Gambit's Details March 2020

New Orleans

HOME + STYLE + DESIGN MARCH 2020

inside

PER SONA L I Z E YOU R POR CH

//

DESIGN W ITH FLOR A L S

//

SHOP SICILI A N DECOR

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

SUZANNA DISHMAN | ANSLEY SEAVER MARSHALL, JD | SASHA D. AREA, JD

2

Over $29 Million SOLD AND LEASED IN 2019

4901 MAGAZINE STREET, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70115 504.605.4400 | MCENERYCO.COM LICENSED IN LA

Kitchen Cabinets Vanities Granite Quartz Marble Sinks Pure Shaker Pure White White

20,000 Sq.Ft. Warehouse • Everything in Stock • Financing Available • 6 Months Interest Free

Vanilla Cream

Shaker $1625

Grey Shaker $1785

$1705

Coffee Toffee $1705 MARCH 2020

SOLID WOOD DOORS • MAPLE PLYWOOD CABINET CASE

HIGH QUALITY YOU CAN TRUST

w/ purchase of 25 sq. ft. countertop (sink valued at $190)

INSIDE ½ PLYWOOD

METAL SHELF RESTS

MEMBERS & SUPPLIERS

METAL BRACKET REINFORCEMENTS

MEMBER

SOFT-CLOSE TRACK

ADJUSTABLE 6 WAY HINGE

GE FINANCE

MEMBER

DOVETAIL DRAWER

MEMBER

3939 VETERANS BLVD • 504-338-6227 • WWW.BCKITCHENBATH.COM • MON-SAT 9AM-5:30PM

GA MBIT DETA IL S

Free Quote Free Layout Design Receive a Free Sink

3

Contents VOLUME 1 | NUMBER 1 |

It’s in the

Ma r c h 2 0 2 0

details

With the debut of our new publication, Gambit Details, we are

7

PORCH ACCENTS: Inspiration for your outdoor space

11 NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT: Irish Channel

POWER: 14 FLOWER What’s in bloom at local shops this season

16 SICILIAN FLAVOR:

Two well-traveled architects bring their love of the iconic Italian island into the world of retail.

TO GROW: 18 GOOD How to find your green thumb

ON THE COV ER :

Celeste Marshall’s Uptown home P H OTO B Y C H R I S G R A N G ER / T H E T I M E S P I C AY U N E | T H E N E W O R L E A N S A D V O C AT E

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

Sud is Sicily

shining a spotlight on local design elements, home accents and art — along with the city’s neighborhoods, architecture and residents who enhance the colorful aesthetic of New Orleans.

Spring is the season to spend as much time outside as possible, so inside this month’s issue you’ll find inspiration for furnishing and decorating your porch, with an eclectic blend of styles to enhance a welcoming outdoor space. We also have tips on how to find your green thumb, so that even the most amateur gardeners among us can see their plants sprout and flourish.

Because we are all about flowers this season, you’ll also find a showcase of some of our favorite items from local retailers who are inspired by springtime blooms.

One area that will be full of festivity this time of year is the Irish Channel with its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, so we’ve taken a closer look at the neighborhood, its real estate and some of its beloved hotspots.

We hope you feel inspired by our premiere issue and get in touch with us to share your own favorite details about living in this vibrant city by emailing Sarah Ravits at sravits@gambitweekly.com.

4

Sud salutes the inaugural edition of Gambit Details

4021 Magazine street New Orleans | (504) 309-9076 info@sudneworleans.com

PU BL I SH E R | Jeanne Exnicios Foster E DI T OR -I N- C H I E F | Kandace Power Graves C R E AT I V E S E RV IC E S DI R E C T OR | Dora Sison SPE C I A L S E C T ION S E DI T OR | Sarah Ravits C ON T R I BU T OR S | Jake Clapp, Cheryl Gerber,

Suzanne Pfefferle Tafur, Shelby Simon PR E -PR E S S C O OR DI N AT OR | Jason Whittaker GR A PH IC DE SIG N E R S | Maria Boue, Sherie Delacroix-Alfaro

Advertising inquiries 504.483.3150

MARCH 2020

GA MBIT DETA IL S

5

30

G AS LIG HT S ER VIC ES BY

FLAMBEAUX

Need your Gas Lamp cleaned & maintained? We come to you!

S ER VI N G T H E NEW O RLEA N S A R EA

504-881-3054

like us on Facebook

614 N. Causeway Blvd | Metairie | www.flambeauxlighting.com

Vintage and UPCYCLING MAKE THE RESTORE YOUR FIRST STOP

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

Butcher Block Countertops and Custom Furniture by NOLA Boards

6

2425 WILLIAMS BLVD — KENNER 2900 ELYSIAN FIELDS — NEW ORLEANS RESTOREPICKUP.ORG TO DONATE: 504-943-2240

NEW ORLEANS . BATON ROUGE . NORTHSHORE

www.nolaboards.com • 504.435.1485

SHIPPING AVAILABLE

Porch

ACCENTS

By SARAH RAVITS

INSPIRATION FOR YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE There’s no space that’s quite as welcoming as a New Orleans porch in the springtime. In many cases, our outdoor gathering spots showcase our hospitality before guests even step through the doors.

These extensions of our homes provide comfort as places to curl up with a book, sip a cocktail with favorite neighbors or squeeze in with family and friends. Porches also invite us to show off our personal creativity and style — whether it’s adventurous, traditional, bold and bright or a mix of all of these elements. After all, our eclecticism is often what brings us together in the first place.

A look we love:

blending bright colors and repurposed textiles, like Tami Hill used on her Central City side porch, showcases personal style.

PHOTO BY CHRIS GR ANGER / THE TIMES-PICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE

Mesh outdoor chair, $299 from

Modern Market (1200 Annunciation St. 504-896-2206; www.modernmarketlifestyle.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MODERN MARKET

MARCH 2020

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NOL A WOODWORKS

Custom wooden bench, $375 from NOLA Woodworks.

Copper crown rain chain, $39.95 from Forever

PHOTO PROVIDED BY NOL A WOODWORKS

New Orleans (308 Royal St., 504-525-0100; 606 Royal St., 504-

586-3536; 700 Royal St., 504-586-3536; www.shopforeverneworleans.com). PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

Planter, $25 at Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

STAFF PHOTO PAGE 8

HOME

GA MBIT DETA IL S

Customized wooden porch swing, starting at $350 from NOLA Woodworks (504-782-8977; www.nolawoodworks.com).

7

Porch

Bluebonnet door hanger, $48 from Home Malone (629 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-324-8352; 4610 Magazine St., 504-766-6148; www.homemalonenola.com).

ACCENTS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTIN MALONE

PAGE 7

Lanterns (from left

to right) $15.95, $36.95 and $15.95 from New Orleans Botanical Garden Gift Shop (5 Victory Ave., New Orleans City Park, 504-483-9488; www. neworleanscitypark. com/botanical-garden/gift-shop).

Custom doors

in Bywater style (left) and French Quarter style (right), $925 from Wilkerson Row (3023 Chartres St., 504-208-7998; www.wilkersonrow.com).

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY WILKERSON ROW

Planters, $199-$299 (dependent on size) from Modern Market.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MODERN MARKET

Ford tailgate bench, $975

from Disco Warehouse (3101 Tchoupitoulas St., 504571-5622; www. discowarehouse.net).

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

STAFF PHOTO

8

French Quarter Yoke stainless steel light, starting at $875

Ceramic lemon planter, $420 from Hazelnut (5525 Magazine St., 504-891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com).

from Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights (521 Conti St., 504-522-9485; www.bevolo.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY BEVOLO

“Union, Justice, Crawfish” flag, $36 at Dirty

Coast (713 Royal St., 504-324-6730; 1320 Magazine St., Suite 105, 504-766-0752; 5631 Magazine St., 504-3243745; www.dirtycoast.com).

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

PHOTO PROVIDED BY HAZELNUT

HOME

Whimsical

1

WELCOME Make an entrance MATS with four fun designs 1 2 3 4

2

Water meter cover, $36 from Dirty Coast.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

“Adventure Awaits,” $10 at Habitat for Humanity ReStore.

3

STAFF PHOTO

Lemon-themed, $10 at Habitat for Humanity ReStore (2425 Williams Blvd., Kenner, 504-943-2240; 2900 Elysian Fields Ave., 504-943-2240; www.habitat-nola.org/restore).

STAFF PHOTO

Red shag, $55 from Modern Market.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY MODERN MARKET

4

#DOPANTIQUES

300 JEFFERSON HWY (504) 373-5132 WWW.DOPANTIQUES.COM

GA MBIT DETA IL S

Follow us on instagram for shipment notifications

MARCH 2020

20,000 Square Feet of fine Antiques, Furniture, Lighting, Accents & Custom Furniture Design

9

32ND ANNUAL

Spring Ponchartrain Home Show & Louisiana Food Fest

MARCH 7TH & 8TH

Turn your house into your dream home

PONTCHARTRAIN CENTER | KENNER, LOUISIANA Admission is $8 – Children under 12 are free

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

REMODEL! | RENOVATE! | DECORATE!

10

1000’S OF PRODUCTS

for every room in your house.

Featuring the best products for kitchens and baths as well as the best prices on countertops, cabinets, windows, doors, siding and so much more!

GIVEAWAYS

Free Tastings, Samples, Coupons and Recipes From All of Your Favorite Brands

LOUISIANA FOOD FEST

$2 OFF REGULAR ADMISSION

1-866-839-1643 | www.jaaspro.com | www.facebook.com/Louisianahomeshows

Irish

THE CHANNEL

By JAKE CLAPP In a new, occasional column for Gambit Details, we will take a look at the qualities and history of an individual neighborhood to better understand where New Orleanians live. For March, when St. Patrick’s Day makes us all Irish, we examine the Irish Channel.

The Irish Channel’s street boundaries, according to the city’s Historic District Landmarks Commission, are Magazine Street to the north; Tchoupitoulas Street (and the Mississippi River) to the south; Delachaise Street to the west; and Jackson Avenue to the east, with some cut outs above Chippewa Street where a few property lots are included in the boundaries of the Lower Garden District.

There’s a lot of history in the Irish Channel (more on that later) and the area reflects that with older homes, walkability and charm. “The energy here is wonderful,” says Bill Sawicki, former president of the Irish Channel Neighborhood Association. “There are many people moving in. There are a lot of young

families and young couples. There’s a large population of people that have been here for decades. It’s still eclectic.

It’s still diverse.”

Along with residents who have lived in the area for decades, the neighborhood, Sawicki says, has become a draw for both white-collar employees and service industry professionals and artists that work at the restaurants, bars, studios and shops on nearby Magazine Street.

Tchoupitoulas Street is also seeing more business development.

A park, Clay Square, sits between Annunciation and 3rd streets. And the beautiful historic Roman Catholic churches, St. Alphonsus, completed in 1857 to serve the area’s Irish commu-

EIGHTNEARBY BARS AND RESTAURANTS Parasol’s Restaurant & Bar (2533 Constance St.)

Stein’s Market and Deli (2207 Magazine St.) Tracey’s (2604 Magazine St.) Coquette (2800 Magazine St.) NOLA Brewing Company (3001 Tchoupitoulas St.) Miel Brewery & Taproom (405 6th St.) The Tchoup Yard (405 Third St.) Turkey and the Wolf (739 Jackson Ave.).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SNAP REAL ESTATE PHOTOGR APHY

Buildings in the Irish Channel are typically close together and sit on narrow lots, with many of the houses — mostly cottage- and shotgun-style homes — featuring small front green spaces. Greek Revival and Victorian style buildings can also be seen in the area.

Housing cost range

Typical purchase range is between $350,000-$500,000. An average single-family house, around 1,500-square-feet, will go for around $400,000, according to Kasi Champagne, an agent with Reve Realtors.

Neighborhood history

The Landmarks Commission’s Irish Channel boundaries are relatively new, having been designated in 2002.

For much of its history, as geographer and Tulane professor Richard Campanella lays out in his book “Geographies of New Orleans,” where — and what — the Irish Channel was has spawned several debatable theories.

The name itself, Irish Channel, is something of a misnomer: Historically, the area was home to a concentration of Irish immigrants as well as Germans, Italians and free people of

NEIGHBORHOOD SPOTLIGHT

PAGE 12

The back courtyard of a home on Pleasant Street in the Irish Channel. Reve Realtors currently lists the 100-year-old Greek Revival home for $575,000. The 3,747-square-foot house features three bedrooms and two-anda-half bathrooms.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SNAP REAL ESTATE PHOTOGR APHY LLC

Average contract rent in the Irish Channel, according to Census Bureau data from 2013 to 2017, is $1,121 a month. Average contract rent in Orleans Parish for the same period is $842.

GA MBIT DETA IL S

PHOTO BY MA X BECHERER/ THE TIMESPICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE

2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Style of homes

Reve Realtors recently sold an upstairs condominium on Washington Street in the Irish Channel. The 1,593-square-foot condo, built in 2009, features three bedrooms and two bathrooms and was listed for $395,000.

MARCH 2020

1

nity — and now operating as an arts and cultural center — and St. Mary’s Assumption, opened in 1860 for the German population, sit on Josephine and Constance streets, just outside of the Landmarks Commission’s technical boundaries of the Irish Channel.

11

THE

Irish CHANNEL

PAGE 11

Photo: Cassagne Photography

Client-Driven Real Estate with Collective Results!

Voted by Gambit readers as the #1 Best Real Estate Office in the Metro Area 2019!

900 Camp Street, Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70130 504.291.2022 • wcnola.com Licensed in Louisiana, USA

The entry hall for a house on Pleasant Street in the Irish Channel.

Reve Realtors currently lists the 100-year-old Greek Revival home.

The 3,747-square-foot house features three bedrooms and two-anda-half bathrooms and is listed for $575,000.

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY SNAP REAL ESTATE PHOTOGR APHY

color. Along with St. Alphonsus, serving the Irish, and the German St. Mary’s Assumption, a third nearby church, Notre Dame de Bon Secour, was built for the French.

In the 1840s, Irish immigrants, fleeing the Great Famine, arrived in New Orleans, finding work along the busy waterfront and digging the city’s canals.

Many settled upriver along with other European immigrants and free people of color in a city thencalled Lafayette. New Orleans absorbed Lafayette in 1852.

The area became a working class neighborhood.

Several notable early jazz musicians lived in the Irish Channel, including trombonist Tom Brown, the Brunies family and Tony Sbarbaro, the drummer for the Original Dixieland Jass Band.

In the 1970s and 1980s, demographics in the Irish Channel area began to shift, caused by white flight and mirroring trends of other urban areas around the

12

The terrace of a Washington Avenue home in the Irish Channel. Reve Realtors recently sold the 1,593-square-foot second-floor condo, which features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. It was listed for $395,000.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY SNAP REAL ESTATE PHOTOGR APHY

THE

Irish CHANNEL

country at the time. According to a report by the Community Data Center, Irish Channel population declined by 38% from 1970 to 1990.

In 2000, the Irish Channel was a diverse neighborhood: 69% of residents were black, 30% white and 4% Hispanic.

The 1980s and early 1990s brought troubled times to the Irish Channel, similar to other urban centers. The oil bust of the mid-’80s impacted the state, and in the Irish Channel, that was coupled with an increase in drug trafficking and related crime. By 1990 the Irish Channel hit a 43% poverty rate and 1 in 4 houses was vacant.

But, according to the Community Data Center, in the mid-’90s, Irish Channel residents began organizing to demand attention from the city and police. Things were starting to turn around by the early-2000s.

Then Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. Located on higher ground, the Irish Channel didn’t flood — a fact that has contributed to the rapid changes in the neighborhood in recent history.

The Irish Channel, like other parts of the city, has been a focal point for the ensuing gentrification of post-Katrina New Orleans. Affordable property values led to an interest in development around 2010, which in turn has driven up home prices in the decade since.

According to Census Bureau data from 2013 to 2017, the Irish Channel is now 22% black, 69% white and 3% Hispanic.

Spiritual Gift Shop

There’s a lot of history in the Irish Channel and the area reflects that with older homes, walkability and charm.

PADDY parties

Incense • Candles • Crystals Jewelry • Tarot Cards Spiritual Supplies • Rootwork

5509 Magazine St. | starwindgifts.com | 504.702.LUCK Are you a beach or waterfront lover, with a penchant for old architecture in a beachfront paradise?

How about a mix of Southern grace, seafood, festivals, mystery, and an award-winning historic downtown?

Searching for a new coastal town to put down roots? We have all the charm you’re looking for. Beachfront, waterfront homes and condominiums in Bay St Louis, Pass Christian, Long Beach, and Gulfport are all a short drive away.

Call us for a complete inventory of these and other incredible getaways.

WINTERS REALTY, LLC 228-344-3260

203A North Second Street Bay St. Louis, MS 39520

Henry J. Winters, III Broker Angela Eastin, Realtor

The TouchDown Group

Deidra Carr Jones REALTOR®

STADIUM SEATS: FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS’ SEMINAR Thurs., March 5th 5:30 to 7:30pm The Revolution,1840 Thalia St.

Helping You Score Points Into Your Destiny

Register via Eventbrite ***Limited Seating Available

BUYING • SELLING INVESTING

PHOTO BY SHAWN FINK/THE TIMES-PICAYUNE | THE NEW ORLEANS ADVOCATE

A handful of parties and parades in the Greater New OrleMarch 17, or on the surrounding weekends. But the epicenter of New Orleans’ celebration of the green is the Irish Channel.

On Saturday, March 14, Parasol’s and Tracey’s will each host a block party and the Irish Channel parade will roll at 1 p.m. starting at Magazine and Felicity streets. An Irish Channel block party is also scheduled for St. Patrick’s Day at Annunciation Square.

MAURICE GUILLOT PROPERTIES CALL US!

736-0544 mauriceguillot.com

GA MBIT DETA IL S

ans area will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, either on the day itself,

W FiFindd Tenants We

MARCH 2020

(504) 717-6706

Keller Williams Realty 1601 Belle Chasse Hwy, Suite 101, Gretna, LA 70056 504-207-2007 Each Office Independently Owned and Operated

13

r e w o l FPOWER

by SHELBY SIMON

WHAT’S IN BLOOM AT LOCAL SHOPS THIS SEASON ceramic set | Spoon rest, $26; small tray, $26; large tray, $36, all featuring 22-karat, gold trim from Home Malone (629 N. Carrollton Ave., 504-324-8352; 4610 Magazine St., 504-766-6148; www.homemalonenola.com).

PHOTO PROVIDED BY KRISTIN MALONE

romantic reading |

serve it up |

Rose print tray, $88 from Perch (2844 Magazine St., 504-8992122; www. perch-home. com).

“The Language of Flowers,” $14.95 from Forever New Orleans (308 Royal St., 504-525-0100; 606 Royal St., 504-586-3536; 700 Royal St., 504-586-3536; www.shopforeverneworleans.com).

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

napkins | Set of four, $44 from Perch.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

tea party |

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

Tea set, $36.95 from New Orleans Botanical Garden Gift Shop (5 Victory Ave., 504-483-9488; www. neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden/gift-shop).

14

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

framed art | 26-by-32-inch watercolor,

$610.00 from Eclectic Home (8211 Oak St., 504866-6654; www.eclectichome.net).

illuminate | Lotus votive holder, $14.95 from New Orleans Botanical Garden Gift Shop.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ECLECTIC HOME

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

I NS PI R AT I O N

take a sip |

Hand-painted wine glasses, $23 each from Perch.

pretty petals |

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

Paper flower, $58-$135 from Home Malone.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

welcome home | Iris door hanger, $48 from Home Malone.

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY KRISTIN MALONE

southern style |

Magnolia hand towel, $16 from Home Malone.

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY KRISTIN MALONE

wall art | “Beats Have Me Buzzin’ ”16-by-20-inch canvas print, $300 from Casey Langteau Art (4700 Magazine St.; www.caseylangteauart.com).

PHOTO BY CASEY L ANGTEAU JOHNSON

MARCH 2020

hang it | Pressed plant wall art, $29.95 from Forever New Orleans.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

rest easy |

Embroidered pillow, $75 from Perch.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

Tulip vase, $36 from Home Malone.

PHOTO PROVIDED

BY KRISTIN MALONE

turn the page | “Botanicum” book, $35 from Forever New Orleans.

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

I NS PI R AT I O N

GA MBIT DETA IL S

blue beauty |

15

Sicilian

flavor

Two well-traveled architects bring their love of the iconic Italian island into the world of retail.

Story and photos by

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

16

Since the word “sud” translates to “south” in both Italian and French, it’s a fitting moniker for a novel arts and antique shop on Magazine Street. Sud (4021 Magazine St.) celebrates Sicily, Italy, while also embracing the culture of New Orleans — a Southern city that’s famous for its French heritage, yet brimming with Sicilian flavors. The traditions of the Mediterranean locale are more noticeable in March, thanks to St. Joseph’s Day, than during any other time of the year.

Architects William Brockschmidt and Richard Dragisic opened the bright and airy shop in November 2019. (The building, a double shotgun house, also hosts Brockschmidt’s home design firm, Brockschmidt & Coleman.)

The couple has been traveling to Sicily for 20 years and restored a home in the city of Modica. While doing so, they met local artisans, frequented auctions and explored antique shops and flea markets.

“Neither of us are Italian, but we’ve always loved Italy,” Brockschmidt says.

Originally based in New York, Brockschmidt and Dragisic have always possessed a fondness for New Orleans, as well. Dragisic boasts familial ties to the city.

“We had all of these connections design-wise and sources from furnishing our house in Sicily, and we thought we could sell those things here,” Dragisic says.

“This idea just gelled that New Orleans would be a place where we could have this shop. We love the local nature of Magazine Street and its distinctive quality merchandise of all types — clothes, fashion and food,” Brockschmidt says. “We thought Sud would be interesting because it would complement that — but it wouldn’t only be antiques, and it wouldn’t only be decorative items.”

Sud’s curated collection features items created by both Italian and American artisans, such as ceramics in the form of

decorative jars and bowls, planters and dinnerware. It also includes furniture, exquisite handmade jewelry, paintings that represent classical Mediterranean mythology and patterned tablecloths.

Overall, the items reveal the Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Spanish and Italian elements of Sicily.

In addition to home furnishings, Sud carries perfume and bath products that incorporate Sicilian scents of orange blossom, bergamot and jasmine.

The shop owners plan to add more jewelry and fashion accessories, like silk pocket squares and scarves, to their inventory. Looking ahead, they also hope to host parties and movie nights in Sud’s spacious and picturesque backyard.

“We want to be an active place and promote Sicilian culture to people who are curious about Sicily,” Brockschmidt says. “There are a lot of Sicilians who come in, too, and haven’t been to Sicily, so it’s a place of discovery for them. We love talking to them and hearing their stories.”

Although Sud sells books about Sicilian architecture, cooking and history, Brockschmidt and Dragisic are eager to discuss Sicilian culture with clients and offer travel advice to people planning a trip to the Mediterranean island.

“Everybody seems to be going to Sicily, at least Uptown,” Dragisic half-jokes. “We have a lot of promises to meet with people to go over their itineraries.”

Dragisic believes the shop fills a niche in New Orleans.

“It’s not like you could go to the other Sicilian store down the street. It’s completely unique, but in a way it’s part of the local tradition,” Dragisic says. “It’s the tradition of this place of exile, with all these people who’ve come from all these different places. It’s such an amazing melting pot.

And we fit into the puzzle of design for New Orleans.”

Situated on a bustling section of Magazine Street, Sud sells Sicilian art, antiques and accessories.

ON OUR RADAR

Picassoinspired ceramic vase by

Piscitello, $190.

Papiermache urn

by Mark Gagnon, $2,500.

We love the local nature of Magazine Street and its distinctive quality merchandise of all types — clothes, fashion and food.

— WILLIA M BROCKSCHMIDT William Brockschmidt (left) and Richard Dragisic opened Sud in November 2019.

Handmade dinner plates

by Piscitello, from $45 to $65.

19th-century vase, $900.

Sullivan | Gallery Join us in celebrating the works of BODENHEIMER MASON CUNEO

MARCH 7 | 5-8 PM 3827 Magazine Street 504-218-9875

New Orleans

HOME + STYLE + DESIGN

r, door hange Bluebonnet Malone (629 N.

$48 from Home 504-324-8352; Carrollton Ave.,St., 504-766-6148; ine 4610 Magaz alonenola.com). www.homem

Porch

New Orleans

ED BY PHOTO PROVID E KRISTIN MALON

HOME + STYLE + DESI MARCH 2 GN 020

S

ACCENT

Custom doors style

to right) $15.95 New from and $15.95 ical Orleans Botan Shop Garden Gift New (5 Victory Ave., Park, Orleans City ; www.

504-483-9488itypark. neworleansc l-garcom/botanica). den/gift-shop

MARCH 2020

in Bywater (left) and French Quarter stylefrom (right), $925 Wilkerson Row es (3023 Chartr ; St., 504-208-7998 nwww.wilkerso row.com).

PAGE 7

(from left Lanterns , $36.95

299

Planters, $199-$ on size)

ED PHOTO PROVID ROW SON

BY WILKER

(dependent n Market. from Moder ED BY PHOTO PROVID MODER N MARKET

PHOTO BY CHERYL GERBER

te Ford tailga bench, $975

from Disco Warehouse i(3101 Tchoup toulas St., 504571-5622; www. discowarehouse.net).

STAFF PHOTO

from Bevolo (521 Electric Lights 2-9485; Conti St., 504-52 om). www.bevolo.cED

er, $420 St., ic lemon plant

ine ut (5525 Magaz from Hazeln ; www.hazelnutne504-891-2424 ). worleans.com

Ceram

PHOTO

BY HAZELN PROVID ED

UT

PHOTO PROVID

BY BEVOLO

inside

Dirty

flag, $36 at e, Craw fish” ; 1320 Magazine St., 44-6730 “Union, Justic ine St., 504-32 Royal St., 504-32 Magaz Coast (713 6-0752; 5631 ).

Suite 105, 504-76 irtycoast.com 3745; www.d PHOTO BY

CHERYL GERBER

PERSON

ALIZE

YOU R P ORCH

//

DESIGN

WITH F LOR A

LS

//

SHOP S ICILI A

N DECO R

HOME

DON’T MISS THE APRIL ISSUE ISSUE DATE

APRIL 7

RESERVE SPACE

MARCH 27

Ad Director Sandy Stein 504.483.3150 or sstein@gambitweekly.com

GA MBIT DETA IL S

ter French Quar less steel Yoke stain g at $875 light, startinGas &

17

grow

GOOD TO

A home gardening hobby yields numer-

ous benefits. You can fill your abode with fresh flowers and greens, or grow your own ingredients for a hearty, home-cooked meal and boost curb appeal at the same time.

And — after lots of digging, watering and maybe even singing — you can simply feel a surge of pride when those beauties begin to blossom.

“I think everybody should learn how to garden,” says Susan L. Capley, the education director of the New Orleans Botanical Garden. “Just connecting with the earth and nurturing things is good for the soul. And it’s important to know how to grow food.”

But some of us can’t even keep a cactus alive, so we’re sharing Capley’s advice for developing a green thumb.

HOW TO FIND YOUR GREEN THUMB

Do your research First, find out what plants and flowers are blooming right now. At the Botanical Garden, Capley is witnessing the blossom of snapdragons, alyssum and pansies.

Petunias also are starting to pop right now.

Hidden gingers and pink jasmine vines are blooming, along with Louisiana irises, which should last throughout the summer. Spider lilies, crinums and different types of salvias can also take the heat. (For more information on seasonal blooms, visit neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden/whatsin-bloom.)

By SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

What to plant

1|

Buy plants that are already propagated, rather than seeds.

“You can see what you’re getting and experiment with them,” Capley says. The Botanical Garden will host a plant sale at the Pelican Greenhouse (2 Celebration Drive) from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 14.

2|

For potted plant soil, Capley mixes a peat moss-based soil with compost, because the compost prevents the soil from drying out.

But in general, look for a soil labeled as garden soil, and one that’s low on wood. Note: The Botanical Garden provides kits for testing your soil for nutrients.

3 | Steer clear of pots and planters with saucers attached to the bottom. They lead to overwatering and root rot, and they create the perfect breeding ground for mosquitos.

4|

If you’re overwatering your plant, the leaves may wilt and look yellow. Do a “touch test” by dipping your finger three or four inches into the soil. If the soil is dry, you need to water the plant, says Capley.

5 | When it comes to pots and planters, “the bigger, the better,” Capley says. The roots need room to grow.

6 | Plants that don’t get enough

sun will be “leggy,” says Capley.

The stem will grow, but the leaves will be spaced apart. “That little plant will be stretched out, trying to get sunlight,” she says.

7 | Bring your struggling plant to the Botanical Garden for a diagnosis. To sign up for gardening workshops and more intensive programs, visit www.neworleanscitypark.com/botanical-garden.

GA MBIT DETA IL S

MARCH 2020

As for crops, you can plant tomatoes, carrots and beets, Capley says. But peppers, eggplant and okra have the best chance of surviving a sizzling New Orleans summer.

(Check out the LSU AgCenter’s vegetable growing guide at www.lsuagcenter.com.)

“If you’re starting a garden outside, you should start small until you get the hang of it,” Capley says. “Sometimes people get overwhelmed by creating these huge gardens, and then they have a lot of weeds and a lot of work.”

The bottom line: Don’t overthink it. Otherwise, this wonderful pastime may become nothing but a physically laborious and frustrating endeavor.

“If you go into a big investment, you should get some kind of plant counseling or a landscaper,” Capley says. “But if you’re just picking up plants, experiment and have fun with it.”

quick TIPS

SEVEN

18

Tomatoes, carrots and beets, do well in Louisiana, according to Susan L. Capley, an educator at the New Orleans Botanical Garden says, while peppers, eggplant and okra have the best chance of surviving a sizzling summer.

PROSTOCK-STUDIO / GETT Y IMAGES

GARDENING

PETUNIAS

SNAPDRAGON PROSTOCK-STUDIO / GETT Y IMAGES

PANSIES

Garden flair

Beautify your home INSTANTLY WITH

In addition to basic gardening supplies and apparel, local plant nurseries carry colorful pots and outdoor decor.

Flowers

Story and photos by SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR ORDER YOUR ARRANGEMENT TODAY!

Spring DECOR

Birdhouse |

$95 from Perino’s Garden Center (3100 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504834-7888; www. perinos.com).

Lotus fountain |

$156 from Urban Roots Garden Center (2375 Tchoupitoulas St., 504-522-4949; www.urbanrootsnola.com).

5101 W. ESPLANADE

@ Chastant • Metairie 504.407.3532 nolagiftsanddecor.com

3101 TCHOUPITOULAS ST. • NOLA 70115 • 504-571-5622 DISCOWAREHOUSE.NET Alligator planter |

$40 from Urban Roots Garden Center.

Sun hat |

IMPORT FURNITURE • ART ANTIQUES• CUSTOM FURNITURE

WHY REMOVE YOUR OLD BATHROOM AND KITCHEN FIXTURES?

RE-GLAZE THEM!

Residential and Commercial Most jobs done in hours

$25 from Perino’s Garden Center.

Ceramic pot |

$38 from The Plant Gallery.

708 BARATARIA BLVD.

NOW OFFERING MILITARY, VETERAN, FIRST RESPONDER AND SENIOR CITIZEN DISCOUNTS

CERTIFIED FIBERGLASS TECHNICIAN

504-348-1770

SOUTHERNREFINISHING.COM GARDENING

GA MBIT DETA IL S

CERAMIC TILE • FORMICA • CAST IRON CULTURED MARBLE • FIBERGLASS

Planter |

MARCH 2020

$35 from The Plant Gallery (9401 Airline Highway, 504226-7579; www.theplantgallery.com).

19

Metair ie, LA

1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie LA | 504.888.2300 | nordickitchens.com