creating a beds in our backyard to grow herbs and vegetables. My paternal side of the family has been farming for at least seven generations and I grew up on my grandparent’s cattle farm, so I felt poised for at least modest success.  It […]

Keeping It Fresh

“I lived in Japan as a kid, and my mom was a teacher,” says Shannon Mitch, founder of Blooms Botanica — a full-service, floral design company, in New Orleans.  “These Ikebana masters would come in and do presentations. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that.’ It was my earliest interest in floral design.” Decades […]

Petal Pushers

If you are anything like me, you are a sucker for beautifully photographed recipes and they often inspire you to experiment in the kitchen. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with any food or beverage employing dried rose petals. Ice cubes with petals frozen inside are a particular favorite, as well as rose petal garnishes and rose […]

Fresh Approach

Funny Face Sud’s ceramic Sicilian urns are packed with personality. Fill them with greens or branches for a fanciful look or simply set them out on their own to evoke playful sophistication. sudneworleans.com  Wild Thing Leopard, cheetah, antelope textiles have me seeing spots. If you’re gun-shy, start small with a pillow or chair cushion but […]

Kitchens

Contractor: Patrick Scariano Designer: Penny Francis Eclectic Home Cabinets: Eclipse cabinets through Mattix Cabinet Works. Maple wood veneer and painted island and shelving Flooring: Large format porcelain through Eclectic Home Installed by Prestige Flooring Countertops: Quartz from Triton Stone Backsplash: Ceramic tile from Eclectic Home, installed by Prestige Flooring Fixtures: Plumbing fixtures by Brizo Lighting: […]

Written in the Stars

Every time Stacey and Robert Sexton visited New Orleans from Washington D.C., they felt pulled to the relaxing pace and the warmth of the community. Then, in 2018, Stacey, an astrologer and student pursuing a Masters in Religious Education at Loyola, found that astrocartography — or the astrology of place — supported the synergy that […]

Renovation of the Year: Perfect Patina

High school sweethearts Matt and Christina Meisner lived in Austin when they visited New Orleans for their second wedding anniversary in 2013. “[We] basically couldn’t stay away after that,” Christina says. The couple, who also lived in Melbourne previously, found a lot of similarities. “Our time in Melbourne … solidified our appreciation for historic homes, […]

Design Details

When it comes to cabinetry, the hardware can make all the difference. In fact, hardware can transform cabinetry from traditional to modern — and any style in between. Local designer Marion Cage’s collection of handcrafted fine cabinetry hardware combines her background in industrial design, jewelry and architecture, resulting in gorgeous pieces of art. From initial […]

Welcome Change

One of The Best things about springtime in Louisiana is being able to open the windows and doors on those days when the sun is out, the temps are cool and the breeze delivers the invigorating feel of the outdoors inside the house. On the other hand, one of the worst things about springtime is […]

Pretty Practice

$138 Pro Level Made in Germany, each Manduka 6-millimeter “Pro” mat is made from high density, 100 percent latex-free PVC, providing a stable surface and extra cushion. A “proprietary dot pattern” provides excellent traction to keep the mat from slipping during practice, and with a subtle textured surface to allow for confident postures. Available in […]

Nature-Based Design

With all the stress of today, it is no wonder designers and scientists are working together to produce evidence-based research showing that nature-based designs have multiple health benefits. Designs that connect with nature through their images or materials are proven to reduce stress and reenergize our brains. All in addition to looking beautiful. Vert Coffee […]

It’s Electric

The 2020s have been difficult for most people. But 2022 introduced a new challenge for everyone to overcome: skyrocketing energy costs. New Orleanians have seen bill increases in the hundreds of dollars in the past year. So what are reasonable tips local residents can employ to make the energy bills sting a little less? The […]

Garden Oasis

Whether you have acres of land to tend to, or simply window boxes and indoor plants, there is no denying that adding greenery and flora to your favorite spaces is a feast for the eyes and soothes the soul. These delightful accessories and tools from local shops will make the task effortlessly pleasant. Pink Haley […]

Food Focused

A signature program of the Emeril Lagasse Foundation, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen is a national education program integrating culinary gardens and teaching kitchens in schools to create interactive learning environments focused on food. The program integrates four pillars: instilling in children an appreciation for the source of food; fostering life skills that set children up for a successful […]

Flowering Dogwood

Appearance This deciduous flowering tree features attractive green foliage and red fruit that attracts wildlife. With a moderate growth rate, the flowering dogwood reaches 20 to 30 feet tall and about 20 feet wide at maturity. Use Be sure to give your new tree adequate room to grow. The tree should be planted away from […]

Beignets All Day

Beignets & Gravy Recipe yields two dozen beignets; one gallon gravy Beignet Dough 1 cup milk, warmed ½ package dry yeast 3 cups all-purpose flour ¼ cup sugar 1 teaspoon salt 2 medium eggs ½ stick butter, melted 3 cups vegetable shortening for frying Flour for dusting Powdered sugar for dusting Place warmed milk and […]

Juliet Meeks

Juliet Meeks found a sweet spot at the intersection of art and product design. By working diligently at both, she creates original artworks as well as designs featured on products for such well known retailers as Anthropologie, Birchbox and Uncommon Goods. She also teaches artists how to license their work. “Seven years in and it’s […]

Design Diary

Restaurant Acquisition The growing hospitality company, Angevin & Co., led by hospitality industry veteran, Robert Thompson — who also recently purchased The Frenchmen Hotel and The Whitney Hotel — has purchased the French Quarter building that once housed the historic K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen at 416 Chartres St. Tyler Robinson, a founding Partner at SVN | Urban […]

Garden Greens

According to Joe W. Willis, AgCenter horticulture agent in Orleans Parish for the LSU AgCenter, there are certain vegetables that grow better than others during the winter in New Orleans. “They like cool or cold nights and sunny, warm days — nothing hot,” he says. “Vegetables that fit this category are carrots, turnips, rutabagas, kohlrabi, […]

Mustard Greens

Appearance Growing greens is a great way to keep vegetable gardens productive throughout the winter because they tolerate cooler weather and are easy to grow. Mustard greens have broad, wavy leaves with a dark green (or purple) color. They grow upright, supported by coarse longitudinal veins. The Florida Broadleaf variety has large leaves with a […]

Tickled for Pickles

Pickle Soup Yields: 1 gallon 10 cups chicken broth 3 1/2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes cut in ¼-inch slices 4 cups diced carrots 2 cups chopped pickles* 1 cup salted butter 2 cups sour cream 1 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 cup water 4 cups pickle juice 1 tablespoon Cajun seasoning 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 […]

Contemporary Comfort

When husband and wife Jonathan and Marylyn Rigby purchased their 3,550-square-foot home in 2017, it was because they loved the spacious home’s location in Uptown. The couple, who met in 2010 at an industry conference, love to entertain with friends and family. This five-bedroom, four-bathroom home—complete with an office, art room and playroom for their […]

Glad Tidings

The holiday season is in full swing and for the first time in nearly a decade, my husband and I won’t be in New Orleans for Christmas. This year, we are spending the holidays with family in Kentucky. On the one hand, I’ll miss the traditions we’ve cultivated on our own, but on the other, […]

Seasonal Sipping

Mulled beverage season is upon us. Whether bellying up to the bonfire, perching on the porch or settling in to sip on the sofa, mulled wine is a lovely way to get into the holiday spirit.   This recipe can be made with zero or full proof wine, as well as white or red. I […]

High-tech Design

As we outfit our homes with new furnishings, fixtures, and finishes, tech is playing an increased role in both the design and product choices we make. Ingrained in all aspects of our daily lives, “tech” keeps us connected while “technology” furthers convenience. Local design experts frequently factor in clients’ usage of both tech and technology […]

Home Improvement

It can be overwhelming when it comes to choosing a general contractor at the outset of a construction project. Not only are large sums of money involved, but also big expectations for the contractor to perform at or above your standards. Here, several local contractors provide tips on how to find someone who is capable, […]

Pattern Player

How’s it Hangin’   Art elevates a room and expresses its own unique identity. I love the look of an oversized abstract painting surrounded by an eclectic mix of smalls including old landscapes, charcoal nudes, and black and white photography. alexiswalter.com Four on the Floor My grandfather was a wool merchant, so heirloom rugs were […]

Deck the Halls

Fresh wreaths and garlands not only add a touch of holiday magic to your decor, but they also imbue fresh scents that are reminiscent of frolicking in snowy locales. Kim Starr Wise’s The Flower Shop offers pre-decorated wreaths and garlands as well as custom pieces. Choices include size of wreath or garland, specialized color palettes, […]

Inspiration Board: The Way to More ‘Wow’

Traditionally, interior design dictates one statement piece in a room so there’s no competition. These pieces evoke an emotion and draw the eye. More recently however, designers are experimenting with multiple “wow” pieces that work together. Use these examples to guide your own experiments.  Kinna Chandelier uses 13 adjustable spherical glossy shades to illuminate a […]

French Surrealism

The Frenchmen Hotel, which was originally built in 1860, has been reimagined and redesigned by Denver-based FAM Design and hospitality entrepreneur Robert Thompson (who purchased the hotel in 2021). The hotel features 23 guest rooms, two loft suites and two, two-bedroom suites; a patio area with outdoor pool and hot tub; a lobby lounge with […]

Bar Belle

Winter brings (we hope) many opportunities for hosting and toasting. Between the glassware (cider mugs, champagne flutes, the punchbowl unearthed once a year) and spirits to fill it, the bar can get busy. Tom Cianfichi, co-owner of Hazelnut on Magazine Street, is a fan of sleek bar setups. “I love a bar that is as […]

Dream Bathrooms

Contractor: Matthew Kohnke, MNK Design/Build Designer: Kelly Sutton, Kelly Sutton Design Cabinets: Custom Tile Flooring: Floor & Décor Wainscot: Floor & Décor Tub: Repurposed from another bathroom, original to the home Mirror: Restoration Hardware Lighting: Aidan Gray Chandelier Plumbing: Ferguson New Orleans Furniture: Blue & White Garden Stool – Dop Antiques Contractor: Palatial Stone & […]

Space Craft

Many homeowners are choosing to add on to their houses whether it be for additional space, because their family is expanding or perhaps because they have money to spare and simply want more room. In the past, homeowners who wanted more space were likely to sell their house and buy a bigger one. But Reneau […]

Stately Design

When local homeowners purchased a vacant lot in the Garden District, they were excited to build a new home that would fit their family’s needs, while also blending seamlessly with the historic neighborhood. “We like to entertain friends and larger groups, and we do a fair amount of charitable work,” the homeowner says. “We also […]

Beatriz “Soco” Ocampo

At first Glance, Beatriz “Soco” Ocampo’s “narrative collages” look like colorful abstract paintings. But upon closer inspection, they combine figural representations, paper, photographs, painted imagery, archaeological finds, cultural references and symbolism.   “My work deals with a lot of native things,” says Ocampo, whose says her own Colombian ancestry includes Native American bloodlines, and who […]

Shake Things Up

$154 Cocktail Culture The Birdy cocktail shaker is elegance in form and function, inspired in collaboration with the world-renowned Erik Lorincz, former head bartender at The Savoy hotel’s American Bar in London. The three-piece Birdy shaker is uniquely designed for an efficient and excellent shake, and micro-polished for a superior tasting cocktail. Available in two […]

Faces of Design

Shining a spotlight on New Orleans industry leaders and their specialties.

Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom 

Coburn’s Kitchen & Bath Showroom in Metairie is home to an extensive selection of the top brands in bathroom hardware, outdoor grilling and patio, kitchen, bath plumbing and more. Available by appointment, Coburn’s showroom consultants expertly guide customers through projects ranging from small fixture updates to full renovations and new home construction. Customer service at […]

Diane Killeen Painting Studios

Having developed a penchant for the fine details of spaces, Diane Killeen has for 20 years now owned and operated her decorative art firm specializing in custom hand-painted surface finishes for both historical and contemporary settings. Prior to establishing her firm, Diane spent years mastering her trade. She completed the esteemed London’s City & Guilds […]

M&M Glass Company

Founded in 1984 with a mission to provide the highest quality glass products at the lowest price possible, M&M Glass Company is still anchored by the values upon which it was founded: speed, integrity, value, innovation, and safety. Fast forward more than 30 years, M&M Glass offers a wide range of glass and mirror products […]

Mullin

New Orleans-based landscape design, build, and maintenance firm Mullin certainly boasts a list of notable clients and accolades, but it’s the firm’s team of people that sits at the core of its success. On the team is Landscape Designer Matthew Quitzau. Beginning as an intern shortly after graduating from LSU with a Bachelor of Landscape […]

NOLA Rugs

Sharon Schenck, owner of NOLA Rugs, is celebrating her 50th year in the oriental rug business! It has been a long journey from London to Morocco, from Turkey to San Francisco, and Santa Fe to Scottsdale.  For the last 20 years, Sharon has been predominantly here in her beloved New Orleans.   With fifty years […]

Tales of the Mocktail

My favorite way to welcome house- and dinner guests is to surprise them with cocktail hour or, depending on what time they arrive, a Bloody Mary or mimosa welcome hour. New Orleans is, after all, such a welcoming place, so a welcome reception is one of the best ways to set the tone for the […]

Nic Brierre Aziz

For artist and curator Nic Brierre Aziz, the past is a compass for the future. Aziz’s lineage and personal experience, and the collective experience of society at large, are at the heart of his thought-provoking work. Aziz refers to himself as a Haitian-New Orleanian and is interested in illuminating the many connections (racial, political, religious, […]

Pantry Perfect

As we shift from summer produce to heartier pantry staples, it’s time to trade Creole tomatoes for canned. For pointers on keeping those cans — and the rest of our larder — within easy reach, we turn to Jenny Zurik, partner with MZ. Architecture & Design. Her storage strategies follow a guiding principle: “Everything has […]

Global View

Influenced by the international style of her native city, Bangalore, and the history of her adopted hometown, New Orleans, interior designer Nomita Joshi-Gupta brings a fresh, worldly perspective to her design work and to her textile emporium, Spruce.  1  Weekly Tradition  Sunday is my day to cuddle up on the couch with a hot cup […]

Stylish Specs

Caddis, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company selling “eye appliances” (aka readers) is on a mission to live in the present moment and to rally against the fear of aging. To that end, the company offers high-design, blue light-blocking readers that not only help you see, but also look great in the process. After a […]

Bold Texture

Suzani: Hand-stitched suzani from Bukhara embellished with intricate flicker stitches depicting a floral motif in a stunning array of colors, available at B. Viz, bvizdesign.com. Pillows from top to bottom: Delicate handcrafted burnt orange velvet pillow with gold metallic cording and knotted corners and Fortuny pillow with gold metallic cording and velvet backing, available at […]

NOLA Chic

Vikki Leftwich is a trailblazer. Co-owner of New Orleans furniture and design institution Villa Vici, Leftwich has long been a guiding light in the community. After founding Villa Vici in 1991 with her husband, Bryan Colwell, Leftwich developed long-term relationships with local artists and a keen eye for contemporary design, while providing exemplary customer service […]

Bubblegum Petunia

1 Appearance Supertunia Vista Bubblegum is a hearty petunia that can grow 16 to 24 inches tall with a three-foot spread. As such, they make for great garden fillers or hedges. The flowers are bright pink, and a light pruning after each bloom flush will keep your plant looking its best. 2 Use Supertunia Vista […]

Best of Both Worlds

About Sous Chef Zac Hill  Born and raised in Fairhope, Alabama, by age 9, Zac Hill began cultivating his food hobby while cooking in his grandmother’s kitchen. Years later as a student at Tulane University, he entered the food scene through coffee, serving as a barista and a café manager. After a stint in a […]

Colorful Cottage

When Sherry Shirah of Sherry Shirah Design first saw her client’s exquisite collection of art and antique furniture, she knew the pieces would drive the design for this one-bedroom, one-bath cottage. “It was clear we needed those elements to be our North Star for the overall design,” Shirah says. “The goal was to renovate and […]

New Build of the Year

One of the things that we thought was that the new should feel new and the old should feel old,” says the owner of a 19th-century Creole center hall cottage with a striking modern addition. Working with likeminded architect Tracie Ashe of the award-winning StudioWTA architecture firm, the owner and his partner adhered to that […]

Falling for Color

Dishes set the tone for tablescapes, and, now that autumn is officially in the air, we’re eyeing pretty place settings that elicit the feeling of cozy fall days. A new collection by Juliska, dubbed Forest Walk, is not only appropriate for an elaborate Thanksgiving feast, but also for casual weeknight family dinners. The pieces feature […]

Strong Choices

As the stone and tile industries continue to improve technologies and expand their products’ capabilities, aesthetic possibilities seem like an endless array of color, pattern, size, and layout choices. Two to three decades ago, options were more straightforward — granite countertops and a complementary tile backsplash in the kitchen, marble countertops in the bathroom and […]

Basket Cases

$44.95 Totes Stylish Beachy. Clean. Easy. This canvas basket tote from Food52 combines the ease of a farmers market bag with the sturdy-based reliability of a classic picnic basket. The canvas body cinches to keep contents enclosed, stylish leather straps provide a good grip and a woven willow base keeps things from tipping over. Available […]

Inspiration Board: Let Nature Be Your Guide

Sometimes the most awe-inspiring interiors come from the most muted palettes. Harness nature’s greens and browns with natural fabrics such as cane and raffia to create a calming effect as enduring as nature’s own beauty. Kipton Sofa in Variety Lemon at Arhaus, arhaus.com Antique Dutch Cupboard in Tonal Green at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co Garden City […]

Closing Time

Buying a home is an important milestone in a person’s life. When an offer has been accepted, it can result in a lot of emotions, includuing both excitement and anxiety. It can be hard to keep track of everything that needs to be done. But there are some helpful tips to remember when closing. One […]

Design Masters

While their talents easily translate to any geographical location, we’re confident this year’s Design Masters are great examples of New Orleans style

Craftman Builders

Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?A: The creativity. I love seeing a project evolve and come together more every day. As a builder I can visualize a project from the very start, but it’s priceless to see the look on my clients faces as they see the progress of their home.  Q: […]

MLM Incorporated

Q: What sets you apart from your competition?A: At MLM, Inc. it’s the systems and processes we utilize on and off-site — such as online project management platforms, unwavering communication, dedication to customer care and warranty services — that are priorities to us. We make sure our clients feel they’re taken care of, listened to and […]

Titan Construction

Q: What types of projects are the most fun/rewarding?A: All of them! Over the past 25 years we’ve done a variety of different style homes and renovations throughout Greater New Orleans. Every project is different and has its own set of challenges. Whether it’s a new construction in Metairie or a complete renovation of a […]

Lemonade

TRUTH BE TOLD, I don’t particularly care for summer in New Orleans. If you are thinking it’s because of the oppressive heat, you are correct. But, as with any of the lemons life hands us, we simply have to find as many flavors of lemonade as there are hot days — and preferably lots of […]

Modern-Day Monochrome

Native New Orleanian and founder of Space Interior Design, Leslie Newman Rhodes, always dresses in black. While that may be true for many designers and artistic types, she says neutrals are everything to her. She likes pale, monochromatic spaces and open sight lines, and most of the homes she designs follow this format (although they […]

Outdoor Oasis

In a 1950 midcentury home across from City Park, the Halpern Family created their perfect outdoor oasis. With their large family of four children, Mary and David Halpern wanted to use the most of their space outside, to host, entertain, throw fabulous parties and have a cool space outdoors to simply hang out with the […]

Retro Redux

When Mark and Rachel Jaffe first saw the work of New Orleans architect Nathan Fell, founder and principal of Nathan Fell Architecture, in a 2020 article in this magazine titled “Inside Out,” they knew he was the perfect person to help with their backyard redesign. “We were drawn to his use of color and his unique designs,” Rachel […]

Gym Dandy

When COVID-19 made gym visits problematic, many people turned to home fitness areas for virtual yoga sessions, Peleton rides and more. As summer sets in, those indoor spaces might be ready for a refresh. We reached out to New Orleans-based fitness maven Erin Romney, founder of Romney Studios and MVMT by ROMNEY, for tips on […]

Home Grown | Passiflora incarnata

Stoke your gardening passions with this home grown, showstopping blooming vine native to Louisiana and the Southeastern U.S.

For the Garden | Native Know-how

Tools, tips and tricks for the garden to ensure it lasts beyond your lifetime.

Trendwatch | Pool Party!

Make a splash with these colorful accessories perfect for your next pool party and al fresco entertaining.

Culture Club

For their eponymous firm, Bill Brockschmidt and Courtney Coleman traverse the city and the globe collecting design inspiration and worldly goods that inform their interiors with a unique global perspective. Golden TouchGarden-cut seasonal flowers are a must, and marigolds are our go-to. nolaflowershop.com. Pillow PowerHandcrafted Kuba cloth pillows from B. Viz pack a traditionally styled […]

Bright Ideas | Summer Dress Your Home

Q&A with hotelier Sean Cummings on how to "summer dress" your home this season.

Gatherings | Seeing Spots

With rum or without it, Maggie Moser’s ‘Sunspots’ recipe will have you tipsy from the fruity, tangy flavors.

Design Diary 

Wooden TreasuresFollowing the launch of the Rift Sawn Oak Dresser, local furniture company Doorman has launched a new credenza and desk for the Clio Collection in collaboration with interior design firm Logan Killen Interiors of New Orleans-based design store, Sunday Shop. All pieces are handmade in Doorman’s NOLA workshop with rounded, oversized knobs and a […]

Eleanor Morehead Baugnies

Art has always been a part of Eleanor Baugnies’ life. And conversely, her life has been an important part of her art. Though she says it’s often unconscious, the vocabulary of her work symbolizes themes drawn from her experience and embedded in her psyche. “It comes from my mind and my heart and my soul,” […]

Comfy Casual

Perhaps it’s the cattle farmer’s granddaughter in me, but stylish décor and entertaining on a budget is my default. It’s never my intention to cut corners or for it to be obvious, but I just can’t help loving a bargain and creating a beautiful atmosphere and delicious food, drinks and treats without breaking the bank. […]

Home Renewal | Perfect Porches

New Orleans is a social town. People interact with their neighbors here and a lot of that social interaction happens on the porch. It is a space where people can relax outdoors, watch life in the neighborhood, and chat with neighbors as they pass by. It also provides a shaded place to get a little […]

Inspiration Board | Rose-Colored Spectacle

Rose or dusty pink is a new favorite among interior designers. Offering soothing, calming qualities, it works as a neutral; warmer than white and more interesting than beige or grey, it’s also easy to pair. Decorate an entire room with a gentle glow and timeless warmth. Muse Wallpaper in Rose, floral patterns hand-painted in a […]

Price Mix | I Scream, You Scream

$499.95 Smart ScoopThe Breville brand has become synonymous with top-quality kitchen appliances and the Smart Scoop Ice Cream Compressor is no exception. The Smart Scoop is a one and done machine, with a fully automatic, compressor-driven process that eliminates the need to freeze bowls or attachments. You can choose between 12 hardness settings to get […]

Last Indulgence | Fab Flatware

Great design shouldn’t stop at furnishings and artwork. In fact, it should trickle down even to the smallest details. In that vein, we’re thinking of beautiful tablescapes featuring stylish flatware to up the ante on summer entertaining. A new line by Opinel, dubbed Perpétue, features four stainless steel pieces per set. The fork, tablespoon and […]

Ask the Experts | Hue News

The décor of a home — like the set of a stage — helps tell the story of the people who interact with it. Beyond the function of furnishings, their style is often what gives the most clues. A homeowner who prefers a bone-colored wall with antique furniture and a classical still-life painting is telling […]

Editor’s Note

THE THING I LOVE most about the promise of spring is that it always delivers. As we emerge from our admittedly mild winters for long walks and picnics amid the fragrant blooms of seasonal flowers, the city’s energy shifts — and with it — our moods, foods and fancies. We have a lightness of being, […]

Reset, Rest and Relax

Moments of calm are perhaps harder to come by these days, as everyone navigates this turbulent world. Spaces for rest and relaxation at home have become important for resetting the mind and body. With spring’s arrival, nature’s calming effects beckon people outdoors, so we’ve asked local experts how to go about creating the perfect backyard […]

Sweet Abode

After designer Melinda McSpadden posted photos of an historic kitchen and powder room makeover on social media, local homeowners Andrea and Lena Rubin decided she was the perfect person to decorate their home. “Andrea and Lena gave me free reign with this design project by saying, ‘Just make it look like a place where you […]

Right Angles

RENOVATION OF THE YEAR Calais Waring opens the front door of her home to a first-time visitor with the smile of someone who knows their surprise. The once red brick mansion — a blending of 1920s Arts and Crafts and Mediterranean villa architectural influences, is no longer a faded remnant of the early 20th century. […]

Closet Clarity

Accessory accents Accessories can easily become an unwieldy mess on closet hangers and shelves. Ann Wise, co-owner of Louisiana Custom Closets, suggests space-saving pullout racks for belts, neckties and scarves and costume jewelry.  Acrylic shelf dividers keep purses standing up or folded sweaters and blouses neatly stacked. Island vibes If your closet is big enough, […]

Bromeliads

1 Go Pro When Jeanne Garman first expressed interest in bromeliads to an avid bromeliad grower, she was told, “Be careful, you’re going to get hooked on bromeliads.” Now, with hundreds surrounding her home, Garman cultivates them and has based her travels and her free time seeking out new bromeliad varieties and experts. Garman herself […]

Haute Kitchens

Contractor: MLM Incorporated Designer: MLM Incorporated, homeowner, Mireworks Cabinets: Transitional at J&K Cabinetry Flooring: LVP at NOLA Flooring Countertops: Cristallo quartzite from North Lion Stone Backsplash: Marble picket at Floor & Decor Fixtures: Lamps Plus Doorknobs: Etsy Furniture: Hurwitz Mintz Appliances: Sink and faucet, Kraus; pot filler, Kingston Brass; range,Thor; dishwasher, Maytag; fridge, freezer, microwave, Frigidaire; icemaker, KitchenAid, sourced from Comeaux Notable vendors: Stone Creations […]

Design Diary

Delightful Daybeds New Orleans handmade furniture company, Doorman, has introduced the new Laurel Canopy Daybed Collection (starting at $3,150). Inspired by French Provincial iron daybeds, the collection features a modern iron base handcrafted in Doorman’s local workshop. The curved-canopy pieces are welded by hand and the bed’s silhouette is perfectly symmetrical from every angle. Additionally, founder […]

Stylish Fans to Keep Cool This Summer

$399.99 Tech Smart The Dyson brand is well-known for its clean, modern designs that pack a tech-smart punch, and the Pure Cool TP01 purifying fan is no exception. Not only does this sleek oscillating tower fan cool down a room, but also it features a filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA to capture pollen, […]

The Lazy Gardener

Across the street, along my neighbors’ sunny driveway is a wooden fence covered with potted bromeliads. They are primarily Neoregelias — the kind you can pick up at local hardware or grocery stores — yet the massed statement of them is spectacular. I’ve admired their plant-lined fence for years and when COVID-19 forced me to […]

Kate Godfrey Robinson

While many perennials and annuals thrive in clay soils, ceramic artist Kate Godfrey Robinson creates a different sort of “garden in clay” — colorful, exuberant displays of flowers, vines, acorns, twigs, insects and other flora and fauna in the forms of vessels, tiles, totems and free-form sculptures. On the surface, her Baroque pieces capture the […]

Flower Me Pretty

The design-obsessed know that wallpaper can quickly transform any room. In fact, it’s one of the easiest ways to spruce up a space. Enter the Magnolia Collection — a new line of wallpaper designs and limited-edition prints from Pensacola, Florida-based Malmberg Studio. The collection celebrates the life-cycle of the short-lived magnolia flower, which also happens to be […]

More is More

Meals in the Big Easy are as entertaining as they are integral to the fabric of this spirited city. Lavish, multi-course brunches are to be expected in the city of indulgences, a sacred ritual, rather than simply feeding time. Ralph Brennan, a third-generation scion of the family whose name is synonymous with New Orleans restaurants, […]

Heavy Metal

Beige and copper metallic hide and Amberly hair on hide Rug both from Arhaus, arhaus.com Italian 19th-century gilt Candelabra by Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co French 19th-century Louis Philippe-style mirror by Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co Wallpaper by Erica Wakerly, Leaf in gold, from Spruce, sprucenola.com Jagger Table Lamp from Eclectic Home, electichome.net Newman Chair in mustard from Eclectic […]

A Stylish Sentiment

Down the Hatch!  I learned living in New Orleans that every house should have a designated bar, and it’s not complete without this book. “New Orleans Cocktails,” scriptura.com.   Foyer Finery  John Derian’s decoupage plates make great ‘catchalls’ atop a foyer console or countertop or hung as part of a curated wall collection. I’m drawn to […]

King of the Kitchen

Hot Sausage Po-Boy Pie Ingredients Yields 6 slices 1  9” deep dish pie shell 1 pound hot sausage link 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar mustard aioli  2 tablespoons Dijon mustard  2 tablespoons mayonnaise  1 1/2 teaspoon white wine vinegar  1 pinch cayenne pepper  8 slices pickled zucchini  2 pinches cayenne pepper  ½ cup French bread […]

Annual Renewal

Once you’ve moved into your house and lived there for a few months, it’s easy to get comfortable. Everything seems fine. But just as it’s a good idea to visit your primary care physician for health checkups, it’s a good idea to have experts check out your house on a regular basis. Doing so may […]

Smoothie Queen

Over the past few years, I’ve become one of those smoothie people. I make them with spinach and beets and pretty much any veggie you can stick in a blender and mask the potential weirdness with one or more fruits. For me, cravings for sweet, cold treats kick in as the temperature rises and spring […]

Al Fresco’s Finest

Brilliant paper origami chandelier, metal watering can, striped cotton lumbar pillow with colorful embroidered flowers, acrylic tumbler (available in assorted colors), gorgeous lifelike faux flowers in a garden variety, available at Perch, perch-home.com; Midcentury vintage rattan flower chair, available at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net; Faux bois concrete side table, available at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com; Painterly floral lucite […]

Design Masters

  A year and a half after the onset of a world-changing pandemic that suddenly had people at home most hours of the day, locals have had a chance to think about the meaning of home. As we’ve re-evaluated the role of our homes in our lives, we’ve also had the opportunity to consider the […]

À Votre Santé

The French 75 is my favorite cocktail. I love the lore. I love its namesake bar at Arnaud’s in the French Quarter. I love sipping a Cognac version during colder months. I love the lighter take made with gin in the hotter months. During the holidays when the booze is already so free flowing however (and […]

Finishing Touches

Elements Ella Brushed Pewter Jeffrey Alexander Tiffany Satin Bronze (two sizes) Jeffrey Alexander Belcastel 1 Satin Nickel and Polished Chrome (two finishes) Jeffrey Alexander Harlow Polished Chrome Jeffrey Alexander Harlow Satin Nickel Elements Madison Matte Black Jeffrey Alexander Tiffany Brushed Gold Elements Naples Matte Black (two sizes) Elements Asher Rubbed Bronze Available through Singer Kitchens, […]

Create Your Cocoon

Vert coffee table in teak with a clear coat finish. sundayshop.co      Dual-arm design of the Towson Floor Lamp is handcrafted from steel in an antique brass finish. Two off-white linen shades complement the solid, white marble base, which features naturally unique veining and color variations. arhaus.com      A highly reflective gold and […]

It’s a Wrap!

In New Orleans, the winter holidays roll right into Mardi Gras, making a quick transition from decking the halls to “Throw me something, Mister!” From wreaths to gift wrap to papier-mâché flowers (because we’re betting house floats are here to stay), opt for smart storage that will keep your holiday gear celebration-ready.  Out with the […]

Suite Scents

A popular new trend known as scent-scaping is a way to divide your house and your day into different segments simply by using different fragrances. By compartmentalizing each room (or set of rooms), or even different time periods during your day (such as work, chores, nap), it creates a subconscious trigger to switch to a […]

Chris Lawson

In true Post-Modern fashion, artist Chris Lawson (chrislawsonart.com) counts everything from animated movies and 1960s TV shows to MTV and southern folk art among the influences that inform his writing, painting, film, photography, collage and installation art. It’s the way Lawson pieces together those influences and collections of seemingly disparate components into a surrealist lexicon […]

Making Memories

One of the most recognizable settings during the holiday season is The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Against the backdrop of a Gilded Age lobby, the hotel’s glittering Waldorf Wonderland stretches an entire city block. Local garden center The Plant Gallery perennially adorns the lobby with a canopy of arched birch tree branches, […]

A Rose is a Rose

Like Queen Elizabeth in the year her beloved Windsor Castle caught on fire, most of us in the New Orleans area can admit that we have experienced our own two “annus horribilis.” We’ve missed work and business dollars, milestone events and social outings with friends and family, witnessed online and in-person fights about masks, vaccines […]

Mixing It Up

    $699.95 Ultimate Multitasker It kneads. It mixes. It whisks. Is there anything the Ankarsrum stand mixer can’t do? This Swedish-designed stand mixer is made for the pros, but easy enough for a newbie, to create the ultimate breads and baked goods. The generous 7.4-quart stainless steel bowl can accommodate plenty of dough, cake […]

Embracing Change

One thing’s for certain — we’ve entered a new age of living, one with vastly different routines than we were used to prior to spring of 2020. Home design experts are still wrapping their heads around what these changes mean for home life, function and style. As they experience high demand for renovations and new […]

Forever Home

[gtx_gallery] Seeking to renovate her childhood home into a haven where she and her husband could age in place after their children leave the house, Leigh Moss and her husband Robby enlisted the help of local architectural and interior design firm NANO. In addition to updating the interior design, the Mosses also wanted the home […]

The Art of Everything

Taste  There is nothing more delicious than indulging in a dirty martini before a dinner of Drum Yvonne. The fresh flavors and bold colors appeal to the palate and the palette. Annunciation Restaurant, annunciationrestaurant.com.  Sound  We love local bands, but the music of British post-punk band, The Psychedelic Furs, is like poetry. Their recent performance […]

Best of Home Winners

  Each year our readers vote by online ballot for their favorite home design industry professionals in New Orleans. The businesses cover the scope of everything homeowners need to make and maintain a beautiful house and home. The votes have been tallied and we present our 2021 Best of Home winners. Best architect/architecture firm Albert […]

Happy Holidaze

  THE HOLIDAY SEASON IS upon us — ready or not.  If things continue to go well with more and more people getting vaccinated and COVID-19 case numbers staying low, it seems we’ll be able to celebrate our respective traditions surrounded by friends and family. At our house, the tradition is a lazy morning with […]

Generators 101

After the extended power outages caused by Hurricane Ida, many New Orleanians are likely considering purchasing a whole-home generator. There are are many things to take into account before making that choice. First, look at your individual situation. Hurricane evacuations are never easy for anyone, but for some (the elderly, the disabled) they can border […]

Design + Build

Architectural designer Marina Palumbo-Simoneaux of M.A. Palumbo Studio, launched Creative Spaces & Elements in 2006 as a luxury custom casework and cabinet resource. However, since its launch, the company has evolved into a full-service architecture and design studio with the ability to build out any residential or commercial interior space. The designer recently moved Creative […]

Festive Flavors

Rosemary Shortbread Yields approximately three dozen cookies 1 lb. unsalted butter, softened 1 ½ cups powdered sugar 1 tsp salt 2 tsp rosemary, finely chopped 4 cups all-purpose flour 1. Cream butter and sugar in a hand or stand mixer until fluffy, scraping down the sides of the bowl as you go.  2. Add rosemary and […]

Roses

1 Love-Hate Ask gardeners and landscape architects about growing roses in New Orleans and you’ll get extreme responses of either love or exasperation. One favorite among them is Peggy Martin, or the “Hurricane Katrina Rose,” that survived saltwater flooding. Landscape architect Marianne Mumford of Landscape Images says they have the most success with Peggy Martin […]

Eye for Design

[gtx_gallery] When Melissa Coleman and her husband, Dr. William Patrick Coleman IV, purchased their early 19th-century home off of St. Charles Avenue, they knew they wanted beautiful yet accessible design. The couple, who has a 20-year-old son in college, and dogs and cats, also wanted spaces that would be used. “Growing up, my house had […]

Winter Warmth

Cozy up for a real treat with these luxe pillows, throws and slippers guaranteed to keep you toasty during chilly season. Cream Cowtan & Tout 14×30 lumbar pillow, available at Maisonette, maisonetteshop.com. Nothing says snuggle up like these fur accessories from Villa Vici. Siberian Fox felt pillow (14×20), Truffle Chinchilla faux fur throw with velvet […]

Tina Scott

A fan of relationship-driven business, Tina decided to become a realtor after 10 years at Crescent Title. Tina’s approach to providing realtor services for buyers and sellers is different by design. Her low-pressure, friendly manner combined with her skillful advocacy for clients’ best interests makes her a one-of-a-kind agent.  “While a transaction, real estate is […]

Patrick Liberto

Patrick Liberto believes that leverage—coupled with communication—is what provides optimal, seamless outcomes. With a background in hospitality service, Patrick fosters relationships of trust with clients, which has led to his success in real estate. Before founding Live Love Nola, Patrick joined forces with Keller Williams Realty New Orleans in 2017, where he was named Rookie of […]

Keller Williams Realty New Orleans Cleans Up

Founded in 1998, Keller Williams Realty New Orleans consistently ranks among the top real estate companies in Greater New Orleans. This year, the leadership team and agents of Keller Williams Realty New Orleans have prioritized three focus areas for the future: environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and harnessing technology. An office renovation now underway will make […]

Legend Interiors

[gtx_gallery] As a full-service kitchen and bath design company, Legend Interiors provides cabinetry, countertops, tile and design services to individuals, architects, interior designers and builders. “Our focus is smart, functional designs that complement our clients’ unique styles and needs,” says Founder & Owner Michael Baudin. Michael began his career in 2001 as a draftsman, designing […]

LAS Shutters + Windows

  With a background in Structural Engineering, LAS Enterprises’ Richard Maia, COO, enjoys marrying modern technologies and efficiencies with his hometown’s ageless architecture and style. Maia has spent countless hours studying the historical shutters and windows of New Orleans to assist in developing new profiles and products that perform to current standards while honoring historical […]

Élan Studio Lighting

[gtx_gallery] In 2018, Élan Studio Lighting was established in a collaborative effort between lighting professional Jeremy Friloux and design professionals Heather Somers and Charles Silbernagel. Today, the award-winning Élan Studio Lighting showroom features their trademark style and brings a unique experience to Greater New Orleans. “Our first priority is to get to know our clients […]

The Doussan Team

Working for his father as a teen, Jeffrey Doussan, Jr. grew up in real estate, learning the ropes of buying, selling, and property management at an early age. Today, he helms The Doussan Team, a company he established in 2015 to offer residential and commercial real estate services, property management, and succession planning.  “This is […]

Getting Personal

A partial maximalist and total people person, interior designer Whitney Jones digs deep to create bold and comfortable spaces that personify each individual client’s style. Pretty Pottery A simple, earthy bowl is perfect for serving Mother Nature’s bounty and makes an artistic statement on its own. Rust and Sage Rimmed Studio Bowl, sundayshop.co   Bird […]

Ida Floreak

Ida Floreak says love of art and love of nature were always part of her life. Growing up in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she enjoyed drawing, painting, ceramics, and theater set design, and was enthralled by oceans, insects and the mathematical perfection that is the foundation of the natural world. Eventually, her two passions would merge, first […]

New Build Of The Year

[gtx_gallery] The design duo behind New Orleans architecture and design firm Farouki Farouki have done it again. This time, it’s from the ground up. Sabri and Caroline Farouki, the architects of colorful local staples Justine, Maypop and Saffron, found an empty lot in the Lower Garden District and knew it would be their sanctuary. “It […]

Collected Calm

Decorate a room with the fall colors of burnished orange, rich browns, yellows and golds to imbue the space with a warmth left over by the summer sun, and a serenity that the busyness of summer has passed. Choose rich textures and fabrics with depth, and the coziness will make you feel cocooned.     […]

Design Masters

A year and a half after the onset of a world-changing pandemic that suddenly had people at home most hours of the day, locals have had a chance to think about the meaning of home. As we’ve re-evaluated the role of our homes in our lives, we’ve also had the opportunity to consider the way […]

World Views

Brass candlestick: look to The Collective Shop for an array of vintage brass decorative objects; available at statementgoods.com. Box, vase, basket: Alexis hexagonal box with abalone lid, brass base and velvet lining; turquoise Sharine vase made of aluminum with a mix of aged green and antique brass finish; natural and black stained rattan Jaeger Centerpiece […]

Pretty in Paint

Most homeowners likely understand the aesthetic importance of keeping up their house’s exterior paint job. But maintaining exterior paint is important for other reasons, and is not a task that should be done only if the paint is obviously cracked or peeling. It is true the most obvious reason for applying a fresh coat of […]

Desk Set

After months of remote working or schooling, your home workspace — whether a standalone office or corner carve-out — might be ready for a refresh. According to Victoria Tran, owner and organizer at local organizing company Sorted, the key to a clean office is continuous culling. “Things pile up easily,” says Tran. “Once a pile […]

Simply Delicious

Oatmeal Crème Sandwiches Yields: 1-1 ½ dozen Cookie ½ cup coconut oil, melted ½ cup brown sugar ¼ cup Steen’s cane syrup 1 ¼ cups almond flour 1 ½ cups rolled oats 2 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon non-dairy milk (coconut, almond, oat […]

Best of Home Winners

Each year our readers vote by online ballot for their favorite home design industry professionals in New Orleans. The businesses cover the scope of everything homeowners need to make and maintain a beautiful house and home. The votes have been tallied and we present our 2021 Best of Home winners. Best architect/architecture firm Albert Architecture […]

Seasons Change

Emily Shea Robín knows how to light up a room. This year, the born-and-bred Louisianan has cemented her position as both interior decorator and working mom. Armed with many years of professional experience, diligence, and instinct, this design impresario launched her own firm, Charlotte Logan Interiors, named after her two children. With fall upon us, […]

Light My Fire

$1,875 – $2,395 High Light The Plodes Geometric Fire Pit is as much a work of art as it is a place to gather round for warmth or for cooking. Created by Texas designer John Paul Plauché and his plodes studio, the fire pit is hand crafted from Corten steel, and is designed to weather […]

Personal Space

Last October, we moved from a Victorian-era apartment in Uptown to a nearby, charming circa-1900s shotgun. We gave up a few turn of the 20th-century architectural details, but gained a lot more space. The increase in space enabled me to create a proper reading nook, for which I will be eternally grateful. Whether you have […]

Sweater Weather

AUTUMN IN THE SOUTH, especially New Orleans, starts out looking and feeling a lot like summer. But that doesn’t make me look forward to it any less. Perhaps it’s the joy of knowing the temperature will drop any time now and soon throw blankets, hot beverages and crisp evening walks will prevail. This issue has […]

Lime Sizzler Firebush

1 Appearance The Lime Sizzler Firebush (Hamelia patens Grelmsiz) is a mounding, semi-woody perennial that sports variegated chartreuse yellow and lime green foliage with red veins. With a long bloom season from the late spring through the fall, the whorled arrangement of four leaves gives rise to clusters of red-orange tubular blooms. 2 Use The […]

Color Me Beautiful

[gtx_gallery] Photography by Sara Essex Bradley Historic Creole architecture and original materials provided an interesting backdrop for what would become a festive retreat for Dallas-based homeowners Karen and Steven Boulware. The couple, who purchased the French Quarter townhouse on Governor Nicholls as a second home, wanted a place where they could entertain, and, of course, […]

Sweet Spot

Whether being used to create a vignette, or to spruce up an otherwise mundane area, accent chairs provide that extra punch to bring a space to life. One we love is the new Coliseum Club Chair by the New Orleans furniture brand, Doorman Designs. The first iteration of the chair — which is modern, funky, […]

Finely Crafted

New Orleans-based lifestyle brand Elysian has added a new category to its curated Bespoke Home Goods Collection, which includes home linens, to now include the Bespoke Tableware Collection. The selection of products features hand-painted ceramic tableware, handmade silk napkins, handmade silk placemats, made-to-order silk lampshades and hand-blown and -painted vases. Elysian’s bespoke designs can be made-to-order […]

Timeless Appeal

With a booming real estate market, plenty of area homeowners are considering a move. Simultaneously, other homeowners have taken advantage of a homebound several months and embarked on renovation projects to improve their home’s function or outdated design. Both groups are likely calculating or considering their homes’ resale value, and this season, we’ve checked in […]

MLM Incorporated

[gtx_gallery]   Forget all your preconceptions about construction, because when you call MLM Incorporated for your commercial or residential project, you’re guaranteed a standard of excellence that defies all expectations. “We successfully took the old ‘can’t get the contractor on the phone’ stigma out of the business model,” says company founder Machi Medrzycki. “We use […]

Home Renewal | Landscaping 101

When you own a home, your lawn and yard are your responsibility. If you don’t think to take care of these spaces, it won’t get done. Most people remember to do things like mow lawns because it’s an obvious task. If you look out the window and see shin-high grass, anyone will know you need […]

Inspiration Board | Life Al Fresco

  Adan Planter, from Villa Vici, villavici.com   Outdoor Rocky Beach Terrazzo Stool, artisan-crafted from terrazzo concrete, from Arhaus, arhaus.com   Outdoor round concrete fire pit, from Arhaus Outdoor, arhaus.com   Three off-set shelves on the James Bar Outdoor Trolley from Sunday Shop, shopsundayshop.co   Scalloped octagonal market umbrella in aluminium and all-weather stain and […]

Predestined

[gtx_gallery] From the beginning, it was meant to be. Jennifer Farris flew home from her New York City apartment for some New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival jams and jubilee. During the visit, her friend Ansley Marshall introduced Jennifer to her future husband, Lee McMillan III. “Two weeks later, we ended up walking down the […]

Design Diary | Nascent Venture

Hattie Collins, owner of the erstwhile Hattie Sparks boutique, recently forayed into the world of decorating. Though the boutique — which specialized in women’s clothing, unique jewelry and gift items, accent pieces and art — is now closed, it served as the perfect launch pad for this new venture. With a master’s degree in art […]

Nate Sheaffer

[gtx_gallery]   Nate Sheaffer began an art career that has spanned nearly 40 years by blowing glass while in college at the University of North Carolina. By the time he graduated in 1986 with a degree in German, working with glass had led to an enduring passion for neon and to Sheaffer’s first neon business. […]

Bright Ideas | Staying Cool

Denizen of the French Quarter, Peter Patout knows classical Southern homes. As both an architecture historian and licensed historic property realtor, Patout says there’s much to be gleaned from the structures of old New Orleans houses. Going back to the early roots of the city, new inhabitants embraced design elements that were beautiful and practical; […]

Gatherings | Goodness To-Go

Picnic Pasta Salad with Oregano Dill Dressing Serves 6-8 Dressing 1 ½ cups vegan mayo ½ cup finely chopped fresh oregano ½ cup finely chopped fresh dill 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast 1 garlic clove, minced ½ teaspoon sugar ½ teaspoon sea salt ½ teaspoon freshly […]

Style | Well Edited

Acrylic display pieces Boxes, plinths or pedestals in acrylic or lucite transform ordinary objects into stunning displays of art. Tara Shaw, tarashaw.com.   Handwoven baskets Perfect for bringing texture into an otherwise sleek space and for containing everything from plants to pool toys. West Elm, westelm.com.   Turkish towels Made on the traditional Turkish loom […]

Last Indulgence | Perky Pillows

When it comes to decorating, sometimes it just takes a small accessory to change things up. Enter colorful throw pillows that can really brighten up a space, especially when it comes to outdoor living. Not only are they easy to change out when you want a different vibe, but those made for outdoor use are […]

Down to Details

[gtx_gallery] A newly remodeled, 12,300-square-foot home in River Ridge not only exemplifies the New Orleans aesthetic, but it also showcases the homeowners’ travels with acute attention to detail. “This home really shouts unique creativity and complete originality,” says Nicole Ruppel Jones, kitchen and bath designer and remodeler at Legends Interiors. “Just like the streets of […]

Editor’s Note

  THIS TIME LAST YEAR, my husband and I were planning Sunday drives and chicken and champagne picnics, in addition to any other form of safe entertainment we could cook up. The city was two months into pandemic lockdowns with no end in sight, everything had gone virtual and everyone was baking sourdough bread. Cut […]

MULLIN

[gtx_gallery]   One positive takeaway from the last year is that homeowners are embracing their outdoor spaces more than ever and experiencing the joys of having a lush and relaxing space. For Mullin, this means more opportunities to use the company’s strengths in design and multi-faceted construction and be a partner in developing and maintaining […]

Bon Vivant | Brunch Bunch

In May, I june the 11-month mark of a year-long alcohol-free challenge. (It’s going well, I don’t miss booze and I feel great, thanks for asking!) I like to celebrate these milestones with treats and rewards, including creating alcohol-free versions of my favorite cocktails. One that has become a staple of my repertoire, both because […]

High and Dry

Summer fashion and design go beyond the latest in swimwear when hitting the water. What you choose to wrap yourself up in after a dip also counts. We’ve selected the best beach, cabana and poolside towels that will keep you clean, sand-free and dry in style and in comfort. $54 French Style The “Toujours” beach […]

Nowhere to Go But Up

[gtx_gallery] When Shelly Pecot bought her Uptown house four years ago, she knew she wanted to add a pool and outdoor living space, but she didn’t want to lose the much-needed and well-utilized parking area that occupied most of the space behind the house. Pecot and her two daughters, both of whom live in New […]

Ask the Experts | New Life

The home design and décor industries are getting a lot of attention this year as homeowners — having experienced an all new way of life — are more interested in the colors, shapes and textures that they see and feel more often than ever. With the arrival of summer, another seasonal shift brings new looks […]

Home Grown | Garlic

1 Use Cultivated for the distinct flavor of its bulb, garlic is a robust and frequently used ingredient in almost everyone’s kitchen. Additionally, it has many medicinal applications, especially for regulating blood pressure. 2 Learn Garlic is in the same family as onions, chives, shallots and leeks. It is one of the oldest food flavorings. […]

Get Organized | Curated Cabana

Ah, the pool house. It gives swimmers a place to freshen up and enjoy a snack or drink. Plus, guests aren’t tramping through the house in dripping swimsuits. But with all of the use — toys, floats, pool equipment, wet towels and wetter swim suits — the pool space is often disorganized and potentially dangerous. […]

For the Garden | Zen and Now

Local landscape architect Robin Tanner doesn’t have a formal resume or a detailed curriculum vitae but his extraordinary work can be found throughout the city. Much of it beautifies the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park. “Robin Tanner’s landscape designs engage our visitors and allows them to appreciate his work as an art form,” […]

Trendwatch | Pool Party!

Nothing says summertime quite like a waterside soiree. These vibrant picks for al fresco entertaining are sure to make a splash. Chair, gingham tablecloth and striped throw pillow: Robert Wengler chair woven of Manau and Tohiti rattan, linen gingham tablecloth by Maison de Vacances and Tensira pillow made from 100 percent cotton in West Africa, […]

Why Use the BBB?

When you need work done on your home, there’s a lot on your mind. It’s a costly venture inside your house (an already expensive endeavor), so you likely feel a strong pressure to get it right. Hiring the wrong contractor can lead to financial and emotional hassle. But many of us are not home repair […]

Parade of Homes

Free and open to the public   hbagno.org/paradeofhomes   Danos Development 606 Tall Oaks Ct. Belle Chasse 504-738-4434 Flick Homes 170 Green Trials Dr. Belle Chasse 504-329-9032 Flick Homes 103 Kellywood Ct. Belle Chasse 504-329-9033 Hoskin Homes 110 Hardwood Dr. Belle Chasse 504-400-7771 Tyson Construction 154 Green Trials Dr. Belle Chasse 504-905-1042 RMC Construction 174 […]

Home Grown | Asparagus

1 Grow The plant is a perennial, grown from rhizomes that form crowns.  In New Orleans, asparagus planted in spring probably won’t survive the hot summer. So autumn is the only time of year to plant asparagus in the South.   2 Prep and Store Large spears of asparagus can have tough skins. Use a […]

Renovation of the Year

An Uptown couple who met in Washington, D.C., and got married in 2012, recently completed the home renovation of their dreams with the help of architect William Sonner (of William Sonner Designs) and Chris Kornman, partner at Entablature (a local general contracting company). The 4,717-square-foot home is on Prytania Street between Valmont and Dufossat streets, […]

Trendwatch | Garden Variety

Decorative metal artichoke, Dunn & Sonnier, dunnandsonnier.com; 1940s iron Salterini chair with green and white striped seat (set of four), Merchant House, merchanthouse.co; straw sun hat and faux boxwood bush, The Plant Gallery, theplantgallery.com; vintage glazed Chinese garden stool, terra cotta anduze pot and boxwood ball, Graci Interiors, graciinteriors.com; ornamental ceramic bird, Harold’s, haroldsplants.com; Henri […]

Get Organized | Bloom Where Planted

Spring is a time of new life, bright green sprouts, and the beaming yellow hope of daffodils. It’s also the time for spring cleaning and garden planting so why not combine the two by organizing and updating your garden shed. Because of its versatility and utility, a mobile cart is a must-have garden item. It […]

Inspiration Board | Soothing Hues

Amazilia by Harlequin wallpaper designed with etched trailing flowers with vivid amazilia hummingbirds from Spruce, sprucenola.com     Clark table lamp by Lambert et Fils in brass, Dromedary sofa loveseat with reverse camel-back hump in olive velluto and maple wood finish both from Sunday Shop sundayshop.co     Wing chest in sandblasted oak veneer with […]

Bright Ideas | Plant Power

Architect and designer Benjamin Massey believes in the power of the plant kingdom. While Massey’s talents are firmly rooted in residential architecture and interior design, this New Orleans native has a penchant for perennial plants and lush landscapes. “Greenery is beautiful and integral to our environment; however, in design, plants and flowers are sometimes overlooked,” […]

Home Renewal | Play It Safe

Keeping your home safe is not limited to locking the doors and installing a home security system. There are a number of toxic substances like mold, asbestos, and lead that can pose health risks if they’re not mitigated. Fortunately, there are measures homeowners can employ to make their houses safer.   Lead Amelia Yates, revival […]

Last Indulgence | Light Bright

In addition to thinking about furniture arrangement, mixed textures and multiple light sources, it’s always a great idea to make sure your space smells just as wonderful as it looks. Locally, be sure to check out Wicks Nola — a Black and female-owned line of luxury candles and home fragrances (including wax melts and room […]

Bon Vivant | Accessory Access

Even with the vaccine being administered into arms across New Orleans and the nation, we are still being advised to wear masks for a while longer to protect ourselves and others. For a longer time than I care to admit, our mask and hand sanitizer “station” was a gallon Ziplock bag hanging on a decorative […]

Gatherings | Flavor Fiesta

Chile and Turmeric Roast Pork Shoulder Serves 6-8 1 ½ tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves 6 garlic cloves, peeled ½ teaspoon turmeric powder ½ teaspoon ground black pepper ½ teaspoon ground coriander seed ½ teaspoon ground cumin seed ½ teaspoon morita chile powder (substitute chipotle chile powder) 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (if using a coarser […]

Editor’s Note

THERESA CASSAGNE PHOTO We can now add transforming our homes, porches and yards into floats to our decorating skill sets. If you said to me during the 2020 Carnival season that’s how we’d spend the 2021 season, I’d have told you to stop pulling my leg. But, we’ve seen and done so much we never […]

Sunny + Bright

[gtx_gallery]   When husband and wife Ibert Schultz and Jessica Rambo chose Maureen Stevens of Maureen Stevens Design to decorate the interior of the Lower Garden District house they purchased in 2019, they quickly found that they shared a common vision — or as Rambo puts it, they “shared a brain.” “We both wanted to […]

Style | Character Building

1. ORIGINAL ART As an architect and art lover, I find joy in giving art a place to call home. I’ve worked with NOMA, private galleries and homeowners to create spaces for showcasing special pieces, and I’m currently mesmerized by rising star and Louisiana-native Brian Guidry. Arthur Roger Gallery, arthurrogergallery.com.   2. HANDMADE CERAMICS Point […]

Artist Profile

[gtx_gallery]   Carlton Scott Sturgill’s fabric floral installations are captivating paeans to blooms and vines, the perfect artistic genre for the season of rebirth. Yet, woven into each are layers of examination and commentary that become evident when one looks more closely. At the heart of Sturgill’s work (ranging from racy naturalistic paintings inspired by […]

For The Garden | Spring is in the Air

Spring is here and as your joyous work begins, here are a few tips and thoughts from some of the city’s top gardeners: Amy Graham, director of horticulture at Longue Vue House & Gardens; Chase Mullin of Mullin Landscape; Kurt LeBlanc, manager of Harold’s Plants; Tom Wolfe, owner of Urban Roots and Kathy McNamara, New […]

Kitchen Dream

Contractor: MONTES Construction Services Designer: Valerie Legras Atelier Cabinets: Custom-made Artisan Millshop Flooring: Existing hardwood floor Countertops: Taj Mahal at Palatial Stone & Tile Backsplash: Custom-made Venetian plaster and hand painted wall art. Drawing by Valerie Legras. Created by Ann Marie Auricchio Fixtures: Kohler Lighting: Hand blowed in Italy at Artemide Doorknobs: Emtek Furniture: Bar […]

Price Mix | Knives Out

As spring begins to bloom across the city, many gardeners may be looking to up their garden game and tool belt. The humble garden knife is the ultimate multi-purpose (and dare we say elegant) tool to add to any potting shed, flower bed or vegetable patch. It can be used to do everything from digging, […]

Ask the Experts | Home Economics

Lately, when I watch home design shows filmed pre-pandemic, I find myself talking to the TV, trying to warn the homeowners and renters about how their choices won’t make as much sense when spring of 2020 arrives. But there they are, removing walls for open floorplans or forgoing any outdoor space for that small, luxury […]

Ask the Experts | Colorways

Designers have been expressing a lot of excitement over the last year on the reemergence of color in home design, as all white rooms give way to bolder looks. And with all the recent time spent at home, some homeowners are growing tired of sterile environments and are ready to shake things up. This season, […]

Price Mix | Impressed

Chic, sleek and classic, French press coffee makers are coffee connoisseurs’ favorite way to brew their morning, afternoon or post-dinner cup. French press makers do not employ paper filters, thus letting the natural oils and flavors of the coffee bloom in every brew. Plus, no waste means it’s better for the environment. Win-win! Simply place […]

Inspiration Board | Cozy Corner

Jaclyn settee from eclectichome.net   Dark Rose sheepskin pelt from sundayshop.co   Bubblegum Lady in Burgundy from perchneworleans.myshopify.com   Scissor Wall Lamp from eclectichome.net   “Lotus” wallpaper by Farrow & Ball from sprucenola.com   Table by French artist Jean-Pierre Viot with painted ceramic top and wooden legs from katiekochhome.com

Home Renewal | Home Checklist

Owning a house brings with it many responsibilities. Some parts of upkeep and maintenance are easy to remember. For example, if you forget to mow your lawn, you’ll notice it when the grass becomes overgrown. But there are many things homeowners should remember to do on a regular basis that are all too easy to […]

Last Indulgence | Electric Light

Many associate the grandeur of crystal chandeliers with notions of a traditional aesthetic. However, like various timeless trends, chandeliers have evolved into the world of contemporary design. Of course, New Orleans has its share of historic, traditional homes, but mixing in contemporary pieces allows for a perfect balance of design paradigms. Plattsburgh, New York-based Schonbek […]

Borne Again

[gtx_gallery]   Church jokes and references pepper the conversation when Robin and Scott Borne talk about their Mid-City house, which was once a Lutheran church. For instance, the couple affectionately call their residence the “Borne Again Church.” They moved the church’s altar to the existing back house (once the church rectory) where they use it […]

Down to the Wire

[gtx_gallery] When homeowners Kristin and Chris Smith hired their friends Marsha Baker, Stacey Davis and Stacy Johnson of Envy Interiors in Baton Rouge to give the Uptown house they’d recently purchased a ground-floor refresh, they agreed to move out so the designers could move in. “We did the install in a week,” says Baker, noting […]

Trendwatch | Go Bold

Whimsical black and white striped ball pillow, double-sided black and white eye pillows featuring inverted colorways and embroidery stitched Eye of Horus, the ancient Egyptian symbol for royalty, good health and protection, knobby brown Moro Orb Cushion in Jacquard cotton, linen and wool blend, and faux Siberian fox fur throw with velvet lining, available at […]

Masters of Their Craft | Bohemian Dreams

[gtx_gallery] Liz Kamarul is a professional home stager, interior designer and artist. She’s also a blogger with a healthy Instagram following of 126,000 followers. Kamarul gets a lot of inspiration from fellow Instagrammers and describes her style as Bohemian. She says, “I’m a follow-no-rules, go-with-your-gut, designer and stylist.” She’s also a thrift shopper and is […]

Home Grown | Paradise Found

1 What? Known for its stunning tropical flowers, the bird of paradise is a staple in many New Orleans courtyards, backyards and patios. The vibrant flowers nestle among thick green leaves and look as if cranes are delicately perched in the foliage. 2 How? The plant grows slowly in clumps as its underground stem divides. […]

For the Garden | Planting seeds

Krystle Sims-Cameron’s first experience growing food was a plum tree. At age 6, she planted a plum pit in the corner of her yard. “My mom told me that it was pointless to plant it,” she says. “Years later, on a nostalgic whim, I drove past my childhood home. In the same corner that I […]

Ready, Set, Roast.

Dijon Roasted Chicken 1 3-3.5 pound chicken broken down into 8 pieces (or your favorite cuts of chicken) 1 pound Yukon gold potatoes cut into wedges 2 medium red onions, sliced 10-12 whole cloves garlic 1 red bell pepper, julienned 1 bulb fennel, julienned ⅓ cup Dijon mustard zest and juice of 2 lemons ¼ […]

Bon Vivant | Party People

With slightly loosened restrictions and friend and family “pods” (groups of people who have agreed to follow the same safety protocols so they can socialize without social distancing), party people are eager for do’s and don’ts. We are all making it up as we go, but using the mandates set forth by the government and […]

Artist Profile

[gtx_gallery]   In a time when the lower half of the human face is often obscured by a mask, artist and attorney Jeff Pastorek’s work offers a welcome window into the range of emotions faces communicate. His colorful grids of mask-like human and animal visages examine human behavior, illustrate the similarities and differences between creatures, […]

Get Organized | Neat Nook

Even for those who find mornings challenging, a well-organized and well-appointed breakfast nook can be the perfect place to launch one’s busy day, the comfy corner to lazily brunch on the weekend or the oasis to wind down after that busy day with a buttery chardonnay. Let’s face it, a formal dining room can feel […]

Style | PILLOW TALK

  Unusual Containers and Vases Flowers and plants are gifts from nature and they deserve to be showcased in really special vessels. I’m especially keen on bold and whimsical ceramic pieces made by artisans in Italy. Sud, sudneworleans.com   Design Books There is no better way to spend a dreary winter day than to nest […]

Editor’s Note

Cozy, comfortable, warm, homey and snug continue to be my design inspiration words or theme, as we navigate the pandemic. Soft throw blankets and hot chocolate have dominated many of my days and evenings lately and I’m not alone in my pursuits. As I skim through my Instagram feed (follow me at @melaniewarnerspencer), I’m bombarded […]

Design Diary

Art of Lighting Locally based lighting designer and artist Julie Neill has created a collection of new light fixtures for Visual Comfort & Co., a designer lighting company based out of Houston. Neill finds inspiration for many of her designs in the culture and landscape of New Orleans, and the sense of creative spirit inherent […]

Gimme Shelter

Not surprisingly, I have long been obsessed with not only shelter magazines, like this one, but also books about design and architecture, as well as anything about the very concept of home. I finally got down to the business of reading “The Yellow House” by New Orleans-native Sarah Broom. Set in New Orleans East, in […]

In Great Taste

1.  “Stone Soup” market tote by Annie Selke, Perino’s  Home & Garden Center, Metairie, perinos.com 2.  Lugano fondue set by Swissmar, St. James Cheese Co. stjamescheese.com 3.  Set of three Itza wood tasting spoons by Bloomist, bloomist.com  4.  Zanzibar Trellis cheese knife set by Schumacher for Williams-Sonoma, Metairie, williams-sonoma.com 5. Modern square mortar and pestle […]

Out of Your Gourd

Roasted Acorn Squash with Louisiana Lump Crab, Hollandaise Sauce and Pistachio  Roasted Winter Squash 2 acorn squash 1 ounce molasses 1/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature kosher salt black pepper 1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. Combine butter and molasses to create a smooth paste.    3. Cut acorn squash into fourths and remove […]

Join the Club

You might think garden clubs consist only of genteel ladies sipping mint tea while discussing wisteria and roses. But throughout their history, garden clubs have made a major impact on the environment. They’ve addressed such issues as groundwater runoff, billboard advertisements and littering.  In the New Orleans area, we have numerous clubs specializing in everything […]

Illuminating Tradition

For decades, the enchanting flicker of French Quarter lanterns has illuminated our courtyards, homes and boulevards. With equal parts romance, history and utility these iconic fixtures provide a timeless elegance to our lives. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights is a fourth-generation, family-owned business and the oldest continuously operating gas light manufacturer in the country. For […]

Homeward Bound

Striated glaze ceramic jar by artist Dario Magro and glazed ceramic sea urchin by Gioacchino Autovino, made in Sicily and available at Sud, sudneworleans.com Vintage blue Eastern European bud vase and “Tales from the Roads Less Traveled” by Dutch photographer Pie Aerts, Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co Hand-painted brass floral sculpture by Tommy Mitchell of Chapel Hill, […]

New Build of the Year

Native New Orleanians Chris and Rachel Forstall first met at his cousin’s wedding in 2004, and the dynamic duo has been inseparable ever since. Chris, who has wanted to be a veterinarian since he was in fifth grade, opened Southshore Animal Hospital in Metairie (along with Dr. Mark Pearce and Dr. Philip D’Antonio) in June […]

Color Pop

Elan, flair, panache: Whatever you choose to call it, Susan Currie’s home has it. The local interior designer and principal of her eponymous firm, Susan Currie Design, has a passion for color that shines through all of her projects. Symmetry, which she also finds appealing, is another piece of a larger puzzle that she says […]

Best of Home Winners

Each year our readers vote by online ballot for their favorite home design industry professionals in  New Orleans. The businesses cover the scope of everything homeowners need to make and maintain a beautiful house and home. The votes have been tallied and we present our 2020 Best of Home winners. Best of Architecture Flynn Designs […]

Design Masters

As in years past, each of this year’s New Orleans Homes Design Masters has creativity in spades. Despite the fact that many businesses have suffered this year there is, as always, reason to be hopeful for continued creativity in the Big Easy. To survive the challenged economy, members of the design community are putting their […]

Design Master: Jose Alvarez

ARCHITECT Jose Alvarez WHO: Jose Alvarez, principal at Eskew Dumez Ripple (EDR). WHAT: At EDR we build places for people, our work enhances lives. We craft beautiful buildings that celebrate their native places, providing a framework for the life that occurs within and around them. WHERE: Since 1989, we have worked, lived, and played in […]

Design Master: Chuck Rutledge

INNOVATIVE BUILDING Chuck Rutledge WHO: Chuck Rutledge, developer; Jonathan Tate, architect (Office of Jonathan Tate); Pierre Stouse, contractor (Edifice Builders LLC) – All are co-developers. WHAT: We are a loose association of project partners (and friends) who join forces formally on a project-by-project basis when we find interesting infill opportunities. We usually work in New […]

Design Master: Casi St. Julian

INTERIOR DESIGN Casi St. Julian WHO: Casi Francis St. Julian, senior interior designer at Eclectic Home New Orleans + After Dark Wallpaper Collection. WHAT: Our design firm offers interior design services [and] retail. Projects include residential and commercial design offering renovation, new construction and decorating services for clients across the country. Our showroom also provides […]

Design Master: Michael Baudin

KITCHENS Michael Baudin WHO: Michael Baudin, owner and founder of Legend Interiors. WHAT: Legend Interiors is a full-service kitchen and bath design company. We provide cabinetry, countertops, tile and design services to individuals, architects, interior designers and builders. Our focus is smart, functional designs that complement our clients’ unique styles and needs. WHERE: Our design […]

Design Masters: Michael Shoriak and Courtney Williams

CONSERVATION, PRESERVATION Michael Shoriak and Courtney Williams WHO: Michael Shoriak and Courtney Williams of Cypress Building Conservation. WHAT: An architectural conservation company. We consult on all aspects of historic restoration projects, from documentation and research to laboratory analysis of historic finishes. We also hold a commercial contractor’s license. WHERE: All over the city. Sometimes elsewhere […]

Design Master: Sean Wilkerson

GREEN DESIGN Sean Wilkerson WHO: Sean Wilkerson, The Bank Architectural Antiques. WHAT: Architectural antiques, sales and service. Specializing in historical building materials of New Orleans. [A] 40,000-square-foot warehousing old cypress doors, mantels, shutters, corbels, moldings and hardware for sale to renovate historic homes or supply new construction projects with old-world appeal. Paint removal and full […]

Design Master: Byron Veal

ARTISAN Byron Veal WHO: Byron Veal, artisan. WHAT: I offer exterior stucco wall systems in multiple textures, colors and finishes. I also provide interior plaster systems, replications of moldings, medallions, sconces [and so forth]. WHERE: Uptown, Garden District, CBD, French Quarter and Old Metairie. WHEN: In 2007, Detailed Plastering & Stucco Systems became the new […]

Design Master: Kirsten Gaiennie

LIGHTING Kirsten Gaiennie WHO: Kirsten Gaiennie, co-owner Sazerac Stitches. WHAT: Small lighting and design studio that designs and makes everything by hand. WHERE: The design studio is in the Lower Garden District, 1218 Annunciation St. WHEN: Started in 2012 by Kirsten and her husband, Matthew Gaiennie. HOW: Neither of us have a design background and […]

Design Masters: Alyssa and Erikdavid Kraemer

FURNITURE DESIGN Alyssa and Erikdavid Kraemer WHO: Alyssa and Erikdavid Kraemer, owners of E. Kraemer Fine Metal & Woodwork. WHAT: We are a high-end fabrication studio specializing in the design and build of furnishings and architectural elements for residential and commercial spaces. WHERE: All custom pieces are designed and fabricated in our 14,000-square-foot facility located […]

Get Floored

The floor is one of the most important parts of your home. It takes up a lot of space and must withstand constant daily use. Like any other part of home construction or renovation, choosing and installing the right floor for your house requires care and planning to get the result you want. Waterproof flooring […]

Storytelling

Everything about a home makes a statement. While the colors and textures of your walls and floors certainly affect the level of welcome or personality, furnishings introduce the most play and the most fun. How we fill a space tells the story of who we are, what we love and where we find comfort. From […]

Lovely Libations

Hugh Bar Cart by Worlds Away, 36-inches wide by 34-inches high by 20-inches deep, $1,347, at Eclectic Home, available for in-store or curbside pickup The only thing better than a fully stocked bar is a gorgeous, fully stocked bar cart. It’s the perfect example of form meets function. Not only can you move it to […]

Ask the Experts: The Great Outdoors

While a stay-at-home attitude doesn’t typically describe the New Orleans way, it’s fair to say that recent events and recommendations for social distancing have given locals a new way to experience their homes, neighborhoods and community. Thank goodness for the beautiful weather that provided a pleasant backdrop for getting reacquainted with our outdoor spaces — […]

Poolside Service

Relaxing by the pool is a favorite summertime activity. But what to do when happy hour rolls around? Who wants to bring the party inside? We’ve searched and found the most stylish acrylic cocktail glasses in classic shapes and cool colors so that you can keep the party going, poolside.     $15.96 set of […]

Last Indulgence: Plush Perch

In addition to providing additional (and movable) seating options, the versatile pouf also can act as a foot rest or a side table. Even better, poufs add softness and a certain sense of coziness to a space that might otherwise be overwhelmed by visible angles and straight lines. They come in an array of styles, […]

Home Grown: The Real Dill

1. Through the ages Ancient Romans considered dill weed a good luck symbol and ancient Egyptians used it to ward off witches. Many cultures cultivated it for its medicinal qualities, particularly its ability to calm a queasy stomach.   2. In the kitchen Dill is also a classic taste of summer. It’s used in everything […]

Designer’s Own

It’s not unusual for a designer’s surroundings to be beautiful — and Nomita Joshi Gupta’s are no exception. Since Nomita and her husband Shammi (a physician) first purchased their 1920s house in 2011, it has been the place for Nomita to put some of her favorite ideas to work. “I love the access to everything […]

Style: GLOBAL VIEW

1. Cockpit desk clock by Pendulux National World War II Museum Store, 945 Magazine St., 528-1944 (Ext.244), pendulux.com   2. Travel Home by Caitlin Flemming and Julie Goebel Octavia Books, 513 Octavia St., 899-READ, octaviabooks.com   3. Cape Town candle by Niven Morgan, Little Miss Muffin 766 Harrison Ave., 482-8200, nivenmorgan.com.   4. Santorini tub […]

Get Organized: Porch Perfect

Whether they’re wraparound, screened in or versatile verandas, New Orleanians’ porches are the perfect place to peruse the morning newspaper, unwind after a hectic day or gather for an impromptu serenade. Sipping sweet tea or a glass of chardonnay while leisurely swinging on a wide pillow-clad porch swing is the height of Southern gentility. Keeping […]

Design Diary

Fine Furnishings A new offering of custom upholstery furnishings allows total customization Eclectic Home, a 7,000-square-foot showroom and design center, recently debuted its EH Collection — a custom upholstery line for furnishings ranging from traditional to modern styles. The carefully designed and curated line reflects Eclectic Home’s innovative yet timeless design aesthetic. In addition, Eclectic […]

For the Garden: Serenity Now

After more than 1,300 years, Japanese gardens continue to provide peace and tranquility. They are studies in balance and harmony, gracefully combining natural beauty with serenity. They can be spacious with large waterfalls, huge boulders, elegant red bridges and stone paths or small, soothing gardens in backyards, patios or courtyards. The key to designing your […]

Masters of Their Craft: Joyful Light

“I was always fascinated by the beauty of stained glass,” says Cynthia Courage, owner of Attenhofer’s Stained Glass, a full-service art glass studio. Years ago, she needed stained glass for her home. Ken Attenhofer, the studio owner, suggested that she take a stained glass class to make her own project. “This was a six-week class […]

Home Renewal: Master Plan

If you are thinking about home renovations, there are a number things to consider before spending time and money on a project. The more homework you do in advance, the more money and headaches you will spare yourself down the road. Once you begin the process, expect it to be time-consuming and arm yourself with […]

Inspiration Board: Home Retreat

Vert Coffee Table Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co   Sheepskin Wool Rug in Taupe Arhaus, arhaus.com   Rust Linen Lumbar Pillow Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co   Filmore Sofa in Theater Granite Arhaus, arhaus.com   Pink Stairway Framed Print Arhaus, arhaus.com   Ivory Ceramic Glaze Lamp Accented in Gilded Gold Base and Neck Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net

Parade of Homes

July 11 & 12 and 18 & 19 1-5pm 3D Virtual Tours hbagno.org/poh Download the mobile app today! Win this house! St. Jude Dream Home Builder: Hyman L. Bartolo Contractors Lakeview 6446 Pontchartrain Blvd. New Orleans, 70124   [gtx_gallery]  

Inside Out

For Nathan Fell, founder and principle of Nathan Fell Architecture, long and narrow site constraints — those typical of New Orleans — informed a unique solution when designing his personal home in Mid-City. He decided to create space below the second story of the home, effectively situating a heated pool and hot tub alongside the […]

Editor’s Note: Cozy Comfort

Much like every aspect of navigating life through a global pandemic, creating magazines during one is a surreal experience. It of course can seem a bit unimportant or frivolous to cover lifestyle when so many are suffering all around us, particularly in New Orleans, with its celebrated hospitality, events and retail industries. Our home design […]

Gatherings: Big Easy Cheesy

Roasted Garlic Mac and Cheese Ingredients 1 pound macaroni noodles salt, to taste 2 tablespoons butter 1/4 cup minced garlic 2 tablespoons flour 1 pint milk 1 pound shredded cheddar cheese 1/2 pound shredded American cheese 1 teaspoon hot sauce 1 teaspoon paprika 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder Directions 1. Boil macaroni […]

Bon Vivant: Hot Water

The abrupt transition into social distancing and self-isolation since the COVID-19 outbreak has many of us seeking creature comforts, distractions, tips and simply a sense of normalcy. I’ve certainly begun clinging to small daily rituals, such as meditation and journaling, cultivated to stay balanced and resumed those that fell to the wayside, such as afternoon tea. Making a […]

Artist Profile: Annie Moran

[gtx_gallery] After years as a designer in New York, Cane River native and LSU College of Art & Design graduate Annie Moran returned to her Louisiana roots. Today, the artist, illustrator and designer lives in New Orleans, where she produces art, fashion and home goods that reflect her love of nature and local culture. Moran […]

Inspired Kitchens

Contractor: Jeremiah Watson Designer: Sherry Shirah Designs Cabinets: Shaker-style, custom built by Jeremiah Watson; Paint – Sherwin-Williams Rookwood Sash Green Flooring: 5-inch white oak, Jeremiah Watson Countertops: Caesarstone Quartz Backsplash: White beveled subway tile Lighting: Pottery Barn Classic Rod Pendant, Glass Globe (in brass) Door knobs: Schoolhouse Ruth knob in satin brass Furniture: Earhart counter […]

In the Pink

“I’m not a designer or a decorator—I’m a stylist.” Looking back, Margaret Zainey Roux recalls that her love of old houses and interior design began early. “Growing up in the early ‘80s everybody wanted the Barbie Dream House, but I wanted an old school Victorian dollhouse,” says the native New Orleanian. “Even as a child, […]

Renovation of the Year

When empty nesters Judy and Bob Hendel relocated to New Orleans from Miami so Bob could head up Tulane University’s Heart & Vascular Institute, they originally thought they wanted to downsize to a smaller home. But after touring a huge Victorian Uptown, the Hendels put aside any notions of compact living. Both Judy and Bob […]

Trendwatch: Pet Friendly

Vibrant, mix and match melamine serve ware and whimsical hedgehog bar towels, available in a large range of sizes and styles at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com; “Resident Dog: Incredible Homes and the Dogs That Live There” by Nicole England, available at White’s Mercantile, whitesmercantile.com; customizable trivet featuring the pet of your choice, available at Queork, queork.com. Framed […]

Masters of Their Craft: Miles of Tiles

Years ago, a young couple of urban potters began quietly building a joyous life and a thriving business on Magazine Street. This year, Mark and Ann-Marie Derby will be celebrating 20 years of business as the owners of Derby Pottery & Tile. “It was a risk,” says Ann-Marie. “There wasn’t a master business plan; we […]

Home Grown: Ultra Violets

1 Window dressing Travers C. Koerner, Priest Associate with Christ Church Cathedral and violet enthusiast, says, “I’ve been very successful with them in a windowsill where they get a couple of hours of full early morning sun.”  2 Humidity rules Because they love humidity, consider placing pots on a tray of pebbles and add lukewarm […]

For the Garden: Cooking Out

“Everyone’s life is so hectic, and there are so few places you can relax,” says Paul Soniat, Director of the New Orleans City Park Botanical Gardens. “Our new Kitchen the Garden is a great place to come and just chill out.” Last October, New Orleans Botanical Garden opened its Kitchen in the Garden. It’s located […]

Gatherings: Green with Envy

Seafood Salad with Green Goddess Dressing Seafood Salad 2 pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined 1/8 cup crab boil seasoning ¼ cup salt 4 lemons, squeezed 2 bay leaves 1/8 cup Creole spices ½ gallon water 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat, cleaned Directions 1.  Combine crab boil, salt, lemons, bay leaves, Creole spices and water in […]

Bon Vivant: Spring Fling

Springtime is high time for seasonal veggies and, my favorite, fruits. Thankfully, New Orleans is home to several farmers markets throughout the week, local and national grocery stores committed to carrying fresh, local food and services which bring the goods to your doorstep. Since Hurricane Katrina, multiple programs, such as the Fresh Food Retailers Initiative, […]

Artist Profile: Scott Ewen

Scott Ewen has always been surrounded by art and artists. His uncle is sculptor Bill Binnings; his mother, writer and poet Pamela Binnings Ewen; his grandfather, a successful business owner in the shipping industry, always encouraged an appreciation of the arts. Ewen himself studied film and photography at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and […]

Get Organized: Double Duty

It’s Easter, and the heirloom lace tablecloth drapes a table set with cherished china, polished sterling and sparkling crystal. Once again, your formal dining room takes center stage, making priceless family memories. But if this square footage is only used a few times of year, is it really the best use of space? Many homeowners […]

Style: Singing the Blues

1.  Framed blue agate with double white mat Haven Custom Furnishings, 300 Jefferson Hwy., 304-2144 2.  Handmade silk velvet lumbar pillow backed in silk cotton ikat Elysian by Em, 236-6096 3.  Le Jacquard Francais “Fleur de Kyoto” cotton napkins Sotre, 3933 Magazine St., 304-9475 4.  Silk ikat pleated lampshade handmade in Istanbul Elysian by Em, […]

Design Diary

Southern Flair New Orleans-based Doorman Designs — a furniture brand known for its handcrafted woodwork — has launched a new e-commerce site. Founder Alex Geriner also has been busy moving into a new workshop, where he offers tours and a behind-the-scenes look at his craft. With a focus on sustainability and preservation, Doorman only uses materials […]

Editor’s Note: Home Style

For many years, a big part of my job was photo styling. I’d work with the photographers at whatever publication I was writing or editing for at the time and, whether it was on location or in the studio, I would make sure the products, models, rooms or whatever else we were shooting were looking […]

Last Indulgence: Gentle Cycles

There are certain household and clothing items that require a little extra TLC. Vintage linens and delicate silk camisoles come to mind. For handwashing enthusiasts and those who are loathe to cart “dry clean only” items to the cleaners, The Laundress products are a revolution. Developed by Gwen Whiting and Lindsey Boyd, luxury-brand product development […]

Ask the Experts: Hard Surfaces 101

While consumers often have a general idea of what they want for their home’s hard surfaces, choosing materials such as stone and tile requires more consideration than a simple preference of color or substance. The complexities of natural stone and the beatings your surfaces might take can turn one quick decision into buyer’s remorse and […]

Price Mix: Pop the Cork

Having the right tools for the job is always essential. When it comes to enjoying your favorite wine, having the right corkscrew can mean the difference from getting the party started to having an “oeno-fail.” $235 Full-bodied A very special gift for a very dedicated wine collector, the Forge de Laguiole is hand made with […]

Home Renewal: Roof Rules

In a city like New Orleans, the weather can be brutal. It often rains — and as anyone who has spent a summer here knows — it often rains hard. A house’s first line of defense in protecting its residents from the elements is its roof. But it’s not easy for homeowners to know what […]

Réveillon Revival

Winter entertaining would not be complete without a réveillon dinner. Réveillon is a Creole tradition and the word is derived from the French word réveil for “waking,” which dates to the 1700s. It refers to the all-night parties often held by nobels. This special meal served on Christmas Eve is held after midnight mass and […]

Bathing Beauty

Contractor: DMG Design Management Group, Ryan McCroskey Designer: Penny Francis, Eclectic Home Cabinets: DMG Design Management Group, custom Flooring: Eclectic Home, honed Italian porcelain cut and set in chevron pattern Backsplash: Quartz Countertops: Quartz tile, shower feature wall marble chevron mosaic Tub: Acrylic freestanding tub by Maax, Southland Plumbing Fixtures: Kohler, Southland Plumbing Lighting: Eclectic […]

In the Details

“I love a room of storytellers,” says designer Maureen Stevens of the curiosities and artifacts that bring a house to life. Stevens, who gradually made her way from physical therapist to designer by blogging and helping family and friends before going into design full-time in 2013, knows that a well-designed space is about conveying the […]

South Market Style

[gtx_gallery] The stylish weekend home of Sandra and Joel Chaisson serves many functions for the couple. Sometimes it’s a quiet place to sip cocktails in the evening after a long work week — Joel is is the district attorney for St. Charles Parish and Sandra is a retired teacher who now devotes her life to […]

Trendwatch: Soft and Warm

Textural knobby navy pillow with X-front fringe design, navy and white Hunt Slonem bunny pillow with navy backing, blue and white pouf with decorative pom-pom tassels and striped blue, silver and cream rug with tassel edge available at Perch, perch-home.com; large pink flamingo velvet pillow with double tassels, silk pink and white Ikat pillow with […]

Masters of the Craft: City Restored

Since 1968 Darryl Reeves, owner of Andrew’s Welding and Blacksmith, has lovingly spent his days heating wrought iron or steel and shaping the metals into incredible works of art. He’s a founding member of the New Orleans Master Crafts Guild and creates everything from wine racks to massive gates. Above all else, with his skillful […]

For the Garden: Louisiana Natives

A hungry toad eats a plump slug, a sparrow devours a wiggly worm and ladybugs munch on aphids as a black snake slithers through an Uptown garden. From her porch, Ann Barnes watches all of the action with sheer delight. Barnes’ yard is certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a wildlife habitat and it […]

Gatherings: Mama Knows Best

Rigatoni with Tuna, Olive Oil and Parmesan INGREDIENTS 1 pound rigatoni pasta 1 can or jar of tuna in olive oil (the better the quality, the better the dish) 1/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated (plus more for sprinkling on top) 2 tablespoons parsley, chopped 1 ½ teaspoon lemon juice 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoons chili […]

Bon Vivant: Cozy Countdown

With long waits for taxis (and Uber and Lyft surge pricing), unpredictable weather and the disappointment when that allegedly fabulous event you commit to winds up being a dud, a night in for New Year’s Eve sounds more and more appealing. You could, for example, spring for the Galatoire’s Roaring ‘20s Moet & Chandon New […]

Artist Profile: Anita Cooke

Anita Cooke’s journey as an artist has included a variety of mediums and paths. Raised in the Midwest, she drew and painted as a child and began working with clay as a teenager. Today, she creates mixed-media “sewn works,” which she describes as relief sculptures or dimensional patterning. In 1980, two years after graduating from […]

Get Organized: Be Our Guest

A well-furnished guest room is the key to a memorable stress-free visit with loved ones, friends or out-of-town business associates. And here are a few simple must-haves and handy tips to make your guest room cozy, efficient, and welcoming. Make sure your guests can snuggle and peacefully dream in a comfortable bed. A sofa bed […]

Style: For the Love of Leather

1. Magazine rack, Oak + Arrow Interiors, 5331 Canal Blvd., 919-8268, oakandarrowinteriors.com 2. Schumacher faux leather wallcoverings: Ostrich in Ginger, Sueded Leather in Cordovan, Crocodile in Java, Spruce, 2043 Magazine St., 265-0946, sprucenola.com 3. Metallic suede journal in gold, White’s Mercantile, 3811 Magazine St., 354-8629, whitesmercantile.com 4. Medallion valet tray, Sazerac House, 101 Magazine St., […]

Design Diary

Architectural Accolades Trahan Architects — the renowned architectural firm behind the Mercedes-Benz Superdome redevelopment and the revamped Coca-Cola Stage at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia — earned the 2019 International Architecture Award for a newly designed home on Magazine Street. The site, currently occupied only by the 1854 façade of a home lost to fire, […]

Editor’s Note: Holidays at Home

In 2014, I was invited to my first Réveillon dinner at the home of a friend. Having grown up in Kentucky, the tradition was new to me, but it was love at first bite (after bite, after bite). Friends and loved ones gathering for a lavish, post-Midnight Mass meal? Sign me up. Much to my […]

Gatherings | Hauntingly Delicious

Shrimp and Gris-Gris Grits Ingredients 1 lb shrimp ½ cup andouille sausage, quartered 1 quart veal stock 1 red bell pepper 1 ½ cups whole milk (skim can also be used) ½ cup yellow grits 4 tablespoons butter kosher salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning 6 cherry tomatoes, halved […]

Home Renewal | Green Living

As more and more attention is paid to climate change, homeowners around the country are looking for ways to be more eco-friendly in their homes. The good news is that there are lots of simple things homeowners can do to help the environment and save some money in the process.   Landscaping When planning a […]

Trendwatch | Autumnal Accents

Vintage campaign table with brass tray top and wood rim, hand-marbled matchbook covers and trays and vintage brass snail sculpture available at Malachite, malachitehome.com; decorative brass clam shells (sold as pair) and Neoclassical, Grand Tour-style marble bookends available at Graci Interiors, graciinteriors.com; Annie Leibovitz At Work and René Lacoste books available at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com.   […]

Last Indulgence | On the Geaux

Fall is finally here, which means a lot more porch and patio sitting and long walks in the neighborhood. The latter also means blowing through that stash of Mardi Gras throw cups in the kitchen cabinet until Carnival season kicks back in and it gets magically replenished. There are times when an Iris or even […]

Artist Profile | Terrance Osborne

Terrance Osborne’s fanciful, New Orleans-centric work has become in his words “more colorful and decked out” over the years. His method of sharing his process with young artists has found new expression through social media as well. His subject matter, however, remains consistently rooted in and reflective of his beloved native city. Cottages, jazz bands, […]

For the Garden | Sprouted

The seeds of the Edible Schoolyard New Orleans’ program were planted after Hurricane Katrina when renowned Chef Alice Waters brought her revolutionary education program, which strengthens children’s connection to the environment and encourages them to make healthy food, to Samuel J. Green Charter School. In 2006, it became the first school to replicate her model […]

Get Organized

Fine Foyer It’s the Grand Central Station for your family’s departures and arrivals and serves as the unofficial welcome center to your friends and visitors. Your entryway may be the smallest room in your house, but with attention to style and emphasis on organization, it can make the biggest impact. Running shoes, mail, keys, school […]

Sanctuary

Melinda McSpadden finally found her dream job running The Sully Mansion, a luxury, nine-suite bed and breakfast in the Garden District, and she adores her apartment sanctuary where she can escape from the 24/7 demands of operating a hotel. For more than a century, the attic was a dusty storage space. Now it is a […]

Inspiration Board | Statement Makers

Ashley Longshore’s Lil Wayne paintings are a celebration of color, energy and joy. ashleylongshore.com       An anything but old fashioned antique chair pops with high gloss custom green paint and leopard cut velvet. perchneworleans.myshopify.com       The black metal finished arched legs on the Achille coffee table mimic dripping paint. topsundayshop.co   […]

Price Mix | Bowled Over

It’s officially, technically, sweater weather season, which, for many, means comfort food. While New Orleans cooks are firing up their gumbo or chili pots, we have three options for soup serving, from watching a game on the couch to hosting a casual gathering of friends to rolling out the good silver in the dining room. […]

Design Diary

Dashing Decor Aerin Lauder, founder and creative director of the luxury lifestyle brand AERIN, and style and image director for Estée Lauder, has launched a fall line for Aerin Home with modern and classically-refined home accessories. Available locally at Rivers Spencer Interiors, the fall line includes everything from jewelry boxes and bar sets to cashmere […]

Style | Heavy Metal

1. Christian Lacroix “Paseo” small notebook in copper, large notebook in silver, guest book in gold, Lionheart Prints, 3312 Magazine St., 267-5299, lionheartprints.com 2. Studio Carta wrapping ribbon in gold, silver, and rose gold, Lionheart Prints, 3312 Magazine St., 267-5299, lionheartprints.com 3. Pigeon and Poodle nickel tray and brass cocktail shaker, Hilltop Shoppe, 3714 Magazine […]

New Build of the Year

  Every age experiences progress. Older buildings fall into disrepair and are replaced with something new. Visionary thinkers want to brush away the cobwebs of staid ideas. Trends are constantly changing, updating as fast as an app on a smartphone. The juxtaposition of modern architecture alongside centuries-old buildings happens in every city in the world. […]

Editor’s Note: Winning Season

It’s hard to pick favorites when you are the editor of multiple magazines, but if forced to do it, the annual autumn issue of this publication would certainly take the lead, if not first place. The combination of autumn being my favorite (read: cool) season and our annual Design Masters feature, as well as the […]

Masters of Their Craft | Handy Work

Bernadette Korver’s life is full of grommets, buttons, buckles and luxurious fabrics. She has four sewing machines: two industrial machines — one dated 1947 that she completely rebuilt — and two domestic ones. She’s a seasoned seamstress and expert upholsterer who has been happily earning her living with these skills for nearly 35 years. Korver […]

Ask the Experts | Renewal

It’s a common problem—that inherited antique dining set or that painting you bought fresh out of grad school, it just doesn’t seem to satisfy your aesthetic the way it used to. Our personal attachment to the art and antiques we own sometimes loses its luster, even when the piece maintains its good condition. While we […]

Bon Vivant | Film al Fresco

In some parts of the country September marks the first real taste of fall weather. Unfortunately, New Orleans isn’t in one of those parts of the country. That said, there is a dash of reprieve here and there until it begins to cool down in earnest in October. Until then, it’s essential to maximize those […]

Home Grown | Vigorous Vine

1. Details, Details Mirlitons have graced backyard chain-link fences all around South Louisiana for generations. However, after way too many hurricanes from 2005 to 2009, this cherished vegetable almost disappeared from our culinary repertoire. The good news is that these days, because of a concerted effort by dedicated mirlitons enthusiasts, the yummy squash is making […]

Design Masters

  The following verbs and phrases all refer to the art of mastering something: learning, grasping, picking up, understanding, getting, comprehending, studying, excelling in, knowing backwards, becoming expert in, becoming proficient in, boning up, getting down pat and knowing inside out. This year’s Design Masters can be credited with all of the above in their […]

Design Diary

Kevin Belton’s “New Orleans Celebrations” gives readers a taste of festive cooking in the chef’s third cookbook. Belton, with co-author Rhonda Findley, focuses on festival food and celebration whether recipes inspired by parade-route handhelds, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival favorites or household Cajun classics. The recipes are introduced with anecdotes from Belton’s childhood and […]

Ask the Experts | Backyard Living

  “Summertime, and the livin’ is easy,” sang Ella Fitzgerald — these are lyrics New Orleanians know well. Every season has its charm and while often hotter than we might prefer, summer is no different. Backyard living has become as big a focus for homeowners as indoor living, with more people requiring the same comforts […]

For the Garden | City Greens

  Much like an empty canvas, a vacant lot is full of wondrous possibilities. Almost fifteen years after Hurricane Katrina, the Ninth Ward is still woefully full of vacant lots. However, some enterprising urban farmers continue to create environments full of beehives, bamboo, vegetables, orchards, community, and joy. In 2010 David Young began rescuing bees […]

Gatherings | Flexing Mussels

  Vadouvan Spiced Mussels with Coconut, Lime, and Fresh Garden Herbs Ingredients 2 pounds Prince Edward Island mussels (cleaned and debearded) 2 tablespoons whole unsalted butter (1/2 for beginning of recipe and 1/2 for end of recipe) 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 3 each shallots, sliced thin 1 ½ teaspoons freshly chopped garlic 1 teaspoon […]

Get Organized

Grape Expectations “Wine is a living liquid containing no preservatives. Its life cycle comprises youth, maturity, old age, and death. When not treated with reasonable respect it will sicken and die,” cautioned Julia Child. If you want to keep your wine alive and accessible here’s a few tips for storing and organizing this treasured libation. […]

Style | Patriot Games

1. Antique Qashqai Kilim rug, Virginia Dunn, 2727 Prytania St. Suite 13, 437-1850, virginiadunn.com 2. “Splatter” enamelware serving bowl, Adler’s Jewelry, 722 Canal St. and 2937 Veterans Blvd. Suite B, 523-5292, adlersjewelry.com 3. Fish decorative wall puzzle made in Germany, Virginia Dunn, 2727 Prytania St. Suite 13, 437-1850, virginiadunn.com 4. Arto hand-painted deco ceramic tile […]

Inspiration Board | Color Pop

Art by Kate Tova from Perch, perchneworleans.com   Erica Wakerly wallpaper from Spruce, sprucenola.com   Crystal Tic Tac Toe Game from Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net   Rhoda Chair in pink cotton velvet from Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net   Mustard linen lumber pillow from Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co   Vintage pink Moroccan Boujad Rug from Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co   […]

Price Mix | Blender Bender

DO YOU LIKE PIÑA COLADAS? Do you dream of wasting away in Margaritaville? Mixing up a pool or porch side frosty cold drink is one of the best things about summertime in New Orleans. We’ve selected the ultimate ice-smashing, smoothie making blenders for power, style and even an economical (read, replaceable) option for the pool […]

Caftans & Cocktails

The Menu The Cocktails: Shochu Sunset & The Sweet Dream The Food: Spicy Shrimp Deviled Eggs Lemongrass Sausage Meatballs with Sambal Glaze Vegetable Cutlet with Tomato Chutney Thai Chicken and Glass Noodle Salad in Lettuce Cups Grilled Pineapple with Banana Kaya When summer beckons us poolside, what better way to enjoy the late afternoon than […]

Atlantis Found

  [gtx_gallery]   New Orleans is a place of water. Lakes and bayous surround it, and its geography is defined by the Mississippi River. A vision made liquid by the chimera of a summer day, the air thick with moisture and humidity, can make it feel as though you’re swimming while walking. Perhaps the lost […]

Editor’s Note

There are only three ways to stay cool in New Orleans during the summer months: Take a dip in the pool, enjoy a cold beverage or go inside and give thanks and praise to the air conditioning gods. Our annual pools, porches and patios feature is an homage to the first two. In it, you’ll […]

Bold History

  The location is pretty hard to beat: the quiet side of the French Quarter near Cabrini Park, where whiffs of burgers grilling at Port of Call float by, along with late night riffs from Frenchmen Street jazz halls. This is where a West Texas couple, Peggy and Timber Floyd, found a slice of vacation […]

Trendwatch | Backyard Oasis

  Amanda Lindroth wicker and wood lantern, available in small and large at Ware and Co., waremporter.com; LRNCE hand-painted ceramic vase, bowl, plates and glasses, imported from Morocco and available at Katie Koch Home, katiekochhome.com; Sferra Celine throw in Salmon available at Sotre, sotrecollection.com; faux greenery, The Plant Gallery, theplantgallery.com.       Hand-cut and […]

Masters of Their Craft | Plaster Master

  With the aid of a cane, Jeff Poree walks spritely to the entrance of his Mid-City workshop. He ruefully admits his 69-year old body is full of aches and pains and that his work as master plasterer has certainly taken its toll on his bones and joints. But he wouldn’t change his chosen vocation […]

Home Grown | Midnight Rapture

  1. Details The Night-blooming Cereus’ bloom is breathtaking. It’s almost 7 inches across and produces a rapturous scent. Look for blooms around 9 p.m. It will be fully open by midnight. The first rays of sun will see the petals wither and die. They flower from July to October. 2. Moisture Night-blooming cereus is […]

Bon Vivant | Inspired Entertaining

  In April during Freret Fest, my dear friend Jenelle threw a fabulous, casual afternoon gathering to celebrate her husband Neal’s birthday. She had been traveling and in an effort to streamline the planning, she outsourced the cooking to one of everyone’s favorite gas station chicken joints, McHardy’s Chicken & Fixin’ on Broad Street in […]

Artist Profile | Carol Peebles

Artist Carol Peebles (carolpeebles.com) has been teaching for 21 years. In fact, this year marks the 10th anniversary of her drawing atelier, Blue Easel Club, which has more than 300 members who practice the art of drawing portraits, figures, still lifes and landscapes. Throughout her career, Peebles has remained a student as well, devoted to […]

Home Renewal | Curb Appeal

  The old cliché says, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” This is true for people and houses. The first impression a visitor will get of a home is the exterior. There are many things owners can do to make the exterior beautiful, increase its resale value and make it […]

Last Indulgence | Cool Summer

  The New Orleans summer heat is upon us, which means finding any and every way to stay cool. An icy, bubbly beverage is at once essential and decadent — especially when the bubbles are derived from champagne. If you were thinking ahead during strawberry season, you will have frozen a few batches of this […]

Editor's Note: Spring Fever

Confession: I have kitchen envy. coming from people who love to cook and  also loving to cook myself exacerbates the condition. Thankfully, our current kitchen is at least efficient. The “triangle” is — pardon the pun — on point. Whether grabbing something out of the refrigerator, chopping or sautéing, everything is just a couple of […]

Design Diary

Get Planted Unleash your inner green thumb and get creative at FAIT Nola’s spring workshops. A studio with roots to the natural world, FAIT guides customers in arranging, mounting, potting and assembling exotic plants to bring into their homes. Create a terrarium while learning about inner chakras at the March 13 Terrariums + Crystals workshop. […]

Style: Branching Out

1. Handpainted Sarrancolin placemat. E. Lee Jahncke Fine Finishes, 926 Valmont St., 939-7987, eleejahncke.com 2. Custom frames. Uptown Frames, 237 Broadway St., 866-1576, uptownframes.com 3. Dessert plate. JADE, 324 Metairie Rd., 875-4420, jadenola.com 4. Embroidered pillow (insert included but not shown). Sofas & Chairs, 123 Metairie Rd., 486-9622, sofasandchairsnola.com 5. Cabochon-lidded boxes. Estella’ s Too, […]

Get Organized: Costume Closet Basics

New Orleanians know what it takes to make an event beyond brilliant: food, intoxicants, music, glitter and costumes — and not just during Mardi Gras. Throughout the year, there are dozens of opportunities for costuming. But are your dress-up duds stuffed into laundry bins or jumbled into a closet? These items are expensive, so organizing […]

Artist Profile: Julie Silvers

“Free, loose, colorful, happy” are words that Julie Silvers uses to describe her art.  While angst is a common theme in art, Silvers’ works articulate the uncontainable positivity and exuberance that reside in her soul. “My art makes me happy and I want it to make others happy,” she says. Inspired by her mother, artist […]

Bon Vivant: Biscuits 101

There is something special about offering houseguests warm, homemade biscuits. Whether it’s during a little welcome reception upon their arrival to your home or in the morning when they make their way to the kitchen for coffee, biscuits are a crowd pleaser. They are also versatile, considering you can make them sweet or savory and […]

Gatherings: Fresh Catch

Lemon Roasted Grouper INGREDIENTS 4 6-oz grouper fillets, skin off 2 oz lemon juice 2 oz lemon-infused olive oil 2 lemons, each thinly sliced into 12 even rounds 4 sprigs of fresh thyme 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed, stems peeled, blanched and cut into 2-inch batons 1 fennel bulb, cut into batons and caramelized until […]

For the Garden: Get Your Hands Dirty

Some girls yearn for emeralds and pearls, and some desire Jimmy Choo shoes. For me, my heart soars when the mail carrier delivers pretty little envelopes of seeds, glorious seeds. Avid gardeners know they get more variety options, healthier crops and pay far less when they buy seeds. There’s absolutely nothing wrong buying plants from […]

Masters of Their Craft: Dream Weaver

In the French Quarter the brass bands and buskers jam out while tourists revel day and night. The noise and excitement of this historic neighborhood is invigorating. But just a few blocks from Jackson Square there is a small storefront, Louisiana Loom Works, which offers total peace and calm. In the business’s window sleep several […]

Trendwatch: Animal Love

Mold-and scratch-resistant cork dog bed at Queork, queork.com; scarf and chew toy by Amanda Stone Talley at Studio Amanda Talley, amandatalley.com. Playful food and water bowls and hand-embroidered pillow, available in an assortment of breeds at Perch, perch-home.com; The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill by William Secord at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com. […]

Renovation of the Year

A sunny nook in the kitchen is furnished with a table and chairs by Abode. Pendant fixture by Robert Abbey. The exterior was renovated through refinement and re-articulation of the cornice, fusing the dormer windows into a single clerestory, installing oversized, custom made double entry doors, and replacing the circular drive with a formal entry […]

Five & Up

Carter looked to Galatoire’s Restaurant for inspiration when choosing the kitchen floor. Subway tiles, sourced through Stafford Tile & Stone, were cut into the desired pattern. The butcher block island counter was custom made by NOLA Boards. Iron chandelier by Chris Wynne. Claiborne with Betty and Mae. French doors were added along the side of the […]

Finishing Touches

FAUCETS 1. Moen Align 2. Brizo Litze 3. Brizo Talo 4. Kohler Purist LCR 2601 L and A Road, Metairie 504-378-8300 lcrnola.com COUNTERTOPS 1. Silestone Eternal Marquina Quartz 2. Cambria Levven Quartz 3. Bianco Superiore Quartzite 4. Cambria White Cliff Quartz 5. Vicostone Statuario Quartz 6. Persian Pearl Granite 7. Caesarstone London Grey 8. Cambria […]

Home Renewal: On Trend

When buying or building a home, it is always best to be ahead of the curve. No one wants to feel their house is obsolete or outdated. But New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is here to tell you what’s popular now and what will continue to be popular in upcoming years. WHAT'S HOT NOW […]

Inspiration Board: Lighten Up

Wilson chandelier from Eclectic Home eclectichome.net Nicole Charbonnet’s “Erased Audubon” from the Arthur Roger Gallery, arthurrogergallery.com Cole & Son ‘Woods’ wallpaper from Spruce, sprucenola.com Dark linen sheepskin pelt from Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co White Seda sectional sofa from Villa Vici, villavici.com Wood and acrylic credenza from Perch at perchneworleans.myshopify.com

Price Mix: Springing for Linens

$248 Maximum Comfort Hawkins NY Simple Linen Bedding, $248 per king sheet, fitted and flat sheets sold separately. Made from Belgium linen, and finished in Portugal, these stonewashed sheets just may become your best friends ever. Available in a wide range of colors, from “Sky” blue to “Blush” pink, “Mustard” yellow, “Peacock” and “Pine.” Sunday […]

Ask the Experts: Seasons Change

Punxsutawney Phil predicted a quick spring arrival this year, and as early as Groundhog Day, Oriental magnolia trees were already splashing the landscape with striking pinks and whites, hinting at the coming change of the seasons in early February. Just as the local foliage makes its colorful shift into spring, so does the décor of […]

Last Indulgence: Toweling Off

One of life’s simplist pleasures is grabbing a fresh, soft towel after a shower or bath and enveloping yourself in it. The choice of towel is of course crucial to just how comforting and luxurious you want it to be in that instant. There are those for whom a huge, fluffy bath towel is the […]

The Lost Art of the Letter

1. Air plant. Dunn and Sonnier Antiques Florals and Gifts 3433 Magazine St. 504-524-3235 dunnandsonnier.com  2. Florentine letter box. Dunn and Sonnier Antiques Florals and Gifts 3433 Magazine St. 504-524-3235 dunnandsonnier.com  3. Leather-look hardback journals. Scriptura 5423 Magazine St. 504-897-1555 3301 Veterans Blvd. 504-219-1113 scriptura.com  4. Marble paperweight on brass stand. Dunn and Sonnier Antiques […]

Artist Profile: Cristina Molina

Cristina Molina’s art is a confluence of personal things – including her background, education, experience and interests. Yet Molina’s pieces – she works predominantly with still photography and large-scale video installations – explore themes that are relevant to society at large – archetypes, interpersonal relationships and narratives about women. “I’m interested in revealing feminine and […]

Editor's Note: Home for the Holidays

When it comes to holiday entertaining, I like to keep it simple. In fact, that’s my motto for all entertaining. Effortlessly chic is always in style, so whether its a cocktail party or a sit down dinner and no matter what season we are in, I opt for simple cocktails and easy-to-execute meals. One year […]

Design Diary

Fresh, hot bread buzz Bellegarde Bakery, which many New Orleanians have been enjoying for years through local retailers and eateries, including Whole Foods, Simone’s Market, Martin Wine Cellar, St. James Cheese, Bar Frances, Lilette, Palace Café or via the company’s baking classes, is set to open its own retail location in January 2019. The Advocate […]

Get Organized: Fa la la voilà

For many, the day after Christmas is the time to take advantage of all the deals on festive decorations, holiday décor and all things that make this season so special. However, as your collection grows you’ll need some Christmas storage solutions to organize all those Christmas villages, ornaments, lights strands, wreaths, snow globes and holiday tableware. […]

Bon Vivant: Easy Does It

A few years ago, one of our neighbors suggested a progressive dinner party for our building-wide holiday gathering. One person or couple wouldn’t have too much responsibility or labor. It was a brilliant idea. We did cocktails at my place; the neighbor across from us served appetizers; one upstairs neighbor provided the entrée with sides; […]

Comfort Food

English Peas with Cauliflower Cream and Country Ham INGREDIENTS 1 head cauliflower 1 quart milk 8 ounces butter 1 pound English or green peas 3 cups panko bread crumbs 1 cup olive oil 3 lemons 8 ounces country ham salt and pepper to taste CAULIFLOWER CREAM Take cauliflower head and cut florets from the stem. Place […]

For the Garden: Urban Oasis

Amidst the whoop of sirens, the growl of motorcycles and the constant throb of traffic on the Pontchartrain Expressway, one finds peace and calm in a verdant oasis on South Rampart Street. In the heart of Central City, Paradigm Gardens teems with flora and fauna as goats gambol, butterflies dine on milkweed and sparrows frolic […]

Home Grown: Orchids

1 DIVA DEBUNK Orchids are not the primadonna of plants. With the proper information anyone can successfully grow beautiful orchids. 2 BREATHING ROOM Never pot an orchid in potting soil; the roots will suffocate in the dense soil. Use a growing medium such as peat moss or perlite. 3 LET IT RAIN Watering should be done only when […]

Living with Antiques: Not Goodbye

In 2007, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles editor in chief Errol Laborde called to ask me if I would be interested in writing the antiques column for the magazine. Of course, it depended on my meeting with the editor, Eve Kidd Crawford. One Saturday morning, Eve called for the interview, announcing that she lived near […]

Masters of Their Craft: Ice, Ice Baby

Exquisite glassware and house-made bitters are just some of the things that make up the perfect craft cocktail. These trendy concoctions focus on high quality ingredients and ask only that as you imbibe you take your time to savor the flavor. Therefore, what a crafts cocktail aficionado desires is something that will keep his pricey […]

Trendwatch: Game of Throws

Longhair Brazilian Cowhides (hanging) and Tito Agnoli Modular Sectional at Katie Koch Home; Vintage Wool Throw Blanket at Sunday Shop; Shearling ‘Brady’ Counter Stool at Eclectic Home. Bloom & Give Cotton and Wool Jacquard Throw at Sotre; Velvet-backed Kilim Pillows at Sunday Shop; Moroccan Rug and Square Pouf at Katie Koch Home. Clockwise from top:  […]

A Whiter Shade of Pale

The homeowners are well versed in decorating and designing using a palette of every hue and shade of white imaginable. The artwork next to the armoire in the living room is by Tony Mose. The mirror front armoire is from Oly Studio. All furnishings, artwork, lighting fixtures, and accessories used throughout the house are from […]

Kitchens and Baths

Contractor: Dragan Zegvic Architect: Daniel Zangara Cabinets: Conner Millworks Flooring: Rosa’s Hardword Flooring *most floors were original to the house but were restained and refinished. Backsplash: Pieri Tile and Marble Co. Countertops: Pieri Tile and Marble Co. Tile: Pieri Tile and Marble Co. Tub: LCR The Plumbing Warehouse Fixtures: LCR Lighting: Pottery Barn and Restoration […]

Comfort and Joy

You’ve run the gamut of winter and summer entertaining. You have done dinners and lunches and brunches and cocktail parties at home. You’ve done picnics and croquet in the park. Did you do an art gallery gathering? Of course you did. Have you given lovely dinners in private rooms and on rooftops at your favorite […]

Home Renewal: Reno-great

Maybe you’ve bought a new home and want to put your personal stamp on the kitchens and bathrooms. Maybe you’ve owned your home for many years but are selling it and want to increase its value on the open market. Whatever your reasons for wanting to renovate your kitchens or bathrooms, there are a number […]

Inspiration Board: Orient Express

Four light black iron and metal pagoda lantern. shopatabode.com Zeal Deluxe Daybed, a midcentury design multifunctional sofa with adjustable sides, available in light blue, mixed dance aqua petrol, fleshtex dark grey or soft mustard flower as shown. modernmarketlifestyle.com Silky Kyoto fabric with eastern inspired floral pattern. perch-home.com Eastern inspired hand knotted wool rug combining heathered […]

Price Mix: Going with the Flokati

Now that the cooler, occasionally cold, days are with us, many New Orleans homes may feel decidedly drafty. Adding a soft rug to sink your toes into will bring a touch of warmth, and style, to your home’s design palette, according to Penny Francis, owner and principal designer at Eclectic Home.     “Flokati rugs are a […]

Ask the Experts: The Stone (and Tile) Age

Options in hard surfaces like tile and stone are continually expanding and evolving, giving homeowners more choices to make than ever. Whether you want hard surfaces with a subtle, soft appeal or a stony, rustic intensity, you can just about achieve any look these days. Advances in technology have opened new avenues for printing, cutting, […]

Last Indulgence: Decadent Drizzles & Dips

We’ve used extra virgin olive oil for cooking for years and historically opted for the economical store brand. After buying a bottle of Stonehouse California Olive Oil on a trip to San Francisco last year however, I was a convert to the “fancy” stuff, but not for cooking. Rather, we keep a bottle on hand […]

Editor's Note: Falling for Fall

  I love spending as much time as possible at the beach all summer long, but autumn will forever reign supreme as my favorite season. Long walks in Uptown and through the Garden District, porch sits and flinging open the windows at every available opportunity, as well as switching the floral candles out in favor […]

Design Diary

  A Street Party Soiree Hosted by the Rouses Culinary Innovation Center, Chef Andrea LeTard is doing a cooking demonstration and cookbook signing on Sept. 22 at the Southern Food & Beverage Museum (1504 Oretha C. Haley Blvd.). LeTard’s recipes explore a new generation’s take on Southern dishes with healthy options for those with a […]

Stay Neutral

EUGENIA UHL PHOTO 1. Handmade and faux-finished to look like the real deal, this resin turtle shell is mounted on a custom iron stand and brings a sense of swamp chic to a bookshelf or tabletop. Virginia Dunn New Orleans, 8795 Leake Ave., 237-4773, virginiadunn.com   2. Local ceramic artist Michael Clement makes his foray […]

Clean Sweep

  Do you keep your car in your garage? Organizing professionals estimate that only 30 percent of us do. Why? The answer is simple — it’s because there is just way too much clutter and chaos. Here are a few garage storage ideas and products that’ll help you get organized and discover the perfect place […]

Jamar Pierre

  Jamar Pierre’s paintings are an exuberant mix of color and imagery. A self-described native son and citizen of the world, he draws on a global array of experience to express his artistry — his works are dense with indigenous motifs as well as references to Costa Rica, Africa, Iceland and Eastern spirituality.   Pierre’s […]

Hotel Style

MELANIE WARNER SPENCER PHOTO When close friends and family visit New Orleans and opt to stay in our living space built for two, we set up a temporary guest room. It is located just off of the kitchen and the living room with a doorways leading to both areas. There are removable curtains, which provide some privacy, […]

Mama Knows Best

Crawfish Cornbread Dressing Dressing Ingredients 2 tablespoons butter, divided 1 medium onion, finely diced 1 red bell pepper, finely diced 1 rib celery, finely diced 5 cloves garlic, minced 1 pound cleaned crawfish tails 1 ½ teaspoon salt ¼ teaspoon black pepper, finely ground ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper 2 cups crawfish stock (or any seafood […]

Making It

  What do you get when you combine a love of horticulture, innovative engineering, warm sunlight and feminine creativity? The answer is Axil Rose, NOLA’s first mobile solarium and design studio. This 23-foot van, made in part with reclaimed cypress, meanders throughout the city making stops at farmers markets, pop-up arts events, bridal showers and […]

Perennial Sunflowers

  1 Reigning Queen Perennial sunflowers such as the Lemon Queen impart gardens with their gentle splendor. Where other sunflowers shout their beauty, this gem purrs. 2 What to Expect They bloom in late summer and autumn, and their beauty can last six weeks. They attract birds, butterflies, and lots of attention. 3 The Appeal […]

Grande Dame

  When noted interior decorator Gerrie Bremermann closed her iconic shop, Bremermann Designs, on Magazine it was the end of an era. But for Bremermann, 91, long considered the dean of decorating in the South, it was a new beginning. “I’m not retiring,” she says. “I may write a book about my experiences, but it […]

Sweet Life

  As you approach a small building between Pine and broadway, there’s an intoxicating smell of butter, cinnamon and vanilla. It’s Gracious To Go, which is attached to Gracious Bakery’s 5,000 square-foot commissary kitchen. This local bread and pastry shop is run by husband-and-wife team Jay and Chef Megan Roen Forman (the former is a […]

White Lightning

White marble and brass Florence Lamp H 21.25-inch and whitewashed hemp rope side table at Eclectic Home; McCartys Pottery Artisan Garden Sculpture Bell Chime at Katie Koch Home. Combine functional form and aesthetics with a pair of diminutive lamps. Positioned to anchor opposite ends of a console, a dresser or a bed on either side […]

New Build of The Year

The three-story cantilevered staircase has threaded metal cables that cascade from the double height ceiling down to the edge of the first-floor stair treads and is lined with sleek, smoky gray glass and decorated with a black, flat plate steel rail.   Nicole and Paul Dorsey had already built one Metairie home when they decided […]

Bohemian Chic

They expanded the kitchen from its original location. The old kitchen and dining room was completely gutted, and a wall was taken down between the two to create one big, open space. Lighting: Sconces above the shelf are from Schoolhouse Electric, the chandelier over dining table is Lambert et Fils. The brass pendants over the […]

Mix Modern

The ship captain’s table that often serves as a bar, along with the elk antlers nestled beneath were purchased from Ann Koerner Antiques. The green velvet Directoire chair is the first chair deemed “good” by Fort’s close friend and mentor, Gerrie Bremermann. The painted cypress barber pole was an early purchase and said to be […]

Design Masters

  As the tricentennial of New Orleans, 2018 is a banner year. The history, milestones, landmarks, beauty, resilience and movers and shakers of New Orleans — past and present — are being celebrated everywhere you turn. Those highlighted in this year’s New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Design Masters have the extra cachet of being able […]

Home Sweet Tiny Home

  If you watch home improvement channels like HGTV, then chances are you have seen tiny houses on shows such as “Tiny House Hunters.” These miniature homes can be as small as 60 square feet. In a materialistic world, the thought of discarding all but the essentials has its appeal. But is the reality of […]

Monochromatic

‘Roman’ wall mirror from Jade, jadenola.com   Floral Movement Print No. 2 by Daymon Gardner, Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co   White lacquer chest with silver leaf link design on doors from Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net   Hand-foiled finish “Rye” wallpaper in Pewter by Custhom of London from Spruce, sprucenola.com   Curved back black rattan rocking chair from […]

Double Dutch

$64-$102 Lodge cast iron 4-7 quart The original cast iron dutch oven from Lodge may appear basic, but with a super-affordable price point and a tough as nails construction, this is the kind of pot that your grandmother probably used…and may have passed down to you, if you’re lucky. You can’t go wrong with this […]

Buy Like A Pro

Graci Interiors, LLC   The new floors are down, and the walls are finally painted. The curtains are hung, and so are the light fixtures. As the furniture makes its way into the room, new questions arise. There’s empty wall space now where a tall, flimsy bookshelf once stood. Perhaps there’s empty floor space where […]

Sugar and Spice

  The first time I had Mexican hot chocolate, was at a coffee house in Austin, Texas. The concoction was slightly grainy, but still creamy. Rich and complex, it ruined me for traditional hot chocolate. Its combination of bittersweet chocolate and a hint of spice transform simple hot chocolate into something much more sophisticated. The […]

WINNERS

  Each year our readers vote by paper and online ballot for their favorite home design industry professionals in New Orleans. The businesses cover the scope of everything homeowners need to make and maintain a beautiful abode. The votes have been tallied and we present our 2018 Best of Home winners.   Best place to […]

clean dreams

Fragrant and gentle cleansing products that make household chores less of a chore

backyard living

From plants to pools and paint to prettying things up, the pros are offering up advice for your outdoor oasis

Sizzling Style

Chef Kevin Belton’s advice for a grill to suit any occassion this summer

Fun in the Sun

Quick and easy pieces to create a stylish outdoor entertaining space

Planning for Your Pool

If you are considering a pool, do your homework and plan for maintenance

Caribbean Connection

Chef Nina Compton channels memories of her charmed island childhood with this fresh and fruity summer recipe

Firmly planted

Horticulturist Margie Yates Jenkins named to Louisiana Department of Agricluture’s 2018 Hall of Distinction

Fern-tastic

Boston ferns are a New Orleans, Southern staple

cover up

Give antiques new life with bold, modern fabrics

Life Goes On

Woodworker Paul Troyano gives felled and old trees and wood a second act

Patio Posh

Add luxurious global-market karma to outdoor lounging in your own backyard

Southern nights

  Recently, I’m ashamed to admit, I learned the song “Southern Nights” was written by the late, great, New Orleanian Allan, Toussaint. For years, it never occured to me that anyone other than Glen Campbell wrote it, given his version was a 1977 hit. This new knowledge sent me down a rabbit hole of listening […]

design diary

Summer Reads While you’re laying out by the pool with your summer cocktail, be sure to grab some new reading material and find your next home inspiration. New Orleans-based decorator, writer and designer Sara Ruffin Costello’s new book “Gatekeeper: World of Folly by Hunt Slonem,” features Slonem’s work as an American painter, sculptor and printmaker. […]

hot takes

  1. This hand-painted tin pagoda epitomizes chinoiserie chic. Insert a candle and use it as a lantern or fill it with succulents for a terrific terrarium. Sotre, 3933 Magazine St., 504-304-9475, sotrenola.com.         2.  Amanda Talley is taking her art off the walls and putting it on the patio furniture. The local artist […]

Child’s Play

Corralling the kid’s stuff with creative solutions, style and whimsy

Sean Friloux

  The Mighty Mississippi has been a powerful presence in artist Sean Friloux’s life. Growing up in Destrehan, he was introduced to its strength, beauty and industry by his grandfather. Today, the river is also a powerful presence in Friloux’s art, which depicts a variety of local subjects, including French Quarter scenes, industrial sites along […]

Good Gifting

Hostess gifts to get you invited back again and again

A Good Fit

When George Varino found a New Orleans home and an interior designer that met his qualifications, he knew he had a winning combination.

Top Tier

Designer Chad Graci updates a penthouse at One River Place

Up on the Roof

A casual party overlooking the city will wow your guests

lush life

Lounging poolside in New Orleans never looked so good

Satsuma Shindig

The beginning of spring singnals the end of satsuma season. Satsuma lovers might argue that this is the only drawback of the season. There are still a few glorious weeks left, however, and there are myriad ways to indulge in this highly-flavored citrus before switching to the more typical spring fruits. Satsumas were introduced to […]

Seasonal Change

Since the hard freezes this winter, many of us are dealing with sagging, drooping, wilted and browned tropical plants. Outdoor spaces have gone from lush to nearly apocalyptic. Thank heavens for spring, when renewal is the name of the game, and color and life return to South Louisiana. While many of us have outdoor spaces […]

Digging in the Dirt

$10 to $20 CHEMICAL RESISTANT According to Dunaway, gardeners should always wear chemical resistant gloves when handling pesticides. “Chemical resistant gloves are recommended to be worn when mixing and applying pesticides. The degree of chemical resistance required depends primarily on the formulation of the product as well as the method of application.” For maximum protection, […]

Geometry 101

(FROM TOP TO BOTTOM, LEFT TO RIGHT) Twelve-light Eos chandelier featuring brushed brass and smoked glass rods in a Sputnik burst design. Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net White prism bar with detailed doors framed with pewter finished sides and base featuring a silvered interior with mirror shelf and two drawers. Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net Framed black and white […]

A New Coat

Painting the inside or outside of your house with a fresh new color is a great way to put your personal stamp on your home. While it may look as simple as dipping a brush in paint and going to work, painting is like many other jobs, requiring preparation and a plan in order to […]

Wow Factor

Contractor: El-amm & Associates, LLC Designer: Penny Francis/Casi St. Julian with Eclectic Home Cabinets: Eclipse by Shiloh, frameless full overlay doors and drawer fronts from Mattix Cabinets Flooring: Reclaimed Antique Heart Pine from Crescent Hardwood Supply Backsplash: Elongated iridescent glass hex from Eclectic Home Fixtures: Southland Plumbing Supply Doors: Riccas Architectural Sales Lighting: Eclectic Home […]

Home Grown

Legendary British horticulturist, garden designer, artist and writer Gertrude Jekyll credited gardens with teaching many useful things, including patience, industry, thrift and trust. She also wrote, “The lesson I have thoroughly learnt, and wish to pass on to others, is to know the enduring happiness that the love of a garden gives.” The homeowners on […]

Editor's Note: Spring Fling

As I’m writing this note, new orleans is still battling a cold snap and Carnival is in full swing. Needless to say, looking ahead to spring is a welcome respite. I’m excited for the flowers to be in full bloom and planning a thorough spring cleaning of the house and refreshing of the décor. The […]

Design Diary

BLOOMING ART AND FASHION One of the most anticipated springtime events in New Orleans, the New Orleans Museum of Art’s Art in Bloom is celebrating 30 years. This year’s theme is “Queen of Arts: Celebrating 30 Years of Art in Bloom.” Guests sip and mingle while viewing floral designs created by over 75 exhibitors, many […]

In the Pink

1. The Palermo chair is wrapped in hand-woven, all-weather synthetic wicker making it the perfect perch for your chic outdoor retreat. Haven Custom Furnishings, 300 Jefferson Highway, Suite 102, 504-304-2144, havencustomfurnishings.com. 2. Made from lightweight composite, lacquered in a high gloss finish and topped with a gold-lined drum shade, this urn-shaped table lamp sheds new […]

Get Organized: Kitchen Ninja

From a Michelin-starred meal to campfire grub one thing is constant: an organized kitchen is an efficient kitchen. Today’s home cook — who juggles work, kids and housekeeping — wants to get delicious and nutritious food on the table fast, so keeping this room organized translates into saving time, money and stress.  – By Pamela […]

Artist Profile: Rhonda Corley

Artist Rhonda Corley’s connection to fashion began in childhood. “I was always thinking about what I was going to wear,” she says. It’s a passion she credits to the fact that New Orleanians love to dress up and to her late mother. After high school at McDonogh 35, Corley took art classes at Delgado and […]

Pet Project

Over the years, different friends and family members have volunteered for pet sitting duty for us. In some cases, we had reciprocal agreements and traded off to help one another out. Whether or not that’s the case, we always tried — and still do — to make the sitting as enjoyable as possible for the […]

Beef It Up

Ingredients (per serving) 1 dry-aged New York Strip ½ cup Merlot mushroom sauce 1 broiled stuffed tomato Steak Directions Evenly season the steak with salt and pepper. Coat the steak with vegetable oil. This may be done up to 3 hours before grilling. Brush the grill clean and lightly oil. Place the seasoned steak over […]

Gold Diggers

The only time I every got in trouble at school was in the 1st grade, when I chased a horrified James Musso around the playground with a handful of wiggly worms. I loved worms then and I still love them now. These days, however, it’s more because they significantly improve my garden’s soil. Worms do […]

Heirloom Tomatoes

1 Taste Heirlooms vary in size, shape, color and taste. They have meaty textures, thin skins and tons of flavor. 2 Types Varieties include Cherokee Purple, Brandywine and Sunset’s Red Horizon. Yellow heirloom tomatoes tend to be mild and red heirlooms are more acidic. 3 Space To decrease disease, heirlooms need wide spacing in both […]

Mapping It Out

Many years ago when my husband and I were dating, he started a collection of antique maps.   They were framed and hung around his small cottage on Calhoun Street.  Over the years, the maps have donned the walls of our living room and study and now reside in the upstairs landing of our home. I […]

Forging a Path

E. Kraemer Fine Metal & Woodwork is the perfect place for Erikdavid Kraemer to hone raw materials into objects that are beautiful, useful and enduring. He hails from four generations of artisans. At 12, he began working for his father, a well-established violins maker, as a luthier’s assistant (a luthier makes stringed instruments). It’s a […]

Renovation of the Year

Elizabeth and Adam Keckler wasted no time deciding to buy their Uptown cottage. The couple — she hails from Jackson, Mississippi, he from the Dallas area — met at Rhodes College, fell in love, chose New Orleans as a place to build a life together and soon found the perfect house where they could put […]

Levee Living

Karen and Mark Gundlach struck a compromise the first time the couple started a house-hunt. “Mark had very strict parameters about where he wanted to live,” says Karen. “The duplex we were in had zero privacy. I told him if he didn’t loosen up on his location requirement, finding something we both wanted wasn’t happening […]

Coffee Talk

The bijou bean with a big, Big Easy backstory

Cut to the Quick

Japanese chef’s knives for kitchen novices and experts

Pop Life

Mix bold colors and contrasting textures with modern and vintage pieces for a striking, yet comfortable look

A Twist on Tradition

Chef Tommy DiGiovanni puts a Sicilian spin on a Louisiana holiday favorite

Well Received

Greet friends and family visiting New Orleans with a festive welcome reception

Room Mates

  1.“The Fonville Winans Cookbook: Recipes and Photographs from a Louisiana Artist,” includes more than 100 of photographer Winan’s original recipes, personal stories and never-seen-before images. Octavia Books, octaviabooks.com.   2. Evoking memories of fireside chats and cozy sweaters, KOBO’s Cashmere Valley Wood candle recalls fragrant notes of cashmere wood, smoked chestnuts and leather. Relish, […]

Refreshed

Magazines are Much like interiors, in that every few seasons it is probably a good idea to do a little freshening up. With that in mind, we’ve been tidying, rearranging and adding a few new, bright, shiny items to our tried-and-true favorites in New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. As you settle in with the issue, […]

Naked Lunch

Oysters on the half shell are on the menu this fall

Design Masters

Now in its ninth year, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles’ Design Masters feature is always a bumper crop of creative professionals. A dozen standouts in nine categories comprise our 2017 group. Interior designer Maria Barcelona receives the honors for kitchen design, husband and wife architects Kim Payne Allen and Ben Allen for architecture, landscape architects […]

Pretty is as Pretty Does

A flood-damaged Old Metairie house is given a second chance

New Build of the Year

Kendall Winingder and Patrick Schindler combine their talents with a who’s who team of experts to build their dream home

Found and Formed

Glass artist Mitchell Gaudet finds the extraordinary in the ordinary

Freeze Frame

Antique and vintage frames make a comeback

Shaping Up

Add interest, whimsy and elegance to the garden with topiary

Sugar, Spice & Everything Nice

Grandma’s molasses cookies are the stuff of memories for pastry chef Jeremy Fogg

Joan Griswold

Joan Griswold always knew she wanted to be in the arts. As a child, she learned from her mother a love of making things, from clothing to woodblock prints. She took drama classes in high school and pursued theater in college. It also was during college that she found her true passion — painting. Today, […]

Shop

Demoran Custom Homes 504/810-5346 985/788-7857 demorancustomhomes.com   Adda Carpet & Flooring 5480 Mounes St. Harahan 504-736-9001 addacarpetsandflooring.com Cameron Kitchen and Bath Designs 8019 Palm St. New Orleans 504/486-3759 cameronkitchens.com Susan Currie Design 504/237-6112 susancurriedesign.com Campbell Cabinet Co. 220 Hord St. Harahan 504/733-4687 4040 Highway 59 Mandeville 985/892-7713 campbellcabinets.com Ashley Hall Interiors Ltd 832 Howard Ave. […]

Face of Pest Control

Joe Martin & Vincent Palumbo

Fruits of Summer

The season’s bounty in flavor-packed parcels

Picnic Chic

A vintage-inspired outdoor spread to kick your summer off in style

Fresh Perspective

Inspired by flavors of her heritage, Chef Diana Chauvin Galle puts a Thai twist on a local favorite

Summer Lovin’

Editor’s Note

MLM Incorporated

Machi Medrzycki

Prevention, Procrastination & Woe

Learning the hard way about keeping up with routine home maintenance

Haven Custom Furnishing

Terri McCormack and Jennifer Uddo

Tyson Construction

Zachary Tyson

Décor Fresh for Spring

Create impact this season with accessories, smart edts, layers and light

Flower Power

Fresh blooms brighten your rooms and your mood

Sportsman’s Paradise

Chef Evan Benson serves up little plate of heaven with sweet and savory smoked duck salad

Scott Andresen

Artist Profile

Iron Will

Caring for, and bringing back cast iron cookware

Notable Addiction

The simple luxury of a fresh, fine notebook

Winterizing

Seasonal swaps, new design haunts and events for your winter calendar

Style

Standing Ovation France & Son’s spider lamp is an applause-worthy reinterpretation of the midcentury French icon by Serge Mouille. Dramatic shapes and angles create a theatrical feel within the room, making it as much a work of art as it is a source of illumination. Three curved iron arms of differing lengths are finished with […]

Rachel David

Artist Profile

Game on!

Chef Brian Larson of Clancy’s shares a warm, weeknight crowd-pleaser

Busy Bees

Beekeeping is a fruitful and altruistic hobby

Global Warming

Imported throws, hand-loomed rugs and lean pillows with a world-market vibe lend that cozy lodge feel to your favorite lounge area

Summertime Hospitality

Whether you’re entertaining guests this summer, revamping your outdoor space or looking for inspiration for your next home project, we have many ideas for you! In this issue, we showcase four guesthouses, discovered by writer Lee Cutrone. They aren’t available to rent, but they might motivate you to revamp your own spare space and invite […]

Style

1. Lounging ‘Round Made of stainless steel with a brushed brass finish, the Kelly bar chair marries old Hollywood glamour with contemporary chic. With its T-shaped barrel back styling and fluted base, Kelly was inspired by the iconic bar stools in the 1942 classic American film Casablanca. It’s built strong, swivels and is sure to […]

Hop to It

Served with a side of toe-tappin’ flavor, summer’s freshest catch will put some spring in your step.

Wildflowers

Native plants growing freely

Striking Clocks

How to care for classic timepieces

New Angles

Scott Jarrett of General Public Designs incorporates contemporary and retro elements into his work.

Party Props

Lanterns, coolers and serving wares for picnics, pool parties and beach days

Young & Collected

A couple upgrades their home to reflect their personal styles

Renovation Lessons

What you learn from the endless updates

NOLA Bonsai

Guy Guidry

TAG Homes, Inc.

Thomas A Gennusa III

Outdoor Entertaining

How to grill and chill in style

Tiki Torches

Festive outdoor lighting can enhance your outdoor surroundings and keep it bug-free.

The Results Are In

You’ve cast your votes, and here are the top picks of your favorite local vendors, shops and home experts.

Summer Brunch

Louisiana cuisine offers so many delightful dishes that are perfect to serve for brunch, and many can be served room-temperature. A whole theme can be created around what we love about the state, from the menu to the table setting. Chef Melissa Martin, who grew up in Chauvin, Louisiana, and her husband, photographer Rush Jagoe, […]

Renovators

Heroes or Villains?

California Closets

Lynell Dow

Flynn Designs

Joey and Kristine Flynn

NOLA BOARDS

Daren Sumrow and Mandy Simpson

Tara Shaw Maison

Tara Shaw

Updating Furnishings for Spring

Trends & tricks that won’t break the bank

The Cherry on Top

Piety Blend at NOLA Brewing

From Garden to Kitchen

With spring comes renewal, and this issue is full of fresh energy that might give you a boost if you’re thinking about sprucing up your home or outdoor space. For those who are looking to enhance their yard or cultivate a green thumb, Pamela Marquis discovered some of the city’s most beautiful, lush gardens that […]

STYLE

It’s the Little Things: Creating Big Moments in Your Home Through The Stylish Small Stuff (Rizzoli, $45.00) Featuring exquisite design vignettes from today’s top designers including Bunny Williams, Alessandra Blanca and India Hicks, author Susanna Salk’s It’s the Little Things inspires readers to get personal and artful with decorating choices. Organized by type of design arrangement, from full […]

Bright Idea

Bold in color and flavor, this savory dish proves that cobbler isn’t just for fruit anymore!

Sunny Side Up

Sunflowers are easy to grow in Louisiana and serve many health benefits.

Multipurpose Furniture

Repurposing and revamping antiques will never go out of style.

Like a Rolling Stone

Jess Leigh continually evolves with her jewelry line.

Garden Fresh

Classic tools for the contemporary gardener

Counter Act

6 kitchens with style

Garden Variety

“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” – Henry David Thoreau Landscape Images Ltd Yards offer us relaxing retreats. In the shade of a verdant garden, everyday stresses can seem miles away. Enhanced by touches including water features, fragrant  blooms, artwork, comfy seating, brick pathways and luscious plant beds, these landscapes […]

Winter Wonders

Here we are in the anticipated holiday season. Some people get stressed about the idea of hosting a party around the holidays (or in general), but we’re going to show you it doesn’t have to be a source of anxiety, and you, the host or hostess, can have as good of a time as your […]

Martin L. Benson

ARTIST PROFILE

Chilling Out

A zesty take on an icebox pie that’s perfect for our temperate winters

Holiday Plants

How to take care of 4 seasonal favorites

Olive & Oil Jars

Years ago, they served as precursors to air-conditioners. Now, they make for great home accents.

Bold Ambition

Ingrid Butler crafts wild and wearable lip wear for Lipscape.

MLM, Inc.

Machi Medrzycki

Southern Refinishing

Lesley and Misty Dickerson

Cabinets by Design

Monique Poché Bennett

A Sweet Combination

No matter your age or the season, a s’more is always a welcome treat with a hint of nostalgia.

Divide & Conquer

Brian Bockman and Jack Forbes put their complementary design styles to good use at work and at home.

Luxe Life

Dianna Knost’s Bohemian carriage house

Hard Sell

Sourcing contemporary and decorative antique hardware for your design project proves that details make the difference.

Bacon Me Crazy

How to give the old-fashioned grilled cheese sandwich an intoxicating new flavor.

Pillow Talk

Rebecca Vizard crafts high-quality pillows using a variety of fabrics.

Composting

A “recipe” for how to do it right

Joy is Her Calling Card

Liz Maute Cooke’s Lionheart Prints is Hallmark for millennials.

Tile in Style

Flooring, tile and stone trends this fall

Mattix Cabinet Works

Manson and Paul Mattix

Katie Koch Home

Katie Koch

Benge Landscape

Tommy Benge

Going Green

Add some low-maintenance plant life to your interior space with a terrarium.

The Post-K Way

How far we've come

Ally Burguieres

Artist Profile

A Season Turns

The intersection of creative vision and determination is a magical spot to be. As this issue hits newsstands, we will be done acknowledging the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. We have reflected on the past decade and what it has taught us. New Orleanians – as diverse as we are – share an unparalleled sense […]

Master of Furniture

Design Shaun Wilkerson

Master of Design/Build

Matthew Kohnk

Staying for Summer

Editor's Note

Style

Nautical Chic (Thames & Hudson Ltd., $40.00) For centuries, the appeal of nautical dress has cut a sartorial swathe. But how did the iconic blue-and-white fisherman’s top and yellow peacoat make the leap from uniform into fashionable dress? In her first book, Nautical Chic, fashion historian Amber Jane Butchart uncovers the stories, tracks the trends […]

Casi Francis

The great 20th-century French couturiere Jeanne Lanvin is crediting with proclaiming that “art and fashion are one.” It’s a credo that readily applies to the work of Casi Francis. As a full-time interior designer, Francis works with her mother, interior designer Penny Francis of Eclectic Home, creating beautiful rooms. As an artist, she creates original […]

Savoring Summer

A salad featuring corn fresh off the cob and Gulf shrimp make a satisfying summer dish.

Radiant Blooms

Bougainvillea loves the New Orleans sun.

Knobs and Hinges

Using antique hardware can add timeless elegance to a home.

Art of Darkness

Designer Amanda deLeon's works are influenced by death, funerals and nightmares.

Outdoor Accessories

Pump up pool and patio season with exotic tabletop lanterns, hand-woven baskets and distinctive acrylic serve ware.

Selective Synergy

Katie and Marc Levy update a 1950s ranch house

A French Twist

Cathy and Keith Daigle’s fresh take on a classic

Smoking Hot

Grilling Tips, Summer Recipes & Cocktails from chef Adolfo Garcia

Pricing Out Your Dreams

What you need to know about finance

Shades of Blue, Inc.

Mary Lou Fewell

Sotre

Grace Kaynor

Seamless Connections

Inviting The Outdoors In

A Fete-Worthy Fruit

In praise of tomatoes

Backyard Living

There are at least one or two hard freezes every winter in New Orleans, followed by days and days of spring rainstorms with lots of wind and sometimes hail. As spring segues into summer, a major citywide cleanup by homeowners of their pools, porches, and patios goes on in full force. They replant and refresh […]

A Season’s Soundtrack

Fill your life with music.

Update Your Décor

Incorporating Furniture Trends At Home

Freshen Up

Editor's Note

Style

Pierre Frey: Inspiring Interiors: A French Tradition of Luxury (Abrams, $65) Since 1935, Pierre Frey has designed some of the most coveted textiles and wallpapers in the world. A member of the Comité Colbert, an elite association of French luxury houses, the family-owned company uses historical techniques to reproduce period textiles and contemporary creations. The […]

Picnic Perfect

Sweet strawberries and spicy ginger put a seasonal twist on a classic sandwich.

Ethical Farming

Sugar Roots Farm connects people to their food with educational programs.

Everything is Illuminated

What you need to know about chandeliers

Finishing Touches

GoodWood NOLA collaborates with local visionaries.

The Shining

Brighten your interior’s atmosphere with a sexy sphere of feathers, a bare-bones Edison bulb or a distinctive ornamental table lamp with unique origins. At night, let there be light!

Winter Warmth

I’ve joked in the past about wishing I could hibernate when the temperatures drop below 70, but I wouldn’t want to miss out on cozy social gatherings. If you warm up your winter by dining and celebrating with friends and family, you will definitely find helpful advice and inspiration from our feature, “A Season to […]

Garden Variety

Local experts and aficionados weigh in with tips and share why they love to grow things.

C is for Comfort

Curl up with a bowl of Carrot Coconut Curry soup for a meal that’s sweet and savory.

Seductive Smoke

Kathleen Currie artfully blends essential oils in her new perfume line.

Rug Chic

Beth Assaf

Northshore Millwork

Julie Diefenthal Philippus

Jefferson Door

Chris, Colin, Ward, Bob and Julie Van Dervort.

Louisiana Custom Closets

Ann and Don Wise

Master of Landscaping

René Fransen

Design Masters

Each year, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles’ Design Masters feature shines a light on the local designers, artists, artisans and business people who contribute so singularly to the way our city looks, feels and functions. This year, we honor 10 such individuals – Design Masters one and all. We celebrate their accomplishments, which include local […]

Master of Interior Design

Sandy Chopin Staub, NCIDQ, ASID

Master of Home Accents

Alexa Pulitzer

Master of Green Design

Robert Schmidt

Master of Architecture

John A. Chrestia

Master of Furniture Design

Erica Larkin Gaudet

The Results Are In!

You’ve cast your votes, and here are the top picks of your favorite local vendors, shops and home experts.

Summertime Bounty

This year spring came late to South Louisiana; we had temperatures in the 60s well into April, and a late freeze or two played havoc with crawfish. That hasn’t stopped the zucchini, which I am starting to believe will survive us alongside roaches and Philadelphia Eagles fans when whatever ends us finally ends us. Personally, […]

That's a Wrap!

Forget the bread – let lettuce wrap up this summertime sandwich.

Style

    Curve Appeal Admired throughout the world for his designs that exude “Elegance with an Edge,” luxury furniture designer, Christopher Guy channels his inner-Chanel in the “Mademoiselle” collection. He recently introduced more than 100 new products to the celebrated collection like the “Musette” chair, available in metallic and lacquered finishes and a host of luxurious fabrics. […]

Flip a Switch

Light the way with sconces, lamps and chandeliers.

A Sweet, Tart Treat

Life giving you lemons isn’t always a bad thing.

Spring Dreaming

There’s an advantage of editing and producing a seasonal magazine, and it’s not necessarily the feeling of glee upon catching an errant comma or a typo.   The advantage we had throughout this abnormally frigid winter was that we knew in our hearts, as far back as January, that springtime would arrive. It had to […]

Southern Comfort

A heartwarming casserole gets kicked up a notch with a cornbread cap.

Everyday Adventures

Designer Patti Dunn marries style and function in her bag line, Tchoup Industries.

Retailer Spotlight – Abode

Abode is a local, family-owned business with strong roots in New Orleans. It’s a boutique-style home furnishing and accessories store offering sophisticated and unique home furnishings, lighting, artwork, linens, rugs, accessories and gifts.

How to 'Force' Winter Bulbs

In New Orleans we do not hunger for spring the way our Northern neighbors do. We have a bit of green and color even on the darkest of winter’s day. But there’s still something magical about those spring flowers. So during the upcoming holidays how festive it would be to add vivid colors and intoxicating […]

Recipe: Turkey Taquitos

Two great American traditions get fiesta-style flair.

An Uptown Home With Style and Substance

Seph and Pamela Dupuy’s converted Uptown shotgun combines creativity and function.

Editor's Note: Time of the Season

Time always seems to speed up between the months of November and March. One minute you’re polishing off that last bite of pumpkin pie, and seemingly the next minute you’re “atoning” for our extra-long holiday season, perhaps by swearing off sweets altogether for Lent. We are about to embark on a festive journey through the […]

Accessories for You and Your Home

Although it dangles and dazzles like that iconic mirrored ball from the ’70s, the Ulysses pendant is anything but passé. The drum-style three-light fixture features overlapping layers of brushed gold disks and a double diffuser perforated with small apertures to create subtle lighting effects. Dwell Studio, dwellstudio.com. In With the Old (Potter Style, $34.95) The […]

Homes for the Golden Age

Adjusting a space for retirement age

Retailer Spotlight: Rivers Spencer

Rivers Spencer was buying, selling and renovating homes in her hometown, Jackson, Miss., when she decided to make her dream come true. Spencer, who studied art history, had always wanted to own a business on Magazine Street, so last year she opened Rivers Spencer Interiors at 4610 Magazine St. The store is full of beautiful […]

Retailer Spotlight: Louisiana Custom Closets

Louisiana Custom Closets designs and installs custom shelving for closets, garages and utility rooms. Don Wise, owner, has been in the business for more than 19 years. The company offers free in-home consultations with designs displayed on state-of-the-art software. What new trends do you see regarding your business? Garage storage is becoming more popular all […]

Why I Love a Hot Toddy

The tasty cocktail is key for winter comfort.

An Ode To Brownies

There's always a reason to indulge in this classic treat.

Modern Market – M2 Studio

Charles J. Neyrey and Sherrie Hope combined their strengths and talents to establish two complementary businesses that work seamlessly together. Hope, a member of the National Council for Interior Design, founded Modern Market. The 1,500-square-foot boutique showroom provides a curated collection of contemporary, fashionable and affordable modern furniture and accessories. It focuses on emerging design […]

2013 Design Masters

See who made this year's list of the best of the best in New Orleans home design.

5 Styles to Consider for the Garden

Beyond the sliding glass doors of a rear bedroom, my backyard offers a quiet, unused space. A corner palm offers shade, and vines meander along the surface of the fence. Other than that, it’s a blank slate. There is little ground covered, aside from a smattering of pebbles and the occasional weed. No garden beds, […]

Editor's Note – Fall Freshness

I have this wonderful albeit clichéd fantasy of a Southern summer where I’m sprawled out on a chaise lounge, surrounded by tropical plants, with a dog-eared Flannery O’Connor book, pausing only to fan myself or sip a mint julep. It’s a pretty far cry from the busy, bug-slapping, sweaty reality of it all. Don’t get […]

Style

Croc-tail Hour World-renowned for fashionable yet functional décor, L’Objet launches its newest collection, Cabinet of Curiosités, this September in anticipation of the company’s 10th anniversary. Among the 63 new pieces are hand-crafted brass coasters that integrate sophisticated design, artistic integrity and material innovation with pure and unadorned elements of nature. Arabella Fine Gifts & Home […]

Recipe: Just Beet It

Beets: They’re just as rich in flavor as they are in color. Roast ’em and toss ’em with zesty oranges, savory onions and crunchy hazelnuts, and the nutrient-heavy root takes center stage in a light yet hearty salad. So if you’re searching for a colorful creation to serve at your next fall fête, look no […]

Garden Decor

Peek into any beautiful garden, and you will find lush greenery, colorful flowers or a pattern of hedges that delights the eye. You might find towering trees, thick vines that seem to dance across an arbor or a fountain that offers a drink to a bird or butterfly. You might also notice a piece from […]

A Couple's First Home

The home of Amber and Jacob Donnes comes together with help from some local experts.

Editor's Note: Summer Loving

I know it’s not normal to revel in the choking heat and humidity of a New Orleans summer, but I do. I love it. I love the clammy feeling of leaving my air-conditioned house to walk out into a sticky summer morning. I love sweating in the thick twilight air at an outdoor party. I […]

Baby Back Bliss

Coated in a spicy apple glaze, these barbecued ribs will have you in hog heaven.

Easy Kid-Friendly Recipes

These meals should please even the pickiest palates.

Berry Good

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy strawberries, in any form.

Make This Tonight

A Chicken Salad So Tasty, You’ll Eat the Bowl

An Ode to Bloody Marys

Spring is the perfect time for brunch, and Bloody Marys are the perfect drink!

Anita Cooke

New Orleans artist Anita Cooke says there’s no narrative to her works, which are large collages of paint and reconfigured canvas. But these “sewn constructions,” as she calls them, are not purely abstract either. Once you get behind her process, it’s easy to find the thread, and for New Orleanians in touch with their city’s […]

‘Tis the Season for Salad

Savory and sweet, this hearty winter salad is something to celebrate.

Editor’s Note

Time Flies

Style

Raising the Bar Designer Kathy Slater is on a roll – literally – with her locally made Orleans bar cart. Available in aged gold leaf and aged silver leaf finishes, it’s the newest addition to her namesake table collection. With three antiqued mirrored trays, the Orleans bar cart is refined with just a hint of […]

Kidding Around

Combining fashion and whimsy, these children’s rooms are proof that having kids doesn’t mean sacrificing style.

Give & Learn

Here’s a quick primer on appropriate hostess gifts for every occasion you might encounter during the busy holiday season.

Waste Not, Want Not

Adaptive reuse is not just good for the environment; it’s also good for your wallet and your décor.

Spiffing Up

De-cluttering your home on an everyday basis can make it so much more comfortable and livable.

All that Sparkles

From champagne to fireworks to the glittery pageantry of Carnival, ‘tis the season to sparkle!

Going Native

When starting from scratch with your garden, native plants are usually a fail-safe option.

Creative Community

Mallory Whitfield, aka Miss Malaprop, works with artists around the city while also generating unique, popular and award-winning work of her own

Home Away from Home

Lisa Donofrio and Brian Valzania split their time between New York and New Orleans, but their Creole cottage in the French Quarter is second to none.

2012 Design Masters

The Swedish-style chandelier, custom-made dining table and Louis Philippe buffet are from Source. The 18th-century French chairs are from Piranesi Antiques.

A Promise Kept

Simon and Rebecca Finger’s Uptown Colonial Revival home blends modern, vintage and antique styles with stunning results.

Last Indulgence: True Brew

Not just for college keggers anymore - beer has come into its own!

Home Renewal: Olfactory Overload

How to deal with unsavory smells

Of the First Water

Stellar Kitchens and Spectacular Baths

Trendwatch: Pop Art

Trinkets and knickknacks make a playful appearance this fall, blending contemporary and whimsical designs.

Masters of Their Craft: Labor of Love

Inspired by science fiction, fairy tales, poetry and art, designer Niki Fisk creates one-of-a-kind jewelry.

Living with Antiques: Furniture Freshened Up

Painting an old piece of furniture can revive it - and make it beautiful.

For the Garden: Planting the Seedlings

Local kids get first-hand experience with educational garden programs.

Gatherings: Hot Diggity Dog!

A Great American Classic Goes Gourmet

Artist Profile: Alan Gerson

Alan Gerson’s upcoming exhibition at LeMieux Galleries is titled Children’s Garden, though this collection of new paintings is no walk in the park. Sure, if you glance quickly at them, their bold colors and big, bulbous shapes can give a friendly, almost whimsical impression. But look closer, and there seems always to be a dark […]

Style

                Raw Beauty Painted on reclaimed wood collected near construction sites in Lakeview, local artist Jennifer Rodrigue’s oyster paintings celebrate the marvelous mollusk shape to create appetizing artwork that’s always in season. Julie Neill Designs, 3908 Magazine St., 899-4201, www.jenniferrodrigueart.com. …And Everything Nice Local jewelry designer Lauren Eckstein […]

Editor's Note

Welcome Back

Surviving Summer

If spring is a time for rebirth and revitalization and fresh starts and cleaning and bursts of productive energy, well, then summer – at least summer in New Orleans – is almost the opposite: a time for rest and popsicles and lying on the sofa in your underwear whining about the heat. But we refused […]

Style

Cameo Appearance From the stone objets d’art of ancient Greece to Queen Victoria’s beloved personal collection, the carved relief cameo has remained a timeless classic. In its new fragrance collection, Seda France captures the texture, richness and singular beauty of these historical motifs in eight fragrant candles, each hand-poured in decorative white glass and packaged […]

Cuckoo for Couscous

This versatile food is perfect for the hot days of summer.

Mint Conditions

This refreshing herb thrives in the summertime.

Eastern Influence

Antique kimonos make beautiful wall-hangings and are wonderful conversation pieces, but they require special care and handling.

On Vinyl

Judy Gamache DiGeorge finds a new purpose for old records.

Backyard Zen

Versatile and stylish furniture and accessories can help you create the perfect oasis close to home.

A New Spin on Pasta

Try some lighter recipes for the long, hot days of summer.

A house made for Summer

With abundant outdoor space, Chris and Shane Guidry can take full advantage of the warmer seasons.

Here Comes the Sun

Solar power is catching on in New Orleans.

Ice Up

Iced coffee might be a vice, but it’s the best way to make it through a New Orleans summer.

Trendwatch: Green Theme

There’s no time like spring to ramp up the color and bring the outdoors in

Editor's Note: Crunch Time

Once we hit October in New Orleans, the days might get shorter, but somehow, we manage to jam more and more events into them: Halloween parties and Thanksgiving feasts, Christmas celebrations, open houses, glittery New Year’s festivities and colorful Mardi Gras balls. In other cities, they might hibernate during winter – but not here! And […]

Style

Under Wraps It’s no secret that “re-gifting” is considered gauche by many, but the action can be quite acceptable if properly interpreted. Stylish and sturdy, gift bags and boxes in graphic cotton fabrics with reinforced bottoms are more than just pretty packages – they’re gifts that keep on giving. Working Class Studio, 912/525-6300, www.workingclassstudio.com.

Gatherings: A Soup For All Seasons

Served hot or cold, roasted tomato-basil soup makes a heartwarming meal any time of the year

From the Garden: Garden Therapy

When the world is too much with you, gardening is a great way to relax, and better still, there’s no need to spend a lot of money to make your backyard flourish

Living With Antiques: Estate of Mind

If you know the secrets, estate sales can be great sources of hidden treasures and fabulous bargains.

Trend Watch: Gotcha Covered!

The weather outside may be frightful, but the colors inside are delightful – and will warm you right up!

Home Renewal: Cabinets as the Centerpiece

In the renovated home of Ben Gauslin, cabinets are anything but an afterthought

Last Indulgence: Mull It Over

Sweet, hot and deliciously spicy, mulled wine will warm you from the inside out