HOMESORLEANSNEW 2022AUTUMN MYNEWORLEANS.COMWINNERSHOMEOFBESTMASTERSDESIGNYEARTHEOFBUILDNEW AUTUMN 2022
What’s new 14
STANDARDS
Best of Home Winners
Get Organized Pantry Perfect 18
Style
Home Grown
Home Renewal
Meet our 2022 picks for New Orleans’ top design industry professionals 56
8 AUTUMN 2022
New Build of the Year
Tales of the Mocktail 22
Price Mix
Contents
FEATURES
How to reflect New Orleans’ vibrant culture via design 30
Inspiration Board
Expert Advice and tile 78
Nomita Joshi-Gupta 16
A Lower Garden District cottage gets an art-focused makeover 50
A striking modern addition redefines this 19th-century Creole cottage (p. 40)
Tempting tableware
Design Diary
For the Garden
Backyard wildlife habitats 28
Reader picks for city’s top home industry professionals 66
Colorful Cottage
Nic Brierre Aziz 20
Soft, seasonal home accents 32
Tips for new home closings 72
Editor’s Note
Last Indulgence
Bon Vivant
Picnic baskets and coolers 76
Turkey Paitan Ramen 24
Photograph by Sara Essex Bradley
80 ON THE COVER
Stone
Artist Profile
Bright Ideas
Fall Basics 12
Bubblegum Petunias 26
New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles, ISSN 1933-771X is distributed four times a year and published by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380. For a subscription visit on line at MyNewOrleans.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at Metairie LA and Additional Entry Offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright © 2022 New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is registered. New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazines’ managers or owners. AUTUMN 2022 / VOLUME 25 / ISSUE 3 325016 76
Design Masters
A rear addition to an historic house delivers modernist vibes and seamless indoor/ outdoor living 40
Nature-infused décor 74
Gatherings
Trendwatch
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10 AUTUMN 2022
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MY NEWORLEANS .COM 11
I’m extremely proud and excited to share a project I’ve been working on over the past year with Molly Kimball, registered dietitian, and the founder and director of Ochsner’s Eat Fit NOLA (and other Eat Fit programs). I served as the executive editor of a new zero-proof cocktail book authored by Kimball, who partnered for it with mixologist and beverage industry whiz Ethan Skaggs. “Craft: The Eat Fit Guide to Zero Proof Cocktails” is a gorgeous, full-color book featuring more than 50 recipes, guides to barware, bitters, glassware and everything else you need to craft a fully sensorial zero proof cocktail; this book is an essential — and beautiful — resource for every home mixologist’s library. Proceeds from book sales help fund Eat Fit programming, so you can get a fabulous book and help support worthwhile health and health education initiatives. The book publishes in November will be available at your favorite online booksellers, local bookstores, cookshops and other retailers, but is available for preorder now online cookbooks/.ochsnerstore.org/eat-fit-at
Meanwhile, in “Trendwatch” (page 34) we also have you covered — literally — with soft, autumnally-hued throw blankets, as well as toss pillows, to help with your seasonal shift in décor.
Cheers!
As you plan your get-togethers, be sure to check out the turkey ramen recipe by Zac Hill, the sous chef at Union Ramen Bar on Magazine Street in “Gatherings” (page 24). This flavorful, hearty Japanese staple is crafted using American staples for a twist sure to dazzle your guests in the cooler months.
As always we have stunning interiors and our annual Design Masters feature celebrating New Orleans’ vastly talented home industry professionals, so grab your favorite autumnal beverage, a throw blanket and cozy up with another issue chock full of inspiration.
Call me basic, but autumn continues to hold first place for me as a favor ite season. When fall hits the cooler temperatures and seasonal scents are irresistible, it’s second only to spring in my book. The weather is not too cold, but chilly enough — especially in the evening — for cozy clothing and comfy pursuits. After a hotter-than-hot New Orleans summer, there’s little I can think of that’s more inviting and invig orating than being comfortable outside for walks, a porch sit, time spent in the garden, dining al fresco or perhaps even a picnic.It’swith that last bit in mind that we rounded up a collection of chic and highly functional picnic baskets in “Price Mix” (page 76) for when the weather is so gor geous it begs you to gather around a picnic table or blanket in your favorite park. Champagne and fried chicken at Audubon Park, anyone?
Mix it Up
12 AUTUMN 2022
Fall BasicsEDITOR’S
Finally, the gardeners among us are also rejoicing as we swap out those summer annuals for their heartier fall counterparts, plant fall veggies and otherwise pre pare our greenspaces and plots for the new season. If like me, you’re always eager to find new ways to draw wildlife to your yard, don’t skip “For the Garden” (page 28), which in this issue details how to turn even the tiniest yard into a wildlife refuge benefitting Louisiana’s diverse and wonderous ecosystem.
FAIT, the plant design studio that you may have seen rolling around town in a mobile greenhouse (the Axil Rose), has a gorgeous new home on Magazine Street. “We decided to explore the opportunity of opening our own dedicated storefront in December [2021],” says Laura Stirling Joffrion, cofounder and plantrepreneur at FAIT. “When our lovely real estate friends, Olivia Ford and Melaina Ricks of Upper Management Realty showed us this space on Magazine, something shifted. The energy in the space is calm and centered. It has a little backyard for our plant babes as well as street parking in front for Axil Rose when we need it.” In addition to carrying house plants, FAIT also offers planters, misters, plant food, trellises, propagation vessels, consulting services and more. “Our [residential and commercial] interior consultations are gaining momentum,” Joffrion says. “We measure your light and discuss options that will work in your specific environment. Then, we invoice you and deliver everything. Caring for plants may not come naturally, but we have your back. We encourage each of our clients to reach out on Instagram or send us an email any time they feel like their plants are not thriving.” 3822 Magazine St., faitnola.com
Caddis, the Salt Lake City, Utah-based company selling “eye appliances” (aka readers) is on a mission to live in the present moment and to rally against the fear of aging. To that end, the company offers high-design, blue light-blocking readers that not only help you see, but also look great in the process. After a trip to New Orleans with a photo shoot at the Hotel Saint Vincent, founder and designer Tim Parr created a new frame style to honor the Crescent City. The Nola readers ($129) feature a vintage, square custom metal frame design for a clean, classic aesthetic. The top brow bar is even engraved with the coordinates of the French Quarter (29° 57’ 26” N 90° 03’ 54” W). The custom temple tips adjust to fit a wide range of head sizes as a nod to the diversity of the city itself. Available exclusively at By George New Orleans, 1507 Magazine St., saintvincentnola.com
Elysian by Emily Morrison, which originally opened on Magazine Street as a popup, has claimed the space as a permanent home for textiles and ceramics. “Everything is designed by me and made by our artisan partners in Turkey,” Morrison says. “Elysian embodies effortless style boasting vibrant colors and prints that spark inspiration and joy.” The one-of-a-kind silk and silk/velvet textiles that make up Elysian’s clothing, slides, sneakers, totes, pillow covers and table linens are handwoven in Uzbekistan using centuries-old weaving and dyeing techniques. They are then tailored with a modern bohemian aesthetic in Istanbul, Turkey. Meanwhile, the ceramics are hand-painted in Kütahya, Turkey, by a female artisan, and they feature a playful take on the traditional Turkish ikat pattern. 3701 Magazine St., elysianbyem. com
All the Green Things
Mint House New Orleans–Riverside is a new development housed in an iconic warehouse that exudes Big Easy vibes. Comprising a new category of hospitality (dubbed residential hospitality), Mint House features one-, two- and three-bedroom apartmentstyle units that are thoughtfully designed with full kitchens, cozy and expansive living areas, and connected workspaces — all perfect for your next staycation. Amenities include options to stock your fridge before you arrive, a lululemon fitness mirror in each room, 24/7 digital concierge services and a curated room service menu featuring some of the city’s top dishes. 315 Girod St., minthouse.com
Stylish Specs
14 AUTUMN 2022 DESIGN DIARY
New Way to Stay
Turkish Textiles
Urban Properties, a New Orleans-based commercial development, property management and brokerage firm, is overseeing the historic renovation of a Mid-City warehouse at 4201 Tulane Ave. (on the corner of Tulane Avenue and South Solomon Street). The owner/developer, KCT Real Estate, a real estate investment company owned by Tony and Katherine Gelderman, has redeveloped other historic properties in New Orleans, including 800 Magazine St., 353 Carondelet St. and The Rink at 2727 Prytania St. Built in the 1920s, the Tulane Avenue property is a two-story, 36,000-square-foot building that was previously home to Riecke Cabinet Works (19251971) and, most recently, Lighting Inc. (1972+). The structural rehabilitation includes a new roof, restored windows and exterior metal panels to honor the original 1920s façade, and building out the interior space. “The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans is excited to receive a preservation easement on this historic warehouse, which will protect this building in perpetuity…,” says Danielle Del Sol, executive director of the PRC.
Historic Renovation
— COMPILED BY MISTY MILIOTO
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3
Weekly Tradition
PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX
Lamps are my obsession — especially those with sculptural bases or unusually shaped shades. Merchant House is my go-to source modern and antique lighting, and I particularly love Rosa’s selection. Merchant House, merchanthouse.co
4 Screen Time
A room is never complete without art. Local artist Courtney Simon de Montfort’s mixed media works intrigue me and strike a chord with my architectural side. I mean, she literally sews wood! Courtney Simon de Montfort, @court.sdm
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Sew Unique
16 AUTUMN 2022 STYLE
For lighter, brighter rooms, I forgo heavy drapes or shades and opt for screens handmade from Japanese papers. There is something so beautiful about the way the natural light filters through them. Spruce, sprucenola.com
Bright Idea
1 2 4 5 3
Sunday is my day to cuddle up on the couch with a hot cup of tea and an inspiring design book. The Preservation Resource Center stocks its shelves with the best local titles including Lee Ledbetter’s “The Art of Place” Preservation Resource Center, prcno. org
5
ViewGlobal
Influenced by the international style of her native city, Bangalore, and the history of her adopted hometown, New Orleans, interior designer Nomita Joshi-Gupta brings a fresh, worldly perspective to her design work and to her textile emporium, Spruce.
Freshly-cut garden flowers turn a house into a home. Over time, I’ve amassed quite a collection of floral containers and Robin Kanner’s vases are as lovely unfilled as they are bursting with blooms. Victoria, @victoria4858
Flower Power
In Zurik’s experience, people often overestimate the amount of space they need (unless they are bulk shoppers). In large spaces, or on deep shelves, items easily get buried — and wasted. “It’s important to be able to see what you have at any given moment because the minute it gets hidden from you, you lose track of it and don’t use it,” she says. Shallow shelving keeps contents visible and easy to locate.
“Drinks and snacks are their own monster,” says storage.spotsprefersaway),puttingwhenshelvessloppycanPackagedintoofbeveragesspace-hoggingsheWhenZurik.possible,movesoutpantriesandabararea.snacksdevolveintopileson(especiallykidsarethemsoZuriknon-pantryfortidier
As we shift from summer produce to heartier pantry staples, it’s time to trade Creole tomatoes for canned. For pointers on keeping those cans — and the rest of our larder — within easy reach, we turn to Jenny Zurik, partner with MZ. Architecture & Design. Her storage strategies follow a guiding principle: “Everything has its place, and if it doesn’t have its place, then it doesn’t belong in your house.”
Stay focused
In any kitchen/pantry setup, Zurik makes the highest-use items the most accessible. That means oils, spices, and other frequently used ingredients should be stored near kitchen prep sites for maximum convenience, while seasonal items (like crawfish trays), can be more remote.
When it comes to pantries, resist the urge to use the space as a catchall for household items. “Decide what the program is,” says Zurik. “If the program is food, great. If you also need cleaning supplies, try to put those somewhere else. You don’t want to mix those things if you don’t have to, even though it’s possible to organize them together.”
Zurik loves a slide-out drawer for spices and a chef’s pantry for clean design and smooth function, like the models from Rev-A-Shelf (rev-a-shelf.com) with roll-out and swing-out shelving. If space or budget constraints don’t allow for a new build-out, start smaller. Every pantry can benefit from a purge, as tossing expired food frees up space and reminds you what’s on hand. Other inexpensive options include a Lazy Susan for spices and oils and clear, labeled canisters for storing dry goods. If you opt for bins and baskets, choose a consistent style that contains items neatly (i.e., no bits and pieces poking through wide wire mesh). Whatever approach you choose, make sure it’s one you have the time and inclination to maintain. Those ingredients are just as important as the items lining the shelves.
GET ORGANIZED
Close encounters
Storage stars
PerfectPantry
— BY REBECCA FRIEDMAN
Don’t go too deep
Beverage ban
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20 AUTUMN 2022
examining questions of race, Eurocentric ideals of beauty, fashion and taste and the seemingly arbitrary assignation of value.
Aziz refers to himself as a Haitian-New Orleanian and is interested in illuminating the many connections (racial, political, re ligious, culinary, economic, and so forth) between the two places. His maternal grandfather, Jean Brierre, was born and raised in Haiti, attend ed Yale School of Medicine, then practiced as an OBGYN and surgeon in Shreveport, where his civil rights work helped integrate hospitals and catholic schools. He also amassed an important collection of Haitian art, consisting of more than 400 works.
His installation entitled “My God Wears a Durag” mixes video, voice and a bench draped in colorful head coverings to probe standards of dress. A work featuring Saints football jerseys, chain and cotton, is meant to draw parallels between exploitation of Black athletes and Louisiana’s history of slavery. A large photo entitled “Strange Brute Hanging from the Poplar Trees” is both a visual satire incorporating piñatas made to look like de posed Confederate monuments suspended from a tree and a verbal play on Billie Holliday’s elegiac song about lynching, “Strange Fruit”.
Aziz’s father, Omar Aziz, Jr. was a second-generation owner of Omar’s Pies, which was part of New Orleans’ culinary landscape for more than three decades; his uncle is notable Haitian-American artist Ulrick JeanPierre; his Haitian-born mother, Monique Brierre Aziz, is a social worker whose heritage and influence “run deep” through his work.
FOR ARTIST AND CURATOR NIC BRIERRE AZIZ, the past is a compass for the future. Aziz’s lineage and person al experience, and the collective experience of society at large, are at the heart of his thought-provoking work.
Aziz’s own artistry began with writing. But after obtaining his BA from Morehouse College and his MSc at University of Manchester in England, he turned his attention to visual arts, first as a curator of exhibitions and then through video, installations, performance and mixed media, boldly
THOM BENNETT PORTRAIT ARTIST PROFILE
“Blackness is a construct not created by Black people,” said Aziz, who recontextualizes everyday objects in his pieces.
Nic Brierre Aziz
“Art and entrepreneurship were always around me,” said Aziz, who strikingly resembles his late Haitian grandfather.
Aziz participated in the Joan Mitchell Foundation’s 2021 Artist-in-Res idence program and is currently the community engagement curator for the New Orleans Museum of Art, a position that has enabled him to collaborate with everyone from chefs and dancers to students and prisoners. This fall, he curates “Itutu: Diddy Ain’t Invent The Remix,” a group show about recontextualization or “remix” as a form of expression among African-rooted peoples at Tone, a Black-owned Memphis gallery, through Oct. 15.
“I want to plant the seeds for a different garden to grow when we are no longer here,” said Aziz. LEE CUTRONE
(Note: A version of this article was originally published on MyNe wOrleans.Com.)
22 AUTUMN 2022 BON VIVANT
The looks of delight on my guests’ faces when I handed them a champagne glass of spar kling rosé that they could enjoy without consequences sent me over the moon. My guest who has been sober for six years men tioned time and again how much she loved being introduced to the concept of mocktails and NA replacement drinks, because it made her feel so much more in cluded in the festivities.
My favorite way to welcome house- and dinner guests is to surprise them with cocktail hour or, depending on what time they arrive, a Bloody Mary or mi mosa welcome hour. New Orleans is, after all, such a welcoming place, so a welcome reception is one of the best ways to set the tone for the friendliness and hospitality to come. Earlier this year, we had houseg uests that are non-drinkers, so instead of champagne, French 75s or some other alcohol-driven drink, I filled a chic little drink bucket with ice and various non-al coholic and dealcoholized options. As the sober and sober curious movement gains momentum — and folks with the usual reasons for not wanting to drink become more familiar with non-alcoholic options — I have a feeling we are all going to see a lot more peo ple opting for no- and low-ABV options. It’s possible that you’ve seen many of them on restaurant and bar menus around the city or at events. Offering a choice of both things that mimic their spiked counterparts, as well as picks that aren’t trying to be like anything else, is a good way to cover your bases, no matter why someone is abstaining. If you aren’t hiring a bartender,
There are several options from New Orleans enti ties, as well as selections from national brands that are available locally, so it will be easy for you to stock up without relying on online purchases (unless you just wantMocklyto). is a woman-owned, New Orleans-based brand blended with fruit juices, herbs and spices. These refreshing sippers are a treat simply poured over ice or you can use them as a base for recipes with zero-proof spirits (or the real stuff for tipplers) such as Seedlip (available at Total Wine & More) and Ritual Zero Proof alternative tequila, gin or whiskey (available at Total Wine as well as Whole Foods) or with a variety of additions, such as soda, fruit or fresh herbs. El Guapo is also a woman-owned, New Orle ans-based brand of non-alcoholic bitters and cordials. The Lime Cordial syrup is delightful with ginger ale or, like Mockly, used as an ingredient in either a non-al coholic or spiked cocktail. It’s available online and at various New Orleans grocery and liquor stores. Lagu
MELANIE WARNER SPENCER
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keeping these drinks in a separate drink bin or cooler marked “Non-Alcoholic” is a good way to keep anyone from getting mixed up.
© BEAU CIOLINO AND MATT ARMATO PHOTO
Tales of the Mocktail
nitas Hoppy Refresher is spar kling hop water made by Laguni tas Brewing Co. out of Northern California. It is sweet, refreshing and flavorful. I’ve found this in New Orleans at Whole Foods, but it’s widely available in gro cery and liquor stores. Sovi has a delightful and dry dealcoholized sparkling rosé and a sparkling white conveniently packaged in single serve cans. It truly tastes like the real thing and is made by a husband-and-wife, wine-lover and sommelier team out of Cal ifornia. (The company makes my favorite dealcoholized red as well.) Get the sparkling rosé or white at New Orleans’ newest wellness and oxygen bar, Dream House Lounge downtown. The lounge has a bottle shop and spe cializes in “conscious cocktails.”
As the sober curious movement trends upward, consider including festive nonalcoholic options for non-drinking houseguests
Born and raised in Fairhope, Alabama, by age 9, Zac Hill began cultivating his food hobby while cooking in his RamenNguyenExecutiveandtheexperiencescreatecafétobecameNewHillFranciscoacaféacoffee,foodheTulaneaskitchen.grandmother’sYearslaterastudentatUniversity,enteredthescenethroughservingasbaristaandamanager.AfterstintinaSankitchen,returnedtoOrleansandinspiredreachbeyondfareandfullculinaryundermentorshipguidanceofChefNateofUnionBar.
Best of Both Worlds
Chef Zac Hill of Union Ramen Bar puts a twist on a traditional Japanese staple using all-American staples like turkey and ham PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX EUGENIA UHL PHOTO GATHERINGS
Sous
About Sous Chef Zac Hill
Broth
2. Place pot over high heat and bring to a rolling boil; once pot boils, reduce to an active simmer. Skim off impurities that rise to the top and stir at least every 15 minutes to prevent bottom from scorching. Add water as needed.
4. Once bones are soft enough, add dried shiitake mushrooms and vegetables and simmer for another 30 to 40 minutes.
1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil.
Bowl Assembly
1 ½ cups mirin
3. Place in a heat-safe container and allow to cool to room temperature.
Yields 10 servings.
Tare
2-3 leeks, dark green parts and roots removed, thinly sliced and Eggs,washedas many as you and your guests like
1. Place turkey and chicken into an 18-quart or larger stock pot and add cold water until poultry is covered by two inches of water.
Toppings
3. Continue to simmer until larger turkey bones can be pulled out and broken by hand without excessive effort (do not throw away any bones broken this way). This may take eight hours or more. if you have a large slow cooker or crockpot, you may transfer broth into that and cook at a lower temperature until bones are ready.
1. Add all ingredients to a saucepan and bring to a boil.
5. Remove broth from heat and strain through a colander or mesh strainer. Pull out about one pound of large turkey bones from broth scraps and set aside.
3-4 leeks, dark green parts and roots removed, sliced lengthwise into quarters and washed 5 tablespoons mirin
1 cup sake ½ cup sugar
Turkey Paitan Ramen
4. When noodles are almost done cooking, add about 2 cups of broth to each bowl. Drain noodles, distribute among the bowls, and toss to mix the seasonings and broth.
1 pounds ginger, sliced about ¼-inch thick
7. Ensure that you now have about five quarts of broth. If not, add water to total five quarts. Return broth to a simmer and add kosher salt and mirin. Simmer broth for 30 minutes.
1 pounds whole garlic, halved
2 pounds chicken paws
3 ounces dried shiitake mushrooms
5-6 sheets of nori, thinly sliced into Honey-glazedstrips
8. Remove broth from heat and add kombu. Allow kombu to steep for 30 minutes and remove.
1 cup soy sauce
Eggs
3. Once broth boils, reduce to a simmer. Once water boils, cook noodles according to the instructions that came with them.
1 piece of kombu, about an 8-inch by 8-inch in square 20 ounces dry noodles (2 ounces per serving)
2 tablespoons kosher salt
6. Place saved turkey bones in a blender or food processor and cover with the now strained broth. Blend mixture, starting on low and working up to high. Blend on high for 1 minute. Strain bone and broth mixture back into remaining broth and discard any bone bits left behind.
3. Once water boils, gently lower eggs into pot and set a timer for desired cook time. For large eggs, I prefer a 7-minute cooking time so whites are fully cooked and yolks are still jammy.
1. Bring both broth and a pot of water to a boil on the stove.
2. While waiting for broth and water to boil, set up bowls. Add a pinch of salt and pepper and oneto one-and-a-haf ounces of tare to each bowl.
6 pounds turkey drumsticks
3 pounds turkey wings
5. Top each bowl as you like, or let your guests get crazy doing it themselves.
MY NEWORLEANS .COM 25
2. Reduce heat to a low simmer and reduce liquid to 1 pint.
ham seared in a skillet over medium heat just until the cut side of the ham begins to brown. Works well with leftovers ham from a holiday party!
2. Meanwhile, use a thumbtack or a needle to poke a hole in the middle of the fat side of each egg.
Petunias prefer acidic soil (a pH range of 5.5 to 6.5 is best).
5 Lagniappe
Bubblegum Petunia
1 Appearance
BY MISTY MILIOTO
These petunias should be planted in full sun in welldrained soil. The best time for planting is in the fall (September through early November), providing blooms until late May, and in late winter and early spring (early February through mid-March). These petunias require more water than other plants (due to their fast-growing nature), and they prefer early morning watering. They are also heavy feeders, so it’s best to apply a two- to (followedsolublecontrolled-release,three-monthwater-fertilizeratplantingbyregularfeedings).
Supertunia lookingwillafterandflowersfillersmakespread.tallgrowpetuniaBubblegumVistaisaheartythatcan16to24incheswithathree-footAssuch,theyforgreatgardenorhedges.Thearebrightpink,alightpruningeachbloomflushkeepyourplantitsbest.
4 Learn
3 Grow
Supertunia Vista Bubblegum petunias are typically available in six-inch pots at garden centers. When transplanting, always plant at the original cell pack or pot depth. For multiple plants in a landscape bed, it is best to space the petunias 18 inches apart (from the center of one plant to the next). Try planting with Swan columbine, Amazon dianthus, Sorbet violas, Redbor ornamental kale, Mesa gaillardia and Diamonds Blue delphinium. This petunia also looks beautiful spilling over hanging baskets.
2 Use
The LSU AgCenter named the Supertunia Vista trials.varietiesdurableofprovedSuperpetuniaBubblegumaLouisianaPlantasittobeonethestate’smostpetuniainlandscape
HOME GROWN
Brighten up your fall garden with pretty pink petunias
Creating a Certified Wildlife Habitat in your yard protects native species
Creating Certified Wildlife Habitats is important to provide refuge for declining populations of birds, bees and butterflies, among other living organisms. “In 2019, a study by a team of international scientists published in the journal Science concluded that, since 1970, there’s been a 30 percent decline in wild bird populations in the United States and Canada — a staggering loss of nearly 3 billion birds in the last 50 years,” Ortego says. “Among the most
These spaces provide adequate sources of food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young — all while using sustainable practices. To create these habitats, cer tain features (bird and squirrel feeders, birdbaths, roosting boxes and host plants for caterpillars) need to be included. The NWF provides a checklist (nwf.org), and, when resi dents are ready to certify their habitat, they can complete an online application (nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat).
Include these native wildlife.protectspeciesplanttoLouisiana
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Louisiana Wildlife Federation, the Bayou State’s leading organization of sportsmen and conservationists, is on a mission to be the voice of Louisiana’s wildlife and natural resources. One way the organization does so is through its Garden for Wildlife program. “LWF has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation through this program to in crease habitats for backyard wildlife species and to protect pollinator populations in Louisiana,” says Stacy Ortego, LWF outreach coordinator. “A key aspect of this program is the Certified Wildlife Habitat.”
Wild Side
In addition to providing refuge for birds, residents can set up bee hotels for species that nest above ground (or patches of soil free from mulch for those that nest below ground) and plant milkweed to support monarchs. Sustain able practices include soil and water conservation (think drip irrigation and mulch), controlling exotic species (by planting native plants) and using organic practices (forgo ing the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and using compost).“Remember that providing habitat for wildlife isn’t just to invite birds, bees and butterflies to your garden,” Or tego says. “Bugs are a key part of that habitat and serve as a critical food source for those species. Amphibians such as frogs and salamanders, and reptiles like lizards, anoles and skinks, are also part of the ecosystem.”
impacted species are sparrows, blackbirds and finches.”
Also, while honeybees (Louisiana’s state insect) are im portant, so are our more than 200 native bee species. “Most native bees are solitary and do not have a hive to rely on for survival, so be sure to offer plants that native bees use for nectar and pollen,” Ortego says. “Louisiana also is important for spring breeding of monarchs, a species that has recently been added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List due to steep declines in population size over the past decade. Each fall, monarchs make the 2,500mile journey from Canada to Mexico, passing through Loui siana along the way.”
FOR THE GARDEN JEFFERY JOHNSTON PHOTO
This year, the Louisiana Legislature approved an official state butterfly, the Gulf fritillary, which is the only butterfly indigenous to Louisiana. Just as monarchs need milkweed, Gulf fritillaries native-plantsmore.databasenativeVisitgoldenrod.eyedleafbushyrosinweed,scarletpurpleFlowersflowersaloveHummingbirdsandcap,firebush,sweetbell,oakleafinshrubsnuthatches.wrens,berriesthatanAmericanlarvae.maypop)passionflowerneed(akafortheirhollyisevergreenshrubprovidesredforbirdslikesparrowsandOtherthatdowellLouisianaincludehydrangea,Turk’sbeautyberrycoralbean.alsotheredbuckeye,smalltreethatinthespring.couldincludeconeflower,sage,Simpsongaura,aster,narrow-sunflower,black-SusanandAudubon’splanttofindaudubon.org/
— MISTY MILIOTO
— EVA FEDDERLY
Work with local contractors that you trust.
EUGENIA UHL PHOTO
Without the incredible work ethic of our con tractors, our design ideas would be just that without them. My go-to person for anything to do with fabricating stone work is Paul with Pa latial Stone and his wife Amyre. They’re always available for finding just the right materials to use in any project.
Our clients are not afraid of making bold state ments with their furniture and sometimes it’s as simple as taking a modern chair and adding a lit tle fringe! Our clients love a pop of color which adds to the fun of it all and New Orleanians are all about having a good time.
Go big.
Give your walls some personality.
NOLA CHIC
Villa Vici’s Vikki Leftwich’s tips on how to reflect New Orleans’ vibrant culture via design
When clients have a treasured antique passed on from their families, that can always be the start of designing a room. An antique chandelier was the beginning of this dining room and in corporating black lacquered walls by Keith Guy contractors in New Orleans took this room to a new level. Our clients are not afraid of taking a chance even with black that we consider to be the new white. Adding beautiful fabrics in our window treatments always warms the heart and adds interest to any room.
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Use a minimalist approach and embrace the old and the new.
Wallpaper is another way to make bold state ments especially in powder rooms. It has defi nitely made a comeback in interior design and it allows my clients’ personalities to shine on.
Work with local artists.
BRIGHT IDEAS
Vikki Leftwich is a trailblazer. Co-owner of New Orleans furniture and design in stitution Villa Vici, Leftwich has long been a guiding light in the community. After founding Villa Vici in 1991 with her husband, Bryan Colwell, Leftwich developed long-term relationships with local artists and a keen eye for contemporary design, while providing exemplary customer service for her cultivated roster of clientele. “New Orleans clients are like no other and creating livable spaces for them is always exciting and refreshing,” the interior designer said from her showroom on Magazine Street. “We have so many talented people in our beloved city that make my job as an interior designer so much more interesting.” With a love for the culture and people of New Orleans, Leftwich shares expert insights on how to reflect New Orleans’ vibrant culture via design.
I love designing a room around artwork and New Orleans has a plethora of amazing artists to choose from. We work with several artists in the city and if we give them a palette of colors to work with they always come up with something exceptional and their pieces become the focal point of the room. Tony Mose is one of these artists and we are always honored to incorporate his work in our design projects.
BY ANDY MYER PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENIA UHL
Bold Texture
Bring forth the seasonal spirit with a pleasing fall color palette and soft and cozy textural pieces that scream cuddle up
TRENDWATCH
Suzani: Hand-stitched suzani from Bukhara embellished with intricate flicker stitches depicting a floral motif in a stunning array of colors, available at B. Viz, bvizdesign.com. Pillows from top to bottom: Delicate handcrafted burnt orange velvet pillow with gold metallic cording and knotted corners and Fortuny pillow with gold metallic cording and velvet backing, available at B. Viz, bvizdesign.com; hooked cotton pillow by Justina Blakeney for Jungalow, available at Hazelnut, hazel nutneworleans.com; Zak + Fox Sayat embroidered pillow in mustard, available at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co.
Extra-large Schleppers bucket tote in black chee tah print, incredibly soft brushed mohair throw in flax, faux fur leopard Lili Alessandra large lumbar pillow, available at Mai sonette, maisonetteshop. com. Striped pillow, nap kins: In soft dusty rose and cream stripe, Hale Mercan tile Basix linen napkins is Russo, available at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co. Textile: Striking block print textile in mustard, black and white tribal pattern, available at the French Market, frenchmarket.org
Flat weave Hawkins New York Essential floor runners in mustard and rose stripe, VRT South African Ware wall hanging, classic wool Hutton Plaid pillow in salmon, Hale Mercantile Basix linen napkins in Rosa, available at Sunday Shop, sundayshop. co. Lips pillow: Whimsical hooked cotton pillow by Justina Blakeney for Junga low, available at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com.
SPONSORED
NEW BUILD OF THE YEAR
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By Lee SaraPhotographyCutronebyEssexBradley
A REAR ADDITION TO AN HISTORIC HOUSE DELIVERS MODERNIST VIBES AND SEAMLESS INDOOR/OUTDOOR LIVING
“We liked that it felt old and wanted to respect that, but we also very much wanted something new and we want ed to make sure it all worked together,” said the owner, a native of the area. “We put a lot of faith in other people’s skills to help us define that.”
The owner of the property, a local businessman, lived in California for 10 years, then in an historic townhouse apartment in the Central Business District with a modern glass addition he learned was designed by StudioWTA. The seamless indoor/outdoor living popular in Califor nia and the beautiful contrast of the CBD apartment’s architecture provided the broad strokes of what he and his partner wanted when they decided to add-on. Because the rooms in the original house are relatively small, they wanted larger communal spaces suited to relaxation and casual entertaining and had a rough idea of a floorplan.
“Our firm has always been very interested in the con trast between old and new,” said Ashe. “We like it to read almost as an insertion. In my opinion, it’s the best way to honor historic architecture — complement and contrast, not overwhelm. Modern architecture belongs in historic cities. The new architecture becomes part of the living his tory of the city so you can understand the progression.”
Ashe and her team analyzed the condition of the exist ing property and found that the original part of the cot tage was in solid shape. But later additions and changes at the rear of the house didn’t relate to the integrity of the historic house and were deteriorating. The new plan called for removing the previous additions and starting fresh with what Ashe calls “spatial experiences” markedly different than those in the front of the house.
“
ne of the things that we thought was that the new should feel new and the old should feel old,” says the owner of a 19th-century Creole center hall cottage with a striking modern addition. Working with likeminded architect Tra cie Ashe of the award-winning StudioWTA architecture firm, the owner and his partner adhered to that philos ophy with stunning success. The result is a house that thoughtfully combines the classic, sturdy bones of anoth er era with a new volume that speaks to contemporary design and incorporates state-of-the-art materials.
Facing page: Corner sliding glass doors open between the living area and the porch. Abundant light, white walls and sun-bleached surfaces make the addition bright and airy. Right: The addition overlooks three separate outdoor areas: a pool, a cabana and a covered storage building/outdoor kitchen (shown). The exteriors of the outdoor kitchen and cabana are clad in ash wood. The niche behind the sofa is lined with the same oak veneer used in the kitchen. Above: The vintage chocolate Brown Eames chair and ottoman came from Wirthmore Antiques
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Facing oage: The waterfall kitchen island is made of white quartzite. Counter chairs from Doorman Designs. Top left: Oak veneer was used under the stove and island and for the wall of cabinets between the kitchen and butler’s pantry. Top right: A doorway leading to the butler’s pantry is one of two steel-framed passages into the new addition. Bottom: Hazard had the Indian-made rug custom colored and designed. The raised outdoor porch provides a smooth transition between inside and out.
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Top left: Three milk glass and polished nickel pendant fixture hangs in the foyer of the original cottage. The owners found their mix of local and Mississippi art at auctions and galleries. Right top: Captured attic space is now an office/guest suite. Bottom left: A dark sea-life wallpaper creates an underwater feel in the powder room. Facing page: The steel stairwell relates to the steel framing the doorways to the addition and the brick behind the stairs is left from an original chimney. The abstract mixed media piece by Leroy Miranda Jr. was commissioned for the space next to the stairs.
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Top left: Hazard designed a white oak built-in wall unit and connected bedframe for a seamless look in the guest room. Top right: Ashe designed a hidden trundle bed in a raised niche in front of an original dormer window that is now part of the built-out attic. Bottom: The master bath was designed to have a contemporary, high-end barber shop feel. The vertical window overlooks an Asian-inspired side garden. Facing page: Wooden slats add texture to the ceiling in the office loft space.
While the transition from old to new is dramatic, it’s not jarring or abrupt. The roofline in back follows the same gabled slope as that in front; there is a straight view from the front door all the way thru the addition to the outdoors; and the living room mantel in the old cottage was remodeled with a modern aesthetic that introduces what is to come.
“At a high level, it was a pleasure to work on [this house],” said Ashe. “The owners said it lives very well and that makes me happy.”
Subtle treatments create an almost subliminal connection be
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The modern addition centers around a great room with soaring ceilings and lots of light, and a kitchen set apart by a furred down portion of ceiling. Corner sliding glass doors open between the living area and the porch, which in turn leads to three other separate outdoor living areas: a pool sur rounded by white coral tiles (that stay cool to the touch despite high temperatures), a cabana with a kitchenette, bathroom and wall-mounted TV, and a covered storage building/outdoor kitchen.Thethree outdoor areas enable the homeowners to spend time outside “depending where the sun is.” Mature greenery and ash wood cladding on both the cabana and storage build ing bring natural warmth to the polished environment.
“You don’t feel like you’re in the middle of a city,” said the homeowner. “It’s a tranquil oasis.”
tween the original house and the addition. Door frames leading to the new build are trimmed with plate steel, providing both a literal and conceptual “threshold” into the modern design scape or what Ashe calls “a marker of the transition.” The use of steel is continued in the stair rail ascending to a loft space created by building out the existing attic. The captured space is a home office and an extra guest room with a bath, featuring a skylight and handsome slate walls. Instead of plastering over an original brick chimney, Ashe incorporated it into the modernism of the master bath and the wall behind the great room stairs.
Finishes in the new volume include white oak floors, quartz ite kitchen counters and a combination of glossy white and oak veneer cabinets. Interior designer Betsey Hazard of House of Hazard Interiors, helped furnish the addition using a va riety of sources including auctions, local stores, artisans and Craigslist.“Theoverarching theme is that we wanted a comfortable modern vibe while acknowledging the history of the place,” said the owner. “And I think we pulled it off.”
hen Sherry Shirah of Sherry Shirah Design first saw her client’s exquisite collection of art and antique furniture, she knew the pieces would drive the design for this one-bedroom, one-bath cottage. “It was clear we needed those elements to be our North Star for the overall design,” Shirah says. “The goal was to renovate and refresh the entire space. We achieved this by painting everything inside and out, creating custom pieces, and leveraging antique and vintage pieces for reuphol
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W
Colorful Cottage
BY MISTY MILIOTO / PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACQUELINE MARQUE
A cottage in the Lower Garden District gets an art-focused makeover
stery. We coined this project ‘the Cottage d’Art’ because of the joyful amount of color as well as the artwork.”
Shirah chose paint colors that were either inspired by nature or by the artwork. “We chose a soft color for the walls and ceiling — subtle so the artwork would shine — and the trim and dentil moulding is a contrasting soft white,” Shirah says. “It’s not often we have clients that will be open to purple kitchen cabinetry, so, when it happens, it’s exhil arating. We chose Pelt by Farrow & Ball for the cabinets. The bedroom is a vibe — painted in French Grey by Farrow & Ball.”
Facing page: The bedroom features a Le Corbusi er chaise from the client’s personal collection, a 19th-century British Colonial teak desk from 1stDibs, an antique rug from NOLA Rugs, a desk lamp from Fireside Antiques and a desk chair by Mario Bellini.
Facing page: top left: The bedroom also features a French three-tier 19th-century side table and a four-post mahogany canopy bed from British India (both sourced from 1stDibs), a bed quilt from L’Aviva Home and bedside sconces from Visual Comfort. top right: The welcoming entryway is home to an antique mirror and 19th-century Catalan Spanish carved walnut table from 1stDibs, and a planter and an antique green armoire from the client’s personal collection. bottom left: An antique rug from NOLA Rugs and custom-made Belgian linen shades soften the space in the kitchen, while the ceiling pendant from Visual Comfort adds structure. bottom right: The striking bathroom comes to life thanks to a custom hand-painted mural by Ann Marie Auricchio, antique Art Deco light pendants from 1stDibs, an antique mirror from Dops Antiques, a Kohler vessel sink and Les Quatre Saisons marble from Triton Stone. This page: Artwork features prominently in the dining room, such as this painting on burlap by Tendai Johnson from the client’s personal collection. A rattan sculptural dining table from 1stDibs, Italian leather dining chairs by Mario Bellini, an antique sideboard and bowl from the client’s personal collection, and a table lamp by Kelly Wearstler finish off the space.
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Facing page: The distinguished living room features a Chinese Art Deco rug from NOLA Rugs, a Vladimir Kagan Serpentine sofa from 1stDibs (reupholstered in Italian che nille from Backroom Fabric) topped with custom ball pillows in fabric from Kevin O’Brien Studio and made by Madwoman, and artwork above the fireplace by Mi chael Canning. This page: top: A custom daybed by Doorman, dressed with a cus tom daybed curtain in fabric from Kevin O’Brien Studio, is a statement piece in the living room. Bottom: The colorful entryway also stands out with artwork (“Interwoven,” by Kyle Meyers); a Meshmatics ceiling pen dant by Moooi; a midcentury modern swivel chair from 1stDibs (reupholstered in Khovar fabric by L’Aviva Home); a nesting end table from 1stDibs and an antique hutch from the client’s personal collection.
For this project, it was also important to optimize the space in the most effec tive, yet beautiful way. “We were work ing with a large open living space, which felt like an empty box,” Shirah says. “It has one nicely sized bedroom, which we maximized with an antique queen post er bed from the West Indies. The bath is multi-functional and has a free-stand ing tub/shower and includes the stack able washer/dryer. We designed it to be luxurious and efficient all at once. The entire space isn’t large, and every room has a purpose, so we focused on special moments.”Forexample, the homeowner loves learning about different cultures and ex periencing them firsthand. Her last trip before the pandemic, to Sri Lanka and Bhutan, was memorable and inspired the bathroom design. Shirah commis sioned local artist Ann Marie Auricchio to hand-paint the bathroom walls using colors from the garden and scenes from Sri Lanka. Shirah also replaced the toi let, sink and plumbing fixtures, and she created a custom vanity, a custom linen cabinet and custom French doors with frosted glass for privacy.
Since there is no designated guest room, Shirah created a multi-functional living room. She partnered with local ly-based Doorman Designs to design and create a custom daybed, which she surrounded with stunning floor-toceiling burnout velvet custom curtains made by local artisan Leslie Waters. Shi rah then layered the look with a custom duvet and pillows that are a mixture of Belgian linens and velvets. She also add ed a custom bar topped with Les Qua tre Saisons stone and an antiqued-mir ror“Thebacksplash.overall space is a feast for the eyes,” Shirah says. “It’s a small space that packs a big punch.”
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DESIGN MASTERS
BY LEE CUTRONE / PHOTOGRAPHY BY SARA ESSEX BRADLEY
What is Southern Style?
It’s commonly described as something rooted in the traditional — think lattice work, inviting ve randas and monograms — and, we’d like to think, given an interesting or modern twist. Style is after all a very individual thing. While their talents easily translate to any geographical location, we’re confident this year’s nine Design Mas ters are great examples of Southern — and more specifically New Orle ans — style. A genre (and subgenre) that is inde finable, indefatigable and always inspirational — much like our 2022 Design Masters.
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57 TARAVELLAHALLRACHEL
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? John Pawson, Vincent Van Duysen, Athena Calderone, any and all Japa nese architecture.
MASTER OF RENOVATION / PRESERVATION
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. My lifechanging project was the Washington Avenue house that won [New Orleans Homes’] “Renovation of the year 2015”. It was my first major project [after] leaving Trahan Architects, where I’d worked since college. However, my style has evolved and matured since then, and with every new project it becomes my favorite. I’m really excited about my current projects, both personal: my residence Uptown and my new children’s store, Monomini on Magazine Street. [A spinoff of nearby Monomin, also on Magazine.]
What has your work taught you? Don’t sweat the small stuff. Design is comprehensive and doesn’t just end at install or build, it continues for ever, and these are things we think about as designers. You give your all into everything you do and open yourself up to criticism along the way.
Why and how did you become an architect? I originally enrolled into college as a fine arts major, and subsequently bounced around majors. Being a creative, as well as 17 years old, I had so many interests and wanted to be everything. I ultimately dropped out of school and back packed across Europe to “find myself.” While in Italy I took several art classes, one of which was an architecture sketch class. I fell in love and it changed my life. I enrolled into architecture immediately and the rest wasIt’shistory.inmy blood. My father is an architect and we moved to New Or leans when I was little because he took a teaching position at the School of Architecture at Tulane. Full circle moment, I taught architecture at Tulane 30 years later.
Tell us about your work. I’m mostly known for my clean and minimal approach to design. I believe good design is when you reduce a product as much as possible, while maintaining its unique, core quality. There is this line between special and simple, current and timeless, that is what I’m most interested in.
Wares, a new eyeglass boutique on Magazine Street, was one of the most unique retail projects we’ve worked on recently. With the help from JL Studio, we created a space, that in my opinion, is one of the coolest retail spaces on Magazine Street. The other project we recently wrapped up was [New Orleans Saints player] Alvin Kamara’s house. My sales asso ciate and I worked alongside Craftman Builders and Alvin to select dec orative lighting that would add to the contemporary design of the home. We included over 1,000 feet of tape light throughout the house and spe cifically chose clean, modern fixtures that would allow the artwork and collectibles to be the pops of color in the interior. With the placement of the lighting and the floor to ceiling windows located throughout the house, the light fixtures become a focal point from the outside looking in.
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? My mentors include lighting reps with WKA lighting, BAS Sales and Bell & McCoy. I lean on them to help answer any questions, keep me updated on current product and advise me when we get a unique project.
What has being a lighting showroom manager taught you? My work has taught me patience, especially over the last few years. The supply chain has been a major challenge. We used to be able to order product and know exactly when to expect it to arrive, but right now shipping dates are very unreliable.
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MASTER OF LIGHTING
Tell us about your work. [Élan Studio Lighting is] a locally owned and op erated residential lighting showroom. We offer lighting design services, home décor, mirrors, fans and artwork. I help customers select lighting for their homes, troubleshoot problems with fixtures and design spaces with lighting to accentuate your home or space. We have an extensive vendor list to fill any style and price point.
FRILOUXJEREMY
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. Eye
Why and how did you become a lighting showroom manager? I have a history of retail sales, customer service and management. Years ago, I was asked by a friend to help run a lighting showroom in St. Charles Parish and have been in the lighting industry ever since.
59 JOHNSONSAMANTHA
Tell us about your work. I work with NANO Architecture | Interiors as a senior interior designer and design studio manager. My career has focused on commercial projects, including historic renovations, tenant fit-outs, retail and hospitality, and large-scale multi-use facilities. I take pride in my communication skills and attention to detail, which catapult ed my career into project management of multimillion-dollar interior and architectural projects.
Why and how did you become an interior designer? My teacher in a middle school woodshop class noticed my technical ability and encour aged me to explore architecture and interior design. In high school, I studied the effects that light and shadow have on three-dimensional space. I later pursued a degree at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York where I further developed my passion for the artistry and aware ness of scale when designing interiors.
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. I always seek out challenge and The Dead Rabbit, an Irish restaurant set to open in the French Quarter, has been one of the most challenging projects I have managed, but, because of this, also one of the most rewarding. Every aspect has required intensive research and attention to detail. I have worked to navigate the historic restoration, life safety codes, and the massive feat of squeezing a full-size kitchen and two bars into less than 5,000 square feet.
What has your work taught you? Working as an interior designer in an architectural, male-dominated industry, has taught me that with even a little bit of persistence and determination, you can achieve anything you set out to, regardless of what your degree or job title happens to be.
MASTER OF INTERIOR DESIGN
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? I am heavily influenced by research on the human condition, especially how physical space affects us more than we realize. My mentors include
my middle school drafting teacher, Mr. Stephenson, my first boss after college, Chandler Pierce, and Terri Dreyer, owner of NANO, who always reminds me that nothing is out of reach.
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. There are so many, and they all matter to us greatly, including many historic and hospitality spaces. One highlight is we had the honor of doing the finishes in the “organ room” of the Historic New Orleans Collection’s expansion in the Seignouret-Brulatour House on Royal Street in the French Quar ter. It is the only space in the museum that was returned to the home’s original finishes.
MASTER OF DECORATIVE FINISHES
Why and how did you become a decorative artist? I have a degree in architecture from LSU but decided to pursue my love of art. I have been a gallery artist in the past, but pursuing the decorative arts has allowed me to combine my education and artistry in the perfect fashion.
things, about the value of being able to work with and respect everyone on a job site. We are always proud to say we work in the trades.
What has being a decorative artist taught you? Our artisan team is all-female. This is a point of pride and has taught me the importance of building careers for women in the decorative arts. Also, importantly, our work involves us delivering our artistry to achieve our clients’ visions in their spaces. We take that trust very seriously and it is always a pleasure and privilege, of which we remind ourselves every day.
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Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? I draw inspiration from various sources — plaster finishes and other dec orative arts disciplines and artisans from times past as well as the pres ent. My father, who was in construction, was also a major influence on me, taking me along when he worked. He taught me, among many other
Tell us about your work. Sylvia T. Designs is a full-service decorative arts firm in business for over 25 years. We specialize in decorative and functional plaster finishes, murals, custom and classic stencils, gilding, cabinetry and furniture refinishing, custom signage and more. We seek to #HonorTraditionandProgress on every job we do — commercial or residential, historic or new construction, large or small. We make your space a work of art.
THOMPSON-DIASSYLVIA
What has practicing architecture taught you? Respect. I have always felt that New Orleans had a large percentage of very talented architects com pared to the number of projects here in our small city. For my firm to have received the commissions we have has been a humbling experience.
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations?
Owings at his home in Big Sur. They talked of things such as a ‘sense of place’ and that architecture should be perceived by all the senses not just the eyes. That spoke to me.
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MASTER OF ARCHITECTURE
Tell us about your work. Architecture has taken me from San Francisco to New York, but New Orleans is where I decided to set down roots. Since graduating from Tulane, my practice has been focused on mostly up scale, residential projects with a few commercial commissions along the way. While we continue to do lots of our work in Louisiana, we have been fortunate enough to do projects across the Southeast, Texas and Canada.
During my time in San Francisco, I was fortunate enough to study under Charles Moore and Donlyn Lyndon. We also were able to visit Nathaniel
Why did you become an architect? I took a beginner’s drafting class as a sophomore in high school and I was hooked. I became intrigued by the notion I could draw something on a piece of paper and a company or individual could then make it into something wonderful — whether the cog for a machine tool I was sketching back then or the buildings we work on today.
Tell us about your favorite projects. We have worked on several second homes and cottages for clients in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Can ada. Commissions for second homes are always fun, yet challenging, as these are the places where most go to find relaxation. Particular focus then goes into making these escapes have that sense of place for our clients. Currently we are also restoring a lovely historic house along St. Charles Avenue and building a beautiful new family home across from City Park.
Why and how did you become a furniture restorer? I became a fine an tique refinisher after learning and developing the repair and refinishing skill sets passed to me by my beloved father, Mustafa. My father was in the fine antique restoration business for 66 years. While growing up in New Orleans with my father, I decided to shadow him, learn the skill set needed, and engage myself in the antique furniture restoration business.
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What has being a furniture restorer taught you? Working on fine and precious antiques has taught me multiple things over the years. Not all jobs are simple and depending on the job, some antique furniture might require additional work and creativity to ensure the final product ex ceeds our client’s expectations. And so, work has taught me to be patient, disciplined and apply my most powerful skill set to every project.
Tell us about your work. Mustafa Antiques & French Polish provides fine antique repair and refinishing services. We are a family-owned business that has been in the fine antique restoration business for 66 years. Most of the repair and refinishing work we complete is on antique pieces that hold both sentimental and monetary value to individuals, fine antique retailers, antique auctions, as well as hospitality businesses.
mentor and influence. He taught me the professional and interpersonal skills that have helped me accomplish my personal goals and excel at my craft. The skills acquired from Father did not only help me complete any job, but to complete it with absolute perfection.
MASTER OF FURNITURE RESTORATION
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? My beloved father, Mustafa, was my first mentor and will always remain my
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. One of my most important projects included the restoration and refinishing of approximately 30 fine antique furniture pieces for the Ritz Carlton Hotel on Canal Street in 2013.
MUSTAFAHASEEB
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? Growing up in the foothills of Honduras, I watched my loving mother
Why and how did you become an interior decorator and drapery man ufacturer? In 1976 I wanted to start my own business, so my husband introduced me to a design course at a local college. The course had me totally hooked on interior decorating and the manufacturing process. Af ter studying for two years I was awarded an associate degree in drapery making. The best part was that I discovered I love helping clients and bringing their ideas to life.
What has being an interior decorator and drapery manufacturer taught you? If you want to live a long and happy life never stop working as long as you are passionate at what you do.
63 CABRERALEILA
MASTER OF WINDOW TREATMENTS / DRAPERIES
make and sew her own patterns for clothing which inspired me to be the person I am today.
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. From ser vicing the film industry to decorating hotels or working with the many talented decorators locally and nationally, I have been blessed to have worked with so many interesting people from all walks of life. One of my proudest moments was bringing to life historic hotels across the country such as The Driskill in Austin, Le Pavillon in New Orleans, Mountain View Grand Resort in New Hampshire and Chatham Bars Inn Resort in Cape Cod to name a few. And one of my exciting projects was building and up holstering coffins for the TV series ‘Interview with a Vampire.’
Tell us about your work. Draperies by Leila has been in business since 1978 in the greater New Orleans area. We are an end-to-end custom de sign and manufacturing facility for all interior needs. In 1999 my hus band, Gus Cabrera, and I built a 3,000-square-foot workroom and office in River Ridge. Here we can manufacture, design or upholster almost anything imaginable.
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Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? I am often inspired by taking a concept and bringing it from the design to the construction stages. I enjoy seeing the end results and how happy it makes my clients.
Tell us about one of your favorite or most important projects. One of my favorite projects was the reconstruction of St. Anthony’s Garden be hind the St. Louis Cathedral on Royal Street in the French Quarter. The garden was re-designed by French Landscape Architect Louis Benech after it received extensive damage by hurricane Katrina. This project allowed me to be involved in not only the reconstruction of the site but also allowed my team the opportunity to work closely with Benech’s team from France that traveled to New Orleans to consult with us daily on the project.
Tell us about your work. [Vista Landscaping is] a full-service landscape company specializing in outdoor entertainment areas which include swimming pools, outdoor kitchens, landscape design and construction.
MASTER OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE
CASEYBRAD
Why and how did you become a landscape architect? I studied land scape architecture at LSU. I entered into the curriculum because of my love for the outdoors and the environment.
What has being a landscape architect taught you? My work has taught me to always take a step back, listen and analyze the big picture before jumping into things.
graphic designer and my dad has restored cars, built houses and has a natural ability to sketch and build anything. They gave me the idea that you can figure it out and do whatever you want. I’ve had to hustle and scrape by, but it’s that entrepreneur, blue collar family history that has gotten me to this point.
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Tell us about your work. I design and build custom furniture and in teriors and work in both wood and metal, through sketches and image boards. I work primarily on my own with a helper, maintaining a small business that allows me to personally create my work. My furniture is primarily built with reclaimed sinker cypress and can be seen at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
HOLDRENMATTHEW
Why and how did you become a furniture designer and maker? Ever since I can remember I’ve been making things — treehouses, wooden race cars, art, music. When I moved to New Orleans 16 years ago, I got a job restoring old houses and I salvaged materials and started building pieces for my apartment. I was influenced by New England/Shaker and simple straightforward design and let the materials add some beauty. I was eventually able to make a living at it.
Who are your mentors and what are your influences, inspirations? My parents have always been my biggest influence; both of them are creative and hardworking and have an eye for design. My mom was a
What has making furniture taught you? Anything is possible. That you can actually do what you love as a job but it’s not going to be easy. It’s very hard work, it can take a toll mentally and definitely physically. But it’s so gratifying to take raw materials or a roughed-out space, transform it, and watch people enjoy it.
MASTER OF FURNITURE DESIGN
Tell us about your favorite projects. I’ve been doing a lot of commercial buildouts lately. And I have clients who trust in my vision and work. I got to create Morrow’s and Treehouse, and now I’m working on a new bar for the same client. All three Toast restaurants. The Franklin and Galaxie. And sometimes working with architects and designers on projects like The Elysian Bar and Ayu Bakehouse.
66 AUTUMN 2022 Best in Real Estate Entablature Realty Best Private Chef or Home Catering Delish+ NOLA Best Place to Buy Cabinets Gulf Breeze Cabinets Best Home ConstructionBuilder/Contractor/Company Entablature, LLC Best Architect/Architecture Firm Albert Architecture Best Place to Buy Vintage or Antique Furniture Eclectic Home Best Place to Buy Modern or Contemporary Furniture Eclectic Home WINNERSBEST OFHOME
EACH YEAR OUR READERS VOTE BY ONLINE BALLOT FOR THEIR FAVORITE HOME DESIGN INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS IN NEW ORLEANS. THE BUSINESSES COVER THE SCOPE OF EVERYTHING HOMEOWNERS NEED TO MAKE AND MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL HOUSE AND HOME. YOUR VOTES HAVE BEEN TALLIED AND WE PRESENT THE 2022 BEST OF HOME WINNERS.
Best Pest Control Company J&J Exterminating
Best Place to Buy Flooring Triton Stone Group
Best Outdoor Fountains Mullin
Best Place to Buy Animal Supplies Jefferson Feed
Best Tree Cutting Service Risk Tree Service LLC
Best in Plumbing All Hours Plumbing & Repair
Best Place for Pool/Patio Design and Installation Mullin
Best Place to Buy Tile or Stone Triton Stone Group
Best Place to Buy Window Treatments Wren’s Tontine Shade & Design
Best Interior Designer Kelly Sutton, Kelly Sutton Design
Best Restoration Company JLV Construction
Best Place to Buy Stained Glass Attenhofer’s Stained Glass
Best Solar Panel Installation Solar Alternatives, Inc.
Best Demolition Company Demo Diva
Best Place for Handmade Woodwork Antique Woods of Louisiana
Best Paint Company Helm Paint & Decorating
Best Window Company LAS Shutters + Windows
Best Roofing Company C3NOLA Construction Services
Best Place to Buy Art Eclectic Home
Best Security Company Alarm Protection Services
Best Place for Closet Design/Installation Laville Cabinets Inc.
Best Shoring Company Orleans Shoring
Best Place to Buy Lighting Eclectic Home
Best Landscaping Company Mullin
Best Place to Design Your Kitchen Eclectic Home
Best Fencing Company Impact Fence & Deck
Best Hurricane Preparation Company LAS Shutters + Windows
Best Gutter Company C3NOLA Construction Services
Best Place to Buy Home Décor (accents, rugs, accessories) Eclectic Home
WINNERS
Best Place to Buy Outdoor Furniture Livio Designs
Best Place to Buy Bedding Bedding Plus
Best Place to Buy Gardening Items (plants, mulch, tools) Perino’s Garden Center
4112 Magazine St., New Orleans 504-899-2931, villavici.com
Campbell Cabinet Co.
1526 Religious St., New Orleans, 504-576-9000; 2052 Paxton St., Harvey, sales@palatialstone.com,504-340-2229,palatialstone.com
Nordic Kitchens and Baths, Inc.
Demoran Custom Homes 504-810-5346, demorancustomhomes.com985-788-7857,
C3NOLA Construction Services 504-220-2539, usec3nola.cominfo@usec3nola.com,
220 Hord St., Harahan, 504-733-4687; 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985-892-7713, campbellcabinets.com
Palatial Stone & Tile
shop
3800 Dryades St., New Orleans, 504-302-2547 , kellysuttoninc.com, @kellysuttoninc
SPONSORED
Villa Vici
10356 River Road, St. Rose, 504-275-6617, mullinlandscape.com
Doorman Designs 504-408-1616, doormandesigns.com@DoormanDesigns
1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-2300, nordickitchens.com
MULLIN
KELLY SUTTON \\ DESIGN
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1400 Distributors Row, 504-322-7050, mlm-inc.com, MLM-Commercial.com
13429 S Choctaw Dr., Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, 225-272-9143; Lafayette, 337-313-4178; New Orleans, 504-891-7272; Northshore, 985-259-8664, mmglass.net, hello@mmglass.net
6131 River Road, Harahan, 504-914-9328 Info@tritonstone.com, tritonstone.com
M L M Incorporated
shop
MY NEWORLEANS .COM 69
SPONSORED
Triton Stone
M&M Glass Co.
JLV Construction 3400 Washington Avenue, New Orleans 504-533-9932, jlvbuilt.com
Legend Interiors Kitchen & Bath • Design & Remodeling 432 N. Anthony St., Suite 301, New Orleans, 504-324-8080, @legendinteriorsnola, info@ legendinteriorsinc.com, LegendInteriorsnola.com
Entablature, LLC
Louisiana Custom Closets
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Eclectic Home 8211 Oak St., New Orleans, 504-866-6654 eclectichome.net, @eclectichomenola
Stafford Tile & Stone 5234 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504-895-5000, staffordtile.com
13405 Seymour Meyer Suite 24, Covington, 985-871-0810
Titan Construction, LLc 2955 Ridgelake Drive, Suite 102, Metairie titanconstruction.com
LAS Enterprises 2413 L & A Road, Metairie, 504-887-1515 1-800-264-1527
Knaps Painting LLC 985-264-4470, Mandeville-New knapspaintingllc.comandrewknaps@knapspaintingllc.com,Orleans
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Design-Build General Contractor Entablature.com
MY NEWORLEANS .COM 71
“Movers have been hard to come by recently and many have been unavailable or expensive,” Martzolf said. “If you wait until the week before the closing, you could be out of Communicatingluck.”with movers is also important. Closing dates can be moved back due to lending issues. If that happens, the buy er likely will not be able to move anything into the new home until the sale is official. This is because insurance is not in place yet.
Helpful tips for when your home offer is accepted
Power transfers can often be done online. Gas service may re quire an in-person appointment. Water usually needs to be done in person and requires proof of homeownership. Martzolf said the water transfer can be tricky if clos ing is done on a Friday afternoon, so she often asks sellers to keep the water on through the weekend in those
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Closing Time
— FRITZ ESKER
the furniture has been removed and the rooms are empty. She rec ommends buyers budget for paint when moving into a new house so they are not surprised and disap pointed during the walk-through.
“Both lenders and title com panies can be competitive if they know someone else will beat their price,” Marshall said.
While the nature of the term “closing costs” makes people think of something you do at the very end of a process, Celeste Marshall, a realtor with Réve Realtors, said prospective homeowners should have their lender run all the num bers for closing costs before they even start looking at houses.
Another aspect of buying a new home that feels like it should come at the end but should actu ally be done earlier is researching movers. Martzolf suggests calling moving companies as soon as you are under contract for estimates and committing to one once in spections are complete.
Marshall also recommends shopping around for lenders and title companies. Do not assume one size fits all.
one year to a year and a half of property taxes and insurance for your mortgage’s escrow.”
It’s also useful to remember that the house will never be per fect if you are moving into an ex isting home. It’s common for new buyers to want to do touch-ups on the paint. If you want to keep the existing colors, it is best to ask the sellers early on what the specific colors are.
“It is one thing to get approved for a $500K home, but you also want to find out how much cash you need to bring to closing,” Mar shall said. “Aside from your down payment, you may need around
“Sellers do not want to be lia ble for the new buyer’s things or anyone who may get hurt in the process,” Martzolf said.
“If you wait until the closing ta ble, they may have packed up that information and it may be hard to get it at the last minute,” Martzolf said.Martzolf added that houses sometimes look more worn once
Buying a home is an important mile stone in a person’s life. When an offer has been accepted, it can result in a lot of emotions, includuing both excitement and anxiety. It can be hard to keep track of everything that needs to be done. But there are some helpful tips to remember whenOneclosing.fairlyobvious point is set ting up utilities. Sarah Martzolf, a realtor with the Martzolf Group and McEnery Residential, said this can usually be scheduled before the“Inclosing.thesummer, it’s crucial [to set up utilities] to make sure you keep A/C on in addition to having lights and refrigerators running for move-in,” Martzolf said.
“Additionally, new paint cleans the surface, so sometimes fresh paint is the easiest and most af fordable way to freshen and clean up a space,” Martzolf said.
HOME RENEWAL
“Utilitiesinstances.varyparish to parish so ask your title company if they are able to help,” Martzolf said.
Antique GreenCupboardDutchinTonalatSundayShop, sundayshop.co
Arhaus,ChandelierPaloma arhaus.com
Kipton Sofa in Variety Lemon at Arhaus, arhaus.com
Garden City Vase at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net
Sometimes the most awe-inspiring interiors come from the most muted palettes. Harness nature’s greens and browns with natural fabrics such as cane and raffia to create a calming effect as enduring as nature’s own beauty.
74 AUTUMN 2022 INSPIRATION BOARD
BY MIRELLA CAMERON
Indies Bar Cart at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net
Piper Chair at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co
Let Nature Be Your Guide
PRICE MIX
As the summer heat starts to fade, and the humidity starts to drop, fall is the perfect picnic season in New Orleans. Pack a pretty lunch or brunch with these classic and cool options that serve up style and function.
Basket Cases
Totes Stylish
Go Retro
Nineties style is hot, so when the temps cool down, grab an iconic Igloo “Retro Picnic Basket” in six rad shades from “watermelon” to “jade.”
Round it Out
$49.99
$200
The “Luxe” picnic backpack for two puts a summer-chic, adventurous spin on the traditional basket. The allcotton canvas bag is decked out with two sets of cutlery, a pair of blue and white enamel tumblers and plates, a corkscrew/bottle opener and a colorful cotton canvas picnic blanket. Hit the trail, beach or park for dining with a view. $200, burkedecor.com.
$199
Tête a Tête
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Beachy. Clean. Easy. This canvas basket tote from Food52 combines the ease of a farmers market bag with the sturdybased reliability of a classic picnic basket. The canvas body cinches to keep contents enclosed, stylish leather straps provide a good grip and a woven willow base keeps things from tipping over. Available in white, olive and blue stripe, this picnic tote is as perfect for a day trip to the beach as it is for an overnight camping getaway to a rustic resort. $44.95, food52.com.
Picture a picnic set for two with this heart-shaped, romantically appointed basket from Mark and Graham. The fully lined rattan wicker basket comes date night or afternoonready with two wine glasses, an oak cutting board and cheese knife, two forks, spoons and knives, plus a corkscrew. All you need to bring is your favorite bottle of refreshment, a selection of your favorite lite bites and a picnic blanket for two. $199, markandgraham. com.
$44.95
$119
BY ASHLEY MCLELLAN
Pack a Bag
The 25-quart cooler features “Thermecool” foam when you just want to chill-out and can hold a complete picnic lunch, Capri Suns, wine coolers and more. $54.99, igloocoolers. com.
Mark and Graham has a chic selection of a variety of picnic basket shapes, from traditional square to barrel-shaped, and even a seashell-inspired look. We like the natural round basket not only for its shapely appearance, but for its utility. The rattan wicker basket features a generous curved handle and a steady teak top that can double as a tabletop or tray. Add a monogram for a custom look that will stand out at the park or the beach. $119, markandgraham.com.
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While white and gray do continue to have their say, homeowners and home experts are enjoying a resurgence of color. According to Jones, top choices for stone slabs that incorporate color include Calacatta Viola (creamy whites with rich burgundy veining), Opera Fantastico (highly var ied with grays, browns, reds, pinks and gold), Breccia Capraia (warm white with dramatic purples and deep greens) and Brèche De Vendème (a collage of golden yellow, olive green and dark purple).
Stone & Tile, Paul Romain also sees an evolution in the color of stone countertops. While some clients still request simple white quartz or classic Carrara marble, others want richer colors with dramatic veining in green, black and aubergine.
STRONG CHOICES
According to Cheryl Slade, designer and selections coordinator at JLV Construction, a sleeker contemporary kitchen or bath still reigns — any shade of white stone countertops and tiled floors, tub/shower surrounds, and backsplashes that shine bright with metallic inlay.
“I think everyone in the industry is glad that the white and gray wave is done,” says Rachel Jones, co-founder and CMO of Triton Stone. “We love when we have clients who are more adventurous in their selections.”
“When paired with varying shades of the deeper colors for the cabinets, you create a tonal effect that speaks of luxury and timelessness,” he says.
Sure, there were varying styles to choose from, but there weren’t nearly as many options as there are today. This season we’re checking in with stone and tile experts on the strengths and shortcomings of differing aesthetic approaches: neutral versus bold colors, simple versus complex patterns and veining and new placements for stone slabs.
“Trending marble right now has a lot of deep veining, not only in gold, but in deep grays, blues, and even greens,” says Jones. “Jewel tones are defi nitely hot right now and come through both in paint selections and stone selections.”AtPalatial
As the stone and tile industries continue to improve technol ogies and expand their products’ capabilities, aesthetic possi bilities seem like an endless array of color, pattern, size, and layout choices. Two to three decades ago, options were more straightforward — granite countertops and a complementary tile back splash in the kitchen, marble countertops in the bathroom and a mosaic tile shower floor with a matching wall tile and tub surround.
“White has not disappeared, but it has grown more sophisticated,” she says. “A white waterfall marble or quartzite kitchen island pairs with the backdrop of marble mosaic. So, if one wants to go with white: mosaic, mo saic,Slademosaic.”saysthat no matter how you incorporate classic white, a flashy tile will create a stunning room. Over the last decade, whites, grays and clean,
simple lines have been the rule, not the exception. Some local stone provid ers are happy to see that beginning to change.
Clean, classic and colorful complexity drive the season’s stone and tile surfaces
ASK THE EXPERTS JLV Construction
“Dependingmosaic. on the tile, you will either want grout lines to stand out or go away,” says Legend Interiors Designer Nicole Ruppel Jones. According to Jones, grout has come a long way, from every color imaginable to metallic, glass-filled, and crystal grout.
In contrast to solid colors, movement in stone is definitely gaining in popularity according to Bridget Arceneaux, assistant manager and inside sales associate at Tuscan Stone. Homeowners now have the ability to “book match” stone wall and countertop applications, which allows the veining to continue from a full-height backsplash to their surface countertop.
“Color does not have to be a ‘risk’ if you use great-looking colors and good materials,” says Stafford. “I have done a full bathroom tub surround with a handmade crackle aqua tile that was stunning. We have a designer in the community that is interested in doing a full wall of bronze tiles in a space.”Forthose preferring a conservative approach, Stafford notes that certain soft colors like sage or soft plum can be considered neutrals and will in corporate hues and shades without overpowering a room with color. Re garding the use of patterns in your tile installations, Stafford often likes to complement the stone — if the stone has a lot of veins or occlusions, she may suggest a “straight” lay of materials; if the stone is more solid, she may suggest using tile in a pattern such as a herringbone, basketweave, or staggered joint.
“Always consult an expert when making grout selections,” she says. “Not only is it a functional aspect of the job, but it can ruin the look if not prop erlyAsconsidered.”moreand more homeowners incorporate wet bars, dry bars and mudrooms into their house plans, Jones is noting that these are places where playful and sophisticated patterns in tile and wall coverings are be coming more prominent.
Another application where this is popular is the “waterfall” island, where the surface countertop veining is bookmatched to stone extending down onto the side of the cabinet to the floor. Customers can begin envisioning their applications before ever seeing the slabs in person through Tuscan Stone’s “pre-hold” technology that allows clients to review inventory before visiting.When it comes to tile, the spectrum of colors is broad. According to Peg gy Stafford, owner of Stafford Tile, clients in some parts of the Gulf South remain conservative with their use of color while New Orleans homeown ers tend to use color more willingly.
“Still, my favorite hidden gem is always a powder room,” says Jones. “This room is always one where clients tend to step out of their comfort zone and are willing to experiment with color, patterns and lighting.”
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— KELCY WILBURN
Experts agree that with tile, grout lines are an important consideration. “In many of the mosaics that we sell, the grout is the color,” says Stafford. The appearance of glass mosaics can change drastically based on grout color. Darker grout colors will make a pattern more prevalent with a light mosaic, and light grout colors will make a pattern more prevalent with a dark
Whether adding color and whimsy or sticking to a clean and classic look, experts agree homeowners should begin with what they love. No color is off limits, and busy patterns or veining can provide dramatic and beautiful focal points. They also agree that utilizing the pros will help you ensure your whimsical ideas work. They’ll find the materials and installations to complement — and not clash with — your adventurous style.
Falling for Color
Set your table for a fall feast with dishes that embody autumn
LAST INDULGENCE
leaves — all illustrated in vibrant colors. However, Juliska, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, also designed this collection with family and community in mind. Some of the pieces even spell out the words love, family, gratitude and friendship. “Juliska is our eter nal muse to love and the art of knowing how to live well,” says Juliska co-founder Capucine Gooding. “It’s an intention to make moments in life special.” Available at Judy at the Rink, 2727 Prytania St., judyatther ink.com — MILIOTO
Dishes set the tone for tablescapes, and, now that autumn is officially in the air, we’re eyeing pretty place settings that elicit the feeling of cozy fall days. A new collection by Juliska, dubbed Forest Walk, is not only appropriate for an elaborate Thanksgiving feast, but also for casual weeknight fam ily dinners. The pieces feature a fall motif decorated with items that one just might find on a jaunt through the forest, including windswept feathers, sculptural twigs, dainty mushrooms, pinecones, berries and
MISTY
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