New Orleans Homes Magazine Summer 2022

NEW ORLEANS HOMES

SUMMER 2022

SUMMER DÉCOR

OUTDOOR LIVING

GARDENING

MYNEWORLEANS.COM

SUMMER 2022

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Contents SUMMER 2022 / VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 2

F E AT U R E S

STA N DA R D S Editor’s Note

Modern-Day Monocrome

Lemonade 10

A New Orleans designer’s love of neutrals shines through in her home 34

Design Diary News and Events 12

Outdoor Oasis

Style

This Lake Vista outdoor pavillion is made for entertaining in style 40

Culture Club 14

Get Organized

Retro Redux

Gym Dandy 24

An Old Metairie home gets a dramatic and colorful backyard makeover 44

Artist Profile Elanor Morehead Baugnies 16

Bon Vivant Casual Comfy 18

Gatherings Seeing Spots 20

Home Grown Passiflora incarnata 22

For the Garden Native Know-how 24

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Bright Ideas Summer dress your home 26

Trendwatch 44

Pool Party 28

Home Renewal Perfect Porches 54

Inspiration Board Rose-Colored Spectacle 56

ON THE COVER

Price Mix I Scream, You Scream 58

A Lake Vista couple’s outdoor pavillion is designed with family fun and entertaining at its heart. (p. 40)

Expert Advice Hue News 62

Last Indulgence Fab Flatware 64

Imoto photography

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New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles, ISSN 1933-771X is distributed four times a year and published by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380.

For a subscription visit on line at MyNewOrleans.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at Metairie LA and Additional Entry Offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright © 2022 New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher.

The trademark New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is registered. New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazines’ managers or owners.

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EDITOR’S NOTE

Lemonade

EDITORIAL Editor Melanie Warner Spencer Creative Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo Associate Editor Ashley McLellan Style Editor Andy Myer Web Editor Kelly Massicot Contributing Writers Mirella Cameran,

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 ice cubes, too.

Lucky for us, lemon trees thrive in New Orleans so we’ll never be at a loss for lemonade fixins. Meanwhile for the next few months, we’ll be sipping that lemonade in tree canopied gardens, shaded outdoor living spaces, beside refreshing and stylish pools and on breezy porches, which are all excellent places to seek refuge from the heat. In this issue, we have a wealth of inspiration and expert advice for creating your own al fresco retreat.

This spring, I finally took the advice of our talented local experts and created an outdoor oasis of my own, complete with a small vegetable and herb garden, a couple of beds for native plants and a sweet little bird bath for our feathered visitors to have a sip and dip. In fact, by adhering to a few guidelines set forth by Audubon Louisiana, the state chapter of the National Audubon Society, and the National Wildlife Federation-affiliated Louisiana Wildlife Federation, I even had my little back yard certified as a wildlife habitat.

I can attest that it’s a great feeling to create something beneficial to your own health and wellbeing and to that of the planet and its other inhabitants.

Whether you have a lot of space or just a little, a big budget or a modest one, we hope you’ll find an idea or two in this issue that makes your summer brighter, cooler and more stylish. At the very least, you could plant a lemon tree in a pot or in your yard and have fresh lemonade any time you please.

Cheers!

Lee Cutrone, Fritz Esker, Eva Fedderly, Rebecca Friedman, Misty Milioto, Margaret Zainey Roux

Copy Editor Liz Clearman

ADVERTISING Vice President of Sales and Marketing Kate Henry, Kate@MyNewOrleans.com Account Director Meggie Schmidt Senior Account Executives

Brooke Genusa, Rachel Webber Account Executive Erin Chiartano Advertising Consultant Penn Iarocci

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING MARKETING Coordinator Abbie Whatley PRODUCTION Manager Rosa Balaguer Arostegui Designer Meghan Rooney CIRCULATION Subscriptions Jessica Armand Distribution John Holzer ADMINISTRATION Office Manager Mallary Wolfe Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne

For subscription information call (504) 828-1380

A Publication of Renaissance Publishing LLC Printed in USA 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380

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THERESA CASSAGNE PHOTO

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DESIGN DIARY

DENNY CULBERT PHOTO

Historic Redevelopment

Cajun Collection

Wooden Treasures Following 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 modern build. Available at Sunday Shop. sundayshop.co — COMPILED BY MISTY MILIOTO

Lafayette-based mixed-media artist Francis X. Pavy is known for retelling the traditional stories and folklore of South Louisiana through iconography and vibrant colors. Now, through Pavy Art + Design Studio, he has launched a contemporary line of Cajun textiles to share his love of French Louisiana with the world. Derived from his original artwork, the textiles and wallpapers are meant to shine a spotlight on the unique heritage and vibrant (yet fragile) ecosystem of South Louisiana. For example, the Stormy Waters pattern — inspired by the historic Louisiana flood of 2016 and the common occurrence of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast — intertwines flowing water with plant and animal imagery. Available at Spruce, by appointment only. sprucenola.com

Architecture group CICADA, and the construction team at Perrier Esquerré Contractors, are currently redeveloping an historic property in the active Uptown corridor of Baronne and Constantinople streets, adjacent to Martin’s Wine Cellar. The 11,600-squarefoot building, which has been out of commerce for more than a decade, will offer a variety of spaces for commercial businesses on the ground floor (lessees include local marketing firm DEVENEY, Lucy Boone Ice Cream and Zee’s Pizzeria), plus four residential apartment units on the second floor. The nearly $2 million redevelopment preserves the history of the century-old Fine Arts Theatre built in 1917.

Dream Scents Known for her decadelong collaboration with international retailer Anthropologie, artist Rebecca Rebouché has released a new handcrafted candle formulated by locally based Hazeltine.

The Glowing Pattern Candle ($70) features coconut wax with scents of vetiver root, fig leaf, bitter orange and guaiac wood, encased in a glass vessel adorning Rebouché’s artwork.

She calls it a candle for dreamers, illuminating the darkness and leaving only golden shimmering light. rebeccarebouche.com/thebeauty-shop

Mecca for Design A new concept showroom has opened on the Northshore in Lacombe, dubbed Livio Designs. The 12,000-square-foot showroom not only focuses on design but also on building and furnishing livable spaces. In addition to an indoor/outdoor furniture and décor division, the showroom features an appliance and grill division, and an outdoor kitchen and construction division — making it easy to take care of multiple design challenges all at once.

Customers also can meet with a dedicated design team to plan every detail for the perfect outdoor space. Also be sure to check out the demo kitchen where cooking classes and other events take place. liviodesigns.com

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ST YLE

Culture Club

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Golden Touch

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.

Garden-cut seasonal flowers are a must, and marigolds are our go-to. nolaflowershop.com.

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Funny Face

We can’t help but smile at Sicilian ceramicist Antonino Piscitello’s expressive and whimsical vessels. The curlicues and stamped appliques make us want to play with clay! sudneworleans.com

PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

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Pillow Power

Handcrafted Kuba cloth pillows from B. Viz pack a traditionally styled room with graphic punch. bviz.com

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Well-Feathered Nest

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A silk quilt is the ultimate indulgence. Our favorite is Leontine Linens’ peacock-patterned quilt inspired by a 1920s design from the archives of Eleanor Beard Studio. leontinelinens.com

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Bright Idea

These cast papier-mache lamps are chic and unusual with mod forms that are soft and tactile rather than sleek and glossy. katiekochhome. com

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The Art of Illusion

We love the mystery behind Pierre Bergian’s paintings of imaginary rooms with raking shadows, enfilades and pictures within pictures. octaviaartgallery.

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GET ORGA NIZED

Stimulate the senses

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 designing a space that motivates movement. In Romney’s experience, people will look for any excuse to skip exercise, especially at home. “If it’s dirty, I’m focusing on the clutter in the corner versus my workout,” says Romney. “If you have a space dedicated and clutter-free, it reduces distraction … It’s all about minimizing excuses.”

— BY REBECCA FRIEDMAN

Graduate your weights

A pyramid stand offers neat, accessible storage for dumbbells of different sizes.

Romney likes having access to both heavy and light weights to allow for progress: “The goal is not to do the same thing over and over …

I like that because you can increase the challenge when your body is ready.”

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For Romney, environment matters. She seeks out windows and sunlight and believes scent plays an important role in the energy of a workout or yoga practice. Romney’s studios feature only unscented beeswax candles (helpful in clearing out the smell of a room) or a pure essential oil blend.

“No fake scents,” says Romney, who prefers oils from Young Living or doTERRA in spearmint or peppermint for energizing and lavender or eucalyptus for relaxing.

The sound of music is also a must for Romney, who relies on tunes for momentum: “Even if it’s dancing around or doing jumping jacks or jump rope, some good energizing music will hold you more accountable.”

Add a Bluetooth speaker to your workout space or play your smartphone on speaker (place your phone in a cup to amplify the sound).

The right rack

Wall racks offer another option for cylindrical items like yoga mats, foam rollers, and bolsters. This model from Wood River Iron Works features small shelves to hold additional items like foam blocks and water bottles.

Stretch and strengthen

Romney is a big fan of resistance bands (her favorites are TheraBand products) and straps for building strength and flexibility.

Items like bands, TRX straps and yoga straps can be stashed in baskets or hung from wall hooks and pack well for travel workouts.

A tisket, a tasket

“I love a good basket,” says Romney, who uses them for items like yoga mats and foam rollers, or to collect weights, jump ropes and kettlebells. “Tuck it all in so when you walk in, you’re not already stressed from visual clutter. It’s about saying, ‘I’ve invested in this equipment and committed to this space,’ which helps support your goals.”

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ARTIST PROFILE

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,” says Baugnies.

“It’s just a feeling.”

Baugnies’ love of art began in childhood. She attended Louise S. McGehee School where she took art classes from art teacher Tim Trapolin.

“Art was always my favorite class in school,” says the artist who divides her time between two artistically rich communities: New Orleans and the mountains of the Carolinas, where she’s near her father.

At home, Baugnies was surrounded by art. Her mother, the late gallery owner Wyndy Morehead, moved among artists and became a potter late in life. Her father, who worked with local chemical and shipping companies, turned his creative talents into a hobby of painting still lifes. Baugniess has worked in both mediums. After majoring in ceramics at Loyola and studying at Penland School of Crafts, an immersive program in North Carolina, she worked in clay. Today, she is skilled with both gel printmaking and watercolors. The common theme running through all of her pieces is her love of abstraction (20th -entury artists Kandinsky, Miro and Hilma af Klint are among her favorite art-

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ists). The textural ceramic vessels she creates are more decorative than functional. Her prints and paintings combine loose strokes of color and shimmer with faces or parts of faces (eyes, noses, mouths), and forms such as ladders, circles, squares and rectangles.

Baugnies’ most recent work is abstract while also being detailed and precise. An untitled series of small “paintings within a painting” has an architectural quality, once again drawn from her life. Memories of industrial sites along the Mississippi River and in France (where she lived for 10 years with her then-husband and their two children), and her interest in the juxtaposition of “nature and industry, modern and ancient, beautiful and not-beautiful, and crumbling and perfection” all informed the watercolor. Each of the factory-like images suggests a corrosive industrial landscape, yet they are rendered in aqueous blues and verdigris.

“In a crumbling world or view, you can always find something beautiful,” she says. “You just have to look.”

Baugnies rarely starts with a definitive idea or direction, preferring to let the materials work through her. She turns on the music and lets the paint take her where it will.

“I start with whatever color I’m looking at, I put it on the page and let it flow,” she says. “It speaks for itself. I’m just the manipulator.”

— LEE CUTRONE

THOM BENNETT PORTRAIT

BON VIVA NT ‘Housewarming,’ Summer Sangria 1 (750-ml) bottle Côtes-deProvence rosé or other dry rosé ½ cup (120 ml) Campari (make it nonalcoholic with Lyre’s Italian Orange) 14 cup (60 ml) light agave nectar 2 ruby red grapefruits, sliced into cross sections 2 limes, sliced into cross sections 12 ounces (360 ml) grapefruit soda beer, such as Stiegl Radler, or a nonalcoholic grapefruit soda of your choice, chilled Fresh rosemary, for garnish Combine all the ingredients besides the garnish in your serving pitcher, give it a stir and serve over ice. Garnish with rosemary.

Comfy Casual Budget-friendly and fun design and entertaining with the ‘Probably This’ guys 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. Which is why I’ve been loving, “Probably This Housewarming: A Guide to Creating a Home You Adore,” the new design and entertaining book by New Orleans-based bloggers Beau Ciolino and Matt Armato.

Many will know the pair from their long-running lifestyle blog “Probably This.” The book centers on design, DIY and entertaining (and is structured as such), offering their hard-won tips and advice on the sub-

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jects. It is fun, approachable and offers budget- and renter-friendly projects. Even just reading the table of contents is entertaining. For example, here are just a few of the chapter titles: “Finishing Touches to Make It *Chef’s Kiss*” “How to Make a Thicc Snack Board” “Getting a Crowd Tipsy on a Budget with Sangria” If you are decorating, renovating or entertaining on a budget, this is the DIY book for you. With their permission, I’m sharing Ciolino and Armato’s easy and refreshing Summer Sangria recipe. (Make it nonalcoholic by subbing dealcoholized rosé for the wine, Lyre’s Italian Orange for the Campari and their suggestion of NA grapefruit soda instead of Stiegl Radler). — MELANIE WARNER SPENCER

© BEAU CIOLINO AND MATT ARMATO PHOTO

GATHERINGS

Seeing Spots

With rum or without it, Maggie Moser’s ‘Sunspots’ will have you tipsy from the fruity, tangy flavors PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

Sunspots 2 ounces Cheramie rum (100% fresh cane juice from Louisiana) 1 ounce Ponchatoula strawberry syrup* ½ ounce lime juice 2 dashes Bitter Truth cucumber bitters soda water *Ponchatoula strawberry syrup 1 cup water 1 cup white sugar 2 cups quartered strawberries 1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir until sugar is dissolved.

Mix strawberries into a saucepan and bring to a boil; boil for 10 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until strawberries are mushy and sauce is thick, about 10 minutes. Strain liquid into a bottle and refrigerate.

2. Add rum, strawberry syrup, lime juice and bitters into a cocktail tin.

Shake. Strain into Collins glass. Add soda water and ice. Garnish with strawberry on the rim.

3. For a non-alcoholic mocktail, omit rum and bitters and add a cucumber slice.

About Maggie Moser Maggie Moser has tended bars in New York, Hong Kong and across New Orleans at Meauxbar, Cane & Table and Jewel of the South.

She is currently the bar manager at Anna’s.

Moser regularly competes in cocktail competitions and recently ranked among the Top 12 in Bombay Sapphire’s Most Imaginative Bartender.

She is also actively involved in Tales of the Cocktail and helped curate local artists to showcase during the summer 2022 event.

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HOME GROW N

Passiflora incarnata Stoke your gardening passions with this showstopping blooming vine native to Louisiana and the Southeastern U.S.

BY KATHLEEN WARING

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History

The exotic bloom of the passion flower is thought to symbolize the passion of Christ with its unique floral parts representing the Crucifixion. The flower with five purplish petals and five sepals are the 10 faithful apostles surrounded by a white fringe or the crown of thorns and the five styles are the nails with the stamens, his five wounds. In addition to its religious affiliation, the passion flower was called by the Acadian French the “liane de grenade” or “vine of the hand grenade” due to the popping sound its fruit makes when crushed, along with another common nickname, “maypop.”

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Stayin’ Alive

A perennial with blooms that close at night and open in the day, it is found in woods, fields, ditches, roadsides, streams and swamp banks. The foliage has long tendrils that curl for attachment and climbing; this vine can take over and grow six to 30 feet tall, blanketing an entire fence.

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Sun and Shade and Soil

Passiflora will thrive in sun and partial shade but will bloom with more sun and likes moist well-drained soil but can tolerate poor and dry conditions.

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Butterflies are Free

If you are looking to attract butterflies plant a passiflora incarnata with its wild colors and dark green foliage. Passion vines can also be pollinated by bees, hummingbirds, wasps and bats.

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FOR THE GARDEN

Knowledge is Power

Use these websites to guide you in your native garden decisions Audubon.org Folsomnps.org Gogreennola.org Louisiana Native Plant Society or lnps.org lsuagcenter.com wlf.louisiana.gov Native Plant Initiative of Greater New Orleans

Native Know-how Creating a garden to last beyond your lifetime

Recently, a friend of mine spent a great deal of money to landscape her new vacation home on the Gulf Coast only to lose it all when her property was flooded during a storm.

After Hurricane Ida, many of us were faced with the same situation in our urban gardens: How do we landscape them to survive and thrive despite these weather catastrophes?

The answer is a practical one: We supplement our landscapes with native plants, shrubs and trees which have adapted to our extreme conditions of heavy rains and humidity, heat, wind and occasional droughts and our soil conditions.

The Good Guys

Native trees mitigate “heat islands” by shading our home and reducing our AC bills. They also lessen flooding as their root systems can soak up excess water and create channels for water to percolate down,” says Tammany Baumgarten, a landscape horticulturist with baumgardens.com in New Orleans. Selecting the right tree for the location and environment is best and size matters. In particular, planting native trees from seedlings or at least starting with smaller sizes allows the tree to establish its root system slowly, deeply and relative to its upper section. Live oaks as well as Willow, nuttall and red oaks are one of several good choices versus water oaks which are more short-lived and have a greater tendency to drop branches or fall in storms.

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Talking the Talk Means Walking the Walk

My neighbor, Carro Gardner, a native plant enthusiast, re-landscaped with the help of Baumgarten both her front and back gardens, primarily with natives. She started with the trees as the foundation with a nuttall oak and a weeping yaupon, both native to Louisiana. Every season something is always blooming including agarista, American beautyberry, blue mist, Louisiana blue phlox, Louisiana iris, pink muhly grass, rattlesnake master, rudbeckia, Stokes’ aster and Virginia sweetspire. Her garden is loaded with color and is self-perpetuating; maintenance means pulling out an occasional unwanted volunteer. Baumgarten also noted that Gardener’s exterior spaces are currently irrigated two days a week but not required in the cool months, another plus of native gardening. With various adaptive root systems — some have taproots up to 15-feet deep — others are shallow root; they occupy different stratas yet they’ve learned how to acclimate themselves, says Baumgarten, “and survive our volatile climate.”

Fight Nature with Natives

Using natives in our landscapes provides additional bonuses: Saving time and money spent on fertilizer, pesticides and overall maintenance while creating a natural habitat for birds and insects. Gardner’s yards are also entertaining 24/7 with a variety of bees pollinating and birds swooping in to eat the berries on bushes. Best of all, as hurricanes approach, no garden worries. — KATHLEEN WARING

JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTO

BRIGHT IDEAS

son people visit is because of the city’s distinctive sense of place (it can be considered the northernmost Caribbean city, culturally different from the rest of Louisiana and the United States). Our steamy climate is one of our defining elements and New Orleanians respond to the hot, wet, semi-tropical weather in a variety of ways. Cooling off finds expression in our architecture, with our tall ceilings, whirring fans, sheer draperies and also with interior design. A signature way New Orleanians have historically cooled off is by summer dressing their homes. Our summer dress ritual begins on Easter and ends on Labor Day. Though it may be considered less imperative with the advent of air conditioning, there are several things I think everyone should adhere to in the hot summer months.

White cotton slip covers are a must.

I like to put white cotton slip covers over more formal, thick upholstery in the summer months. This allows the furnishings to breath, while also protecting fine upholstery from perspiration during the hot days and nights of summer. You can have bespoke slip covers made, or purchase them at your favorite interiors store. If you like to dress them up, you can personalize the slip covers with colorful or more muted piping. I always opt for simple, authentic, white cotton slipcovers, which have a clean, airy feel.

Roll up your heavy rugs and replace with Seagrass or sisal.

SUMMER DRESS YOUR HOME Q&A with Hotelier Sean Cummings

Hotelier Sean Cummings believes in the power of design to lift the human spirit. This New Orleanian invests in architecture, interiors, traditions and rituals to increase the quality of life for locals and visitors, alike. Cummings’ robust real estate portfolio, which includes boutique hotels International House Hotel and Loft 523, expresses different traditions to celebrate life, culture and joie de vivre in this city. Like every New Orleanian, Cummings recognizes New Orleans as the perfect place to celebrate: “There are five pillars that make this place unlike any other city in America: architecture, food, music, joyful culture, climate,” Cummings said. One of the ways this hotelier chooses to honor and celebrate the region is with “summer dress,” a local housekeeping tradition. Here are Cummings’ insights on how to indulge in this light and airy summer tradition.

Pamper your home with summer dress.

New Orleans is a magnetic place that attracts generations of travelers and a big rea-

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[Many] New Orleans [residents] decorate their interiors with wool rugs and upholstered furniture. However, these materials can be heavy and inappropriate for our climate in the summer months. Trade your heavy rugs this season, for seagrass or sisal rugs. Sisal is a very durable material and is light in color, perfect for the summertime. Seagrass is also durable, stain-resistant, and reed-like in texture. An added bonus is that these rugs feel nice — like a mini massage — on bare feet.

Arrange bouquets with Caribbean flair.

New Orleans interiors and design can give a nod to the city’s Caribbean [influences] ([particularly] Havana and Haiti). When summer dressing your home, fill vases with gorgeous banana leaves, shell ginger, palms and other flora, expressive of spring and summer.

Integrate seersucker.

Find ways to use seersucker, a classic, light, all-cotton fabric. At our hotels, we work with Haspel, the ‘originator’ of the seersucker suit founded in New Orleans in 1909. During the pandemic, we celebrated the Haspel family by having our employees wear Haspel seersucker masks, jackets, and custom-made vests with pirate coins as buttons.

Summer dress with a drink.

Like most rituals and traditions in New Orleans, summer dressing should be done with a cocktail or an iced tea in hand. We like to make fresh fruit seasonal granitas, an iced Sicilian concoction, our nod to the snowball stands that dot the New Orleans’ landscape during the summer. — EVA FEDDERLY

JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTO

TRENDWATCH

Pool Party!

Make a splash with these colorful accessories perfect for al fresco entertaining

BY ANDY MYER PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENIA UHL

Waterproof turquoise jelly bag, melamine serveware in an array of fun patterns and sizes, lucite pill tray, Swig floral metal tumbler, available at Phina, phinashop.com; Conrad Rose Scented Citronella candle, available at Home Malone, homemalonenola.com; orange wrap, available at Miss Smarty Pants, misssmartypantsnola.com.

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Vibrant floral patterned wrap, tropical scene, waterproof lined bathing suit pouch, gold metal leaf serving dish, available at Miss Smarty Pants, misssmartypantsnola.com; Camp Craft Cocktails mixes in mason jars, Conrad Rose Scented Citronella tin candle, available at Home Malone, homemalonenola.com; handwoven serving basket, Instant Plant Food small batch fertilizer, “Plantopedia: The Definitive Guide to Houseplants,” sculptural, handmade clay wall hanging

by The Modern Bloc, available at The Collective Shop, statementgoods.com.

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Hot pink and white striped terry towel/throw, oversized brim straw sun hat, Caspari beach umbrella cocktail napkins, cabana-themed tote, lime green sunglasses, available at Miss Smarty Pants, misssmartypantsnola.com; handmade green and white striped lidded basket, available at The Collective Shop, statementgoods.com; rubber floral slide sandals, available at Phina, phinashop.com, handcrafted brownstone clay vintage diving girl wall hanging, available at Home Malone, homemalonenola.com.

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M O D E R N - D AY M O N O C H R O M E A New Orleans designer’s love of neutrals shines through in her home

By Misty Milioto Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

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ative 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 all differ). So, it was a natural choice to go with a neutral color scheme when designing her own home.

Rhodes has always loved “playing around with things in a space,” and she says her hobby became even more fun when she started working with rooms and homes. “I drew my first floor plan at 6 (I still have it), and I designed and built my first home when I was 18 with a great amount of help and nurturing by my then mother-in-law, Helen Kohnke,” she says. “Though I always helped others with their homes … I decided to make it official when I moved part-time to Chicago in 2003. I continue to work everywhere.”

She obviously has a knack for design, which can be seen throughout her design portfolio and her historic New Orleans home. Rhodes, who raised her three sons in New Orleans, renovated her home (it was built more than 100 years ago) with one of her sons, Matthew Kohnke, owner of MNK Design Build. “He has renovated and designed Vals, Cure, Café Henri and numerous homes around town,” she says. “I love that we share that interest.”

Facing page: Interior designer Leslie Newman Rhodes chose classic pieces for her living room, including a cozy chair wrapped in hemp fabric from Chicago-based Jayson Home, a round pouf covered in fabric by Rose Tarlow, a Billy Baldwin Studio sofa from locally based Katie Koch Home, throw pillows covered in custom linen fabric by Scalamandré and Great Plains, and a French chair from locally based Ann Koerner Antiques.

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The 1,560-square-foot home includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with beautiful views of Audubon Park. “I wanted to live near the park and have a tiny back yard,” Rhodes says. “I adore that I have no neighbors across the street, and it also meant a lot to me that I shared an entrance gate with my neighbor, Merilyn.

There are so many great things about this family neighborhood.”

Rhodes also loved that her shotgun double allowed for a side entry so the flow through the home wouldn’t be via a long hallway and the tall ceilings typical of many of New Orleans’ shotgun houses. However, no home is without its challenges, and Rhodes faced a few that required clever solutions.

First, there was a dropped opening and a small wall that jutted out, thereby chopping up the house. So, she sistered the ceiling beams together to have enough support to open up the space. Now, the living room, dining area and kitchen all relate to one another. Second, the hallway was dark and void of natural light. Rhodes raised the ceiling to the roof and added a skylight. “Everything just glows,” Rhodes says. “Skylights are a favorite because real sunlight cannot be duplicated.”

Yet another challenge was the six-foot-high doors and doorframes, which Rhodes says made everything feel small and tight. So, she raised all of the doors and door frames to eight feet. Finally, the home originally had white oak flooring with carpet.

She ripped out the carpet and replaced it with red oak — by accident. “Of course it didn’t match the existing floor,” she says, “So my son and I decided to bleach the floor so pale that no one could tell, and I love the wash of white we put on top of it.”

When it came to the interior design, Rhodes wanted to maximize space and provide plenty of seating. “I like calm, versatile spaces, and I wanted a place my grandkids could play in but not leave a huge mess,” she says. “I organized their things in baskets under the dining bench, and they know exactly which basket they want and where it is.” Another way that she maximized storage was through the use of Ikea BESTÅ cabinets. “Visually they expand space because they are suspended and glossy,” she adds.

Overall, Rhodes describes her design aesthetic as broad. “I embrace an abundance of styles even if I do not use them all in my home,” she says. “I have visited them all at some point. I like lots of texture; lots of places for your eye to land. Some humor is always important as is mixing styles and eras.”

For this home, Rhodes decided that she didn’t want representational artwork to calm the monochromatic space down even more. “I have a pale-golden Franklin Adams pencil drawing that I bought when he had a show in Earth & Fire, a gallery/ pottery teaching studio my dear friend Kate and I opened in 1995,” she says. “He was a dear friend, and the piece I have is from his personal artwork, which I pried out of him for his show at the gallery.”

In the bedroom, Rhodes taped two Irving Penn photographs that she and a friend found in Vogue magazine to the glass of some old gold frames. In another iteration, she cut brown paper bag squares and taped them inside frames for muted color. Meanwhile, the office features a group of black and white photographs she has collected over the years. “Fonville Winans, ‘Dixie Belles’ is one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, and my husband, Arthur Rhodes, gave me a classical beautiful black and white he took in the ‘60s, ‘Make Love Not War.’ I also have a photo that my son took of a man with the most beautiful expression. I also have nudes by Tim Trapolin that I got from him when we bartered artwork.”

By using a combination of smart architectural adjustments and an interior design strategy that focused on cohesiveness, Rhodes has created open and airy spaces that are not only functional but also truly beautiful.

Facing page, top: The open floor plan offers views of the living room and kitchen. The media center is from CB2. Bottom left: The living room also features a shagreen table from Barneys topped with a blue-green glass and wire objet d’art from Pied Nu, and a statue by artist Mario Villa. The pencil sketch above the sofa is by Franklin Adams.

Bottom right: The dining room features a mirror, a pine table and two Lisbeth chairs from Jayson Home, and a wall sconce from Katie Koch Home.

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Top left: In the kitchen, Rhodes added a rug from Zamani, white quartz countertops and backsplash, and two white shelves from locally based JB Cabinets. Top right: The cozy master bedroom features a bed from Restoration Hardware, a side table from Wisteria, a lamp from Circa Lighting, a rug from ABC Carpet & Home, and a photograph of an Irving Penn image in a frame from Jayson Home. Bottom left: The entrance hall features two pink rugs from Zamani, a bench from Jayson Home and a starburst mirror (decorated with hats) from locally based Karla Katz Antiques. Bottom right: The powder room has Absolute White granite countertops (despite the name, the stone always has lots of gray veining) from Triton Stone, hardware from Ferguson, a mirror from CB2 and wall sconces from Shades of Light. Facing page: Rhodes used Benjamin Moore White Dove paint, which has a satin finish, to provide a reflective glow throughout her home. The kitchen has stools from West Elm, a large white vase from Jayson Home, two small mirrors from auction, smaller white vases from Room & Board and Jonathan Adler, and a small vase by an Italian designer (top left) that was a gift from her father.

Outdoor Oasis This Lake Vista outdoor pavilion is made for entertaining in style

BY EVA FEDDERLY | IMOTO PHOTOGRAPHY

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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 family.

The Halperns set their sights high and knew recreating their backyard would likely be a complicated process: Their Lake Vista home sits up against the levy and they knew there would be limitations and restrictions; they wanted a roof over the pool to provide shade; the new pavilion would need to complement their home and they’d have to remove the existing pool first.

“Originally, there was an old, red bean-shaped pool from the 1960s, that was 11 feet deep,” Mary Halpern said.

“At first, we were trying to design structures closer to the house. But my husband finally just said, ‘Rip it out.’”

This process seemed daunting, at first. They knew they’d need a team that was experienced and up for the challenge. The Halperns hired Titan Construction, who’ve been in business for 25 years. First, Titan would need to remove the 1960s-era pool. Then, they’d need to fill and grade the area before piles could be driven for the new structure.

“This was a very unique structure,” said Stephen Fleishmann, general contractor and owner of Titan Construction. “Usually a structure this size wouldn’t call for the use of structural steel. However, due to the large open space and the cantilevered area over the pool, we did incorporate structural steel.”

The Halperns assembled the rest of their stellar team for the project. They found a great pool builder, Greg’s Pools & Spas, who came highly recommended

by Mary’s brother. “He was very patient and visionary.

David and Mary Halpern opted for furniture from Restoration Hardware. A $10 cow-print throw they found at Big Lots drapes over their sofa, from RH’s Cloud Sofa Collection. For a splash of antique, the couple refurbished a wooden birthing chair that belonged to David’s grandmother. The planter is from CB2 planter and the plant is from Perino’s Home and Garden Center, where the Halperns typically buy their lush greenery.

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I wanted someone more artsy, not someone who was just going to carve out a square. And we wanted as much water as possible,” Mary said.

New Orleans architecture firm SCNZ Architects worked closely with the Halperns and drew their ideas, which Mary said was the product of days of research. They wanted the pavilion and pool to not look foreign to the backyard. “I like everything to stay linear and minimalistic,” Mary said.

It was also crucial to the Halperns that the design of the new pavilion flow seamlessly with the architecture of their home; namely they needed to source the right brick to match the brick of the midcentury house.

According to Stephen Fleishmann at Titan Construction, one of the biggest challenges in creating this space was finding the materials to match the home’s architectural style. “After long hours of searching, we finally were able to find matching brick in California.” he said. The bricks were sourced from Brick Hunter USA — one of the only non-local vendors used on the project — which found and shipped the salvaged bricks for the pavilion.

“We wanted to mimic the materials on the house. We didn’t want it look like something just landed in the yard,” Mary said. The family also opted for cypress, sourced from the local Riverside Lumber Co., to reflect the architectural details of the house.

Modern appliances, two TV sets and a fireplace, were also installed in the pavilion. The kitchen’s cabinets and appliances were equipped by Nordic. The tiles and backsplash were provided by Triton Stone. “Because it is a ‘wet space,’ we had to use waterproofed, but aesthetically pleasing products, such as for the flooring and cabinets,” Fleishmann at Titan Construction said.

In the end, the process — from breaking ground to completion — took about one year, but the final product, a striking and inviting 500-square-foot pavilion, in the style of the Halperns’ midcentury home, was well worth the wait. The Halperns and the team were pleased with

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the end result. Titan’s owner said, “Overall I think the space turned out better than imagined and is very aesthetically pleasing.”

“It’s like a living room smack in the middle of the yard. There’s a big fan ... It can accommodate our four kids and their friends. They’ll invite the kids over, and it makes the kids want to stay here,” Mary said.

It was also fortuitous that the pavilion was completed by the time the COVID-19 pandemic took hold. “We were so happy to have it during the pandemic. We could eat outside, entertain outside. Also, my husband loves doing anything outdoors. It was a way to get to him an outdoor space, without being in the sweltering heat,” Mary said.

The Halperns, who are known for their entertaining, throw an annual Christmas party, 25 years running (they even managed to host the celebration during the year of Hurricane Katrina). Mary continued, “The pavilion’s not made for 100 people, but in combination with our home and the park, we entertain a lot … We’ll have about 400 people come. It gets used a lot!”

Top: The teak table and six grey chairs are from Restoration Hardware.

Next to the Halperns’ home is an outdoor furniture set, also from RH. “I wanted it to look like one cohesive space,” Mary Halpern said.

Facing page: Top: A Haiku Ceiling Fan from Big Ass Fans keeps the Halperns and their guests cool in the pavilion. The floor tile, deck tile and backsplash are all from Triton Stone. Bottom: To seamlessly blend the pavilion with their midcentury home, the Halperns and their team sourced salvaged bricks from California from Brick Hunter USA to create the pavilion. “After long hours of searching, we finally were able to find matching brick in California,” said Stephen Fleishmann at Titan Construction. Greg’s Pools & Spas created the Halperns’ new pool.

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RETRO REDUX An Old Metairie home gets a dramatic and colorful backyard makeover B Y M I S T Y M I L I OTO

P H OTO G R A P H Y B Y S A R A E S S E X B R A D L E Y

Facing page: The newly designed outdoor cabana features a bar and grill, plus a dining area.

W

hen 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 says. “We reached out to him immediately and felt that he [understood] our insane vision. It was a great gut decision.”

That vision included a complete overhaul to the couple’s back yard.

The Jaffes bought their 2,900-square-foot Old Metairie home — consisting of four bedrooms and three bathrooms — in 2005 and moved in just 10 days before Hurricane Katrina. The house was designed by architect Ladd Ehlinger and built in 1972. “The overall design is a ‘70s vibe mixed with contemporary — and definitely quirky,” Rachel says.

“Our home reflects our personalities because it is colorful, unusual, loud and unapologetic. We love that our house is weird, but welcoming and comfortable.”

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Rachel, who grew up in New Orleans, met her husband in his hometown of Tucson, Arizona, and they eventually moved to New Orleans as a couple in 2001. They have two grown sons, Leo and Eli, and Mark works as a lawyer, while Rachel works as a personal trainer and an IFBB professional bodybuilder in the Women’s Physique Division.

When the pandemic lockdown began, Rachel and Mark realized the space in their back yard — complete with a dilapidated pool — was a missed opportunity. They wanted to spend more time outside, and, as avid fitness enthusiasts, they also wanted to add a home gym, as well as space for lounging, dining and cooking.

They enlisted the help of Fell, who designed an indoor/outdoor cabana that incorporates all of these uses in one structure (plus a bathroom and outdoor shower) by extending the roof from the enclosed gym to an open lounge space. “The gym was our top priority as our whole family is active, and it allowed me to train for my competitions at home,” Rachel says. “The surrounding spaces were all decided around the gym. It has exceeded my wildest dreams. Nathan accomplished that and more with his creative design and willingness to incorporate bold colors.”

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The Jaffes embrace color, and they wanted as much of it as possible for their backyard — but in a cohesive way. “Color is super important, as it sets the tone for your day,” Rachel says. “Our vision is that when you enter our main house, you are greeted with a beachy, casual vibe with warm Caribbean colors, including ombre blue stairs in our main hall. In the back yard, we wanted a permanent soothing sunset, which is why we selected the sunset hues for the fence. Nathan took the mess of ideas in our brains and made them into a glorious reality.”

Fell began the project in August 2020, starting with the design of a low-slung tropical cabana that is meant to feel cozy rather than overly spacious. “An overly tall cabana would have been the wrong feel for the back yard, considering the size of the backyard area,” he says.

Interesting materials used for the project include tropical wood infill

and a visibly defined metal structure. “The metal structure was made noticeable to allow for an infill that juxtaposes natural materials with artificial materials, bold colors, graphic wallpaper and astro-turf,” Fell says.

The colors, however, were the last step in the design process. “It’s great that color is the first thing that is noticed about the space,” Fell says. “It’s practically inevitable because the colors are so bold, but it wouldn’t work if the colors weren’t framed properly with other aesthetics and if practical considerations weren’t developed initially.”

When it came time to develop the color scheme, Fell and the Jaffe’s decided to take an evocative, nostalgic route. They drew upon late 1970s and early 1980s graphics, particular those found on T-shirts, and in public pools and parks. “Each board of the perimeter fence was painted

Facing page: Top: The lines between interior and exterior space are blurred thanks to thoughtful design by Nathan Fell of Nathan Fell Architecture. Bottom: Doug King, owner of DPK Pools, refinished the pool, which was previously in a state of disrepair. This page: The Jaffes sourced the Ballo Oval Dining Table from Article and the stacking patio dining armchairs from AllModern.

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a separate color — as a stratum — and as an abstraction of a sunset, like an Ocean Pacific T-shirt from 1982,” Fell says. “We even had stencil figures of flamingos and palm trees in one version.

But the concept to use the fence in a graphic way to make the backyard feel more room-like was a concept that was developed well before the colors.”

While Fell ran into some design challenges, such as increasing material costs and delivery delays, he says it was also difficult to find the right contractor to refinish the pool. “It was a particular headache because so many people who ever thought about building a pool decided to do it in 2020,” he says. Luckily, he and the Jaffes found Doug King, owner of DPK Pools, to tackle that part of the project. Meanwhile, Franklin Santos of Team Elite Construction built the gym and cabana that Fell designed.

Overall, Fell says that the project turned out so well because his core values and those of the Jaffes aligned. “Projects are a lot more successful when both the architect and the owners listen to each other, which was the case on this project,” he says.

Facing page: The Perch outdoor sofa and ottoman from Blu Dot provide a comfortable place to sit while watching movies via the projector (mounted on the ceiling). Top left: The view from the outdoor dining includes the newly added gym, which includes equipment from Fitness Expo in Metairie. Top right: This brightly colored bathroom includes Sid sconces from Sazerac Stitches, wallpaper from Burke Decor, a bath vanity from Wayfair and a swivel mirror from West Elm. Bottom right: The sunset motif for the pool area is based on graphics from the late 1970s and early 1980s.

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HOME RENEWAL

Perfect Porches With the right elements and expertise, a porch can add value to your home

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 outdoor time in without being pummeled by the punishing summer sun. So if you’re looking to add a porch or patio to your home, what factors should you consider?

The first thing homeowners should remember is that New Orleans’ rainy, humid climate poses some challenges. Chris Kornman, owner of Entablature, said wood products do not hold up well in New Orleans, even if they are covered.

“They’re soft and don’t handle the sun and the rain,” Kornman said. “Because we have a lot of sun, and a tremendous amount of rain, you would have to keep repainting it constantly (approximately every two years).”

Kornman said synthetic materials like Aeratis better survive the local climate challenges. He added these synthetic materials will cost homeowners more in the short term, but will save them money in the long term.

It is also best to keep bushes from getting too close to your front porch. Morning dew collects on bushes, and if they’re too close to the porch, the moisture can cause the porch edges to swell and rot earlier than the rest of the porch.

Kornman added it is also advisable to keep the ground below the porch graded in a way that shades away from the foundation. If it is not graded, it will create a bowl effect, collecting water. The water will accelerate porch rot, plus it will attract termites which can damage the entire house’s foundation.

Porches and patios can also increase a home’s resale value. Jenny Ross, a realtor with Entablature, said homeowners would on average get an 80% return on their porch-construction investment before the COVID-19 pandemic. That return is a little lower now because of supply chain issues that make the construction more expensive. Ross estimates that a porch or patio will cost a homeowner somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000.

If that cost is out of your price range, Ross said there are easier additions you can do for a similar effect at a cheaper price. She said simply paving a small section of your lawn with bricks and placing a table with an umbrella in it is a good way to create your own affordable outdoor relax-

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Entablature

ation space. This kind of work can be done for under $1,000.

“You don’t have to have a large, expensive porch to enjoy being outside,” Ross said.

While porches and patios usually increase a home’s resale value, Ross warned that poorly constructed ones can actually decrease resale value.

Buyers won’t want to have to deal with decaying, poorly built porches and patios. She said this usually happens when homeowners try to take on the construction themselves.

“You should know when to go DIY and you should know when to hire an expert,” Ross said.

Kornman added that many people are now also building outdoor barbecue areas in their backyards, as well as screened-in porches in the backyard.

Another outdoor space homeowners might consider is a balcony.

However, Kornman warned that there are a lot of pitfalls to building one.

“It’s probably the least used aspect of a house,” Kornman said. “And it’s not an inexpensive element.”

Kornman stated that many balconies he sees have been built incorrectly. The contractor constructed them the same way they would build a porch. But that doesn’t work because the process of directing water off the balcony away from the property is more complicated than the process for keeping it off the porch.

“We see balconies totally rotted out because they were built the same way as a first-floor porch,” Kornman said. — FRITZ ESKER

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INSPIR ATION BOARD

Rose-Colored Spectacle

Muse Wallpaper in Rose, floral patterns handpainted in a watercolor style from arhaus.com

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.

BY MIRELLA CAMERON

Betty Sofa in blush mohair performance velvet with natural-hued bullion fringe skirt. sundayshop.co

Bolt Side Table with simple stainless steel metal base from eclectichome.net

Tilton Ottoman, artisan-constructed frame using solid, sustainably sourced, cross-directional hardwood married with a plush cushion made from plant-based materials, all from arhaus.com

Ellison Swivel Chair in Votive Rose with a moving base and tight upholstery from arhaus.com

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Lemon Glass Multi-Tray in acrylic from eclectichome.net

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PRICE MIX

I Scream, You Scream We all scream for stylish ice cream makers

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Ninja’s CREAMi “7-in-one” ice cream maker has onetouch technology specifically designed to create ice cream, sorbet, smoothies, gelatos and milkshakes with the touch of a button. Simply create your frozen treat base, freeze overnight and process to your desired consistency. Plus, it has a pause button so you can mix in those little extras like chocolate chips, cookies, nuts, M&Ms, fruit, or whatever floats your banana split. Available in five colors, the CREAMi also comes with three pint-sized containers with lids. ninjakitchen.com.

When everyone in the family wants ice cream (and why would they not), Cuisinart’s stainless steel ice cream maker can churn out two quarts of ice cream in a little less than half an hour. Simply pre-freeze the double-walled ice cream bowl for six hours, or overnight, and you are ready to create frozen treats and frosty drinks.

A convenient access lid allows users to add in their favorite treats. Aluminum, 2-quart capacity, williamssonoma.com.

Put your KitchenAid stand mixer to work this summer with the KitchenAid ice cream maker attachment bundle. Pop the freezer bowl into your freezer the night before you want to mix up your favorite treat, and let your mixer do the work. The ice cream paddle and bowl makes two quarts of frozen desserts in under 30 minutes. The bowl and paddle attach easily and are made for quick clean up when you are done. Plastic, food52.com.

The Dash My Pint Ice Cream Maker is as easy as 1-2-3. Freeze the ice cream container, add your ingredients and push start.

Customize your frozen treat for one, from dairy-free vanilla to strawberry sorbet or homemade Chunky Monkey, this powerful mini machine mixes up 1 ½ cups in less than half an hour.

It’s so easy, you could make a different flavor every day of the summer, and it is the perfect appliance for small spaces, late night solo ice cream eaters and kids. Forget the cones, it also comes equipped with a mixing spoon for the cooling bowl for those times when you have to get your ice cream fix right away. Available in three colors, amazon.com.

$499.95 Smart Scoop

The 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 just the right feel for sorbet, ice cream, gelato or frozen yogurt, and when your treat is complete, the Smart Scoop alerts you with a cheerful beep or tune. This truly is the Rolls Royce of ice cream makers. Stainless steel, 1.5 quart capacity, surlatable.com.

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2022 HBA PARADE OF HOMES PROMOTIONAL SECTION

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ASK THE EXPERTS

MULLIN

HUE NEWS Consider color for your seasonal décor refresh

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 a different story than the homeowner with a mirrored wall, black-leather furniture, and bold Neo-Geo art. But no matter your style, there’s one component of décor that largely lives by its own rules: color. As homeowners freshen up their décor this season, we’ve checked in with local experts to find out what role color should play.

First things first — are color trends important?

According to Grace Kaynor, owner of Grace Kaynor Designs, color trends are likely to affect us because of their place in the collective consciousness. While color trends don’t always define our color choices, we see them in the world, media and catalogues, and they evoke a response, conscious or not. Right now, Kaynor notes that green is emerging everywhere and not just because of its color properties.

“When people are thinking about sustainable design, the color green just seems to reinforce the concept of sustainability,” she says. Designer

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Chad Graci has also seen a rise in greens and blues and even notes a recent openness to black. While these designers acknowledge color trends, they don’t suggest homeowners live or die by the tones of the times.

“I try to choose colors that are in my client’s comfort zone,” says designer Marian DeMeyers. “Think of the colors you like to wear and that flatter you — you usually still like them down the line.”

Designers use a lot of methods to define décor color schemes, often pulling from homeowners’ choices of fabrics and rugs. Sometimes color is pulled from personal belongings and artwork. On rarer occasions, designers start with the wall paint itself — this is often the case with rooms that don’t have a large fabric presence such as bars and bathrooms.

“Every project is different, but some colors can help brighten a room, some make a room feel cozy, and sometimes they can be the thing that connects all the rooms to each other,” says DeMeyers. If a client wants the overall color palette to be neutral, DeMeyers likes to give one single room — perhaps a dining room, office or library — a color of its own.

“For as long as I can remember, my parents have always had a deep dark red library, and the color reminds me of them and of home,” she says.

If you’re getting started on a décor refresh and you want to update color,

where to start? Chad Graci likes to start in his own home with the cheapest, easiest route — simply rearranging what you already have. Rearranging décor allows you to see your furnishings in a new light, literally. Moving an object from a shadowed bookshelf to a window-lit console may give you a new appreciation for its color tones and may add a pop to a new area of the room or home.

Kaynor’s first move is often to recover the sofa.

“Because the sofa is so large, a new fabric — whether solid or patterned — can have a big impact and be a wow factor,” she says. “I usually stick to a colorful solid unless I am doing an all-white scheme,” she says.

DeMeyers also loves to reupholster for a color refresh, especially with single accent chairs. Whereas a bold-colored fabric might be too much for a sofa or drapery, a single accent chair is the perfect place to introduce playfulness. Other ways to incorporate more color on various scales include adding dramatic-toned draperies, adding a colorful tape to an existing drapery’s edge, purchasing new artwork, wallpapering the backs of shelves, adding a colorful lamp, or adding a new pair of throw pillows.

These easy additions can be great ways for those who fear color commitment to get color in smaller doses.

Outdoor spaces have their own color considerations — when freshening up décor of your porches, patios, gardens, courtyards and pool-side lounging areas, how should color factor in?

At Mullin, Associate Landscape Designer Matthew Quitzau notes that hardscape areas are designed with the expectation that they will be there for decades, so paving materials, often relatively neutral, are chosen to fit the home’s style and space the best.

“Plantings and outdoor furniture can be changed out as trends come in and out,” he says. “I see a lot of clients buy a quality set of patio furniture and just change out the cushions with each season. The same can be done with seasonal color pockets in the garden bed.” Quitzau looks for opportunities to add seasonal color with annuals situated between planting masses.

Landscape Designer Beverly Katz, owner of Exterior Designs, likes to incorporate colors from the interior of the home in her outdoor designs, and in addition to choosing colors she knows a homeowner likes, she also considers what colors complement the brick, flagstone or other hardscaping. The benefit of working with plants is that nothing in nature clashes, according to Katz. We may have our preferences of color, but shades of green and pops of flower petals never disappoint.

When refreshing the décor and colors of your outdoor space, Katz recommends first refreshing your garden: weed, prune, re-mulch and plant the soothing colors you love. Perhaps you match your plants to a tile in your pool or a cushion on your outdoor furniture, or if your space’s palette is neutral, just pick what’s in season.

“Annuals are the best way to refresh a garden without going through major landscaping,” says Katz. “What’s really interesting about a garden is that it’s always a little different. It’s never boring and always appealing, even if you repeat the same color every season.”

Indoor or outdoor, alternating or consistent, color is an effective way to make a statement with your décor refresh.

“Color is nothing to shy away from,” says Grace Kaynor, “and I say don’t be afraid of color.” — KELCY WILBURN

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Fab Flatware

Elevate your table settings this summer with beautiful utensils.

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 teaspoon have a pure and simple design, while the knife features

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a comfortable rounded handle and micro-serrated blade. Named after founder Joseph Opinel’s late grandmother who loved simple and timeless objets d’art, Perpétue easily transitions from an alfresco lunch by the pool to an elegant dinner party. Opinel has been making pocket and kitchen knives in France since 1890, and this is the brand’s first ever tableware collection. Available at Coutelier Nola, couteliernola.com— MISTY MILIOTO