spring 2019
new orleans
homes & lifestyles
spring 2019 / Volume 22 / Issue 1 Editor Melanie Warner Spencer Art Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo ASSOCIATE EDITOR Ashley McLellan Web Editor Kelly Massicot Contributing Writers Mirella Cameran, Laura Claverie, Lee Cutrone, Fritz Esker, Valorie Hart, Pamela Marquis, Lisa Tudor, Margaret Zainey Roux Contributing Photographers Thom Bennett, Sara Essex Bradley, Theresa Cassagne, Jeffery Johnston, Eugenia Uhl Copy Editor Liz Clearman Editorial Intern Alice Phillips Vice President of Sales Colleen Monaghan 504/830-7215 or Colleen@MyNewOrleans.com Sales Manager Brooke LeBlanc Genusa 504/830-7242 or Brooke@MyNewOrleans.com Account Executive Alyssa Copeland 504/830-7239 or Alyssa@MyNewOrleans.com Director of Marketing and Events Cheryl Lemoine event coordinator Abbie Dugruise Digital Media Associate Mallary Matherne
For event information call (504) 830-7264 Production manager Emily Andras Production Designers Rosa Balaguer,
Meghan Rooney Traffic Coordinator Lane Brocato Chief Executive Officer Todd Matherne President Alan Campell Executive Vice President/Editor-in-Chief Errol Laborde Distribution Manager John Holzer Administrative Assistant Mallary Matherne Subscriptions Manager Brittanie Bryant
A Publication of Renaissance Publishing LLC Printed in USA 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Ste. 123, Metairie, LA 70005 (504) 828-1380 New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles, ISSN 1933-771X is distributed four times a year and published by Renaissance Publishing LLC, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005; (504) 828-1380. For a subscription visit on line at NewOrleansHomesandLifestyles.com. Periodicals Postage Paid at Metairie LA and Additional Entry Offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, 110 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Suite 123, Metairie, LA 70005. Copyright Š 2019 New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the consent of the publisher. The trademark New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is registered. New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts, photos and artwork even if accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. The opinions expressed in New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of the magazines’ managers or owners.
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FEATURES
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Renovation of the Year
Five and Up
Finishing Touches
A 1970s center hall cottage enters the modern age
Carter and Claiborne Perrilliat grew their house with their family and made sure it’s welcoming for plenty of guests
Fixtures, finishes, flooring and cabinetry for an inspired kitchen
spring 2019
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CONTENTS
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24 Editor’s Note Including the Editor’s Pick 16
Design Diary News and events 18
Style Branching Out: To celebrate “Living Coral,” Pantone’s color of the year, we’ve corralled coral in every hue 20
Get Organized Costume Closet Basics 22
Artist Profile Julie Silvers 24
Bon Vivant Biscuits 101: Rising to the challenge of crafting the best, fluffiest, most buttery biscuit 26
Gatherings
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Fresh Catch: Chef Tory McPhail sprints into spring with a roasted fish recipe that is heart-healthy, zesty and simple enough for the at-home chef to perfect 28
For the Garden Get Your Hands Dirty: Seed germination promotes control and economy in the garden 30
Masters of Their Craft Dream Weaver: Rhonda Rose creates custom rugs in charming French Quarter studio 34
TrendWatch
Inspiration Board
Expert Advice
Animal Love: Chic accessories for your pet and home 36
Lighten Up: Neutral tones and nature-inspired décor offer a contemporary look 80
Seasons change: Tips for freshening up your décor for spring 84
Price Mix
Last Indulgence
Springing for Linens: Fine bed linens are worth the investment when you know what to look for 82
Toweling Off: Turkish towels are your new favorite splurge 88
Home Renewal On Trend: Changes big and small to make your house more stylish for you or more desirable to buyers when the time comes to sell 78
on the cover
Our Renovation of the Year is the circa-1970s Metairie-area center hall cottage of Leigh and Robby Moss. This kitchen and bath remodel became an extensive and stunning renovation with the help of NANO Architects. (p. 48) Photo by Sara essex bradley
editor’s note
spring fever editor’s pick
ROCK THE VOTE! Do you have a favorite home interior store, designer, contractor or pet store? If so, your chance to show your love to all of the people and places that help make your house a home is coming up in the next issue of New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. Vote for your favorites using our online ballot, which is available at myneworleans.com/bestof home. We’ll publish the results in the the Autumn issue of the magazine. Vote now!
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NOLA Love Finishing up a second home, while simultaneously engaged in a book tour and continuing to write for multiple publications, including Garden & Gun, Southern Living, and The Wall Street Journal’s WSJ magazine didn’t stop journalist, author and humorist Julia Reed — who splits her time between New Orleans and now her hometown of Greenville, Mississippi — from entertaining. Case in point, in her “The High & the Low” column in the February/ March issue of Garden & Gun, she writes about breaking in the new house with a Thanksgiving party, despite the fact that it looked like a “box museum” the day prior. Reed pulled it off in grand fashion, which is only one of the many reasons she has become such a force in the world of home entertaining. In her latest book, “Julia Reed’s New Orleans: Food, Fun, and Field Trips for Letting the Good Times Roll” (scheduled to publish in March), you’ll get raucous stories, delectable recipes and a host of envy-inducing and inspired photos by Paul Costello. It’s simultaneously a love letter to New Orleans and to food — which of course go hand-in-hand.
THERESA CASSAGNE PHOTO
“Julia Reed’s New Orleans: Food, Fun, and Field Trips for Letting the Good Times Roll” byJulia Reed, Rizzoli New York, 2019.
Confession: I have kitchen envy. coming from people who love to cook
and also loving to cook myself exacerbates the condition. Thankfully, our current kitchen is at least efficient. The “triangle” is — pardon the pun — on point. Whether grabbing something out of the refrigerator, chopping or sautéing, everything is just a couple of feet, if not arm’s length, away from any given station. It’s just this side of small, but it works for us. The good news is, my woes are easily fixed with just a few new fixtures and finishes. I’m truly just butcher block countertops, a subway tile backsplash, distressed wood flooring and farmhouse sink with an elegant, bridge-style faucet away from dream kitchen territory! If you too are in need of a minor makeover or even an extreme makeover, our faucets, fixtures and finishes spread on page 64 is just what the kitchen doctor ordered. We’ve pulled together a variety of looks for inspiration that’ll spur your imagination. As always, our renovation of the year on page 48 is a stunning example of what it looks like when everything is done exactly right. The homeowners worked with NANO to overhaul a 1970s center hall cottage and the result will induce more than just kitchen envy. Our second featured home is a pristine shotgun that is so fabulous, the Preservation Resource Center picked it for its Shotgun House tour. Get a sneak peek on page 56 and then go see it, and the other homes on the tour live and in person. Spring (and post-Carnival time) is of course a universal season for renewing and refreshing. Let’s all shake off those winter blues, fling open the windows and freshen up those interiors. Who knows, it might just cure that kitchen envy.
design diary
Winning Design The American Institute of Architects New Orleans is hosting its 2019 Design Awards at the newly-restored Civic Theatre March 21 from 6 - 9:30 p.m. Celebrate the best of New Orleans’ architectural work with live music, food and drinks at the VIP cocktail reception beginning at 6 p.m. General admission tickets are $50 for AIA members and $60 for non-members. The main awards ceremony follows the reception and begins at 8 p.m. aianeworleans.org
Get Planted Unleash your inner green thumb and get creative at FAIT Nola’s spring workshops. A studio with roots to the natural world, FAIT guides customers in arranging, mounting, potting and assembling exotic plants to bring into their homes. Create a
Tours
terrarium while learning about inner chakras at the March 13 Terrariums + Crys-
Sweet Shotguns
tals workshop. Do you already own a favorite jar? Sign up for the Bring Your Own
Revel in some of New Orleans’s architectural gems at the Preservation Resource Center’s annual Shotgun House Tour. The self-guided tour on March 23 and 24 features seven private residences to showcase one of the city’s beloved (or by some maligned) architectural styles. Advance sale tickets are $20 for PRC members and $30 for non-members. Buy tickets and get additional information at prcno.org.
Vessel: Terrarium Building workshop on April 18, or spruce up a terra cotta pot at the Pots, Painting + Planting workshop on May 16. In addition to these workshops, FAIT has a lot more on its schedule throughout the spring. Tickets range from $40 to $55 through Eventbrite. All supplies and a mocktail are included, but FAIT encourages customers to bring their favorite drink to sip on while getting in touch with nature. faitnola.com— Compiled by Alice Phillips
Openings
showcasing stone New Orleans homeowners, renovators and interior designers are in luck with the opening of Stone Interiors new showroom in Kenner. The bright and modern building will open this spring just past the MSY airport. The large retail space dedicated to stone, tile sinks and accessories includes stateof-the-art amenities for any style home. Customers will be able to visit the showroom to see and feel a variety of stone slabs before the first cut is made. Keep an eye out for the grand opening event soon. nolastone.com
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style
Branching Out
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To celebrate “Living Coral,” Pantone’s color of the year, we’ve corralled coral in every hue Produced by Margaret Zainey Roux
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1. Handpainted Sarrancolin placemat. E. Lee Jahncke Fine Finishes, 926 Valmont St., 939-7987, eleejahncke.com 2. Custom frames. Uptown Frames, 237 Broadway St., 866-1576, uptownframes.com 3. Dessert plate. JADE, 324 Metairie Rd., 875-4420, jadenola.com 4. Embroidered pillow (insert included but not shown). Sofas & Chairs, 123 Metairie Rd., 486-9622, sofasandchairsnola.com 5. Cabochon-lidded boxes. Estella’ s Too, 601 Frisco Ave., 833-8979, facebook.com/estellashome
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eugenia uhl PHOTO
get organized
Storage Solutions
Keep it Together
Costume Closet Basics New Orleanians know what it takes to make an event beyond brilliant: food, intoxicants, music, glitter and costumes — and not just during Mardi Gras. Throughout the year, there are dozens of opportunities for costuming. But are
Julie Winn handles many outfits as the costumer for the New Orleans Opera. She offers the following: “My main suggestion is lots of clear plastic bins. That way you can see what you’ve stored and won’t forget what you have.” Large Ziploc bags also do the trick. They are great for small things like glasses, earrings and bowties. For extra clarity, use 2-inch by 4-inch labels to identify the contents. Also, perhaps go really professional and invest in The Ultimate Ditty Bag. It’s designed to hold one coordinated look in one bag, corralling the costume and all of its accessories.
your dress-up duds stuffed into laundry bins or jumbled into a closet? These items are expensive, so organizing them will guarantee you’ll be able to dress like a queen at a moment’s notice. — by Pam marquis
to repair or not to repair? If you can find an item easily and it’s reasonably priced, don’t store it. If it’s a hard-to-come-by item and it needs a minor repair, fix it. But be cautious of setting aside a mountain of repair work on things you may never use again.
tiny design
child’s play New Orleans kids love their costumes too and can play dress up all day long. To keep them organized, this piece steals the show. It’s a dress up station complete with three storage shelves, a hanging bar, and a deep bottom with sides, which is the perfect spot for storing shoes and other accessories that won’t fit on a hanger.
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artist profile
Julie Silvers “Free, loose, colorful, happy” are words that Julie
Silvers uses to describe her art. While angst is a common theme in art, Silvers’ works articulate the uncontainable positivity and exuberance that reside in her soul. “My art makes me happy and I want it to make others happy,” she says. Inspired by her mother, artist Susan Wittenberg, Silvers began working in clay in the late ‘80s creating bowls and plates decorated with whimsical female nudes - born years earlier as doodles on her school textbooks. Judy at the Rink and Interiors & Extras (no longer in business), did brisk sales of the one-of-a-kind designs, which locals embraced with enthusiasm. Gradually, her métier expanded to include pieces that are as timeless and exuberant as the joyful, celebratory human emotion that shapes them: earthy nubile goddesses, worshipful totems and candlesticks of stacked geometric forms, and femininely-curved white vessels. All are worked completely by hand rather than with tools and have an ancient quality, like artifacts unearthed during an archaeological dig.
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When Country Day asked Silvers and Wittenberg to have a mother/ daughter show in 2002, she also began painting multimedia abstract canvases that dance with color and variant shapes. There are textured acrylics, watercolors on paper and paintings with a glossy, resin finish. She finds inspiration for them in the abstraction of her mother’s paintings, the colorful symbolism and geometry of Ida Kohlmeyer’s paintings and sculpture and in the childlike looseness and spontaneity that characterize works by Basquiat. Fashion – she keeps of a file of pages from Vogue - also inspires her use of pattern. Both her ceramics and paintings are designed to be grouped together. She typically produces a series of multiple pieces simultaneously and says they are often purchased in groups. Yet they stand on their own and mix effortlessly with one another. Eight years ago, after selling her pieces through a variety of sources, including Soren Christensen Gallery in New Orleans and Kuhl-Linscomb, a fashionable home furnishings store in Houston, she ventured out on her own, opening a Julia Street gallery, where her art could be viewed under one roof. Three years ago, she moved Julie Silvers Art to its current Magazine Street location. She also uses Instagram to show new work, which following a recent trip to Singapore she expects to evolve in a more linear manner. “Everything visual inspires me,” she says. “Art, architecture, nature, travel.” — by lee Cutrone
thom bennett PHOTO
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bon vivant
Melanie’s Biscuits 2 cups flour (I use bread flour) 1 tablespoon baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 1 tablespoon sugar 4 tablespoons frozen butter, grated 2 tablespoons shortening (I use Crisco) 1 cup buttermilk Preheat oven to 450 F. Mix dry ingredients until well combined. Add shortening and combine until mixture looks like crumbs. Grate frozen butter into mixture and toss until everything is evenly coated. Add buttermilk and gently mix with a spatula until dough is sticky. Turn the dough out on a floured work surface and roll into a rectangle that is about 1/2 inch. Fold it into thirds two or three times. Cut, place on baking sheet “pretty side up” and refrigerate for about 15 minutes. If desired brush with egg wash and then bake until golden brown, for 15 or 16 minutes.
Biscuits 101 Rising to the challenge of crafting the best, fluffiest, most buttery biscuit
There is something special about offering houseguests warm, homemade
biscuits. Whether it’s during a little welcome reception upon their arrival to your home or in the morning when they make their way to the kitchen for coffee, biscuits are a crowd pleaser. They are also versatile, considering you can make them sweet or savory and change up the flavors with herbs, cheeses, spices and any other ingredients that feel right to you in the moment. For years, I’ve tweaked my family’s biscuit recipe. Each time I make a change, I declare that particular batch my best to date. It’s a simple recipe, born of my rural Kentucky roots. The biscuits just haven’t ever been fluffy enough for my taste, so I keep fine-tuning in an effort to get them to maximum rise. When I received a complimentary media invitation to the New Orleans Culinary & Hospitality Institute (nochi.org) for an event featuring a conversation with Jessica Harris and Carla Hall with a biscuit demo, I couldn’t R.S.V.P. “yes” fast enough. Harris is a culinary historian, college professor, cookbook author and journalist and Hall is a chef and former model most know from her appearances on Bravo’s “Top Chef” and as a cohost on ABC’s “The Chew.” The Nashville native’s new cookbook, “Carla Hall’s Soul Food: Everyday and Celebration,” features her extremely buttery (8 tablespoons!) biscuit recipe (and here I thought the 4 tablespoons I use was a lot). A little Biscuit 101 from a Southern chef sounded like just what my biscuits needed to rise to new heights. The first thing I learned — aside from the fact that Hall is exceptionally personable and
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entertaining — is that I was doing a lot of things the right way. Incorporating the dry ingredients: Check. Grating the butter: Check. Keeping the butter cold and not overworking the dough: Check. Folding the dough into layers: Check. Not cutting the biscuits too big: Check. (Hall recommends keeping them at around 2 inches or smaller, otherwise they get too big to get a good rise). The most revolutionary instruction was to flip the cut biscuit “pretty side up.” I assumed this was for aesthetic reasons, but she says it’s all about the rise. Hall also cautioned against twisting the cutter, because it can pinch the dough, which also affects the rise. It became clear that over the years while I was obsessing over ingredients and measurements, the real issue was technique. In baking, the magic happens when all of these things come together. Bring that magic to your friends and family by breaking biscuits the next time they visit — even if it means taking a class to finally get everything just right. – By Melanie Warner Spencer
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gatherings
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Fresh Catch Chef Tory McPhail sprints into spring with a roasted fish recipe that is heart-healthy, zesty and simple enough for the at-home chef to perfect Produced By Margaret Zainey Roux
Lemon Roasted Grouper Ingredients 4, 6 oz grouper fillets, skin off 2 oz lemon juice 2 oz lemon-infused olive oil 2 lemons, each thinly sliced into 12 even rounds 4 sprigs of fresh thyme 1 bunch of asparagus, trimmed, stems peeled, blanched and cut into 2-inch batons 1 fennel bulb, cut into batons and caramelized until soft 12 ounce teardrop tomatoes, halved ¼ ounce basil, washed and ripped ¼ ounce mint, washed 6 ounce peas, blanched 3-6 ounce champagne pinch of cayenne pinch of Sugar, as needed sea salt and white pepper to taste Directions 1. Pre-heat oven to 400 F. 2. Place the grouper in a medium bowl and pour the lemon juice on top. Season each side of the fillets evenly with salt and pepper and fold over several times so the fillets are well seasoned and evenly coated in the lemon juice. Periodically turn the fish over so each side is marinated evenly before cooking. Fish can marinate from one hour up to 12 hours. 3. While the fish is marinating, add blanched peas, salt, pepper, a few leaves of mint and a splash of cham-
pagne into the bell of the blender. Blend on high speed for at least 20 seconds to create a smooth green pea purée. Once the purée is finished, pour it off and reserve for plating (this can be done a few hours in advance). 4. Place the 4 pieces of grouper evenly on a medium size sheet pan leaving room in between the fillets so they cook evenly. Lay a piece of fresh thyme across the top of the fillets and shingle 3 pieces of thinly sliced lemon across the top to evenly cover the fish. In the spaces between and around the fish, arrange the asparagus, fennel and fresh tomatoes and season lightly with salt and pepper. Place the sheet pan into the hot oven and roast the fish at 400 F for 20-30 minutes depending on the thickness of the fish. Once cooked, remove from the oven to your work surface. 5. Arrange the vegetable medley in the center of four hot entrée plates and add ripped basil and herbs to the top. Place the fish on top of the vegetables and gently slide the lemon off the top of the fish to use as a garnish. The hot fish and vegetables will start to steam the herbs. Brush on the lemon-infused olive oil so the fish is shiny on all sides. Spoon any leftover lemon oil around each plate as an added garnish. Next spoon the green pea purée around the plates attractively. Fennel fronds can be used as garnish to intensify the freshness of the dish. Serves 4 Note: Pairs nicely with remaining champagne; a rich, buttery California chardonnay, or a delicious white burgundy.
About the Chef A native of Ferndale, Washington Chef Tory McPhail was lured to the mystique of New Orleans at age 19. Under the wing of Executive Chef Jamie Shannon, he worked diligently through all 12 stations of the kitchen to hone his craft before venturing out to restaurants in Palm Beach, London and Las Vegas. In 2002, he returned “home” to Commander’s and has since won numerous local and national awards. neworleanshomes&lifestyles.com
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for the garden
Get Your Hands Dirty Seed germination promotes control and economy in the garden
Some girls yearn for emeralds and pearls, and some desire Jimmy
Choo shoes. For me, my heart soars when the mail carrier delivers pretty little envelopes of seeds, glorious seeds. Avid gardeners know they get more variety options, healthier crops and pay far less when they buy seeds. There’s absolutely nothing wrong buying plants from your local nursery but seeds give you much more control over the depth and diversity of your garden and it’s so much cheaper. Let’s face it: gardening can be a very expensive hobby. Seed germination is a basic growing skill that needs to be mastered if you are
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to be considered a tried and true gardener. Seeds can certainly be started directly in the soil, but planting in containers, before the last frost, gives you a great head start on spring. Also, planting in containers gives you the chance to provide the very best conditions for your immature plants. Moisture is important to germination, so many experts tell you to soak seeds before sowing them. Also, a heat source isn’t required, but it will help speed up the germination process. Generally, a temperature range from 65 to 75 degrees is best. Gentle bottom heat can speed germination and can be provided by special heating cables or seedling heat mats. Containers should be clean and sturdy, and must have drainage holes. Try to avoid plastic containers. Fiber pots are biodegradable and will break down in the soil over time allowing the root to continue growing unhampered in the soil. You can also make your own pots from toilet paper rolls or use a paper pot maker, a wooden tool that transforms ordinary newspaper into 1-3/4” diameter pots. It is important to always use fresh potting compost for every new planting as even though used compost might look perfectly acceptable, most of the nutrients will have been used up. The medium used for starting seeds should be sterile, easily drained and finely textured. Scatter the seeds evenly over the surface. Plant two or three seeds per pot – all but one seedling will be pinched off if they all germinate. Water in the seeds with a fine spray, being careful not to flood the container. Never ever let your containers dry out. Also, it’s critically important to label your containers. For teeny tiny seeds, affable and knowledgeable British gardener, Monty Don, suggests you can use a wetted tip of a pencil to gently capture seeds that you can then place into a container. Knowing where your seed comes from is also important. According to the USDA’s Economic Research Service, in the last century or so, because of genetic engineering, the world has lost 75 percent of its edible plant varieties. So consider using Seed Savers Exchange, a community of gardeners and seed stewards, who share and swap rare seeds. They have a collection of more than 20,000 different varieties of heirloom and open-pollinated plants varieties. Just think of it — every tiny seed contains such amazing possibilities from becoming a luscious flower to turning into a tantalizing tomato. Pour some seeds into your hand and your palm suddenly holds a flowering meadow or a delicious green salad. Seeds, glorious seeds. – By Pamela Marquis
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MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT
Dream weaver Rhonda Rose creates custom rugs in charming French Quarter studio In the French Quarter the brass bands and buskers
jam out while tourists revel day and night. The noise and excitement of this historic neighborhood is invigorating. But just a few blocks from Jackson Square there is a small storefront, Louisiana Loom Works, which offers total peace and calm. In the business’s window sleep several fat sunbathing cats and you’ll see a diminutive woman, Rhonda Rose, who works a five-foot, 126-year-old Weavers Delight loom rhythmically and effortlessly. “Weaving is very hard work,” says Rose. “It’s very physically demanding and there’s not a lot of money in it, but I’m so fortunate that I get to do what I love to do.” Rose makes high-end rag rugs. Traditionally these rugs were made of old clothes, sheets and other gently-used materials. However, her rugs are made from new fabric and thread. In 1989, after a Rose’s husband Walt Rose had a health scare the couple left Missouri to travel, goof off and pursued a few other endeavors, then settled in New Orleans. In 1997 they began their business. Rose quickly picked up her husband’s family’s craft, which he had learned as a child in a basement in Flat River, Missouri. “I had such a strong feeling that this is where I belong.” Walt died two and half years ago and Rose has never once thought of doing anything else. The process of weaving dates back 12,000 years ago and is a rel-
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atively simple process. “If you can thread a loom you can weave,” Rose says. The store’s mostly custom-order rugs range in size from 1,200 square inches to a maximum of width of 10 feet and maximum length of 35 feet. Their most popular size is 2-foot by 3-foot and those usually take about five hours to make. The cost is simple at17 cents per square inch. Rose encourages clients to send paint chips, wallpaper samples or fabric swatches as she can match almost any color. It’s impossible to talk about Louisiana Loom Works without mentioning the store’s friendly felines. They sit on looms, in boxes of material and in the window. Her cats are all rescue cats: one was a French Quarter stray, one survived Katrina and Flambeaux was saved from a three-alarm fire at Cafe Sbisa nearly six years ago. “I don’t go to shelters to get cats,” says Rose. “They come to me.” Sometimes tourists and clients come in the store just to sit and relax. The rugs displayed on the wall muffle the outside sounds, WWOZ’s plays on the sound system and the gentle boom of the loom’s movments fill the room. “Weaving is exact work and that’s what I like about it,” Rose says. “I’m a perfectionist and this work is so satisfying to me. At the end of the day, you can see you’ve made something worthwhile. It’s a beautiful thing.” – By Pamela Marquis
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TRENDWATCH
Animal Love Chic accessories for your pet and home Byandy myer photographed by eugenia uhl
Mold-and scratch-resistant cork dog bed at Queork, queork.com; scarf and chew toy by Amanda Stone Talley at Studio Amanda Talley, amandatalley.com.
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Playful food and water bowls and handembroidered pillow, available in an assortment of breeds at Perch, perch-home.com; The American Dog at Home: The Dog Portraits of Christine Merrill by William Secord at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com.
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P.L.A.Y Arty cat scratcher in denim and mandarin at Jefferson Feed, jeffersonfeed. com; leather collars handbeaded in traditional native patterns by the Maasai in East Africa at Perch, perch-home. com; cork leash at Queork, queork.com, Harry Barker pelican plush toy at Hazelnut, hazelnutneworleans.com.
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A sunny nook in the kitchen is furnished with a table and chairs by Abode. Pendant fixture by Robert Abbey.
Renovation of the Year A 1970s center hall cottage enters the modern age By Lee Cutrone photographed by sara essex bradley
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n the world of home renovations, partial projects often turn into full-scale remodels. Such was the case when Leigh and Robby Moss decided to renovate their master bath and kitchen. After living in the house for six years, the Mosses called in their friend, Terri Dreyer of NANO Architects, to design the new spaces and soon realized that a more extensive renovation was necessary if they truly wanted to refresh their surroundings. “When we first got into it, I didn’t even think I needed an architect,” says Leigh, who soon learned otherwise. “It was one of those things — you think you’re doing two rooms, but then it turned into every square inch of the house being rebottom: The exterior was renovated done. One room led to the next.” through refinement and re-articulation Originally built in the 1970s, the cenof the cornice, fusing the dormer ter hall cottage has advantages the Mosses and windows into a single clerestory, installing oversized, custom made double their two sons, ages 15 and 12, love. Leigh grew entry doors, and replacing the circular up just six houses away. It’s located near family drive with a formal entry walkway. facing and friends and Country Day, where the boys go page: A 14-foot stand-alone island made to school and Leigh works in admissions. It’s also from Calcatta Borghini marble from The built on a sizable lot with lots of outdoor space that Stone Gallery is the centerpiece of the kitchen. Hubbardton Forge pendants already included a pool and pool house. But what over the island bring the color of the once worked in the 1970s no longer felt right. Forliving area’s fireplace into the kitchen mal living and dining rooms were rarely used and and blend with the veining in the marble. the master bath was in need of an update. Kitchen cabinetry, by Legend Interiors; The Mosses wanted the reboot to above all be appliances, by Thermador. functional for a family with teenage boys. With that in mind, Dreyer did a walk-through with the clients and envisioned a house that was lighter, less compartmentalized and more congenial. While the typical center hall cottage would have rooms on either side that open on to the center hall, the Mosses house did not. “The problem was it had no opening to the center hall,” says Dreyer. “It felt somewhat stifling. There was no sense of direction once you went in.” Outside, the house’s circular brick drive, two dormer windows and lackluster landscaping, felt heavy and past their prime. Dreyer’s new plan was designed to be in step with today’s architecture and interiors trends and to use the square footage in a more efficient and contemporary way. On the first floor, she took down walls to create an open floorplan where living room, kitchen and great room merge, rather than a series of separate rooms that don’t get used. She also created a side entrance that functions as the service entrance and allows for a less formal living arrangement. The formal dining room became a mud room (outfitted with lockers for the boys’ gear) and a sitting room. A second dining area at the front of the house, used as a default catchall room, became the formal dining room. Upstairs, Dreyer re-appropriated some of the existing floorplan. A portion of the attic is now used for a closet, an expanded laundry room, a large playroom and office space, a plan made possible in part by bumping out the space between the dormer windows in front and back of the house. The exterior of the house also was renewed. A huge cornice on the facade was dismantled and the dormers fused into a single clerestory with
Top, left: A dining area which had become a catchall space for the family became the new dining room. Chandelier, Julie Neill. top, right: A built-in closet wall was created for Robby in the Mudroom. Cabinets by Legend Interiors. Bottom: The master bath includes scallop cement tiles by ClÊ Tile and a wet room with a steam feature and a soaking tub. Facing page: The new floor plan established an open flow between kitchen, great room and living room. The painting on the wall under the stairs and the three on the wall in the living room are by Leigh’s late mother, Jane Victory Redmon.
a cleaner look. With plenty of room to spare on the side of the house, the couple was able to eliminate the circular driveway and replace it with the new lawn and landscaping they wanted, create a new side driveway, and add the outdoor kitchen that Robby, a third-generation owner of Hartwig Moss Insurance, wanted for entertaining. “Robby’s request for an outdoor kitchen was a big activator for the exterior space and how it tied together with the great room,” says Dreyer. Robby was especially involved in the design decisions for the outdoor kitchen and the master bath’s spa amenities, which are his favorite parts of the renovation. In fact, Dreyer says that every one of NANO’s concepts is a team approach. That meant there were compromises along the way. While her initial design called for an open interior with columns, the Mosses wanted casement openings instead. Their desire for a washer and dryer in the master bath also factored into its final design, which is smaller than facing page: The great originally intended. room is painted Pale Though the footprint Quartz by Farrell Calhoun of the house is almost the and the tile around the same, heightened ceilings fireplace is Ann Sacks. (the kitchen ceiling was Painting by Jane Victory Redmon. Top: Because of raised and an A-frame ceilthe understated simplicity ing was created in the playof the main living areas, room upstairs), blown out the Mosses were able to walls and increased light have fun with pops of now make it feel larger. gemstone color and to let art be a focal point. “What was important is bottom: Robby’s favorite that it became more voluareas of the house are metric,” says Dreyer. the outdoor kitchen and At the same time, as a master bath’s wet room, cleaner, more concise verwhile the boys favor the basketball goal on the sion of its former self, the side of the house. new iteration called for upgrading the home’s finishes and editing its décor. With fewer walls to place furniture and hang art, Leigh found that she needed to get rid of some things and use what she had more judiciously. She also worked with NANO to add a few new pieces. Because of the understated simplicity of the main living areas, the Mosses were able to have fun with pattern (such as the master bath’s scallop pattern tiles) and pops of gemstone color, and to let art, much of it by Leigh’s late mother, Jane Victory Redmon, be a focal point. “We’re so lucky our house is filled with her abstract work,” says Leigh. “She always said, ‘let the artwork make the statement.’” Today, the homeowners, who admit to putting off a remodel because of the inconvenience, are glad they opted for a thorough renovation. “The changes [NANO] made had a lot of impact,” says Leigh. “Now we use every inch of the house every day.”
Carter looked to Galatoire’s Restaurant for inspiration when choosing the kitchen floor. Subway tiles, sourced through Stafford Tile & Stone, were cut into the desired pattern. The butcher block island counter was custom made by NOLA Boards. Iron chandelier by Chris Wynne.
Carter and Claiborne Perrilliat grew their house with their family and made sure it’s welcoming for plenty of guests B y L e e C u t r o ne
Photography by Sa ra Esse x Br adl e y
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hen Carter and Claiborne Perrilliat purchased their Uptown home nine years ago, they were planning ahead for a family. The double shotgun was converted to a single (it is a featured home on the Preservation Resource Center’s March 23 and 24 Shotgun House Tour prcno. org), already had several family-friendly features in that it’s bounded by three streets (an unusual find in New Orleans) and was situated on a roomy lot with a pool, plenty of yard space and room for expansion. Once the couple was ready, they knew they’d renovate the circa-1912 house, so that it was large enough for the needs of a family. Fast forward six years and two children. The Perrilliats began working with Carter’s uncle, architect Davis Jahncke of Jahncke & Burns, to remodel the house and also purchased and renovated a small creole cottage nearby so that they’d have a place to live while working on the larger house (the cottage was also an investment that they could flip). Two main goals guided the project. The Perrilliats wanted the house to be well-designed and comfortable for their family. They also wanted it to be suited to their love of entertaining. With a third child on the way at that point they hired Rick Golemi Construction — the same company that had renewed their interim cottage, gutted the house, removed the existing camelback, which had eight-foot ceilings, and preserved architectural character by saving original wood floors, windows and the front door. In place of what they tore out, they created a classic interior that respects the past but is updated for modern family life with three kids. “We love our indoor spaces and our outdoor spaces and we enjoy having people over,” says Carter. “We had to have a functional house for our family and also be able to entertain.” Today the house has an open flow thanks to wide casement openings and windows with pleasant sitelines to improved outdoor areas. Enlarged by about a thousand square feet, it includes a front hall, office, living room/
Bottom: Claiborne with Betty and Mae. French doors were added along the side of the house for access and views of the yard and pool. Metal sconces by Chris Wynne. The pottery pieces on the wall in rear are by Carter’s friend Mary Martin Roth. Facing page: Carter paired chairs from an estate sale with new sofas from Villa Vici in the family room. A dragonfly, originally used on a float in the last Comus parade, is mounted on the wall. Tortoise shell finish coffee table and cube end table painted by Carter’s sister, artist E. Lee Jahncke Mead. Cushions on chairs by Fairfax Fabrics.
Facing page: Carter, Cole and Mae at the farm table (found at an estate sale) that the family uses as a breakfast table. This page: Top, left: The built-in bar adjacent to the powder room is painted bright salmon. Top, right: The art nouveau style artwork in the background was painted by Carter, a graphic designer, for a college project. Carter also made the console against the wall using columns gifted to her from her Godfather, topped with a grasscloth-wrapped surface trimmed with nail-heads. Bottom: Antiques in the house are modernized with the clean white background of the house, colorful artwork and contemporary touches such as the metal chandelier from Pottery Barn Kids.
Top, left: The master bedroom includes a work area for Carter. Top, right: Mae’s pink and white room includes a banana painting by YAYA artist Shawn Evans. Bottom, right: The giraffe over the bed in Cole’s room was made by Marti McEnery, a friend of the Perrilliats. Bottom: Claiborne, Carter, Mae, Betty and Cole on the porch of their remodeled house Facing page: Top: The powder room walls are covered in wallpaper from Spruce. The glass pendant fixture is from West Elm. Bottom: An empty wall at the end of the second story hall was used for bookshelves backed with a whimsical removable wallpaper from Spruce.
den, breakfast area, kitchen, powder room, master suite and side porch downstairs; a laundry room, playroom, three bedrooms and two baths upstairs. It also includes storage in the form of multiple attic spaces, closets and a mudroom with individual cubbies for the kids. “You couldn’t see the pool, so we put windows and doors down the side of the house so it’s easy to access and see outside,” says Carter. “We really thought about things like storage because we’re a big messy family and I wanted it to be as easy as possible. Every space is utilized.” The entire ground floor is painted with a single shade of white so that the family’s art and personal mementos stand out. The master bedroom is an exception as are the powder room and adjacent built-in bar, both of which pop with color. The former features a whimsical wallpaper from Spruce and the latter is painted salmon to match the wallpaper. A large dragonfly mounted on the living room wall is a perpetual conversation piece. Carter found the papier mâché insect, originally part of a float that rolled in the last Comus parade, at a friend’s estate sale. Because the homeowners wanted their house to be classic, Carter turned to a quintessentially classic New Orleans source – Antoine’s Restaurant – for kitchen inspiration. The black and white tile floors, modeled after those in the iconic restaurant, were sourced through Stafford Tile & Stone and made from durable commercial subway tiles cut into the desired pattern. “That was the place we splurged,” says Carter. “We wanted it done right.” As they had downstairs, the couple maximized the use of space on the second floor in creative ways. Dead space at the end of the hall leading to the three bedrooms and baths, for example, became a book shelf, which Carter highlighted with graphic removable wallpaper from Spruce. Working on their temporary cottage provided the Perrilliats with a quick primer in choosing finishes and sourcing things like light fixtures. They even used a few of the same materials. Carter also trusted her older sister artist E. Lee Jahncke Mead, who recently completed her own renovation (NOHL, April 2018), for advice and enlisted the services of designer and colorist Louis Aubert for the exterior of the house. In addition to sourcing things online, Carter frequented estate sales and auctions, even getting up at the crack of dawn for one estate sale that featured an oversize antique iron chandelier she wanted for the dining room. She ultimately opted for a similar version from local retailer Classic Chandelier & Mirror . A little less than a year after they began their renovation, the family of five moved back into their house now suited to both family living and gatherings of many sizes, including an annual Christmas Eve party. “I can have a child’s birthday party and everyone is happy and a day later have a formal event,” says Carter. “We used our space well.”
faucets
Moen Align
Brizo Litze
Brizo Talo
LCR 2601 L and A Road, Metairie, 504-378-8300 lcrnola.com
Kohler Purist
Finishing Touches Fixtures, finishes, flooring and cabinetry for an inspired kitchen photographed by Theresa Cassagne
Silestone Eternal Marquina Quartz Cambria White Cliff Quartz Bianco Superiore Quartzite
Vicostone Statuario Quartz
Cambria Summerhill Quartz
Cambria Skara Brae Quartz
countertops
Cambria Levven Quartz
Persian Pearl Granite
Caesarstone London Grey Cambria Berwyn Quartz
Mattix Cabinet Works 415 N. Solomon St., New Orleans, 504-486-7218 68425 Highway 59 Suite 1, Mandeville, 985-893-2355 mattixcabinet.com
flooring
10X10 Old Renaissance Deco
French Oak; color: Tavern
French Oak; color: Concrete
French Oak; color: Wash
Adda Carpets and Flooring 5480 Mounes St., Suite. 100, Harahan, 504-736-9001 addacarpetsandflooring.com
Statuary White Unpolished
knobs & pulls
Jeffrey Alexander Tiffany Polished Chrome Jeffrey Alexander Zane Bar satin nickel pull and square T knob
Jeffrey Alexander Harlow glass square polished chrome base
Jeffrey Alexander Delmar Satin Nickel pull and square knob
Jeffrey Alexander Sutton Brushed Gold
Singer Kitchens 231 N. Carrollton Ave. New Orleans, 504-486-0067; Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 885-9880; 316 Girod St., Mandeville, 985-778-2978 singerkitchens.com
Schrock, Parker, Maple, Forest Floor
cabinets
Norcraft, Adams, Maple, Indigo
Norcraft, Portico, Maple, Divinity
Tru Cabinetry, Boyce, Maple, Stone
Tru Cabinetry, Atkins, Maple, Harbor Schrock, Gallio, Textured Laminate, Elk Tru Cabinetry, Dakota, Maple, White Note Order: Brand, Style, Wood, Color
Campbell Cabinets 220 Hord St., Harahan, 504-733-4687; 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985-892-7713, campbellcabinets.com
Statuary Marble
AKDO Essence Collection "Whimsy" Mosaic in Thassos Marble and Emerald Glass
Sonoma Tilemakers Euphoria Field in After Midnight Luster Glaze
Artistic Tile "Doge" Mosaic in Thassos and Calacatta Marble, Polished
backsplash
Adex Porcelain Picket in SemiGloss Dark Grey
Artistic Tile Cipollino Marble
Pratt and Larson Ceramic Picket
Pratt and Larson Scraffito Field
Sonoma Tilemakers Euphoria in Cloud Nine Crackle Glaze
Artistic Tile Corda Blanca in Bianco Carrara
Artistic Tile "Dart" shown in both Thassos and Bardiglio Marble
Pratt and Larson Embossed Ceramic Tile Winchester Residence "Chateaux" Collection Ormeaux Field
Custom Stone Impressions Zara in Sky Carrara
Stafford Tile & Stone 5234 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504-895-5000 staffordtile.com
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Campbell Cabinet Co.
Louisiana Custom Closets
220 Hord St., Harahan, 504/733-4687; 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985/892-7713, campbellcabinets.com
13405 Seymour Meyer, Suite 24, Covington, 985/871-0810, louisianacustomclosets.com
Stafford Tile & Stone
Sutton House by Kelly Sutton
5234 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504/895-5000, staffordtile.com
3937 Magazine St., Â 504/302-2547, kellysuttoninc.com
Haven Custom Furnishing
Leonel’s Fine Upholstery and Furniture
300 Jefferson Hwy #102, New Orleans, 504/304-2144, havencustomfurnishings.com
2843 Piedmont St., Kenner, 504/469-0889, leonels.com
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Sleep Number
Nordic Kitchens and Baths Inc.
4852 Veterans Memorial Blvd Suite A, Metairie, 504/443-4777, stores. sleepnumber.com/la/metairie/4852-veterans-memorial-blvd.html
1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504/888-2300, nordickitchens.com
Tuscan Stone Imports
Villa Vici
720 S Galvez St, New Orleans, 504/837-1511, tuscanstoneimports.com
4112 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504/899-2931, villavici.com
Demoran Custom Homes
MULLIN
504/810-5346, 985/788-7857, demorancustomhomes.com
10356 River Road, St. Rose, 504/275-6617, mullinlandscape.com
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Entablature, LLC
Eclectic Home
Chase’s Landscape Services, LLC
Design-Build General Contractor, entablature. com
8211 Oak St. 504/866-6654, eclectichome.net
504/312-0813, chaseslandscapeservices.net
The Historic New Orleans Collection
The Plant Gallery
Ruffino Custom Closets
533 Royal St., New Orleans, 504/598-7170, hnoc.org
9401 Airline Hwy, 504/488-8887, theplantgallery.com
111 Campbell Blvd., Mandeville, , 985/809-7623, ruffinoclosets.com
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Mason¡RĹ?s Architecture & Interiors
Mattix Cabinet Works
923 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, 504/250-8407, masonros.com
415 N. Solomon St., New Orleans, 504/486-7218, mattixcabinet.com
ABODE
Select Stone
2114 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504/266-2135, wshopatabode.com
504/216-0110, selectstonellc.com
Doorman Designs 504/408-1616, doormandesigns.com
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home renewal
Hurricane Proofing
On Trend Changes big and small to make your house more stylish for you or more desirable to buyers when the time comes to sell When buying or building a
home, it is always best to be ahead of the curve. No one wants to feel their house is obsolete or outdated. But New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles Magazine is here to tell you what’s popular now and what will continue to be popular in upcoming years. What’s Hot Now
For current national trends, Sean Killeen, co-owner of Demoran Custom Homes, said homeowners are favoring open living spaces, kitchens with high-end appliances, and large master bathrooms. Custom cabinetry and marble or quartz countertops are popular. “There’s been a shift to quartz and quartzite because they have the look and feel of marble but are much more durable, especially for families with young children,” Killeen said. Bo Pennington, owner of Pentek Homes, said many people want to have a merged living room/kitchen with more space. He also added that many people want this room to be in the rear of the house. This layout fa-
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cilitates events like backyard barbecues and other parties where people can easily move back and forth from the backyard to the living room. In local trends, Killeen said off-street parking is considered a must for New Orleans houses. “If we build a house without off-street parking, it will be a very tough sell,” Killeen said. Killeen added that customers regularly ask for an authentic New Orleans look in their homes with solid hardwood floors, corbels outside, and detailed trim work with large baseboards and tall crown moulding. While energy-efficient homes are becoming more popular throughout the country, Killeen said it has not caught on as much in New Orleans because the houses are very close together and the solar panels do not match the aesthetics of the neighborhood architecture. However, Killeen feels this might change in the next 5-10 years with solar panel shingles that will look more like roofing tiles and blend in better with the local architecture.
Matt Davis, a realtor with Amanda Miller Realty Group, said customers have asked about hurricane-proof homes. While area building codes were updated after the devastation from Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures, many locals who remember the financial and emotional toll that storm took on homeowners may choose to go beyond code recommendations. A recent national news story may also be inspiring the interest in extra hurricane proofing. During the 2018 hurricane season, a house in Mexico Beach, Florida made the news for being the only home on the beach still standing after Hurricane Michael. The house was built with poured concrete, reinforced with steel cables and rebar, then re-strengthened with additional concrete. The roof was built with minimal space under it to reduce the risk of it being carried off by wind gusts. The home was also built on high pilings. Phone Home
Pennington said more houses in the future will feature smart technology. It is available now, and Pennington expects it to become even more popular. People will be able to check their home security cameras and alarm system from their phones while they are away from home. But the technology will have uses even when the owner is at home too. People will be able to turn lights on and off from their phones. In the middle of the night, if it’s too cold or too warm, people will be able to adjust the temperature in their houses without getting out of bed and walking down the hall to adjust the thermostat. “People are becoming more and more accustomed to using their smart phones in connection with their homes,” Pennington said. Another aesthetic trend Pennington sees becoming more popular in the next few years is multi-colored lighting in houses. If homeowners want to create mood lighting, they will be able to use different lights for different occasions. – By Fritz Esker
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INSPIRATION BOARD
Lighten Up
Wilson chandelier from Eclectic Home eclectichome.net
Neutral tones and nature-inspired décor offer a contemporary look By Mirella Cameron
Nicole Charbonnet’s “Erased Audubon” from the Arthur Roger Gallery, arthurrogergallery.com
Cole & Son ‘Woods’ wallpaper from Spruce, sprucenola.com
Dark linen sheepskin pelt from Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co
White Seda sectional sofa from Villa Vici, villavici.com
Wood and acrylic credenza from Perch at perchneworleans. myshopify.com
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price mix
Springing for Linens Fine bed linens are a luxury, but one that is worth the investment when you know what to look for Few things feel better than a crisp, clean set of
new sheets. Spring cleaning often inspires a sweeping out of the old and in with the new. What better time than spring to invest in a set of new bed linens? According to domestic goddess Martha Stewart’s online Bedding Care 101, a good set of sheets should be washed weekly and replaced as soon as you see signs of aging, such as fraying, fading or, heaven forbid, stains. For most people, sheets should be replaced every two years or so, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Martha also stresses that higher thread count is always better, but pay attention to the quality of the cotton used (her preference is 100 percent combed cotton.) Change is good and switching out your linens also gives you an opportunity to bring in new color, patterns and textures, whether you choose cotton, linen or a chic new bamboo set of sheets. We chose two options that will have you sleeping pretty and feeling comfortable for all price ranges. - By Ashley McLellan
$248 Maximum Comfort Hawkins NY Simple Linen Bedding, $248 per king sheet, fitted and flat sheets sold separately. Made from Belgium linen, and finished in Portugal, these stonewashed sheets just may become your best friends ever. Available in a wide range of colors, from “Sky” blue to “Blush” pink, “Mustard” yellow, “Peacock” and “Pine.” Sunday Shop, 2025 Magazine St., 342-2087, sundayshop.co.
+ Terms and definitions *from HGTV.com: Sateen is cotton cloth made with a satin weave, a weave that produces a very soft, lustrous feel but can be somewhat less durable than a tighter weave. Percale is the crisp, durable plain weave fabric typically used for sheets; it has a thread count of at least 180. Combed cotton has been combed to remove the short fibers and leave the long ones, which makes for a strong, soft fabric. Arhaus, custom orders for flokati look-alike plush shag rugs in multiple sizes, 939 Girod St., 581-6684, stores. arhaus.com/la/new-orleans/939-girod-street.html.
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$89 Luxury at a Moderate Price Organic Pebble Dots Sheet Set, $89 King Sheet Set, West Elm. One hundred percent cotton percale, West Elm’s “Pebble Dots” sheets not only feel and look great, they are “Fair Trade Certified,” which helps the artisans that create them earn a fair wage and raises community resources. West Elm, 2929 Magazine St., 895-2469, westelm.com.
ASK THE EXPERTS
Eclectic Home
Seasons change Tips for freshening up your décor for spring Punxsutawney Phil predicted a quick spring arrival this year, and as
early as Groundhog Day, Oriental magnolia trees were already splashing the landscape with striking pinks and whites, hinting at the coming change of the seasons i early February. Just as the local foliage makes its colorful shift into spring, so does the décor of many a home across the region. As you mull over ways to freshen your décor this season, consider the advice of experts in approaching your changes, whether minimal or drastic.
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Many interior designers recommend making seasonal changes to the home, even if the updates are small. From changing out linens, pillows and accessories to simply rearranging a bookcase, a fresh look can be attained without much work. However, there are no real rules on how often one should make these changes, and it’s OK to leave it up to personal preference. If you’re ready for a seasonal update, consider the latest design trend — avoiding trends at all. “Mixing styles is on trend, so I try not to get caught up in one particular style or one particular trend. A space needs to feel layered and curated over time,” says Kelly Sutton, President of Kelly Sutton Design and Sutton House. “Everything has become so accessible, so people are often coming to me to create something very unique and specific for their home. They don’t want it to look like their neighbor’s house,” she says. Personal style is the focus these days — Sutton recommends finding unique furnishings that speak to you and always incorporating something vintage. At Eclectic Home, Owner and Principal Designer Penny Francis is relishing this move to the…well, eclectic — a mixing of styles and periods. According to her, too much of any one design or trend will not have lasting appeal. Rather, “curating and editing is crucial for timeless appeal,” she says. According to these designers, décor is moving away from sterile, white environments and incorporating more luxurious, sumptuous, and colorful materials. “Bold wall coverings, natural woven materials and florals are also trending,” says Francis. Terri McCormack and Jennifer Uddo, owners of Haven Custom Furnishings, are also seeing richer color palettes and layered textures. “It’s really about balance — mixing materials and playing up color or texture. If a monochrome décor is desired, incorporate different texture and hues,” says McCormack. McCormack and Uddo note a trend away from mirrored furniture and the purchase of sets of furniture from retail chains. “Regardless of trends, always use items that are meaningful in your décor,” she says. Meaningful items add personality to a home and help ensure your home doesn’t look like your neighbor’s. If you fall in love with a vintage lamp in a store window and an antique enfilade at an estate sale, it’s your love of the items
theresa cassagne PHOTO
that will add the most value to your overall design. “Be patient and love what you purchase. Furnishings shouldn’t be considered a disposable product,” says McCormack. So, if you’re updating your home for spring, don’t just buy a floral accent pillow because you think you’re supposed to. Buy it because you love it, or don’t buy it all. And how do you know when it’s time to make bigger changes? At some point, new bedding and an accessory here and there will stop doing the trick. According to Heather Somers, owner and lead designer at Elan Studio Design, seasonal changes are great for small items, but larger updates are typically needed every six to seven years, whether that’s a small remodel or just updating furniture pieces. Along with sister company Elan Studio Lighting, Somers had the opportunity to give new life to a client’s collection of antique furniture. In addition to updating the home’s lighting fixtures, Somers creatively incorporated fun, bold colors, textures, and patterns of fabrics with the carved wood detailing of the antiques. “A beautiful emerald velvet was selected for the main sofa adding a vibrancy and major texture element to the space. This set the tone, resulting in a bold statement, custom design, and a satisfied client,” she says. At Mason Ros Architecture & Interiors, Design Principal Jennifer DaRos approaches updates from an architectural standpoint, taking in mind what will have the most long-lasting impact on the home. DaRos emphasizes natural light, thoughtful circulation, carefully constructed views into, out of, and through spaces, and a strong indoor/outdoor connection whenever possible.
“As architects, we often add windows or French doors, improve circulation by removing unnecessary room divisions, open up stairways and landings for view corridors into spaces beyond, and provide specialty places for emphasis of art or outdoor views,” she says. “Any method you can use to add depth and light to spaces will make them feel open, fresh, dynamic and inviting.” When making large-scale updates, DaRos recommends using classic pieces and finishes that will afford you the ability to change accents that suit the season or whim without requiring frequent updates of your full décor. What about flooring? While not usually considered “décor,” your flooring is part of the original clean palette of a room or home. The flooring helps define the room and the décor that goes with it, and at Modern Flooring & Interiors, Designer & Dept. Head Monique Roy-Cooper suggests a clean palette that will allow the homeowner or client to put their own spin on the rest of the interior. According to Roy-Cooper, flooring should be updated once it dates a room. Using clean palettes with a splash of color give a contemporary yet transitional feel. “My personal philosophy is that this is your space — you need to feel comfortable and happy every time you enter the space,” she says. This season, let your taste define your décor, and curate your space with items and updates you love. Don’t forget, though, the value of an expert’s perspective. A designer might best know how to make the most of that vintage lamp and antique enfilade combo or help you decide if and when a fresh coat of paint or bold new wallpaper is in order. Whatever you do, have fun welcoming the season of renewal with renewed love for your home. - By Kelcy Wilburn
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ad ver tising direc tor y Abode 2114 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 504/266-2135 contact.abode@gmail.com
Elan Studio Lighting 3515 Division Street, Metairie 504/446-1135 elanstudiolighting.com
Bell Architecture 755 Camp St., New Orleans 504/596-2355 Bruce Jr. Construction Bruce@brucejrconstruction. com
Entablature, LLC 8438 Oak St. Suite C, New Orleans 504/322-3822 entablature.com
Boudreaux Builders 131 Riverwalk Drive, Madisonville 504/467-5000 boudreauxbuilders.com Cameron Kitchen & Bath Designs Inc. 8019 Palm St., New Orleans 504/486-3759 cameronkitchens.com Campbell Cabinet Co. 220 Hord St., Harahan 504/733-4687 4040 Hwy. 59, Mandeville 985/892-7713 campbellcabinets.com
Landscape Images 655 Central Ave., New Orleans 504/734-8380 landscapeimagesltd.com
Protocol Construction 4104 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans 504/218-5711, 885/218-5711 protocolconst.com
Sold on St. Bernard 8201 W Judge Perez Dr, Chalmette 504/278-4298 soldonstbernard.com
Leonel’s Fine Upholstery 2843 Piedmont St., Kenner 504/469-0889 leonels.com
Renaissance Doors 1000 Edwards Ave., Harahan 504/344-6994 renaissancedoors @gmail.com renaissancedoorsllc.com
Southern Refinishing 708 Barataria Blvd, Marrero 504/348-1770 southernrefinishing.com
Entablature Realty, LLC 8438 Oak St., Suite C New Orleans 504/327-5868 entablature-realty.com
Louisiana Custom Closets 13405 Seymour Meyer Blvd. #24, Covington 985/871-0810 louisianacustomclosets.com
Ethan Allen 3750 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie 504/885-1471
Maria Barcelona Interiors, LLC 9501 Jefferson Hwy, River Ridge 504/975-5098 mariabinteriors.com
Exterior Designs, Inc 2903 Octavia St., New Orleans 504/866-0276 exteriordesignsbev.com Floor Coverings International Northshore NOLA 985/551-1179 northshorenola.floorcoveringsinternational.com
MASON·RŌS architecture 504/250-8407 info@masonros.com masonros.com Mattix Cabinet Works 415 N. Solomon St., New Orleans 504/486-7218 mattixcabinet.com
Renaissance Interiors 2727 Edenborn Ave, Metairie 504/454-3320 yourrenaissance.com Revolution Realty 504/309-7224, 504/309-0031 (Uptown) 671 Rosa Ave, Suite 101, Metairie; 1900 S Carrollton Ave, New Orleans; 700 Camp St., Suite 105, New Orleans realtyrevolutionnola.com Ruffino Custom Closets 110 Campbell Ave., Mandeville 985/809-7623 ruffinocustomclosets.com
Stafford Tile & Stone 5234 Magazine St., New Orleans 504/895-5000 4273 Perkins Rd., Baton Rouge 225/925-1233 staffordtile.com Stone Interiors 504/620-4048 nolastone.com Sutton House by Kelly Sutton 3937 Magazine St, New Orleans 504/302-2547 kellysuttoninc.com
The Boltin Team 1321 West Causeway Approach, Mandeville Russell’s Cleaning Services 985/893-5914, theboltinteam. Flynn Designs 3401 Tulane Ave., New Orleans com 8903 Jefferson Hwy, Modern Flooring Carpet One 504/482-3153 Classic Cupboards River Ridge Floor & Home 3704 Robertson St., Metairie The Historic New Orleans 5809 River Oaks Rd S, Harahan 504/667-3837 3619 South Carrollton Ave., 504/832-1546 Collection 504/ 734-9088 flynndesignsnola.com New Orleans russellcleaning.org 533 Royal St., New Orleans classiccupboards.com 504/488-1364 504/523-4662 Gnl Granite Design modernflooring.net Sanderson Services hnoc.org Demoran Custom Homes 195 Commercial Square, 504/628-0095 504/810-5346 Slidell Mullin paul@sandersonservicesllc. The Plant Gallery - TPG 985/788-7857 985/718-1158 10356 River Rd., St. Rose com 9401 Airline Hwy, New Orleans demorancustomhomes.com gnlgranitedesign.com 504/275-6617 sandersonservicesllc.com 504/488-8887 mullinlandscape.com theplantgallery.com Doorman Designs Haven Custom Furnishings Select Stone, LLC 504/408-1616 300 Jefferson Hwy #102, Nordic Kitchens 733 Distributors Row, Suite B, Tuscan Stone Imports social: @DoormanDesigns New Orleans & Baths Inc. Elmwood 720 S. Galvez St., New Orleans DoormanDesigns.com 504/304-2144 1818 Veterans Blvd., 504/216-0110 504/837-1511 havencustomfurnishings.com Metairie 7050 Exchequer Dr., Baton 7150 Pecue Lane, Baton Rouge Doors of Elegance 504/888-2300 Rouge 225/753-5870 3100 Kingman St, Metairie Home Bank nordickitchens.com 225/756-2274 tuscanstoneimports.com 504/887-5440 1600 Veterans Blvd., Metairie 1024 Forum Rd., Broussard doorsofelegance.com 504/834-1190 Pieri Tile & Marble Co. Inc. 337/608-9184 Valerie Legras Atelier 3622 Toulouse St., New selectstonellc.com 4236 Canal St, New Orleans Donna Bianchini-Tully Imperial Kitchen Ventilation Orleans 504/265-8475 Exclusive Sales Agent 425 Apollo St., Brea 504/488-1509 Sleep Number valerielegras.com Allstate Insurance Company 800/851-4192 pieritile.com 4852 Veterans Memorial Blvd, 504/828-5578 imperialhoods.com Ste A, Metairie Villa Vici donnatully@allstate.com Poydras Home 504/443-4777 4112 Magazine St. Lambeth House 5354 Magazine St., stores.sleepnumber.com/la/ villavici.com Eclectic Home 150 Broadway, New Orleans New Orleans metairie/4852-veterans-memo8211 Oak St., New Orleans 504/865-1960 504/897-0535 rial-blvd.html Wren’s Tontine 504/866-6654 lambethhouse.com poydrashome.com Shade & Design eclectichome.net 1533 Prytania St., New Orleans 504/525-7409 wrenstontine.com • Chase’s Landscape Services, LLC 504/312-0813 chaseslandscapeservices.net
last indulgence
Toweling Off Turkish towels are your new favorite splurge
One of life’s simplist pleasures is grabbing a
fresh, soft towel after a shower or bath and enveloping yourself in it. The choice of towel is of course crucial to just how comforting and luxurious you want it to be in that instant. There are those for whom a huge, fluffy bath towel is the only way to go. My grandmother preferred a thinner towel. She liked them even better once they had been through the wash a few hundred times. Perhaps the happy medium for everyone is Turkish bath towels. Made from Turkish cotton, these towels are absorbent, soft and stylish. Lightweight,
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quickto dry and durable, Turkish towels become even softer and more absorbent the more they are washed according to most devotees. The extra-long fibers in Turkish cotton are key to the allure of the towels. Find the full-sized bath towels at Bed Bath & Beyond and hand towels at West Elm. You’ll likely be compelled to use the full-size towels on the beach or as sarongs, throws or scarves — don’t deny this compulsion or any notions toward gifting the full- or hand towel-size to friends and family. Soon enough, you and everyone you know will be raving about their newest obsession. – By Melanie Warner Spencer