Sweater Weather

COZY, COMFORTABLE, WARM, HOMEY AND SNUG CONTINUE TO BE MY DESIGN

inspiration words or theme, as we navigate the pandemic. Soft throw blankets and hot chocolate have dominated many of my days and evenings lately and I’m not alone in my pursuits. As I skim through my Instagram feed (follow me at @melaniewarnerspencer), I’m bombarded by a steady stream of steaming cups of tea, layered beds, fuzzy slippers, flickering candles and hearty meals. We’ve even had a few days in New Orleans chilly enough to slide into a sweater and build a fire in the fireplace or pit.

As the world swirls around us, the one constant we can rely upon is that the season will change and bring with it the foods, rituals and holiday traditions we all look forward to and cherish (though they will look intimate and a lot more safety-forward this year).

This issue leans heavily into comfort vibes with breakfast nook ideas in “Get Organized,” cheery pillows and throws in “Trendwatch,” two seriously chic, yet welcoming homes and in “Inspiration Board,” our suggestions for everything you need to create the coziest corner for reading, meditation, journaling or whatever else helps you relax and refuel.

Our homes have always been our safe havens, but never more than now. We hope this issue inspires you to nest, rest and reset into winter mode feeling more at ease as we alternate between cold-weather hibernation and seasonal celebration.

Cheers!

P.S. The Preservation Resource Center’s 45th Annual Holiday Home Tour is going virtual this year. On Dec. 12-13, attendees can view six, exquisitely designed private homes, all decked out for the holidays via video tours with PRC Executive Director Danielle Del Sol who will offer history and detail about each house and its corresponding neighborhood. prcno.org/event/holiday-home-tour-2020/

TRAHAN ARCHITECTS WINS PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS

Since 2004, the International Architecture Awards — presented by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design; The European Center for Architecture, Art Design and Urban Studies; and Metropolitan Arts Press, Ltd. — have honored the best significant new buildings, landscape architecture and planning projects designed or built around the world. This year, locally based Trahan Architects, which also has an office in New York, won three International Architecture Awards for The Betty and Edward Marcus Sculpture Park at Laguna Gloria Arrival Garden and Moody Pavilions in Austin, Texas; the Julia Street Mixed-Use Development in New Orleans; and the Ochsner Center for Innovation in New Orleans. trahanarchitects.com

LUXURY DESIGN, OH MY!

Spruce — known for its luxury wallpaper, fabric and design offerings — recently became a wholesale showroom for The House of Scalamandré in Louisiana. A 90-year-old heritage brand, Scalamandré offers a vast array of fabric, wallpaper and passementerie with everything from essential plain designs to intricate brocade designs (and everything in between). Members of the trade are encouraged to call in order to establish an account. sprucenola.com

LGD WELCOMES NEW MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

The Stables is a new commercial real estate development in the Lower Garden District that will be home to design, real estate, technology and engineering companies; an event space; and food and beverage, fitness and retail concepts. Locally based design, build and architectural millworks company Inhab Group is constructing three thoughtfully designed buildings that will complement a previously revived structure on Annunciation Street. Tenants include Inhab Group as the anchor, architecture and interior design practice Farouki Farouki and modern lighting studio Sazerac Stitches. Additionally, there is a planned woodfired pizza concept as well as a beer and wine tap house that will be part of the project. thestableslgd.com

— COMPILED BY MISTY MILIOTO

PILLOW TALK Get to know the person behind the pillows. Textile designer Becky Vizard of B. Viz Design shares her musthaves for the well-traveled home and the luxe lifestyle.

PRODUCED BY MARGARET ZAINEY ROUX

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1. Unusual Containers and Vases Flowers and plants are gifts from nature and they deserve to be showcased in really special vessels. I’m especially keen on bold and whimsical ceramic pieces made by artisans in Italy. Sud, sudneworleans.com 2. Funky Eyeglasses Sporting funky eyeglasses is the only good thing about having bad vision. There are so many wild options out there today, like Eyebobs and the Bob Sdrunk glasses I picked up in Italy. Art & Eyes, artandeyesneworleansla.com 3. Design Books There is no better way to spend a dreary winter day than to nest in place with an exquisite coffee table book. My all-time favorite is “One Man’s Folly” with drool-worthy images from local photographer Paul Costello and delightful prose from our beloved writer, [the late] Julia Reed. Garden District Book Shop at The Rink, gardendistrictbookshop.com 4. Nespresso Creatista Stainless Steel Coffee Espresso Machine by Breville Besides making the best cup of kitchen coffee in America, it’s as easy to operate as it is good looking! Williams Sonoma, williams-sonoma.com. 5. Hand-Stitched Suzanis The amount of time and talent involved in producing a handstitched Suzani is mind-blowing and, sadly, it’s almost become a lost art. These colorful crafts bring depth, warmth, and a sense of tradition into a room when strewn across a bed, hung on the wall, upholstered onto a headboard, or simply draped across a sofa back. B. Viz Design NOLA Atelier, bviz.com

TIME WILL TELL

Illuminate the space with a light fixture that glows with your aesthetic such as this one from Julie Neill Designs. Wall art can be critical to bringing this space to life as it offers an engaging or relaxing focal point. Your favorite painting, hand-crafted tapestries or an heirloom quilt might be the perfect touch. Or hang a beautiful clock such

Neat Nook

Carve a casual niche in your kitchen

Even for those who find mornings challenging, a well-organized and well-appointed breakfast nook can be the perfect place to launch one’s busy day, the comfy corner to lazily brunch on the weekend or the oasis to wind down after that busy day with a buttery chardonnay.

Let’s face it, a formal dining room can feel too fancy and stuffy for everyday use while a breakfast nook is meant to be cozy and inviting. Unlike expansive dining table sets, the breakfast nook is relatively small and casual, made for the kitchen or other informal area where the family might gather for breakfast or a relaxed lunch.

Designing for a breakfast nook is much like designing a powder room, as it gives you an opportunity to use a small space to make a big impact and clear design statement. It can be sleek and sophisticated or intimate and charming. A breakfast nook injects a dose of your unique style while maximizing and streamlining your kitchen space. Whether it’s a place to read your morning paper, to help your children with homework or to munch, this small space can be the heart of your home.

— BY PAM MARQUIS

as this one from Derby Pottery.

TABLE TALK

To add elegance and much-needed leg room, a tulip table can be the perfect option.

SETTING THE STAGE

No nook is complete without table settings that delight the senses such as these tin plates from Hazelnut New Orleans or stoneware from

Potsalot.

FORM + FUNCTION

Using a built-in bench or banquette seating makes the most of often-unused spaces and provides plenty of casual seating for meals and more. It can also add useful storage. Be sure to add cushions and pillows that add visual interest and color.