New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles Autumn 2019

AUTUMN 2019

new orleans

homes & lifestyles

autumn 2019 / Volume 22 / Issue 3 Editor Melanie Warner Spencer Art Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley McLellan Web Editor Kelly Massicot Contributing Writers Mirella Cameran, Laura Claverie, Lee Cutrone, Fritz Esker, Valorie Hart, Pamela Marquis, Lisa Tudor, Margaret Zainey Roux Contributing Photographers Thom Bennett, Sara Essex Bradley, Theresa Cassagne, Jeffery Johnston, Eugenia Uhl Copy Editor Liz Clearman Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan 504/830-7215 or Colleen@MyNewOrleans.com senior Account Executive Brooke LeBlanc Genusa 504/830-7242 or Brooke@MyNewOrleans.com senior Account Executive Alyssa Copeland 504/830-7239 or Alyssa@MyNewOrleans.com Director of Marketing and Events Jeanel Luquette event coordinator Abbie Dugruise Digital Media Associate Mallary Matherne

For event information call (504) 830-7264 Production manager Emily Andras Production Designers Rosa Balaguer,

Meghan Rooney Traffic Coordinator Lane Brocato Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive Vice President/Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Distribution Manager John Holzer Administrative Assistant Mallary Matherne Audience Development Claire Sargent

A Publication of Renaissance Publishing LLC Printed in USA 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 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 NewOrleansHomesandLifestyles.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 Š 2019 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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FEATURES

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New Build of the Year

Sanctuary

Design Masters

Best of Homes

This minimalist, Lakeview home combines high design and high function

A Magical Garden District Retreat

13 design industry professionals at the top of their game

Reader’s choice for New Orleans’ best in home design

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CONTENTS

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22 Editor’s Note Including the Editor’s Pick 14

Design Diary News and events 16

Style Heavy Metal: Shiny, matte, embroidered and embossed metallic hues rock this season 18

Get Organized Fine Foyer 20

Artist Profile Terrance Osborne 22

Bon Vivant Film al Fresco: Taking movie night outdoors for a special treat 24

Gatherings Hauntingly Delicious: Chef Eric Cook’s recipe for shrmp and grits is so simple it’s scary 26

For the Garden Sprouted: Introducing gardening to the next generation 28

Home Grown Vigorous Vine: Mirlitons are making a comeback 30

Masters of Their Craft Handy Work: Bernadette Korver’s upholstery and sewing skills kepe designers and craftsmen coming back 32

TrendWatch

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Autumnal Accents: Earth tones and natural elements add texture and warmth for fall 34

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Home Renewal Green Living: Simple ways to be more environmentally friendly at home 86

Price Mix

Last Indulgence

Bowled Over: Three vessels fit for any occasion 90

On The Geaux: Stylish go-cups are the new krewe throw or red Solo cup 96

Inspiration Board Statement Makers: Dramatic pieces set the tone foa room and lend design inspiration 88

Expert Advice Renewal: What to do with stale, unloved art and antiques 92

on the cover

Our New Build of the Year for 2019 is a study in minimalism and in employing high design, while living with children and furry friends. (p. 42) Photo by Sara essex bradley

editor’s note

winning season It’s hard to pick favorites when you are the editor of multiple magazines,

but if forced to do it, the annual autumn issue of this publication would certainly take the lead, if not first place. The combination of autumn being my favorite (read: cool) season and our annual Design Masters feature, as well as the reader’s choice Best of Home winners being announced, is hard to beat. It’s so inspiring to read about the impressive work of our Design Masters each year. The people highlighted are at the top of their game and are making New Orleans a more beautiful and functional place to live. Our annual Best of Home contest is a lot of fun and affords us the chance to hear from you, our readers, and to watch a little friendly competition break out between professionals in the design community. Yes, we see you campaigning and we’re here for it! One of the other elements of this issue that I love is that we are finally able to reveal the New Build of the Year. Historically this home is chosen about a year or more in advance, so we are tasked with staying mum for a long 12 or more months. I’m confident that you’ll love this year’s pick as much as we do.

It is modern, fresh and fabulous. The other home we are highlighting in this issue is the innkeeper’s apartment at the Sully Mansion in the Lower Garden District. I first met Melinda, the innkeeper, during a tour of the mansion after it had been renovated and reimagined as not only a bed and breakfast, but also an event venue. She offered my colleague and me a tour of her apartment and we both swooned. I knew at that moment we had to get it into the magazine. Her eclectic, bohemian style is infused with midcentury modern flair and is at once chic and sophisticated, and — most importantly — cozy and inviting.

Inspiration abounds in this issue. I hope you love it as much as I do — and potentially as much as I love autumn. Cheers!

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editor’s pick In August, “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend” exhibition opened at the New Orleans Museum of Art. This exhibition centers on the recent acquisition by the museum of five works. Gee’s Bend quilts — born of the remote, historically black community by the same name in Alabama — have been displayed in museums throughout the world and are notable for the maker’s artistry, experimental design and mastery of textile design. The exhibition runs through March of 2020. noma.org

DESIGN MASTERS Join us on Sept. 5 for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and to celebrate our annual Design Masters and Best of Home winners. This elegant event is being held at Messina’s at the Terminal at the Lakefront Airport, a stunning local Art Deco treasure designed in the 1930s by New Orleans architect Leon C. Weiss and his architectural firm Weiss, Dreyfous and Seiferth (also know for designing the Louisiana State Capitol, among other notable local and statewide institutions and commercial properties). Tickets are available at 2019designmasters. eventbrite.com.

THERESA CASSAGNE PHOTO

design diary

home library

Dashing Decor

Coffee Table-Worthy

Aerin Lauder, founder and creative director of the luxury lifestyle brand AERIN, and style and image director for Estée Lauder, has launched a fall line for Aerin Home with modern and classically-refined home accessories. Available locally at Rivers Spencer Interiors, the fall line includes everything from jewelry boxes and bar sets to cashmere throws and gorgeous objets d’art. aerin.com — Compiled by Misty Milioto

Fine Fabrics Anyone who is a fan of New Orleans-based artist Alexis Walter — best known for her abstract impasto and watercolor art — can now enjoy even more of her work thanks to a new fabric line dubbed Alexis Walter Maison. Shapes from Walter’s personal garden and hues from her pastel-colored paintings inspired the first installment of the 100-percent Belgian linen fabric line, which debuts this fall/winter season. alexiswalterart.com

In his new book, “Sacred Ground: The Cemeteries of New Orleans” (Oct. 8, 2019, Princeton Architectural Press), Robert S. Brantley presents rich duotone photographs of New Orleans’ legendary cemeteries. The photographs depict otherworldly landscapes, intricate ironwork and stately monuments, while biographies of 20 individuals whose grave sites are among those featured help to further reveal insights to the Crescent City’s storied past. “Sacred Ground” also features an index identifying the tombs and their iconography, and an introduction by S. Frederick Starr provides background on New Orleans’ cemetery history, culture and burial customs. papress.com

red hot

Deals on Design Textures of New Orleans is a new pop-up design concept from J. Allan’s (an interior design showroom based in Mississippi) featuring limited, eclectic and high-design inventory at up to 60 percent off retail prices. The ultra-hip warehouse location in Uptown (421 9th St.) is open once per month for two consecutive days (fall dates are Sept. 27-28, Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 22-23). Customers can expect to find a fun and relaxing shopping environment with an ever-changing selection of accessories, art, rugs and furniture. shopjallans.com/locations/new-orleans

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style

Heavy Metal

Shiny, matte, embroidered and embossed metallic hues rock this season Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux

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1. Christian Lacroix “Paseo” small notebook in copper, large notebook in silver, guest book in gold, Lionheart Prints, 3312 Magazine St., 267-5299, lionheartprints.com 2. Studio Carta wrapping ribbon in gold, silver, and rose gold, Lionheart Prints, 3312 Magazine St., 267-5299, lionheartprints.com 3. Pigeon and Poodle nickel tray and brass cocktail shaker, Hilltop Shoppe, 3714 Magazine St., 533-9670 4. La Petite Abeille “Orleans” pure beeswax candles in gold on black; gold on gold; gold on ivory, Orient Expressed, 3446 A Magazine St., 605-4448, orientexpressed.com 5. Nineteenth-century homespun linen pillow with gold metallic cording and 18th-century silver cloth applique, B. Viz Design New Orleans Atelier, 3506 Magazine St., 913-4111, rebeccavizard.com 6. Brass antler tabletop décor, Creative Finishes Studio, 2013 Metairie Road, 909-9028, creativefinishesstudio.com

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eugenia uhl PHOTO

get organized

case goods

chic classics

Fine Foyer

Perhaps consider using an antique demilune table.

Popular in France in the 1700s, demilunes are the perfect piece for narrow spaces. They can be found in virtually every style, from ornate Louis XVI to classic English Hepplewhite, and they’re crafted in a wide variety of woods from mahogany to cherry.

It’s the Grand Central Station for your family’s departures and arrivals and serves as the unofficial welcome center to your friends and visitors. Your entryway may be the smallest room in your house, but with attention to style and emphasis on organization, it

get personal

can make the biggest impact.

This utilitarian space is also the perfect place to define your style. Use it to give visitors a taste of the luxury that lies beyond the welcome mat. Consider using a bold chandelier (we spied an eye-catching wooden number adorned with beads and tassels from Source Interior Designs, sourceinteriordesigns.com). Or use shadow boxes to highlight your treasured items or hang your favorite works of arts or family photographs to show guests the things you truly love. Let your entryway say with pride, “Home is where the heart is.”

Running shoes, mail, keys, school projects, umbrellas and soccer balls — the clutter in your entryway is utterly inevitable. Luckily, there’s a range of options to totally tame the chaos and up the glamour. If your foyer is tiny try using a narrow entry bench with storage. Stylish baskets or wire containers can be the perfect solution for organizing everything from sports equipment to designer bags.

Hooks, floating shelves and cubbies will efficiently gather your keys, pet leashes and children’s backpacks. — by Pam marquis

Accents

Practically posh The perfect start is a high-end doormat showcasing your taste and keeping dirt outside where it belongs. Once inside, lay down an area rug that’s stylish, but also practical. Try jute or sea-grass carpet, which traps sand and dirt, hides stains and stands up to heavy traffic.

West Elm on Magazine Street has a custom rug program that lets you design your own rug, so you can choose the color and size that’s just right for you. westelm.com

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artist profile

Terrance Osborne Terrance Osborne’s fanciful,

New Orleans-centric work has become in his words “more colorful and decked out” over the years. His method of sharing his process with young artists has found new expression through social media as well. His subject matter, however, remains consistently rooted in and reflective of his beloved native city. Cottages, jazz bands, streetcars, cityscapes and local waterways are all recognizable local imagery.

Born in New Orleans and raised in the Tremé area, Osborne was introduced to art through his parents and brother, for whom art was a hobby. He participated in the the public school system’s Talented Arts program, in which practicing artists worked with gifted students and attended NOCCA. “I was just a regular teenager,” he says. “I had my side hustles. My first was drawing on people’s pants and getting paid for that.”

Then, while at NOCCA, a visit to artist Richard Thomas’s gallery became a turning point.

Osborne shifted from drawing to painting and set his sights on becoming a working artist.

The work of impressionists John Singer Sargent and Van Gogh and local artist James Mi-

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chalopoulos, known for his off-kilter houses, also made a lasting impression. The latter inspired Osborne to move from figurative works to landscapes.

“I always appreciated how [Michalopoulos] wasn’t interested in trying to make lines perfect,” he says. “Not a building in New Orleans is a straight line. That kind of freedom for an artist is very attractive.”

While majoring in art at Xavier University, Osborne experimented with multi-dimensional forms, using inexpensive 8-foot by 4-foot sheets of wood for his paintings and cutting them up to create a relief effect.

His current work continues to explore architecture and dimension. Some of his paintings depict houses stacked on top of a person’s head.

“Our houses are an extension of our clothing and our culture,” says Osborne, who calls himself a culture producer, has created five Jazz Fest posters, and has collaborated on projects with such giants as Coke and Nike.

In February a show of at least 15 new works entitled “The Color of New Orleans” will include an interactive, 7-foot, 3-D wine cabinet with a house on top. Viewers can walk completely around the piece, open its front door and reach

inside to turn on the light.

“I’m always looking for something that merges the viewer with the art,” says Osborne. “I don’t want you to be able to pass my piece without being able to look at it.”

The Color of New Orleans opens Feb. 1, 2020 at Terrance Osborne Gallery, 3029 Magazine St., 2327530, terranceosborne.com — by lee Cutrone

thom bennett portrait

bon vivant

Film al Fresco Take movie night outdoors for a special treat

In some parts of the country

September marks the first real taste of fall weather. Unfortunately, New Orleans isn’t in one of those parts of the country. That said, there is a dash of reprieve here and there until it begins to cool down in earnest in October. Until then, it’s essential to maximize those days the temperature mercifully drops below 95 degrees or — dare I say it — dips into the 80-degree range. A few years ago, on one, glorious 80-something-degree evening, we were enjoying glass of cold bubbly on the porch while awaiting delivery from Slice Pizzeria, when inspiration struck. Instead of taking our beverages and pizza inside for the Netflix night we

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planned, why not bring those moving pictures to the porch?

A few minutes later, the iPad was propped up on the decorative beverage tub (turned upside-down for use as a table), a bucket with bubbly on ice and the Bluetooth speaker were on the side table between our rocking chairs and “Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries,” was cued up on Netflix.

We kept it simple with pizza and the iPad on the porch, but you could go as elaborate as time and resources permit. The next time, we’ll probably opt for the laptop, which has a larger screen than the iPad. If you have an outdoor outlet and a somewhat portable TV, you can get high tech with the project.

True commitment would be a screen and

projector. Candles, upholstered chairs from the living room, wine and a lavish cheese and charcuterie spread; movie snacks, pillows and blankets; or bean bags, beer and red beans and rice are all fun alternatives to our delivery pizza and you can take it to the porch, patio or yard. There are many possibilities. Just be mindful of the neighbors — or invite them to join in the fun.

A change of setting made a routine activity seem much more indulgent and allowed us to take advantage of the beautiful weather.

There were a lot more outdoor movie nights after that inaugural “test flight” — in October and November, naturally. (Editor’s Note: A version of this article originally published on myneworleans.com.) – By Melanie Warner Spencer

Paul Costello PHOTO

gatherings

Shrimp and Gris-Gris Grits Ingredients 1 lb shrimp ½ cup andouille sausage, quartered 1 quart veal stock 1 red bell pepper 1 ½ cups whole milk (skim can also be used) ½ cup yellow grits 4 tablespoons butter kosher salt, to taste ground black pepper, to taste 2 tablespoons Creole seasoning 6 cherry tomatoes, halved 1 teaspoon fresh thyme, picked and chopped 2 tablespoons unsalted butter Directions 1. Peel and devein shrimp, set aside. Combine stock and shells in large sauce pot and simmer until reduced by half. Place red bell pepper over open flame and turn until evenly charred all around. Place inside of a Ziploc bag and allow to steam for 5 minutes. Remove pepper from bag and peel away all skin and seeds. Purée red pepper until smooth and add to sauce pot.

2. Bring milk to a boil in medium sauce pan.

Whisk in grits and stir constantly until slightly thickened. Turn heat down to low and cover.

Cook until grits are tender (about 45 minutes). Finish with butter and salt to taste.

3. Season shrimp with Creole seasoning and sauté until slightly curled (about 6 minutes). Add andouille to pan and cook until shrimp and sausage are fully cooked (about 4 minutes).

4. Add in shrimp sauce and allow to simmer until reduced by half again. Add in cherry tomatoes and just heat through. Finish with butter and fresh thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serves 4

About the Chef

Hauntingly Delicious Chef Eric Cook’s recipe for shrimp and grits is so simple it’s scary Produced By Margaret Zainey Roux

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Chef Eric Cook is a New Orleans native and combat veteran who served six years in the United States Marine Corps. He trained at the John Folse Culinary Institute and began his culinary career in the kitchen at Brennan’s followed by stints at Commander’s Palace, American Sector, Dickie Brennan’s Bourbon House, Tommy’s Cuisine and NOSH Since its opening in the Lower Garden District in 2018, both Gris-Gris and Chef Eric have won several local awards and received acclaim from numerous national food critics. eugenia uhl PHOTO

for the garden

Hint “In the years that I’ve been serving kids as a gardening instructor, I’ve found that using gardening as a tool to find one’s purpose has been an overarching theme of engagement,” says Rahn Broady, lead garden educator at Arthur Ashe Charter School. “Kids want to feel that they are being useful, helpful and heard in the garden. This can range from giving students responsibility-laden jobs raging from picking pests off of a leaf, to identifying possible parasites affecting a specific caterpillar. My best outcomes arise from students that have a sense of belonging and stewardship in their garden space.”

sprouted Introducing gardening to the next generation

The seeds of the Edible Schoolyard about your food helps you learn about what you’re New Orleans’ program were planted eating,” says Ro’ Shaun, an Arthur Ashe Charter after Hurricane Katrina when re- School kindergartener. nowned Chef Alice Waters brought Also, Tulane studies showed that students conher revolutionary education program, which sume more fruits and vegetables than the nationstrengthens children’s connection to the environ- al average: 85 percent report eating fruit the day ment and encourages them to make healthy food, before versus 61 percent nationally; 48 percent to Samuel J. Green Charter School. report eating a vegetable the day before versus 10 In 2006, it became the first school to percent nationally. replicate her model and it’s succeeding Jahmal Hurst, garden “Edible Schoolyard New Orleans has educator at Samuel J. beyond expectations. It is now also locat- Green Charter School, been one of our beneficiaries since 2006 leading his small ed at Langston Hughes Academy, Arthur and it has been wonderful witnessing group in garden class Ashe Charter School and Phillis Wheatthe growth and positive impact that ley Community School. this incredible organization has on its According to Claudia Barker, ESYNOLA’s exec- students,” says Brian Kish, president of the Emeril utive director, recent studies have shown that 96 Lagasse Foundation. “When children are connectpercent of ESYNOLA students are willing to taste ed to their food and learn where it comes from, new foods in their classes when offered — includ- they make healthier eating choices. They can then ing raw vegetables from the garden to ratatouille share this knowledge with their families and comthat they make in class. munities leading to increased engagement at home “Looking, touching, smelling, tasting and talking and a healthier community.” – By Pamela Marquis

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Events “Growing Gardeners” September Topic: Native Louisiana Plants New Orleans City Park Botanical Garden Sept. 7, 10:00 a.m. to noon For children ages 6 to 9 years old 483-9470 or email nobgeducation@nocp.org Longue Vue Garden Volunteer Day Oct. 3, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Longue Vue House and Gardens, 7 Bamboo Road In the Green House 488-5488 Annual Louisiana Iris Rhizome Sale Greater New Orleans Iris Society Oct. 19, 10 a.m. to noon Longue Vue House and Gardens 7 Bamboo Road 488-5488

Maile Lani PHOTO

home grown

Vigorous Vine Mirlitons are making a comeback

By Pamela Marquis

1 details, Details Mirlitons have graced backyard chain-link fences all around South Louisiana for generations. However, after way too many hurricanes from 2005 to 2009, this cherished vegetable almost disappeared from our culinary repertoire.

The good news is that these days, because of a concerted effort by dedicated mirlitons enthusiasts, the yummy squash is making a resounding comeback.

2 What’s in a Name?

This plump vegetable has many monikers. Most of the United States calls it chayote.

It is christophine in much of the West Indies and a vegetable pear in various other parts of the world. When the Los Isleños, came to New Orleans, these French-speaking immigrants gave it a decidedly French name — mirliton.

3 growing pains They grow on a perennial vine that can reach up to 15 meters in length. For anyone looking to cut carbs, they’ll find that it works exceedingly well as a replacement to starchier vegetables.

4 seasonal sensation It’s easy-growing and is best planted mid to late March.

It’s ready to harvest usually between October and December.

5 dig deeper For more on this versatile fruit, check out mirliton.org, an organization dedicated to the preservation of this delectable staple in our fabulous Creole cooking.

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MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT

Handy work Bernadette Korver’s upholstery and sewing skills keep designers and craftsmen coming back

Bernadette Korver’s life is full of grommets, buttons, buckles and luxurious fabrics. She has four sewing machines: two industrial machines — one dated 1947 that she completely rebuilt — and two domestic ones.

She’s a seasoned seamstress and expert upholsterer who has been happily earning her living with these skills for nearly 35 years.

Korver learned to sew as a young adult. She started with baby clothes and soon was sewing fabric sample squares for several highend San Francisco fabric showrooms.

“I sewed thousands of them; I certainly learned how to sew a straight line,” she jokes.

She also honed her skills in drapery making and participated in a two-year upholstery apprenticeship with Randolph & Hein, a highend furniture store.

“The woman who taught me was very exacting and I certainly learned the proper way to do things.”

She also sold fabric for six years at Stroheim and Romann. Because she had great fabric sources and knew what to do with them, she started taking on side jobs.

“If clients were looking for something specific sometimes other designers would say, ‘Go talk to Bernie’.”

In 2008, Karver decided it was time to move back home to New Orleans. It didn’t take her long to build up her clientele. She contin-

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ues to find her own clients and also has a steady stream of jobs from local interior designers and other craftsmen.

She recently completed a job with Greg Arceneaux Cabinetmakers. The business was commissioned to build teester beds for the new boutique hotel in the Marigny, Hotel Peter & Paul. Korver did all the curtain panels for the project.

“She was so easy to work with and she’s now our go-to upholsterer,” says Liz Arceneaux, owner of Greg Arceneaux Cabinetmaker.

Korver strives to do high-end work and says she’s a bit hard on herself.

“Sometimes I’ll spend a whole day getting a cushion just right, making sure the pattern matches exactly,” says Korver. “Others might not notice but I guess I see things they don’t see.”

Her jobs usually start with a picture of the project, basic measurements and not much else.

“Each job is different and none of them come with an instruction manual,” she says. “It’s up to me to look at it and figure out what I need and what I need to do.”

Also, often the fabric the client sends won’t have a label. One of her tricks is to burn a small swatch and by the smell and the way it burns, she can figure out if it’s cotton or a polyester blend.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she says. “I love repairing, restoring and creating. I’ve been fortunate because what I do with my hands has always helped me make my living.” – By Pamela Marquis

eugenia uhl PHOTO

TRENDWATCH

Autumnal Accents

Earth tones and natural elements add texture and warmth for fall By andy myer photographed by eugenia uhl

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

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Midcentury orange ceramic crackle lamp with brass base, brass candlesticks and hand-poured beeswax, rope taper candles available at Sunday Shop, sundayshop. co; Foxwood hand-carved wooden bowls made in North Carolina and available in a range of sizes and styles, Katie Koch Home, katiekochhome.com; sculptural ebony carved wooden bowl (available in small and large) at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net; striped linen and cotton blend Katahdin Day blanket

by Brahms Mount, Sotre, sotrecollection.com.

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Wood and bone stacking boxes and retro stoneware vase (available in a range of colors and styles) at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com; Baobab Collection candles poured in hand-blown Murano glass and set in crocheted raffia baskets (available in an array of colors and sizes), Charlie Sprout large fan basket handcrafted in eSwatini, Africa from Lutindzi grass and fans of ombre dyed sisal, Sotre, sotrecollection.com; striped French wool blanket, Katie Koch Home, katiekochhome.com.

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E

New Build of the Year

Written and styled by Valorie Hart Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

very age experiences progress. Older buildings fall into disrepair and are replaced with something new. Visionary thinkers want to brush away the cobwebs of staid ideas. Trends are constantly changing, updating as fast as an app on a smartphone. The juxtaposition of modern architecture alongside centuries-old buildings happens in every city in the world. Preservationists and modernists are sometimes at odds until a compromise happens either by choice or by mere force of events.

In New Orleans, a city so rich and beloved for its historical homes and architecture, it is somewhat startling to see new forms emerge. Still it has been happening since the city’s founding by the French. The French Quarter burned to the ground in its earliest days, and those first wooden structures were replaced with brick buildings ordered by Spain who occupied New Orleans for 60 years of its trajectory. That iconic architecture still survives to this day, now protected and preserved. As the Americans took over and expanded, another vernacular of homes and business edifices took over. Many of these structures still exist, though many went the way of the wrecking ball or hurricanes. The development of more open-air neighborhoods near Lake Pontchartrain in the mid-20th century saw an onslaught of low-slung ranch houses. Wellknown and beloved architects Albert Ledner, Leonard Spangenberg, Nathaniel “Buster� Curtis, John Lawrence and the firm of Curtis and Davis peppered the city with modernistic vistas. Take a walk on Magazine Street and witness the current updating of shotgun cottages used as retail shops and stores, spiffed up with wide contemporary windows and exterior finishes. The look is fresh and familiar at the same time.

A palette of all white finishes is was a surprising choice when there are two young boys and two large dogs in the family. It was also a challenge selecting the variant in whites across all of the different materials being used. Jordan says that she wanted to keep everything simple with no fuss. “I want to focus on being present,� she says. Heather Somers from Elan Studio Design created the furnishings. The U-shaped staircase gives the owner a space for a conversational seating area.

Slick, newly-built buildings are nestled in among the old, giving the city visual footing in the 21st century.

Still, many wonder why on earth would one want a new built contemporary home in New Orleans when there are so many glorious grande (and petite) dames available.

Ken and Jordan Kleinschmidt commissioned a 4,000-square-foot new home in the Lakeview neighborhood.

The neighborhood is dotted with the original housing built when it was first developed. Since Hurricane Katrina, a wealth of new structures have cropped up, some in the Acadian style, and many more along modern lines. The Kleinschmidts built their former home along the lines of classic Acadian style.

Jordan had all the bells and whistles that went along with the French style so beloved in New Orleans. There were high ceilings with traditional chandeliers, silk drapes, antique furnishings and lots of accessories that made the home a showpiece. Then two children and two large dogs came along, and the house was no longer a great fit.

The couple owned the lot next door, and decided to build a home more in line with their lifestyle. They wanted something clean, modern and easy to maintain. Jordan had worked as a professional home organizer, and wanted her new home to reflect her skill set.

The couple worked with architect Charles Silbernagel of ClS Architects.

Situated directly across the street from the Orleans Avenue Canal, the site presented a unique set of challenges. The levee walls constructed in the early 20th century have a clean and charming appearance topped with accents of neoclassical urns. The expansive vista of wall and sky provide a perfect setting for the new Kleinschmidt home.

“The Kleinschmidts came to us with ideas of a modern space,” Sibernagel says. “In various design development meetings, we got to learn and understand the owner’s lifestyle and personality, wherein we created a unique floor plan and façade that exceeded the owners’ expectations.

“When you enter the home, you are greeted with a two-story foyer and a flood of natural daylight; the u-shaped staircase gives the owner a space for a conversational seating area. The foyer then leads

“The second floor is a private bedroom space, with the master suite across the entire back of the house overlooking the pool,� says Architect Charles Silbernagel of CIS Architects.

The fine art photography in the master bedroom and dining room is by New Orleans artist Lisa Conrad with paintings in the guest bedroom by New Orleans artist Holly Mabry Poole. “More artwork will be added along the way in phase two of the decoration of the house,� says Jordan Kleinschmidt.

to an open living space wrapped with a glass wall to create an indoor/outdoor environment. The intention was that the living room, kitchen and dining room all have outdoor views, bringing you to an oversized patio where there is additional seating and an outdoor kitchen, leading to a linear pool.

“The second floor is a private bedroom space, with the master suite across the entire back of the house overlooking the pool.”

A palette of all white finishes is a surprising choice with two young boys and two large dogs. It was a challenge selecting the variant in whites across all of the different materials being used. Jordan says that she wanted to keep everything simple with no fuss.

“I want to focus on being present,” says Jordan, who is meticulously organized. Her pantry is a dream, even down to the salty snacks presented in several-clearly labeled containers. The Kleinschmidts enlisted the help of interior designer Heather Somers of Elan Studio Design. Furnishings are sleek and comfortable, with durable outdoor fabric employed for the upholstery. So far it is standing up to little hands and dog paws with a wipe of a cloth. More artwork will be added along the way in phase two of the decoration of the house.

“At first glance New Orleans is known for its traditional architecture,” says Silbernagel. “However, throughout its history modern forms of architecture are scattered throughout the city, from Art Deco to midcentury modern influences. This is what makes our city and the fabric of our neighborhoods so unique.”

Architect: Charles Sibernagel ClS Architects; Interior Design: Heather Somers with Elan Studio Design; Artwork: Holly Mabry Poole and Lisa Conrad; Construction: Chad Brown with Strongbuilt Construction Services; Lighting: Heather Somers from Hudson Valley Lighting; Cabinets: Legend Interiors; Quartz countertops: Avalon Marble; Pool: Cornerstone Pools; Fire rock pavers: LA Pavers; All flooring, tile and plumbing fixtures: Triton Stone; Landscaping: Mullin

sanctuary Sully Mansion for insurance tycoon John Rainey. The Mansion is the most intact of Sully’s surviving buildings in New Orleans. The Preservation Resource Center describes 2631 Prytania St. as: “a raised Queen Annestyle residence with a curved front porch, Ionic posts and gables decorated with fishscale pattern shingles ... 14foot ceilings, stained-glass windows along the grand stairway and a second-story gallery. Rainey lived in the home for several decades. He also would have Sully build three equally impressive houses on Fourth Street for his daughters.”

After changing ownership several times, the Mansion became a bed and breakfast around 1980. In 2016 Mike Bertel of real estate and design/build firm Inhab Group, purchased the inn, giving it

p hotogra phy by sara e ssex b ra d l ey

elinda McSpadden finally found her dream job running The Sully Mansion, a luxury, nine-suite bed and breakfast in the Garden District, and she adores her apartment sanctuary where she can escape from the 24/7 demands of operating a hotel. For more than a century, the attic was a dusty storage space. Now it is a fabulous living space where the roof shape creates a symphony of intersecting and juxtaposing ceiling lines and the windows look down on the vast canopy of the quintessential Garden District live oak tree.

McSpadden says she didn’t design the interior, she just “put her furniture in it.” Well, she put her furniture in it the way Picasso put paint on canvas. The result feels like a meditation on harmony, inside spaces that mimic outside gardens, midcentury and India mixed with Queen Anne Victorian.

The mansion was designed by, and is now named for Thomas Sully, one of the most important and prolific architects in the city in the late 19th century. Sully’s innovative designs ranging from Italianate to Queen Anne to Colonial Revival helped define the look of New Orleans in the boom years following Reconstruction. Sully’s towering talent draws visitors to the city from all over the world a century and a half later to be seduced by an architectural landscape unique to the Big Easy. Sully’s commercial and residential buildings still standing today include the Whitney Bank building on Gravier Street, The Confederate Museum on Camp and the Hennen Building on Carondelet. Like his famous Columns Hotel, many of Sully’s residences feature massive curved staircases lit by towering gothic stained-glass windows and grand asymmetrical porches.

In 1890, the illustrious architect designed the residence that is now called The

by k e rri M cCaf f ety

M

A magical Garden District retreat

Zebra print, white leather and kalim pillows combine in a medley of textures on a bench in the foyer.

Duncan Anderson created the wood figure.

McSpadden created seating areas in the open attic space. The living room features original midcentury furniture from her dad’s dentist office. McSpadden painted animal heads teal and used them to cover spots where she removed “ugly” sconces.

At the top of the third flight of stairs where there was once a “creepy” trap door, a statue of Ganesh, Indian god of beginnings and art seems appropriate in the creative, garden-like space.

Top, right: The bath, tucked under a conical roof point, offers a unique place to appreciate Sully’s fanciful architecture. Middle: McSpadden’s magical “genie bottle” bedroom through the foyer window where the main feature is the hand-painted wall medallion. Bottom: What started out as a bunch of mismatched furniture and a mattress on the floor became the “inside of my own genie bottle,” according to McSpadden. The bejeweled medallion in place of a headboard is her original work of art.

A lovely little kitchen fits perfectly into an attic dormer and opens onto the living room.

a fresh renovation and bringing in McSpadden as innkeeper. Today, the inn’s rooms are lovely and bright updated traditional, but the secret in the attic, the innkeeper’s apartment defies all decorating categories.

Maker of exquisite interiors and costumes alike, it comes as no surprise to learn that McSpadden studied art history and worked as an artist before shifting into hospitality, working at some of the city’s most illustrious establishments including Bayona, Windsor Court and the Ritz Carlton. She shares her serene, sacred space with two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Henri and Babette.

A lot of things about this apartment are unexpected. For example, you wouldn’t think her father’s circa-1960 dental office furniture would create such a fabulous tableau in the den of a 19th-century mansion attic.

Instead of a traditional headboard, McSpadden created a spectacular medallion on the wall using a string, a thumbtack and paint. She says it’s a “magical thing that kind of created itself.”

Using the tack and string to draw concentric circles, McSpadden added dots of color that look like jewels.

The strong teal wall color came later.

“My bedroom feels like the inside of my own genie bottle,” she says.

An exterior window divides two interior spaces, painted scorpion toys adorn the wall and the foyer is home to a garden swing.

With McSpadden as the creator, this sanctuary could be nothing but magical.

A Moroccan screen helps define the dining room where McSpadden’s art leans against the wall.

The following verbs and phrases all refer to the art of mastering something: learning, grasping, picking up, understanding, getting, comprehending, studying, excelling in, knowing backwards, becoming expert in, becoming proficient in, boning up, getting down pat and knowing inside out. This year’s Design Masters can be credited with all of the above in their respective areas of design. But the really good news is this: all bring their expertise to New Orleans and we are a better place for it. New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles salutes each of you for continuing our city’s long and rich history of creativity, artistry and excellence.

design masters Produced by Lee Cutrone

Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

master of Furniture Design

BOA WHO My name is BOA, principal of OI Studio. I’m originally from St. John,

U.S. Virgin Islands. I’ve always been an artist. I started drawing before I could even write my name. I eventually studied graphics and fine art at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. WHAT I design and manufacture bespoke, eco-friendly furniture and home accessories. WHERE I primarily design all my projects here in New Orleans and my work is produced in New York; available at oistudio.com. WHEN I started designing furniture in 1999 when I was the buyer for a home furnishings retailer in California and was asked to design all the display units for the store. Even though I had never done anything like that before, the company’s owner loved my aesthetic and wanted it extended into the physical space. HOW My work is client driven and collaborative. I create shop drawings and 3D renderings,

then select materials and confer with my manufacturers on the best construction methods. Quality is of the utmost importance. I’ve marketed my work by exhibiting at furniture trade shows. I also work directly with architects and interior designers to create custom pieces for their clients. WHY I think for me, as well as many other artists, creativity is a compulsion. The medium has changed over the years and possibly will again in the future, but I’ll never stop creating. IN YOUR WORDS I think my work achieves the right balance between social responsibility, function and beauty without devolving into kitsch.

OI Studio, oistudio.com

masters of Eco-Friendly Design

Megan McHugh and Denise Richter Megan McHugh and Denise Richter. WHAT Pistil & Stamen Flower Farm & Studio. WHERE We grow flowers right here in New Orleans and use them in our design work, pop-up sales, workshops and deliveries.

Beautifying urban spaces for the people of our community and creating habitat for our pollinator friends is a gratifying byproduct of the work.

WHEN First seeds sown: October, 2014. HOW We both have backgrounds teaching young people in school gardens, and growing flowers alongside our herbs and vegetables. Over the years, we both felt called more toward flowers and after some time we decided to take the plunge and devote ourselves full time to flowers. WHY Because beauty is the language of caring. As 'farmer-florists,' we have a rare opportunity to show our gratitude and amazement for this one precious earth, while helping people show WHO

appreciation for each other. It’s natural for us to infuse this gratitude and care into every aspect of our business and employ green floristry practices to minimize the environmental impact of our design work. We’re proud to say we produce even our largest events without using the petrochemical based floral foam and all plant materials are composted after our events, creating nutrients for the flowers next season. IN YOUR WORDS We love celebrating the gifts in our gardens that this wild and romantic city gives us, taking our design cues from nature, and sharing that with our whole community, both human and non-human alike.

Pistil & Stamen Flower Farm & Studio, pistilandstamenflowers.com

master of Textiles

Rebecca Vizard WHO Rebecca Vizard, pillow maven and owner of B. Viz Design. WHAT Antique textiles and pillows, but since opening our shop, B. Viz Design NOLA Atelier, we’ve added lagniappe in the form of handcrafted specialty pieces and jewelry. WHERE Everything’s designed at my studio on Lake Bruin.

Our NOLA Atelier houses the largest collection of pillows, followed by our 'global headquarters' in St. Joseph. We’re also online. WHEN After an exhaustive and unsuccessful search of Manhattan, I created my first pillow in 1994. HOW Using the metallic tape from a well-worn vestment and an antique curtain panel I found at the 26th Street Flea Market. Thankfully I had the foresight to employ seamstresses with far greater talent than my own and together, we created several pillows in addition to my client’s

commission. Gerrie Bremermann took the remainder and launched me on the spot. WHY I think of myself as a 'dysfunctional perfectionist.' In an individual [pillow], or pair of pillows, I’m able to achieve the perfection I crave whereas I was never able to fully satisfy that feeling when working with a house. IN YOUR WORDS I love history, art and hand craftsmanship.

Working with antique textiles ignites all of these passions and I’m able to find a level of zen when rearranging, measuring and figuring costs. Additionally, what I do provides me the opportunity to live in two worlds — the fast and the slow lane — because of this, I don’t take either for granted.

B.Viz Design, rebeccavizard.com

master of interior design

Nomita Joshi-Gupta WHO Nomita Joshi-Gupta, principal and proprietor, Nomita Joshi Interior

Design NJID + Spruce Wallpaper. WHAT A multidisciplinary interior design studio offering interior architectural services for residential and commercial projects. Custom millwork, furniture design, wallpaper, upholstery, drapery and modern antiques [are] in our private collection. WHERE Our design studio, wallpaper/fabric showroom/furniture collection are located at Spruce [on] Magazine Street. WHEN December 2008 Spruce was established as a modern goods store. With big box and internet shopping, Spruce evolved to a service-based business in 2016 with a focus on interior design, wallpaper and fabrics. HOW I draw my design from the city that I live in, New Orleans — its deep historic architectural fabric and the city that I grew up in, Bangalore, India, which unlike other Indian cities has a large

inventory of International style architecture and a modern lifestyle. Also, the strong influence and work ethic of my architect father led me to study architecture and design. WHY I love design. Let’s just say — obsessed.

Ideas and inspiration come from color, geometry, culture, fashion, travel and literature. If I was born again I would do it again. IN YOUR WORDS Design is a slow, well-crafted process and a deeply personal experience.

Each space is imagined as a 3-dimensional art installation. Each decision, choice and vignette is deliberate and part of a larger story executed to imperfect perfection - wabi-sabi ... a stage for life to happen.

Spruce, nomitajoshi.com, sprucenola.com

masters of home goods

Bryan Batt and Tom Cianfichi Bryan Batt and Tom Cianfichi, who along with Katy Danos are the co-owners of Hazelnut. WHAT We started with the New Orleans toile fabric and products. We have since added New Orleans-themed items including decoupage platters, guest towels, totes, Tervis tumblers and more. WHERE Exclusively available at Hazelnut, our designs are mainly produced by American artists and manufacturers. WHEN We introduced the New Orleans toile when Hazelnut opened in 2003 and we have introduced some exclusive design [or] product for Hazelnut almost every year since. HOW This is the 'leg work' and researching and finding artists and manufacturers for your designs can be as much fun as designing itself.

Once you’ve developed a network, you can keep going back to it and it WHO

inevitably leads you somewhere else or opens new opportunities. WHY We are often inspired by our travels (museums, new cultures, shopping) and figuring out how a great find elsewhere in the world can translate to New Orleans. IN YOUR WORDS We’ve always loved to design and to create beautiful, elegant and whimsical things for the home. With Hazelnut, that desire is a reality. Another passion is shopping, so we have tried to create a fun and welcoming environment at the shop ... great gifts and great tunes ... great combination.

Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com

masters of Restoration

Will Erikson and William Wolf William Wolf and Will Erickson, owners of Yazoo Restorations LLC. Boutique commercial and residential construction company.

WHERE Uptown, Garden District, CBD, French Quarter and Old Metairie.

WHEN Since our founding in 2006, Yazoo Restorations has grown to become a full-service design and construction company specializing in renovations and additions. HOW Will and William have been friends since college. After graduation, Will went on to start Yazoo as a mostly design firm while William went on to work in commercial construction management.

In 2013, after a few drinks and a long discussion at Fat Harry’s, they decided to team up. Their combined knowledge and experience have transformed Yazoo into a full-service firm. From concept to construction, Yazoo WHO

WHAT

can manage all aspects of a project. We frequently assist our clients with selecting stone, tile, plumbing fixtures, flooring, lighting, hardware and occasionally paint colors. WHY We like transforming spaces and seeing happy clients. It’s exciting turning their vision or their design team’s vision, into a reality. IN YOUR WORDS We enjoy doing renovations and additions that appear as if they have always been a part of the original building. Old buildings are sensitive, and problem solving to ensure renovations are seamless is our specialty.

Yazoo Restorations, yazoorestorations.com

master of Tabletop Ceramics

Karen Gundlach WHO Karen O’Meallie Gundlach, Karen Gundlach Ceramics. WHAT Ceramics. My signature is a porcelain orchid flower. WHERE I produce my pieces at Earth & Fire Studio. WHEN I have worked with clay off and on for over 20 years but began making my porcelain orchid pieces almost five years ago. HOW My friend Grace Kaynor, who is an interior designer and owner of Sotre, encouraged me to display pieces in the shop for Art for Art’s Sake in 2015. I was shocked and overwhelmed when all three pieces sold. WHY I was very lucky that my parents exposed me to art at a very age. I took a ceramics class in high school with a wonderful teacher and that was the beginning of my interest in clay. I am truly inspired by my in-

credibly, talented friends at Earth & Fire every day. They bring great energy and creativity to life in the studio. And, I have always admired Bradley Sabin’s beautiful ceramic flower installations. IN YOUR WORDS Flowers are certainly not unique in ceramics, but I think my interpretation of an orchid is different. Orchids have always been my favorite flower. I love what I do because I enjoy getting my hands dirty and it has a calming, healing effect.

Karen Gundlach Ceramics, Instagram @karengundlachceramics

master of Preservation

Nicole Webre Nicole Webre, owner, Webre Consulting and Webre Construction and developer, Bakery Village. WHAT My area of design is redevelopment; from conceptual to construction to completion. WHERE Examples of clients' projects are adaptive reuse of historic buildings and vacant lots which brings new life to neighborhoods. We utilize economic incentives and zoning to accomplish their goals. In developing Bakery Village, it was a unique opportunity for me to take a blank canvas and recreate houses that once stood there. WHEN I began in my early 20s working at City Hall. I saw so many opportunities for redevelopment. In 2013, I started my own consulting business and my own construction projects. This led to me becoming a general contractor as well. HOW I begin with a concept and then I take it from paper to life. WHY I love historic preservation beWHO

cause it is not just renovating existing buildings but using available land to preserve neighborhoods with thoughtful development. I witness firsthand the love and passion clients have for New Orleans and the transformation they want to make in the business and residential communities. They are willing to jump over hurdles to make their dreams come true. It is fulfilling to be part of that process. IN YOUR WORDS The work I do is focused on historic preservation, permitting, licensing, zoning, construction and utilizing various incentives for development.

Webre Consulting and Webre Construction, webreconsulting.com, webreconstructionnola.com

masters of Woodworking

Greg McGavran and Garrett McGavran Greg McGavran and Garrett McGavran. (Father and son.) WHAT We offer wood products for flooring, paneling, decking, indoor and outdoor furniture and accessories. We specialize in reclaimed woods, French oak, European chestnut, domestic selections and Shou Sugi Ban. WHERE We import from Spain and France and source from select mills in the United States. Our atelier furniture partner, Wood South Revival — a fabrication and design company located in Hollygrove — has a business model to make beautiful furniture. Our work can be seen at venues throughout New Orleans, including the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, NOMA, Aquarium of the Americas, Justine and private residences. WHEN Greg started as an installer 40 years ago and has vast knowledge in the wood world. Vision WHO

Wood is a culmination of his passion and pioneering work in the industry.

HOW Clients come to us with their design intention and we work with them to create the desired look. We also have our own furniture line and outdoor elements; we love to play and create. WHY Greg finds inspiration in the science and beauty of wood [and has] always been inspired by plant life and trees, mainly their natural beauty and ability to warm up a space. IN YOUR WORDS Greg: My career has blessed me to travel the world and work on projects throughout the U.S. We believe that New Orleans needs a source for premier wood products at a price that can meet everyone’s budget.

Vision Wood, vision-wood.com

masters of Architecture

Leslie Raymond and Richard Albert WHO Richard Albert and Leslie Raymond of Albert Architecture. WHAT Al-

bert Architecture is a full-service architecture, engineering and interior design firm. Recent projects include custom residential, mixed-use multifamily, commercial, retail, hospitality, healthcare and governmental. WHERE Albert Architecture is based in New Orleans. Our practice is involved in a number of projects throughout the country, including Louisiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, Florida, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Maine. WHEN Richard Albert founded Albert Architecture in 2001 and serves as firm principal. Leslie Raymond joined the team in 2014 and leads one of the firm’s studios specializing in custom residential projects. HOW We consider ourselves great listeners and problem solvers. As we get to know the specifics of how our clients live, work and entertain, we search for expressions of form, material

and light that give something extra. It is important that our projects offer opportunities of discovery and joy for each of our clients. WHY For us, the greatest reward is to return to a project a year or more later to witness the space being used as it was envisioned, and to see the inhabitants enjoying it. IN YOUR WORDS Understanding a client’s needs and the many possibilities of how space can be utilized are key components to how we begin. As the project develops, we look forward to collaborative work sessions with our clients. Here, we gain valuable insight and offer recommendations that enhance the aesthetic value. Our close involvement continues throughout the construction phase to ensure the project’s success.

Albert Architecture, albert-architecture.com

master of Landscape Architecture

Brian Sublette I’m Brian K. Sublette, ASLA owner and partner of Daly-Sublette Landscape Architects Inc. WHAT We provide landscape architectural services for residential and commercial clients. Most projects are comprised of planting and irrigation, swimming pools, cabanas, outdoor kitchens and other site design features. WHERE The majority of our projects are located in the New Orleans metro area, including the Northshore.

Additionally, we have multiple projects in Baton Rouge, Houma, Natchez Mississippi, Montrose, Alabama and Alys Beach, Florida. WHEN After obtaining my Landscape Architecture degree from LSU in 1990, I began working with my previous partner Bill Daly, ASLA, who retired about 15 years ago. Since then, my current partner George Bridevaux and I have been operating the company. HOW We’re extremely fortunate to have a WHO

dedicated team of designers, construction managers and long-term relationships with numerous skilled subcontractors to assist in executing our designs. WHY It’s incredibly gratifying to develop designs for clients which exceed their expectations allowing them to entertain family and friends (in some cases multiple generations), creating lifelong memories, in addition to enhancing the aesthetics and value of their homes. IN YOUR WORDS In general, it’s a collaboration between a very talented and conscientious team of employees — design and construction — and a concern that we have a 'whatever it takes' attitude to live up to our 30-year reputation of excellence and service.

Daly Sublette Landscape Architects, dalysublette.squarespace.com

master of Kitchens

Jimmy Lagarde WHO Jimmy Lagarde, founder of Lagarde’s Kitchens and Baths. WHAT Design-led kitchen and bathroom creation, and the procurement of the finest materials available at multiple price points. WHEN Jimmy founded Lagarde’s in 1970; daughter Katherine Lagarde Bernard joined in 2006.

WHERE From St. Charles Avenue, Audubon Place and Boulevard, Esplanade Avenue, State Street, First through Eighth Streets in the Garden District to Metairie, Texas, South America, Europe and beyond, Lagarde kitchens can be found in the homes of the most discerning homeowners. Our Old Metairie Showroom features our handcrafted furniture-quality cabinetry from our exclusive manufacturers in Pennsylvania, Iowa and Canada.

HOW Unconstrained by the limitations of kitchen design software which too often puts cabinet placement at the mercy of “making it fit,” we start with pencil and draft paper and begin sketching an ideal space given the

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needs, vision and aesthetic of each individual client. The designs are executed by Jimmy and Katherine Lagarde, drawing from over 50 years of design expertise to yield a kitchen, or bathroom, that is as beautiful as it is functional. Our work is truly custom-made furniture for the home. WHY The kitchen has evolved over the decades to become the new heart of the home. It is the centerpiece of daily life where memories and meals are enjoyed. A Lagarde kitchen is a kitchen for a lifetime. IN YOUR WORDS The intersection of form and function inspires us. In other words, the endless pursuit of creating and redefining spaces that both enhance a client’s life through functionality, but also equally inspire through beauty.

Lagarde’s Kitchens & Baths, lagardes.com.

masters of Stone and Tile

Rachel Jones and Katie Peralta WHO Katie Peralta and Rachel Jones, president and vice president of Tri-

ton Stone Group. WHAT We are committed to providing the highest level of customer service, the best quality marble and granite products and the most competitive price in the market. We also supply natural and engineered stone, kitchen and bath fixtures, tile for all applications and more.

WHERE The New Orleans showroom and design space is located on River Road in Harahan. Our stone is superbly installed all over the city. WHEN Triton Stone Group of New Orleans was opened by Katie and Rachel in 2006, and has been expanding throughout the Southeast ever since, with branches in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Florida. HOW After Katrina, we saw the need for more resources for people to have somewhere to

go to select everything they need to re-create the house of their dreams.

WHY We are inspired by other female owners that have been successful prevailing in a male-dominant industry. Our ability to provide for so many people as a family company is one of our biggest inspirations for doing what we do. Through our Triton Cares program, we are able to give back to our Triton family and our local communities. IN YOUR WORDS No two pieces of natural stone are exactly the same, which makes every design completely unique. Knowing that a piece of our brand is incorporated into so many designs throughout New Orleans makes us feel like everywhere is home. Triton Stone, tritonstone.com

neworleanshomes&lifestyles.com

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Each year our readers vote by paper and online ballot for their favorite home design industry professionals in New Orleans. The businesses cover the scope of everything homeowners need to make and maintain a beautiful abode. The votes have been tallied and we present our 2019 Best of Home winners.

WI N N E R S Best Architectural Firm Brian Gille Architects

Best Place to Buy Flooring Inhab Millworks

Best Audio/Music Company Uptown Audio Video

Best Place to Buy Gardening Items Perino’s Garden Center

Best Demolition Company Bayou Demolition & Renovations

Best Place to Buy Home Décor Modern Market

Best Fencing Company Arrow Fence & Supply

Best Place to Buy Lighting Eclectic Home

Best Gutter Company Audubon Gutters

Best Place to Buy Modern or Contemporary Furniture Modern Market

Best Homebuilder/Contractor/Construction Company Entablature

Bet Place to Buy Outdoor Furniture Backyard Living

Best Hurricane Preparation Company LAS Enterprises

Best Place to Buy Stained Glass Lizano’s Glass Haus

Best in Real Estate Entablature Realty

Best Place to buy Tile or Stone Stafford Tile & Stone

Best Interior Designer Susan Currie Design

Best Place to Buy Vintage or Antique Furniture Renaissance Interiors

Best Landscaping Company Mullin

Best Place to Buy Window Treatments Wren’s Tontine Shade & Design

Best Outdoor Fountains Mullin

Best Place to Design Your Kitchen Susan Currie Designs

Best Paint Company Helm Paint & Decorating

Best Private Chef and Home Catering Marie’s Fleur De Lis Catering

Best Pest Control Company Edgewood Exterminating

Best Restoration Company Inhab Design + Build

Best Place for Closet Design and Installation Susan Currie Design

Best Roofing Company Brennan’s Quality Roofing

Best Place for Handmade Woodwork Inhab Millworks

Best Security Company Elite Security and Sound

Best Place for Pool and Patio Design and Installation Mullin

Best Shoring Company Abry Brothers

Best Place to Buy Animal Supplies Jefferson Feed

Best Solar Company Solar Alternatives

Best place to Buy Art Cole Pratt

Best Tree Cutting Services Bayou Tree Service

Best Place to Buy Bedding Sotre

Best Window Company LAS Enterprises

Best Place to Buy Cabinets Inhab Millworks

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Demoran Custom Homes

LAS Enterprises

504/810-5346, 985/788-7857, demorancustomhomes.com

2413 L & A Road.,
Metairie, 504/887-1515, 1-800-264-1527

Entablature, LLC

The Historic New Orleans Collection

Design-Build General Contractor entablature.com

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533 Royal St., New Orleans, 504/598-7137

Tuscan Stone Imports

DMG

720 S Galvez St, New Orleans, 504/837-1511, tuscanstoneimports.com

2345 Metairie Rd., Metairie, 504/275-6664, DMGnola.com

autumn 2019

neworleanshomes&lifestyles.com

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Doorman Designs

Louisiana Custom Closets

504/408-1616, doormandesigns.com

13405 Seymour Meyer, Suite 24, Covington, 985/871-0810, louisianacustomclosets.com

Floor & DĂŠcor

Abode

2801 Magazine St., Ste A
New Orleans, 504/891-3005

2114 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 504/266-2135

Renaissance Doors

Shotgun Design Group

1000 Edwards Ave Suite B, Harahan, 504/344-6994,, renaissancedoorsllc.com

4404 St Peter St., New Orleans, 504/233-4442, shotgundg.com

autumn 2019

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Eclectic Home

Nordic Kitchens and Baths Inc.

Stafford Tile & Stone

8211 Oak St., New Orleans, 504/866-6654, eclectichome.net

1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504/888-2300 nordickitchens.com

5234 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504/895-5000 staffordtile.com

Vision Wood Gallery

Pieri Tile and Marble Co., Inc.

Villa Vici

6010 Magazine St, New Orleans, 504/265-8983, visionwood.com

3622 Toulouse St., New Orleans, 504/488-1509

4112 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504/899-2931, villavici.com

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The Plant Gallery

2843 Piedmont St., Kenner, 504/469-0889, leonels.com

Sleep Number

Stone Interiors New Orleans

4852 Veterans Memorial Blvd Suite A, Metairie, 504/443-4777, stores. sleepnumber.com/la/metairie/4852-veterans-memorial-blvd.html

504/620-4048, nolastone.com

Valerie Legras Atelier

Sutton House by Kelly Sutton

4236 Canal St., New Orleans, 504/265-8475, valerielegras.com

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Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture

9401 Airline Hwy, New Orleans, 504/488-8887, theplantgallery.com

autumn 2019

To The Trade 3937 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504/302-2547, kellysuttoninc.com

neworleanshomes&lifestyles.com

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MULLIN 10356 River Road, St. Rose, 504/275-6617, mullinlandscape.com

Haven Custom Furnishings 300 Jefferson Hwy, Ste 102, New Orleans, 504/304-2144, havencustomfurnishings.com

Ruffino Custom Closets 111 Campbell Blvd., Mandeville, 985/809-7623, ruffinoclosets.com

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home renewal

conditioner in a warm climate like Louisiana’s.

During the milder months, it helps to position windows in your house in a manner that facilitates effective cross ventilation. If the weather is mild enough that open windows can keep you from turning on your air conditioner, take advantage of it with strategic window placement.

When you do have to use your air conditioner, make sure there is a continuous air barrier around the air conditioned space. Everything needs to be sealed and airtight.

Adaptive Reuse

Green Living Simple ways to be more environmentally friendly at home

As more and more attention is

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

Landscaping

When planning a home garden, Niki Epstein, a licensed landscape horticulturalist, said it is important to rely on plants native to the New Orleans area. If it is a naturally-occurring plant, it has adapted to the local environment and will need less water, less fertilizer and no chemical assistance to survive.

Epstein recommends the website audubon.org as a resource for people searching for plants native to their area. If people fail to do their homework on the subject, even a well-intentioned person can cause harm to their environment.

Rain barrels are another simple way to

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make your home and yard more eco-friendly.

By collecting rainfall, people can use natural, chemical-free water in their gardens. This also saves money. Instead of hooking up a hose to water your plants and running up your water bill, you can make use of the prodigious rainfall New Orleans receives every year.

While there are many different things people can do in their homes and yards to promote sustainable practices, it’s important to not try to do too much too quickly.

“It can seem kind of overwhelming,” Epstein said. “Don’t be afraid to start with baby steps.”

Inside Your House

The LSU College of Agriculture (lsuagcenter. com) has a list of helpful tips for sustainable house design. There are too many tips on the website to list in a brief article. But one of them is to build a garage or carport on the west or east side of the house. This will block the sun and reduce the heat in your home, thus reducing the amount of time you need to use your air

Principles of sustainability encourage people to make use of things that are already there.

Adaptive reuse takes an old building and finds a new use for it instead of tearing it down and building a new structure from scratch. For example, the former Hurwitz Mintz building at 211 Royal St. in the French Quarter is being repurposed to include retail, an event space, residences and two newly-constructed penthouses with rooftop decks.

“We love restoring buildings and keeping their history intact as much we can,” said Julie Babin, a partner and architect with studioWTA, architects on the 211 Royal project.

During adaptive reuse, some changes are inevitably made to the existing structure. But it still requires fewer new building materials than new construction does. It limits further depletion of the planet’s resources.

Not only does adaptive reuse preserve natural resources, it lets new projects keep a sense of history and authenticity. Builders embarking on entirely new construction sometimes have a hard time affording materials like brick and instead opt for faux finishes. But adaptive reuse lets architects keep at least some of the original materials.

Ross Karsen, a senior associate and architect with studioWTA, said adaptive reuse is also a way to renew America’s urban areas.

“It’s about restoring and putting new value in our cities,” said Karsen. “We need to continue to find ways to make use of what we already have.”– By Fritz Esker

INSPIRATION BOARD

Statement Makers Dramatic pieces set the tone for a room and lend design inspiration

By Mirella Cameron

The Ziggy Chandelier features jute wrapped around a metal frame in a layered, ziggurat shapeeclectichome.net

Ashley Longshore’s Lil Wayne paintings are a celebration of color, energy and joy. ashleylongshore.com

An anything but old fashioned antique chair pops with high gloss custom green paint and leopard cut velvet. perchneworleans.myshopify.com

Belladonna Wallpaper brings romance and whimsy. sprucenola.com

The black metal finished arched legs on the Achille coffee table mimic dripping paint. topsundayshop.co

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price mix

Bowled Over Three vessels fit for any occasion It’s officially, technically, sweater weather season, which, for many, means comfort food. While New Orleans cooks are firing up their gumbo or chili pots, we have three options for soup serving, from watching a game on the couch to hosting a casual gathering of friends to rolling out the good silver in the dining room. We’ve got you covered from soup to nuts. - By Ashley McLellan

$92 Pretty as a Pearl Maine ceramic artist Alison Evans has created a line of tabletop bowls inspired by coastal living that feels appropriate for Louisiana living and eating. The oyster series features the medium nest bowl, which serves soup and sides in a fashion that is at once elegant in the dining room and comfortable in the kitchen. $92 per bowl, from Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com.

$85 (set of 4)

$28 (set of 2)

New Orleans Classic

Using Your Noodle

These generously proportioned individual soup bowls are perfect for serving the classic New Orleans recipes that are depicted on each — Antoine’s Creole Gumbo, Galatoire’s Turtle Soup, Bon Ton’s Crawfish Bisque and Commander’s Palace Oyster and Artichoke Soup. Or give a spin on a classic and serve up your own creation. $85 for a set of four bowls, from Adler’s, adlersjewelry.com.

The Kanto ramen noodle bowls from West Elm, available in “dusk” and “warm sand,” bring an earthy elegance to the table or for curling up with while binge watching on the sofa. $28 for a set of two, westelm.com.

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ASK THE EXPERTS

Eclectic Home

Renewal What to do with stale, unloved art and antiques

It’s a common problem—that inherited antique dining set or that

painting you bought fresh out of grad school, it just doesn’t seem to satisfy your aesthetic the way it used to. Our personal attachment to the art and antiques we own sometimes loses its luster, even when the piece maintains its good con-

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dition. While we may simply outgrow an item’s style or functionality, more often than not, art and antiques warrant a second chance. Local experts deal with this situation all of the time and have a number of suggestions for reviving your love.

“Art and antiques are usually cherished because they are strongly connected to memories and emotions,” says Valerie Legras, founder and principal designer at Valerie Legras Atelier. “Finding ways to breathe fresh life into pieces is key to reconnecting and restoring that enjoyment.”

Blake Erskin, NCIDQ and managing partner of Shotgun Design Group says when people fall out of love with their belongings, it’s usually because it no longer feels new to them. Managing Partner Amanda Connolly agrees. She notes that you can get used to seeing an object in one place and in one light and eventually feel the need for change. Of course, sometimes the pieces weren’t cherished to begin with — they were simply inherited and don’t really fit into your design plan.

When asked what designers do in their own homes when they run into this dilemma, most designers start by moving things around. Connolly has an antique dresser that first lived in her master and guest bedrooms, but when she moved from a 1903 Victorian to a 1960s colonial, it seemed out of place.

“Instead of letting it go for something new, I found a new life for it in my entry foyer flanked by two midcentury arm chairs and a collection of art pieces that I have acquired through the years,” says Connolly. “I love it there and how my antiques from various decades work together with an otherwise far more modern wallpaper.”

In addition to moving the piece to a new space, Valerie Legras recommends reframing art, reupholstering fabric and changing hardware as the first changes explore. If those don’t do the trick, try consulting a designer, artist, or craftsman and see if a fresh pair of eyes can identify new potential.

“Also, take the surroundings of a piece into consideration. Painting a room another color or incorporating an accent wall can completely change the look of the items in a space,” says Legras.

“Make it vibrant,” Legras says. “For example, if you have a big antique mirror, try hanging it

theresa cassagne PHOTO

on a wall with a bold, modern wallpaper. The unexpected pairing will make the mirror seem new again.”

Legras takes the same approach with upholstery, occasionally using contemporary, audacious fabrics on old furniture pieces.

At Sylvia T. Designs LLC, owner and artist Sylvia Thompson-Dias will often refinish a piece of furniture. To revitalize a classic look or make a piece more contemporary, she recommends adding a new finish or a touch of gilding to liven it up. She notes that changing your lighting can make a huge a difference as well. Just making subtle changes can sometimes be all you need to fall in love with an item all over again.

Penny Francis, principal pesigner and CEO of Eclectic Home, likes to use juxtapositions to breathe new life into antiques and art.

“To renew interest, always try pairing an antique with a modern piece of art or a classic piece of art with a very modern piece of furniture,” says Francis. “Baroque with modern — the juxtaposition in these total opposites create interest and conversation.”

According to Francis, one of the easiest ways to update artwork is with a new frame. Putting an ornate frame on a piece of artwork that had a streamlined, minimal frame will change the statement it makes, and vice versa. Similarly, an easy way to breathe life into antique furniture is to repaint it or simply change the hardware.

And what to do when the love lost is still … well, lost?

“I have found that struggling to include a piece that is affecting the entire design and feel of the environment means it is time to say goodbye,” says Francis.

When an object is a family heirloom, design experts recommend trying to keep the piece within the family. When that’s not the case,

Lydia Blackmore, decorative arts curator at The Historic New Orleans Collection recommends getting a condition assessment and value appraisal done.

“If you are really contemplating getting rid of an object through sale or donation, understanding its value is important,” says Blackmore.

“An appraiser can help you research your object and see how it fits in the current marketplace.”

When you find out more about the piece, you may find yourself falling back in love.

If you have a piece that may have historical value, Blackmore says not to hesitate to reach out to your local museum. When talking to a curator, she recommends having a general idea of its age, when and how it was first acquired by your family, who has owned it between the original owners and yourself (its “provenance”), and why you think it is historically significant.

“Even if an object doesn’t fit our collecting parameters, I am always excited to see new things,” says Blackmore.

If your unloved antiques and art are not museum quality or perhaps already on display, Blake Erskin recommends considering a donation or sale. When looking to sell, contact an estate sale company or auction house to gather information.

“If the client is wanting to donate the piece, Bridge House, Grace House or Habitat for Humanity are good options,” he says.

First, though, try giving your love a second chance. The adventure into reviving an item may just be the start to a whole new relationship.

And never hesitate to call in the experts — the eyes of a designer may be all the therapy you need to restore your art/antique relationship. By Kelcy Wilburn

neworleanshomes&lifestyles.com

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last indulgence

On the Geaux Stylish go-cups are the new krewe throw or red Solo cup Fall is finally here, which means a lot more porch and

patio sitting and long walks in the neighborhood. The latter also means blowing through that stash of Mardi Gras throw cups in the kitchen cabinet until Carnival season kicks back in and it gets magically replenished. There are times when an Iris or even a red Solo cup does the trick, but other times, perhaps while on the way to a neighbor’s dinner party or up to Magazine Street to stroll before dinner and drinks, when you want something a tad more fashionable for that crisp Pinot Grigio (“garnished” with a couple of ice cubes, but that can be our secret). Enter Sym Glass stemware. Spied at White’s Mercantile (whitesmercantile.com)

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on Magazine Street — one of the newest locations throughout the South of the charming retail shops by Holly Williams (daugher of Hank Williams, Jr.) — this glass-free, BPA-free, polymer stemware is shatter-proof, reduces condensation and keeps the temperature of your beverage (hot or cold) while you sip it. Microwave and dishwasher safe, the durable polymer ensures that whether poolside or to-go, the last thing you have to worry about is careful handling of your new go-to go-cup. You might as well grab a set of the pint glasses while you’re at it, because you have to have something to put those gin and tonics in for happy hour cocktails on the porch.

– By Melanie Warner Spencer

EUGENIA UHL PHOTO