Cue May 2018

CUE MAGAZINE A M O N T H LY

LIFE + STYLE + DESIGN

THE

GUIDE TO NEW ORLEANS

M AY 2 0 1 8

HOME Issue

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CONTENTS

MAY 2018

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You are never fully dressed without a good manicure.

504-777-7709 | houseofnailsllc.com

6725 Saint Claude Avenue, Suite 100 Arabi LA (by Canseco’s)

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BRING ON THE GOOD BUGS Gardens that attract bees, butterflies and birds

MOTHER’S DAY GIFT GUIDE

Stumped? We’ve got some ideas

20 NATURAL HOME ELEMENTS

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Bring the outside in

CONTRACTOR OR ARCHITECT?

Choose the right professional for your renovation

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TO HANDLE?

STAY

with

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MORE THAN JUST CURTAINS

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HOME DECOR UPDATES Freshen up for spring

SPECIAL THANKS TO BRIAN AND SUZY FAUCHEUX FOR ALLOWING US TO PHOTOGRAPH THEIR BEAUTIFUL HOME FOR OUR COVER IMAGES.

504-488-0826

Give your windows the all-star treatment

REGULAR FEATURES:

5 Editor’s Letter 23 Resources COVER PHOTO BY KARLA PHOTOGRAPHY

[ FROM THE EDITOR ]

THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF THINGS TO DO IN MAY. Outdoor festivals and crawfish abound, the New Orleans Pelicans are in the NBA playoffs, wedding bells are ringing and mortarboards are flying through the air at graduations all over the city. And if those aren’t reasons enough to get out and celebrate, it soon will be the day on which we venerate the mother figures in our lives. Mother’s Day is May 13 (reminder!), and for those inclined to present mom — or granny or nanny — with a present, we offer gift ideas from a dozen local retailers.

Maybe gifting isn’t your thing.

Maybe you prefer to give experiences, or perform tasks around the house to help the lady of the hour (well, month) check off some items on her home improvement to-do list. This month’s issue is full of ideas and advice on ways to spruce up the house and garden and get moving on larger projects, such as renovating the kitchen or updating built-in elements like countertops and flooring. The natural trend is in — it’s earthy and eco-friendly, and

ON

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easier on people with allergies and asthma. Whatever you do for your moms or aunties, #doitbigger (Geaux Pels!).

On a somber note, our collective Gambit and CUE Magazine heart goes out to the owners and employees of NOLA Til Ya Die and Canal Furniture Liquidators, two stalwart Mid-City businesses and long-time supporters of both publications. On April 23, a massive fire tore through the building housing the two shops, devastating both. We wish them a smooth, pothole-free road to reopening their doors.

Yours in peace, love and good vibes to all,

expressive, process-driven design through innovation + collaboration

Publisher | JEANNE EXNICIOS FOSTER Editor | KATHERINE M. JOHNSON Production Director | DORA SISON

EDITORIAL

Senior Sales Representatives

Managing Editor | KANDACE POWER GRAVES Contributing Writers

(504) 483-3131 [ jillg@gambitweekly.com] JEFFREY PIZZO (504) 483-3145 [jeffp@gambitweekly.com]

PRODUCTION

Sales Representatives

Editorial Graphic Designer | LYN VICKNAIR Pre-Press Coordinator | JASON WHITTAKER Graphic Designers |

(504) 483-3152 [brandind@gambitweekly.com]

DAVID KROLL, WINNFIELD JEANSONNE

(504) 483-3143 [taylors@gambitweekly.com]

BRANDIN DUBOS TAYLOR SPECTORSKY ALICIA PAOLERCIO

ADVERTISING Advertising Inquiries (504) 483-3150

Inside Sales Representative RENETTA PERRY (504) 483-3122 [renettap@gambitweekly.com]

3923 B I E N V I L L E S T R E E T | N E W O R L E A N S, L A 70119 504 . 4 8 6 . 5 9 0 0 | cue@gambitweekly.com

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Advertising Director | SANDY STEIN BRONDUM (504) 483-3150 [sandys@gambitweekly.com] Sales Administrator | MICHELE SLONSKI

(504) 483-3142 [aliciap@gambitweekly.com]

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EMILY BIHL, SARAH RAVITS, SUZANNE PFEFFERLE TAFUR

JILL GIEGER

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[ SHOPPING ]

Mum’s

THE WORD Reach ‘mom’s mom’s favorite’ status with the perfect gift

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

1 » Victorian-era gold-fill locket with paste rhinestones and opal on gold-fill and opaline chain, $165 at Magpie Vintage Jewelry.

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2 » “Annie” dress (available in sizes 1424), $89 at Jaci Blue.

PHOTO BY JENNIFER ZDON

3 » Travel case by Stephanie Johnson, $60.95 at Earthsavers.

4 » Faux tortoise shell sunglasses with wood carrying case, $22 at Hazelnut New Orleans.

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5 » Laser-cut clutch with removable shoulder strap, $56 at Lucy Rose.

6 » Velvet slippers, $89 at Yvonne LaFleur.

7 » Silverware cuff in brass, nickel or copper, $90 each at NOLA Boards.

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Magpie Mother's Day

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4529 Magazine Street • 891-1333

[ SHOPPING ]

8 » “Mom’s Favorites” gift basket, $49.99 at Martin Wine Cellar.

9 » Gourmet blender by Wolf Gourmet, $599 at Nordic Kitchens & Baths.

10 » Vintage Bakelite bangles, $110-$325 each at Bambi DeVille.

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[ SHOPPING ] PAGE 9

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11 » “De

Havilland” robe, $220 at Trashy

Diva Clothing Boutique.

12 »“Beloved”

gift basket, $55 at EdenHouseNOLA.org.

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[ HOME ]

“This is … probably one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your life. It’s your home — it’s an emotional process, so make sure you like the person you’re working with.”

- LAUREN GALLIANO

WHO YOU GONNA CALL?

BY K AT H E R I N E M . J O H N S O N

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Choosing an architect or contractor for a home renovation

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OVERRIPE AVOCADO-COLORED TILE IN THE KITCHEN. MASTER BATHROOMS THE SIZE OF A DORM ROOM CLOSET. During warmer

months, homeowners turn their attention to sprucing up their environs, and while the task of reviving gardens destroyed by winter’s freezing temperatures is enough to keep many busy, some are ready to take on more ambitious projects, such as renovations. But before heading to City Hall to get the permits, figuring out which professional to enlist can be the first real hurdle.

Jon Luther, chief executive officer of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO), says most people call a contractor first, but depending on the scope of the work and the home’s original construction, an architect may be the recommended point person. A home improvement project definitely will have a contractor, but an architect is necessary on higher-end jobs (more than $400,000) and intensive renovations (requiring changes to the structure of the home). Luther, with Lauren Galliano, HBAGNO’s director of membership and industry relations, and Wayne Troyer, partner and design director at StudioWTA and a fellow of the American Institute of Architects, explain the differences and similarities between contractors and architects and offer some tips on choosing the right one for the job.

CONTRACTORS General contractors (especially those affiliated with a design-build group) can draw their own plans or can network with a professional who can supply them. However, Troyer points out that these designers do not have to be licensed architects.

They may be architects in-training working toward licensing, or drafters or interior designers.

Contractors should be licensed and insured, and homeowners should ensure that both credentials are current (this also applies to architects).

Contractors rarely have employees; usually, they hire and manage a group of subcontractors to perform specific construction tasks.

“Sub[contractors] are their own entity and should be insured as well,

and recent legislation in Louisiana now mandates that some of them need to be licensed,” Galliano says.

Subcontractors that now need licenses include pile drivers, framing carpenters and masons. Some subcontractors may be registered, but registration doesn’t guarantee expertise. In order to receive a license, a subcontractor must pass an exam and demonstrate competency in the specific trade. But what’s on paper isn’t the only factor in choosing a building team.

“This business is largely based on referrals,” Galliano says, “so talk to your neighbors and talk to your friends. If you see a house going up that you like, the contractors usually put a sign in the yard. Just seeing what you want is often a first step when you don’t really know where to begin.”

ARCHITECTS All architects must be licensed, but not all architects carry insurance, although it’s required on major construction jobs (especially if there will be pile driving or other activities that can damage surrounding homes).

[ HOME ]

THE OVERLAP

BIDDING Galliano, Luther and Troyer recommend getting competitive bids from at least three contractors before making a final selection. It’s important to examine all of the proposed costs, and to remember that just because a contractor offers you the cheapest or the most expensive bid, neither guarantees that the work will be the most efficient or the highest quality, or that the bid will match the final price.

If you hire an architect for your project, she or he can help evaluate the bids.

Finally, make sure everyone’s personalities mesh well, because you’ll be spending a lot of time (and money) together.

“This is a very, very personal process,” Galliano says. “It’s probably one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make in your life. It’s your home — it’s an emotional process, so make sure you like the person you’re working with.”

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Both architects and contractors are knowledgeable of the technical tasks of residential construction such as permitting, building code, zoning compliance and inspections, and often work together. However, Luther has seen some homeowners attempt to coordinate projects themselves, which he doesn’t recommend. There are so many

details that even a savvy consumer can make mistakes, especially when it comes to projects in protected historic districts.

“A consumer might know that they’re living on a property that’s been designated as a historic renovation,” Luther says, “but they might not understand the process of what that means — that certain windows might have to be in a certain motif … (or) that they have to use certain materials in the construction.”

It’s ultimately up to the homeowner to check in with the Historic District Landmarks Commission, the Vieux Carre Commission or any necessary preservation organization before beginning any work on a historic home, but a contractor or architect can help. The professional who drew the plans is the most effective representative when presenting the case to one of these groups.

“If you’re changing (the home’s) facade or doing a camelback addition or anything that can be seen from the street, then you need to be able to convey … what those changes will be to the agency” in order to get a permit or a certificate of appropriateness, Troyer says.

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While a contractor is tasked with the day-to-day demands of building — such as coordinating subcontractors and adhering to production schedules — if a homeowner is more concerned with the aesthetics and flow of the space, it’s time to call in an architect.

“If you’re thinking about how to establish the sequence of spaces between public zones (such as) living, dining room, kitchen, and the bedrooms, how do you make a plan that respects those patterns of living?”

Troyer says. “Typically, the front of your house is the public part, adjacent to the street — yet at the same time, you want to have your kitchen and living room where you get your best views, which may be adjacent to your backyard, so that’s a disconnect that (architects) try to find a solution for when developing a plan for a house.”

Architects can be valuable intermediaries between the homeowner and the contractor, interpreting plans and conveying the homeowner’s vision to the building team.

“Anybody who’s renovating a house has a Pinterest board, and a lot of times … it’s all over the place,” Troyer says. “I think architects have an easier time with that kind of visual language and creating a complete and consistent aesthetic quality.”

When selecting an architect, Troyer advises turning to the internet. Most architects have some web presence, so check out their websites and social media pages to get a feel for the type of work an architect does, the size of the firm, its aesthetic and the quality of the work the firm produces. Set up an appointment to talk about the project and your goals and discuss the project timeline.

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[ HOME ]

SPRINGING forward FRESHEN UP YOUR HOME WITH SOME CHIC, SUNNY DECOR ACCENTS AND ACCESSORIES. 1: Custom curtains in Swavelle/Mill Creek Chizoba Barkcloth Bluegrass pattern, $510 for a set of two at The Curtain Exchange.

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BY S A R A H R AV I T S

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2: “Feverfew” wallpaper and fabric by Abigail Borg, $135 per 20.5-inch-by-11-yard wallpaper roll at Spruce.

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3: “Adan” indoor/outdoor planter, available in multiple sizes, from $220 at Villa Vici.

4: “Pleasant Pink” paint

by Benjamin Moore, from $36 per gallon at

Mary’s Ace Hardware.

6: Contemporary lamp, $335 at Perch.

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5: Lovebird leopard throw pillows, available in two sizes, from $173 at Eclectic Home.

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HOME WORKS

Gina Murphy, Realtor

HOME

HomeSmart Realty South 145 Harrison Avenue, Suite B New Orleans, LA 70124 (504) 908-7653 (office)

(504) 410-4808 gclendenin@gmail.com

WORKS

Each brokerage independently owned and operated.

3126 DAUPHINE ST., NEW ORLEANS • 4BR/3BA • 2,851 sqft • $1,100,000

To promote your properties call Sandy Stein (504) 483-3150

An embodiment of Masterful Design and Modern Luxury with indoor/outdoor living. An urban entertainer’s dream. Completely Renovated w/ a sophisticated, luxurious interior featuring top of the line fixtures and impeccable, gorgeous finishes perfectly complemented by custom millwork thru-out.This rare offering boasts thoughtful details: High Ceilings, Heart of Pine Wood Floors, Custom Cypress Cabinetry, High-end Plumbing Fixtures, Designer Tiles, 2 sets of pocket doors, Large Kit w/ Soapstone Countertops, High-end Appliances. Master Suite w/ 2 walk-in closets, Wired for Surround Sound, Video Cameras, & HDMI Back porch w/Sundeck. A+ location w/98 Walk Score this great block is close to Pizza Delicious, Crescent Park, and so much more. Attention to details is evident throughout this lovely home making it a must-see! Please view youtu.be/aPjLe2py2bE

For Sale

615 DAUPHINE ST., 8BR/5 FULL BA/1 HALF BA $1,200,000

Reduced price, make an offer! Handsome complex w/ charming brick paved covered driveway to coveted parking for 3+ cars. Eclectic building from the roaring 20’s in the heart of the French Quarter. Spacious 2 Br units featuring hi ceilings & hardwood floors in the living areas, abundant light enhances its original charm. 3rd flr unit E offers CBD skyline & French Quarter rooftop views. Unit C/D offers cathedral ceiling in the living room & poss sep “mother-in-law” suite.

Rents projected, condo docs in process.

OPEN HOUSE! Urban Vision, LLC 224 S Clark, New Orleans, LA 70119 USA Office Phone: 504-488-0950 Office Fax: 504-486-4688 http://www.urbanvisionproperties.com/

FONTS: Univers 57 Condensed Univers 67 Bold Condensed

T U E S DAY, M AY 1 / 11 A M - 1 PM

In 2017, we sold a home every 2 days!

ACCEPTABLE SUBSTITUTES: Helvetica Condensed Helvetica Bold Condensed Arial Narrow Arial Narrow Bold

621 MANDEVILLE ST.

COLORS 4 color process (digital): Brown - C=60; M=80; Y=100; K=30 Blue - C=25; M=0; Y=0; K=25

Greenproperty - C=15; M=0; Y=75; K=20 This is a rare, two-bay townhouse built of brick & plaster in 1836 with a wrought iron balcony overlooking lovely Mandeville St. Seated on an oversized 155’ lot with a lush, tropical paradise out back, perfect for entertaining friends & tranquil relaxation. Steps from the French Quarter. $825,000 “Black and white” or “gray scale” logo 60% black and 100% black File name “UVR_logo_gray”

Call LISA FURY for more information 504-957-2422

Witry Collective

900 Camp St., Suite 301, New Orleans, LA 70130 • (504) 291.2022 (o)

HOME WORKS

The Witry Collective is transforming every aspect of your real estate experience.

COLORS: Brown - PMS 4695 Blue - PMS 550 Green - PMS 583

File name: realtorlogo_brown 4025 Ulloa St New Orleans, LA 70119

Licensed in Louisiana, USA • Photo: Zack Smith Photography 2 color logo File name: UVR_logo_2color” for spot colors “UVR_logo4color” for 4color process

ONE RIVER PLACE SO

FRENCH QUARTER

File name: ehl_logo_brown

LD 3 color logo on green field File name: UVR_logo_2color+green” for spot colors “UVR_logo4color+green” for 4color process

Garden Level 1 BR, 1.5 BA Condo home in prestigious tower w/ excellent security, pool, spa, valet parking & gym. Walk to all that downtown has to offer. $945,000

Licensed by the Louisiana Real Estate Commission for more than 35 years with offices in New Orleans, LA 70130

3 Story 1820’s townhouse w/2 story rear building. Old world charm with all the modern conveniences.

Approximately 3,370 sq. ft.

Excellent mid-quarter location.

1,399,000

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

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Totally renovated 2BR / 2BA in Popular Carol Condominiums.

Mint, move-in condition in one of the most secure properties in town. $379,900

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2100 ST CHARLES AVE. 2B

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[ HOME ]

The birds and the bees (AND THE BUTTERFLIES) How to attract pollinators to your garden

BY K ANDACE POWER GR AVES

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BEE BALM/MONARDA

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A GARDEN OF BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IS AN ASSET TO ANY HOME, but with a little planning you can make that garden do double-duty by attracting insects and birds that not only are interesting to watch but also pollinate plants, including food crops, throughout the area.

According to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (i.e. insects), pollinators are essential for the reproduction of more than 85 percent of the flowering plants in the world, including two-thirds of agricultural crops, and provide food for about 25 percent of all birds as well as mammals.

“Without pollinators, it really limits our food supply,” says Anna Timmerman, an assistant extension agent for the LSU AgCenter in Jefferson Parish. “A lot of pollinators are in danger (from insecticides and a lack of plants that produce nectar and pollen).

Inviting them into your landscape is a way of protecting those pollinators.”

Bees, of which there are 200 species in Louisiana, are major pollinators, but other insects, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds also do their part to move pollen from one plant to another, allowing plants to reproduce.

Another benefit of flowering plants is that they attract insects such as ladybugs, spiders and some wasps that help control garden pests without using insecticides.

“Bees get a bad rap [because of] some of the more aggressive species,” Timmerman says. Many, however,

CAN PLANTS

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE PLANTS SUCH AS MARIGOLDS, nasturtiums and certain herbs to rid your garden beds of pests? Orleans Parish horticulture agent Joe Willis of the LSU AgCenter say it’s a popular concept but doesn’t hold up under controlled lab and field tests. Another popular theory is that some plants containing oils that repel insects like mosquitos can be placed near areas where people gather or near entryways to keep bugs from swarming or biting.

“We actually debunked that last year,” says LSU AgCenter horticulture agent Anna Timmerman. “I keep seeing it circulate on the internet, but it has been scientifically disproven.

There are repellant properties in some plants, but it’s the oil within the plant itself (that is the repellant), so you have to crush them and rub them all over the skin to protect yourself.” She suggests buying a product that contains those extracted natural oils to keep mosquitos and other pests from biting. — KANDACE POWER GRAVES

REPEL

INSECTS?

don’t sting and “can coexist peacefully with kids and animals.” People who are uneasy about a bee colony, she says, can contact the LSU AgCenter or a certified beekeeper who will gently vacuum them out of their nest and relocate them to a man-made hive or a location off the property. She recommends that approach

rather than using poison to kill them.

Don’t worry if the bees seem to disappear during the winter. “A lot of colonies will go dormant or have a period of inactivity during the winter,” she says. “We don’t get the cold weather like in the North (where bees may actually hibernate). They

will forage if the days are warm enough, but they collect pollen (to store in the nest) and the honey they produce sustains them through winter or rainy days.” It’s best to leave some patches of unmulched dirt in the garden for the 70 percent of Louisiana bee species that

[ HOME ]

ANNA TIMMERMAN’S

TOP 10 PLANTS for attracting pollinators

(SWAMP OR TROPICAL)

The monarch butterfly always lays its eggs on this herbaceous perennial.

IN LOUISIANA

4. FENNEL

Butterfly larvae feed on this perennial herb. Its bulb and leaves are edible and its pollen can be used to give foods an anise flavor.

2. MAYPOP/ PASSION FLOWER

3. DILL

The flowers of this perennial vine attract hummingbirds and bees.

The oil in its leaves is a mosquito repellant, but the leaves must be crushed and rubbed on the skin.

This herb is a good food source for caterpillars and butterflies.

Both the leaves and seeds are edible and the plant can be used to flavor foods.

5. COMMON SAGE

Bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators are attracted to the nectar-rich flowers of the species collectively called sage. Deer and rabbits have an aversion to the foliage of this perennial.

6. PARSLEY

The biennial is cultivated as an herb and a vegetable, with both the leaves and seeds being edible. Black swallowtail butterfly larvae feed on its leaves and it attracts bees. It also is favored by predatory insects such as wasps and flies that feed on pests.

7. CANDLESTICK CASSIA 8. BEE BALM/ MONARDA

The flowering perennial attracts hummingbirds, butterflies and bees, and when the leaves are crushed, its oil repels mosquitos.

(Photo on facing page)

The larvae of sulphur butterflies feed on this perennial — also known as candlestick senna — as well as other pollinators.

9. PENTAS

Also known as star flower, this annual produces nectar that is favored by a range of butterflies, moths and bees.

The nectar-laden flowers of the perennial vine are a magnet for hummingbirds, bees and butterflies, and the fruit (which causes nausea

in humans) attracts birds including quail, purple finches, goldfinches, thrushes and robins. The larvae of spring azure butterflies and snowberry clearwing moths feed on the plant as well.

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10. CORAL HONEYSUCKLE

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nest in the ground, she adds.

Butterflies are attracted to flowers that produce nectar and pollen, but they also need places where they can bask in the sun, since they are cold-blooded and need the heat to survive and to develop the color in their wings. They also need water, and since they attach to plants, they need some protection from predators such as birds, lizards and certain wasps that lay their eggs on the caterpillars that morph into butterflies.

Timmerman suggests supplying water in a shallow birdbath or plate layered with pebbles that provide places for butterflies to rest and drink.

They also need a safe place to lay their eggs and to hide from predators. This can be accomplished by arranging the garden with plants of different heights or adding shrubs to the flowering plants.

There are dozens of plants, including herbs, that produce the nectar and pollen that attract hummingbirds, bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects.

Here are Timmerman’s top 10 choices for pollinator plants that cover most of the growing season from spring through fall and offer a range of colors and shapes to accommodate insects as well as the long drinking snouts of hummingbirds.

1. MILKWEED

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[ HOME ]

UNFINISHED BUSINESS Designers suggest ways to add natural elements to a home

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

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WHEN IT COMES TO HOME DECOR, BRINGING THE OUTDOORS INSIDE isn’t a new concept. Think low-maintenance succulent plants placed artfully on bookshelves and bare windows that brighten a room.

Now folks are taking the trend a step further by updating their homes with more permanent organic elements, like wood countertops with a natural finish, cork flooring and eco-friendly wallpaper made from natural fibers, such as sisal or sea grass.

Local designers believe these rustic features can enliven an interior space or create a soothing environment that benefits mental and physical health.

“Having those natural elements calms people down,” says Amanda Connolly, an interior designer and partner at Shotgun Design Group. “It makes people happier, adds a little oxygen to the space and keeps the air clean.”

Home improvement projects featuring natural resources already are a nationwide trend, she says.

And although many of her New Orleans clients still favor an achromatic look, they’re now embracing materials with interesting textures and earthy tones.

“I think there are ways to mix those natural elements in with the whites and grays, to keep it from being too sterile of an environment,”

Connolly says. Built-in natural home fixtures can include unpainted wood cabinets or a kitchen island constructed of smooth cypress.

Quartz countertops are especially popular, Connolly says, partially because they’re available in such a wide range of finishes, “from a polished finish to even a more leathered or sueded finish.”

Blake Erskin, her partner at Shotgun Design Group, says clients are leaning toward wood features with warm or ashy tones, rather than wood with the glow of a “bright, yellowed gold.” He cites gray-ish woods like cypress and warm oak woods as examples.

Connolly says textured grass cloth wallpapers, especially those in bold patterns, are on trend, along with exposed brick floors, backsplashes and other fixtures.

“If there’s a brick wall or a brick fireplace, people will want to feature those elements,” she says. “But if you don’t have those elements in your home, we can build them in.”

Susan Currie, an interior designer and owner of Susan Currie Design, says cork flooring (an often-overlooked option) is enjoying a surge in popularity for a few different reasons. The cork in cork floors is sustainably extracted from evergreen oak trees native to southwest Europe and northwest Africa.

“It’s a sustainable product

Shotgun Design Group created a kitchen featuring an exposed brick chimney along with an unfinished wood table and chairs.

PHOTO BY JACQUELINE MARQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

Interior designers from Shotgun Design Group choose cabinets made of wood with an ashy tone for a bathroom design.

PHOTO BY JACQUELINE MARQUE PHOTOGRAPHY

because they actually take the bark from the tree,” Currie says. “They don’t cut the tree down to make the cork flooring.” Cork floors also can be made from recycled wine bottle corks.

Besides being eco-friendly, cork flooring is softer than ceramic or porcelain tile and stone floors, so it provides gentle padding for feet. It also creates a nice transition between rooms, she adds.

“Let’s say you have hardwood floors in your family room and it adjoins to the kitchen,” she says. “Maybe you don’t want that hard transition in the color of the

floor, from a wood finish that may be a medium to a dark tone, to your kitchen with a light floor. You can find a cork product that might blend nicely with your hardwood floors. It’s a nice alternative for a transition where you want to have that open-concept look, but you don’t want to see that division in the flooring.”

The intricate details of builtin pieces also can add to the earthy elements of a home.

For example, Currie says some homeowners prefer wood countertops or islands with an oiled finish, rather than a synthetic finish.

[ HOME ]

Dabito layers colorful textiles over jute rugs and uses furniture made of rattan and teak. He also uses woven wall decor and storage baskets.

PHOTO BY DABITO

Locals often request cypress wood features, like this sinker cypress island

by NOLA Boards.

PHOTO COURTESY NOLA BOARDS

Warm woods, like this sapele wood island by NOLA Boards, are trending.

PHOTO COURTESY NOLA BOARDS

A polished quartz countertop by Shotgun Design Group.

PHOTO COURTESY SHOTGUN DESIGN GROUP

uses furniture constructed with summery wicker, rattan and teak wood and employs different patterns, prints and “puffs of color” to turn up the volume in a space with more sedate natural features.

Textured grass cloth wallpaper, like this “Rainbow Agate Bold Smoke” design by Kristi Kohut, available at Spruce, can be subtle or vibrant.

PHOTO COURTESY KRISTI KOHUT

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complex and costly undertaking. Dabito, a designer, photographer and blogger for Old Brand New creative studio, suggests a few ways you can dip your toes into the trend.

“I’ll use a jute rug and layer it with another natural finish rug, but with a different texture or pattern,” he says.

“Handmade ceramics add a tactile quality to a space.

Someone took their time to make it with their hands.”

Macrame, a textile created using a knotting technique, is an organic option for wall decor, as is a carefully placed collection of shallow woven bowls. Dabito also

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“The beauty of an oiled finish is, as the counter’s being used, it might get little cut marks or dents or dings, but you can re-oil it and ... make it feel new again,” she says. Those subtle imperfections also add character.

Currie points out that natural resources, rather than synthetic materials, are better for people with asthma or allergies.

“Synthetic products may have off-gassing that can cause problems with people who are sensitive to materials that add chemicals into the environment,” she explains.

Although earthy built-in home elements have lots of appeal, adding them to a space can be a

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Curtain call HOW TO DO WINDOWS RIGHT B Y

WINDOW TREATMENTS ARE ONE OF THOSE DESIGN ELEMENTS that seem to leave even the most stylish amateur home decorators stumped. In an aesthetic age that celebrates the understated and the unfussy, even the word “curtains” might call to mind dated images of high tea and plastic-covered sofas. But here’s a secret: Window treatments are one of the most under-utilized yet impactful elements in any room. For those hoping to demystify window treatments, these tips from curtain experts and home stylists can help.

CUE MAGAZINE

• M AY 2 01 8

KNOW YOUR BASE

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Hastily-picked window treatments from a big box store might ensure privacy, but they’re not doing the space any favors when it comes to ambience.

“If you’re starting from scratch, consider that your rug and curtains are really the largest items in the room — don’t choose the wall color until you’ve nailed these things down,” says Elaine Cullen, owner of The Curtain Exchange. Instead of thinking of curtains as accessories like throw pillows, think of them as part of a room’s base layer — almost a structural element. Then, build off that base.

Take the home’s architectural style into account, too.

“I think it’s important for the curtains not to fight the architectural details,” says home stylist Rachel Loehrer of Altered States.

“For example, a lot of homes in New Orleans have these beautiful thick wood (window) casings. I see cases where people drill into the casing or use a treatment that is too visually heavy, when a shade of some sort may have been a better choice.”

E M I LY B I H L

TRY THE TREND It’s tempting to select neutral, solid-colored panels that will mesh easily with any decor.

However, Cullen says bold and vibrant prints are coming back into style.

“After too many years of solids, patterns — whether embroidered, appliqued or printed — feel so fresh,” she says. “All the magazines are saying prints are it.”

While printed curtains could spell design disaster if the room already is pattern-heavy, there is something alluring about introducing a graphic pop in an unexpected way. And, as Andrea R. Julien of Drea Custom Designs points out, window treatments are much easier to switch up than, say, a sofa. “That one pop of bold color from a new set of window treatments can change the entire look of a room,” she says.

This is also a good option for renters who don’t have quite as much flexibility in their design choices. Loehrer suggests patterned window treatments for her clients who live in apartments.

“Patterns can add interest, especially if you can’t paint or you have neutral furniture,” she says. But she has some rules of thumb for keeping the look grounded.

“When considering bold patterns, make sure the scale of the pattern is complementary to the scale of the room,” she says, whether that be a small, ditsy floral or an oversized print to complement high ceilings (a common situation in New Orleans homes).

As for color, “Choose one that has a similar base to your wall color to keep the look clean and uncluttered,” she suggests.

OPT FOR ADD-ONS The functional side of window treatments extends far beyond keeping prying eyes away from an interior. Many curtains can be backed with specialized fabrics that block light or reflect the sun’s rays and can even help save on energy usage (a win during summers in the South).

“Window treatments play a huge role in energy savings,” Julien says. “Especially in New Orleans, with historic older homes, the windows tend to be very drafty. … I would recommend adding blackout lining to your curtains or Roman shades, as this helps cut down on heat in the summer and cold drafts in winter.”

A fringe benefit? Lined curtains look better.

High ceilings can be a design challenge, but these exaggerated, extra-long curtains bring warmth and softness to the space.

PHOTO COURTESY DREA CUSTOM DESIGNS

“Linings not only add insulation to your windows, but they enhance the way the curtains hang,” Cullen says.

Multi-piece window treatments can offer versatility from season to season.

“Back when I was a child, we would take all the heavy curtains down and leave up only the sheers,” Cullen recalls. “I think this is a great look for summer.”

Loehrer agrees with this formula.

“For a Pinterest-worthy apartment, I recommend allowing as much natural light as possible by utilizing two layers of treatment, like sheers and then decorative,” she says.

RESOURCES

A listing of the retailers and professionals featured in this issue of CUE Magazine.

Mum’s the word PAG E 7

Bambi DeVille

818 Royal St. (second floor), (504) 491-0824; www.bambideville.com

Earthsavers

Lakeside Shopping Center Annex, 3301 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 835-0225; The Premier Centre, 3414 Highway 190, Mandeville, (985) 674-1133; 5501 Magazine St., (504) 899-8555; www.earthsaversonline.com

Eden House

www.edenhousenola.org

Hazelnut New Orleans

5525 Magazine St., (504) 891-2424; www.hazelnutneworleans.com

Jaci Blue

2111 Magazine St., (504) 6032929; www.jaciblue.com

Lucy Rose

534 Chartres St., (504) 2670305; 600 Metairie Road, Suite A, Metairie, (504) 218-7368; 3318 Magazine St., (504) 895-0444; www.shoplucyrose.com

Magpie Vintage Jewelry

ping Center, 2895 Highway 190, Mandeville, (985) 951-8081; 3827 Baronne St., (504) 899-7411; www.martinwinecellar.com

Springing forward

NOLA Boards

3936 Magazine St., (504) 897-2444; www.thecurtainexchange.com

519 Wilkinson St., Suite 105, (504) 435-1485; www.nolaboards.com

Nordic Kitchens & Baths 1818 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, (504) 888-2300; www. nordickitchens.com

Trashy Diva Clothing Boutique 537 Royal St., (504) 522-4233; 2048 Magazine St., (504) 2998777; www.trashydiva.com

Yvonne LaFleur 8131 Hampson St., (504) 8669666; www.yvonnelafleur.com

Who you gonna call?

PAG E 12

American Institute of Architects New Orleans 1000 St. Charles Ave., (504) 5258320; www.aianeworleans.org

Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans

PAG E 15

The Curtain Exchange

Eclectic Home

8211 Oak St., (504) 866-6654; www.eclectichome.net

Mary’s Ace Hardware 732 N. Rampart St., (504) 529-4465

Perch

2844 Magazine St., (504) 8992122; www.perch-home.com

Spruce

2043 Magazine St., (504) 2650946; www.sprucenola.com

Villa Vici

NOLA Boards

See Mum’s the word

Old Brand New

www.oldbrandnew.com

Shotgun Design Group

4404 St. Peter St., (504) 2334442; www.shotgundg.com

Spruce

See Springing forward

Susan Currie Design

The birds and the bees (and the butterflies)

Curtain call

PAG E 18

2424 N. Arnoult Road, (504) 8372700; www.hbagno.org

LSU AgCenter

Martin Wine Cellar

StudioWTA

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

1119 Tchoupitoulas St., (504) 5939074; www.studiowta.com

PAG E 20

4112 Magazine St., (504) 899-2931; www.villavici-furniture.com

4529 Magazine St., (504) 891-1333

714 Elmeer Ave., Metairie, (504) 896-7300; Village Shop-

Unfinished business

www.lsuagcenter.com

www.xerces.org

233 Walnut St., (504) 237-6112; www.susancurriedesign.com

PAG E 22

Altered States

1113 St. Mary St., (225) 503-2238

Drea Custom Designs

2032 Westbend Parkway, (800) 768-0542; www.dreacustomdesigns.com

The Curtain Exchange See Springing forward

CUE MAGAZINE • M AY 2 01 8

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Uptown, New Orleans

1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, LA | 504.888.2300 | nordickitchens.com