New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles Fall 2014

AUTUMN 2014

display until NOVEMBER 30, 2014

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autumn 2014 / Volume 17 / Issue 4 Editor Sarah Ravits creative Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo associate Editor Melanie Warner Spencer web editor Kelly Massicot contributing editors Laura Claverie, Lee Cutrone, Vesta Fort, Valorie Hart, Pamela Marquis, Peter Reichard, Margaret Zainey Roux Contributing Photographers Thom Bennett, Sara Essex Bradley, Cheryl Gerber, Jeffery Johnston, Eugenia Uhl sales manager Aimee Arceneaux 504/830-7240 or Aimee@MyNewOrleans.com senior Account Executive Brooke LeBlanc 504/830-7242 or Brooke@MyNewOrleans.com traffic manager Erin Duhe production manager Staci McCarty production designer Ali Sullivan, Monique DiPietro Chief Executive officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive vice President/Editor in Chief Errol Laborde vice President of sales Colleen Monaghan DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND EVENTS Cheryl Lemoine distribution manager Christian Coombs ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Denise Dean subscriptions/Receptionist Sara Kelemencky

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 www.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 2014 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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contents

16

in every issue

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6. Editor’s Note 10. Style 14. Artist Profile Layla Ardalan

16. Gatherings Go Greek!

A healthy fall recipe packs a flavorful punch.

18. For the Garden Benevolent Roots

22

The New Orleans Fruit Tree Project helps undernourished communities by harvesting good produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.

20. Living with Antiques Iconic Iron Wrought iron is timeless, and its uses are boundless.

22. Masters of Their Craft Seductive Smoke Kathleen Currie artfully blends essential oils in her new perfume line.

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25. TrendWatch Fall Furnishings “Custom” is the buzzword in decorating this year.

84. Home Renewal

features

This Old (Scary) House Clearing out bad vibes

34. Back to the Future Vicki Adjmi and Lisa Colon’s state-of-the-art home in Lakeshore is inspired by context, history and innovation.

Written and styled by valorie hart

44. Refresher Course Designer Chad Graci renews a Warehouse District condo with a nuanced blend of sophistication and comfort. by lee cutrone

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86. Retailer Spotlight Louisiana Custom Closets (p.86) Jefferson Door (p.87) Northshore Millwork (p.88) Rug Chic (p.89)

90. Expert Advice From the Ground Up

52. Design Masters

Flooring experts weigh in.

Our annual picks of the city’s talent

102. Resources

By Lee cutrone

64. Four Decades of Greatness The Preservation Resource Center celebrates a big anniversary and showcases four historic properties.

By sarah ravits

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104. Last Indulgence Apple Cider Whether you like it hot or chilled, this drink is fall’s greatest comfort.

editor’s note

embracing it all With this fall issue, we present four features that complement each other. One is a tribute to the prestigious Preservation Resource Center (pg. 63) as it celebrates its 40th anniversary of keeping New Orleans beautiful and full of integrity. We showcase four homes that exemplify the importance of maintaining our city’s beloved historic properties, while restoring them with respect for what they were in the past and preparing them for a promising future.

We also embrace new visions.

With our New Construction of the Year story (pg. 34), we welcome you into a stylish, thoroughly modern home in Lake Vista that famed architect Morris Adjmi of

the eponymous architecture firm in New York City, designed for his sister, Vicki; her partner, Lisa Colon; and their young daughter. A native New Orleanian, Adjmi artfully incorporated innovative technology and contemporary form into the home, and our stylist and contributing editor Valorie Hart designed the interiors using the perfect touch of color, whimsy and elegance.

We are also excited to show off our new class of Design Masters (pg. 50). A year ago, when I took the editorial helm of this publication, Lee Cutrone and I met for the first time to discuss our city’s talented designers. I looked forward to doing it again all year. It’s always difficult to choose from such an enormous talent pool, but I don’t think anyone is complaining.

Then there is designer Chad Graci’s story (pg. 44). Initially hired by a client to switch out the carpets in a Warehouse District condominium, Chad ended up completely redoing the whole place!

The result of his magic touch is a

chic space with an eclectic blend of furnishing styles and tons of light.

As usual I am full of gratitude for our columnists for providing insightful material in all homerelated topics. It makes my job easy when I get to read about fascinating stories all day. We’ve got a great recipe for fall entertaining, along with tips on how to clear your house of bad juju (which is also beneficial for entertaining!). Two women will inspire you with their creativity: Layla Ardalan (pg. 14) makes intricate mixed-media collages, and Kathleen Currie is making our city more delightfully aromatic with her perfume line. Of course there are many more treats awaiting you within these pages, and I hope you enjoy it all. n — Sarah Ravits, Editor

On the Cover: The kitchen of Vicki Adjmi and Lisa Colon, who own the New Construction of the Year. p. 34 Photographed by Sara Essex Bradley 6 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

cheryl gerber Photograph

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style

Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux

Haute Couture Ateliers: The Artisans of Fashion

Totally T-Riffic In her new role as Tiffany’s design director, Francesca Amfitheatrof infuses power and energy into the newly released Tiffany T collection. A trained jeweler and silversmith, she masterfully crafts her designs from 18-karat gold – rose, yellow and white – and sterling silver, with a rich mix of options to create a striking, layered look.

Tiffany & Co., 333 Canal St., (504) 434-6002, tiffany.com.

(The Vendome Press, $75.00) France’s leading couture authority Hélène Farnault releases her much anticipated book, Haute Couture Ateliers: The Artisans of Fashion. With a forward by the legendary Hubert de Givenchy, Haute Couture Ateliers takes readers on a tour of fashion’s backstage inhabited not only by exceptional designers but also by lace makers, weavers, embroiderers and many other specialized craftspeople. Exquisite photography details the creative process and finished pieces and captures the unchanged world of small workshops where artisans still practice ancient trades.

Tangled Up There are imposters, but they cannot compete with the complexity of this original hand-blown knotted sphere.

Originating in a small glass art studio in Poland, the one-of-kind objet d’art melds contemporary design with Old World artistry. Display it on a coffee table or bookshelf for a look that’s pleasing yet perplexing. Source.

2103 Magazine St., (504) 561-7558, sourcenola.com

Tech-Savvy That sneaky remote control just got downright slithery.

Designed by Dransfield and Ross for Tozai Home, the fauxsnakeskin universal remote is so display-worthy, you’ll never again find it hiding again beneath the couch or between the cushions. Abode, 2114 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 266-2135, shopabode.com.

select photos by sara essex bradley

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style Party Animals

Bringing Outside In

Cocktails in safari-inspired glassware make for one wild night. Marching onto a bar cart near you just in time for fall, C. Wonder’s new Parading Animals collection is available in tumblers or highball glasses, with whimsical animal motifs in glam gilt enamel.

C. Wonder, 333 Canal St., (504) 524-5926, cwonder.com.

New from Jo Malone this September, Wood & Sage blends notes of Ambrette seeds and sage with a slight hint of sea salt for a new scent that is both natural and sophisticated. Light with Jo Malone’s classic Lime Basil and Mandarin candle to create a custom earthy aroma or with Nectarine Blossom & Honey for a succulent fruity scent. Saks Fifth Avenue, 301 Canal St., (504) 524-2200, jomalone.com.

Tread Lightly Meaning “change me” in Italian, Cambiami sandals offer 24 looks in one pretty pair giving you more room in your closet and suitcase for other essential accessories.

You can build atop a black or tan genuine leather sole, and mix-and-match snap-on straps, available in two dozen styles including sassy solids, fun florals and dazzling dots. Cambiami, cambiami.com.

Carpet Chic Repurposed from a one-of-a-kind Moroccan rug, this handsome bench lends any room a well-traveled aesthetic. Its rich colors and organic texture make it the perfect perch at the foot of the bed or in front of the fireplace. Weathered oak legs are capped with antiqued brass casters so it can easily roam from room to room. Sofas & Chairs, 4116 Canal St., (504) 486-9622, sofasandchairsnola.com.

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select photos by sara essex bradley

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artist profile

layla ardalan

By Lee Cutrone

Relief work, of the hurricane variety, brought Layla Ardalan to New Orleans. Relief work, of the Japanese block-cut variety (her first serious foray into fine art), led to her current form of artistry – intricate, vibrantly colored mixed-media collages combining handmade paper, paintings, drawings and bits of embroidery. Together, the city and the work have been a synergistic marriage.

From the Mid-City cottage she renovated, Ardalan weaves inspiration from her surroundings into beautiful images reminiscent of the light-refracted colors of a kaleidoscope.

Originally from Morristown, New Jersey, Ardalan majored in Middle Eastern Studies and Visual Arts at Columbia University, then pursued a career as a translator and fundraiser

for a nonprofit devoted to Middle Eastern conflict resolution. But when she returned to New Orleans to live in 2009, it was with the intent of working as full-time artist. New Orleanians have responded with ardor. The artist, who created the 2014 Rex poster and has shown at Jazz Fest for four years (last year, she won Best In Show), regularly sells 75 percent or more of her work at such exhibits. “There’s a real loyalty to local artists here,” says Ardalan. “It’s in the blood of the people who live in New Orleans.”

With Persian ancestry and a familial love of handknotted Persian rugs in her own blood, Ardalan possesses a profound appreciation for pattern. Her work also is informed by the clean, minimalist aesthetic of Asian art, botanical imagery, the flora of the peaceful

14 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

garden oasis outside her home studio (her current series celebrates a warm palette of ochres, reds and burgundies from her garden) and by decorative arts such as Katazome, a Japanese batik from the 1800s, which she deconstructs and uses to build new forms. “I like

taking things from another time and space and creating a new narrative,” she says.

Ardalan employs two assistants to help with the laborious tasks of cutting paper and fabric for her meticulously crafted pieces and can produce a body of work in a matter of months.

Yet, she likens the evolution of each piece to a calming meditation and exudes the kind of tranquility rarely seen in the smartphone era. This fall, she and her husband (whom she met when he purchased one of her works) will tour Southeast Asia in search of fresh materials and inspiration. “Traveling,” she says, “always moves the work forward in different directions.” n THOM BENNETT PHOTOGRAPH

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gatherings

go greek!

A healthy fall recipe packs a flavorful punch.

By Margaret Zainey Roux

Eugenia Uhl Photograph

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Food forecasters agree: the Greek yogurt culinary craze is here to stay – and with good reason.

Thick, creamy and tastefully tart, it’s packed with protein and probiotics and lacks the sugar and sodium of regular yogurt. Since making its way across the Atlantic and into refrigerators nationwide, Greek yogurt has become the breakfast of champions and a snack-time staple. But why stop there? When mixed with refreshing mint, savory garlic and flavorful pine nuts, it becomes a simple sauce for pasta. Try it as stand-alone lunch or a salacious side dish for grilled fish, lamb or kabobs.

recipe Macaroni With Yogurt Sauce 6 cups water 1 ½ teaspoon salt ½ pound elbow macaroni 3 cups plain Greek yogurt 3 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped 1 teaspoon dried mint 1 teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil ½ cup pine nuts In a large 3-quart pot over high heat, bring water and 1 teaspoon of salt to a boil. Add elbow macaroni, and cook 8 minutes. Drain.

In a large bowl, whisk together Greek yogurt, fresh mint, dried mint, garlic, remaining teaspoon of salt and black pepper.

Add cooked pasta, and mix well.

In a small saucepan over low heat, heat extra-virgin olive oil.

Add pine nuts and toast for 2 minutes.

Spoon toasted pine nuts over yogurt and pasta, and serve warm or cold.

Yields 6 servings.

Recipe from Denise Hazime’s The Mediterranean Diet Cook Book

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 17

for the garden Living in New Orleans, I’ve

benevolent roots The New Orleans Fruit Tree Project helps undernourished communities by harvesting good produce that would have otherwise gone to waste.

By Pamela Marquis

18 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

consumed many culinary delights: cochon de lait poor boy at Jazz Fest, turtle soup from Mandina’s and cannoli from Brocato’s. But by far the best morsel I ever ate was found on the corner of Desaix Boulevard and Tunica Street, 30-some years ago. A delightful octogenarian sat in the warm sun offering small baskets of persimmons gathered from her backyard tree. I’d never eaten a persimmon. She cut one open for me to sample; it was simply and sweetly divine.

There is really no surprise in how delicious that persimmon was, because there’s nothing quite like enjoying a freshly picked fruit. That’s why so many New Orleanians plant trees in their yards. They want to indulge in the joy of eating scrumptious fruit just footsteps from their homes.

However, though you may start with an adorable 4-foot lemon or orange tree, you will soon discover that your tree is producing more fruit than you can manage to eat, pick, preserve or give away. The fruit ends up eaten by the birds or rotten and wasted.

Fruit falls to the ground, uneaten, all over the world. Sure, a bit of fallen fruit is good – for the soil, for the animals and bugs, for the perpetuation of more fruit trees. But a global grassroots movement has identified a highly effective ingredient for building community: fruit.

“Fruit tree projects” are popping up all over the world. Some distribute fruit harvests to undernourished communities; many celebrate the harvest by processing the fruit into delicacies.

It’s an effort some are calling “fruitEugenia Uhl Photograph

anthropy”: the act of picking, donating or distributing fruit for humanitarian purposes.

In New Orleans, The New Orleans Fruit Tree Project leads this effort. Using a tree-owner registration and volunteer time, NOFTP harvests fruit from private residential property that would otherwise go to waste.

The harvested produce is then donated to local organizations to feed the hungry.

NOFTP began in January 2011 as a program of Hollygrove Market & Farm.

With just a 12-foot ladder, a couple of fruit pickers and a few dedicated volunteers, NOFTP harvested more than 3,000 pounds of fruit from six New Orleans neighborhoods and one orchard in Belle Chasse during the 2011 Citrus Season.

According to Megan Nuismer, NOFTP’s executive director, last citrus season the organization harvested 6,000 pounds of fruit with help from 50 volunteers. The year before, with a better season, they harvested more than 10,000 pounds of fruit.

“I love this project because it gives people who their love their trees an opportunity to watch their fruit go to a food pantry and make a very direct link to help with hunger in city,” Nuismer says.

It’s a simple process: Fruit tree owners register their trees and notify NOFTP when their fruit is ready to be picked. NOFTP then organizes a group of volunteers to come and collect the fruit. They supply all the equipment, and all volunteers are trained and sign liability waivers prior to every harvest. Fruit tree owners are welcome to a

portion of their harvest or can choose to donate it all.

“We have a mature persimmon tree that gives us way too much fruit every year that just would go to waste,” says Patrick Ashton, owner of Ashton’s B&B, a historic New Orleans bed-and-breakfast on the Esplanade Ridge. “I love that the fruit will not be wasted.

It’s also nice that they come and pick the entire tree, which eliminates messy and smelly fallen rotten fruit. As a busy innkeeper, it’s hard to find time to go out and pick all that fruit.”

The volunteers who pick the food are also rewarded.

Many feel the immediate gratification of seeing what a few hours of fun in the sun can accomplish, and knowing that their picking efforts rescued the fruit, helped the trees and provided nutritious food to the hungry.

Harvesting starts in November and goes through March, when the city’s trees will be full of oranges, persimmons, kumquats, grapefruits, satsumas and lemons.

If you are interested in volunteering or registering your tree, now is the time to contact NOFTP. You can register online at nolafruit. org/tree-registration or e-mail them at nolafruit@gmail.com There is something so satisfying about planting fruit trees. It somehow signifies that you are putting down roots of a more permanent nature. And now, while enjoying the deliciousness of your fruit, you can also get a warm feeling knowing you are helping others enjoy fresh fruit that is simply and sweetly divine. n NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 19

living with antiques

iconic iron Wrought iron is timeless, and its uses are boundless.

By Laura Claverie

For centuries, wrought iron was used to make weapons and tools, but in Rome, wrought iron saw its birth as protection and decoration. Heavily embellished gates protected homes, castles and churches from the enemy, and as early as the 16th century, the highly prized and durable 20 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

metal found its way into homes as furniture and accessories, reaching its peak in popularity during the Baroque and Rococo periods.

The Spanish used wrought iron to create elaborate screens in their massive cathedrals. The French showcased their love of wrought iron in highly decorated balconies,

stairway railings and gateways. For certain, our Spanish and French ancestors brought the love of wrought iron to New Orleans. A walk through this city’s French Quarter and Garden District tells the tale of lacy iron work balconies and fences and centuries-old gates forged by hand. In fact, these iron decorations are iconic features of our city today.

So how does the 21st-century home owner incorporate wrought iron into a home, whether it is a Victorian-era mansion or newly built cottage? “Very carefully,” says interior designer Corinne Laborde.

A tour of her elegant French-style home in Old Metairie reveals her passion for wrought iron. Massive front doors bear elegantly scrolled ironwork. Years of wear and flecks of paint from decades of previous owners remain, lending an air of authenticity and respect.

In the master bedroom, Laborde created an upholstered king-sized headboard using pieces of wrought iron, which were once part of a French bankteller’s station, as insets.

Small streaks of copper peak through the iron, giving it a rich, warm patina.

From two hefty sections of an iron fence Laborde found in Europe, she created sconces for a client’s dining room. When the tips fell off in transit, the ironworker artfully made them into finials for the lampshades.

“I left the centuries of imperfections and rust to give the sconces more interest and to respect its age,” she says. Half-moon shaped linen shades add a touch of simplicity and elegance to the lamps.

Laborde says one of the beauties of working with antique wrought iron is that there are no rules. The iron can be left with imperfections borne over time, or it can be cleaned up to a smooth finish, leaving only a slight patina. It depends on the owner’s taste and how the wrought iron will be used. In her own home, she uses it both ways. In most instances, she does nothing to the iron.

But in the case of an iron bistro table, now at home on her veranda, Laborde cleaned the rust-encrusted legs with Loctite, a naval jelly found in local hardware stores. She carefully brushed the jelly on the legs and hosed off years of build-up. A clear sealer protects the antique table from the elements.

Antique wrought iron can be used in any SARA ESSEX BRADLEY photographs

room and with any style of décor, she says. It looks great in its natural state as well as painted. It won’t rot, mildew or deteriorate. “When it comes to wrought iron, rules are made to be broken. The more creative you are with it, the better,” she says.

Antique wrought iron is hard to find, so expect to hunt for that perfect piece.

Salvage stores like Ricca’s, The Bank, Habitat’s Restore and the PRC Salvage Store are great places to start.

Estate and garage sales – especially those that advertise garden items – and out-of-the way antique and junk stores can often help you score big finds.

“Don’t ever judge an antique store by its window,” says Laborde. “Walk into the most unexpected places, and you might just find exactly

the piece you need.”

Most of all, if you see a piece of iron that you love, buy it. In time you’ll figure out what to do with it, whether it becomes the perfect coffee table (by adding a frame and legs and topping it with glass), sconces, or even a headboard. Wrought iron is timeless and its uses are unlimited.

“I use wrought iron all the time in my own home and in my clients’ homes. It adds charm and character to a room. Just don’t over-do it.

Each pattern is different and tells a story,” she says.

“Most of all, it is hand-forged by an artisan decades or even centuries ago. It’s something in your home no one else is likely to have, making a room unique and all your own.” n NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 21

masters of their craft

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

By Lauren LaBorde

Fragrances serve many purposes, whether it’s the more superficial purpose of making something smell nice, or the powerful function of evoking memories in vivid detail. For Kathleen Currie, the blend of nine essential oils that would become the fragrance called Smoke functioned as a comforting companion.

“I had just discovered vetiver, which I really love.

It’s got this grassy, earthy scent to it. All of the oils have a different quality that

they bring. Vetiver’s very grounding, jasmine’s very sensual, and citrus is very uplifting. So I think I actually created [Smoke] seeking the benefits of the oil,” Currie, a massage and aroma therapist, says. “When I was wearing the blend at the time I did really feel that. It felt almost like this invisible cloak. I was going through a lot of change in my life. I just moved here, just moved to the French Quarter – it was just kind of a wild ride.

So it felt really good to have

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those qualities.”

Currie would later turn this personal blend into a full-fledged fragrance line sold in New Orleans stores and online. Currie created the blend after moving back to New Orleans after time spent in Arizona training to become a massage therapist. Her mother is from Belize, and that’s where she was born and grew up, but her father is from New Orleans. Taking advantage of a direct flight from Belize to New Orleans

that existed at the time, the family would take frequent trips to the city. When she was a teen, the family moved to Mississippi, and as soon as Currie was old enough to drive, she would drive to New Orleans and “park in the French Quarter and get into trouble.”

Currie moved out West, but after Hurricane Katrina, she felt a pull back home, which brought her to New Orleans and an apartment in the French Quarter.

“We lost the family home in Mississippi and … I think if it hadn’t been for Katrina I would have kept moving further and further away,” she says. “Losing that made me realize how important home and family are and how much this was my home.”

It was in that period that the idea for Smoke began to take shape, and today the line includes a roll-on fragrance oil and, on a more limited basis, a candle, scrub and even wearable fragrance diffusers made of porous terra cotta (“It’s a more subtle way to wear perfume. If you’re someone is easily overwhelmed by perfume, this would be a good option,” she says).

The fragrance and the packaging of the roll-on oil, provide a full-sensory experience. The woodsy-butbright scented oil is encased in a triangular vessel made of reclaimed cypress and pine, and it’s emblazoned Marianna Massey photographs

with a logo that looks like mysterious, witchy carvings on a tree. Presentation is very important to Currie; even her business cards are little pieces of wood carved with her information.

Currie is planning to launch a new fragrance, Ritual, around Oct. 1. Like Smoke, it is also unisex, something very important to Currie. It’s a blend of about eight oils, the main ones are cinnamon and neroli.

“It’s really warm but kind of floral as well,” she says.

Although she calls herself a “one-woman band,” she does have the help of a designer and woodworker to execute Smoke’s branding – but it wasn’t always that way.

“I’ve always been very visual. I’ve always been very creative. This was a

kind of perfect melding of all my worlds. The packaging is so important … at certain points along the way, I did a very DIY version where I had a little glass vial, and I drilled a hole in a cork and put a porcupine quill dauber in and I branded the cork. It was beautiful, it was super DIY, but it’s hard to massproduce that,” she says.

She debuted the fragrance and the DIY vessels at Avant Garden, a local art event. “That was just great to see the response. People were so excited about it.

It was validating. It helped me realize, ‘I’m onto something, and I’m going to keep moving forward.’

But not in this packaging.

The porcupine quills would break. It was bad. But it was endearing.” n NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 23

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trendwatch

fall furnishings “Custom� is the buzzword in decorating this year, as more retailers are curating their collections from custom wholesalers or creating their own signature lines that represent their particular vision. Here is a sampling of lines they love.

By Vesta Fort Photographed by Eugenia Uhl

Top: A chic hybrid wingback, this chair could work well in either a bedroom or a living room and is available in a range of colors from Modern Market. Middle: This elegant little bench from Ashley Hall is perfect for a small entryway or dressing room. Right: This octagonal mirrored side table from Ashley Hall adds glamorous function to a room.

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 25

Top left:The Athens chair by Thomas Pheasant is already becoming a classic with its smart lines and comfy depth available at Jon Vaccari. Top right: One of a pair, these Italian armchairs are both modern and comfortable and are available at Jon Vaccari. Bottom left: Part of their signature line, this recliner from Abode has really jumped the matrix on style and is a great size for a family room.

Bottom right: Ashley Hall carries this masculine (without being massive) chair that is comfortable as well as great-looking.

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Top: Perfect for a smaller living room, this sofa from the Abode signature line offers stylish comfort. Middle: This storage unit could be used in the bedroom or living room. Bottom: This elegant sofa complements any style of room. Both the sofa and storage unit are available in various colors at Modern Market.

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Top left: Use one or the pair of these upholstered benches from Rivers Spencer to elevate the mood of the room. Top right: Fantastically supple and durable at the same time, this fab ottoman/coffee table does triple-duty as a pull-out twin bed. Middle: Made from reclaimed oak and cured in a vinegar solution, this dining table is available in many finishes, shapes and sizes including benches and coffee tables, at Villa Vici. Bottom left: who couldn’t use this sexy Thomas Pheasant mahogany side table from Jon Vaccari or (bottom right) the sleek Caroline cocktail table part of the new Rivers Spencer Collection? Either would add a touch of glam to any room.

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the best of autumn

34

44

52

New Construction of the Year (p.34) Refresher Course (p.44) Design Masters (p.52)

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 33

[New Construction of the Year]

Back to the Future Vicki Adjmi and Lisa Colon’s state-of-the-art home in Lakeshore is inspired by context, history and innovation.

I

Written and Styled by Valorie Hart / Photographed by Sara Essex Bradley

In the 1950s and ’60s, the large crop of modern houses built in the Lakeshore neighborhood of New Orleans looked like they took some cues from the “House of the Future” Walt Disney featured as an attraction in Disneyland from 1957-1967.

The “House of the Future” featured cuttingedge building materials, including plastics and solid surfaces. It introduced space-age microwave ovens, as well as flat televisions mounted on walls. This was heady stuff back then, and most of the “future” that we marveled at then has come to fruition now.

Most of these Lakeshore futuristic homes still survive intact today and are much beloved by a new generation smitten with Mid-Century Modern design.

Architect Morris Adjmi grew up in Lakeshore, and when his sister, Vicki Adjmi, purchased a large corner lot, she asked him to design a new house for her and her partner, Lisa Colon, and their daughter. He was thrilled.

Adjmi, a licensed architect in four states and a Fellow of the American Institute of Architects, operates a New York-based architecture firm, Morris Adjmi Architects.

He received his Master of Architecture degree from Tulane University and attended the Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies in New York, where he met iconic Italian architect and designer Aldo Rossi.

He also sits on the Board of the Tulane School of Architecture and the Board of Directors for Open House New York. He is known for architecture and interior spaces that are contemporary in form, innovative in materials and technology and inspired by context and history.

While Adjmi respected the unique Mid-Century Modern architectural vernacular of his old Lakeshore neighborhood, he did not want to create a nostalgic replica. Being a native to the area, he deeply understood and considered the climate and environment when choosing materials. The

Painting by Anastasia Pelias; lamp, bowls, and blue glass bottles from Loisel Vintage Modern; dining table from Matthew Hilton; chairs from Design Within Reach; chandeliers from Z Gallerie; rug from London Varner.

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 35

This page: The first floor features a loft-like floor plan. Facing page, top: Vintage Italian Bitossi urn; “Be Nice or Leave� pillow from The Shops at 2011; large wooden beads from AKA Stella Gray. Facing page, bottom: Acrylic mirror imported from Italy.

38 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

Facing page, top: Architect Morris Adjmi designed the cantilevered house that features a cypress wood exterior on the second floor. Facing page, bottom: A retractable glass window wall provides a spectacular connection between the open, loft-like living spaces inside and the outdoor terrace and pool. Top: Vicki Adjmi and Lisa Colon sit with their daughter, Charlie, in the upstairs hallway that Morris Adjmi designed as an art gallery Bottom: “Modern houses look simple but are tricky,” says architect Morris Adjmi.

modern cantilevered design of the house features a deep overhang on the south elevation of the house to provide shade for the lower level. Centuries-old homes in New Orleans use high ceilings as climate control, so Morris also wisely incorporated this classic feature in his contemporary design.

He respected the original footprint of the lot. The site of the house is set deep on the lot to provide a generous front and side lawn space in keeping with the look of the large lots found in the neighborhood.

He used the most up-to-date environmentally sound and friendly building materials. He installed solarpowered systems on the roof to heat hot water for the pool and house.

The exterior is clean, bright white stucco on the bottom of the two-story house, with warm mellow cypress wood cladding on the second floor. Just as in the Mid-Century Modern homes in the area, terrazzo tile floors, with 24-by-24-inch terrazo tiles, are used inside on the first floor. The same tiles extend to the outdoor areas front and back. The tiles on the front “porch” and on the outdoor terrace in the back are etched entirely throughout providing a non-slip surface, especially important for safety around the pool area.

Morris Adjmi had the lot raised three feet to comply with post-Katrina standards. The large windows and glass doors are made of certified hurricane-resistant glass made in Germany by Unilux.

The exterior also features a handsome outdoor louver-blind system on the second-floor windows.

Much like traditional shutters, these modern shutters regulate the light and heat but will automatically close themselves in the event of high winds.

The 4,000-square foot home has a formal front entrance as a nod to the homes already in the neighborhood. The side entrance of the home, which passes through the pool area and outdoor terrace adjacent to the garage, is the main entrance the family uses. Above the garage is an outdoor deck that’s accessible from the master bedroom. A full-height retractable glass window wall provides NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 39

Top: The master bedroom features a projection system for television viewing. The bed was designed by Valorie Hart and custom-made by Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture. Vintage chairs are upholstered in Kravat fabric. Painting is by Anastasia Pelias. Left: The guest bedroom with a custom headboard is upholstered in hair-on-hide; wallpaper is from The Sandpiper Collection; vintage Jielde lamps are from eBay; Missoni bedding; woven benches are vintage. Right: The nightstand is from Bungalow 5; lamp is from Eclectic Home; fine art photographis by Lisa Conrad. Facing page: Charlie’s bedroom features a Reeves Design four-poster bed with canopy and dust ruffle designed by Valorie Hart; nightstands are Bungalow 5; lamps are vintage; bedding is Trina Turk; walls are upholstered in Kumari Garden fabric.

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Facing page, top: The Adjmi-Colon kitchen has Europeanstyle cabinets and bar stools from Ikea (ordered locally through BlueBag LLC), with backsplash from Stafford Tile & Stone. Facing page, bottom: The children’s lounge with upholstered walls features modern Moroccaninspired lounge furniture designed by Valorie Hart and custom-made by Leonel’s. The rug is from Rug Gallery.

Interior louver shutter-style blinds automatically close themselves in high winds. Top: The master bath features Hansgrohe and Axor Citterio M fixtures. Tile is from Stafford Tile & Stone.

a spectacular connection between the open loft-like living spaces inside and the outdoor terrace. A privacy fence along the outdoor terrace and pool features horizontal steel bars that echo the home’s lines without distracting from the clean, geometric lines of the exterior.

When one enters the house through the formal front-door entrance, a long narrow hall visually explodes into the public area of the home, a large open-plan kitchen, dining room and living room. Also off the front hall are two bedrooms on opposite sides, one used a guest room and the other one used as playroom. There is a full bathroom off this hall, too – conveniently accessible to the pool. A neat little area is tucked under the stairs for the two family dogs (the family calls it the “dog condo”). A dramatic doubleheight stairwell has two sets of stairs, connected by a landing with a tall large window, leading to the private rooms upstairs.

Upstairs is a master suite (with a private outdoor deck), a laundry room, a home office, a guest room and bathroom, and another suite of rooms, with a bedroom and lounge connected by an interior hall and a Jack-and Jill-style bathroom. The upstairs hall is designed as a gallery space for an art collection. Red oak plank floors are used throughout, except for white tile floors in the bathrooms. The bathrooms on both floors feature Hans Grohe and Axor Citterio M fixtures.

Morris Adjmi says, “Modern houses look simple but are tricky.” He took a year to design this house.

Always a perfectionist, he chose just the right local products and European finishes.

Vicki and Lisa experienced this attention to detail over the year-and-a-half it took to complete the house, and they all feel it is well worth it. n

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refresher course Designer Chad Graci renews a Warehouse District condo with a nuanced blend of sophistication and comfort.

By Lee Cutrone Photographed by Sara Essex Bradley

“It

started out when we were just going to replace the carpet in the bedrooms,” says architect and interior designer Chad Graci (of Graci Interiors) of the Warehouse District condo that ultimately became a complete top-tobottom redo. Graci’s client, a sugar cane farmer from Napoleonville who makes New Orleans his home, bought the condominium furnished and originally planned to live in it as-is – changing only a few worn items. But after asking Graci to remodel the master bath, he ultimately wanted the rest of the two-bedroom, two-bath unit to follow suit. “He just kept saying ‘light,’” says Graci of the client’s vision for his home’s new direction.

“Before, everything was dark: browns and mustards and matte. Now everything is very subtle and nuanced. It’s all about these little micro-textures everywhere that make it interesting.”

The long version of the story is a bit more involved. From beginning to end, the project took two years and required rethinking nearly every part of the condo except the floor plan, which remained the same. “It was heavy French Country, very unfitting for the building,” says the designer. “We wanted the opposite. We wanted it to feel timeless and transitional and comfortable. It was really important to mix periods and styles.”

To make the most of the main living area’s natural light, Graci lacquered the ceiling with a high-gloss celadon tint. “It pulls the light from the windows upward and makes the ceiling look taller,” he says. Underfoot, he replaced the existing

Facing page: A round table with a zinc top and base is surrounded by four chairs that came with the condo. Graci had the chairs covered with a strié cotton. The chandelier, moved from another spot in the condo, is silver-leafed and topped with parchment shades. The Blue Dog painting was purchased at New Orleans Auction. Left: Architect and interior designer Chad Graci with his sister and business partner, interior designer and artist Christina Graci.

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 45

tile with herringbone-patterned oak flooring, bleached and custom-stained with a color he mixed himself. To tie the foyer, kitchen, dining, living and work areas together and create a neutral backdrop for the client’s art, Graci chose a single shade of gray-beige for the walls. He also recolored the open kitchen with hues similar to those in the floor and

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walls. New stainless appliances, an antiqued-mirrored backsplash and rough-honed blue slate counters provide elements of cool gray; a strié glaze applied to the cabinets by decorative painter Tony Gagliano relates to the warmer notes of beige.

Undeterred by the trapezoidal footprint of the loft-style living space, Graci found that it created an axis

with which to work. He anchored both ends with a focal point – the narrow end with an antique French armoire retrofitted as a “glam bar,” and the wide end with a striking abstract painting that already belonged to the homeowner. “It’s basically one great big space, but it feels more intimate than that,” says the designer, who fine-tuned his skills working for design

Facing page: Subtle silver tones are found in the living room’s sofas and drapery. The two sofas are copies of antiques but custom-proportioned for comfort. The drapery is custom-made with a Scalamandre ribbed silk edged with a gray and brown Samuel & Sons trim. Top: The living room’s Directoire chair is upholstered with a Jim Thompson zebra-print silk. Bottom: Graci accented an end table next to the sofa with natural and man-made elements: a Chinese Celadon lamp with a crackle finish; coral; and a 19th-century, English terracotta vase.

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 47

greats such as the late Greg Jordan in Los Angeles and David Easton in New York. “The thing to do was to break it up into zones. Everything is defined by the furniture layout.

You’re led through the condo one focal point after the next.”

Since most of the color was reserved for the art, Graci concentrated on a palette of silvery beige, celadon and

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coffee in the public areas and what he calls a “paled-down Wedgewood blue” in the master bedroom. He then created depth with understated variations in texture and attention to details, including custom trims, pillows and dimensions.

The sofas, for example, (one an elegant cut velvet, the other a slick chenille) were copied from antiques but generously

Facing page: The kitchen’s cool and warm tones were chosen to marry with those in the herringbone oak floors, which Graci had bleached and stained. At the narrow end of the loft-style living area is an antique French armoire, now a bar with a mirrored interior. Top: The interior of the retro-fitted armoire features antique mirrored glass squares, shelves, a pink shagreen tray and Waterford glasses. Lamp is from Mac Maison. Bottom: Tablewares are from Williams-Sonoma.

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 49

proportioned so that the homeowner could nap on either comfortably. A final layer of decorative appointments was then selected for their enduring appeal. “I think it’s important to finish a space to the last detail,” says Graci, who is fond of organic finds like coral and overscaled mineral specimens. “Natural things are the best accessories. They don’t refer to a certain fad or period.

They always look beautiful and collected.”

Because the homeowner kept only a couple of furnishings that came with the condo, Graci was able to put his knack for mixing and juxtaposing styles to good use. Today, the condo includes English Regency, 18thcentury French, Biedermeier, Art Moderne, Mid-Century Modern and contemporary finds from local sources as well as dealers in New York, Houston, Atlanta and Baton Rouge. “This was a chance to do what I thought needed to be done with a space,” says Graci. “This is a fresh outlook on modern living. It’s the way people want to live now. I love to take beautiful things from different periods

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and put them together in an unexpected way.”

Like many top designers today, Graci believes that including a few striking 20th-century pieces has a duel effect, adding both a timeless pragmatism and a contemporary edge. “I think it’s necessary to add some of the pieces from the great designers of the 20th century,” he says. “Not only do they add practicality to a space, but they also add another dimension to rooms, making our antiques seem more current.” When Graci wanted an objective opinion for an aesthetic decision, he called on his sister and business partner, Christina Graci, for a fresh pair of eyes. He also brought several of Christina’s abstract paintings into the mix. The completed design scape is perfectly suited to the condo, but just as easily interpreted in another space. “[The owner] had always had nice things,” says Graci. “But we wanted to start fresh. We wanted things that could translate into another home if he moved; quality pieces he could have for the rest of his life.” n

Facing page, left: The shower walls in the master bath are clad in Calacatta Gold honed marble. Phillip Jeffries “Zebra Grass” wallpaper, framed architectural prints from Karla Katz Antiques, rug from Waterworks. Facing page, right: At the widest part of the living space, Graci created a work area combining a glass waterfall desk with a pair of rare Bruno chairs by Mies van der Rohe upholstered with red-chocolate colored leather. The abstract mixed-media works stacked behind the desk are by Christina Graci, and the 1930s lamp is from Mac Maison. Above: The master bedroom’s slightly more traditional feel features a pale, Farrow & Ball version of Wedgewood blue on the walls, antique oil paintings, a headboard upholstered with cotton velvet and a reproduction Italian bench from Tara Shaw Maison. Beneath one end table is a glazed Chinese garden stool. Top right: The lamp shown at right is one of a pair, custom-made, for the master bedroom.

The bookends were a gift from a friend. Right, middle: The lamp shown to the right is one of a pair custom-made for the master bedroom. The bookends were a gift from a friend. Bottom right: An antique side table in the bedroom came with the condo when the owner purchased it. Above it are 19th-century oil on board from Karla Katz Antiques and a 1964 ink on paper by Henry Peacock. Next to it is an antique armoire.

produced by Lee Cutrone Photographed by Greg Miles

Each year, New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles’ Design Masters feature shines a light on the local designers, artists, artisans and business people who contribute so singularly to the way our city looks, feels and functions. This year, we honor 10 such individuals – Design Masters one and all. We celebrate their accomplishments, which include local landmarks, the rooms we use on a daily basis, the decorative details that enliven our spaces and the way we harness energy for a greener tomorrow.

We look forward to their continued successes.

Congratulations to our 2014 master class.

Master of Furniture Design

Erica Larkin GaudeT Tell us about your background. After graduating from Loyola University with a degree in sculpture I immediately started creating custom metal furniture and art. I was very determined to make a living as a sculptor 23 years ago and have not stopped since.

Who are the principals of your business?

Myself, my two studio assistants, Lyles Polk and Debow Alexander, as well as an army of fabricators, upholsterers, suppliers and installers and my husband, glass artist, Mitchell Gaudet.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? New Orleans’ rich history of great design, diversity of cultures and unique presence constantly fills me with inspiration and connects me to a world of truly talented people. I am not only impressed by the city’s creative artisans, but I also benefit by working with incredible clients, architects and designers whose amazing homes and projects showcase my furniture and art.

One challenge is not having enough time to create all of my designs and sculptural pieces.

Tell us about your current projects.

Recently I installed a 10-foot metal sculpture on Poydras Street with the support of the Sculpture for New Orleans Project. I am currently introducing my new line of furniture designs using elegant materials, handpleated leathers and metals with specialty finishes. I tend to avoid trends and believe that these pieces are a fresh take on classics that will stay current a long time.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I can’t imagine anything else I’d love to do more. I am obsessed with furniture and sculpture, and I take great pride in being the “maker” in the process of creating. I joke around saying there was a lot of blood, sweat and tears throughout the years in my business, but the real truth is that there was more sweat and blood than tears.

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Master of Landscaping

René Fransen Tell us about your background. I was born and raised in New Orleans. At age 5, I decided I wanted to be a horticulturalist. In my teens, architecture had gotten my attention. When I went to LSU for architecture, I discovered there was a degree in landscape architecture, which fit my twin interests like a glove. In 2005, I was named a fellow of landscape architecture for the body of my work. My firm’s philosophy is, “It can be done.”

Who are the principals of your firm?

I am the principal. My associate is Greg Pierce, an architect who has worked with me on and off for over 20 years.

John Mills is my junior associate.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? New Orleans is a place of passionate extremes and excesses.

There is so much beauty in the plant materials, architecture, ironwork and natural features that it energizes your creative spirit. I have lived in the Quarter since 1978 but still discover new historic design details on a daily basis. The challenges are that the fine craftsmen are dying out and I am hoping a new generation will fill the void.

Tell us about your current projects.

For several years we have been working on a 1932 Tudor estate with a 43-foot grade change on a bayou with a bay view. We are also creating a garden for a large Georgian home on over an acre in Mobile, Alabama. We have many New Orleans projects and are also finishing an office building in Houma for an offshore energy company.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? There is nothing I would rather do, but I would give more time to my charity causes if I were able.

Master of Lighting

Sheila Favrot Tell us about your background. I was contract sales manager at Shades of Light from 2008-2010.

My responsibilities were product development and commercial sales. At SOL I worked with developers, contractors and clients who specified lighting for hotels, restaurants, resorts and multifamily houses, as well as designers working for residential clients. My specialty was customizing lighting to each project. Favorite projects were a restaurant chain and the casino at the Greenbrier Hotel. In 2010, I decided to return home to New Orleans. I started LUME and hung my shingle as a commercial and residential lighting specialist.

I also was looking for a high-end custom lighting and furnishings source for my clients. I worked with Niermann Weeks through SOL, so I contacted the director of sales to begin offering the line locally. Kathy Slater and Fifi Laughlin offered me a partnership for showroom space, so we developed a new group of artists and designers that together form Gallery 3954.

Who are the principals of your business?

I am currently the sole proprietor of LUME, LLC. It is my hope for LUME to become the go-to source for illumination inspiration.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? New Orleans is my home, and I was very fortunate to be able to return to its vibrant culture, color and smells. The city motivates me to focus on its future, which subsequently emboldens me and inspires much of my creativity.

Tell us about your current projects. As a member of Gallery 3954, I have worked with architects and designers and have been privileged to consult on a hotel in Covington and a restaurant and theater in the Quarter. I have also worked on private homes, a pool house, a farmhouse, and am currently working on vacation homes in Pass Christian, Mississippi and Maine.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? Cooking and traveling.

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Master of Architecture

John A. Chrestia Tell us about your background. Growing up in New Orleans I always felt a kinship to its varied architectural styles. Inspired by a family friend who taught at the Newcomb Art School, I pursued architecture and art history at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette. After working for several large architectural firms (and obtaining my architectural license), I was selected as one of the architects to select the location for the new Mississippi River bridge and then worked as architect in residence for former Mayor Moon Landrieu.

After initiating and coordinating such projects as the award winning Piazza d’Italia, the Growth Management Program (currently the Downtown Development District) and the Armstrong Park development, I formed my own firm with Tom Collum and Edwin Jackson. Chrestia Staub Pierce is an outgrowth of my original company. Our practice ranges from large new construction and restoration projects to high-end residential.

Who are the principles of your firm? We expanded our offices to New York in the late 1980s and 1990s, but now we are solely based in New Orleans. Sandy Staub and I are principals of the firm, and Denise Pierce is a long-time associate.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? Our city is a great aesthetic inspiration for our design practice, both locally and regionally. Talented professional artists and artisans, who help realize our visions, abound in the New Orleans area. The challenges pose only a problem with sources that are more available in much larger cities.

Tell us about your current projects.

Currently our design work includes a “contemporary villa” on the Mississippi River near Poydras Street, a large banking and commercial development in Mississippi, the architectural interiors for an extensive addition to the New Orleans Country Club, corporate banking headquarters/executive offices for Iberia Bank as well as numerous high-end residential projects.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? As I spent a number of years teaching art history, I would focus on artistic endeavors as some of my fellow architects have done.

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Master of Green Design

Robert Schmidt Tell us about your background. I studied biochemistry at LSU but always had a knack for sales. In addition to being a licensed electrical, mechanical, solar and general construction contractor in the state of Louisiana, I’m charged with overseeing all of Joule’s sales and marketing efforts. I’m also responsible for designing and producing a comprehensive, software-based tool that Joule’s Design and Sales divisions use.

Who are the principals of your business? Robert Schmidt, Julian Thomas and Hamilton Hutchinson.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? New Orleans offers a vibrant, diverse, growing population that makes it easy to find smart, passionate people who want to work in our industry. The biggest benefit for New Orleans proper is the New Orleans City Council. They have been outstanding in promoting green industry in the city. For the Greater New Orleans area, the biggest challenge is probably dealing with regulatory changes and interpretations coming from the Public Service Commission.

Tell us about your current projects. We are currently contracted to install solar PV systems for over a hundred homeowners throughout southeast Louisiana. We are about to conclude a contract with Lamar Advertising to interconnect solar panels that are on top of many of their billboards throughout the state. Collectively, this is the largest renewable energy project in the state of Louisiana.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I have an entrepreneurial spirit that naturally pulls me toward new business models. I have a passion for new technology as well as and the environment. With all of the water shortage issues across the country and with the looming price hikes from the New Orleans water and sewerage board, I’d probably be in a similar role at a company specializing in water conservation.

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Master of Interior Design

Sandy Chopin Staub, NCIDQ, ASID Tell us about your background. I graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design in 1979. I landed my dream job six months after graduation with Interior Planning Associates, the interior design group for Perez Architects. John Chrestia, now my business partner, was head of that group at the time. John and I started Chrestia and Staub (now Chrestia Staub Pierce), Inc. in 1989.

We share a similar design philosophy and have worked on projects in New Orleans, across the Gulf Coast, New York, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, Illinois and the south of France. Our firm offers commercial and residential design services. I concentrate in space planning and commercial design and have designed corporate offices, banking facilities, hotels and restaurants.

Who are the principals of your firm/business?

John Chrestia and I are owners of the firm and Denise Pierce is a long-time associate and colleague.

How does New Orleans affect your profession?

What are the benefits and challenges? I was born and raised in New Orleans and have always been fascinated and inspired by our rich history and architecture. The benefit is working with so many talented people in our industry and with our clients.

The challenge is that our profession is always affected by the economy and after practicing for 35 years, I have seen both the highs and lows.

Tell us about your current projects. John, Denise and I are currently working on the renovation and addition to the New Orleans Country Club. I have just completed the offices and pharmacy for a pharmaceutical company in Baton Rouge, luxury apartments at 800 Magazine St. and executive offices for Iberia Bank.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I would probably be a florist. My family, the Chopin family, was in the floral business for three generations.

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Master of Custom Drapery

Katie Koch Tell us about your background.

Grew up with a mother with great style. She was always re-doing a room, or making a dress … She taught me to sew. My father believed you could do whatever you wanted in life...you just had to go for it.

Who are the principals of your business? Just me.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? If you are in the design community, the benefits are everywhere. From the culture and history unfolding in all the architecture. The homes are a constant visually stimulating feast for the eye.

Nothing is level, that’s a challenge.

Tell us about your current projects. Opening Katie Koch Home.

Representing Gretchen Everett acrylic hardware, Billy Baldwin upholstered furniture and iconic vintage pieces and much more. Working with Richard Keith Langham from New York (on the new Brennan’s); he has impeccable Southern style. Heading to Washington, D.C, with Fernandez & True of Atlanta to fabricate for a New Orleans transplant. Great fun collaborations with Coleman Adler: just completed the Goldring Family Foundation on Metairie Road along with a stunning home on State Street.

A ground-up home in Watersound, Florida. Lastly, I just finished up the best new tiki bar in New Orleans with Shaun Smith.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? Sailing the seas with my good friend Gretchen Everett.

Master of Real Estate Development/ Adaptive Reuse

Michael Valentino Tell us about your background. I’m a proud native of New Orleans (love my city) and the third of seven children. I attended St. Rita, Jesuit and LSU. My career began in the hotel business in 1973, then added tour packaging and marketing components, then visitor center and sightseeing – I’m still having fun and learning every day. I have served on scores of committees, boards and commissions related to the hospitality industry and the French Quarter.

Who are the principals of your business? The Valentino family are the principals, mother Mary Ann, six siblings, and now many of the nextgeneration of Valentinos. We are truly a local family business.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? Celebrating, selling and sharing New Orleans is my profession – accommodating visitors in hotels, planning travel itineraries and having the opportunity to describe our fascinating precious place to visitors every day in our hotels, at Basin St. Station and on our double-decker sightseeing tours.

The primary benefit is the joy of having such an interesting, lovely and exciting place to describe and share. The challenges usually revolve around managing growth in such a fragile environment.

Tell us about your current projects. Most exciting current project is our new website, NewOrleans.me, soon to be announced and launched. This may be the most ambitious and rewarding thing we have ever done, since it will reach audiences everywhere – what a privilege to offer New Orleans to the world!

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I can’t imagine having done something else, but it would likely have been related to the travel industry. I am very grateful for my career path in a family business that hosts visitors who love to devour our culture.

Master of Kitchen and Baths

Jerry Johnson Tell us about your background. I was born and raised in New Orleans. I studied art and architecture, and began my career 43 years ago when I started working for Cameron Gamble, who founded Kitchens by Cameron.

Under his guidance I earned my CKD (Certified Kitchen Designer), and I purchased the company in 1980.

I became involved in the National Kitchen & Bath Association and was one of the first 10 people designated CBD (Certified Bath Designer). I served on the board of directors of NKBA and later as president.

Who are the principals of your firm/business? I am the owner and designer. Our expert team can see the client through every step of the project, from designing to furnishing to installation.

How does New Orleans affect your profession? What are the benefits and challenges? New Orleans is a wonderful place. This city is part of who I am. Anything goes here: contemporary, traditional, Old World and in-between. I love the people, the culture and especially our unique architecture. I always enjoy designing a new and functional kitchen (or bath) that fits and complements the existing home, its owners and their lifestyle.

Tell us about your current projects. We are doing a fabulous kitchen, bar, and bathrooms on Exposition Boulevard, a great new home in Lakeview, and a kitchen for a custom modular home in Pass Christian, Mississippi. All are prior customers. We just finished a condo in the Quarter, and we have several projects near completion in the Uptown area, including a super master bath.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I can’t imagine doing anything else. I will continue here until I retire. After that, I’ll probably still do some designing. Maybe a little travel.

I’ll definitely be fishing.

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Master of Home Accents

Alexa Pulitzer Tell us about your background. I am a native New Orleanian raised in a creative and entrepreneurial family. I knew I wanted to be a designer since childhood and spent each summer in Europe with my father gaining exposure to the textile industry. After studying fine art abroad and at The Masters School, I apprenticed with esteemed printers in Italy and France before returning to work for my family’s neckwear company, Wembley. To fulfill my creative needs, I began printing block pads with my necktie designs that were being discarded. After nine years of designing stationery on the side, I decided to formally launch my company in 2004. Papa always preached “not to throw out the dirty water until I had fresh water.”

How does New Orleans affect your profession?

What are the benefits and challenges? There are no obstacles in doing business in New Orleans.

Instead, there are many benefits in manufacturing down the street. By using local printers, I can offer on a quick turnaround and better control the quality of my designs. New Orleans has attracted and inspired artists for centuries. Its unique characters, lively music and self-indulgent lifestyle in combination with its sophistication and joie de vivre attitude helped shape me. New Orleans is having a renaissance and I am proud to be part of it – I even use “New Orleans” in my logo because people around the world admire our city. We have celebration and theatricality in our blood, and my work reflects that. I often use animals in my designs because they project a deep inner strength and personality with which we humans often identify, and I place crowns on their heads to add a little fun, regality and decadence to the mix. I created my first copywritten royal animal, “King Gator,” 12 years ago, a crowned animal motif that has become a trademark signature of mine.

Who are the principals of your business? Myself.

Tell us about your current projects. I’ve just completed the packaging design for Low Country Luxe’s Signature Home Fragrance Collection and two new collections of Boxed Stationery. I’m growing my business abroad.

What else would you be doing if you weren’t doing this? I’d be a cinematographer or music composer.

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Four Decades of Greatness The Preservation Resource Center celebrates a big anniversary and showcases four historic properties.

Written by Sarah Ravits | Photographed by Jeffery Johnston

I

n 1974, the Preservation Resource Center began great efforts to preserve, restore and revitalize New Orleans’ historic architecture and neighborhoods. Since its inception, the PRC has been a critical force in breathing life back into at-risk homes and neighborhoods. Here at New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, we honor and thank this important organization for helping to restore

and maintain integrity in our city’s beloved historic properties. In the following pages, we showcase four homes in varying neighborhoods that have been thoughtfully constructed, restored and renovated, exemplifying the PRC’s mission to keep New Orleans and its architecture beautiful. We congratulate the PRC on its 40th anniversary and hope there are many more to come.

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Ann Masson Ann Masson’s French Quarter residence, a Creole Cottage, was built by Jean Louis Dolliole in 1805. When she and her husband purchased the house in 1981, it had been abandoned since the late 1940s, in desperate need of restoration and renovation.

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“Our first visit revealed a dire situation,” says Ann. It was partially demolished, looted and open to the elements with no floors or ceilings. The brick walls had been eroded by water with piles of rubble everywhere.

“We enlisted a truly distinguished group of craftsmen to undertake a complete renovation and restoration,” she says. “About a year later, we moved in, and there have been new projects ever since, including the re-construction of the old kitchen building.”

Ann praises the proportions of the rooms, the aesthetic of the hardware and woodwork, the tall French doors and the worn surfaces of the shutters. While much of the house was redone, the Massons utilized original materials and historic building techniques to recreate the atmosphere of the early 1800s. “The integration of the courtyard and house is appealing in fine weather, when everything is open and it seems as though the two spaces are one,” she says. “One of the rewards of preservation is joining 210 years of previous residents and imagining their lives here.”

Cassandra Sharpe Look and Richard Look After living in the French Quarter for 20 years, in 1993, Cassandra Sharpe Look purchased a spacious Georgian Townhouse on Julia Street that was originally built in 1832. She bought it because “it had so much even though it was in total disrepair,” she says. It contained marble mantels from Paris, wood floors, high ceilings, large gallery rooms and balconies. The property features four stories in the front building and three stories in the service wing, along with a courtyard.

The house underwent a full renovation with new plumbing and electricity, plus central air and heat, separately for each floor. She carved out a commercial gallery space on the ground floor.

Cassandra left much of the original woodwork.

“I didn’t tart it up,” she explains. “I left a lot of the wood in a dappled state, and it is divine.”

The home also features cypress doorways and pine floors. She says, “It is the best kind of living.

I have only lived in historic properties. The row houses on Julia Street, I am sure were built for protection. They are such safe, sturdy buildings.”

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Nayjda and Adolph Bynum In 2002, Nayjda and Adolph Bynum moved into their new home, a perfect replica of Creole Cottage from the 1800s, designed by the late architect, Webster Deadman, in the city’s historic Treme neighborhood. With 10-foot French doors, wood floors, a slate roof and high ceilings, the house has all of the architectural details and feelings of a historic property in the style they greatly admire. (Naydja says many first-time visitors to the home believe it is at least 100 years old!)

Over the past 12 years, the house has required minimal maintenance. The Bynums painted and decorated the home with a blend of antique, traditional and modern furnishings and fixtures. “It keeps us connected to the history of our city, but it has all the conveniences and comforts of modern day living,” explains Naydja.

Other notable features include copper gutters; domers; transoms; a brickbetween-post wall; medallions and cypress cabinets in the kitchen, den and dining

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room. They also have a brick patio and pond in the back of the property.

“We enjoy living in an older neighborhood and home that helps keep our New Orleans architecture and history alive,” says Naydja. “We encourage and welcome others to consider doing the same.”

Eugene Cizek Architect Eugene Cizek, one of the founders of the PRC, restored a Greek Revival Creole Cottage, Sun Oak, which dates back to 1808-1836. The spacious property sits on the land that was originally part of the plantation of Bernard Xavier Philippe de Marigny before he subdivided it into lots to house the expanding population in the area. Cizek bought the property in 1976, along with a downriver adjacent property. At the time, Sun Oak property was in a state of disrepair, but Cizek spearheaded a restoration project with his partner Lloyd L. Sensat Jr. and

contractors Jerry Lemann and Steve Suplee. A former student of Cizek’s, Kyle Brooks, also played a major role. The addition to the rear of the original house was built by alumni of his Preservation Studies Program at Tulane. Chris Friedrich and Mark Thomas were the landscape architecture consultants. They updated and restored the home, which included converting the former site of a fireplace space into a bathroom.

Original millwork was restored or replaced with historic materials of similar design.

Cizek sponsored archaeological investigations of the grounds, guided by maps from 1896, which revealed wells and foundations of slave quarters and other buildings.

The artifacts are displayed in the house and used as teaching tools for the Education Through Historic Preservation Program, founded by Cizek and Sensat in 1977. n NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 69

Shop

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ECLECTIC HOME 8211 Oak St. New Orleans 504/866-6654 504/866-6685 fax eclectichome.net

Villa Vici 4112 Magazine St. New Orleans 503-899-2931 villavici.com

Rivers Spencer Interiors 3909 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/609-2436 riversspencer.comÂ

70 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

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Shop

Mullin Landscape Associates, LLC 621 Distributor Row Ste. F Harahan 504/275-6617 mullinlandscape.com

RUG CHIC HOME DÉCOR 4240 Hwy 22 Mandeville 985/674-1070 rugchic.com

LAS Enterprises 2413 L&A Rd. Metairie 504/887-1515 LAShome.com

Floor & DĂŠcor 2801 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-3005 4 Westside Shopping Center Gretna 504/361-0501 flooranddecorneworleans.com

NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 71

Shop

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Jefferson Door 1227 First Ave. Harvey 504/340-2471 jeffersondoor.com

NOLA RUGS, Inc. 3944 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/891-3304, 504/891-3383 fax nolarugs.com

The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal Street 504/598-7147 Now available at The Shop at The Collection: Cups: $45 each, teapot: $190, serving tray: $170

Marchand Creative Kitchens 3717 Division St., Metairie 504/888-0695 2180 N Causeway Blvd., Mandeville 985/892-2572 mckitchens.com

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Shop

Eric and Norma’s Place 1600 N. Collins Blvd.

(Clayton House Market) Covington 985/778-5876

LOUISIANA CUSTOM CLOSETS 13405 Seymour Meyer Blvd #24 Covington 985/871-0810 louisianacustomclosets.com

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk 500 Port of New Orleans Pl. 504/522-1555 RiverwalkNewOrleans.com

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Shop

Ashley Hall Interiors, ltd.

832 Howard Ave. New Orleans 504/524-0196 504-568-9870 fax ashleyhallinteriors.com

PIERI TILE & MARBLE CO. INC. 3622 Toulouse St New Orleans La 504/488-1509 pieritile.com

Carr Stone & Tile, Inc. 3200 Andover St. Jefferson 504/835-8453 carrstone.com

76 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

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Shop

Adda Carpets and Flooring 5480 Mounes St. Harahan 504/736-9001 Addacarpetsandflooring.com

Abode 2114 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/266-2135 shopatabode.com

DL CABINETRY 1000 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/837-5577 504/837-5570 fax cabinetsandkitchen.com

78 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

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Shop CAMPBELL CABINET CO. 220 Hord St. Harahan 504/733-4687 4040 Highway 59 Mandeville 985/892-7713 campbellcabinets.com

The Mailbox Guy 704 Hickory Ave Harahan 504/466-5035 themailboxguyneworleans.com

PALATIAL STONE 2052 Paxton St., Harvey 504/340-2229 2033 N. Hwy 190 Suite 9, Covington 985/249-6868 palatialstone.com 80 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

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Shop

california closets 3211 N. Causeway Blvd Metairie 504/828-5705 californiaclosets.com/Metairie

NORDIC KITCHENS & BATHS INC. 1818 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/888-2300 nordickitchens.com

HOME DÉCOR 10920 East I-10 Service Road New Orleans 504/245-8288 hd-kitchenandbath.com

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home renewal been attached to the LaLaurie mansion. And one of the city’s most famous personages, Marie Laveau, went from being remembered at the time of her death as a kindhearted herbal pharmacist to being cast later as the queen of an orgiastic and manipulative voodoo cult.

It’s possible that we exaggerate sometimes.

But beyond legend and folklore, the firsthand accounts of so many hauntings down through the years and the city’s true association with black magic point to something.

And for certain people, that something may be a house full of problems.

Ghost, Demon or HVAC?

this old (scary) house Clearing out bad vibes.

By Peter Reichard

If you’ve lived in New Orleans long enough, there’s a chance you or someone you know has dealt with unwelcome houseguests.

Not the kind who show up at the last minute for Mardi Gras – rather, the kind that give you the heebie-jeebies

late at night.

New Orleanians have always loved tall tales, and that includes good ghost stories. Since Madame LaLaurie’s sadistic treatment of slaves came to light in the 1830s, an ever-expanding list of horror stories has

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Adam Blai, a peritus (Church-decreed expert) in religious demonology and exorcism, says people in New Orleans should take the supernatural seriously and take precautions accordingly. “New Orleans has such a strong occult history,” Blai says. “It’s my sense that there’s a lot going on down there.”

Based in Pittsburgh, Blai travels the U.S. assisting priests with exorcisms, both of people and places.

He has visited houses where unseen hands slam doors and break them off their hinges, where unseen feet trudge up and down staircases, where objects glide around of their own accord, where black clouds materialize and move about,

and even where residents are violently attacked.

For him, these are not curiosities or matters to be sensationalized; they are real burdens upon homeowners that, as a practical matter, must be addressed.

The good news is that many people are mistaken in perceiving their houses as haunted. It’s because “they don’t know how a house works,” Blai says: how the HVAC system operates, what settling does to a house, the sounds that rodents can make, the effects of an electro-magnetic field.

Furthermore, actual human spirit hauntings are not that common, Blai says; those that do occur often result from dramatic deaths. A typical human ghost, he says, is a soul in purgatory. And it’s probably making itself known only in order to ask for prayer or help. It doesn’t want to hurt you.

Unfortunately, Blai says many of the hauntings that do occur are “demonic.”

Unlike a human spirit, a demon will attempt to draw the resident into a relationship, he says.

The demon is like a “con artist” who is attempting to interfere in your life as much as possible.

Human spirits, by contrast, don’t do anything blasphemous or destructive, and they don’t play “20 Questions.”

“No soul in purgatory is going to have an ongoing jane sanders illustration

dialogue with you,” Blai says.

“Anything beyond a signal that ‘I’m here’ or ‘Help me’” and an affirmation of an offer of prayer is an indication that a demon is posing as a human spirit in an attempt to lure you into a relationship.

Blai advises avoiding any dialogue with spirits, and he warns against paranormal investigation.

Blai says the history of a house will often reveal the root of any problems. A demon will attach itself to a house only if a previous owner “did something to give a spirit permission to have access,” he says.

That’s where the old connections with black magic in New Orleans have created danger. Blai says people get into trouble by calling on “lesser spirits” to empower them or “do something nasty” on their behalf. “When you’re messing with spirit communication, it’s like you’re picking up the phone and dialing a number at random and giving somebody your Social Security number. You have no idea who is on the other end of that line.”

Blai notes that sometimes homeowners can bring the problem home by purchasing an object that has been used in a black magic ritual. In that case, the demon is attached to the object, not the home.

Cleaning the Spiritual Slate

Blai recommends that people have their houses blessed, to clean the “spiritual slate,” starting from the time they move in. “It would save so much trouble for so many people if they were to do that,” he

says. “It will clear out a lot of the spiritual baggage.”

He also recommends placing religious symbols in visible places throughout the home.

Blai is Catholic and works only within that tradition. But other faiths, such as Muslims and Vietnamese Buddhists, have longstanding rituals for blessing or protecting a house.

In Judaism, there is the practice of dedicating a new home with a blessing and affixing a mezuzah to the right side of the doorpost.

The mezuzah is a sign of God’s watchful protection over the home. In addition, a traditional blessing and prayer of thanksgiving called the shehecheyanu may be recited at the housewarming.

In Orthodox Christianity, there is an old tradition of blessing the home each year on the Feast of Theophany, Jan. 6. The family gathers to pray to rid the house of evil and for the living and the dead of the family. The priest visits the homes of his flock to bless them with holy water.

For Catholics, the largest religious group in the New Orleans area, a thorough blessing involves prayers, burning incense and sprinkling holy water in every space in the house, even in attics and closets. Blai says this used to be a common practice when people moved into a house, but “it has fallen away along with other sacramental aspects of life.”

Even those who strongly doubt the existence of anything beyond the material world as documented by science might consider a blessing as a precautionary measure. Otherwise, they might find out they’re wrong, the hard way. n NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 85

retailer spotlight louisiana custom closets Ann and Don Wise

By Pamela Marquis

Louisiana Custom Closets helps their clients get their lives more organized.

How great is that? Don Wise, owner of Louisiana Custom Closets has been in the business for more than 19 years and knows the best ways to design and install custom shelving for closets, garages and utility rooms.

“Our philosophy is simple, we go above and beyond the customer’s expectations by using the best materials and workmanship available and doing it at a very competitive price,” he says.

What are some of compliments you hear from clients? Our clients

compliment us on our employees’ professionalism from the designers who design a dream closet, office, garage or pantry to the installers that arrive on time, complete the installation promptly and even clean up after. Also, they comment on how beautifully everything is stored and how it has made their lives easier because everything now has a place.

What new trends do you see regarding your business?

Garage storage is becoming 86 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

more popular all the time.

Customers don’t want to see all that clutter in their garages. They want it organized and hidden behind doors. We can certainly help with that.

What is the key to getting organized? Surveying the

items that will be stored in the space really helps. If it is a closet, it would be the clothing, shoes, jewelry, etc.

For an example, how does someone hang slacks, folded over a hanger or hung long without folding? How are shoes stored in shoe boxes or on shelves? If it is a garage you need to inventory toys, sporting equipment, tools etc. We might design a work bench, more cabinets or special racks for bikes, golf clubs or fishing poles. Getting your house organized will go a long way to maximizing efficiency. There is no single right way to do it: The trick lies in finding the way that works best for you. n

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Louisiana Custom Closets 13405 Seymour Meyer Suite 24, Covington, (985) 871-0810

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retailer spotlight jefferson door Chris, Colin, Ward, Bob and Julie Van Dervort.

By Pamela Marquis

Clearly doors are important to any architecture, but unique materials and innovative design can make a door not just a privacy provider, but also an integral part of a room’s decor. Since 1959 Jefferson Door has been offering high quality doors and so much more to the New Orleans market.

“Contrary to what our name may suggest, we supply more products than just doors,” says Chris Van Dervort, Jefferson Door co-owner. “Our full product offering includes columns, windows, cabinets, door hardware, moulding and stair parts. We provide one-stop shopping.”

Are there any exciting projects you are working on that you would like to share?

I honestly get excited about all of our projects, from the smallest starter house to the largest, most custom home.

Any project, no matter the size, requires a great amount of vision and creativity, and it’s fun to see that effort take shape and come to life.

door unit assembly at our own shop, which allows us to provide a shorter lead time and greater flexibility.

How does living in New Orleans influence your inventory? It influences

our inventory in both style and material choice. New construction and renovation here tends to be strongly influenced by the variety of historic architecture in the area. This taste in architecture requires us to select suppliers and products that are rooted in historic architecture, while still satisfying today’s trends and tastes of homeowners. In addition, the hot and humid climate is not kind on wood products, so we often look for alternative materials, such as aluminum or fiberglass clad windows, polyurethane mouldings and permacast columns that can provide homeowners with a more maintenance-free home. n

What sets you apart from your competitors? Our level of

experience, ability, and range of product offerings sets us apart from our competitors.

Also, unlike many of our competitors, we do all of our cheryl gerber photo

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Jefferson Door 1227 First Ave., Harvey (504) 340-2471 Info@Jeffersondoor.com NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 87

retailer spotlight northshore millwork Julie Diefenthal Philippus

By Pamela Marquis

The best long-term value to your home comes from using quality materials and the latest in building technologies. Northshore Millwork, LLC adds quality craftsmanship into the mix.

Fine hand craftsmanship may cost more than mass production, but you’ll see the difference every time you open a well-crafted cabinet, pass through a high quality door or walk into the perfect room. Northshore Millwork, LLC was opened in 2007 in Mandeville by a family who has been in business in Louisiana since 1900. They manufacture custom millwork including trim, cabinetry, doors and windows. “The business was started based on a desire for quality craftsmanship and millwork in the area, and it is currently undergoing one of the largest expansion projects in St. Tammany Parish,” says Julie Diefenthal Philippus, the company’s vice president and general manager.

What is one of the more unique services you provide?

We have the capability to duplicate existing millwork found in older and historic homes throughout New Orleans, which is a service most cabinet shops cannot provide.

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How is quality craftsmanship reflected in your business? We follow the

highest quality standards set by the Architectural Woodwork Institute in everything we build. Our craftsmen have been featured in Architectural Digest for their impressive custom millwork and cabinetry.

What compliment do you hear most from your clients?

We consistently hear from builders, architects, designers and homeowners that we have the best finish in the industry, whether it’s a stain, paint or glaze. Our in-house finishers use a multi-step process to create a long lasting and durable finish.

What sets you apart from your competitors? We

offer informative tours of our millwork shop and showroom and take time to educate our clients about quality construction to help guide them through their millwork project. n

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Northshore Millwork, LLC 1750 South Lane Suite 2, Mandeville (985) 867-1813 info@northshoremillwork.com

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retailer spotlight rug chic Beth Assaf

By Pamela Marquis

The oldest known surviving rug dates back to the 5th century B.C. and features rich colors, striking details and a handknotted technique that is still in popular use. Today in Mandeville at Rug Chic you can find expertly made and vibrant carpets that will also last throughout generations of use. Rug Chic owner, Beth Assaf, is passionate about rugs both old and new. “I have a lifetime of knowledge of fine handknotted rugs and carpets,” Assaf says. “We are your source for handwoven rugs, fine furniture, unique accessories and local art.”

What sets you apart from your competitors? For more

than 15 years, we have been a primary source for interior designers and the public with the finest handknotted rugs, furniture, and home decor. I work closely with colleagues from the world’s best rug weaving regions to find fine quality, one-of-a-kind hand-knotted rugs. Through that relationship, I am able to source rugs that translate well in our local marketplace. I am also careful in choosing only items that are made with 100 percent child-free labor.

What compliment do you hear most from your clients?

We always hear that our inventory is very unique.

In addition to our vast oneof-a-kind rug inventory, we carry everything from Italian wood pieces to salvaged antique iron coffee tables, as well as upholstered furniture, which can be completely customized. We try to carry lines that are not seen everywhere else.

What can a rug add to the overall feel of a room? Rugs

are a great way to anchor a space. You can instantly add texture, color, and another design element in your room incorporating a rug into your design scheme. Because it is often considered the foundation of a room, it is wise to pick your rug first, and then move on to select your paint color, furniture, and accessories. n

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Rug Chic 4240 Hwy. 22, Suite 6 Mandeville (985) 674-1070 rugchic@bellsouth.net

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expert advice

A variety of cork flooring you can find at Pieri Tile & Marble Co.

from the ground up Flooring experts weigh in.

By Andrea Blumenstein

Fall is a time when many of you are thinking about making small or not-so-small modifications to your living space.

From indoor to outdoor, we checked in with a few of the premier flooring material and design providers in

the Greater New Orleans area to see what they have to say about going green, navigating the humid climate of the Gulf South and professional tips to successfully update your space to complement the unique style of your home.

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Green is more than just a color. In the age of energy efficient appliances and windows, it’s no secret that many people are looking to consider the environment and their impact on the planet when renovating.

Growth in the industry

leaves the buyer with a huge range of choices for any size project and budget when it comes to flooring that is earth-friendly, functional and beautiful.

Lindsay Swenson of Floor & Decor suggests reclaimed pine sourced locally from craig mulcahy photographs

Floor & Decor offers reclaimed pine sourced locally from Louisiana.

Louisiana and Mississippi, scoring points for both ecofriendly and overall aesthetic.

Another option offered by Floor & Decor is engineered hardwood flooring. This uses synthetic core material in lieu of premium hard wood trees resulting in a product that is more moisture-stable and a great option for our subtropical climate as it is less likely to buckle or fail in changing humidity.

Another option for those interested wood is bamboo.

This super-hard wood is not limited to the light tone that initially comes to mind. How does it measure up? As one of the fastest growing plants on earth – and also the sturdiest – this strand woven flooring option continues to increase in popularity among buyers because of its durability and multiple color options. With locations in both New Orleans and Gretna, the design team at Floor & Decor is available to help navigate selection of these and other products.

In business for almost 50 years, Pieri Tile & Marble Co. offers a diverse selection of quality materials that fit in with any budget. Dina Pieri Chevalier, of Pieri, notes that cork floor is growing in popularity. This durable,

sound-resistant and longlasting material is not just to keep your wine fresh. Cork flooring comes in a variety of patterns and colors, making it another versatile option for indoor living spaces.

For large spaces, the wood tile look is a perfect way to

get the aesthetic of wood flooring with the durability of a tile floor. Pieri Tile & Marble Co. carries porcelain tiles in wood like “plank” sizes, 12-by-24 inches, 8-by-30 inches and 12-by-30 inches that are ideal for high-volume areas and

people with pets, because there is no worry of paws scratching the floor.

Jeff Taaffe of Palatial Stone & Tile suggests natural stone or tile when designing for southern living. “With these products,” says Taaffe, “You don’t have to worry NewOrleansHomesAndLifestyles.com | 91

Adda Carpets and Flooring offers custom-made area rugs with a wide rage of colors and pattens

about water issues, whether that’s plumbing issues or issues that come from natural disasters.” Options are endless in this category, and their showrooms carry a multitude. If you’ve already done some research and know of an exotic material that isn’t represented, the team at Palatial Stone & Tile will do what it takes to find it.

More than just purveyors of stone, Palatial Stone & Tile offers flooring such as engineered hardwood, bamboo and cork flooring.

New finishing techniques and improved technologies have revived interest in cork, making both a conversation piece and a functional, aesthetically pleasing addition. Another way to create a unique space, suggests Taaffe, is by installing a mosaic of completely different products used together

fashionably to make one beautiful pattern. Taaffe suggests combining stone and wood, or wood and metal, stating that blending “hard and soft materials in unison makes for a flooring that has great depth and texture.”

To update a space without tearing up floorboards, custom-made area rugs out of different colors or textures is a great way to update a space, says Chris Judge of Adda Carpets and Flooring. With over 40 years of industry experience, they strive for repeat customers, and it’s a one-stop shop for everything from flooring to cabinets and appliances.

They recently added a new line of carpets, Smart Strand, made from recycled plastic that are stain-resistant, can be cleaned with bleach and water and come in a variety of styles and colors.

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Another neat design feature, says Judge, are arabesqueshaped tiles or stones that are grouted in and “create a Mediterranean look.”

These can be purchased in a variety of different colors and choices. What is unanimously agreed upon when it comes to tile is that square is out. Take advantage of the variety of options, and get creative in your space.

White on white on white is a great way to handle permanent features. Dina Pieri Chevalier suggests while marble mosaics. They are great for bathrooms and match any wall color. By simply changing the wall color and fixtures, a bath or powder room can have a completely different feel a few years down the road if you select something timeless such as white.

They also offer flagstone for

both the floor/deck area of outdoor living spaces and go great with the increasingly popular outdoor kitchen.

Carr Stone & Tile Inc.’s main focus is on natural stones, including granite, marble, limestone, soapstone and flagstone. They also offer several lines of quartz and porcelain – materials that are environmentally friendly.

They work with architects, contractors and designers to create beautiful interior and exterior spaces for both residential and commercial clients. For large, open spaces, “use of a single natural stone for flooring can provide an interesting look” says Paula Pike, of Carr Stone & Tile, and “changing floor designs from straight, running bond or diagonal in a large room can give a homogenous feel to the space.” When asked about design tips for melding mediums, Pike suggests using stone, porcelain, wood and metals as great options for thresholds and defining spaces for aesthetics and function.

As a final note, if you are hoping to have renovations done before the holidays, “Don’t wait,” warns Lindsay Swenson of Floor & Decor. “Start planning now, because booking can become a challenge when lots of people have the same idea.” n

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Northshore Living C

ommunities on the Northshore continue to grow and thrive, which means new construction and housing renovations are prevalent across the area. From historic remodels to contemporary condos on Lake Pontchartrain, home design companies are staying busy installing cabinets, floors, closets and more, while interior designers are helping add the finishing touches with custom lighting, antique furniture, and window treatments. And don’t forget the exterior – landscapers are staying busy, too, welcoming the cool weather of fall at every doorstep. No matter the project you choose to undertake this year, the following Northshore experts may prove to be great resources as you plan your new design.

A South Louisiana fixture since 1972, Campbell Cabinets has over 40 years of experience providing homeowners, designers, and contractors with kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, decorative hardware, appliances and sinks. With three locations spread across the Southshore, Northshore and Southern Mississippi, Campbell’s has one of the largest selections in the region, including a large selection of in-stock cabinets.

“I’d venture to say we have the most experienced team of kitchen designers, too,” says BJ Farrell, co-owner of Campbell Cabinets. “The designers at Campbell’s have been in the industry for a very long time.”

Campbell’s supplies cabinets for any room, including kitchen, bath, closets, bars, playrooms, entertainment centers and more.

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Campbell Cabinets

They provide free, 3D computer design previews of each project, whether for the price-conscious investment property owner, a couple and their first home purchase, or quality-driven builder working on a spacious new home.

A community-minded business, Campbell’s only supplies American-made kitchen cabinets and encourages recycling of business materials by donating to various local organizations.

For more information on their products, services, and locations, visit CampbellCabinets.com or call the Mandeville store at 985-892-7713.

Northshore Millwork, LLC was started in 2007 by a family who has been in business in Louisiana since 1900. They specialize in the custom manufacturing of high quality cabinetry, doors, windows and mouldings for homes and businesses. They excel in custom architectural and radius millwork, and they work with new builds as well as renovations. An extensive inventory of exotic hardwoods and popular wood species are stored on site in their 40,000-squarefoot millwork shop and showroom in Mandeville.

Northshore Millwork’s experienced craftsmen follow the highest quality standards as set by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) and have been featured in Architectural Digest for their amazing work. They are a full-service retailer for Marvin Windows and custom manufacture traditional Louisiana wood windows as well.

Photos of recently completed work can be found at north-

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Northshore Millwork, LLC

Villa Vici Eric and Norma’s Place

shoremillwork.com, and their Mandeville showroom is open Monday through Friday from 8:00am–5:00pm, or by appointment. Let their design team help you realize your custom project!

Established in 1991 by local husband and wife team Vikki Leftwich and Bryan Colwell, Villa Vici offers eclectic home décor from modern to classic.

“Our philosophy has always remained constant—to offer our customers the highest quality in product, service and value without compromising style and comfort,” says Leftwich. A carefully selected product mix is chosen from the finest vendors in America and around the world to yield a timeless home environment that excites the senses.

Whether planning to furnish an entire space or just looking to add that one special item, feel at ease shopping with Villa Vici at your own pace. Collections by Mitchell Gold+Bob Williams, LEE Industries, Cisco Brothers, Eilersen, and Oly Studio include sofas, beds, tables, cabinets, lighting and artwork. Offering professional design services and installation, Villa Vici is truly a one

Palatial Stone & Tile

stop shop for all of your home furnishing and design needs. By definition, villa vici means to conquer a house. Welcome to the world of Villa Vici. Visit VillaVici.com or call 504-899-2931.

For a custom closet, pantry, home office or garage, superior service is available in your Northshore neighborhood. Since 2003, Louisiana Custom Closets as been tailoring rooms, shelves, hampers, hutches and more to fit the needs of residents in South Louisiana and along the Gulf Coast. Don Wise, the company’s founder, has been designing closets for 20 years. Wise has an unparalleled commitment to customer service, sometimes spending hours listening to the unique wants and needs a client has for the space in his or her home.

Louisiana Custom Closets uses leading technology and software for design, providing clients with computer-generated images.

They use high quality materials and custom-build each closet in their warehouse—from the slanted shelves for shoes and the various rods and valets for hanging clothes to the spacious hutch drawers and cubicles for purses, sweaters and more. With competitive pricing, Louisiana Custom Closets

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Money Hill Golf and Country Club

Louisiana Custom Closets

will find an affordable solution to your home needs. Visit LouisianaCustomClosets.com or call for a free estimate: 985-8710810 or 504-885-3188.

What began as a mother-daughter venture 27 years ago is now a respected business for Laurie Martin and her two brothers, Perry and Larry Frey, who continue to provide the same personal attention and customer service for which their beloved mother, the late Kay Frey, was known. Doors of Elegance offers customers individualized attention to help make the complete process of purchasing a new entryway for their home easy with just six simple steps. “We sell everything you need to replace an existing front door—from the hardware to choosing the perfect stain color,” says Martin. Visit Doors of Elegance for a wide variety of doors, and take advantage of their quality, professional installation for a guaranteed weather-tight fit. A new at-home refinishing service is available for customers looking to restore an entryway to its prior elegance.

Last summer, Doors of Elegance consolidated their Northshore showroom with their Southshore showroom. They continue to service Northshore customers through their Metairie location at 3100 Kingman Street, next to Clearview Shopping Center, and look forward to at least another 27 years in business. For more information, visit DoorsofElegance.com, or call 504-887-5440.

Famous for preserving Louisiana’s culture and heritage through woodworking and furniture making, Greg Arceneaux builds furniture based on early Creole and Acadian designs using traditional techniques and indigenous materials.

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painted gold-leaf finish. Examples of Greg’s work include cabinets, chairs, benches, tables, bookcases, armoires, mantles, entertainment centers, and other custom designs.

View designs such as a Creole Cocktail Square Table, a Creole Bar Stool, and a Louisiana Side Board in Greg Arceneaux Cabinetmakers’ online gallery of designs at GregArceneaux. com. If you would like to place an order, please contact his workshop, located at 17319 Norwell Drive in Covington, LA, by calling 985-893-8782. For other photos and news, visit and “like” Greg Arceneaux Cabinetmakers on Facebook at Facebook.com/ GregArceneauxCabinetmakers.

For more than fourteen years, Rug Chic Home Decor has served as South Louisiana’s connection to international markets of fine quality, handmade, one-of-a-kind rugs that will last for generations. Beth Assaf has traveled the world in search of the highest quality craftsman and suppliers using superior quality materials and dyes, and she is careful in choosing only items that are made with 100% child-free labor.

From street markets in Turkey, Pakistan, India and Nepal, as well as participation in other international rug markets and Tufenkian, Assaf brings a vast array of traditional, antique and contemporary rugs to the showroom.

In addition to fine rugs, you will find in their showroom two complete lines of American-made upholstered sofas and chairs

by Lee and Baker, fine Italian case goods, chests and tables, select antiques, unique accessories, lighting, and local art. They are a primary source for designers and clients on both the Northshore and Southshore providing distinctive looks to homes in today’s interior design. Their staff is ready to help you create a casually

a dv ertis in g s ec tio n elegant look for your home that is both fresh and timeless.

The Rug Chic Home Decor showroom is located in Mandeville at 4240 Highway 22, Suite 6. View the gallery online at RugChic. com or call 985-674-1070 for more information.

Combining timeless appeal and modern influence, The French Mix in historic downtown Covington offers full service interior design for Home & Baby, as well as custom furnishings, handknotted rugs, statement-making lighting, original art, luxury bedding, draperies and chic transitional décor. So when “Ordinary Won’t Do,” visit their beautiful 3,000-squarefoot showroom at 228 Lee Lane or contact Jennifer DiCerbo for an in-home design consultation. Jennifer shops design markets in New York, Dallas, and High Point to find the perfect pieces for both her design clients and her store.

To view her portfolio, visit ShopTheFrenchMix.com, and for new arrivals, Like The French Mix on Facebook at Facebook. com/TheFrenchMix. To schedule a consultation with Jennifer, call the showroom at 985-809-3152 or call Jennifer directly at 985-590-9543.

Combining the splendor of a beautiful Northshore setting with the convenience of the most modern amenities, the awardwinning Money Hill Golf and Country Club has the bar set high for residential communities. Nestled amid 3,500 acres of nature preserves, the community has been recognized nationwide for its natural beauty and its cutting-edge, environmentally conscious design. Every Sunday from 2-4PM, come take a glimpse into the beautiful lifestyle of a Money Hill resident through an Open House tour.

Located north of I-12 near Abita Springs, the private community bustles with activity. Top ranked public and private schools along with parks, playgrounds and organized family activities make Money Hill ideal for young families. A championship 18-hole golf course, a full service Pro Shop, private golf lessons at the Rob Noel Golf Academy, and a 30-acre practice area delight retirees and avid golfers. The sparkling swimming pool, tennis courts and over four miles of hiking trails are enjoyed by all, along with the spectacular sunsets over the 150-acre, spring-fed lake that’s great for fishing.

For more information call Kathy Prokasy at 985-892-3300 X203 or visit moneyhill.com.

For over 50 years, Marchand Creative Kitchens has provided

Doors of Elegance

Greater New Orleans with high-quality custom kitchens. From cabinets and countertops to appliances, lighting and other products, Marchand supplies everything you need for an indoor or outdoor cooking space. With showroom in Metairie and Mandeville, Marchand services both the Southshore and Northshore and highlights the latest trends with numerous kitchen vignettes at each location and a brand new Live Demonstration kitchen in their Metairie Showroom.

“We sit down with each customer to find out what they like and don’t like about their current kitchen so the new kitchen we design serves them in a way that fits their lifestyle,” says Chris Licciardi, Certified Kitchen Designer and third generation owner. Marchand Creative Kitchens provides the design and the products and can install some or all of your new kitchen. “Our designers train constantly, so we’re able to stay up to date on the latest products and trends. You’re not just buying cabinets or a countertop, you’re buying a Marchand Kitchen, one that fits your needs and your budget.”

For more information, visit mckitchens.com or call 504-8880695 (Metairie) or 985-892-2572 (Mandeville).

Since 1997, Gomez Pine Straw of Mandeville has been committed to offering premium quality ground cover at competitive prices and to providing impeccable customer service year round. A family business, Gomez Pine Straw takes pride in their status as the largest and best pine straw supplier across the state, providing round bales, square bales, and crushed, bagged pine straw. Gomez Pine Straw has a history of working on key projects in and around Greater New Orleans and enjoys providing that finishing touch for homeowners, commercial landscapes, boulevards and highways across the region.

Pine straw presents an earth-friendly alternative to wood mulches because the harvesting of trees is not necessary for production. In addition, wood mulch may attract termites where pine straw does not. Gomez Pine Straw is hand-raked, hand-baled, and free of debris, pinecones, and dirt. Each tight bale covers approximately 40-50 square feet at least.

For more information or to inquire about any job, large or small, call 985-264-3567 or visit GomezPineStrawLLC.com.

St. Romain Interiors is located on the Northshore in historic Madisonville, Louisiana. The shop has money products and services to offer—from European antiques, sofas, and chairs to

Gomez Pine Straw

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numerous accessories, you will find the look for your home. St. Romain also has gorgeous chandeliers and sconces or brightening your home. They specialize in vintage, antique, and modern lighting. Both upholstery and slip-covered furniture are available with various fabrics and patterns to fit your style. What makes St. Romain Interiors different from any other shop is the uniqueness of the vintage, antique, and modern items hand-selected by owners Cindy St. Romain and Anne Hammett.

St. Romain Interiors also features original works of art, as well as modern and antique mirrors to help reflect your personal style. The design style of owners St. Romain and Hammet can be described as a marriage of old and new worlds; however, if contemporary or traditional styles are your favorite, they will design you home to your taste.

Store hours are Tues- Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Please call 985-845-7411 or email stromaininteriors1@gmail.com.

You may also visit their website at stromaininteriors.com.

Offering the broadest selection of artisan, decorative, and stone tiles on the Northshore, Palatial Stone & Tile has experienced designers with the knowledge to take your residential and commercial projects to the next level. In a market flooded with similarly styled products, Palatial Stone offers a boutique designer showroom filled with unique designs from Artistic Tile, Encore Ceramics, Tabarka, Lunada Bay Tile and others. Many are one-of-akind, handcrafted artisan tiles with coordinating stone.

Architects, designers, contractors and homeowners are invited to view all samples and products available at Palatial. Locally and family owned, Palatial Stone has served the Greater New Orleans area for over 10 years, operating two full-service showrooms in Harvey and Covington. They offer fine custom countertops of natural stone, engineered quartz, and recycled glass fabricated in their Harvey warehouse.

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St. Romain Interiors

Greg Arceneaux

They stock many stone products in Harvey, eliminating the need for extended shipping times.

For more information, stop by a showroom, visit their website, PalatialStone.com, and like them on Facebook.

Call 504-340-2229 (Harvey) or 985-249-6868 (Covington).

There is a couple in Mandeville making waves locally with their handcrafted furniture. Eric and Norma LeBlanc make a fantastic team. Although Eric may say Norma is the designer, he often comes up with their quirky, unique ideas. The couple spends five days a week diligently working in their Mandeville workshop, designing and producing each amazing piece they offer for sale at the store, Eric and Norma’s Place, located at Claytons House Market Place in Covington. You can call Eric and Norma’s style rustic, elegant, weathered, or primitive. Their distinct and distinguished Louisiana furniture is clearly their own and is catching the eye of people around the country.

Eric and Norma also have a line of chalk paint called Yeso.

Customers have described the paint as the best paint for the price in the market. For more information, call 985-778-5876. •

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Golf course

Money Hill Country Club

advertising

resource directory

100 Country Club Drive Abita Springs 985/892-3300 Monyehill.com

home furnishings & accessories Ashley Hall Interiors, ltd.

832 Howard Ave. New Orleans, LA 70113 504/524-0196 AshleyHallInteriors.com

Abode 2114 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/266-2135 shopatabode.com

Eclectic Home

building materials Adda Carpets and Flooring

5480 Mounes St. Harahan 504/736-9001 Addacarpetsandflooring.com

Carr Stone & Tile, Inc.

Pieri Tile & Marble Co. Inc. 3622 Toulouse St. New Orleans 504/488-1509 pieritile.com

custom home builders Roussel Builders LLC

3200 Andover St. Jefferson, LA 70121 504/835-8453 Carrstone.com

201 Marguerite Road Metairie 504/415-6730 rousselbuilders.com

Doors of Elegance

financial

3100 Kingman St., Suite 107 Metairie 504/887-5440 985/893-0057 doorsofelegance.com

Eric and Norma’s Place 1600 N. Collins Blvd Covington 985/778-5876 ericandnormasplace@yahoo.com

Jefferson Door 1227 First Ave. Harvey 504/340-2471 jeffersondoor.com

Palatial Stone 2052 Paxton St. Harvey 504/340-2229 2033 N. Highway 190, Suite 9 Covington 985/249-6868 palatialstone.com

Gulf Coast Bank & Trust 3221 Behrman Place New Orleans 504/599-5747 sarafernandez@gulfbank.com 1825 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/556-4232 marcialeone@gulfbank.com

gardening/landscape Gomez Pine Straw LLC

2025 Spartan Drive Mandeville 504/481-9416 gomezpinestrawllc.com

Mullin Landscape Associates LLC 621 Distributors Row Suite F Harahan 504/275-6617 mullinlandscape.com

100 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Autumn 2014

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

Greg Arceneaux Cabinetmakers Inc. 17319 Norwell Drive Covington 985/893-8782 gregarceneaux.com

Lafargue Pianos 1828 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/831-3008 lafarguepianos.com

LUME 3954 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/579-4480 Lume-llc.com

Mignon Faget 3801 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-2005 The Shops at Canal Place New Orleans 504/524-2973 Lakeside Shopping Center Metairie 504/835-2244 Mignonfaget.com

Nola Rugs 3944 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-3304 nolarugs.com

Rivers Spencer Interiors 3909 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/609-2436 riversspencer.com

Rug Chic Home Decor 4240 Hwy. 22 Mandeville 985/674-1070 rugchic.com

St. Romains Interiors 209 St. John St. Madisonville 987/845-7411 stromaininteriors.com

Shades of Blue 3530 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-1575 shadesofblueinc.com

Tara Shaw 1240 Camp St. New Orleans 504/525-1131 tarashaw.com

The French Mix 228 Lee Lane Covington 985/809-3152 shopthefrenchmix.com

The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal St. New Orleans 504/523-4662 hnoc.org

The Shops At 2011 2011 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/407-0499 theshopsat2011.com

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

Wren’s Tontine Shade & Design 1533 Prytania St. New Orleans 504/525-7409 wrenstontine.com

a d v e rt i s i n g s e c t i o n

HOME IMPROVEMENT

retirement living

2413 L&A Rd. Metairie 504/887-1515 LAShome.com

150 Broadway New Orleans 504/865-1960 lambethhouse.com

kitchen & bath

Poydras Home

LAS Enterprises

Cameron Kitchen & Bath Designs Inc.

8019 Palm St. New Orleans 504/486-3759 cameronkitchens.com

Campbell Cabinet Co. 220 Hord St. Harahan 504/733-4687 4040 Hwy. 59 Mandeville 985/892-7713 campbellcabinets.com

DL CABINETRY 1000 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/837-5577 cabinetsandkitchens.com

Home Décor 10920 E. I-10 Service Road New Orleans 504/245-8288 hd-kitchenandbath.com

Marchand Creative Kitchens 3517 Division St. Metairie 504/888-0695 2180 N. Causeway Blvd.

Mandeville 985/892-2572 Mckitchens.com

Northshore Millwork 1750 South Ln., Ste. 2 Mandeville 985/867-1813 northshoremillwork.com

Nordic Kitchens & Baths Inc. 1818 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/888-2300 nordickitchens.com

retail

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk 500 Port of New Orleans Pl. New Orleans 504/522-1555 RiverwalkNewOrleans.com

Lambeth House

5354 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/897-0535 poydrashome.com

specialists Bayou Closets

2537 North Rampart St. New Orleans 504/944-8388 Rob@BayouClosets.com

California Closets 3211 N. Causeway Blvd.

Metairie 504/828-5705 californiaclosets.com/Metairie

Floor & Décor Design Gallery 2801 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-3005 4 Westside Shopping Center Gretna 504/361-0501 flooranddecorneworleans.com

Louisiana Custom Closets 13405 Seymour Meyer Blvd., #24 Covington 985/871-0810 louisianacustomclosets.com

Mosquito Squad of Louisiana 266 Enterprise Dr. Houma 985/872-0301 Mosquitosquad.com

Russell’s Cleaning Services 3401 Tulane Ave. New Orleans 504/482-3153 3704 Robertson St. Metairie 504/832-1546 russellscleaning.com

The Mailbox Guy 704 Hickory Ave Harahan 504/466-5035 TheMailboxGuyNewOrleans.com •

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resources The area code is 504, unless otherwise noted.

“New Construction of the Year,” pg. 34

Artist Profile, pg. 14 “Layla Ardalan,” laylaardalan.com.

For the Garden, pg. 18 “Benevolent Roots” The New Orleans Fruit Tree Project, nolafruit.org.

Living With Antiques, pg. 20 “Iconic Iron” Corinne Laborde, corinnnelaborde71@gmail.com; Ricca’s, 511 N Solomon St., 488-5524; PRC Salvage Store, 2801 Marais St., 947-0038; Habitat’s Restore, 2900 Elysian Fields Ave., 943-2240, habitatnola.org; The Bank Architectural Antiques, 1824 Felicity St., 523-2702, thebankantiques.com.

Masters of Their Craft, pg. 22 “Seductive Smoke” Kathleen Currie, smokeperfume. com, kathleen@smokeperfurme. com.

TrendWatch, pg. 26 “Fall Furnishings” Ashley Hall Interiors, 832 Howard Ave., 524-0196; Modern Market, 3138 Magazine St., Unit C, 896-2206; Jon Vaccari, 1912 St. Charles Ave., 899-7632; Abode, 2114 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 266-2135; Rivers Spencer, 4610 Magazine St., 609-2436; Villa Vici, 4112 Magazine St., 899-2932.

“New Construction of the Year,” pg. 34 Morris Adjmi Architects, (212) 982-2020, ma.com; Valorie Hart, valoriehart.com, mizvtheb@ yahoo.com; Loisel Vintage Modern, 2855 Magazine St., loiselvintagemodern.

squarespace.com; Matthew Hilton, matthewhilton.com; Design Within Reach, 3138 Magazine St., 891-6520, dwr. com; Z Gallerie, zgallerie. com; The Shops at 2011, 2011 Magazine St., 407-0499; AKA Stella Gray, 2105 Magazine St., 208-2300; Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture, 2843 Piedmont St., Kenner, 3822 Magazine St., 891-9243, leonels.com; Anastasia Pelias, anastasiapelias.com; Bungalow 5, bungalow5.com; Eclectic Home, 8211 Oak St., 866-6654, eclectichome.net; Lisa Conrad, lisaconradphotography.com, Reeves Design, reevesd. com; Trina Turk, trinaturk.com; Ikea, ikea.com; BlueBag LLC, lovebluebag.com; Stafford Tile & Stone, 5234 Magazine St., 895-5000, staffordtile.com.

“Refresher Course,” pg. 44 Chad Graci and Christina Graci, Graci Interiors, 4858 Magazine St., 452-0051, graciinteriors.com; New Orleans Auction, neworleans.auction.

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com; Samuel & Sons, samuelandsons.com; Mac Maison, 3963 Magazine St., 891-2863; Williams-Sonoma, williamssonoma.com; Phillip Jeffries, phillipjeffries.com; Karla Katz Antiques, 4017 Magazine St., 897-0061; Farrow & Ball, usfarrow-ball.com; Tara Shaw, 1240 Camp St., 525-1131, tarashaw.com.

“Design Masters” Erica Larkin Gaudet, LARKINGAUDET, LLC, 218 Mehle Ave., Arabi, 914-9618, larkingaudet.com; René Fransen Landscape Architect LLC, 1026 Esplanade Ave., 529-7294, renefransen.com; Sheila Favrot, LUME, Gallery 3954, 3954 Magazine St., 579-4480, gallery3954.com; John A. Chrestia, Chrestia Staub Pierce, 7219 Perrier St., 866-6677, cspdesign.com; Robert Schmidt, 701 S. Alexander St., 586-0625, joule-energy.com; Sandy Chopin Staub, NCIDQ, ASID, Chrestia Staub Pierce, 7219 Perrier St., 866-6677,

cspdesign.com; Katie Koch, 1117 Josephine St., 410-1450, katiekochdrapery.com; Michael Valentino, Basin St. Station, 501 Basin St., 636-1000, basinststation.com; Jerry Johnson, Cameron Kitchen and Bath Designs, 8019 Palm St., 486-3759, cameronkitchens. com; Alexa Pulitzer, 1325 North Lopez St., 945-4843, alexapulitzer.com.

“Four Decades of Greatness,” pg. 64 Preservation Resource Center, 923 Tchoupitoulas St., 581-7932, prcno.org.

Expert Advice, pg. 90 “From the Ground Up,” pg. 90 Floor & Decor, 2801 Magazine St., 891-3005, flooranddecor. com; Pieri Tile and Marble Co., 488-1509, 3622 Toulouse St., pieritile.com; Palatial Stone & Tile, 340-2229, 2052 Paxton St., Harvey, palatialstone.com; Carr Stone & Tile, 3200 Andover St, Jefferson, 835-8453, carrstone.com. n

last indulgence

apple cider Whether you like it hot or chilled, this drink is fall’s greatest comfort.

By Sarah Ravits

Pumpkin tends to steal the spotlight when it comes to fall flavors, so I propose we shift the focus to apple.

Sipping on apple cider is one of the best things about autumn, and it’s perfect for New Orleans weather – in September, you can sip it over ice for a refreshing treat, and when the cold kicks in around late October, you can heat it up over the stove, filling your home with its enticing, comforting aroma. For extra warmth, spike it with a little rum or whiskey. Maybe you’ll even supplement it with pumpkin pie (on the side, of course).

EUGENIA UHL PHOTO