New Orleans Homes Spring 2023

DISPLAY UNTIL 5/31/2023

SPRING 2023

Photograph by Sara Essex Bradley

Planting Seeds

This time last year, I finally achieved a long-held goal of creating a beds in our backyard to grow herbs and vegetables. My paternal side of the family has been farming for at least seven generations and I grew up on my grandparent’s cattle farm, so I felt poised for at least modest success.

It didn’t take long after planting for the garden to flourish. Having kept container and windowsill herb gardens over the years, I was confident, yet mindful of tending the cilantro, basil, rosemary and thyme, which all thrived so heartily I was able to share with friends.

The first cantaloupe, tomato and jalapeño blooms however were a different story. I sent photo of every step of their progress to my dad and green-thumbed friends. Detailed text and phone consultations ensued covering everything from the best organic pest control (I went with Captain Jack’s Neem Oil) and epic battles with godforsaken, tomato-plant destroying hornworms. When I sent my dad a photo of the first wee green globes on the tomato plant, he said, “Get ready for heartbreak.”

I promised him I was bracing for it, but that didn’t cushion the blow when I came out one morning to find a ripe and ready tomato sucked dry and deflated by stinkbugs. Meanwhile, the cantaloupe and jalapeños suffered from too much shade and never grew beyond the size of my thumb. I was able to harvest enough of the latter for a modest pico de gallo and did enjoy at least one homegrown tomato, for which I’m grateful.

Countless lessons were learned last year and I’m ready to make the necessary tweaks for a more impressive harvest in 2023. I may even try my hand at a fall veggie garden if all goes well this spring and summer.

In this issue, we’re relishing spring’s vibrancy and — after resting through these many fallow winter months — excited about planting seeds. May our collective real (and metaphorical) gardens thrive, grow and yield an abundant harvest this season and beyond. Cheers!

EDITORIAL

Editor Melanie Warner Spencer

Creative Director Tiffani Reding Amedeo

Associate Editor Ashley McLellan

Style Editor Andy Myer

Web Editor Kelly Massicot

Contributing Writers Jenny Adams, Mirella Cameran, Lee Cutrone, Fritz Esker, Rebecca Friedman, Misty

Milioto, Margaret Zainey Roux

Copy Editor Liz Clearman

ADVERTISING

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Kate Henry, Kate@MyNewOrleans.com

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Senior Account Executives Erin Chiartano, Brooke Genusa, Rachel Webber

Business Development Coordinator

Becca Rubenstein

Content Creator Faith McLean

RENAISSANCE PUBLISHING

PRODUCTION

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CIRCULATION

Subscriptions Jessica Armand

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Office Manager Mallary Wolfe

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For subscription information call (504) 828-1380

Restaurant Acquisition

The growing hospitality company, Angevin & Co., led by hospitality industry veteran, Robert Thompson — who also recently purchased The Frenchmen Hotel and The Whitney Hotel — has purchased the French Quarter building that once housed the historic K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen at 416 Chartres St. Tyler Robinson, a founding Partner at SVN | Urban Properties, assisted Thompson in the acquisition. Thompson will be opening French Quarter Boulangerie, a 12,000-square-foot all-day breakfast, lunch and bakery restaurant (with interiors by FAM Design), in the second half of 2023. angevinco.com — COMPILED BY

MISTY MILIOTO

Artistic Tome

Following his other two books, “Birds” and “Bunnies,” renowned artist Hunt Slonem released a new book, “Butterflies” ($95, G Editions), which is the final installment in his nature-series trilogy. A beautiful coffee table tome, the 272-page book spotlights Slonem’s sharp eye for detail and his love of the natural world. “Butterflies” also challenges readers to consider the butterfly’s significance at a time when many species are threatened due to climate change. Available at Garden District Book Shop, gardendistrictbookshop.com

Custom Design

Owner, general contractor and project manager at Emerald Grey Custom Homes, Troyel Ross, has a passion for building beautiful homes. With more than 20 years in the building industry, Ross focuses on custom homes that each have their own design aesthetic. “I love the idea of individuality, so I like to take that approach with my builds and designs,” he says. “Our dedication to ensuring that each build has its own unique design and character is what sets us apart. We are constantly evolving and dedicated to understanding our customer’s needs.” In 2022, Ross designed and built seven homes (five on the Westbank and two in the Ninth Ward). facebook.com/customhomesneworleans

NOMA Welcomes Decorative Arts Trust Curatorial Fellow

The New Orleans Museum of Art has welcomed Laura Ochoa Rincon as the Decorative Arts Trust Curatorial Fellow. The two-year position is funded by a significant grant from the Decorative Arts Trust to support an emerging curator working with NOMA’s esteemed decorative arts and growing design collection. Ochoa Rincon comes to NOMA following extensive internship experiences at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian, the White House Historical Association and the New-York Historical Society. Under the leadership of and in collaboration with NOMA’s RosaMary Curator for Decorative Arts and Design, Mel Buchanan, Ochoa Rincon will help develop an exhibition and collection catalogue for NOMA’s world glass holdings. She also will work to expand the museum’s permanent collection, develop interpretive research, engage community input, develop museum exhibitions and create digital interpretations of the collection through NOMA’s ongoing partnership with Google Arts & Culture. noma.org

Multifamily Redevelopment

Locally based commercial brokerage, property management and development firm Urban Properties Real Estate has completed a renovation of the Studio Arms Apartments. The three-story multifamily property is located at 261 Jules Ave. off Jefferson Highway near Ochsner Health System’s main campus. It features 37 one- and two-bedroom apartment units with modern amenities in an area that lacks updated options. Studio Arms Apartments is the first multifamily property in Urban Properties’ real estate portfolio. CICADA was the architect on the project; Reeves Construction Group was the contractor; and Urban Properties was the project manager for the entire renovation process. studioarms.com

ANGEVIN & CO. PHOTO

1

Fresh Approach

When it comes to home décor, it’s the dainty details and tasteful twists that put the spring in designer Megan Evans’ step

PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

Funny Face

Sud’s ceramic Sicilian urns are packed with personality. Fill them with greens or branches for a fanciful look or simply set them out on their own to evoke playful sophistication. sudneworleans.com

2

Wild Thing

Leopard, cheetah, antelope textiles have me seeing spots. If you’re gun-shy, start small with a pillow or chair cushion but if you’re feeling bold go big with a rug or wall-to-wall carpet. lintotshop.com

3

Mirror, Mirror

Dainty antique mirrors are tiny but mighty. Thanks to their attention-grabbing charm, they can make a big impact on little spaces like powder rooms or vestibules. balzacantiques.com

4

Sip in Style

Whether embroidered with a monogram, crest, or just a pretty motif, bespoke cocktail napkins make drinks, desserts, or hors d’oeuvres that much more delectable. leontinelinens.com

5

Go Green

Myrtle topiaries bring the outdoors in. They aren’t as tidy as boxwoods, so they make a more whimsical and unexpected choice. I like to group them in threes on an entry table. meganevansinteriors. com

Potting Paradise

As spring draws us outdoors, avid gardeners — and those who just like playing in the dirt — will want their trowels and topsoil at the ready. We turned to Dr. Joe W. Willis, horticulture agent with LSU AgCenter, for some ideas on creating a potting shed space that’s both tranquil and functional.

—

BY REBECCA FRIEDMAN

Top Tips from ‘Dr. Joe’

1. Electricity and easy access to water are highly recommended. Good lighting allows you to work early mornings and late nights, and it also enables you to see small items (like seeds) clearly. With a sink, you can wash things up and add moisture to potting mix.

2. Peg boards are handy for hanging potting tools like trowels and measuring spoons near your work area.

3. Have a trash can with a lid, but make sure it’s small enough that the trash bags are manageable to carry when filled with soil, roots, and clippings.

4. Keep a good airtight and waterproof container in your shed for storing a notebook, pens, and markers for labeling plants. Find a seat that’s a comfortable height for your potting table — you’ll be grateful when spending hours bent over seed trays and pots.

5. Tools (e.g., hoes, rakes, pruners, and clippers) should be stored in your shed to protect them from weather.

Counter culture

Ample counter or tabletop space is an advantage in a potting shed, allowing space to spread out pots, plants and tools. Dr. Joe recommends a tabletop that’s at least 3-foot by 4-foot — large enough to hold a couple of gallonsized pots and several seed trays.

Keep it collected

Choosing pots with a consistent color scheme or pattern will reduce visual clutter, while grouping pots on trays will help protect shelves and tabletops from moisture.

Double duty display

Look for attractive storage options that showcase pretty pots, cans, and seasonal items. According to Dr. Joe, if there’s no room in your shed, pots can be stored outside, as can potting mix (in a closed container).

Juliet Meeks

JULIET MEEKS FOUND A SWEET SPOT AT the intersection of art and product design. By working diligently at both, she creates original artworks as well as designs featured on products for such well known retailers as Anthropologie, Birchbox and Uncommon Goods. She also teaches artists how to license their work.

“Seven years in and it’s still new, but it feels really good and it’s exciting to love what I’m doing,” says the native New Orleanian, whose signature patterns are vintage-inspired florals.

Meeks’ educational and career background set the foundation for her path.

In high school, she put her entrepreneurial spirit to work selling her handmade jewelry and clothing at art markets and local stores. In college, she studied English and graphic design at Loyola and later worked for branding agencies before moving into print media. In 2015, she left her full-time job, delved into self-employment and soon found new connections through #The100DayProject, a 100-day online endeavor intended to inspire creativity via daily Instagram posts.

“I took a watercolor class and the next day I started 100 watercolor patterns,” she says. “I was very consistent with it and it helped me de-

velop my style and get noticed by online bloggers.”

One blog that took note was Design Sponge, which had a large following. Subsequently, retailers came calling and her artwork has been applied to wallpaper, kids’ bedding, scarves, tea towels, stationery and other items. Like one of her favorite artists, midcentury textile designer Vera Neumann, Meeks’ business model makes art accessible to people in their everyday lives.

Meeks took what she’d learned organically about licensing and began sharing it with others in the form of online classes. She also offers watercolor classes online, and last summer, began working with art agent Liz Wain of Wains World (wains-world.com) to promote her surface design art.

Business aside, each work is unique and personal. Working out of a studio in the Mid-City home she shares with her husband, musician Michael O’Keefe III, she often uses a bouquet or a picture of flowers as a starting point for what then becomes a loose, quickly rendered interpretation.

“It’s been very liberating,” says Meeks, who enjoys the spontaneity and autonomy of her work. “I have room to explore and try more things.” JulietMeeks.com. @julietmeeksdesign

LEE CUTRONE

Petal Pushers

Sourcing dried flowers for use in delicious (and Instagrammable) recipes

IF YOU ARE ANYTHING LIKE ME, YOU ARE A sucker for beautifully photographed recipes and they often inspire you to experiment in the kitchen. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with any food or beverage employing dried rose petals. Ice cubes with petals frozen inside are a particular favorite, as well as rose petal garnishes and rose petal-infused cookies. Not only are all the above delicious, but also how decadent to serve beautiful, rose-flavored and bedazzled treats to your friends and loved ones? That said, to have rose-colored dreams is one thing; to make them a reality is quite another.

After numerous unsuccessful attempts to find culinary grade (an important distinction) dried rose petals locally at natural food stores and Asian markets, I did what everyone else does and asked Facebook. For one brief and shining moment in time, the Facebook cesspool ceased to “cess” and friends all over New Orleans came through with leads aplenty.

If you too are trying to track down dried rose petals that can be consumed, here are a few places you can source these flavor and aesthetic enhancers:

• The fabulous and ever-knowledgeable New Orleans food writer and erstwhile cooking instructor Jyl Benson tipped me off that the International Market inside Mona’s Café in Mid-City often carries dried rose petals, as well as rose water. (monascafeanddeli.com)

• Rosalie Botanicals in Mid-City also carries organic dried rose petals, as well as tea blends featuring the flower, plus all of the incense, sage and other herb and floral bundles for burning and other goodies. (rosaliebotanicals.com)

• Ultimately, I sourced my petals from Jo LaRocca of Jo Jo’s Garden. LaRocca, who is based in Bywater, supplies herbs, produce and dried edible flowers and herbs to many of the restaurants and bars in New Orleans, as well as to individuals. (instagram.com/jojos_garden)

The aforementioned places and people also supply a host of other dried (and in LaRocca’s case fresh) edible flowers for decorating and flavoring drinks and dishes, new and old, so when you visit or chat them up, take notes for your future #foodspo moments. Soon, your blooming beverages and blossoming cuisine will be the talk of the table.

MELANIE WARNER SPENCER

Beignets All Day

EUGENIA UHL PHOTO

PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

Beignets & Gravy

Recipe yields two dozen beignets; one gallon gravy

Beignet Dough

1 cup milk, warmed

½ package dry yeast

3 cups all-purpose flour

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 medium eggs

½ stick butter, melted

3 cups vegetable shortening for frying

Flour for dusting

Powdered sugar for dusting

1. Place warmed milk and yeast in a large mixing bowl. Stir and let sit for about 10 minutes then add flour, sugar, salt, eggs and melted butter. Beat together using a wooden spoon (or a mixer with a paddle attachment) until thoroughly incorporated, about 3 minutes. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until doubled in bulk, about 6 hours or overnight.

2. Place vegetable shortening in a large fry pot and heat to 325 F.

3. Dust work surface heavily with flour. Turn out chilled dough onto work surface. Dust with flour. Using a rolling pin or the palms of your hands, roll out or pat out the dough to a ½ inch thickness. Roll out into a square that is approximately 12 by 12 inches. Trim the edges slightly to make a perfect square. Cut the dough into 4 strips in one direction, then 6 strips in the other direction, creating 24 rectangles. A pizza cutter works great for this.

4. Dip dough into hot oil in batches without crowding the pot. Usually, six at the most will fit in at one time. Fry for about 1 ½ minutes, until golden brown. Turn over and fry another 1-1 ½ minutes,

until golden brown on other side. Place on wire rack and set over a sheet pan to drain, or let drain on paper towels. Continue to fry the remaining dough in the same manner.

Andouille Gravy

1/8 cup bacon fat

¼ cup onion, diced

¼ cup bell pepper

1/8 cup celery, diced

1 clove garlic, minced

½ teaspoon thyme, chopped

¼ teaspoon black pepper

¼ teaspoon creole seasonings

½ stick butter

½ cup all-purpose flour

1.5 cup heavy cream

1.5 cup whole milk

½ andouille sausage, diced

1. Caramelize sausage in a heavybottom stainless steel or ceramic pot until golden brown. Add bacon fat, onions, celery and bell pepper and sweat vegetables until translucent.

2. Add butter and melt, whisk in flour and stir until a blonde roux forms around the vegetables and sausage. Slowly add milk one cup at a time, stirring constantly, breaking up any roux balls. Add cream when the milk is incorporated. Add seasoning.

3. Bring to a low simmer and cook for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning with salt.

4. Place beignets on serving platter or plate, spoon gravy over beignets. Enjoy immediately!

About Chef Meg Bickford

Chef Megan “Meg” Bickford has called the Commander’s Palace kitchen her culinary home since 2008 and has served the role of executive chef since 2020. She is a graduate of the John Folse Culinary Institute and resides with her husband Richard and daughter Stella in Cut Off, where food is the center of life

Melding sweet and savory flavors, Chef Meg Bickford transforms an iconic New Orleans breakfast dish into an anytime delicacy

Flowering Dogwood

Small ornamental trees add delicacy to landscapes

BY MISTY MILIOTO

1

Appearance

This deciduous flowering tree features attractive green foliage and red fruit that attracts wildlife. With a moderate growth rate, the flowering dogwood reaches 20 to 30 feet tall and about 20 feet wide at maturity.

2 Use

Be sure to give your new tree adequate room to grow. The tree should be planted away from utility lines, and with at least 20 feet of clearance from buildings and eight feet of clearance from electrical transformers. Once planted, provide a three- to four-inch layer of mulch around the planting area, being sure to avoid the base of the trunk so the bark won’t rot. While it is not advised to fertilize the tree at the time of planting, it is recommended to sprinkle a balanced fertilizer over the planting area the following spring (followed by twice during the growing season).

3

Grow

The flowering dogwood produces beautiful fruit and flowers. The tree will take as many years to become established as the width of its trunk in inches. So, a two-inch-wide trunk means your tree will be fully established in two years. During this time, it is important to provide regular watering (about one inch of water per week for about two years). Flowering dogwoods also must grow in acidic, sandy and well-drained soil.

4

Learn

Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) is the state tree and flower of Virginia, the state tree of Missouri and the state flower of North Carolina.

5 Lagniappe

Native Americans extracted a red dye from the roots of the flowering dogwood, and used the bark and roots in a remedy for malaria.

Visit the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center at lsuagcenter.com to download the native tree guide.

What to Plant

According to Akins, the heat of southern summers stresses many plants. However, she says that crops such as beans, eggplant and okra tolerate the heat, while both sweet and hot peppers, as well as corn, actually enjoy the heat. As far as herbs, basil is a good bet for the summer. “Genovese basil is the classic broad-leaf variety, but you may consider an interesting chocolate or lemon variety for some extra spice in your garden and kitchen,” she says. “Not to be forgotten, the perennial bay leaf, rosemary, oregano and thyme plants will continue to grow year-round with little effort and are always a rich culinary addition to your favorite meals.”

Akins also loves teaching her students about companion plants and how biodiversity benefits different species. For example, she likes to plant a tomato-basil-borage combination. “The basil and borage plants help with pest management for the tomatoes,” she says. “As an added bonus, the purple flowers of the borage plant are edible and add a beautiful ornament to soups and salads.”

She also loves to pair squash, corn and beans, which Akins says Native Americans referred to as the Three Sisters. “The beans enrich the soil with nutrients that the corn needs; the corn supports the beans’ vertical growth; and the squash helps with weed control at ground level,” she says.

Caring for Summer Crops

Food Focused

A SIGNATURE PROGRAM OF THE EMERIL LAGASSE Foundation, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen is a national education program integrating culinary gardens and teaching kitchens in schools to create interactive learning environments focused on food. The program integrates four pillars: instilling in children an appreciation for the source of food; fostering life skills that set children up for a successful future; cultivating an understanding of nutrition and the importance of healthy eating habits; and developing culinary skills.

Since the program launched in August 2018, Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen has been implemented in six schools nationwide impacting more than 3,200 students. In Greater New Orleans, the program’s two school partners are Belle Chasse Academy and Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy. This year, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation is piloting a curriculum-only grant so that schools and nonprofit organizations can use the program curriculum to make meaningful connections between children’s core subjects and the world of food.

Here, Corinne Akins, garden and sustainability coordinator for Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen program at Belle Chase Academy, shares her tips for growing a spring and summer vegetable garden in New Orleans.

Keeping pests at bay is always a challenge, but especially so in the summer. Akins says to remove areas where pests can hide and breed by cutting back dying foliage, clearing undergrowth and pulling weeds. “We also like to keep a healthy abundance of beneficial insects such as ladybugs, praying mantises and assassin bugs to do the dirty work of pest control,” she says. “Keeping plants healthy makes it possible to tolerate some pests without impacting the overall health or abundance of the garden. When all else fails, however, gardening students engage in bug hunts to minimize the pest population.”

Also, although summer vegetables must stay hydrated, Akins says to avoid overwatering or keeping the soil constantly wet, which can cause fungal or bacterial diseases in plants. “Insert your finger in the soil, and if it’s dry or nearly dry to the touch, give it a deep drink,” she says. “Longer, deeper watering sessions are preferable to shorter, shallower drinks.”

For nutrients, Akins recommends using a nitrogen-rich fertilizer for younger plants. “Our student gardeners use a fish or kelp emulsion concentrate to boost our plants’ growth early in their life,” she says. “Our larger plants benefit from a well-rounded fertilizer for health, growth and fruiting. A well-rounded, balanced 10-10-10 (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) fertilizer applied as recommended will provide plants with the basic macronutrients. We also use nutrient-dense soil created from our school’s composting system.”

Container Gardening

Many New Orleans residents have small yards, and, thankfully, there are several summer plants that do well in containers. “Tomato, cucumber and bean plants all do well in pots but will need trellis supports to brace their height,” Akins says. “Even squash and eggplant will yield a generous harvest if tended with care.”

Akins also cautions that container planting requires extra attention to watering and fertilizing needs, because water and nutrients drain away from pots more rapidly than in-ground gardens. She says to check the soil moisture often and apply a fertilizer monthly at recommended amounts. “It is also important to use pots that are large enough to accommodate a plant’s need for nutrition and space,” she says. — MISTY

MILIOTO

Emeril’s Culinary Garden & Teaching Kitchen educates children to have a healthy and appreciative relationship with food

Keeping It Fresh

Tips for creating gorgeous — and interesting — floral arrangements

“I LIVED IN JAPAN AS A KID, AND MY MOM WAS A TEACHER,” SAYS Shannon Mitch, founder of Blooms Botanica — a full-service, floral design company, in New Orleans.

“These Ikebana masters would come in and do presentations. I remember thinking, ‘I want to do that.’ It was my earliest interest in floral design.”

Decades later, living in America once more, Mitch found herself between marketing jobs. She began part-time freelance work for Thibodeaux’s Floral Studio, redesigning their website. That spawned tutorials in floral design and eventually her own professional creations.

Mitch’s avant-garde arrangements now add bold moments of color around the city, from towering pedestals with dried, painted palm fronds in a boutique shop window to amaranthus and Edison bulbs, strung from archways at weddings. For the latter, she finds she connects most often with

brides who want something on wild side.

“My tag line is ‘flowers for the risk takers’,” Mitch says. “I founded Blooms Botanica in 2020, with the idea of offering an alternative in floral design, with fresh ideas and funky visuals.”

With that in mind, this issue, we wanted to ask Shannon Mitch about taking risks in our own spaces, inviting neon hues and interesting textures into home floral arrangements this spring.

The No. 1 Rule for Beginners

Don’t overthink it. Flowers are beautiful in and of themselves. Novices get intimidated by arranging. If you get a good product, it speaks for itself.

Choose a Vessel

The easiest vase to begin with is one with a smaller opening. Something tall and skinny rather than wide and low. In the base, I like to use rocks or sand. I try not to use floral foam when I can avoid it, but it’s okay to use as well. Any of these will help anchor your flowers.

Think Outside the Phlox

I once overheard a girl joke that her favorite color was ‘fringe.’ I’ve been using fringe as table runners lately. You can add anything to your arrangements, from mushrooms to garden herbs like dill and rosemary. It doesn’t have to be only flowers. I’ve even used long green beans that I found at Hong Kong Market, to create a drippy effect. Fruit and vegetables are great, like loquats, which can add a beautiful pop of yellow.

Speaking of Loquats

New Orleans has so many wild and wonderful things growing on the neutral ground, in parks and along the rivers. Never cut something from someone’s yard, but collecting wild botanicals, big ginger leaves, banana flowers or even driftwood from public spaces is a great way to add to centerpieces. Plus, it’s free.

Places to Purchase

I like to source from Baby T-Rex Farms in MidCity. They do weekly bundles that you can get in spring and fall. Cicada Calling Farm is another, and Trader Joe’s in a pinch is pretty affordable.

Avoid the Sun. Refresh the Water.

Never put cut flowers in sunlight. Once they’ve been cut, they don’t love the sun. Change the water every few days and give the stems a fresh cut. About an inch is fine. That last bit of stem section sitting in the water is rotting. If you cut it away every few days, the arrangement will last much longer. — BY

JENNY ADAMS

Garden Oasis

Whether you have acres of land to tend to, or simply window boxes and indoor plants, there is no denying that adding greenery and flora to your favorite spaces is a feast for the eyes and soothes the soul. These delightful accessories and tools from local shops will make the task effortlessly pleasant.

BY ANDY MYER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EUGENIA UHL

Pink Haley Juliette Bamboo Tote, handwoven in Indonesia with a curled peacock feather detail, vintage carved ceramic vase in beautiful light blue and coral colorway, ceramic vintage Leo vase in earth tones and lovely pattern, House Planted: ”House Planted: Choosing, Growing, and Styling the Perfect Plants for Your House”by Lisa Muñoz from Ten Speed Press, “The Inspired House Plant” by Jen Stearns from Sasquatch Books, available at The Collective Shop, statementgoods.com

Pillow, stacked flower pots: Handmade pillow by local maker Lasalle & Jackson (in a range of sizes and patterns), handmade ceramic pots, available at FAIT, faitnola.com. Faux succulents: In a wide range of options available at The Plant Gallery, theplantgallery.com.

Block printed cotton napkins in sets of four with delicate winding leaves, Two’s Company Countryside Gardening Set gloves and plant tag, leather and cane wrapped forged iron scissors, Alice in Wonderland themed Down the Rabbit Hole cornhole game, available at Judy at The Rink, judyattherink.com

Hat: Matahari Sun

Hat by Village Thrive handwoven in Bali, available at The Collective Shop, statementgoods.com

Faux succulents: In a wide range of options available at The Plant Gallery, theplantgallery.com.

Fealistic faux 75-inch bird of paradise plant, fern and succulents, striated blue metal bird bath, brass watering can with whimsical plant engraving, decorative ceramic birds with metal feet, available at The Plant Gallery, theplantgallery.com

Birdcage: Vintage, Victorian-style birdcage, available at The Collective Shop, statementgoods. com. Handmade pillow by local maker Lasalle & Jackson (in a range of sizes and patterns), available at FAIT, faitnola.com.

Perfect Patina

A renovated Greek Revival double-gallery townhouse honors the original design by prominent local architect Henry Howard

By Misty Milioto | Photography by Sara Essex Bradley

High school sweethearts Matt and Christina Meisner lived in Austin when they visited New Orleans for their second wedding anniversary in 2013. “[We] basically couldn’t stay away after that,” Christina says. The couple, who also lived in Melbourne previously, found a lot of similarities. “Our time in Melbourne … solidified our appreciation for historic homes, walkable neighborhoods and tight-knit community,” Matt adds.

As the couple started planning their stateside return, their dreams of living in New Orleans shifted from idea to reality. Matt began researching neighborhoods and looking for the right home.

“We saved recently sold historic homes we liked and got in touch with the Realtors behind those sales, which led us to Jonathan Maki and Brent Talavera at McEnery Residential,” Matt says.

When a 1852 Greek Revival double-gallery townhouse designed by Henry Howard hit the market, it was time. The Meisners closed on the nearly 4,900-square-foot property, which includes the main house and a garçonnière, in May 2020 and immediately began renovation on the main house. Their primary goal was to make improvements while still being respectful of the home’s history. That meant keeping a timeless style highlighting the layers of the home’s past — easily seen in the existing patina of the multicolor

throughout

plaster and paint layers

the home.

The living room features a reproduction five-foot ceiling medallion by Lachin Ornamental, an Elizabeth gold chandelier by Currey & Co. (sourced by Curated Studio), a two-piece antique mirror with marble base (circa 1850s, around the same time the home was built) gifted from the sellers, Matt and Barb Ryan, yellow vintage chairs and a vintage coffee table (all from Merchant House), a midcentury modern cream bouclé sofa with rattan side panels by Object Biographies from Merchant House topped with Mongolian lamb pillows in platinum from West Elm, 1940s Grosfeld House Art Deco channel-barrel-back swivel tub chairs in blue velvet from Chairish and an area rug from Renaissance Interiors.

The Meisners worked with King Cole Construction to address immediate repairs and improvements. They also worked with Lauren Taylor and Kakin Nichols at Austin-based Curated Studio to create an initial vision for the fireplaces, the living and dining rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. “They were instrumental in bringing our vision to life when everything felt so daunting in those early days, especially when it came to finishes,” Christina says. “We intentionally chose materials that would wear over time and add to the home’s story, like the honed marble in the kitchen and the brass fixtures in the primary bath.”

“With the help of King Cole Construction and Mark Derby at Derby Pottery and Tile, we restored all six fireplaces with new tile, hearths and summer fronts,” Matt adds. “That collaboration set the tone for the rest of our journey.”

The couple also worked with Sweeney Restoration to oversee most of the general interior renovations and repairs.

Shortly before their first child was born, the Meisners (who were still living in Austin) realized two obstacles: They needed to renovate the kitchen prior to moving in, and they couldn’t continue to manage the process from out of state during a pandemic.

The couple researched architects whose house portfolios they liked and were pleased when they found Leslie Raymond, vice president and principal, and Dan Akerley, senior project manager, at Albert Architecture. Raymond and Akerley oversaw general maintenance and repairs to the home’s existing historic elements, and conceptualized the design — from drawing production to assisting with custom interior details and coordination of contractors and subcontractors — during construction. They also acted as the Meisners’ onsite representation while the couple was still living in Austin.

“The homeowners had some initial selections for bathroom finishes, and Albert Architecture worked with them to integrate these selections into a cohesive design approach for the entire house,” Akerley says.

The biggest transformation came in the form of the kitchen, which had an odd layout that made it feel small. “The range and vent hood jutted out into the center of the room, so, when you walked in the front door and looked down the hall, all you could see was this giant vent hood,” Christina says. “There wasn’t much natural light, and the space felt heavy. We wanted to open things up where we could, let in as much light as possible and celebrate these incredible spaces (and tall ceilings) by giving them room to breathe.”

Top: Most of the renovations were centered on the kitchen, which now features a custom rolling library ladder in walnut with antique brass finishes by Alaco and original fireplace mantel refurbished by Picardie Timber Frame + Millwork with a custom mosaic hearth with tiles by Zio & Sons and clé tile. The Mackson 1 single dome pendant lights by Alcott Hill are from Wayfair, and the Esse Canyon counter stools in walnut with charcoal matte leather are from Article. Bottom: The kitchen also features custom cabinetry that was build onsite by Pomar Gutierrez Renovation. The Meisners even hid a time capsule in the kitchen wall that includes a family photo and a handwritten note that a future family member may one day discover. Facing Page: Pomar Gutierrez Renovation also custom-built a walnut island and floating walnut shelves. The Calacatta Vagli honed marble countertops are from Triton Stone and the ceilingheight weathered white Zellige wall tile are by clé tile. The Meisners kept the original patina pantry door.

In the kitchen, the team changed the courtyard door into a window, which allowed for more counter space, doubled the amount of natural light and allowed more freedom in the redesign. Meanwhile, Matt’s main goal for the kitchen was to have builtin cabinetry with a library ladder that would make full use of the ceiling height. Local carpentry company Pomar Gutierrez Renovation built custom kitchen cabinets onsite (some have the added touch of rattan detailing in lieu of glass for added texture and warmth).

The Meisners kept the original patina pantry door and renovated the rest of the kitchen. It now features pine wood flooring stained to match the rest of the house, a dramatic window wall and floating walnut shelves with integrated light coves, weathered white Zellige tile that showcases the height of the space, a custom walnut island, honed Calacatta Vagli marble countertops with unique veining patterns in tones of pink, green and blue, and a walnut ladder with brass rail.

Pomar Gutierrez Renovation also created a built-in with rattan doors for the living room, a vanity for the primary and guest bathrooms, an office bookshelf on the third floor and a new bedroom closet.

Facing page: The sophisticated dining room is set against a backdrop of Farrow & Ball Inchyra Blue paint and features Greek Revival trim (some original), a custom fireplace mantel by Picardie Timber Frame + Millwork with custom fireplace and hearth tile by Derby Pottery and Tile. The Entellina chandelier is by Julie Neill for Visual Comfort, while the antique trumeau mirror is from Consign Consign, the antique Louis XV deux corps with glass door panels is from Renaissance Interiors and the custom dining table in reclaimed cypress with dentil detailing is from Dop Antiques. The Meisners purchased the two 19thcentury antique armchairs with caned seats (the first pieces they purchased specifically for this house) in the Texas Hill Country on their babymoon. An antique area rug from Six Vintage Rugs finishes off the space. Top: Commissioned artwork, “Banana Bunch in Blue” by Anna Koeferl, keeps the the sleek living room approachable and fun. Pomar Gutierrez Renovation created the custom built-in, while Derby Pottery and Tile provided the custom fireplace tile. The Elizabeth gold chandelier is by Currey & Co.; the vintage coffee table and set of yellow velvet armchairs are from Merchant House; and the area rug is from Renaissance Interiors. Bottom left: The custom fireplace tile in the nursery is decorative alligator and grass by Derby Pottery and Tile with a custom soapstone hearth. The commissioned mantel art is by Anna Koeferl. Bottom right: The second floor hallway, which leads to a guest bedroom and courtyard gallery, showcases architect Henry Howard’s plaster walls with signature curved corners (repaired by Sylvia T. Designs to match the existing patina).

Of course, the Meisners kept some of the original details, including the aging faux bois trim and doors, and the double-hung passthrough windows with operable upper sashes. Some of the plaster walls were salvageable, and Sylvia T. Designs repaired those in the second floor hallway. She also added new plaster to the master bedroom with a patina to complement the rest of the home. Additionally, some of the original Henry Howard fireplace mantels were intact. For those that were not, the Meisners hired Picardie Timber Frame + Millwork to create custom reproductions.

The Meisners allowed the home’s framework to determine the color palette. For example, they built the kitchen around the plaster fireplace, the powder bath around the green door’s patina, the primary bath around the mossy green clawfoot tub, and both the second floor guest bedroom and nursery around the weathered fireplaces.

“We also wanted moments of fun to keep things from feeling too stuffy or formal,” Christina says. “So there’s the Schumacher wallpaper in the powder bath that reminds me of my favorite Dr. Seuss book growing up, the House of Hackney wallpaper in the water closet that’s a nod to our travels across southeast Asia, the blue and yellow mosaic tile in the guest bath, and the unusual Derby Pottery grass and gator tile for the nursery fireplace.”

Overall, the Meisners found it paramount to honor the history of their home while adding to its character. “The house has been through a pretty incredible transformation in the last two decades,” Christina says. “Matt found a Flickr album that indicated the house was up for demolition by neglect before Katrina hit, and it documents some of the painstaking, five-year restoration work the previous owners Matt and Barb Ryan, the sellers we purchased the home from, completed post-Katrina.”

“We can only imagine the stories held within these walls,” Matt says, “So we liked the idea of capturing what remained rather than fully restoring it back to the 1850s. A century’s worth of patina is hard to recreate. It’s art to us.”

Top: The sofa in the living room is flanked by a pair of Julie spindle side tables in walnut from One Kings Lane. The artwork (from left to right) is by Graham Franciose, Mary Ball and Cubs the Poet. Bottom: The master bath features an existing cast-iron tub that was refinished and repainted, a custom vanity in Calacatta Vagli marble and walnut with fluted panels by Pomar Gutierrez Renovation, an Art Nouveau bistro chair with embossed croc pattern (circa 1910s) by Fischel from Sidehaul NOLA and a limited-edition linen print by Maja Dlugolecki. Facing page: Top left: In the nursery, a Rory convertible crib in weathered white with dentil detail from Pottery Barn Kids sits atop a hand-knotted Kashkuli Gabbeh wool rug from rugs.com. The vintage French Empire chandelier in walnut and pewter was sourced by Curated Studio, and the motorized flat Roman blackout shades in dark green posh velvet are from The Shade Store. Top right: The powder bath comes to life with Schumacher wallpaper in Coconut Grove, Leaf (sourced by Curated Studio). The light sconce is from Pottery Barn; the midcentury French Riviera curved rattan and bamboo Italian oval mirror is from 1stDibs; the Calacatta Vagli marble is from Architectural Tile & Stone in Austin; and the faucet and hardware in aged brass is by Newport Brass. Bottom left: The master bedroom is a dreamy respite thanks to a modern wingback queen bed in verdure bois de chene by Old World Weavers from The Inside by Havenly, a white-bead gilded chandelier in white and gold sourced by Curated Studio, artwork by Cubs the Poet and an ivory jute harlequin trellis area rug from Rugs USA. Bottom right: Another view of the master bedroom shows a custom fireplace mantel by Picardie Timber Frame + Millwork with Carrara marble hearth, custom fireplace tile by Derby Pottery and Tile, a decorative plaster wall by Sylvia T. Designs, a pair of antique chairs in green velvet from Consign Consign, a bamboo plant stand by Object Biographies from Merchant House and an antique armoire purchased from the sellers, Matt and Barb Ryan.

Stacey and Robert

Uptown

Written in the Stars

BY LEE CUTRONE

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JACQUELINE MARQUE AND SARA ESSEX BRADLEY

Every time Stacey and Robert Sexton visited New Orleans from Washington D.C., they felt pulled to the relaxing pace and the warmth of the community.

Then, in 2018, Stacey, an astrologer and student pursuing a Masters in Religious Education at Loyola, found that astrocartography — or the astrology of place — supported the synergy that the Sextons experienced when in town.

“New Orleans is on my personal Jupiter line, and my husband’s Venus line, which are two wonderful lines,” says Stacey. “Jupiter is abundance, generosity, expansion and jubilee and Venus is beauty, healing and harmony in the physical realm.”

Stacey grew up in Luling but lost her close connection to the city when Katrina hit during her freshman year of college and her immediate family moved out of state. Robert, an engineer, is from Alabama. The opportunity for the couple and their two young children to return to Stacey’s native environs presented itself in 2019, so they

hired a realtor and began looking for a house. The winner was a tiny pink shotgun less than a third of the size of the suburban home they occupied near D.C. and in need of renovation and expansion. But once again, the planets aligned. The previous buyer’s contract fell through and the Sextons put in an offer with the intention of renovating.

“It was all very serendipitous,” says Stacey. “It felt very meant to be.”

With Stacey “leading the charge” of the remodel, the family brought in Sweeney Restoration and architect Kim Allen of Studio BKA Architects & Consultants, which specializes in custom residential and commercial architecture.

“We had lived in tiny apartments, a small townhouse, and a very big suburban house so we were looking for one that was just right like Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” says Stacey.

That meant adding three bedrooms, two full baths and a bonus family room, by bumping out and camel-backing the existing structure built sometime between 1886 and 1900. The family moved to a nearby rental and Stacey worked closely with Allen to oversee the proj-

Sexton’s

Renovation is vibrant, playful and in sync with the heavens

The living room décor came largely from consignment: cherry blossom sofa, a nod to the homeowners’ years in D.C., came from Merchant House; Chinoiserie screen from Consign Consign. Art is a mix of local artists and consignment finds. Stacey sourced the 30-inch disco ball from a D.J. wholesaler.

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTO

ect and make design decisions. As she had with the family’s relocation, she found guidance — or at least confirmation of her gut instincts — in astrological research, which told her that the late 19th-century house called for cheerful, vibrant and colorful with flamboyant, sometimes silly flourishes.

“We live on Camp Street and the house is a little campy,” says Stacey, whose children dubbed their home base “Pinky” after its exterior color.

The most notable touch of camp is the 30-inch disco ball that hangs in the living room near the entrance.

“This house is not meant to be understated,” says Stacey who wanted to pay homage to the fun-loving nature of New Orleans.

As the project progressed, even the safe choices that Stacey initially made to streamline the process of renovating a house while working fulltime and raising two kids gave way to decisions that proved more interesting. Unlike the navy blue originally selected for the kitchen cabinets, Stacey found a greenish-brown hue, Sherwin Williams’ Eminent Bronze, that feels more at home in New Orleans’ swampy surroundings. While the Sextons’ previous house was mostly beige and white, Stacey went with a daring shade in the master bedroom and bath, Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black.

“Stacey has a good graphic eye and was brave and bold,” says Allen of her client, who has years of experience in graphic advertising. “I love the bold and the risk-taking and was in support of it.”

Yet the house never feels overly quirky or jarring in its transition from Victorian to contemporary spaces. Owners and

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTO

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTO

JACQUELINE MARQUE PHOTOS

Facing page: Top, left: Two paintings above the living room mantel were done by Stacey for the couple’s first newlyweds-on-a-budget house. The wall color was the Sextons’ compromise between two shades of pink the previous owners had in the house. Top, right: The surprise detail of a contrasting ceiling color in the family room — Savannah Moss by Benjamin Moore — straddles the line between understated and funky. “We wanted to echo the themes of swampy, earthy greens,” says Stacey. Stacey repurposed the upcycled cabinet by painting it orange. Bottom: Leafy, floral motifs are repeated in the dining room’s metal and crystal chandelier from Élan Studio and the framed pieces from Finch Hatton Home (at Merchant House). This page: Stacey in the kitchen, where the color of the cabinets — Sherwin Williams’ Eminent Bronze — was inspired by New Orleans’ lush landscape. The oil landscape is from Consign Consign.

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTO

JACQUELINE MARQUE PHOTOS

architect were mindful of paying attention to the connection between past and present. Allen carried the heart pine floors, ceiling heights, door headers and window trim from the original part of the house through to the addition to maintain continuity. The original fireplace between the living and dining rooms was left in place to retain the shotgun feel. A transom removed during the renovation was added to the door above the new bonus room and a window from the back of the house was salvaged and re-used prominently in the new primary bedroom, where it looks over the yard and balances the dark, moody space with natural light.

Modern details such as the clean sheetrocked oven hood in the kitchen provide a contemporary viewpoint conceived with both the present day and the future of the home in mind.

“With all of our projects we take a contextual approach and then have fun with the finishes, which are still sophisticated but also new and fresh,” says Allen. “The house is still going to have a life for the next family. The flow, the feel, the light, how it works with neighboring buildings, feel nice and respectful.”

The Sextons’ eclectic mix of furnishings includes antique and vintage pieces, some from local consignment stores, as well new purchases. One of Stacey’s favorite consignment finds is the living room’s cherry blossom print sofa, a subtle nod to the 10 years the couple spent in D.C. Allen, who connected with Stacey’s youthful, edgy aesthetic early on (and vice versa) offered advice along the way and the two have remained friends with a mutual appreciation of each other’s contributions.

“I have a background in interior design and helped her become comfortable with her choices,” says Allen. “We stayed true to the architectural dialogue, but the personality of the home came from her.”

Facing page: Top, left: The primary suite is painted with Farrow & Ball’s Off-Black. The desk used as a vanity is paired with a deco mirror from Merchant House and the framed piece above the bed is from Consign Consign. A lava lamp and a disco ball that catches the afternoon light reflect the couple’s sense of humor. Top, right: The primary bath blends a tropical wallpaper from Etsy with sconces from Élan Studio, a mirror from Merchant House, a vanity from Overstock (the wall inset was designed to fit), and matte black hexagon tiles. Bottom, right: The Sextons’ son’s room is Breakfast Room Green by Farrow & Ball. The blue dresser is from Bayleaf & Besom (at Merchant House). This page: Top: One of the family’s two Shiba Inus lounges on the family room sofa from West Elm. Rattan table from Merchant House, monkey pillows from Apartment 4 Lifestyle. Bottom, left: The piano from Renaissance Interiors dates from the 1890s; framed magnolia print from Consign Consign. Bottom, right: The family room’s vintage step stool and framed paintings are from Bayleaf & Besom (at Merchant House).

SARA ESSEX BRADLEY PHOTOS

Kitchens

Contractor: Patrick Scariano Designer: Penny Francis Eclectic Home Cabinets: Eclipse cabinets through Mattix Cabinet Works. Maple wood veneer and painted island and shelving Flooring: Large format porcelain through Eclectic Home Installed by Prestige Flooring Countertops: Quartz from Triton Stone Backsplash: Ceramic tile from Eclectic Home, installed by Prestige Flooring Fixtures: Plumbing fixtures by Brizo Lighting: Eclectic Home Cabinet hardware: Emtek Furniture: Eclectic Home Appliances: Existing range: JennAir; refrigerator: GE Monogram; range, coffee maker, microwave drawer: Thermador; dishwasher: Bosch; sink: Kohler. Appliances purchased through Campo Appliances Hood: Custom-fabricated in quartz from Triton.

Photography by Jeffrey Johnston

Contractor: Wayne Quigley Designer: Susan C Scheinuk, SCS Designs, LLC Cabinets: Urban Effect at Marchand Creative Kitchens Flooring: Porcelain wood plank (discontinued) Countertops: Palatial Stone & Tile Backsplash: Palatial Stone & Tile Fixtures: Kohler Lighting: Hinkley Lighting Doorknobs: Cabinet hardware at Restoration Hardware Furniture: Bar stools at Design Within Reach Notable art: Pottery by Potsalot Pottery, Magazine St. and white pottery vessel on counter corner by Julie Silvers Appliances: Refrigerator: Sub-Zero; dishwasher: Asko; double ovens, microwave, vent hood, cooktop: Wolf; sink: Kohler Prolific Plumbing: Southland Plumbing

Contractor: Titan Construction LLC Designer: Élan Studio, Heather Silbernagel-Somers and Casey Weisler Cabinets: Showplace from Jim Owens Flooring: Medallion Collection – La Jolla engineered hardwood at ProSource Countertops: Quartzite at Crescent City Countertops Backsplash: Tile Fixtures and lighting: Elan Lighting Doorknobs/cabinet hardware: Davis Hardware Bar stools: Restoration Hardware Vendors to mention: Laure Perque at Menzie Flooring and Stone, Claire Lewis at Claire Lewis Designs

Contractor: JLV Construction Designer: Sam Levin Architect: Mark Schroeder Architects Cabinets: Shaker-style in dark gray Flooring: Northridge Oak in Audubon finish from New Orleans Flooring Countertops: Lava black quartz from Home Décor Kitchen & Bath Backsplash: Ocean White polished marble tile by Casa Antica from Floor and Décor Range hood: Custom-built Island countertop: Walnut, custom Island wrap: Carolina Moss polished ceramic tile from TileBar Fixtures: Broderick champagne bronze faucet by Delta, brass bar foot rail from KegWorks Lighting: Walnut and brass linear wood pendants from West Elm, Mercer heritage brass sconces from Hinkley Pelican wall art: Artist Madeleine Grace Kelly Appliances: Sink: Luxart; refrigerator, dishwasher: Frigidaire; gas range: Forno; microwave: Sharp

Contractor: Protocol Construction Designer: Amanda Powell Design Cabinets: Cabinets were on-site, from local fabricator. Island is custom by Doorman Designs Flooring: Reclaimed pine floors from Acadian Cypress & Hardwoods in Ponchatoula, LA Countertops: Calacatta Gold fabricated by Palo All Backsplash Walls and stove hood: Sylvia T. Designs applied a lime-based Venetian marmorino plaster finish Fixtures: Perrin and Rowe Georgian Era Bridge Faucet with side spray, unlacquered brass. Island faucet by Newport Brass, unlacquered brass Lighting: Circa Lighting/Visual Comfort Boston

Functional Double Arm Library Light in antique brass Door knobs: Emtek Cabinet knobs: Rejuvenation, unlacquered brass Furniture: Counter stools by Restoration Hardware and Rejuvenation Appliances: Range (60”), refrigerator, freezer, refrigerator drawers, dishwasher: Thermador; dishwasher drawers: Fisher and Paykel; sink: Kohler Prolific drawers. Kohler Prolific sink.

Contractor: Precision Builders Architect: Patrick Melancon, MOD Design Group Designer: Monica Melancon, MOD Design Group Cabinets: Design by John Lagarde and Patricia Neal at Classic Cupboards, Cabico Cabinets Elmwood Series; door style: Bregenz, wood species: white oak, finish: Haze on kitchen and exterior of island, Cabico Black on working side of island and bar Hardware: Top Knobs, Hillmont in Honey Bronze finish Hood: Custom design by Classic Cupboards with Cabico cabinetry Appliances: Microwave drawer: Bosch; stainless steel apron-front sink Countertops: Marble

Campbell Cabinet Co.

220 Hord St., Harahan, 504-733-4687; 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985-892-7713, campbellcabinets.com

Palatial Stone & Tile 1526 Religious St., New Orleans, 504-576-9000; 2052 Paxton St., Harvey, 504-340-2229, sales@palatialstone.com, palatialstone.com

Nordic Kitchens and Baths, Inc. 1818 Veterans Blvd., Metairie, 504-888-2300, nordickitchens.com

Albert Architecture

2739 Conti St., 504-827-0056 albert-architecture.com

M L M Incorporated 1400 Distributors Row, 504-322-7050, mlm-inc.com, MLM-Commercial.com

Titan Construction 2955 Ridgelake Dr., Suite 102, Metairie, 504-455-5411, titanconstruction.com

Tuscan Stone Imports

720 S. Galvez St., New Orleans, 504-837-1511; 7150 Pecue Lane, Baton Rouge, 225-753-5870, TuscanStoneImports.com, 504-329-0107, KHicks@tuscanstoneimports.com

MULLIN

10356 River Road, St. Rose, 504-275-6617, mullinlandscape.com

C3NOLA Construction Services 504-220-2539, info@usec3nola.com, usec3nola.com

Classic Cupboards

Classic Cupboards

5809 River Oaks Road South, Harhan, 504-734-9088, classiccupboards.com

220 Hord St., Harahan, 504-733-4687; 4040 Highway 59, Mandeville, 985-892-7713, campbellcabinets.com

Knaps Painting LLC

Knaps Painting LLC

985-264-4470, Mandeville-New Orleans andrewknaps@knapspaintingllc.com, knapspaintingllc.com

985-264-4470, Mandeville-New Orleans andrewknaps@knapspaintingllc.com, knapspaintingllc.com

Eclectic Home

Eclectic Home

8211 Oak St., New Orleans, 504-866-6654

8211 Oak St., New Orleans, 504-866-6654

eclectichome.net, @eclectichomenola

eclectichome.net, @eclectichomenola

Doorman Designs

Doorman Designs

504-408-1616, @DoormanDesigns doormandesigns.com

504-408-1616, @DoormanDesigns doormandesigns.com

Legend Interiors

Kitchen & Bath • Design & Remodeling

432 N. Anthony St., Suite 301, New Orleans, 504-324-8080, @legendinteriorsnola, info@ legendinteriorsinc.com, LegendInteriorsnola.com

Louisiana Custom Closets

13405 Seymour Meyer Suite 24, Covington, 985-871-0810

Stafford Tile & Stone

5234 Magazine St., New Orleans, 504-895-5000, staffordtile.com

Sylvia T Designs

504-435-8081, sylvia@sylviatdesigns.com sylviatdesigns.com

KELLY SUTTON \\ DESIGN

3800 Dryades St., New Orleans, 504-3022547, kellysuttoninc.com, @kellysuttoninc

JLV Construction 3400 Washington Avenue, New Orleans 504-533-9932, jlvbuilt.com

Triton Stone

6131 River Road, Harahan, 504-914-9328

Info@tritonstone.com, tritonstone.com

LAS Enterprises 2413 L & A Road, Metairie, 504-887-1515 1-800-264-1527

M&M Glass Co.

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

It’s Electric

Tips from the pros for cutting energy costs

THE 2020S HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT FOR MOST people. But 2022 introduced a new challenge for everyone to overcome: skyrocketing energy costs. New Orleanians have seen bill increases in the hundreds of dollars in the past year. So what are reasonable tips local residents can employ to make the energy bills sting a little less?

The Department of Energy (energy.gov) recommends switching to energy-efficient lighting because lighting typically accounts for about 15% of an average house’s electricity use. If you still use incandescent light bulbs, a quick way to cut your energy bill is to use LED bulbs that use up to 90% less energy and last up to 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. For best results, check to see if the lights have an Energy Star certification. Energy Star is a certification handed out by the the Environmental Protection Agency on products that contribute significant energy savings nationwide.

If you’re uncertain which of your appliances are using the most energy, the Department of Energy recommends electricity usage monitors that can measure the usage of any device that runs on 120 volts. It cannot be used with large appliances that use 220 volts like central air conditioner units, water heaters or electric clothes dryers. Electricity usage monitors are available at most hardware stores at prices ranging from $25-50. If you’re willing to spend more to monitor the bigger appliances, whole-house energy monitors can also be purchased.

Z Smith, principal and director of sustainability & building performance at Eskew Dumez Ripple, said if your heating and air conditioning system is 15 years old or more, it might be time to replace it. He said new systems use half as much energy as the old ones while providing the same cooling and heating.

When replacing HVAC units, Smith advised homeowners to consider a heat pump. Heat pumps move heat in either direction (inside or

outside the house), and can both cool your house in the summer and heat it in the winter. Heat pumps run on electricity and leave users less vulnerable to fluctuations in natural gas rates.

Just like HVAC units, newer water heaters are more energy efficient than the older ones. So if your water heater is over 15 years old, consider replacing your conventional tank-style electric water heater with a heat pump water heater.

Many New Orleans houses have a/c ducts running in the attic. Smith said it is smart to have installers verify the ducts are well-sealed and well-insulated. The most current energy codes recommend “R8” insulation for ductwork in the attic. While many New Orleanians enjoy the city’s historic architecture, the downside of all those quaint houses is they are often not energy efficient by modern standards.

“When my family moved into our 1880s house in New Orleans in 2009, we spent about $2,000 per year on utilities in the first year … by today’s rates, that would be closer to $3,000 per year,” said Smith.

Smith set about working to make his home more energy efficient piece by piece. He improved some windows and replaced others. He added insulation between the floor joists and on the underside of the rafters. When his old appliances failed, he replaced them with Energy Star appliances. Finally, he added rooftop solar panels.

“Our house is now net zero electric and uses only a few dollars a month for gas water heating. Most of our typical $35 a month utility bill is what Entergy charges us as a connect charge,” Smith said.

If you’re considering making the leap to solar, Smith added that it is a hassle to take solar panels off when it is time to replace the roofing. As a result, the best time to install solar panels is shortly after you have re-roofed. He added that recent legislation allows some homeowners to qualify for a 30% federal tax credit if they go solar. —

FRITZ ESKER

Nature-Based Design

With all the stress of today, it is no wonder designers and scientists are working together to produce evidence-based research showing that nature-based designs have multiple health benefits. Designs that connect with nature through their images or materials are proven to reduce stress and reenergize our brains. All in addition to looking beautiful.

BY MIRELLA CAMERON

Olivia Table Lamp with goldleaf design and white shade at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net

Vert Coffee Table, made in teak wood with a clear coat flat natural finish at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co

floral print at Sunday Shop, sundayshop.co

Palm Beach Idyll and Beverly Hills Hotel by Slim Aarons at Eclectic Home, eclectichome.net

$138

Pro Level

Made in Germany, each Manduka 6-millimeter “Pro” mat is made from high density, 100 percent latex-free PVC, providing a stable surface and extra cushion. A “proprietary dot pattern” provides excellent traction to keep the mat from slipping during practice, and with a subtle textured surface to allow for confident postures. Available in standard and long lengths, the Pro mat comes in 10 colors. Manduka.com

Pretty Practice

Stretch it out with one of these practical and pretty yoga mats

BY ASHLEY MCLELLAN

$98

Yoga Master

Lululemon has become synonymous with yoga and fitness for years, and when it comes to yoga mats, there’s good reason. Named by The New York Times “Wirecutter” feature as their top yoga mat, the brand’s classic 5-millimeter mat delivers comfort and function for yoga practitioners at all levels. It’s made from “sustainably sourced and FCS-certified natural rubber,” and provides functional grip and traction with maximum moisture wicking. It’s also reversible from smooth to textured, with an antimicrobial coating to prevent mold and mildew between workouts. Plus, it’s available in 11 colors and patterns. Shop. lululemon.com

$74

Cork Yoga Mat

While 42 Birds may be the new kid on the block (it was founded in 2019), the company’s dedication to the environment while producing a quality product has become a growing favorite in the yoga community. Mats are made from 100 percent sustainably grown cork through a traditional method practiced in the Mediterranean for generations. The 5-millimeter “Robin” mat is lightweight, smooth and stays non-slip even in the hottest workout environments. Each mat is also treated with “natural anti-microbial properties” to keep it fresh and clean from practice to practice. 42birds.com

$89

On the Move

Yogo’s “Ultra Folding Mat” is great for YOLO yoga practioners. It is specially designed to fold instead of roll (to about the size of a book) with attached travel straps for yoga sessions at home, at the gym, the beach or the park, and to keep its surface free from dirt. It is made from eco-friendly tree rubber, and one tree is planted for each mat sold. Available in three colors and two sizes. Yogo.net

$29.98

Perfect Pose

Gaiam fitness products have become favorites for those looking for great accessories at a great price and design. The company’s line of yoga mats is extensive, offering options for everyone from pros to beginners to kids. The website even has a handy quiz to help you find the right mat for you. The 6-millimeter “Alignment” mat goes one perfectly postured step further than some of the other options. Each mat is designed with artistic guidelines to help inspire your practice while encouraging good form. Lightweight and portable, each mat is latex-free, as well as free from the top six most harmful phthalates for a comfortable, worryfree workout. Gaiam.com

Welcome Change

Expert advice for choosing, replacing and dressing windows and doors

ONE OF THE BEST THINGS ABOUT springtime in Louisiana is being able to open the windows and doors on those days when the sun is out, the temps are cool and the breeze delivers the invigorating feel of the outdoors inside the house. On the other hand, one of the worst things about springtime is the classic New Orleans conundrum of April showers coming in through your drafty 100-year-old windows. Windows and doors are key elements of a home that help define our experience within it, and technologies and aesthetic options have changed significantly over the years. This season, we reached out to local experts for advice on choosing, replacing, and dressing windows and doors.

What are the biggest considerations for new windows and doors? According to our experts, quality — including energy efficiency and protection — should rank first. Style can then factor in with maintenance also a consideration depending on your choice of materials.

With new or recent builds, Richard Maia, manufacturing manager at LAS, commonly finds his company replacing windows that are less than 10 years old because the contractors of the original build spent the minimum on windows.

“A description widely used for this in the industry is ‘contractor grade’,” he says. “The windows are a common target when building a house and looking for ways to reduce cost, but they are your one line of protection from outside weather for the many openings in the structure of your house.”

Windows come in all shapes and sizes, and much to the consumer’s

surprise, they also come in all variety of materials: aluminum, wood, aluminum clad wood, fiberglass, vinyl and even engineered wood. For our hot, humid, and rainy climate, Maia suggests vinyl as the best option.

“Vinyl is the only substrate that gets thermally fused together with welded corners of the frames,” says Maia, which makes for better protection from air and water. He says that vinyl is the best insulator and can be reinforced to any strength requirement needed, an important consideration in hurricane-prone regions.

Chandler Green, sales manager at Window World, has watched window technology improve exponentially over the years. Today, windows can reach an extremely high level of energy efficiency thanks to high quality rigid vinyl and double-strength glass, low emissivity technology, and the incorporation of argon or krypton gas. According to Green, customers can identify degrees of efficiency through solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and thermal transmittance (U value) ratings typically included on window labels.

Homeowners love the security and energy efficiency they experience with upgraded vinyl windows, says Green. Additionally, the curb appeal and instant visual gratitude from new windows has a lasting effect, and customers are often surprised when they hear the sound difference in their home. Doors are also more efficient than they once were thanks to fiberglass construction coupled with foam, wood coring and rot-proof framing.

“The cost and savings over the years from maintaining and outfitting your largest investment is truly a great return on investment,” says

Green. “This peace of mind is priceless.”

At Renaissance Doors, Managing Member Matthew Durish says that replacing a door doesn’t have to be difficult. Customers who know their end goal can find a product or solution without it being a mystifying process. The style of your home and your door’s level of exposure to weather will help guide the process, but just a walk around a showroom will get your ideas flowing and familiarize you with the options available in materials, glass and colors.

“Once you see all the possibilities, you’ll start noticing the different door styles in your neighborhood. This helps cement your final choice,” he says.

The next step is to take a photo or two of your current door and get basic width and height measurements of just the door that moves. These pieces of information, combined with your desired vision, will cut the choice from thousands of available doors to just a handful.

For front doors, popular options for materials include wood, fiberglass and iron. According to Durish, there are different considerations for each. The natural beauty of stained wood is a major appeal, but maintenance can’t be avoided.

“Fiberglass doors are now offered in many prefinished colors with the look of natural wood but the durability of composite materials, but the cost can be quite high,” he says. “Iron doors are in a class by themselves. Whether it’s an ultra-modern and contemporary style or more traditional iron door with bars and scrollwork, iron doors have a distinctive look.”

For people who want the look of a new door but aren’t ready to take the leap, one option is simply replacing the hardware and updating it with something more modern or sleek. When combined with a color change, Durish offers that your door might be mistaken by others for a

completely new one.

At LAS, Maia offers a piece of advice for back doors.

“Be wary of using or specifying swing doors for exposed openings in your house,” he says. “Doors without raised lip sills, which most swing doors will not have, are not the most effective option for stopping water infiltration.” Maia sees sliding doors often replacing French doors that have no overhang, awning or protection from heavy rain.

Part of the fun — and function — of rear doors and windows is the light they provide. Changing up or modernizing your shades and drapes is a great way to update your windows without replacing them.

According to Interior Designer Chad Graci, principal of Graci Interiors, well-made window treatments should last 10-15 years before needing refreshing. But once you see signs of wear or fading, have some fun with something new. Consider the type and placement of your windows before customizing treatments.

“For example, a family room that faces a covered loggia or porch could get by with unlined sheers to shield from glare — there really wouldn’t be a need for fully lined window treatments in that scenario,” says Graci. “On the contrary, a bedroom facing the front of a house would usually require fully lined window treatments for privacy and sleeping purposes.”

Motorized shades and curtains that can be controlled from one’s phone are increasing in popularity and add next-level convenience to managing your natural light and privacy.

Whether hanging new curtains or hanging a door, the spring offers a great opportunity for a refresh that allows you to better connect with — and sometimes protect yourself from — the outer world. A solution that looks good while providing efficiency and protection is a sure bet.

KELCY WILBURN

Design Details

Sculptural hardware adds a finishing touch to cabinetry

WHEN IT COMES TO CABINETRY, THE hardware can make all the difference. In fact, hardware can transform cabinetry from traditional to modern — and any style in between. Local designer Marion Cage’s collection of handcrafted fine cabinetry hardware combines her background in industrial design, jewelry and architecture, resulting in gorgeous pieces of art. From initial sketch to finely tuned prototype, Cage and her team craft cabinetry hardware that explores the relationship between material, craftsmanship and technology. Cage uses the traditional method of lost-wax casting and then hand-finishes each piece at the jeweler’s bench. Each of

her designs balances the warmth and organic qualities of noble materials — including bronze, brass and exotic hardwoods — with the utmost precision of superior craftsmanship. Cage found inspiration for her newest collection, Narmada, in the sculptural beauty of Shiva lingam stones that are naturally carved in the bed of the Narmada river in northern India. Embodying forms often found in nature, Narmada features a juxtaposition of materials such as cast metal, carved wood and stone. In addition to her existing collections, Cage welcomes the opportunity to create bespoke versions of existing designs for clients. marioncage.com

— MISTY MILIOTO