Gambit's CUE February 2019

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

FEB RUA RY 2019

The

ISSUE OMG! Valentine’s Day gift ideas, extreme beauty treatments, remarkable real estate and more

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CONTENTS

Editor’s Letter

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FEBRUARY 2019

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shopping

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Feature

Valentine’s Day gifts to give (and receive)

Expert advice on hooking up, dating and breaking up

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Beauty

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Real Estate

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#FOLLOWING

What to know about extreme treatments before you try them

Some of New Orleans’ most unusual homes

Julie Lodato, Christine Clouatre and the Dames de Perlage are turbo-bustier-ed for Carnival

“I WOULD PEEL ALL THE CRAWFISH IN LOUISIANA FOR YOU” AND “I WOULD CROSS THE MISSISSIPPI FOR YOU” CARDS, $6 EACH, $20 FOR A PACK OF FIVE AT LIONHEART PRINTS (3312 MAGAZINE ST., 504-267-5299; WWW. LIONHEARTPRINTS.COM). SPECIAL THANKS TO LIZ COOKE AND THE TEAM AT LIONHEART FOR CREATING THESE CARDS FOR CUE’S COVER. COVER CONCEPT AND DESIGN BY KATHERINE M. JOHNSON AND DORA SISON.

Yours truly in front of the Palais Royal in Brussels, Belgium. OMG!

O. M. G. Is there a more expressive sequence of letters in the English language (that we can print in CUE)?

The acronym is so all-purpose and ubiquitous, it’s practically a word in and of itself. Who even uses periods to separate each dramatic syllable anymore?

OMG is the workhorse of contemporary slang. It denotes surprise, shock, dismay, horror, joy and, on occasion, all of the above, in a succinct little capsule. It rolls off the tongue quite nicely, whether the occasion calls for a quick, efficient reaction (“OMG!”) or a slow, measured pause before elaborating (“Oh … Em … Gee …”).

Everybody’s favorite interjection isn’t as contemporary as we think.

Its first documented use appears in a letter from English Royal Navy Admiral John Arbuthnot Fisher to then-Minister of Munitions (and later Prime Minister) Winston Churchill in (OMG!) 1917. I’ll bet Admiral Fisher had no idea he was on to something big.

The stories in this issue are more self-aware than Fisher’s letter, but prescient nonetheless. The gift ideas in our Valentine’s Day gift guide are sure to become best-sellers during this season of love. Our feature story tackles the tough side of relationships through which — despite the impending holiday — I’m willing to wager many of us currently are wading. The beauty column presents the lowdown on several trendy beauty treatments, as well as expert opinions about their risks and rewards (dermaplaning — OMG!).

But my favorite OMG moment in creating this issue was seeing the handsewn, incredibly intricate and stunningly beautiful beadwork by the Grand Dames of the Dames de Perlage marching krewe, Julie Lodato and Christine Clouatre (Oh!Em!Gee!). Admiral Fisher would agree that their wearable works of art deserve his words.

Yours in peace, love and a month’s worth of OMG moments,

VALENTINE’S DAY Gifts for Every Budget VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIALS ONE HOUR AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE & REJUVENATING PEDICURE | $100 ONE HOUR REJUVENATING FACIAL & CLASSIC PEDICURE | $100 ONE HOUR AROMATHERAPY MASSAGE, ONE HOUR REJUVENATING FACIAL, REJUVENATING PEDICURE & MANICURE | $200 PLEASE NOTE THERE IS AN $8 UP-CHARGE FOR BEAUX PACKAGES

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[ SHOPPING ]

French lace-trimmed silk charmeuse chemise with matching kimono, $499 at Yvonne LaFleur (8131 Hampson St., 504-866-9666; www.yvonnelafleur.com).

Diamond baguette pendant with round diamond bezel (.5 total carat weight) set in 14-karat white gold on 18” chain, $2,999 at Fisher and Sons Jewelers (5101 W. Esplanade Ave., Suite 1, Metairie, 504885-4956; www.fishersonsjewelers.com).

MORE THAN FLOWERS AND CHOCOLATE B Y S U Z A N N E P F E F F E R L E TA F U R

CHOOSING A VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT FOR YOUR SWEETHEART can be tricky. Check out the following ideas that will work for the lady with discerning tastes (who’s expecting something out of the ordinary), the woman you met on Tinder a few weeks ago (since a bouquet of red roses may be a little much), the love of your life who swoons over jewelry (and loves vintage) and — perhaps most important — your mom.

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Antique brass and copper “I Love You” necklace, $32 at Beatrix Bell Handcrafted Jewelry (337 Morgan St., Suite A, 504-507-0955; www.beatrixbell.com).

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Garnet earrings in brass and sterling silver by Eric Silva, $128 at Alquimie (938 Royal St., 206-579-5219; www.alquimiestudio.com).

Red velvet dress, $340 at Claudia Croazzo (4214 Magazine St., 504-6053005; www. claudiacroazzo.com).

Sparkle heart acrylic clutch, $72 at Trashy Diva Clothing Boutique (537 Royal St., 504-522-4233; 2048 Magazine St., 504-299-8777; www.trashydiva.com).

Eminence strawberry rhubarb hydrating and replenishing masque, $54.95 at Earthsavers (Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-835-0225; The Premier Centre, 3414 Highway 190, Mandeville, 985-674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., 504-899-8555; www.earthsaversonline.com).

[ SHOPPING ]

Sterling silver “Lovebird” necklace, $155 at Mignon Faget (The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 504-524-2973; Lakeside Shopping Center, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-835-2244; 3801 Magazine St., 504-891-2005; www.mignonfaget.com).

Vintage 14-karat gold and jade earrings, $195 at Magpie Vintage Jewelry (4529 Magazine St., 504-891-1333; www.etsy.com/shop/magpievintagejewelry).

Two-hour Le Visage Escape spa service, featuring a scalp and shoulder massage and an aromatic manicure and pedicure, $145 at Le Visage Day Spa (8110 Hampson St., 504-265-8018, www.levisagedayspanola.com).

“Moon & Back” .04-carat diamond ring in sterling silver and 10-karat rose gold, $225 at Ramsey’s Diamond Jewelers (701 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-6366270; www.ramseys.com).

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“Mindy” dress, $168 at Jaci Blue (2111 Magazine St., 504-603-2929; www.jaciblue.com).

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Foldable pink and navy tote bag, $60 at Perch (2844 Magazine St., 504-899-2122; www.perch-home.com).

Stainless steel under-counter wine cooler by Sub-Zero, from $3,940 at Nordic Kitchens & Baths (1818 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-2300; www.nordickitchens.com).

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[ R E L AT I O N S H I P S ]

Exes& UH-OHS

Expert advice for dealing with dating woes

BY SAR AH R AVITS

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DATING, HOOKING UP AND NAVIGATING RELATIONSHIPS in New Orleans can be as awkward and painful as it is romantic and fun. Here, our social circles are tightly knit, yet expansive, and it’s almost impossible to ever really make a clean break or avoid an ex — unlike in a bigger city where you can be more anonymous.

Who among us hasn’t recognized an ex’s obscured face under a Carnival mask? Who hasn’t — months later, in the sober light of day in the vegetable aisle of Rouses — bumped into the person we ghosted after a less-than-stellar Bumble date? Who among us hasn’t found out that their “mysterious” new crush is, in fact, the brother of a best friend’s co-worker?

Experts agree that you should — to put it simply — play nice, but humans and relationships are complicated.

Here’s some advice for navigating a few of love’s more uncomfortable scenarios.

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How to fight fair

All healthy couples fight, and all healthy couples repair. But it’s “how well do you repair” that separates the healthy couples from the less healthy couples, says therapist Matt Morris (433 Metairie Road, Suite 401, Metairie, 504-717-6122; www.drmattmorris.com). “The less destructive the argument is, the easier it is to repair.”

While recovering from an argument, “You’re trying to communicate that you are there for each other,” he says. “They aren’t going anywhere, and they are going to try their best to stay connected to you emotionally.”

But if you’re about to lose your temper, walk away.

“Take a break, let your emotions calm down, give it 10 or 20 minutes,” he says. “There are a lot of physiological and neurological things that can happen in these moments. If you can calm down, you’re more likely to have a productive argument.”

Also, try not to project your feelings onto the other person.

“Try saying, ‘When this happens, I feel sad’ as opposed to ‘I know you are mad at me,’” says therapist Elise Johns (AE Johns Counseling, 3311 Camp St., 504-434-4836).

“People are more likely to work together to solve a problem if they aren’t being told how they feel. Try to get yourself and your partner on the same side to problem-solve together as opposed to fighting each other.”

There’s a common belief that you shouldn’t go to bed angry at your partner, but Morris says it’s actually OK to sleep on it.

“We’re not at our best when we’re exhausted,” he says. Waiting

until the next day to finish the argument will allow you time to reflect and ask for second opinions from co-workers or friends.

If you are chronically in a pattern of destructive or toxic arguments, don’t be afraid to seek professional help. Above all, Morris says, if you truly love the person, “Don’t give up. We need relationships. They are inescapable, so we have to keep trying. Think about your joyous moments in life — there’s always another person there, or you wish there was.”

How do you know it’s time to break up?

Breaking up is horrible and traumatizing and almost all of us have to deal with it at some point. It’s complicated and specific for each person to know when to call it quits, Morris says.

“To make it broad, I think that we all go into relationships with either spoken or unspoken bottom lines and requisite requirements,” he says. “Generally, when our partner breaks one of those or doesn’t live up to one of those, and the infraction is small, we go through negotiation. We try to live with it or overcome it for a while. If it’s an egregious transgression, then it’s easier to say, ‘You’re not for me.’

But if it’s a smaller infraction, it institutes this whole process that causes (you to) re-evaluate what you want.”

Johns says you have to listen to and trust yourself.

“Most people have a little voice in the back of their heads that tells them when something isn’t right; the trouble is that we get really good at telling that voice to shut up,” she says. “But if you

think about your relationship and determine the answer is negative, then figure out what out of that negative you are able to control or compromise on.”

Fear can play a big role in how we evaluate a relationship.

“We fear we aren’t good enough, fear we won’t find someone else, or just fear the unknown,” she says.

“A good way to learn to trust your inner voice is to determine whether you spend more time thinking about your relationship in a negative or positive way.”

If you are initiating a breakup, she says, “be honest with your feelings and thoughts, accept responsibility for what is yours and don’t attempt to be cruel or hurtful.”

Morris echoes this advice.

“Be extra kind and courteous and civil in this process,” he says.

“Expect some blowback, some outbursts, some temper tantrums.

Be more civil, more patient, more courteous and more aware of how the optics are going to affect the other person.”

How to cope with seeing your ex

If you’ve been heartbroken or jilted in any way, the thought of getting over your ex can seem impossible.

The chances you’ll run into your ex are high in New Orleans — maybe especially if you don’t want to.

“We have so many ways to run into an ex,” Johns says. “People tend to hang out in the neighborhoods they live in — a lot of individuals have a certain neighborhood bar or restaurant they enjoy.

Everyone is a friend of a friend or knows someone you know.”

So, unless you’re a hermit (and in immediacy of a breakup, you might

[ R E L AT I O N S H I P S ]

Untangling your lives on social media

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MARCH 5

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You’ve been there, haven’t you?

You’re scrolling through social media and you just happen to notice that your recent ex has posted an artsy photograph of the woman you were always a little suspicious of — the one who sells homemade pasta at the farmer’s market and was always super eager to see him (but not you)?

It might leave you wondering if it was posted just to spite you. Or worse: maybe he is living happily ever after as she spoon-feeds him carbs? Before you have a chance to go down that rabbit hole, the experts say block him.

“Blocking an ex on social media is good,” Johns says. “Even if you only decide to do it for a little bit. … You see a picture of your ex in a place you wanted to go or with a new person and your mind is instantly transported to the miserable land of what-ifs. That can be a hard place to get back from, so it’s best if you don’t go there.”

Staying away from a recent ex on social media gives you a chance to focus on yourself for a while so you can feel more grounded and heal, she adds.

If you were the one who instigated the breakup, a simple rule is to be kind and reconsider your posting habits, Morris says.

“Be thoughtful about what you’re putting out there and how it’s going to affect the hurt loved one,” he says.

“Be less active — anything you post will show up on their feed or be reported back, or misinterpreted by them.”

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want to be for a while), you’ll have to prepare for this eventual encounter.

These are situations, Johns acknowledges, where many of us may feel “hyperemotional or reactive,” leading us to do things we may regret later.

“It’s always good to have an exit strategy prepared,” she says. “Rehearse a line or two that you could use if you run into an ex — that way you are more prepared and less reactive if it does happen. Also, if you do run into an ex, sometimes it’s not actually running into them that’s the problem. It’s the mental gymnastics we do after.”

Morris says if you’re still angry with your ex and you’re caught off-guard, “the grocery store isn’t the place to express that. You can say ‘Hello! Crazy seeing you here!’ And keep going.

If you’re really hurt and really angry and … [need to] take off, it’s OK.” Johns notes that many of her clients eventually are able to maintain friendships or at least be on decent terms with an ex. “Don’t ever feel like you have to give up a place or people you enjoy for an ex,” she says.

“There’s usually room for everyone.”

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[ BEAUTY ]

YOU PUT

WHAT

ON YOUR FACE? What to know about trendy beauty treatments before you try them

BY S U Z A N N E P F E F F E R L E TA F U R

SNAIL MUCIN Cosmetics made with snail mucin — the slime that snails leave behind — are already a hot commodity in South Korea, and recently they’ve become popular in the U.S. “Snail mucin has been thought to have some growth and curative properties,” says Dr. Marilyn Pelias, a cosmetic surgeon (311 Octavia St., 504-252-9744; www.drpelias.com). She explains that the mucin contains hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and other ingredients that benefit the skin. When applied to the face, mucin treatments moisturize skin and reduce redness and inflammation.

Mucin ointments originally were administered to burn victims, Pelias says, but now, anyone willing to tweak their beauty regimen can purchase similar creams and serums from major retailers. Pelias’ practice carries a brand called Biopelle, which contains “secretion from the cryptomphalus aspersa snail” — the same genus of snail that’s become a French delicacy.

“We don’t make a big deal out the fact that there’s snail mucin in it,” Pelias says. “It’s purified. It’s not like going out to your garden and collecting the slime. I try not to think about it too much.”

VAMPIRE FACIALS The platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment is known as a vampire treatment because of the procedure’s steps: a topical numbing cream is applied to the face, blood is drawn, the platelet-rich plasma is extracted from the blood and activated with calcium gluconate and then injected back into the skin.

The treatment stimulates collagen production and fresh skin cells, which results in plumper skin with improved tone and texture.

Patients may look a little sunburned after the procedure, but recovery time is short. The injections also can be done in a series over an extended period of time. Skin Medics (1625 Metairie Road, Metairie, 504-338-4268; www. skinmedicsmedspa.com) offers this treatment for $1,700 and up.

BLOWTOX

You may have seen those pretty facial rollers made of jade and rose quartz and wondered: Do they actually serve a purpose? Lauren Tidwell, aesthetician and owner of Mindful Rituals (504-356-1677; www.mindfulrituals.com), thinks so.

If used properly, Tidwell says the rollers relieve muscle tension in the face, boost blood circulation and encourage lymphatic drainage.

Regular use brightens the skin, stimulates

Skin care products containing CBD (cannabidiol from cannabis plants, free of psychoactive compounds) are popping up on the beauty scene because of their soothing and softening capabilities.

“I know a few nurses that swear by (CBD products) because it’s super hydrating, and they’re constantly washing their hands,” says Tidwell, adding that she sells a hand and foot cream by a brand called KHUS + KHUS, which is made with CBD extract and beeswax, among other natural ingredients.

DERMAPLANING When Tidwell opens her brick-and-mortar Mindful Rituals store later this spring, she will offer dermaplaning — a physical exfoliation that requires a medical-grade scalpel. During this treatment, an aesthetician or a physician lightly scrapes the instrument over the face to remove “peach fuzz” hair and dead skin cells.

“You’re left with baby-smooth skin that easily absorbs skin products,” she says.

She acknowledges that the procedure sounds extreme and perhaps scary.

“It’s very important to see someone who really knows what they’re doing,” she says.

Dermaplaning costs around $100.

AT-HOME TREATMENTS Pelias urges people to use caution with DIY skin care remedies that don’t require a trip to see a doctor or aesthetician.

“If it’s something that’s inexpensive and not invasive, like a charcoal mask, what the heck?

It’s easy, it’s cheap and it’s certainly not going to harm you,” she says. But if the product can potentially damage the skin, don’t take the chance; it’s dangerous, and it’s a waste of money and time, she adds.

Beware of small, unknown online retailers that sell cheap, possibly counterfeit versions of legitimate, professional skin care products and treatments.

“That is harmful in two ways,” Pelias says.

“First, you’re not getting what you think you’re getting. And second, it’s causing people to think that certain medicines are not effective when they actually are.”

When a new beauty trend rears its head, Pelias holds off on recommending it to her clients.

“I tend to wait a little while, let the dust settle and see what’s going to happen before I offer it to my patients,” she says. “It’s not terribly unusual to have a product get approved by the [Food & Drug Administration], and then once it gets widespread release, to find that there are problems that we didn’t know about. It’s just not worth it to take risks with your health.”

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STONE FACIAL ROLLERS

CBD-BASED SKIN CARE

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IF YOU WERE PROMISED RADIANT, WRINKLE-FREE SKIN, would you try a beauty treatment involving snails, a medical-grade scalpel or the word “vampire?” Lots of people swear by these somewhat extreme beauty treatments and are willing to pay a premium for the benefits they’re believed to bring.

According to “Forbes” magazine, skin care is the biggest segment of the beauty industry, with global sales expected to exceed $130 billion this year. Trends and products that haven’t yet hit the mainstream are endorsed by celebrities and boosted via social networks, increasing their appeal to women — and men — who hope to improve their physical appearance.

But do they work? And most important, are they safe?

A local cosmetic surgeon and an aesthetician define these beauty trends and describe what they entail.

Once you know the meaning behind Blowtox, you’ll understand the moniker. Botox, which is used to decrease the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by tightening the skin around the application site, is injected into a client’s scalp to prevent perspiration, and as a result, extend the life of a blowout. But Pelias says the procedure may be overkill in New Orleans. “(Blowtox) is probably more common in climates that are dry,” she says. “In New Orleans, the humidity is so high that your scalp sweating is not what’s causing your hair to be frizzy.”

Pelias’ clients haven’t requested Blowtox, but she has met people who receive Botox injections in their armpits to combat excessive sweating.

cells responsible for collagen production and creates a “contour effect.”

“If you’re prone to any puffiness or water retention, it helps slim the face,” she says.

She recommends using a roller after cleansing the face and applying a few drops of beauty cream or oil to help the roller glide across the skin. The gentle massage will help the skin absorb the oil better. Tidwell suggests using the roller daily for two to five minutes.

“That might sound excessive, but you really will see results long-term,” she says.

Tidwell sells facial rollers on the Mindful Rituals online store.

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king cake milkshake

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now available at all sucré stores

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[ R E A L E S TAT E ] PHOTO BY IMOTO PHOTO

HOME, SWEET

This two-story tiny house in the 9th Ward boasts an open kitchen and a wraparound porch, all in a modest 580-square-foot floor plan.

UNUSUAL HOME

PHOTO BY IMOTO PHOTO

Three homes that put a creative spin on Big Easy living

The essentials-only living space of a tiny house reflects the decluttering trend popularized by lifestyle gurus like Marie Kondo of Japan.

BY S A R A H R AV I T S THE “THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME” ADAGE particularly rings true for these unconventional residences in New Orleans. While the city is known for its colorful, historic architecture, these newer homes also display character, innovation and charm.

Each of these houses is environmentally friendly: One is made from an old grain silo that its owner found on Craigslist; one is crafted from shipping containers (and also reflects the industrial components along the nearby Mississippi River) and another is tiny and efficient, as its owner strives to reduce her carbon footprint.

TINY HOME

SILO HOME

PHOTO BY DEREK BRIDGES

This Gentilly guest house is made from a repurposed grain silo, which the owners purchased from Craigslist for $700.

PHOTO BY SARAH RAVITS

This stained-glass door holds multiple meanings for homeowner Robin Brou Antin — the decoupage sun was designed by her late sister, and the crescent moon is a tribute to her alma mater, Cabrini High School.

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A repurposed vintage grain silo serves as the unconventional, charming guest house in the Gentilly backyard of Robin Brou Antin and her husband, Bob Antin. An architecture enthusiast who works as a nurse, Robin bought the silo from Craigslist in North Carolina for $700 and hired a group of contractors from South Carolina to deliver it to New Orleans, where she solidified blueprints with a licensed architect and dealt with City Hall for permits.

Reminiscent of a castle turret — albeit one on the bohemian side — the guest house has brought a lot of joy to the Antins, their neighbors, friends, grandchildren and other family members. Despite its original purpose, the structure is anything but industrial.

The interior is bright and sunny thanks to generous windows and well-placed art and furnishings.

As the only residential structure in New Orleans made from a silo (so far), its arrival a few years ago sparked enthusiasm and curiosity from the Antins’ neighbors and friends. It took about a year to complete the project.

Much of the interior is filled with eclectic artwork and refurbished goods, many of which were donated

by Robin’s friends. It also incorporates other repurposed materials of special significance, including a window from Robin’s childhood home that flooded following Hurricane Katrina. A desk chair that folds out from the wall is a seat from the former Krauss Department Store. The design and decor often pay homage to institutions and people of importance to Robin.

Her mother and sister died on the same day a few years ago; a celestial stained-glass door was constructed in their honor that incorporates an original decoupage sun designed by her late sister. Robin says the piece also pays tribute to her alma mater, Cabrini High School. (The school’s mascot is a crescent moon.)

The spiral staircase to the right of the entrance leads to a bedroom, which overlooks another stained-glass window salvaged from the St. Frances Cabrini Church on Paris Avenue prior to its demolition.

In the kitchen area, Bob’s son James Antin installed wood features obtained through the Preservation Resource Center.

The silo house also incorporates cob, a natural building material made from subsoil, water and other organic materials. When it rains, Robin finds it soothing to listen to the water drumming on the metal roof. She looks forward to having more visitors this spring — the place is popular for friends to visit during the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival. In the meantime, she and Bob also enjoy spending

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

By now, most people have heard of Marie Kondo and her decluttering methods. She has inspired many people to at least clean out their closets, but most probably haven’t drastically changed their lifestyles. We don’t know if this homeowner in the Lower 9th Ward subscribes to Kondo’s philosophies, but this home likely would make Kondo proud.

Just a few blocks from the Industrial Canal, this tiny house serves as the perfect minimalist space for a young homeowner who purchased it when she was a student two years ago. At just 580 square feet, there is virtually no room for messes or extraneous possessions; every part of the home must be used efficiently.

Selling agent Robert Van Meter says he’s not sure if the trend of tiny homes will take off in New Orleans.

“I got a lot of inquiries about it [when it was on the market],” he says. “Everyone thinks they want a tiny house, but then they complain about there not being enough space.”

Despite its size, the home — powered by solar panels — offers a few features that are important to New Orleanians, including a wraparound porch and an open kitchen. On the first floor, there’s a small storage closet and a bathroom. Upstairs, there’s a bedroom and a closet. Built through Brad Pitt’s Make It Right Foundation, the home was constructed in 2015.

Since it’s so new, insuring the property is relatively inexpensive. The homeowner also enjoys low utility bills and property taxes.

“It’s extremely affordable” to live like this, Van Meter says. “[The homeowner] really wanted to reduce her carbon footprint.”

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[ R E A L E S TAT E ] PHOTO BY THANIN VIRIYAKI PHOTOGRAPHY

The KAN house in the Irish Channel is constructed of seven standard-sized industrial shipping containers.

INSET: The first floor features an open floor plan.

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2460 BURGUNDY STREET

Two (2) separate renovated cottages on a large 48 x 127 Lot in an excellent Marigny location. Main house is a 2 bedroom camelback and 2nd cottage is a 2 bedroom rental. Off street parking for several cars and room for a pool in the rear. $829,900

Michael L. Baker, ABR/M, CRB, HHS President Realty Resources, Inc. 504-523-5555 • cell 504-606-6226

quiet evenings there.

“This was a real team effort,” she says. “There’s a lot of symbolism in here, and a lot of meaning.”

KAN HOUSE

“In building this house together, we were building a relationship,” says Kicker Kalozdi, who, with his wife, Anne, a biomedical engineer, facilitated construction of an industrial-style home in the Irish Channel using seven standard-sized shipping containers.

A designer and founder of Damn Dog — a company that makes premium bags and specialty sewn products — Kicker loves to tackle projects that require innovation and creativity.

The couple met a few years ago and bonded over a shared passion for fitness. One day during training, Kicker mentioned that he wanted to build a home out of shipping containers. “[Anne] thought I was batshit insane,” he says.

No one in the city had ever done anything quite to this extent before, he says. But after he purchased the lot, “I asked her if she wanted to join me on this project, and as the procedure came along, we got really serious.” Though neither of them works in construction professionally, building the home together solidified their relationship as they navigated critical decisions together.

Affordability was important to the couple in this project.

“We had cheap sources of metal, so we figured it out one step at a time,” he says. The home incorporates industrial-style interior decor, but it’s also cozy, he says. Banisters are built

out of custom-welded square tubing. Doors in the home are reclaimed from a farmhouse slated for demolition. The couple loves to travel internationally, and they collect one-of-akind art pieces that are prominently displayed in the house.

“We came up with a lot of ideas on the fly,” Kicker says.

The first floor has a large, open floor plan, where the couple frequently hosts cocktail hours — although Kicker prefers to call them “snacky hours” and requires his friends to show up with food.

(A recent party was cereal-themed.) “It’s not a stereotypical layout,” he says. “The dining room, living room and kitchen is just sort of one big, flowing space.” The first floor also features a master bedroom and a guest room that doubles as a home gym for the fitness enthusiasts.

The second floor features Kicker’s home office and studio space that overlooks the first floor.

“It was my dream to have a lofted office space,” he says. “It’s a key feature of the house — we built everything around that.”

There’s another guest room on the second floor. The third floor is a hobby area, he says. “It has potential to become a master suite. We don’t have kids yet, but it could become a master bedroom.” The home also features two rooftop decks, three bathrooms and a courtyard.

The couple and their friends have dubbed it “The KAN house” — it’s a play on Kicker and Anne’s names, a nod to the “cans” from which it’s constructed and also a testament to their cando personalities.

“We had to learn to build everything from scratch,” Kicker says. “Both of us are relatively intelligent human beings, and we have access to the internet. Plus, we’re both extremely determined, so when we combined that, we realized we could do this together.”

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JULIE LODATO, GRAPHIC DESIGNER, AND CHRISTINE CLOUATRE, ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Co-founders of Dames de Perlage marching krewe

damesdeperlage

Favorite app on your phone right now?

Clouatre: “Marco Polo. It’s a video texting app.”

Lodato: “When I’m bored, one of my secret favorite pastimes is reading Venmo memos.” [She reads a few: “Cosmic serpent dress.” “Being f*ing awesome.”]

Favorite Mardi Gras throw?

Clouatre: “Muses shoes. I also like the crazy ones you get at Krewe du Vieux.”

Lodato: “Zulu coconuts.

Mardi Gras could be the most miserable day of the year and I’m still going out there to get a coconut.”

MUSTHAVES

into Carnival.

“My biggest thrill is when I hear my son telling somebody about my marching group,” she says. He also loves to help with the group’s philanthropic activities, which fills Lodato with pride and gives her hope for the longevity of the Dames.

“I just want to be a New Orleans staple,” she says. “I would love to be on (WYES’) ‘Steppin’ Out’ and have Peggy Laborde doing a documentary about the Dames. … I want to be in that number.”

Lodato’s megaphone — “I use my megaphone on the parade route to round up the Dames. … I can’t parade without it.”

Clouatre’s tambourine stick — “It holds my cocktail, I can keep the beat and kids love it!”

Lodato’s Brass Pass — “Jazz Fest is my second favorite time of the year, Carnival being the first.”

Clouatre’s BC headache powder — “I take one before each parade.”

CURRENT PROJECT

Where you can see the Dames de Perlage next: The “They All Ask’d For You” parade, celebrating the Dames’ 2019 theme, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sun., Feb. 17 at the Audubon Zoo (6500 Magazine St.).

Clouatre’s WWOZ sticker — “Hands down, the greatest station in the nation.”

Clouatre’s St. Croix bracelet — “From IB Designs in St. Croix. …

I often call St. Croix a vortex, a place to meet the people you’re supposed to meet in life.”

Dames de Perlage insulated cup

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“You only have to march in one parade,” she says, “but who’s going to bead all that for one parade? … That’s the beauty of our krewe. Compared to riding on a float — OK, there’s way more work involved in our krewe. But it’s a fraction of the cost to ride … and you’re also engaged all year with this group of women.”

Clouatre explains social aid is a requirement of membership. Each year, the Dames de Perlage chooses a charity or group to support and plans fundraising campaigns, sometimes partnering with other nonprofits. Last year, the Dames raised $20,000 for Animal Rescue New Orleans.

“We’ve learned a lot [about] the power of women in numbers,” Lodato says.

The women have weathered all sorts of personal storms together, from helping a Dame find a job to supporting another through a divorce.

“It’s the sisterhood,” Clouatre says. “All these women scoop you up.”

Lodato also receives a lot of personal satisfaction from the group — as does her son, who previously wasn’t all that

C UE M AG A Z I N E •

JULIE LODATO AND CHRISTINE CLOUATRE ARE BESTIES. So, when Lodato approached Clouatre with the bold idea to start her own marching krewe, Clouatre’s immediate reaction was, “I’m in!”

Lodato always wanted to be a part of the Carnival action. “I feel like this idea has been in me since I was a child,” she says. “I had older cousins that always marched, and going to parades to see them march was a family affair. I wanted to do that my whole life.”

Lodato and Clouatre joined the Bearded Oysters marching group in 2003, but Lodato wanted a different feel. She wanted more customizable costumes and a smaller, more intimate group. In 2012, a friend suggested she start her own krewe. Clouatre pledged her support, and a preliminary meeting for interested women was announced on Facebook.

“There was no turning back after that,” Clouatre says. The Dames de Perlage (French for “ladies of beadwork”) marching krewe was born.

“Twenty women showed up to the first meeting, and half of them, I didn’t even know,” Lodato adds. At the meeting, she floated the idea of costuming in corsets.

“I had Pussyfooter envy!” Lodato says.

“Also, everybody looks good in a corset.”

An attendee suggested decorating the corsets in hand-sewn seed beads, in the fashion of Mardi Gras Indian tribes.

The fledgling group wanted to learn the technique from an expert in the medium.

They enlisted the help of Lolet Boutte, an artist and longtime beader who’s done work for many Indian tribes, including the Creole Osceola Mardi Gras Indians.

“She was instrumental,” Lodato says.

“She came in the beginning and really taught us a lot of things and set us straight.”

Clouatre says the corsets include an average of 10,000 to 50,000 seed beads, although that number varies depending on the detail of the design. The corset she beaded for the Dames de Perlage’s 2016 slate of parades featured an image of Miles Davis playing his trumpet at the 1989 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.

“Just the horn was 70,000 beads,” she says. “I went in circles forever.”

The group has about 65 members ranging from their mid-20s to late 60s.

Most years, between 35 and 40 Dames take to the streets to strut their stuff in the five parades in which they participate, but Lodato expects closer to 50 this year.

BY K AT HERINE M .

JO HNS O N PHOTOS BY K ARL A PHOTO G RA PH Y

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