New Orleans Home and Lifestyles Summer 2013

SUMMER 2013 myneworleans.com

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Volume 16 Issue 3 Editor Eve Kidd Crawford Art Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo associate Editors Haley Adams, Sarah Ravits contributing Editors Laura Claverie, Lee Cutrone, Valorie Hart, Pamela Marquis, Ian McNulty, Robert Peyton, Peter Reichard, Margaret Zainey Roux, Lisa Tudor Contributing Photographers Thom Bennett, Theresa Cassagne, Sara Essex Bradley, Cheryl Gerber, Jeffery Johnston, Eugenia Uhl interns Elizabeth Heideman, Caroline Malouse

sales manager Aimee Arceneaux 504/830-7240 or Aimee@MyNewOrleans.com Account Executive Brooke LeBlanc 504/830-7242 or Brooke@MyNewOrleans.com sales assistant Erin Maher Azar

production/web manager Staci McCarty production designers Sarah George, Casey Hano

Chief Executive officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive vice President/Editor in Chief Errol Laborde Executive assistant Kristi Ferrante distribution manager Christian Coombs subscriptions Erin Duhe

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 2013 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 in every issue 6. Editor’s Note

18

8. Style Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux

12. Artist Profile Carlos Zervigon

By Ian McNulty

14. Gatherings Baby Back Bliss Coated in a spicy apple glaze, these barbecued ribs will have you in hog heaven.

12

14

By Margaret Zainey Roux

16. For the Garden Grass Is Always Greener Lawn care is even more crucial in the hot summer months.

By Pamela Marquis

18. Living with Antiques Modern Times Mid-century modern pieces are back in style again.

By Laura Claverie

20. Masters of Their Craft On Her Soapbox With Cake Face Soaping, Kelsey Foreman takes “clean living” to the next level.

By Sarah Ravits

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23. TrendWatch Refurb Remix Textured neutrals, embroidered botanicals, velvety textures and raised patterns are trends in fabulous fabric finds that will punctuate even the smallest design project.

features

By lisa tudor

28. A Family Affair

76. Home Renewal

Connie Gowland called on the professional talents of her close-knit family to build her home.

Shedding Some Light The possibilities for outdoor storage sheds have increased tremendously in recent years. From small but functional to lavish and pricey, there are many options to explore.

By lee Cutrone

36. A Fast Turnaround Heidi Schirrmann took her new home from a gutted mess to a masterpiece in just a few short months while never sacrificing her sense of style.

By valorie hart

42. Kid Stuff These child-friendly recipes come together quickly and should please even the pickiest palates.

By robert peyton

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8

By Peter Reichard

78. Resources 80. Last Indulgence Berry Good Summer is the perfect time to enjoy strawberries, in any form.

By Eve Kidd Crawford

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editor’s note

summer loving I know it’s not normal to revel in the choking heat and humidity of a New Orleans summer, but I do. I love it.

I love the clammy feeling of leaving my air-conditioned house to walk out into a sticky summer morning. I love sweating in the thick twilight air at an outdoor party. I love that the cement is still warm under my feet at midnight in July.

I know all of this makes me sound more than slightly insane, but I can’t help it.

I am absolutely head-over-heels in love with New Orleans in the summertime.

One thing I don’t like about summertime here, though, is cooking dinner, particularly for my kids. It’s one thing to spend hours dripping sweat in a hot kitchen to turn out a masterful meal for appreciative guests of honor; it’s quite another to put the same amount of effort and literal sweat into a dinner that is met with whines of “But I only like raw broccoli!” and “My meat has fat on it, and it bleeds when I poke it!” and “Can I just have a sandwich instead?” My husband and I have three kids between us – his 11-year-old son, Elliot; my 6-year-old daughter, Ruby; and our daughter together, Georgia, who is almost 1. Only the baby is a decent eater, lustily shoveling chubby handfuls of spinach, cod, squash, pasta, tofu, brussels sprouts and meatballs into her six-toothed mouth. Elliot subsists mostly on Ensures, sushi,

smoothies and pickles, and Ruby keeps herself alive on peanut butter, chicken nuggets, French toast sticks and plums. The meal we describe for you in these pages, though, which is both fast and reasonably healthy, genuinely satisfied all of our kids. Ruby, who usually hates mustard, devoured the potato salad, and Elliot had seconds of the mac and cheese. Georgia had her first food-related tantrum, actually, because we wouldn’t let her eat the slaw on account of the peanut butter and honey in the dressing. So I can say with confidence that this menu is a crowd-pleaser, at least for our particular group of picky kids. In addition to coming together quickly, it really doesn’t heat up the kitchen that much, and the no-bake dessert (with lots of healthy fruit) and the fizzy lime sodas (for the kids) and mojitos (for the adults) will certainly help to refresh you once the dishes have been cleared away.

Also in this issue, we feature some seasonal tips for keeping your lawn healthy during these scorching months in For the Garden and, in Gatherings, a terrific recipe for a Fourth of July barbecue – baby back ribs with a spicy apple glaze. These ribs are definitely not fast, and they will heat up the kitchen for sure – but oh, it’s so totally worth it!

We finish up with a salute to the perfect summer strawberry in Last Indulgence.

Elsewhere in the magazine, we have the trends and styles that are wonderful any time of year: A wide

On the Cover: This extra-cheesy mac and cheese is a family favorite at our house. Get this and other kid-friendly recipes on p. 42.

Photographed by Eugenia Uhl

range of upholstery styles and fabrics in TrendWatch might help you get a jump on a project you’ve been putting off, or Living With Antiques might inspire you to go treasure-hunting in search of fabulous mid-century modern pieces to add some punch to your décor. Home Renewal lays out some of the newer high-end options for outdoor storage sheds, and Masters of Their Craft profiles a young soap-maker who is running the very definition of a clean business.

And of course, there are the homes – the beautiful and striking mid-century modern-esque new Lake Vista home of Connie Gowland, lovingly created with her family in an incredible joint effort, and the amazing renovation by up-andcoming decorator Heidi Schirrmann of a completely gutted Irish Channel home. Working against the clock to ensure that her daughter would be able to spend Christmas in their new home, Schirrmann did a tremendous job of furnishing, painting and planning her home on the quick. Both homes, really, speak to the power of family, of teamwork, of determination, of knowing what you want in a home and making it happen.

So even if you don’t love summer like I do – and truly, most people don’t – I think you will still find plenty to love about our Summer issue. Enjoy! n — Eve Kidd Crawford, Editor

theresa cassagne Photograph

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style

Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux

Red, White and Brut With its trendy, nautical red, white and blue design, Chandon’s Limited Edition American Summer sparkling wine is the perfect addition to any summer soiree.

Filled with brut classic, this limited edition bottle is bursting with complex apple and pear characteristics accented by citrus, almond and caramel.

It’s a fabulously chic but affordable hostess gift – or even a stylish table centerpiece. The Town Crier, 3019 E. Causeway Approach, Mandeville, 985/674-0195, or go to chandon.com

X-Factor Unlike its cushy upholstered counterpart, this X-bench offers more than extra seating. Made from durable shagreen, it’s also a perfect perch for cocktails, books or candlesticks. Its grayishgreen hue and polished chrome accents look modern and neutral in any décor. Jade, The Shops at Canal Place, 333 Canal St., 566-1490, or 110 Rosa Ave., Metairie, 875-4420, jadenola.com

Just Beachy Woven by Turkish artisans and available in a host of juicy hues, LoomedNOLA’s hand-woven pestamel makes the ideal beach blanket.

It’s lightweight yet durable and can stand up to sand, sun and surf thanks to its 100 percent certified organic cotton composition. LoomedNOLA at The Rink, 2727 Prytania St., Suite 13, 304-2047, loomednola.com

Artful Decoration (The Monacelli Press, $50) Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman revel in beautiful contradictions to create interiors that blend the exotic and the classic with handmade, whimsical details. As a firm, Fisher Weisman breathes new life into traditional aesthetics, reinterpreting timeless sensibilities with a lively and contemporary eye. Written by the designers themselves with an introduction by Architectural Digest’s Margaret Russell, Artful Decoration showcases 13 of the firm’s favorite residences, including a small but lavish pied-à-terre, an airy estate, an elegant penthouse and even an elaborate treehouse.

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select photos by sara essex bradley

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style

Dapper Desk For the well-dressed dad, mini oxford shoe paperweights are totally in vogue. Although they measure only 6 inches, they are much like the real thing, with rubber soles and real string laces. For Father’s Day gift-giving made easy, they even arrive in a handcrafted box. Le Boulevard Marketplace, 3815 Veterans Blvd., Suite B, Metairie, 455-4515, leboulevardmarketplace.com, or go to twoscompany.com

Pretty in Pink Striking a balance between formal and lighthearted, this late-19th-century polychrome lantern puts a twist on neoclassical design.

Although Greek key, leaf, egg and dart motifs are typical decorations of the era, the fixture’s elongated shape and muted pink hue infuse an air of whimsy to the restrained neoclassical taste. Balzac Antiques, 3506 Magazine St., 899-2668, balzacantiques.com

Uncommon Ground The floor is increasingly being seen in design as the “fifth wall,” a space that should be every bit as adorned as its vertical counterparts. Available in 132 colors, Farrow & Ball’s hard-wearing floor paint transforms wood and concrete floors into bespoke designs. Paint a stair runner or rug, circles or stripes – or simply revive an old floor with an eye-catching color. Farrow & Ball, 888/511-1121, farrow-ball.com

From Paris with Love Local designer Stacey Serro is bringing Paris home through her new endeavor, Paris Finds. Her educated eye and close connections to Parisian vendors lead her to such authentic, one-of-a-kind pieces as this late-19th-century Napoleon III wine cabinet. Made of solid wood with a freshly painted black finish, it boasts ample storage, including six shelves, each devoted to a different region in France. Paris Finds, 394-0182 or 866/560-3040, parisfinds.com

select photos by sara essex bradley

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artist profile

carlos zervigon

By Ian McNulty

It was light – and the possibilities of manipulating it – that first led Carlos Zervigon to glass art, though by early 2005 his work had acquired a dark edge.

Moved by the plight of the deteriorating Louisiana coast, the New Orleans native created a series of glass houses, often cracked, sometimes clutched by skeletal branches, other times staked out along bleak landscapes. Then came Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures, and suddenly Zervigon’s artistic vision became devastatingly real.

So as New Orleans started rebuilding, Zervigon began exploring a new style.

“I didn’t want to subject

people to more broken houses and dead trees,” he says. “I chose instead to focus on work that was colorful, abstract, intriguing and optimistic.”

His latest work is seeded in that period of rebirth, when the shock of the city’s near-death experience turned to gratitude for its survival.

As tubular bundles, off-kilter shapes and totem pole constructions, these pieces are exuberant and bright, though underlying them all is the technical precision that makes glass art so challenging and, for Zervigon, so appealing.

“I think glass attracts a certain

personality,” he says.

“It’s very physical work; it’s hot; and the men and women who do this are very hardheaded, even macho – the orthopedic surgeon meets the tattoo artist.”

For all that hardheadedness, though, there’s also a strong collaborative bond in the local glass art community, and Zervigon has been an influential part of it. He is a co-founder of the New Orleans Creative Glass Institute, which was created as a public-access glass studio in Mid-City

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and is now part of Young Aspirations/Young Artists, or YA/YA. This nonprofit arts education program is using the facility to introduce glass art to more local students.

The source material for Zervigon’s new collection could come alternately from biology textbooks, a sci-fi movie’s prop room or the playground in a child’s dream, though he is mum on exact narratives. One large curling piece could evoke a thumb or a scorpion’s tail or maybe a nautilus. Zervigon just calls it Crescent.

“I often give cryptic names to avoid influencing how people perceive them,” he says. “I just don’t want people sticking a flower in it, thinking it’s a vase. That’s always an issue with glass art. But otherwise people can apply their own interpretations.” n

Zervigon’s latest work is on display at Cole Pratt Gallery on Magazine Street. See more examples at carloszervigon.com.

THOM BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHs

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gatherings

baby back bliss Coated in a spicy apple glaze, these barbecued ribs will have you in hog heaven.

By Margaret Zainey Roux

Eugenia Uhl Photograph

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There’s nothing that says “summertime” quite like a barbecue, and there’s nothing more American than homemade apple anything. Combine the two concepts, and you’ve got the perfect dish for your Fourth of July celebration – spicy apple-glazed baby back ribs. The out-of-this-world flavor of smoky, savory ribs topped with this sweet-and-spicy glaze will have you and your guests squealing for more!

recipe Baby Back Ribs with a Spicy Apple Glaze Glaze: 3 cups apple cider 1 cup apple cider vinegar 1 cup applesauce 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup light brown sugar 1/4 cup thinly sliced ginger 1/2 stick cinnamon 1/2 vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise and seeds scraped 6 cardamom pods 2 teaspoons allspice berries 1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard 2 teaspoons minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon salt Ribs: 4 to 5 pounds baby back ribs (2 full slabs, each cut in half) 2 tablespoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon paprika 3/4 teaspoon granulated garlic powder 1 1/2 teaspoons granulated onion powder 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 cup apple cider R To make the glaze, place all of the ingredients for the glaze in a 6-quart pot and cook over medium-high heat. Bring the contents of the pot to a boil, stirring often to dissolve the sugar.

Once the mixture has come to a boil, reduce the heat to medium and allow the mixture to reduce to a glaze consistency, about 30 to 35 minutes longer. Remove the

glaze from the stove, and strain through a fine-mesh strainer.

Reserve until ready to use.

R Preheat the oven to 275 degrees.

R Place the ribs on a full sheet pan. In a small mixing bowl, combine the kosher salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper and cayenne. Stir well to incorporate, and use 1 tablespoon of this spice rub to cover each of the ribs. Rub the mixture into the meat, and allow it to sit undisturbed for at least 20 minutes.

R Pour the cider into the sheet pan, and wrap the ribs with aluminum foil to make a tight seal.

Place the sheet pan in the oven, and bake for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until the ribs are very tender.

R Remove the ribs from the oven, discard the foil, and carefully drain the fat and oil from the sheet pan. Allow the ribs to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Adjust the oven to the broil setting, and position the oven rack on the lowest rung.

Brush the ribs with a generous coating of the glaze, about 3 tablespoons of the glaze per slab of ribs. Place the sheet pan back in the oven, and broil until the ribs are browned and caramelized, about 5 minutes. Remove the ribs from the oven, and lay on a cutting board meaty-side down.

Use a sharp knife to cut the ribs apart. Serve the ribs with some of the leftover glaze on the side if desired. Serves 4.

Recipe courtesy of Emeril Lagasse.

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for the garden

grass is always greener Lawn care is even more crucial in the hot summer months.| By Pamela Marquis The lawn: the stage for languid summer parties, a table for young lovers’ picnics, the field for touch football rivalries and the place where toddlers take their first tremulous steps.

We love our lawns.

The Middle English word “launde” originally referred to a glade or opening in the woods. Some of the earliest lawns were the grasslands around castles. They were stretches of land kept clear of trees so watchful guards had a view of approaching visitors or enemies.

In the early days the lawn

was a rural phenomenon, and only the wealthy had the time or money to cultivate a well-manicured lawn. For the rest of the people, if they were fortunate enough to have a small plot of land, it was used for drying laundry, gardening and raising chickens.

That began to change with the Industrial Age and the invention of the garden hose and the rotary lawn mower. Edwin Budding developed the first lawn mower in 1830, and by the 1890s the lawn mower was a fixture in the average

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person’s lawn care routine.

A key figure in bringing the lawn to the masses was Frederick Law Olmsted, the American father of landscape architecture. He planned New York City’s Central Park in the 1850s and designed suburbs in which each residential home sported a lawn.

The following is from an essay by Michael Pollan: “If any individual can be said to have invented the American lawn, it is ... Olmsted. In 1868, he received a commission to design Riverside, outside

of Chicago, one of the first planned suburban communities in America.

Olmsted’s design stipulated that each house be set back 30 feet from the road and it proscribed walls. …

In Riverside, each owner would maintain one or two trees and a lawn that would flow seamlessly into his neighbors’, creating the impression that all lived together in a single park.”

The Garden Club of America also played its part in popularizing lawns.

Through contests and other forms of publicity, it

convinced homeowners that it was their civic duty to maintain a beautiful lawn.

The club even stipulated that the appropriate type of lawn was “a plot with a single type of grass with no intruding weeds, kept mown at a height of an inch and a half, uniformly green, and neatly edged.”

The types of viable grass seed suited for Louisiana are warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, zoysia, Centipedegrass and St. Augustine.

“St. Augustine is a highmaintenance lawn; it’s dark-green and grows fast, so it needs to be mowed more often,” says LSU AgCenter horticulture agent J.B. Anders. “Centipede is low-maintenance; it’s not as green but grows slower.”

Summer lawn care is all about keeping one’s lawn healthy while temperatures soar and rainfall diminishes.

Once temperatures get into the 80s and above, lawns will begin to struggle, growth will slow, color may fade and lawns will show signs of wear and tear as they are less able to recover from stress and traffic.

Lawns need at least 1 inch of water per week – and more when the heat is severe. Use a rain gauge or straight-sided can to keep track of the amount of water received from rainfall and irrigation. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage drought-tolerant roots. Don’t let your lawn go brown and dormant and then try to “water it back to life.” If your lawn goes dormant in summer, it should stay that way until fall.

In addition, raise your mower blade in the summer.

Taller grass is more droughttolerant, grows deeper roots and helps shade the earth to prevent weed seeds from germinating. Warm-season grasses should be mowed to 2 to 3 inches.

Mow regularly to prevent cutting more than one-third of the grass blade at a time. This keeps your grass healthier and prevents the clippings from smothering the grass; keep in mind, however, that mulching short grass clippings will help keep the moisture levels steady, so some mulching is a good thing.

Not everyone today is in favor of lawns: One-third of America’s water goes into the upkeep of lawns, and many see that as wasteful.

The Xeriscape movement, started in response to the droughts of the 1970s, advocates using little water and encourages planting local, droughttolerant species of grass and plants. More and more people are forgoing traditional lawns by using native flowers and low ground covers instead of grass. Homeowners can also cut back on grass in their landscapes by adding more shrubs, trees, patios, water features, decks and vegetable and herb gardens.

Today, U.S. homeowners spend $40 billion annually on lawn care, and the average homeowner will spend 25 hours per year on lawn care.

That’s a lot of time and money. But for many of us, it is all worth it if for nothing else than the irresistible combination of freshly cut grass and bare feet on a hot summer day. n www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 17

living with antiques

modern times Mid-century modern pieces are back in style again.

By Laura Claverie

Just a few years ago, local decorators and antiques dealers began getting requests for a style of vintage furniture that had long since been forgotten.

The calls were from mostly young collectors searching for mid-century modern furniture and accessories, pieces that were popular from about the mid-1940s to mid-1970s.

These sleek, clean-lined pieces, many influenced by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright and the International and Bauhaus movements, were ubiquitous during these decades. The recent interest in these pieces, kindled a few decades ago in New York and Los Angeles, has finally crept into the

local decorating scene.

“In many ways, these pieces are timeless,” says Peaches Hanemann, owner of Peaches, a small boutique in the lower Garden District that features mid-century furniture and accessories.

Hanemann’s own interest in the era began when she inherited a collection of brown porch furniture by Ib Kofod-Larsen, very highquality works, with simple lines and curves.

Likewise, Vic Loisel of Loisel Vintage Modern on Magazine Street began collecting mid-century modern pieces to furnish his own Carrollton area cottage more than 10 years ago and became so obsessed with collecting that he left a full-time job with an oil company to purse his passion as a retailer.

Today, he is doing a brisk business

with an established clientele of local decorators, experienced collectors and hip young adults.

“Collectors of this era are buying credenzas or sideboards and using them to house their flat-screen televisions, or they are repurposing simple bureaus or dressers to become entertainment centers,” he says. “A good decorator or an individual with a great eye can mix mid-century modern into any room and make it look fabulous.”

The simplicity of the

design of each piece of this era mixes well with antiques and adds an element of surprise to a room. In my own home, I have a classic vintage-era Barcelona chair, with its chrome base and cognac leather cushions, placed in a room of French antiques and contemporary art. The chair adds an unexpected pop to a room that could have gotten a little stuffy without this chair and bold art.

Works by Alvar Aalto, Eero Saarinen, Carlo Mollino and Vladimir Kagan are among the most-prized. Chairs by Charles and Ray Eames, Ludwig Mies van der Rohe and Paul McCobb are also coveted by collectors. But these collectors’ items are becoming more scarce and thus pricier, so wise buyers are advised to look in unconventional outlets if they are cheryl gerber photographs

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looking for bargains.

If you’re lucky, start with the attic of a parent or well-loved relative. Estate and garage sales may have a good piece tucked away.

Online auction sites, such as eBay, also may turn up a treasure or two. Thrift stores used to be good sources before the mid-century look became trendy, and some might still be worth a shot.

Locally, there are a number of vintage stores that may hold a bargain. Design Within Reach on Magazine Street sells newly made modern top-quality pieces, as well.

Recently, the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore reported a donation from local movie sets that had been dismantled and included some excellent mid-century modern pieces. The ReStore recently moved to a new location at 2900 Elysian Fields Avenue and may have just what you are looking for.

Decorating with mid-century modern takes skill. “Use these pieces carefully,” Loisel says.

“Too much of one thing might look ‘museum-y.’

If not mixed correctly with furniture from other eras, the room can look like a hodgepodge if you aren’t careful.” He also recommends that the vintage pieces be updated with the use of 21st-century colors and fabrics.

Because many of these pieces are smaller in scale, take your time and make sure the sofas and chairs are comfortable. Turn smaller pieces upside-down and see how the joints are made, if the dovetailing looks sturdy and if the brackets are solid.

If you are a bit hesitant to invest in a large mid-century modern piece or have a limited budget, begin with a smaller piece, such as a bold lamp or accessory.

Glassware by Iittala, ceramics by Arabia or tableware by Georg Jensen – all with their signature simple, natural shapes – are safe, beautiful places to start. Buy the best-quality piece you can afford, be it small or large, and grow your collection from there.

“A good vintage piece can last forever,” Hanemann says. “It’s an heirloom and an antique of the future.” n

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masters of their craft

on her soapbox With Cake Face Soaping, Kelsey Foreman takes “clean living” to the next level.

By Sarah Ravits

Kelsey Foreman of Cake Face Soaping has taken life matters into her own hands – literally and metaphorically. She creates soaps, skin care items and gifts that are entirely natural, made with nut and seed oils, essential oils and locally sourced herbs – adding a heavy dose of “heart and soul.” She’s always been passionate about creating

things: “First and foremost, I am a visual artist.

A maker. I love taking pieces and parts and combining them into something interesting, useful and wanted. I began this journey as a painter.”

After graduating

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from high school in 2005 on the Northshore, the fledgling artist studied at the University of New Orleans and obtained a degree in graphic design from Delgado.

But during this time, behind the scenes, she was plagued by a mysterious illness that puzzled her and her doctors. “I didn’t have the energy to work, so I had to quit my job,” she says, adding that she felt herself nearing the bottom of a “dwindling tunnel.”

It was incredibly frustrating, especially

for a young woman who thrived on creative energy and artistic exploration.

“I like to be working and making things, so needless to say this sitting-at-home thing was driving me crazy,” she says.

Amidst the struggle, she began her own research and discovered that eating clean, naturally grown foods and taking herbal supplements helped her tremendously.

A major advocate of holistic medicine, she also discovered that she enjoyed the creative, scientific process of soap-making.

“I like having an avenue that’s an artistic outlet and a way that still allows me to connect with people as an artist and maker,” she muses. “I love knowing that my products are pure and honest and helping the people who use them. My soap is an art form and a healer.” She established Cake Face Soaping, her official business, in 2010.

Foreman puts a lot of time into each product, ensuring maximum quality. Each soap goes through at least two weeks of processing.

Skin care products are made fresh per order, she says, and they never stay in her workshop longer than a week. Other products cheryl gerber photographs

vary in how long they take to create. It’s an artistic process, not unlike painting or sculpture.

“First there is the visual, the idea, the problem that needs a solution,” she says. “I do research to find out what essential oils help to resolve the problem, and I find out what I need to do to make them work in my soap recipe.

Then I think about the visual presentation, including the packaging design, and then I make it happen!”

As long as she is creating these products, she is socially conscious and prioritizes healthy ingredients. “I hope people gain knowledge and appreciation for the art of making something that is a necessity by hand,” she says. “It is so important to make sure the products you put on your skin are free of pollutants because what you put on your skin is immediately absorbed

into your bloodstream and then filtered through your entire body. If you take care in using ‘clean’ soaps, your body health will improve.”

Community remains an important part of Foreman’s life. Her creations are sold at the Frenchmen Street Art Market, Freret Street Market and Piety Street Market, as well as on Etsy.

She also posts her schedule and other information on her company’s Facebook page (search for Cake Face Soaping) and on Twitter and Instagram (@Kelsey_ CakeFace).

Foreman still loves to use other art forms, as well.

She creates commissioned work and murals and does freelance graphic design. “I try to continue participating in art shows and galleries when I get opportunities,” she says.

Her favorite thing about being an artist is “the way it connects me to others.” n www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 21

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refurb remix

trendwatch

Textured neutrals, embroidered botanicals, velvety textures and raised patterns are trends in fabulous fabric finds that will punctuate even the smallest design project.

By Lisa Tudor Photographed by Cheryl Gerber

1. Clark & Clark Zebra Academy Velvet at Eclectic Home 2. Quadrille Paradise Garden cotton/linen at perch.

3. Manuel Canovas Parfum d’Ete chintz at perch. 4.

Manuel Canovas Madame Butterfly polished cotton at perch. 5. Manuel Canovas Voyage en Chine polished cotton at perch.

1

4

2

Canary cage pedestal chair with Manuel Canovas custom cushion at perch.

5

g

3

Expert Tips: perch. owner Caroline Robert: “Breathe new life into even the most traditional pieces by upholstering them in the latest chic fabrics, and don’t be afraid of pattern and color.”

Biedermeier-style dining chair in leopard linen velvet at Malachite

Interiors stylist Vesta Fort: “Gerrie Bremermann taught me all I know as far as details go. You should be able to put a quarter in the corner, and all cushions should have a nice high crown of down.” www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 23

1 1. Robert Allen Whitewater at Eclectic Home 2.

Beacon Hill Sedona Ikat at Eclectic Home 3. Jim Thompson Octavian print at Malachite 4. Neisha Crosland for Clarence House pile velvet Hollywood Grape at Katie Koch Discerning Fabric Solutions 5. Robert Allen Landsmeet at Eclectic Home 6.

Beacon Hill Rudyard giraffe print at Eclectic Home 7. Quadrille Kazak orange pink on silk at perch.

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Armchair upholstered in antique dhurrie by NOLA Rugs

Vanessa sofa upholstered in white velvet with platinum nailhead trim at Rivers Spencer Interiors

Orange iron café chair with zebra-print hide at Eclectic Home

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Expert Tips: Eclectic Home owner and designer Penny Francis: “Incorporate bold colors or combinations of patterns on smaller pieces that require less fabric, keeping neutrals on pieces like sofas that represent a larger investment.”

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Upholstered flame stitch Panton chair at Malachite

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1. Beacon Hill Dolomite at Eclectic Home 2. Zoffany linen ikat at perch. 3.

Clarence House Talcy Velvet flame stitch at Malachite 4. Beacon Hill Bella Paisage burnout at Eclectic Home 5. Groundworks embroidered linen at perch. 6. Manuel Canovas Persane linen at perch. 7. Manuel Canovas pistachio velvet Tiana at perch.

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Studio W custom-fabricated Frank Lloyd Wrightdesigned chair by Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture

Mia chair from the Chin Hua Collection at Eclectic Home

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Local Pros: Aguilar’s Upholstery | 8730 Oak St. | New Orleans | 866-3171 Bayou Interiors and Fabrics | 18113 Branch Crossing Drive | Covington | 985/892-8881 Foucheaux’s Upholstering Co. | 822 Piety St. | New Orleans | 944-5121 Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture | 2843 Piedmont St., Kenner | 3822 Magazine St., New Orleans | 891-9243 www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 25

26 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

the best of summer

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36

42 A Family Affair (p.28) A Fast Turnaround (p.36) Kid Stuff (p.42)

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 27

a family affair Connie Gowland called on the professional talents of her close-knit family to build her home.

By Lee Cutrone Photographed by Sara Essex Bradley

W

hen Connie Gowland decided to build a new house, Lake Vista seemed the natural choice.

Having lived there during her teen years, she had fond memories of growing up close to Lake Pontchartrain and already owned a piece of property just blocks from her childhood home. She didn’t have to look far for help with the design either. Her son, architect Ken Gowland of MetroStudio, has a master’s degree in architecture from Yale University and was one of the architects chosen as part of Global Green’s Holy Cross Project. He has designed numerous residential and commercial spaces (including the redevelopment of the Joy Theater on Canal Street) across the city. Her daughter, Colleen, a graphic designer, helped select colors and fabrics. The builder, Brandon Construction; the landscape architect, Christian Thonn; the project manager; the ironworker; the tech adviser; the lead carpenter; the assistant carpenter – even the heating and air conditioning people: All are relatives. facing page: The living room’s minimalist décor includes upholstered pieces and a glass coffee table from Roche Bobois.

The rug is from perch. TOP: Paintings by Connie’s late son, Patrick Gowland, brighten up the home. LEFT: The living area’s main pieces are from Roche Bobois. Kartell’s modern Bookworm shelf hangs on the wall at left near a grandfather clock that Connie and her late husband bought for their first family home. The round light fixture in the corner of the dining area was originally a pendant fixture that several members of the family reworked to sit atop a custom metal base.

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 29

“Building a house is such an undertaking,” says Connie, who herself has worked professionally as a decorator. “It was great to be able to have this group of individuals where there was a string of trust. We knew what we wanted without always having to speak.”

The idea was to design a home that would fit in with the unique character of the neighborhood, require minimal upkeep and offer lots of room for family and friends.

Having built the plantation-style home where she raised her children and renovated a historic five-bay shotgun near Bayou St. John, she knew she wanted a clutter-free environment that was a reflection of where she was in her life. She also wanted the house to have a minimalist gallery quality for displaying the colorful, expressionistic art of her late son, Patrick.

Ken, who’d studied the Lake Vista development while an undergrad at Louisiana State University, delved deeper into the area’s history and paid careful attention to creating a house that took advantage of the neighborhood as it was intended. “Lake Vista was one of the first suburban master plans that broke away from the traditional historic development patterns of New Orleans,” Ken says, referring to the subdivision’s “superblock” design in which main arteries go around the neighborhood rather than through it, interior streets end in culs-de-sac and there is a separate network of pedestrian lanes and parkways. “With the lanes and parkways, it really requires a different design. In Lake Vista, the street side is actually defined as the backyard and the lane side or parkway side is defined as the front yard. We designed the house such that it really has no front, side or rear.”

The decision to design a modernist house was also an homage to the architectural heritage of the area. Designed in the 1930s as part of the Orleans Levee Board’s flood protection plan, Lake Vista grew rapidly during the post-World War II baby boom years and is home to some notable mid-century modern homes. From the outside, even a trained eye might have to look twice to determine whether the Gowland house is an original example of mid-century modern architecture that’s been revitalized or a new house that draws on that 20th-century vernacular.

TOP: Connie spends a lot of time at the kitchen’s multiuse, built-in banquette, the seats of which lift up to provide storage space below.

The fabric used to upholster the banquette came from perch., and the whimsical artwork on the wall behind the banquette, Miss Tree of Life, was bought at Jazz Fest. The table is from Allmodern.com.

LEFT: The dining table and chairs used in both of Connie’s previous homes are updated with a striped fabric from perch. The chandelier is from Circa Lighting, and the painting is by Patrick Gowland.

FACING PAGE: Maple cabinets from Northshore Millwork, vibrant green tiles from Stafford Tile & Stone, the banquette’s colorful fabric and a copy of Eero Saarinen’s iconic tulip table all contribute to the kitchen’s retro look. Ceramic floors with the look of slate were used throughout the entire house.

30 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 31

As the latter, it has the advantage of blending classic elements of the iconic modernist style (flat roofs, rectilinear lines, open floor plans and expanses of glass) while also meeting the challenge of being a smaller, more efficient house that still provides the kinds of amenities that Connie is used to. Mid-century modern houses often had small galley-style kitchens viewed primarily as utility spaces, but today’s homeowners see the kitchen as the heart of the home and like to use it for entertaining.

They also want larger, more luxurious bathrooms and plenty of closet space. “A lot of what we’re seeing now is designing houses for the baby boom generation,” Ken says. “They’re still very active. They don’t need the infrastructure for the kids, but they want to have room for the grandkids.” The answer, Ken says, was to create a house with four main volumes – a public space composed of living, dining and kitchen areas; the master suite; the guest bedrooms and their bath; and the service wing containing the garage, storage and laundry facilities.

Also helpful in pulling off the home Connie wanted were creating a sense of space in the public and private areas with 12-foot ceilings and partial walls; shedding extra bedrooms, ancillary storage space and wasted square footage such as that taken up by most formal dining rooms; and marrying the interior and exterior spaces, an architectural characteristic that is typical of mid-century modern homes. Ken arranged the four interlocking forms on the site in a manner that defines the two courtyard areas of the home: one with green space, the other with a pool and patio.

“The pool and patio was a must for her,” says Ken of his mother, who also had included a pool in the first house she built for her young family.

To warm the modern architecture, Ken used cypress paneling on both the interior and exterior. “Modern design can get a little cold and institutional,” he says. “Bringing in materials that have texture and warmth is a way to balance that while still keeping it very clean and ordered.”

Likewise, Connie furnished the space with a spare arrangement of modern furnishings by Roche Bobois and then softened the edges by incorporating some of her older pieces from previous homes. With input from Colleen, she also offset the severity of the neutral background and clean-lined pieces with punches of lively color and Patrick’s paintings placed prominently in the mix.

TOP: Connie designed the master bath around the large, freestanding tub and the outdoor view. The Lucite bench and the Murano-style chandelier are from perch., and the silver table is from vivaterra.com. LEFT: The walls behind the master bath’s vanity and the adjacent shower are covered with laser-cut marble from Stafford Tile & Stone. The cabinets are from Northshore Millwork.

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TOP LEFT: In Connie’s granddaughters’ room – decorated by the girls themselves – a canopy from Pottery Barn Kids is paired with a bed and bedding from Pottery Barn and a rug from Target. BOTTOM LEFT: The nursery, one of the home’s three bedrooms, was designed for Connie’s grandson, the latest addition to the Gowland family. The two large pillows covered with Trina Turk fabric are from perch. ABOVE: A partial wall separates the master bedroom from the closet and master bath. Like every room in the house, the master bedroom opens on to an outdoor area. The Murano-style lamp and taupe-and-cream wool rug are from perch.

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 33

Other details throughout the house can be attributed to family members, as well. A large round paper lamp in the dining room – originally sold as a pendant fixture – was found by Connie’s daughter-in-law, rewired by a nephew and placed atop a custom metal stand made by another nephew. The grouping of black-and-white family photos on the wall leading to the master suite was framed and given to Connie by her daughter.

A piece of art made with the rustic remnants of a barn that once stood on the family’s Mississippi farm is courtesy of Ken. Outside of the family network, Caroline Robert of perch. helped source furnishings, fabrics, rugs and lighting, and Meredith Grover of Stafford Tile & Stone helped with ideas in both the kitchen and baths.

The finished house is vastly different from the first family home that Connie built, but the result is a place where the Gowland family feels like they’ve come full circle. “We feel like we’ve come home again,” Connie says. “It feels like the house they grew up in because the whole family was involved.

There’s a sense of peace and calm and tranquility and family. That’s kind of what I’m about. I’m a typical New Orleans mom: You don’t call; you just stop by.” n

TOP: Crushed slate and squares of Blue Mountain slate form a pathway from the lane to the house. LEFT: Top, from left: Brandon Noggerath, Curtis Doescher, Austin Noggerath.

Bottom, from left: Chris Thonn, Christian Thonn, Evan Noggerath, Ken Gowland, Connie Gowland, Colleen Gowland Collord, David Noggerath, Samuel Gowland, Sam Gowland FACING PAGE: A flagstone deck surrounds the L-shaped pool that Ken Gowland designed for one of the house’s two courtyard areas. The tables are from hayneedle.com, and the chairs are from Target.

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 35

36 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

A Fast Turnaround Heidi Schirrmann took her new home from a gutted mess to a masterpiece in just a few short months while never sacrificing her sense of style.

Written and styled by Valorie Hart | Photographed Sara Essex Bradley

H

eidi Schirrmann is a fast worker – a miracle worker, really, when you realize how fast she designed and executed the renovation of her Irish Channel home.

While living in the Garden District, Schirrmann decided to sell the home she owned when her daughter was born and downsize to a house she found on the other side of Magazine Street. She wanted a home that was still close to her shop, Elevations, and to her daughter’s school.

She purchased the home in August and wanted her daughter to be able to spend Christmas in their new home.

That would be more than

FACING PAGE: The den has a deft mix of high-end and big-box-store furnishings.

The Natuzzi ottoman is from Scandinavia, the chandelier is from Restoration Hardware, and the leather furniture is from Ashley Furniture HomeStore. RIGHT: The designer, who is also the homeowner, mixed various paint colors and materials to get the exact look she wanted for the exterior.

doable under the normal circumstances of relocating to a move-in-ready home.

However, Schirrmann bought a major fixer-upper.

The house is 140 years old and has Italianate bones with an odd craftsman cottage overlay done at one point in its long history. What Schirrmann found waiting for her was a haphazard renovation that was unfinished and the task of turning three apartments into a single-family house.

Unfortunately, too, everything had to be started anew because nothing was up to code. Under her supervision, the house was gutted and the floor plan altered to include a kitchen open to the dining

room, a master suite with a large bathroom and closet, a front parlor, a den, a sunroom, two additional bedrooms, a second bathroom and a powder room. There is also a large back patio.

The original floors could not be salvaged and had been replaced with bamboo by the previous contractor.

Schirrmann wanted to bring them back to what they would have been originally, so, she says: “We tore the flooring and subfloor out and replaced it with authentic salvaged pine and then refinished it. It was really difficult to find.”

The original millwork was saved, including several mantels, as were original interior doors, all stripped down to the natural wood.

The interior decoration Schirrmann did in her previous Garden District house was striking. Her spiritual nature led her to collect and use things with a religious theme and combine them with antiques. Her artistic nature was responsible for the vibrant hues of her walls. She is a colorist. The entryway was done in shades of brilliant yellows with lacquered red doors. The den was a deep teal. The dining

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 37

ABOVE: The dining room features custom linen drapes, a pair of Empire-style chandeliers from Restoration Hardware, an angel sculpture found years ago in an antique shop in the French Quarter and a shag rug from CB2. FACING PAGE: TOP LEFT: It’s always summer in the sunroom at the back of the house that overlooks the patio.

TOP RIGHT: In the front parlor, a pieced cowhide rug from Argentina, a lamp from Source., a mirrored coffee table from Wisteria and a chandelier from Restoration Hardware all work together to create a serene and cozy haven. BOTTOM: Heidi Schirrmann in the kitchen she designed and built.

room was spectacular with walls of vivid raspberry and violet opalescent veining that created a silk moiré texture.

The dining table was round and covered in a tablecloth created with Angèle Parlange featuring pie-shaped pieces of fuchsia with gold designs.

The dining side chairs were slipcovered with a brighter shade of lavender with fuchsia trim, and the host chairs were a softer yellow with lavender trim. This room was a regal scene with an Alice in Wonderland feeling.

The table was always set with French hand-painted dishes in different shades

38 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

of pink, purple, minty green and cream, all trimmed with gold. This room won an Alpha Award for best-painted finish and best residential interior design. Schirrmann has also won an Alpha Award in the commercial category for her interior design work for her business location. But ironically, she had to paint all the walls in her old house white in order to market it.

From that experience, a new direction evolved for the new house. Old favorite pieces would be incorporated with a new color palette.

Modern elements came into play. Touchstones of her Bohemian style were reinterpreted. The young gypsy with natural flair had evolved from an artist to a bona fide designer, project-managing a serious stylish renovation.

Two construction crews worked simultaneously inside and outside, around the clock.

Of the craftsman exterior, her least favorite style, she says: “I knew that I had serious work to do in order to make the exterior appealing to me. Since there was nothing of interest aesthetically, I decided to create depth and highlight through paint color and not accentuating anything in particular.”

The body of the exterior is an ashy sort of violetbased taupe. The porch is a graphite color, like a pencil. A built-in concrete flower bed that Schirrmann designed is painted a slightly darker slate color. Schirrmann mixed the color for the front door using three shades of opaque stain to get what she wanted. And finally, the fence, most of which is original, was primed and then painted with a “real” paint color, Intellectual by

Behr. There is also a wood fence that is one shade darker than the house, but both share the same white trim.

To give a little updated flair to the house, Schirrmann chose an oversize stainless modern mailbox from Germany and a stainless-steel doormat. The planters are zinc. The porch chairs by Zuo were originally white, but Schirrmann changed them to a stainlesssteel color. The side table, which is concrete, is in the shape of a large pebble and adds whimsy.

Much to her contractor’s concern, Schirrmann continued to mix her own paint colors for the inside of the house. She says: “Finding the right shade of gray to paint all the living space may have been one of the most difficult decisions to make. After sampling roughly 25 shades, I finally mixed my own, a silvery mid-tone gray that works well with both golds and silvers.”

When the renovation was complete, Schirrmann rushed to furnish the house.

“While everything was not completely done, it was livable,” she says. “My desire to be in so soon had me working at a frenzied pace to design and furnish. There was no time for indecision and waffling. I said a lot of prayers and hoped it would somehow all come together.”

Relying on her now-edited collection of antiques, she supplemented the décor with furniture she could purchase quickly and locally, combing the high-end with the low-end. Being able to cull a piece or two from the big-box stores takes a steady hand and a keen eye.

In the den, she combined

high-end Natuzzi pieces with a mid-range piece from Ashley Furniture HomeStore. The den is the trendiest room; she felt that it would be the most changeable down the line, so she didn’t make a huge dollar investment in it but did manage to pull off a high-end look.

There are still great pops of color in the new house.

Her daughter chose the colors for her bedroom and her bathroom. She chose Gypsy Teal for the majority, with an accent wall of Citron.

The ceiling is painted the palest sage. The young lady did the modern painting over

the bed on a day her mother took her outside to paint and play at being Jackson Pollock. Her bathroom is a happy lime green.

The master bedroom is pure Bohemian luxury.

One feels transported to Venice. Layers and layers of paint create a rich patina of an orange-based color.

Schirrmann did the walls herself. The ceiling is a nuanced ocher achieved by combining a vibrant gold with a red glaze. A graceful metal bed with sweeping lines is draped in brocades and velvets. There is a grand chandelier overhead, and the “task light” on the

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 39

40 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

FACING PAGE: TOP LEFT: Schirrmann’s daughter chose the colors for her bedroom and did the painting over the bed after her mother spent the afternoon playing Jackson Pollock with her.

The bedding is by Trina Turk; salvaged shutters were used instead of curtains. TOP RIGHT: The master bedroom features nuanced walls painted by Schirrmann herself. The bed and bedding are custommade. BOTTOM LEFT: The daughter’s bathroom is painted a happy lime green.

The vanity, mirror and light fixtures are all by FischerGambino, and the small painting is by Aiken, S.C., artist Sally Bradley. BOTTOM RIGHT: The master bath lighting and vanity are

by Fischer-Gambino; the fixtures are by Hansgrohe.

ABOVE: The maple kitchen cabinets from Campbell Cabinets are done in an ebony finish; the countertops are Caesarstone.

nightstand is a candelabrum bearing candles. Schirrmann has a fondness for candles and had a candle closet built off the sunroom. It also holds her art supplies.

In the master bath, an organic egg-shaped tub beckons. Her daughter found the tub online because no one had anything like it locally.

The large glass-enclosed shower has all the bells and whistles, with the spa-like touch of river rocks underfoot.

Abundant storage and good lighting make it the perfect bathroom to do hair and makeup.

Schirrmann was born in New Orleans and grew up in a serious German household.

Her father left Germany during World War II to escape the Nazis. He landed in New Orleans where he met her mother at Deutsches Haus.

Schirrmann says, “My dad was one of those people

who could do anything, from drawing, glassblowing, sculpting, lost wax casting and writing (it is through his mother that I am related to the Grimm brothers – yes, of the fairy tales), so like him, I want to do it all!” Schirrmann says that her father was a man of substance and the earth and her mother is of fire and freedom. She says: “My mom instilled that in me. She was always playing with our environment. To this day, every time I visit her, the walls are a new color. She has moved the furniture around, or she has discovered some new wonderful object.”

Now at a crossroads that comes at a certain stage of development, Schirrmann is making a career change. She has been a huge success as a businesswomen and stylist in the glamorous world of hair design. “To me, hair isn’t just

hair,” she says. “It is a moving, breathing work of art, filled with color.” Because of the interior decoration work she has done in her shop and in her own homes, she is being sought out to do it for others.

Her new home was her testing ground for taking a project from a gutted house to a finished showplace. She cut her teeth on all the practical matters of infrastructure: electrical, plumbing, carpentry, spaceplanning, project-managing and budgeting. She seamlessly segued into the “fun” stuff of interior design: choosing colors, fittings and furnishings.

And she did it all in record time. Schirrmann is more than ready to answer those now calling upon her to design and decorate homes and commercial spaces. It is something she is embracing, she says, in the spirit of living long enough to have multiple careers. n

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 41

kid stuff These child-friendly recipes come together quickly and should please even the pickiest palates.

By Robert Peyton Photographed by Eugenia Uhl

I

t’s hard to be a committed “foodie” if you have children. You have to consider the need to feed them a healthy meal while also respecting their tastes, and you have to do it all when they’re hungry, not when it’s convenient for you. What you need are recipes that kids will like but that don’t require hours of preparation. Here’s a meal you can put together in less than an hour and that both kids and adults will love. All recipes (except the drinks) are written to serve four hungry people, but they can all be easily modified to feed a crowd.

42 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

Baked Macaroni and Cheese There is no easier way to make a child happy at dinnertime than by serving up this gooey, cheesy side dish. Recipe, p. 48

Potato Salad With Caraway This potato salad has a distinct German flavor from the caraway and mustard. Recipe, p. 48

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 43

Fried Catfish Nuggets This is a great way to get kids to eat fish, and if you get the temperature of the oil right, not that much oil will make it into the batter when you fry the nuggets. Recipe, p. 48

44 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

Peanut Slaw This slaw is quick to make, and the peanut butter in the dressing makes it kid-friendly. If you’re making it for adults, a tablespoon of Thai roasted chile paste makes a good addition. Recipe, p. 49

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 45

Red, White and Blue Trifle No meal is complete without dessert; this one gets bonus points for all of the fruit.

Recipe, p. 49

46 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

Lime Soda and Mojitos This recipe does double-duty: fizzy limeade for the kids and mojitos for the adults. You’ll start both the same way. Recipe, p. 49

www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 47

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Potato Salad With Caraway

Fried Catfish Nuggets

1 pound elbow macaroni 4 tablespoons butter 4 tablespoons flour 1 tablespoon powdered mustard 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Salt and pepper 4 cups milk 5 cups grated cheddar, divided

2 pounds red potatoes 1/4 teaspoon caraway seeds 1/2 cup celery, thinly sliced 1/4 cup green onions, thinly sliced 1/4 cup dill pickle, finely chopped 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

1 pound catfish fillets, cut into pieces Salt and pepper Cajun seasoning (optional)

Put a large pot of water on to boil, and salt it liberally.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Butter a 9-inch-by-9-inch baking dish.

Melt the butter in a large saucepan on medium heat, and then add the flour, and stir for a few minutes to make a blond roux.

Add the mustard powder and ground nutmeg, and cook another minute or so. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

Add the pasta to the boiling water, and stir.

Cover, but keep an eye on it to make sure it doesn’t boil over. Stir occasionally until the pasta is done, about 8 to 10 minutes.

As soon as you drop the pasta, whisk the milk into the roux, and let the sauce come to a boil. Immediately turn the heat to low, and let it cook for a few minutes, continuing to stir. Once the sauce is smooth, add 4 cups of the grated cheddar cheese. Taste, and season with salt and pepper as necessary.

Drain the pasta, and stir it into the sauce.

Put the pasta into the prepared baking dish, and then top with the 1 cup of additional cheese, and bake in the oven for about 15 minutes. If the cheese on the top of the dish hasn’t browned a bit, fire up the broiler and give it a couple of minutes.

48 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

Cut the potatoes into cubes, and bring them to a boil in a large pot of salted water. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes. While the potatoes are boiling, toast the caraway seeds in a small frying pan, stirring and tossing them until fragrant, about 4 or 5 minutes on medium heat. Combine the caraway seeds with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl, and when the potatoes are done, add them, and toss gently to coat with the dressing. You can serve the salad warm, but it’s also good after an hour or so in the fridge.

For the batter: 2 cups flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 cup beer 1 cup seltzer water Oil for frying Cut the catfish fillets into pieces about 1 inch to 1 1/2 inches wide. Season them with salt and pepper or the Cajun seasoning mix of your choice, being careful not to over-salt the fish.

Mix the flour, salt and baking powder in a large bowl, and then add the beer and seltzer, whisking to make a loose batter.

Heat the oil in a cast-iron Dutch oven or an electric fryer to about 350 degrees.

You’ll want a depth of about 3 inches.

Dip the nuggets into the batter, and then put them into the hot oil. Fry until golden-brown, about 5 minutes. Place the cooked nuggets onto paper towels, and season lightly with salt before serving.

Peanut Slaw

Red, White and Blue Trifle

Lime Soda and Mojitos

1 head green cabbage 1/2 cup peanut butter (either creamy or crunchy is fine) 1/2 cup rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon soy sauce 2 tablespoons lime juice 1 tablespoon honey 1/4 cup green onion, sliced thinly 1 cup grated carrot 1/3 cup mint, chopped finely (in a chiffonade cut)

1 cup sliced strawberries (measured after slicing) 1 tablespoon sugar 2 tablespoons orange liqueur 1 tablespoon powdered sugar 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup blueberries 6-8 sesame biscotti (preferred brand Angelo Brocato)

1 lime, juiced 1 tablespoon powdered sugar 1 can seltzer

Slice the strawberries, and add the sugar and orange liqueur. Set aside for between 15 to 30 minutes.

Add the powdered sugar to the cream, and whip to the soft-peak stage. Reserve in the refrigerator.

Break the biscotti into large pieces, and then pulse quickly in a food processor.

You want the texture to vary from crumbs to pieces as large as a dime.

Set a fine sieve over a bowl, and drain the strawberries. Reserve the liquid.

Put the chopped biscotti into the juice that drained from the strawberries, and mix. Put a tablespoon or so of the mixture into the bottom of four tall glasses, and then top with the sliced strawberries. Add a couple of tablespoons of the whipped cream and then another tablespoon of the chopped biscotti, followed by blueberries, whipped cream, biscotti, strawberries and another layer of whipped cream. Sprinkle any remaining biscotti on the top, along with any strawberries and blueberries.

For the kids’ version, mix the lime juice and sugar in a tall glass, fill with ice and then top with seltzer. Stir.

For the adult version, add the mint, sugar and lime juice to a tall glass, including two lime quarters. Muddle, add the rum, and stir. Fill the glass with ice, top with seltzer, and stir again.

Cut the cabbage into quarters, cut out the core diagonally, and slice the leaves as thinly as possible. It helps to have a very sharp, large knife. You want about 8 cups of thinly sliced cabbage.

Mix the peanut butter, vinegar, soy sauce, lime juice and honey in a large bowl until smooth. Add the cabbage, green onion, carrot and mint, and stir well to combine.

For the adult version: Everything for the kids’ version, plus: 5 to 6 mint leaves 1 lime, cut into quarters 1 1/2 ounces white rum

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50 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

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Troyer Builders LLC 108 Hardwood Drive

T

his year’s parade will feature 19 homes built by 13 builders in three surrounding parishes. We’re excited to host the new Bright Ideas Evening Tour this year, which will allow the homes to be showcased in a whole new light! In order to truly appreciate the use of lighting techniques in the homes, two extra hours have been added for this evening tour. The evening tour will be held on Thursday, June 6, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The St. Jude Dream Home will be a stop on the Parade again this year at 5643 Bancroft Drive in New Orleans. We encourage everyone to stop by, tour the beautiful home built by Miller Building Co. Inc. near Bayou St. John and buy a raffle ticket. Funds collected from the raffle of this home benefit the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and go to help fight childhood cancer. We are honored to support this invaluable cause again this year.

There is truly something for everyone, so we look forward to seeing all of you at the Parade of Homes!

Zachary Tyson Tyson Construction of LA LLC 2013 Parade of Homes Chairman

To view a map of the Parade of Homes, visit www.home-builders.org and click on “Parade of Homes.”

Map brought to you by Masonry Products Sales Inc.

Riverside Park, Harahan Perk Builders Inc. 172 Glenwood Ave. Segnette Estates, Westwego Gladiator Construction 2 Teal Court

For more information, please visit our website at www.home-builders.org.

2013 HBA Parade of Homes Promotional Section

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2013 HBA Parade of Homes Promotional Section

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2013 HBA Parade of Homes Promotional Section

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Villa Vici 4112 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/899-2931 736 E. Boston St., Covington 985/871-6122 villavici.com

Jon Vaccari Antiques and Design 1912 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans 504/899-7632 JonVaccariDesign.com

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

Rug Chic Home Decor 4240 Highway 22, Mandeville 985/674-1070 rugchic.com 58 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

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CLAYTON HOMES LLC 154 Prim Rose Drive, Belle Chasse 504/433-5659 nelsonclaytonhomes.com

Floor & Décor design gallery 2801 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/891-3005 4 Westside Shopping Center, Gretna 504/361-0501 flooranddecoroutlets.com

The Shop at The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal St., New Orleans 504/598-7147 hnoc.org

HOME DÉCOR 10920 E. I-10 Service Road, New Orleans 504/245-8288 hd-kitchenandbath.com www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 59

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

Talebloo Oriental Rugs 2015 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/581-9700 talebloorugs.com

Roussel Builders LLC 201 Marguerite Road, Metairie 504/415-6730 rousselbuilders.com

Mullin Landscape Associates LLC 558 Hickory Ave., Harahan 504/275-6617 mullinlandscape.com 60 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

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

Rivers Spencer Interiors 4610 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/609-2436 riversspencer.com

NORDIC KITCHENS & BATHS INC. 1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 504/888-2300 nordickitchens.com

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

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

Classic Cupboards 5809 River Oaks Road S., Harahan 504/734-9088 classiccupboards.com

A Plus Marble & Granite designs 355 Iris Ave., Suite A, New Orleans 504/304-6562 neworleansmarbleandgranite.com LOUISIANA CUSTOM CLOSETS 13405 Seymour Meyer Blvd., #24, Covington 985/871-0810 louisianacustomclosets.com 64 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

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

Brian’s Furniture 515 Court St., Historic Downtown Port Allen 225/346-0896 briansfurniture.com

Blueswood Inc. 4904R Magazine St., New Orleans 662/609-5473 blueswood.com

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Bayou Technology Group LLC 4224 Houma Blvd., Suite 450, Metairie 504/229-0808 Baton Rouge: 225/331-3001 Lafayette: 337/447-4744

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Marchand Creative Kitchens 3517 Division St., Metairie 504/888-0695 2180 N. Causeway Blvd., Mandeville 985/892-2572 mckitchens.com

RALPH BRENNAN CATERING & EVENTS 111 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 504/539-5511 ralphbrennancatering.com

Shades of Blue Inc. 3530 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/891-1575 shadesofblueinc.com 68 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

Nancy Robbins 816 Asbury Drive, Suite A, Mandeville 985/727-4565 985/789-5770 nancyrobbinsinteriors.com

California Closets 3211 N. Causeway Blvd., Metairie 504/828-5705 californiaclosets.com/Metairie

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directory

resource

advertising

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building materials A Plus Marble & Granite Designs 355 Iris Ave., Suite A New Orleans 504/304-6562 neworleansmarbleandgranite. com Fabrication and installation of custom-cut granite and marble.

Pieri Tile & Marble Co. Inc. 3622 Toulouse St. New Orleans 504/488-1509 pieritile.com Pieri Tile & Marble Co. Inc., the premier stone fabricator and installer in the New Orleans area for more than 40 years.

Doors of Elegance 3100 Kingman St., Suite 107 Metairie 504/887-5440 68433 Highway 59, Suite 1 Mandeville 985/893-0057 doorsofelegance.com After 25 years of business, Doors of Elegance attributes their success to providing their customers with the highest-quality doors, affordable pricing and to their continued commitment to outstanding customer service.

culinary Audubon Nature Institute 6500 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/212-5301 auduboninstitute.org/events/ private Fabulous events at Audubon’s Tea Room, clubhouse, zoo and aquarium.

Your special event is our expertise.

HECKER RIDGE TILES LLC 47177 Conrad E. Anderson Drive Hammond 504/733-8550 800/248-4537 heckerridgetiles.com Hecker Ridge Tiles will give you that finished look; whether re-roofing or building new, our ridge tiles will add that “old New Orleans” look.

Jefferson Door 1227 First Ave. Harvey 504/340-2471 jeffersondoor.com Providing high-quality doors, windows, cabinets, molding and more, with excellent customer service, to the New Orleans area since 1959.

PALATIAL STONE 2052 Paxton St. Harvey 504/340-2229 2033 N. Highway 190, Suite 9 Covington 985/249-6868 palatialstone.com Specializes in designing kitchens, baths and interiors with natural stone of all sizes, shapes, patterns and textures.

Gott Gourmet Cafe 3100 Magazine St. at Eighth Street New Orleans 504/373-6579 gottgourmetcafe.com An Uptown neighborhood favorite, Gott’s offers a fresh new twist on lunch, dinner and brunch dining.

Catering also available.

Hatch Chile Co. Rex Spices 122 Mariners Walk Brunswick, Ga. 912/265-7006 rexfinefoods.com Rex Kind of Spice has been a Louisiana tradition since 1888.

Ralph Brennan Catering & Events 111 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/539-5511 ralphbrennancatering.com Full-service off-site, in-home or in-restaurant catering; pick-up and drop-off party platters. We work.

You play! custom home builders Clayton Homes LLC 154 Prim Rose Drive Belle Chasse 504/433-5659 nelsonclaytonhomes.com Specializing in custom residential building, your plans or ours.

advertising section

California Closets

Guidry Custom Homes 618 Central Ave. Jefferson 504/218-5455 GuidryCustomHomes.com Guidry Custom Homes is a local home builder with a reputation for building elegant custom homes of exceptional quality and style.

Roussel Builders LLC 201 Marguerite Road Metairie 504/415-6730 rousselbuilders.com Local business specializing in renovation, trim work,custom cabinetry, columns and much more. financial FIDELITY HOMESTEAD SAVINGS BANK 800/220-2497 fidelityhomestead.com Founded in 1908, Fidelity Homestead Savings Bank provides a full array of banking services, including commercial, consumer and residential loans, with high integrity and personalized service to communities throughout Southeast Louisiana.

For more information, please visit www.fidelityhomestead.com, call Fidelity’s 24-hour fast line at 800/220-2497 or visit your nearest Fidelity branch.

gardening/ landscape Gomez Pine Straw LLC 2025 Spartan Drive Mandeville 504/481-9416 gomezpinestrawllc.com We sell the best; forget about the rest! Your No. 1 provider for pine straw and landscape mulch.

Mullin Landscape Associates LLC 558 Hickory Ave. Harahan 504/275-6617 mullinlandscape.com Comprehensive design build firm offering an array of services from landscape architecture, site planning, planting, irrigation design and landscape maintenance. home furnishings & accessories ABODE 2114 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/266-2135 shopatabode.com Boutique home store offering fabulous finds of unique furniture, custom upholstery, lighting, artwork, rugs, accessories and gifts. Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, 12 p.m.-4 p.m.

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advertising resource directory Blue Easel Club Uptown New Orleans 504/256-1588 BlueEaselClub.com Come learn to draw from life with the Blue Easel Club-Atelier of Carol Peebles. Happy drawing!

Blueswood Inc. 4904R Magazine St. New Orleans 662/609-5473 blueswood.com Unique handcrafted furniture constructed from antique cypress harvested from the Mississippi Delta.

Brian’s Furniture 515 Court St. Historic Downtown Port Allen 225/346-0896 briansfurniture.com Largest selection of sugar kettles, bronze fountains and New Orleansstyle patio sets in the South!

Worth the short drive to Historic Downtown Port Allen!

Eclectic Home 8211 Oak St. New Orleans 504/866-6654 Eclectichome.net Amazing furniture, custom upholstery, lighting, accessories and gifts.

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

gregarceneaux.com We handcraft a line of early Creole- and Acadian-style furniture using 18th-century joinery and indigenous materials.

Guy Lyman Fine Art 3645 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/899-4687 guylymanfineart.com From classic to contemporary, great art at affordable prices!

Jon Vaccari Antiques and Design 1912 St. Charles Ave. New Orleans 504/899-7632 JonVaccariDesign.com New Orleans’ finest selection of 20th-century antiques and design accessories.

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 New Orleans artist and designer Mignon Faget creates unique home accessories reflecting the nature and architecture of her native environment.

Nancy Robbins 816 Asbury Drive, Suite A Mandeville 985/727-4565 985/789-5770 nancyrobbinsinteriors.com Design studio that carries furniture, art, accessories, plantation shutters,draperies, Oriental rugs and lighting in stock and by custom order. Also designs renovations, lighting plans and furniture floor plans.

Rug Chic

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

nolarugs.com We have beautiful hand-knotted rugs from around the world. More than 2,500 contemporary and modern pieces are here in the store.

ORIENT EXPRESSED 3905 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/899-3060 www.orientexpressed.com Orient Expressed offers an exclusive collection of children’s clothing and exciting home decor and gifts. perch.

2844 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/899-2122 perch-home.com perch. offers a spectrum of styles for the home: 19th-century pieces co-exist with avant-garde contemporary. Modern lines merge with antique objects. The New Orleans look redefined.

Rivers Spencer Interiors 4610 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/609-2436 riversspencer.com Rivers Spencer Interiors is a carefully curated collection of fine home furnishings, including name brand antique reproductions, private-label upholstery, gifts, original art and design services.

Rug Chic Home Decor 4240 Highway 22 Mandeville 985/674-1070 rugchic.com Featuring a beautiful array of fine hand-woven rugs in today’s colors, unique accessories, local art and fine upholstered furniture

by Lee and Baker.

SHADES OF BLUE 3530 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-1575 shadesofblueinc.com Furnishings, Custom Draperies,

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

Flooring and Local Artwork housed in a unique little shop on Historic Magazine St. Interior Design Services also available.

TALEBLOO ORIENTAL RUGS 2015 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/581-9700 talebloorugs.com Talebloo Oriental Rugs offers the finest selection of traditional Persian carpets in addition to the finest selection of the rarest most exceptional and decorative pieces available.

The French Mix 228 Lee Lane Covington 985/809-3152 shopthefrenchmix.com Stylish and chic home interiors, custom furnishings, slipcovered furniture and interior design services.

Villa Vici 4112 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/899-2931 736 E. Boston St. Covington 985/871-6122 villavici.com Eclectic home decor from modern to classic since 1991. A one stop shopping experience with design services also available.

Wren’s Tontine Shade & Design 1533 Prytania St. New Orleans 504/525-7409 wrenstontine.com Third-generation decorating shop that specializes in window treatments. Well-known for the high-quality shutters, roller shades, and bamboo woven-wood Roman shades. inspiration The Historic New Orleans Collection 533 Royal St. New Orleans 504/523-4662

hnoc.org The 2013 New Orleans Antiques Forum takes place August 1–4 and draws experts, collectors, and enthusiasts from all over. kitchen & bath Cameron Kitchen & Bath Designs Inc. 8019 Palm St. New Orleans 504/486-3759 cameronkitchens.com Design, furnish and install custom cabinets and fixtures for kitchens, baths, bookcases, etc.

CAMPBELL CABINET CO. 220 Hord St. Harahan 504/733-4687 4040 Highway 59 Mandeville 985/892-7713 campbellcabinets.com Since 1972, Campbell Cabinet Co. has been offering homeowners, designers, and contractors the very latest in kitchen and bath products at affordable prices. Campbell’s specializes in kitchen and bath cabinets, countertops, decorative hardware, appliances and sinks.

Classic Cupboards 5809 River Oaks Road S. Harahan 504/734-9088 classiccupboards.com Specializing in kitchen design and offering quality custom cabinetry and appliances for more than 30 years. Your dream, our expertise!

HOME DÉCOR 10920 E. I-10 Service Road New Orleans 504/245-8288 hd-kitchenandbath.com Home Décor has a reputation for quality products, service and pricing that allowed us to establish a firm position to be one of the most prestigious cabinet and granite providers to builders, dealers and consumers. We welcome you to visit one of our showrooms for more information. www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 73

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active, carefree retirement living, plus the security of LifeCare.

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

Mandeville 985/892-2572 mckitchens.com Kitchen Design and Sales of Cabinets Appliances, and Countertops.

Nordic Kitchens & Baths Inc. 1818 Veterans Blvd.

Metairie 504/888-2300 nordickitchens.com Kitchen design and sales of luxury products including cabinetry, appliances, outdoor kitchens and grills.

Poydras Home 5354 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/897-0535 poydrashome.com Poydras Home is a nonprofit, continuing-care retirement community offering independent and assisted living, memory support and an adult day program. specialists Bayou Technology Group LLC 4224 Houma Blvd., Suite 450 Metairie 504/229-0808 Baton Rouge: 225/331-3001 Lafayette: 337/447-4744 BayouTechnology.com Discover the comfort and security of managing your entire home from anywhere in the world.

California Closets 3211 N. Causeway Blvd.

Metairie 504/828-5705 californiaclosets.com/Metairie California Closets has been serving

real estate CHARLOTTE DORION, REALTOR – Gardner Realtors 7934 Maple St. New Orleans Charrealty@nocoxmail.com 504/237-8615 With more than 18 years experience as a Realtor with Gardner Realtors, Charlotte’s focus is to provide her clients with the most positive real estate experience possible. retirement living Lambeth House 150 Broadway New Orleans 504/865-1960 LambethHouse.com Situated next to Audubon Park and the river, Lambeth House offers Campbell Cabinets

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South Louisiana since 1984, providing custom storage systems for all areas of the home. Locations also in Baton Rouge and Lafayette Floor & Décor Design Gallery 2801 Magazine St. New Orleans 504/891-3005 4 Westside Shopping Center Gretna 504/361-0501 flooranddecorneworleans.com Tile, wood and stone all in stock at the lowest prices! Free design services!

Jim Stone Co. 30440 Highway 190 Lacombe 985/882-5907 jimstoneco.com Locations in Baton Rouge and Lafayette, as well. With more than 15 years of experience and three locations to serve you, Jim Stone Co. is your one-stop shopping source for natural stone, pavers, cultured stone and much more.

Louisiana Custom Closets 13405 Seymour Meyer Blvd., #24

Covington 985/871-0810 louisianacustomclosets.com Louisiana Custom Closets designs and installs custom shelving and cabinets for closets, pantries, laundry rooms and garages.

Pet Care Center 2212 David Drive Metairie 504/887-2999 petcarecenterinc.com Pet Care Center is a place where the genuine care and comfort of our patients and pet resort guests are our highest priorities. We pledge to provide the highestquality medical care so your pet may experience a longer, healthier life. Our goal is personal service in beautiful surroundings to ensure Pet Care Center is your pet’s home away from home.

Tassin Integrated Systems Metairie 504/488-9664 tassinsecurity.com Your local alarm and integration company with local alarm monitoring. •

home renewal Little Cottage Co.

Tuff Shed

shedding some light

Modern Shed

The possibilities for outdoor storage sheds have increased tremendously in recent years.

From small but functional to lavish and pricey, there are many options to explore.

Studio Shed

By Peter Reichard

As I’ve mentioned before in this space, I grew up amidst constant home improvement projects, and my brothers and I frequently served as my dad’s squadron of drone workers. One of the more infamous projects he forced us to undertake was the assembly of a metal shed in the backyard. The shed came to be known as the Barn of Scarn – “scarn” being a synonym for

“dung” that we used to use as a polite way of saying that something was of crappy quality.

The pieces of the shed fit together poorly. The structure rested unevenly on a rinky-dink foundation.

The metal ripped in several places during assembly.

The materials and engineering represented a low point in the American shed manufacturing industry. And the final

76 | New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Summer 2013

product … well, it looked like scarn. It was one of the scarniest days ever.

Well, sheds have come a long way, baby.

Having come to the realization that I might use a little extra outdoor storage space, I’ve begun toying with the idea of installing a shed in the backyard. This took me on a search for sheds that yielded some exciting results.

And I never thought I would use the words “shed” and “exciting” in the same sentence.

Tuff Shed (tuffshed.com) offers some nice ones, such as the Pro Tall Ranch, with transom windows.

The company’s Pro Studio model has a sleek, contemporary look with a glass door and sidelights, making it look almost residential.

Prices run from $4,000 to $8,000. Tuff Shed has a

showroom in LaPlace.

The fanciest sheds employ recycled materials, wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, denim insulation and cork flooring. They typically include clerestory windows to increase natural lighting.

Some structures by Seattle-based company Modern-Shed even feature GreenGrid roofs, which use vegetation to reduce heat gain and rain runoff.

Modern-Shed, to my eyes, may be the BMW of shed-makers. The prices can match, ranging from $8,000 to – for your dream shed – $70,000. See modern-shed.com.

Studio Shed, out of Colorado, offers some pretty haute sheds, as well. Their models fall along the same lines as Modern-Shed’s in style and approach. Prices begin under $2,000 for small lean-tos and ascend to $50,000 for more palatial sheds.

Some have unfinished interiors and are geared toward storing supplies.

Others are insulated and decked out for a human to occupy, more like a studio space (as the company’s name implies).

See studio-shed.com.

You can get a stylish shed at a far lower price with a wooden kit from the European company Solid Build. Its Moderna models sport a contemporary aesthetic but cost far less than the others, pricing between $4,000 and $7,000. In fact, I found one online for less than $3,000.

Solid Build also has a few

less expensive models that remind you of something out of a fairy tale, like the Hans model or the Bremen.

See solidbuildwood.com.

Speaking of fairy tales, Ohio-based Little Cottage Co. creates structures that look like they belong on an English estate.

They include Victorianstyle mini-mansions and similar structures that would make a little girl’s dream playhouse. See cottagekits.com.

OLT makes similarly lavish sheds but in cedar from the Pacific Northwest.

One of the sharper buildings I came across is called the Penthouse Garden Shed, and it lists for under $5,000. See outdoorlivingtoday.com.

There’s something about the natural charm of a cedar shed. One of my brothers built a smallish cedar shed in his backyard that resembles a little Japanese shrine.

Beyond styles and prices, the choice you make will depend on how you want to use your shed.

Will it just be a storeroom for rakes and shovels? Will it become a laundry room?

A woodworking shop? A pool house? An art studio?

A guesthouse? A cabin in the woods? All of these are actually possible. In fact, a few of these sheds are just a toilet, a shower and a stove short of being homes – for the right price, that is.

On the other hand, for a few hundred bucks, you can still buy something akin to the Barn of Scarn.

But think long and hard before doing so. n www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles | 77

resources

The area code is 504, unless otherwise noted.

Artist Profile, p. 12

TrendWatch, p. 23

Cole Pratt Gallery, 3800 Magazine St., 891-6789, coleprattgallery.com

“Refurb Remix” perch., 2844 Magazine St., 899-2122, perch-home.com; Malachite, 3866 Magazine St., 754-0066, malachitehome.com; Eclectic Home, 8211 Oak St., 866-6654, eclectichome.net; Katie Koch Discerning Fabric Solutions, 1117 Josephine St., 410-1450, katiekochdrapery.com; NOLA Rugs, 3944 Magazine St., 891-3304, nolarugs.com; Rivers Spencer Interiors, 4610 Magazine St., 609-2436, riversspencer.com; Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture, 2843 Piedmont St., Kenner, or 3822 Magazine St., 891-9243, leonels.com

For the Garden, p. 16 “Grass Is Always Greener” LSU AgCenter, locations citywide, 985/543-4129, lsuagcenter.com

Living With Antiques, p. 18 “Modern Times” Peaches, 2124 Magazine St., 388-3117, midcenturymoderne.com; Loisel Vintage Modern, 2855 Magazine St., 899-2444, loiselvintagemodern.com; Design Within Reach, 3138 Magazine St., 891-6520, dwr.com; New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 2900 Elysian Fields Ave., 861-2077, habitat-nola.org/restore

Masters of Their Craft, p. 20 “On Her Soapbox” Cake Face Soaping, etsy.com/shop/ CakeFaceSoaping

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“A Family Affair,” p. 28 MetroStudio, 2466 Royal St., 371-5047, metrostudio.com; Brandon Construction, 72100 Josephine St., Covington, 985/2495099, brandonconstructionco.com; perch., 2844 Magazine St., 899-2122, perch-home. com; Northshore Millwork, 1750 South Lane, Suite 2, Mandeville, 985/867-1813, northshoremillwork.com; Stafford Tile & Stone,

5234 Magazine St., 895-5000, staffordtile.com, Pottery Barn Kids, Lakeside Mall, 3301 Veterans Blvd., Suite 30, Metairie, 833-1248, potterybarnkids.com

“A Fast Turnaround,” p. 36 Ashley Furniture HomeStore, 5151 Citrus Blvd., Harahan, 733-8722, ashleyfurniturehomestore.com; Angèle Parlange, angeleparlange.com; Restoration Hardware, Lakeside Mall, 3301 Veterans Blvd., Suite 36, Metairie, 828-0203, restorationhardware.com; Scandinavia Furniture, 4513 Airline Drive, Metairie, 455-7100, scandinaviafurniture. com; Source., 2103 Magazine St., 561-7558, sourcenola.com; Fischer-Gambino, 637 Royal St., 524-9067; Campbell Cabinet Co., 220 Hord St., Harahan, 733-4687, or 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985/892-7713, campbellcabinets.com

Home Renewal, p. 76 “Shedding Some Light” Tuff Shed, 2820 W. Airline Highway, LaPlace, 985/479-8833, tuffshed.com n

last indulgence

berry good Summer is the perfect time to enjoy strawberries, in any form. By Eve Kidd Crawford The days of strict seasons for produce are gone – I made strawberry cupcakes with fresh strawberries on top for my older daughter’s December birthday – but I still think that certain foods just taste better when it’s warm outside. And strawber-

ries, along with watermelon, squash and tomatoes, are just quintessential summertime snacks. When the days are boiling hot outside, strawberries are delicious blended in a breakfast smoothie, tossed over a lunchtime salad, made into a quick shortcake or ice

cream dessert or spiked with rum for a post-work daiquiri.

Strawberries are also a smart choice, with lots of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants.

They are low in calories, can help lower bad cholesterol and blood pressure and can even guard against certain types of cancer.

But snacking on strawberries is more than just healthy and tasty; it’s practically your civic duty as a Louisianian: The Louisiana strawberry industry involves 83 growers who produce more than 380 acres of strawberries for a

gross farm value of about $15.2 million, according to the Louisiana Ag Summary, and strawberries continue to be the leading fruit crop in the state, with Tangipahoa Parish as the leading strawberry-producing parish with $11.5 million in sales during 2010. In 2001, the state Legislature named the strawberry the state fruit.

The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival, held every April, may be behind us, but there is no time like the present to get your fill of this sweet-tart summertime staple. n