Bayou Contessa

Katie Rafferty's "Street Vernacular" is now showing at Cole Pratt Gallery!

2009-06-18T00:04:00.001-05:00

I am quite enthralled by the work of one of New Orleans' brightest art stars, Katie Rafferty, who is showing this month at Cole Pratt Gallery.

Katie is a unique individual whose personal vibrancy, sense of humor and sensitivity reflect intensely in her artwork. She is a good friend of mine and a wild woman who provides me with a great amount of inspiration and an overwhelming sense of fun.

She has an amazing breadth of knowledge of Art History and artists, a huge library of art books, and an active and inquiring mind on all subjects. She is a great conversationalist and definitely lives "outside the box." All of these qualities inform her art and her life which reflects in her wonderful art.

Katie's work is a richly detailed tapestry of color,collage , printmaking and brushwork which both portrays her inner and outer experience of living life in her beloved New Orleans.

Inspired by details of the daily walk from her home in the Garden District to her studio just off Magazine Street, Katie decided to prepare for her show by doing a wordless essay of “the street”.

In her Artist Statement, describes her daily journey as follows:

"Fortunately, the walk from home to the studio is A) short B) entertaining and C) provides enough inspiration for a lifetime of artwork. "

An accomplished printmaker, Katie set a goal for herself to produce 100 monotypes based on photographs she took along this route. It is a fascinating body of work, which expresses in a very personal way the artist's love for and immersion in the delights of living in this city, which she sees as layered with the intense and exotic, the tropical and historic, the refined and the wild. And like so many of us, she is enthralled by our amazing architecture, hence the title of her show: Street Vernacular.

She describes her process in her own words:

"In order to convey the sense of layers I make my printing plates out of encaustic materials. The encaustic (wax) layered cardboard is then incised, embedded with texture and built up layer by layer with relief materials."

"Once the plate is made I paint it with oil paints using a variety of tools (often my fingers) to achieve different effects."

"After the monotype is pulled from the press I continue to add layers of pencil and pastel and often collage."

These prints are so finely detailed and sensual in the way the paint reacts with the layers of wax and relief as they pass through the press. The final addition of drawing and collage elements makes them even more personal.

As she progressed through the process of making 100 prints, Katie's work became more whimsical, lyrical and free. Her sense of delight in both the use of materials and the way it relates to her subject matter is abundantly evident.

Upon completion of her series of monotypes, Katie set about the adventure of concocting her large works on canvas.

I was very lucky to have the opportunity to visit Katie several times in her studio and watch as her work developed. I must say that this was one of the most magical of experiences. Each time I visited, there was more to excite my eyes as well as my soul.

Katie works with intensity. She draws inspiration from various sources. At times she reminds me of a cyclone, and her studio often looks like one has passed through!

I loved seeing her develop each painting as a narrative work. Each tells a story about Katie's emotions and experiences of "the street" within a context of the town-in this case New Orleans.

As a person who is fascinated with artists and their creative process, it was amazing to watch Katie express herself and develop her "story" in paint and collage.

Katie says that there is a visual "trip" through each painting. There is a flow for the eye to follow, movement is implied, and refers back to her original inspiration to depict and comment on her daily journey from home to studio.

She carefully and lovingly creates many intriguing "stops" on this personal journey. The visual trip through each painting is an artistic adventure.

The artist's touch is both delicate and sure. She clearly enjoys her work! I think this translates to the viewer.

The final painting is the completion of the journey on many levels: the artist's journey from start of the work to finish, the story of Katie's daily journey to her studio, the viewer's visual journey through the work itself, and finally the journey of the painting from studio to gallery.

Katie's show at Cole Pratt Gallery is not to be missed. Shown together, this current collection of Katie's work gives an even greater feeling of the neighborhood she seeks to portray, yet each individual pieces shines on its own.

On a recent visit to the gallery, Erika Olinger and her associate Margie said they were thrilled with the response to this wonderful show. Although many pieces were sold at the opening reception, there are still a few available. If you are lucky enough to find yourself in the neighborhood, you should treat yourself to a visit with these two fun and knowledgeable girls and see the fabulous work of the very talented and accomplished Katie Rafferty!

The gallery is located at 3800 Magazine Street and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 to 5. If you are in the neighborhood, stroll on down the block and visit my shop, Julie Neill at 3908 Magazine.

Susan Sully: The Southern Cosmopolitan

2009-05-05T01:58:00.001-05:00

I recently had the good fortune to meet the very charming and erudite Susan Sully, at a book signing given by my friend Ann Koerner in her fabulous Magazine Street antique shop. It was an experience I'll not soon forget because Susan was so delightful and fun and we became instant friends.

Susan, a Southerner who has a degree in art history from Yale has made an outstanding addition to her body of work with her latest book, The Southern Cosmopolitan: Sophisticated Southern Style. Both written and photographed by the author, the book presents sixteen exquisite homes which embody the term.

I was delighted to find out that Susan was familiar with my blog and even more touched by the inscription she placed in my copy of her book!

I have been a long time admirer of Ann Koerner's personal style, and was thrilled to see that her beautiful home was included in the book.

Viewed within the context of the book's title, Ann's house embraces what Susan terms " the wonderfully fluid relationship between the past and the present in the South." Ann has an innate eye and the talent of mixing farflung objects and furnishings in a unique and sophisticated way.

In her dining room, she mixes a simple English table set with gilded Fornasetti plates, a painted Diego Giacometti chandelier and colorful Venetian glass pieces. In addition, she creates a simple heartfelt composition on her mantelpiece with a gilded 1820 mirror, a serious self portrait and a handmade vase by her late friend, the wonderful Gail Keenan.

Ann's talent for composition and combining is further evidenced in the picture above where she hangs a George Dureau painting over a rustic Swedish cabinet containing an African figure. a small plaster bust and two lamps which work as a pair.

So just how does Ms. Sully characterize the Southern Cosmopolitan? Simply put, as a style that "contains the past, present and future all at once."

To illustrate, she divides the book into three sections;

The first, entitled "Presence of the Past" looks at decoration in the present South as a natural outgrowth of the region's rich decorative past. Today's Southern Cosmopolitan interior whether traditionally decorated or contemporary, always gives a nod to the past in some way.

Collecting antiques or cherishing family heirlooms, creating new pieces which call out to bygone times, and arranging pieces in traditional ways are all avenues through which this is achieved.

Southern Cosmopolitans treasure the past with inherited antique pieces such as the huntboard in this New Orleans dining room which stands in front of hand blocked wallpaper, circa 1790. The scenic paper contains scenes from Pompeii and Herculaneum and includes collaged elements such as the smoke which rises from incense burners.

An example of using new pieces which recall the past is Thomas Jayne's French Quarter dining room in which he chose to design new scenic wallpaper,which he had handpainted in China that depicts scenes of the Mississippi from a childhood book Thomas received from his grandparents. A fresh take on traditional decorating ideas is very much part of the Southern Cosmopolitan style.

Reverence for the past is shown in the antique French urn decorated with scenes from classical mythology in an Atlanta terrace.

In New Orleans, Quinn Peeper has commissioned his armorial porcelain service and silver with his crest, which is set against the backdrop of a dining room designed to entertain in the home he shares with Michael Harold-another contemporary take on deep traditions.

Throughout the book, I was drawn to Susan's beautiful detail photographs, such as this one of Quinn's porcelain with his crest which illustrates a definite "presence of the past."

Or this one showing a tablescape combining an English midlands pottery figure of Fortitude with old woven straw fans and a collection of bud vases.

More examples of Susan's fascinating photography demonstrating the presence of the past in today's Southern style include the entry of Hal Williamson and Dale LeBlanc's Natchez hurricane getaway house.

A detail of an ornate rococo bed with custom- loomed gold French bed-hangings in the Dunbar's New Orleans house,

One of a pair of Louis XV paintings of Chinese figures hung on custom handpainted wallpaper by Gracey and Company,also in the Dunbar home.

The second section of the book, entitled Allure of the Exotic is based on Susan's definition of the word "cosmopolitan" itself, meaning "people of the cosmos." Sophisticated Southerners show are drawn to objects and ideas from afar, and in many cases are quite passionate about collecting things from all over the world and displaying them in unique and interesting ways.

A tabletop collection in Quinn Peeper's bedroom shows a costume hat from the Ballets Russe, turquoise worry beads from Greece and classical busts.United by color and rich pattern, they lend a definite air of the exotic.

On a commode in Amelia Handegan's dining room is a piece of coral interlaced within some Thai bowls which was excavated from a British shipwreck in the nineteenth century. Against the backdrop of deep pink walls on which hangs an Italian folk painting, the allure of the exotic is richly illustrated.

Tom Leddy's Savannah garden room/library makes the point of the allure of the exotic in an over-the-top array of such elements as hand hewn beams with sky blue plaster, a Venetian chandelier, a shell-encrusted classical bust and large shells decorated with silver on pedestals which were used in Indian prayer rituals.

Again Susan delights the reader with a detailed close up. It doesn't get more exotic than this!

In the last section, Love of the New, Susan depicts the New South and its decorative style as deeply informed by the traditions from which it sprung.

She states that contemporary designers such as Hal Williamson , Nancy Braithwaite, and Ken Tate create contemporary spaces which both grow out of and respect the past.

Hal Williamson's deft combination of a lucite table and contemporary painting with antique French furnishings and silk ballgown drapery shows the ease with which the Southern Cosmopolitan travels back and forth in time.

The silk screen portrait of New Orleans jazz legend Mahalia Jackson creates a sense of place and provides a modern dramatic foil for the Swedish dining table set with a gilt edged pot-de-creme set.

In this entry designed by Nancy Braithwaite, traditional elements such as an overscaled classical urn on a pedestal and a skirted table balance the more contemporary artwork by Willem de Kooning and Gaston Lachaise creating a space that is both timely and timeless.

This Gulf Coast stair hall, created by Ken Tate is, in Susan's words, "a modern interpretation of the Old World tradition of grand spiral staircases." Minimalist architecture is a great foil for the opulent furnishings.

I love this detail photograph of a composition of three contemporary Italian chairs, each containing a small painting, under a pair of Giacometti inspired sconces.

In my opinion, Susan's dedication sets the tone for the entire book much as the early Southern Cosmopolitans set the tone of a lifestyle credo which continues today:

"To the first Southern Cosmopolitans who, despite all the challenges of seventeenth and eighteenth century living, created a tradition of extraordinary style."

Each and every photograph in this beautiful book attests to the fact that this tradition continues in full force today.

Gorgeous compositions of treasured objects.

Opulent furnishings, newly created with inspiration from the past.

Antique furnishings, family heirlooms, new treatments informed by the past. Focus on global decoration with emphasis on the exotic.

Bold, rich colors and ornamental details. Creating backgrounds which display treasured collections.

Comfortable elegance, gracious nods to antiquity placed in new homes.

Pairing fine and family antiques with exotic and newly created pieces.

Carefully chosen decorations artfully arranged.

Unique personal collections, calling to antiquity, creating a feeling of a flow between the past and present.

Contemporary spaces with traditional proportions. Antique furnishings within newly constructed homes.

Juxtaposition of the elaborate and the plain, the refined and the natural, displayed in individual ways.

Love of details and treasures from afar.

New homes, classical in form and composition, furnished with beautiful antique pieces.

There are so many wonderful things to look at in this book that it was quite difficult to edit and narrow down which to include in this post.

Last week,I had the opportunity to attend another book signing by this talented author. My friend Amanda Talley and I joined a lively group at Nadine Blake on Royal Street where we shared a wonderful evening with Susan, her husband, Tom, who is an accomplished painter, Eric Mueller,the graphic designer for the book, , Nadine and Simon Blake and many others who were lucky to have Susan inscribe their books!

The Southern Cosmopolitan is as informative as it is beautiful. A reflection of the delightful author who created it, this book is not to be missed. It will be a cherished addition to any library, and I'm very glad it has found a place in mine.

Ashley Longshore Designs for Anthropologie!

2009-04-25T01:49:00.001-05:00

The exciting news around New Orleans these days is that Ashley Longshore, the talented, incomparable artist extraordinare has been chosen by Anthropologie to design a line of one of a kind handpainted chairs for their fall collection. This line, named ASHLEY LONGSHORE FOR ANTHROPOLOGIE, is the launch of an entirely new division for the furniture department of Anthropologie .

Much like the artist herself, Ashley's work is exuberant and celebrates the enjoyment of all life has to offer. In my opinion, her work is decidedly feminine and fun, and reminds us that life can be a colorful celebration which encompasses all the senses.

Ashley is quite the wild woman and never one to do anything half way. She truly lives life to the fullest, so when she heard that Anthropologie was coming for a visit,she had the scene set with over 1 00 paintings and chairs featuring her artwork.

" There were 3 prototype chairs that I painted on directly so the Anthropologie team could actually visualize my artwork on furniture,…and they loved them! They were my story boards for the presentation and they worked!!!!!!!”

Anthropologie had been searching New Orleans for artistic talent for their upcoming collections. An eight member design team including Chief Merchandising Officer Wendy Wurtzburger visited Ashley's Magazine Street gallery and the really liked what they saw.

"I am honored to be the first artist for this new furniture concept", says Longshore.

The line will be known as "Ashley Longshore for Anthropologie."

Ashley went to the Anthropologie headquarters in Philadelphia to see the mock ups for the chair line featuring one of her swimmer paintings. The UK furniture buyer for the new International Anthropologie stores, to be opened in London in the late fall, fell in love with ASHLEY LONGSHORE for ANTHROPOLOGIE. The chairs will be featured in the stores in London, in the catalog and on website in September.

In my opinion, Anthropologie has made themselves quite a find in Ashley Longshore.

Her paintings are the embodiment of unbridled exuberance and indicate that this girl is all girl, and she approaches her life and work with everything she has.

Her girl paintings are an homage to femininity, beauty and grace. They are gorgeous, elegant, confident,and alluring. I especially love her Audrey Hepburn series.

They tell a story of style and grace. They celebrate beauty for beauty's sake.

They have an element of mischief and seem to be subtly autobiographical.

For anyone who's been lucky enough to meet her, they will quickly find out that Ashley is the life of any party she attends.

I was lucky enough to share a great time with Ashley and a few other very talented people the other night at a fabulous party given by the gorgeous Amanda Talley, another of New Orleans' artistic stars at her Magazine Street Gallery! Oh what a fun and festive evening it was!

In most of her paintings, there is the party element, the reminder to celebrate.

With good food and drink and a happy attitude. They remind us that life is beautiful.

Ashley actually started painting as a way to deal with some trying times in her life. Her work was a way to transcend pain with the pleasure of painting, and so it is that her paintings both express and bring so much pleasure.

They can lift you up if you're feeling crabby.

They remind you that life is sweet.

And that you should go with the flow.

Sometimes she gives us good advice.

And words to live by.

She paints soulful, heartfelt portraits. You can feel the love she has for her subjects.

Her paintings show no reservation in expressing her emotions. And show that she's not afraid to love and be loved.

She's truly the Queen of the Scene.

And has something to crow about!

Because talent like Ashley's doesn't go unnoticed. So keep an eye on this girl. Because this artist, one of New Orleans' gems, has only just begun!

Just watch this:

According to Ashley,“Anthropologie has been one of my favorite stores since the mid- 90's. I have dreamed of working with them in some way. This is just the beginning with this company.” For the spring collection, ASHLEY LONGSHORE FOR ANTHROPOLOGIE will be working on additional furniture, including a sofa.

Congratulations, Ashley and best of luck in your new venture!

I Love Leontine Linens!

2009-04-22T01:23:00.001-05:00

I'm so very excited to say that when Jane Scott Hodges was in town recently, she was kind enough to get together with me at her fabulous Leontine Linens shop to help me pick out some custom bedding for my bedroom. Jane Scott is the very talented creator of this fabulous line of linens which includes custom designed and monogrammed bedding, table linens, bath towels and shower curtains, sleepwear and gift items. It was so much fun to look at the amazing array of possibilities ,from the choice of fabrics, colors, and monogram styles, and to get Jane Scott's expert advice on which way to go to make my bedding just right for me. I'm also very happy to say that in return, I've had the pleasure of designing some custom lighting for her beautiful home in Kentucky. (More on that later)

Leontine Linens flagship New Orleans shop, which is just steps away from my studio is the "Garden of Earthly Delights" where beautiful linens are concerned. Pristine white walls, mirrored shelving and simple yet fanciful laminate headboards form a backdrop which show each piece to its finest and tempt the eye.

These beds are dressed so beautifully that they make you look forward to making your bedroom your own special nest . Jane Scott's talent as a designer is in evidence everywhere you look.

The shop is set up like a salon where you can take in all the possibilities and make your selections while surrounded by some exquisite examples. I love some of the details which feature a variety of unique ways to incorporate monograms into one's decor, such as the pillow on the brown velvet chair above and the backing of the caned french chairs shown below.

Notice the display of shower curtains on the wall behind the table. Special signature borders, luxurious fabrics and monograms make these shower curtains a focal point of any bathroom.

There are so many beautiful examples of bedding, linens, monograms and colors that making final selections can be a bit overwhelming. Luckily Jane Scott has a staff of very knowledgeable designers who can advise and guide you through the process.

One monogram style is more tempting than the next!

The colors are luscious! And the details are achingly exquisite, artistically designed and carefully crafted.

It makes you wish you could sleep in a different bed every night so that you didn't have to choose just one style.

And yet, you know that whatever you finally decide on will be gorgeous, luxurious and totally satisfying in every way.

It is so helpful to see several beds made up so that you can get a feel for ways to combine pillows and shams and sheets and blanket covers and quilts!

And while you're at it, you can also select a nightgown or a robe or even a dress for your child.

Jane Scott started her business with the motto, "Heritage Driven, Heirloom Destined," and this philosophy holds true to this day as she creates pieces of exceptional quality with designs that both speak to modern tastes and are classic enough to span a lifetime. This is an outlook that speaks to my heart.

With Jane Scott's expert advice, I chose the above look, which features the Mimi border on white pique. Since I want a restful feel, I'm having it made in the white birds eye pique, trimmed with ecru poplin. I think this will be the ultimate in simplicity and elegance and will have an antique linen feel.

White Birds eye Pique Ecru Poplin

Since I'm a longtime collector of antique monogrammed linens, I wanted to have these pieces work with some of the linens I already own. So I'm still deciding between the two monogram styles shown above, the one on the right is called Etienne and the one on the left is Frances. They're both so steeped in tradition and so pleasing to the eye that making a final decision is exceedingly difficult.

These are just a very small sampling to the monogram selections to choose from, so you can imagine how hard it's been to narrow it down to just two. Each one is amazing in its own way.

Leontine Linens is the bedding of choice for many interior designers and their clients nationwide, and in some cases world wide, but New Orleans designers are very proud of this homegrown phenomenon.

Of course, Leontine Linens dresses the bed in my own shop!

Gerrie Bremermann puts Leontine Linens to good use with her signature white and blue color scheme in this New Orleans bedroom.

Melissa Rufty goes for the color to great effect in this gorgeous New Orleans bedroom, with crisp white linens offset by wildly colorful wallpaper, the deep crimson monogram being the custom centerpiece of this room.

Another use of deep color from Melissa Rufty.

Melissa chose softer colors and a monogrammed coverlet for her own bedroom.

New Orleans' Ann Dupuy used King and Queen motif linens in the Cottage Living Idea House here in our town, famous for its carnival royalty.

New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles features Lance and Liz Bordes bedroom, with soft blue monograms on crisp white linens.

And yet another bedroom designed by Melissa Rufty.

This image from Elle Decor shows how designer Katie Ridder uses the simplest of Leontine Linens to complement her daughter's very feminine bed and add the luxurious finishing touch of heirloom linens.

Aerin Lauder chose the boldness of black monograms on white linens in her bedroom as a foil for the graphic black and white print on the walls and bedskirt.

An Amanda Nisbett bedroom in gorgeous periwinkle from O at Home.

As shown in Traditional Home, Tom Stringer uses bold brown poplin accents on white percale to mirror and echo the bold pattern of the rug.

When Velvet and Linen's Brooke Giannetti was in New Orleans recently, we visited the shop and I'm sure you'll soon be seeing Leontine Linens in some designs from Giannetti Home, because she loved what she saw in this amazing shop!

In addition to sheets and blanket covers, I'm also quite enamored of the beautiful satin quilts which can be used as part of the bedding ensemble or just as a decorative throw in other situations, as seen on the sofa above.

I'm really wild about the button tufting on this one and I'm considering making this part of my selection. I have dreamed of having a button tufted quilt on my bed for longer than I can remember and I didn't realize this was available until just last week. How exciting!!!

Table linens, monogrammed in Leontine Linens fashion are also irresistible. The term "heritage driven" is never far from your mind when experiencing the special embellishments these products possess. It makes you want to throw an elegant party!

No properly designed bathroom should go without a set of monogrammed towels. The bath line includes terry towels as well as linen guest towels and shower curtains that make one's head spin!

And last, but very certainly not least, after you have completely exhausted yourself by having to make so many decisions about your monograms, bedding, table linens, bath towels and the like, the only thing you can do is to go home and slip into a custom monogrammed satin gown.

Or wrap up in an irresistibly comfortable and elegant robe.

And read a magazine, which will undoubtedly feature something fabulous from Leontine Linens!

Like this article from Harper's.

Or this one in Vogue.

Or this one in Southern Accents!

I am happily anticipating the arrival of my beautiful Leontine Linens bedding.

I feel so lucky that I was able to have Jane Scott's unparalleled help in deciding what to choose and I'm thrilled with my selection!

A Fabulous Visit with Gina & Millie, Brooke and Steve, 2 Julies and a Vamp! And I'm Hooked!

2009-04-10T00:03:00.001-05:00

Last week was quite a week for design in New Orleans, and I was fortunate enough to have had to beautiful visits with wonderful design bloggers, Gina Milne from Willow Decor and Brooke Gianetti, the talented designer and voice behind Velvet and Linen, and her architect husband Steve.

Brooke and Steve came to our wonderful town to attend the Design Leadership Summit, which brought many design luminaries to to New Orleans, several of whom had a chance to visit our shop. Brooke and Steve arrived at Julie Neill Designs around 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, with tired feet from walking all the way from the Windsor Court Hotel! Despite the trek, they were both so alive with personality and design ideas, and fun and friendship! It was one of those times when you meet someone and it seems you've known them all your life.

I was very glad to show them my shop and tell them about how we make each and every piece to order, and can customize pieces in both size and finish and even create new pieces when the need arises.

Brooke and I both thought that Julie Neill lighting would work well as a complement to the gorgeous Swedish pieces she carries in her Los Angeles shop, Gianetti Home.

Brooke and Steve are such a dynamic couple, he creating exquisite, classically inspired buildings and she providing just the perfect complementary interiors.

We talked about our common design motivations and inspirations. We all are crazy for all things Venetian, and we share a deep and passionate attraction to the designs of Mariano Fortuny.

Here's a stretched silk Fortuny chandelier similar to one Brooke and Steve have in their office.

We talked about proportion and scale and were blown away to find out that we all base much of our work on the Golden Mean.

Brooke and Steve are clearly a talented couple who are very serious about design and the is very much evident in their work.

Steve's has completed some amazing architectural projects:

And Brooke often complements his work with impeccably appointed interiors:

I love their work and look forward to collaborating on some projects.

Brooke and Steve's gift for design collaboration is also very apparent in their shop, Giannetti Home. As anyone who's read Velvet and Linen knows, Brooke's love for Swedish antiques is counterbalanced by Steve's attraction for industrial pieces. This brings a dynamic tension to the look of their shop and lends an air of relaxed elegance, much like the couple themselves.

They have a talent for display which makes the most of their concurrent design leanings.

Their home in Santa Monica is further evidence of their easy yet refined style and taste.

Brooke's use of white and pale colors in her sunroom are quite easy on my eyes.

I love their bedroom, with its pale natural fabrics, French and Swedish antiques, a salvaged architectural element, and a crystal chandelier.

The gateway to their home also reflects their love of the classical and is quite the elegant welcome......

Well after a short visit to my workshop and the flagship Leontine Linens store,

we proceeded down Magazine Street to Perch, where we met up with Valorie, the famous

Visual Vamp!

Here is the Vamp clowning around with a felt flower on her head.

Brooke and Steve fell in love with Perch, and were so taken with a print of a nude woman that they found, that they purchased it for themselves.

The Gianetti's truly adored Perch's fun and funky take on casual elegance, and the unusual finds the shop has to offer.

And then it was on to dinner at one of New Orleans's newest and most fabulous restaurants, Coquette.

Although Coquette has only been open for a few months, it is housed in a 130 year old building that was recently renovated after sitting vacant for many years. The combination of exposed brick walls, old storefront windows and elegant lighting provides an extraordinarily comfortable and visually pleasing setting for experiencing such amazing dishes as fried soft shelled crab with a red cabbage slaw and roasted cherry tomatoes, barbecued shrimp and brioche, and a chocolate mousse tarte.

Julie Ponze, Director of Sales for Julie Neill Designs, and Valorie the Vamp helped me entertain the Giannetti's in true New Orleans style. The conversation was warm, honest, at times intense, intellectual, stimulating,and friendly. We stayed and talked long after the delicious meal was complete.

I think that when it was over, we were all a bit sad to leave, and we all hoped that we'll be able to get together again soon. Of course Brooke and Steve had a 5am flight in the morning and were looking forward to getting home to their three children.

I must say that a great time was had by all.

Earlier in the week, my shop was graced with the arrival of the famous author of Willow Decor, Gina Milne. Unbeknownst to me, Gina has had a long friendship with my friend, an up and coming very talented New Orleans designer, Millie Gaines.

It was so fun for Julie Ponze and me to show Gina around the shop and watch her get to know our things in person. She was quite blown away by the amazing hand finished quality of all our pieces.

It was fun to hang out on the over-the-top Desire Bed and have our picture taken. Gina was very interested in seeing our brand new workshop, so we walked down the block and she was quite taken with the care and talent that goes into the completion of each piece we do.

Gina, who is very interested in bringing her design outlook to the Boston area is quite a talent in design herself. As many of us who have followed the developments of her kitchen and butler's pantry renovations knows, she has a great ability to study the details which will take a project from ordinary to extraordinary.

Her beautiful renovated spaces show her talent for space planning, cabinet design and a pleasing use of materials.

I had such a good time hearing Gina's plans to continue growing her blog and her design business. It was a great way to spend an afternoon.

It is a known fact that blogging is quite a phenomenon for bringing people who operate within the same fields together into a community. It's really an astounding way to network and to learn from others who share your interests and vocations. But I have to say that the most gratifying aspect of participating in the blogging world is the making of some very good friendships. I am so glad to have met in person some very wonderful people.

Thank you Gina, and Brooke and Steve for coming to visit us here in our home town, and for sharing your ideas, your inspirations and your friendship with us.

Today, I'm joining Julia at Hooked on Houses "Hooked on Fridays" party. I'm hooked on meeting and becoming friends with the amazing people who write all the wonderful blogs that entertain and educate us and draw us together.

April Food Day

2009-04-01T09:16:00.001-05:00

In the world of design blogging, we spend an astounding amount of time studying, discussing, reporting and commenting on beauty and beautiful places.

To me, there would be nothing more beautiful than a world where nobody goes hungry.

Meg from Pigtown Design and Chris from

Easy and Elegant Life have organized a way for each of us to do our small part to help others who are needier than ourselves. Please go here to make a donation to Feeding America and truly make a difference in someone's life and make this world a more beautiful place.

Suzanne Kasler is coming to Baton Rouge!

2009-02-11T00:35:00.001-06:00

As anyone who reads design blogs knows, the work of Atlanta designer Suzanne Kasler is widely extolled and discussed throughout the blogging world. She was first brought to my attention by one of her hometown admirers, Things that Inspire.

Things that Inspire, who is quite a student of dining room decor posted this gorgeous picture from Traditional Home which showcases some of Kasler's strengths as a designer: her skillful combination of traditional and more modern pieces, the way she uses a mix of soft colors to create fresh and elegant environments, and her use of symmetry to provide the elegant feeling of calm and balance within the room.

I love the fresh, modern elegance and confident use of the color pink in this room, also from Things that Inspire. Of course, my eye is also drawn to the curvy, playful lined, yet traditional chandelier and sconces seen here.

Suzanne is so popular among bloggers, that Joni at Cote de Texas has even named her as Number 8 in her widely read and anticipated feature on her Top Ten Designers! The gorgeous room above, from Cote de Texas leaves little question as to how this decorator has become so popular.

In fact, Joni says that Suzanne has "blazed her trail through the Interior Design world" and has her work published at a dizzying rate. Joni says, "Young and vibrant, Kasler's designs are as colorful and full of life as she is." I love the ethereal blue color of this dining room, the finely slipcovered chairs and the graceful chandelier.

More from Cote de Texas. I'm loving the beautiful black screen and the balanced composition of the sofa and bench/ottomans placed in the intimate seating corner of this room.

Another admirer of Suzanne is Patricia Gray, who comments of the designers outstanding use of black and white.

The Peak of Chic featured this picture showing a very fabulous piece from Suzanne Kasler's new line of furniture which she has designed for Hickory Chair.
This quatrefoil shape which she has expertly incorporated into the back of the chair is a perfect example of Kasler's deft use of classic historic forms with an updated appeal.

In Suzanne Kasler, Hickory Chair has found just the person to provide them with furniture designed for today's fabulous home. In her expert hands, the designs are modern with a lasting elegance drawn from classic lines, shapes and colors. These pieces are made to travel through a lifetime of homes and decors.

Inspired by antique French chair designs, this lines of this chair cleaned up and simplified to sublime effect.

More French influence, shown in soft easy modern colors and sumptuous fabrics.

This is such a now interpretation of Chippendale lines. It's so clean and fresh and mixes easily. I love the light painted wood.

There is nothing cleaner lined and more attractive than this armless sofa. The attention to detail is beautiful.

Like so many other bloggers, I have become a fan!

So I guess you can imagine how excited I am to have received this invitation from my friend Jim Smith of Dixon Smith Interiors in Baton Rouge.

Yes, I've been invited to Jim's wonderful Interior Design Showroom to meet the designer herself, and I'm thrilled.

Dixon Smith Interiors is The Place to Go in Baton Rouge for full service Interior Design. They have a talented staff of designers who create beautiful interiors for their clients.

I'm very happy to say that they carry Julie Neill Lighting.

I'm really looking forward to meeting Suzanne.

I'll let you know all about it! Stay tuned!

Amanda Talley Studio Tour

2009-02-06T23:48:00.000-06:00

On Sunday, I was fortunate enough to become the proud owner of a gorgeous pair of paintings which I had commissioned the amazing Amanda Talley to paint for me! These paintings are so very beautiful to me that I decided to share them with you, my blog readers. As you can see from the photo above, the artist, shown pictured with her beloved dogs, Phil and Don is as beautiful as her paintings.

Here is the fabulous pair created especially for me by Amanda! When I asked Amanda to paint these for me, I showed her the space in which they would reside and I asked only that she do what she thought best to address the callings of my soul and the surroundings in which they would be placed....and this is exactly what she achieved. The colors make my heart sing, and the spontaneous, swirling shapes make my soul want to dance, and Amanda even added a special written message within the composition that she knew would move me beyond belief, and it did! I will treasure these pieces forever!

In celebration, I asked Amanda if I could take you, my blogger friends on a tour of her studio and she said, "Yes!"

Amanda's atelier, which is located on the corner of First and Magazine Streets, is a candy-box full of visual pleasures.

Her paintings are exuberant, spontaneous, colorful, and confident: much like the artist herself. Amanda is an open and luminous person who takes her inspiration from her life experiences.

Amanda has self-published a book in which she presents a photograph alongside of a painting which was inspired by it.

I loved hearing Amanda tell the story of how this iridescent pink raft inspired the pink painting in the photo below.

Although Amanda grew up in Baton Rouge, went to college in Virginia, and got her Master's degree in painting from Savannah College of Art and Design, I feel that her work reflects a love for the city she's called home for the last 9 years, New Orleans!

When Amanda first came to New Orleans, she worked for New Orleans interior design icon, Gerrie Bremermann, for whom she has great admiration and affection.

Amanda's work has been featured in more than a few of Bremermann's interior design projects, including this one, which was shown in Southern Accents.

This painting, entitled "Kiss a Frog" is featured in the book Swedish Interiors, and is in the home of John Rabalais, another design client of Gerrie Bremermann.

Here are some more of Amanda's large paintings along with photos of the images and experiences that provided her inspiration.

I suspect that her irresistible dogs, Phil (pictured above) and Don, two creatures who live in constant motion are the basis for many of Amanda's sophisticated, energetic black and white paintings.

Amanda's manipulation of line and color, and her gestural compositions make her paintings easily recognizable and cause her work to be quite sought after.

Amanda's utilization of clear colors, applied in rhythmic brushstrokes give her paintings a sense of delight combined with modern refinement. They are both sophisticated and fun.

Since Amanda paints from her intuition, her pieces speak to the soul.

At first glance, one may think that each painting contains only one or two colors, but upon closer inspection many layers of color and texture become apparent. What seems simple at first becomes richer and deeper as one takes time to study the piece.

Amanda's paintings on paper also display the intensity with which she approaches her art. I love the way this painting seems to hover in air, since the artist chooses to leave some of the paper unpainted. The motion in this painting leaves me speechless!

Another example of the artist's talent for layering infinite subtle shades of color into a dynamic composition.

This painting, entitled "Uninvited" shows how through the use of line and color, as well as the application of paint, the artist depicts a feeling of raw emotion.

Amanda's smaller works, are gorgeous little gems.

Although these three each measure only 12" x 12", they show the work of talented and sensitive hands.

They are more intimate, approachable small treasures.

Today in New Orleans, the weather was near perfect. The sky was absolutely cloudless, the local humidity was at a record low, the temperature was just the right degree of cool which made the quality of the sunshine all the more beautiful. I received a call from Amanda. She said she was taking Phil and Don for a walk and taking pictures of the flowers which are blooming around our neighborhood. I heard her exclaim, "Pink!"

Soon after that, I received this picture in my e mail showing how inspired Amanda was by this glorious day. How lucky we are that she decided to share her work in progress!

Awhile later, this photo arrived! Look what an exquisite day in New Orleans has inspired this very amazing artist to create!

Thank you, Amanda, for sharing your beautiful work with us!

Amanda can be reached through her website, www.amandatalley.com or at her studio on the corner of First and Magazine Streets.

Let it Raine!

2009-01-26T00:54:00.001-06:00

Anyone who is a regular reader of this blog knows that I am fascinated by the homes of artists in general, and those of New Orleans artists in particular. To me, artists are a very special breed of people: they are visually motivated, driven to express their often unique, but always sensitive inner motivations, and and all have distinct personal styles.

Artists tend to create surroundings for themselves which nurture their artistic souls as well as their highly tuned sense of the form ,color, composition and light; and this is very much the case with the studio and sanctuary of the very gifted artist, my friend, Raine Bedsole.

Located in the French Quarter, this Creole townhouse is truly a retreat where Raine goes to escape the day-to-day and to create her very personal works of art. It is a place that she finds at once peaceful and energizing. Filled with her own art as well as pieces by a wide array of other talented artists, this place is an architectural expression of the artist who created it and is inspired by it.(Notice the female figure between the two sets of french doors.)

Since it serves primarily as a studio and getaway, the Bedsole family actually lives in another house uptown, it is truly a distillation of those inspirations which live in this artist's soul. It is a place that honors both art and history, personal and universal.

Raine's father, Palmer Bedsole originally purchased the property as a vacation home to stay in when visiting New Orleans, and Raine used part of the downstairs as her studio. The house was very dear to both Raine and her father, and since he passed away two years ago, it has become even more important to her, since she feels that it is her connection to him.

On the mantle in her bedroom, Raine has created a memorial to her father where she has lovingly placed articles which remind her of him and keep him close. Old photos, things from his pockets, his college class ring, and most importantly his boots are composed by the artist's loving hands.

One central image which frequently occurs in Raine's work is an abstract female figure, sometimes on canvas or wood, and sometimes as a free-standing cut-out, as seen in the picture above.

This figure, sometimes autobiographic, always iconic, appears frequently throughout this house. I love this because it says, in a very subtle but inviting way that the artist, her soul and her personality really inhabit this space on both a real and spiritual level.

In the picture below, Raine addresses the blue and white tiles surrounding the fireplace with a collection of blue and white china and uses some white bowls to accentuate the her white boat sculpture in the center of the bottom shelf. Notice the female figure on the stairway, blue and white stripes on top, yellow and white on bottom which draws it into the composition of the room and simultaneously gives an invitation to go up the stairs.

The beautiful french chair with the handpainted seat is from my shop, and in my opinion, looks wonderful in this room.

In the article in Louisiana Homes and Gardens from which these pictures were taken, Raine describes her approach to decorating this space, "There is more artwork than furniture. The art is more important to me. I have the absolute necessities, but I like them to reflect the time frame of the house." The above photo shows Raine's gift for composition: a piece by New Orleans artist Jeff Cook is accompanied by a framed piece and one of Raine's own boat sculptures.

This house and its tropical ancient setting are evocative of the themes prevalent in Raine's artwork: the passage of time and one's journey through it, the relics of history which survive the procession of time, the force and serenity of nature. Raine's words, "It's such an oasis, here in the middle of this crazy French Quarter. It is peaceful and quiet. The courtyard is so serene and secluded. I like the energy in the French Quarter, the unexpected nature of every day there. It's like living in a hallucination, the way history lives in the texture of the buildings."

Raine's artwork, in my opinion, is most always about a journey. Her female figures always seem like they are passing through something, either time or space or both.

Though the composition of these paintings are deceptively simple, their execution is exquisitely complex. In most cases, the artist layers or collages old photos, documents, antique letters and natural materials such as twigs or leaves onto her paintings.

This recurring female figure is to me, the definition of woman. The figure is at once strong and delicate. Timeless and in the now. Created from and a creature of nature. Mysterious and specific. On life's journey.

Approaching and approachable. A stoic creature of delicate beauty.

In many ways, Raine's paintings of the female figure seem like depictions of "living in a hallucination," much as she describes life in the French Quarter. Each piece is layered with color, texture and historical reference, and in most cases she uses colors and elements from nature.

I love this piece, simply entitled "Twig Figure," in its expression of the mother. The female, constructed of twigs, superimposed over a composition of children's drawings and schoolwork speaks volumes on the progression of time that every mother feels as her children grow up.

The boat is another form Raine utilizes to express the passage of time and the delicate nature of life. Here she is with some of her amazing boats.

For Raine, her boats are symbols of transcendence. She says they reflect personal journeys.

Made of delicate materials such as twigs, paper, fragments of nature or found objects; they are meant to hover in the air rather than float on the water.

These boats are the opposite of what a boat is known to be. Delicate, ethereal,consisting of layers of materials: old text, netting, paper, they are unmistakably made for journeys of the soul, the mind, the spirit, and not through the water. These boats many of them the size of actual boats, are intended to fly through time, through history, through experiences.

These boats are symbols for transformation, and like boats of Egyptian myth, they are meant to bring the soul from this world into the next.

And now, in a life in which we have experienced Hurricane Katrina, the symbolic boat is even more powerful. Boats hanging in the air are now reminiscent of boats left hanging in trees following the flood waters' recession. Literally, we have been transformed from one way of life to the next.

For the first Prospect 1 citywide celebration of art addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Raine Bedsole created a piece called "Remembering Boat."

Conceived of by Raine and fabricated by Jack Kelleher, this boat is an open steel frame which floats above the water. The words of a poem by Tony Fitzpatrick have been cut into the steel slats. The poem reads:

water has nothing to do with luck
and everything to do with chance
water is the music of consequence

the water is hungry… the water wants

Though Raine has used the boat form in her work long before the storm, her themes of the delicate nature of life and transcendence were almost prescient of things to come. Her boats, powerful at their conception, speak volumes about the ephemeral quality of life in a city where the forces of nature make even the strongest structures seem flimsy and where the water is apt to come rushing in at any time.

We are now a city living a life on the other side. Like spiritual passengers these delicate boats, we are trancendent. We are now and forever will be "since the storm."

In addition to the Prospect 1 installation, Raine's also exhibits her work at Gallery Bienvenu, and she has an upcoming show this May, and if I were you, I wouldn't miss it.

The Old Spanish Custom House on Bayou St John is for Sale to the Highest Bidder!

2009-01-18T20:26:00.001-06:00

On February 10th, The Spanish Custom House, the oldest residence on Bayou St. John will be sold at auction to the highest bidder and there is no minimum asking price. The house was constructed around 1784 and has been privately owned ever since.

Currently owned by the De Matteo family, they are auctioning it through the Neal Auction Company in hopes that "the right person gets the house-a Brad Pitt type or a historian type," according to Remi De Matteo.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is truly sensitive to the value and importance of preserving our heritage to own and restore an architectural treasure. Remi DeMatteo says, "This could truly be one of the jewels of the city.", and he is right.

Built as a residence in 1794, an inscription on a brick on a chimney in the attic attests to this fact, the house retains most of its original details. Located in an area that was at the time on the outskirts of the city, it was never actually a custom house. It has always been lovingly maintained as a private residence.

The original owners who built the house were Santiago Llorens and his wife Marie Baudin . They surrounded their house with extensive gardens consisting of many varieties of fruit trees,and they used the surrounding property mainly to raise livestock.

Santiago and Marie constructed their home utilizing Creole building design which was typical for the times. Thus it was constructed of four rooms, two upstairs and two on the lower level. Since it was a fact of life that New Orleans was susceptible to flooding, houses were built with the living quarters raised up to the second level with a brick basement below. The rooms on the ground floor were service rooms used for storage and plantation offices. The rooms on the second floor availed themselves of the cooling breezes since the top floor was surrounded by deep, shade-providing galleries which were accessed by tall french doors.

These wide collonaded galleries not only added beauty to the house, they were also used as outdoor rooms, with ladies sewing or reading, children playing and meals served since the sweltering climate in tropical New Orleans made being indoors quite uncomfortable during the day and early evening. In a testament to how effective Creole building techniques are, the home still doesn't have air conditioning.

This is the view of Bayou St. John from the gallery. Who could resist this?

The house was also built using long standing Creole building techniques. The ground floor is constructed of brick which has been plastered, and the second level, which is reached by means of an outdoor stairway consists of "briquette entre poteaux" or brick between posts and covered with wood siding. The galleries are supported by simple turned wooden posts which support the double pitched hipped roof.

In 1927, the owner at the time Helen Pitkin Schertz had made a major addition to the house which blends well with the original style. It's most outstanding feature being floor to ceiling windows and a massive pair of cast iron gates which are used as entrance doors.

The wrought iron doors as they appear today from the outside.

The property also includes an original outbuilding which was at one time slave quarters.

Go here to see some wonderful old photos set to music of this beautiful house.

http://katrinafilm.wordpress.com/2007/07/21/the-old-spanish-customs-house/

The house has been on the market since before Hurricane Katrina and its original asking price was $1.95 million. The 2nd district assessor's office values the home at $330,000, but it is truly worth a lot more.

Preservationists are hoping that this amazing piece of our New Orleans history will be embraced by someone who will treat it with the loving care it deserves.

For more information, please click here.

To read more about the sale through Neal Auction click here.

A Kid, An Apple, A Summer, A Trip, A Storm, A Syndrome, and I Get by with a Little Help from my Friends

2009-01-16T21:39:00.001-06:00

First of all, let me say that the greatest joy in my life are my two amazing children, Henry and Isabelle. I am so grateful for them, and as every mother knows, they enrich my life in untold ways. They are shown here on their way to Henry's graduation ceremony from Lusher Charter High School. And this is where my story begins.

At the young age of 19, Henry is already an accomplished artist with an outstanding body of work in the fields of sculpture, painting, film and installation art. In fact, (and I realize I'm bragging here) he won the top art award from his High School, and they created a special name for it in honor of him: The Out-Of-the Box award for Fine Arts! Here are some pictures of his metal sculptures.

For Henry's graduation, I gave him a high-tech wonderful new Apple Computer. It has all the cool graphics and film editing and music synthesizing capabilities and all kinds of other things I don't understand on it that he said would be helpful in his college career because he has chosen to pursue a major in fine arts.

Henry said that this computer was just what he needed to make all his dreams come true. He also told me that he would hand me down his present Apple computer to replace my PC that was in the process of dying.

Henry said I would love working on a Mac. He said it would change my life, and boy did it!

I quickly came to realize that Macs are very different than PC's and lots of programs do not translate easily from one operating system to the other. Let me also say that I am an old dog and I was not doing too well with learning the new tricks. Most importantly, you cannot blog using Windows Live Writer on a Mac, and I couldn't find anything comparable to use on my new hand-me-down Apple computer, so blogging became quite a challenge since my PC was getting so decrepit and slow that it would time itself out before it could get a post published. It was very sad and very frustrating.

In addition, the summer following Henry's graduation became a very busy one, with lots very interesting projects.

The summer went by so fast, that I barely had time to realize that I would be taking my first-born child, now all grown up, all the way across the country to college.

Which was lucky, because I didn't have time to get started on my empty-nest syndrome quite yet.

Well, the summer went by, and it became time for us to take Henry to college in California. And since I have not been able to bring myself to get on a plane since Hurricane Katrina (it's my own personal manifestation of post-traumatic stress) I decided to drive him there.

Here's Henry on his way to College!

I left my shop in the very capable hands of the beautiful and talented Julie P and Jennifer G. who took care of everything in their own inimitable style!

We were very lucky because our wonderful friends Hayes and Jessica, to whom I'm eternally grateful, decided to join us and make a fun road trip out of it. And it truly was.

Here are Hayes and Jessica with Henry in Albuquerque.

It was a wonderful trip and we had so much fun riding together, watching the scenery and landscape go by, visiting some interesting places, eating,, drinking, and just enjoying the trip.

We saw awesome mountains.

Beautiful plant life.

Fabulous architecture.

It was great fun, but also, privately I was realizing what an enormous step we were taking. I was bringing my son all the way across the country to school. And leaving him there. I tried not to dwell on this aspect, and just enjoy our wonderful trip.

We visited Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo, Texas.

Here's Henry and Jessica posing with a big rooster somewhere in Texas.

We visited the amazing Painted Desert.

And finally, we reached San Francisco. We got to San Francisco about 5 or 6 days before Henry had to be at school so that we could enjoy being in San Francisco and visiting with our friends Robyn and Robert, our friends from New Orleans who moved to California so that Robyn could attend graduate school at San Francisco Art Institute.

Here are Hayes, Jessica, Robert, Robyn, and Henry in San Francisco after attending the Dale Chihuly exhibit at the de Young Museum. It was an amazing show and I was so happy to have had the opportunity to see it.

Here are Hayes and Jessica and Henry clowning at the waterfront on the Embarcadero.

Henry and me on the Pier.

After awhile, we got Henry settled, and school started and it was finally time for me to go home. I knew it would be hard to say goodbye, and I was dreading it, when I got a call from my daughter Isabelle. "Mom, you can't come home," she said. "Hurricane Gustav is coming and we have to evacuate."

Grateful as I was not to have to say goodbye to Henry just yet, I was so worried about Isabelle, our cats, our friends and our beloved, battered city. None of us was prepared to have to face another hurricane.

I was so proud of Isabelle. She and some of our wonderful neighbors readied our house for any eventuality. Isabelle emptied our refrigerator, she prepared to take the cats with her and my dear friend Mary Alice, the mother of Isabelle's friend Georgianna scooped Isabelle up and took her with them to safety in Alabama. Mary Alice has my eternal gratitude for getting my child out of harm's way.

Here is Isabelle with her good friend Georgianna, before evacuating.

My wonderful angels, Mary Alice and Tom May, who took Isabelle with them on their evacuation, and kept her safe and entertained.

Meanwhile, at my workshop Michael battened down the hatches, closing shutters and otherwise securing the building. Lesley and Kathryn got things in order, and Lesley, choosing to stay in the city, offered to look after my house and my cats, so that Isabelle would not have to put them and herself through the ordeal of a long car trip.

Here is Lesley, with her wonderful attitude, telling me not to worry about it because she had everything under control! She was so wonderful, e-mailing me and texting me about weather conditions, the city, and my cats!

I cannot even begin to describe what this meant to me, far away from home, facing the upcoming saying goodbye to Henry, dealing with the reawakening of post trauma feelings from Katrina, being separated from Isabelle and knowing I would have to make the trip home alone because Hayes and Jessica had to fly out to help their families evacuate. And did I mention that I have severe travel anxiety?????

At any rate, we used the opportunity to enjoy more of the Bay Area, and to move Henry in with Robyn and Robert, who opened their home to him. They are truly amazing friends.

We visited the Golden Gate Bridge where Henry, Robyn and Robert pose with a section of one of the cables that holds the bridge up.

We went to China Town,

we ate at The Stinking Rose,

and the Cliff House.

This is the view from our table at the Cliff House.

My extended stay in San Francisco really gave me the opportunity to see the everyday sights of the city.

And meanwhile, the city of New Orleans escaped the devastating effects of Hurricane Gustav.

When it was finally time to say "goodbye" to Henry, I will admit that I think I cried more tears than the number of raindrops that fell during Gustav. Although I am not proud to admit this, I did not take it very well at all!

It was one of the hardest things I've ever done to leave my son in California, and make my way back home without him.

Since Hayes and Jessica had already gone home, I was left to make the trip home all by myself, not an easy feat for someone with travel anxiety, so I decided to look upon it as an adventure.

I drove from San Francisco to Los Angeles the first day.

I stayed at the lovely Hilton Checkers in downtown LA.

And the next morning I drove myself to Union Station and boarded a train for home.

I loved the colors and patterns in the historic Union Station.

Here are some photos I took out of the train window as I crossed the country on my trip home.

I must say that the way I coped with my travel anxiety while on the train was to concentrate on the beautiful scenery that was going by.

Because of Hurricane Gustav, Amtrak was only allowing the train to go as far west as San Antonio, so my trip took another twist, since I then had to find a place to stay overnight in that city before renting a car to drive home to New Orleans. Fortunately, I was able to find a beautiful place to stay, the newly opened Grand Hyatt.

The new hotel is beautiful and has some very interesting light fixtures, but I digress...

The next morning, the car rental man who picked me up from the hotel was kind enough to give me a little driving tour of San Antonio so I actually got to see the Alamo!

The last leg of my journey consisted of an approximately nine hour drive from San Antonio to New Orleans. I was never more ready to get home!

When I arrived home that night, the city was still pretty much evacuated, giving it an eerie feeling I hadn't experienced since the time I had come home to visit my house during the Katrina evacuation.

The next morning, when I returned the rental car downtown across the street from the convention center, more disturbing memories of post-Katrina times surfaced.

Isabelle returned home from her evacuation trip, and I was so glad to see her that I almost fainted. We went to the grocery to restock our refrigerator and did the little housekeeping things that make you feel like you're getting back into the normal routine.

But there were reminders that a storm had made its presence felt on our city, on our lives. And it made us remember how vulnerable we really are down here.

And life seemed very different with Henry so far away.

So I went into a "Post-Traumatic-Empty-Nest-Syndrome Funk!

My lighting business was so busy since we were making all the lighting in the Lafayette Decorator Showhouse as well as for several other projects. Everyone who works with me was so wonderful helping me keep going and keeping me on track, and I am so grateful for all their help.

I tried to blog but I couldn't figure out how to do it on an Apple and my PC was not cooperating, and in my emotionally challenged condition, I just gave up.

BUT, since I never stay down for long, I am here to tell you that it has all turned out well in the end. I decided to buy myself a new computer just for picture storage and blogging and I love it!!! It's small and cute and travels well and I understand it! And my mother's heart is happy because my beloved Henry has decided to return to New Orleans and pursue his degree in Fine Art right here at Loyola University. So I'm feeling more centered, more cheerful and very inspired.

Hence, you can count on reading much more regular, interesting, stimulating posts because I am very happily back on track!

One last note, though.

As anyone familiar with design blogging knows, the blogosphere is such a community. Not only is it a forum for writing about and discussing ideas with like-minded people, it is truly a place where good friends are made, and in my case this is more than true.

I was lucky enough this fall to have been paid a visit by the gorgeous and amazing Visual Vamp, Valorie Hart.

She popped into my shop and into my life on the night of Art for Art's Sake, and we immediately hit it off!

As you can easily tell from her amazing blog, Valorie has oodles of experience in the design and decorating field, and more than that, she has a natural, instinctive "eye" for the fabulous and a true writer's voice.

She lives in a chic and swanky New Orleans shotgun house which she and her wonderful husband and tango partner, Alberto have made their own.

After the first time we met for coffee, we became soul sisters,and Valorie was so very encouraging of me and helped me draw out of my slump. She insisted that I get a PC and get my worn-out self back into the blogging world. I am so grateful to her for that and much more!!

I have asked Valorie to be the Marketing Director for Julie Neill Designs and she graciously accepted my offer! So thank you Blogosphere for bringing such an amazing friend in to my life and stay tuned bloginistas, because I am back and will be posting regularly!

What I Did this Summer: The Acadiana Symphony Decorator Showhouse

2008-09-27T02:13:00.001-05:00

Last spring, I had the pleasure of meeting Bryan and Sylvia McLain, owners of McLain Homes, a company which develops beautiful neighborhoods and builds impeccably designed and carefully built outstanding homes in Lafayette, Louisiana. Since 2006, Bryan and Sylvia have worked closely with the Acadiana Symphony Orchestra in creating some very successful Decorator Showhouses which both promote and support the Symphony and showcase the talents of the builders as well as many members of the Lafayette design community. For everyone involved, this is an enormously fulfilling event.

When Bryan and Sylvia asked me to be the Lighting Designer for this year's Showhouse, I was thrilled, excited and inspired. Having the opportunity to work with these highly regarded builders as well as the many talented designers made this project one I was very eager to be involved with.

I am proud to say that this week we delivered the last piece of lighting we designed for this project, and while the Showhouse opens to the public on October 11th, I am at last ready to show some in-progress pictures of what's to come.

Since the architecture of this year's Showhouse is based on traditional Acadian design principles, there were several opportunities for me to create some new pieces in keeping with the overall feel of the house in addition to customizing some pieces which were already in my line.

Still in the building stages when these pictures were taken, there's no question about the house's Acadian inspiration. The use of local materials including brick and dark stained cypress, the double galleries with the exterior staircase, french doors opening onto porches, broad spreading roofline, loggias connecting building wings and an emphasis on connecting the tree-laden outdoors with the interior make this house distinctly Louisianian.

After several meetings with the McLains, we worked with the designer of each room to come up with the perfect lighting to complement the design schemes of each of their rooms. Everyone had such wonderful ideas, and we really enjoyed the give and take with so many talented and creative people.

As you can see from the picture above, it was also quite a team effort to bring each piece carefully along and we enjoyed seeing each piece develop as well as seeing all the pieces come together as a whole.

This lantern was designed to complement the A. Hayes Town-inspired Entry and Stairway. Working closely with the design staff at Dunn's Designs in Lafayette, we came up with a piece that combines simple straight lines complemented by more Creole elements of cast iron fleur de lis , heavy chains and a dark bronze finish set off by glazed gilt accents.

I love the elegant simplicity of this space and the way the dark wood floors and trim complement the gray-blue wall color.

We decided to place a pair of Corinne Sconces in the first floor of the foyer between the pairs of french doors that provide entry from the front porch.

We modified the Corinne a bit on these fixtures which light the stairwell along with the lantern.

Inspired by the arched brick wall in the living room, reminiscent of the architecture of A. Hays Town, the design for this chandelier utilizes both wrought and cast iron pieces like the foyer lantern. Don Richard, a designer with Albarado's in Lafayette wanted a piece which would reflect the fine craftsmanship, historic proportions and informal elegance which is characteristic of the Acadian style. Using heavy twisted iron arms, cast iron bobeches and rosettes and a hand-forged hanging hook, we all feel that this piece hits the nail on the head to embody the spirit of this space.

We had a great time working with Paige Gary on the lighting for the dining room which flows from the entry foyer. Starting with a smoky blue color on the walls and dark panel molding, Paige expressed a desire for a crystal chandelier, dressy, but not something that takes itself too seriously. This was achieved by finishing a Vanessa Chandelier in glazed copper leaf and dark bronze. I love how the finish makes this piece a bit less formal, and warmer in keeping with an Acadian tradition. We also finished a pair of Colleen Sconces to match the chandelier and placed them in a recess where a buffet with a trumeau mirror will be placed. I am eager to see how this will all look when the decorating is finished.

We also created the sunburst canopy and finished it in glazed copper leaf as well. I love how the copper plays off the smoky teal walls.

I think this potrack was one of the most fun pieces to create in this whole house. Sylvia McLain is the decorator for the kitchen and she wanted something very special over the island. She wanted something simple, Acadian in feeling, and simultaneously unique and understated. She wanted it to be functional as well as beautiful. She wanted a quite showstopper. And this is what she got.

I have to say that when the potrack was delivered, Sylvia called me and was in a panic. She said it was too big, she said it would overwhelm the room, she was very worried. So I began to formulate Plan B, keeping in mind that time was running short. I drew a couple of drawings...and then I got a call from Sylvia.

And she said that once the potrack was hung, it was perfect. It was the statement piece she wanted for that space. She loved it. I was so glad. And when I got to Lafayette last week, I loved it, too. I love the whole kitchen, from the marble countertops and the beautiful tiles on the backsplash to the handpainted designs on some of the cabinets, to the gorgeous brick and wood diagonal design on the floor. It is wonderful.

We placed this small simple yet gorgeous lantern over the kitchen sink.

These Landry Sconces light the back stairway which leads upstairs from the Kitchen.

Look at these gorgeous floors!

Adjoining the kitchen is the Keeping Room. The designer for this room is Crissy Greene. We thought the Savannah Chandelier would perfect hanging from the antique beams on the ceiling and we were right.

Across the rear of the house, leading from the Kitchen, past the Study, and leading to the downstairs bedroom wing of the house is the Loggia, designed by Jodi Bolgiano.

We collaborated with Jodi to customize the Patrice Sconces to complement her space. The walls of this area as well as the Keeping Room are finished in a hand troweled plaster washed with a soft fern shade of green. Jodi, a talent artist executed this finish herself. Her design emphasis is on the use of time-honored materials and techniques to enrich contemporary environments.

Pam Fontenot is the decorator for the Study. We modified the Orleans Chandelier to create the perfect piece for this restful space.

Believe it or not, Julie Neill herself is the decorator for the Powder Room. That being the case, I took the opportunity to create a piece I've been dreaming about for awhile. Bringing some New Orleans pageantry to Lafayette I chose to create a metal sink base with a scrollwork design finished in a glazed gold leaf embellishing an antique cream background. The crown in the base is a small nod to its New Orleans roots and creates a sense of fun. Topped with an exotic oxblood marble and a hammered bronze sink, this piece is irresistable.

We created this trumeau for over the sink.

And lit the room with these Danica Sconces.

We named this chandelier the Maureen after the decorator for this Guest Room, Maureen Smith. This room is all girl, very frilly, colorful and feminine. She sees this room as a "jewel box" and hopes its "very inviting to guests." There is an over-the-top fantasy finish on both the walls and ceiling, and I'm sure this room will knock everyone's socks off when the decorating is complete.

Here Maureen's room waits for its furniture. In the corner is the chandelier which will wind up in the Master Bathroom...see below.

The Guest Bath, adjoining the Guest Room is decorated by Debra Sonnier. This sconce which we have named Deborah will hang over a venetian mirror which will reflect the completely decadent limestone and gold leaf wall finish.

Jefferey McCullough is the award winning designer for the entire Master Suite. Jefferey is a designer who knows just what he wants, and what he wanted was a Jenny Bubbles Chandelier hanging from the barrel vault ceiling of the Master Bath. He also wanted a pair of Ella Sconces on each side of the vanity mirrors for this room. So that's what he got. And it will be fabulous.

I love the patterned feature tile in the recessed wall niche.

Ella Sconces will flank vanity mirrors in Master Bath.

Jefferey also selected an Ingrid Chandelier for the Master Bedroom. In the quest for luxury and elegant ease, Jefferey's room will employ the use of rich silks, linens , cashmeres and embroidered fabrics to create a haven for this room's occupants. The Ingrid with both gold and silver leafing is the crowning touch.

I love the dramatic tension of the modern light fixture with the traditional white marble fireplace mantle and how the attenuated curves of each piece is reflected in the other.

I really can't wait to see this room when it's finished.

Isn't this the sweetest little piece of lighting. A symphony of gold gilt and semi-precious amethyst beads, this little fixture will hang in one of the upstairs bedrooms decorated by Grace Kaynor of New Orleans and New York. This bedroom and bath were meant to "exude the femininity, charm and grace inside every southern woman." To that end, the walls are painted a delicate lavender, hence the amethyst chandelier.

Some of the delights to come into this room are a skirted, mirrored topped dressing table and an unbelievable iron canopy bed with a corona top which I created specially for this project, and a beautiful embroidered silk accent fabric embellished with butterflies.

We created this trumeau mirror and the sconces below which we have named Sconces-a-Go-Go , for the adjoining bath. All in all, an ultra-feminine retreat.

For another bath, adjoining one of the other upstairs bedrooms, we have created this sconce, finished in dark iron and glazed copper leaf.

The designer for this bath, Judy Dunn combined them with the perfect mirror. The tile work in this bathroom is unbelievable and I hear that the walls are scheduled to be upholstered in an exotic skin embossed fabric with nailhead trim. This should not be missed!

In a wing on the other end of the house is the Media Room, with a Kitchenette, full bath and closet. Designed as a casual and comfortable play room by Nina and Rene Ward, this room will be furnished with easy going slipcovered furniture and a built in custom entertainment center. We chose to light the space with the Artemis Chandelier, done in a pewter and silver leaf finish.

We created a simple Artemis Sconce for the adjoining bath.

This house will feature some wonderful outdoor spaces, but unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of that at the present time. Above is a picture of the Conservatory for which we created a lantern similar to the one pictured below.

We also created some sconces for the Conservatory, but I didn't get a picture of them.

There are several other spaces in the house which I didn't make any lighting for, hence they are not pictured. These include another bedroom upstairs, a wine room, a utility room, a craft/sewing room and back hallway.

This is truly a special house.

The interior amenities are too numerous to name individually. This elegant home is in a gated neighborhood called Vintage Park. It is situated on a prime corner lot and is bordered by European style brick fences.while gas lanterns light the curb creating a “years gone by” appeal. The lot is approximately 1 acre and is adorned with an array of very old and mature oaks, magnolias, camellias, and other varieties of plantation style trees and shrubs.

Here are Sylvia and Bryan and their talented team at McLain Homes.

They have all been so great to work with.

So now you know some of what I've been doing all summer instead of blogging! Please stay tuned because I have more to write about my busy summer as well as more on this wonderful Showhouse which opens on October 11th. Please click here for more info.

And if you plan to be in Lafayette in October, please visit this wonderful showhouse!

Please Pray for our Beautiful Town

2008-08-31T13:41:00.000-05:00

Sidonie Villere

2008-05-29T01:43:00.001-05:00

One of my favorite New Orleans artists is Sidonie Villere. I first met Sidonie when she came to my shop to purchase a mirror for the new home she was moving into when she was moving back to New Orleans a few years ago. At the time, I was not familiar with her art. Later, when I first saw her pieces in Jonathan Ferrara's gallery, I was moved by how much of her personality and her soul is expressed in her amazing artwork.

Sidonie states that her work is "better understood by looking than by reading or describing." I think she's right on because her pieces, both sculpture and painting, and somewhere in between and encompassing both are best experienced in person.

Their emotion and intuition seeps into the viewer's soul, describing and implying a feeling of the passage from the dawn of time to the present. They seem to suggest the basics of human experience and at the same time, complex human emotions.

I love her use of hand shaped clay forms to which she applies paints, waxes and metallic leaf. Her forms are primitive and her surfaces are refined, creating a dramatic tension which gives her pieces a heart- throbbing feeling of the beauty and the rawness of our existence. They satisfy the soul as well as the eye.

Sidonie says that she takes her inspiration from geological forms and uses them as a metaphor for expressing human emotions.

When looking at these sculptural pieces, one can almost feel how the clay must have felt in the artist's hand, their tactile impression is so strong.

Her two dimensional works also vibrate with sensual texture and portray a tension between the emotions associated with both the epic and the personal.

Using the geological metaphor, Sidonie describes the passage of time through the ages and suggests the passing emotions inherent in human life.

Sidonie has created her own language for expressing her emotions through her artistic medium. Her work is intensely personal and yet it speaks to the basic nature in all of us. In the artist's own words, "I am going after the empathetic rather than the learned response." I think she achieves this, and therefore her work reaches the viewer.

The artist at work in her New Orleans studio.

I am proud to say that Sidonie Villere was born right here in New Orleans, and she received her BFA in ceramics at Newcomb College. She earned her MFA at the University of Massachusetts. Her work can be found in the New Orleans Museum of Art and the Jefferson Parish Courthouse and of course at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery.

This active and busy artist has also curated a "Clay: A Compelling Expression" at the Jonathan Ferrara Gallery and several group shows for the National Council on the Education for the Ceramic Arts. And she even finds time to teach art at the Louise Mc Gehee School.

Read more about Sidonie and her work at her website and at Jonathan Ferrara's website, too.

George Dureau Artist's Quarters

2008-05-19T22:13:00.001-05:00

New Orleans Artist George Dureau was born in this city in 1930 and has lived here for most of his life. Dureau is proficient in many media, but he's best known for his figural paintings and drawings and for his photographs of male nudes. He is also an accomplished sculptor, having produced such works as the gates at the New Orleans Museum of Art and the pediment sculptures for the Harah's Casino in New Orleans.

Recently, a wonderful article about the artist and his home were featured in New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles. Dureau's current home, a three-story unfinished warehouse in the French Quarter is evocative of his own personal brand of New Orleans Style.

Dureau moved from a more residential space, also in the French Quarter, into this building in a more commercial area of the Quarter about two years ago and completely embraced his new home in all its glory. He chose to leave the building in its aged glory-exposed bricks, unfinished, cracked gray walls, raw wooden floors. "I didn't even bother to repaint the window frames in this place," he says. "Everything just lends itself to everything else here." In true New Orleans style, the artist responds to the inherent beauty in the raw and honest condition of this building, choosing to enhance the space with well-loved and personal furnishings.

A passionate cook, Dureau has created a kitchen which takes up one whole end of the second floor. Utilizing "the same old ancient furniture" he's had for years, he has created a stunningly personal and inviting space for cooking and eating. Gracing the walls is a profusion of the artist's paintings, drawings and figure studies all of which he considers works in progress. "Those drawings are just waiting there for me to touch them up," he says. My favorite part of this unbelievable space is the inclusion of a canopy bed the artist inherited from his grandmother. Nowhere else but in New Orleans would such imaginative furniture placement be found.

With his newfound abundance of space, Dureau is able to work all over his house. "Moving to this house two years ago changed very much what I get to see because I had lots of stuff stored away" he says. "I had tons of pictures hiding away in closets and now I'm seeing them for the first time since 1977 or 1986- old unfinished drawings or paintings suddenly get a new life. "

"I live with them and they live with me, and sometimes I'll draw the same one over and over again and rethink them and change them as I see fit I don't always worry about getting finished. And here I have these great walls for them to hang on, so I can just retouch and redraw. It's wonderful."

Dureau, who is one of our city's most well-liked and accessible artists, works on his art every day. Surrounded by work which chronicles his long and successful career, the artist revels in both his city and his home, inspired to continue the artist's life journey.

George Dureau's work can be seen at the New Orleans Museum of Art, The Ogden Museum of Southern Art, Gallier Hall in New Orleans and Harrah's New Orleans Casino, and many fine homes in our city. He is represented by the Arthur Roger Gallery.

" New York Style" Right Here in New Orleans!

2008-05-15T15:17:00.001-05:00

A recent article in Louisiana Homes and Gardens featuring the apartment of Ned Marshall is entitled "New York Style." I guess this is because Mr. Marshall came to New Orleans from there. But I think this apartment shows more than enough evidence that Mr. Marshall clearly has his own very personal style-a style which is simultaneously graceful, elegant , fun and chic. And this, in fact is a style which is often regarded as "New Orleans Style."

Marshall moved into this apartment, which is has a first floor entry, shown above, that leads to a grand and spacious home on the second floor of a Garden District Mansion. This entry sets the tone for all the delights which are to come. The chocolate brown walls are a dramatic backdrop for the magenta-upholstered french sofa, the pair of abstract paintings by New Orleans' own Katie Rafferty, gilded brackets which hold 19th century Chinese vases, and last, but not least, a gilt wood and silk velvet niche de chien, or dog house-a copy of a 19th century original that can be seen at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.

Other evidence of Marshall's sense of style are the gilt mirror over an antique iron demilune and the chocolate and tan zebra striped throw pillows. Icing this already rich cake is the hand-painted faux marbre floor which Marshall executed himself.

It's no surprise that a stairway as grand as the one above could only lead to an equally fabulous landing. Marshall seems to be quite the collector and he's not shy about displaying his remarkable finds. Another paint treatment by the decorator- the walls are painted with two shades of silver stripes.

This dramatic dining room makes me want to party! The draped table with the pristine white tablecloth, the chandelier in creamy tones and the handpainted armoire really stand out in exuberant contrast to the dark walls. I love his use of blue and white, as seen on the porcelains on the mantle and on the chair seats. I find this elegant table setting more than inviting.

This view of the parlor, which is also pictured at opening of this post shows walls which Marshall calls "Hermes-box orange." He was inspired to use this color by the leather on the French chairs in this room. This photo shows Marshall's style in its finest-he uses color for dramatic effect, he employs balance and symmetry in his furniture placement and he carefully displays his collection of objets and art with both exuberance and restraint.

Another chocolate brown room on the second floor is a study in contrasts with all white upholstered French pieces. More fabulous pieces of note: the Chinese reverse glass paintings, an 18th century French bracket clock and a Maison Jansen coffee table. I love that coffee table surrounded by the graceful French seating.

This exterior view of the 160 year old home of which this apartment is a part shows the typical New Orleans overgrowth of lush tropical plants, all enclosed by an ages-old iron fence- all of which embody the redolent gorgeousness of the city that we are lucky enough for the talented Ned Marshall to call home.

More Jazzfest Crafts: Christopher Porche' West

2008-04-30T15:33:00.001-05:00

Christopher Porche' West is a native Californian with maternal cultural roots in the deep South who became involved with photography while in Louisiana on a fellowship from the University of California at Santa Cruz to study a pre Civil War sub-culture, "les gens de coleurs libres" or free people of color. In 1982 he returned to New Orleans to live and undertake self-directed photo-documentary studies of life and cultural activity in the Afro-American community.

Principally a photographer, he uses this medium to express visually the intrinsic uniqueness of New Orleans as a culture which inspires passion and longing in all who experience her.

Christopher began taking his expression of his love for New Orleans and its culture to the next step-he began constructing assemblages using architectural fragments from our beloved city.

"These artworks evolved into unique utterances of both the photograph selected and carefully tended base materials, mostly architectural findings... that forwards a sense of universal belongingness we have in our human condition."

"In some instances, wooden boxes lined with stained glass form reliquaries underscoring the sacred dimensions of New Orleans' religious customs and secular rights."

Porché West's latest work captures the subtle, more solemn spirit of the city; the sense of strength, joy and resilience that sustains New Orleans and her people.

Through the meticulous craftsmanship of his pieces and the conscientious visions they inscribe, Porche West's work manifests the timeless, indestructable spirit of New Orleans.

Christopher's view of New Orleans as a sacred and special place is shared my many. The loving care he takes in constructing his pieces from fragments of this place reflects his devotion to our city and its people. I think that he is a very special artist.

His work is being displayed and sold this weekend in the Contemporary Crafts area of the Jazzfest. More information about Christopher and his work, which includes notecards and bookmarks can be found on his website.

Jazz Fest Crafts: Kate Beck

2008-04-25T00:12:00.001-05:00

This weekend marks the opening of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival for 2008. There is so much to experience: of course the music and the food, and the weather and the people, but one of my favorite parts of the Jazzfest is the crafts exhibit.

This is a nationally recognized showplace of artists displaying and selling handmade fine arts and crafts. Each weekend offers a different array of acclaimed craftspeople representing the best of Louisiana and the United States.

There are many accomplished exhibitors and the array of crafts is vast- so I have chosen to focus on those who produce their pieces here in New Orleans. I will be profiling several artistsans during the 2 week duration of this wonderful event.

Kate Beck, whose studio is in the Fauborg Marigny, utilizes an artform called "Shibori" whereby she manipulates and dyes textiles, producing richly textured, even sculptural pieces of fabric.

Shibori is a traditional Japanese art form of embellishing textiles by shaping, tying and securing the cloth before dyeing it. The result is cloth with a three dimensional form. Sometimes the fabric is folded, sometimes it is wrapped and even pleated and sometimes stitching is employed. Regardless of the exact technique used, Kate Becks Shibori pieces are sumptuous, richly colored pieces of very wearable art.

The technique Beck most often employs is called arashi (storm) shibori. The fine pleats and patterns suggest rain driven by a high wind. This elegant pleating is achieved by wrapping and compressing the fabric around a cylinder; a hot dye bath then sets the pleats.

These pieces not only satisfy and excite the eye, they are also very soothing and comfortable on the body. The experience of these is sensual and intense.

These pieces are so organic and so suggestive of the wind and weather which Kate says is her chief inspiration. These two wraps remind me of tornadoes.

The Shibori technique produces a wide variety of results. Pleating and ruffling are two of the outcomes of this method.

The fabric Kate works with is 100% silk and the dyes used are permanent. To retain the beauty of a pleated piece, they must be stored carefully and protected from moisture. Pleated shibori pieces may be professionally dry-cleaned.

Kate Beck is a great talent in the field of textile arts. We are lucky to have her living in our city and even luckier to be able to see and purchase her wares at this year's Jazzfest.

If you are unable to attend the Jazzfest, please visit Kate's website.

Please stay tuned for more Jazzfest craft features in the coming days!

Sherwood Cox and A Few of My Favorite Things

2008-04-24T00:55:00.001-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of spending the better part of a day with the very talented photographer, Sherwood Cox. He was sent by the Times-Picayune , our local newspaper, to take some photographs in conjunction with a little article they are doing which profiles some of my favorite things.

The first thing Sherwood shot was this fabulous vintage chair which resides in my living room. It is circa the 1940's or 1950's and though French inspired, I found its exaggerated, almost throne-like details irresistible. When I purchased the pair of these, I fully intended to have them reupholstered, but when they were delivered to my very neutral-toned house clad in their regal purple velvet with the nailhead trim, they became the stars of my show and had to be left just as they were-which was perfect. The only appropriate addition was that of a handpainted silk pillow.

Of course, Sherwood, being the gifted photographer that he is, recognized a portrait opportunity when this one presented itself, and he didn't waste any time capturing my mischievous cat, Ella on film, proving that the only other accessory appropriate for this wonderful chair is an absolutely adorable cat. For more examples of Sherwood's talent for portraiture, check out his website, which features many fine examples of his work.

The next piece we photographed was my Sennod necklace from one of my favorite shops, Febe. This necklace is my favorite because the beautiful coin pearl pendant is actually removable and can be interchanged with other pendants which the designer makes to fit on the front clasp . I love the coin pearl because it looks good with everything, but I also have several others which I change out every now and again.

This painting, by Adam Farrington, is one of my favorite things that I love best.

It sits over the mantle in my parlor. This room is painted white and almost everything in the room is white, so the fresh colors and the beautiful brushwork make this the centerpiece of the room. Adam is one of my very good friends and in addition to painting, he is primarily a metal sculptor. He has his own gallery and studio here in New Orleans, and he shows in several other galleries around the country. See more of his work at his website.

If you want to see more of my favorite things, you'll have to get a copy of the next edition of the WISH section of the Times-Picayune, because the remainder of this post features the outstanding photography of Sherwood Cox.

In addition to loving the wonderful pieces in this interior shot, I think this photo shows such an eye for composition.

This kitchen photo is outstanding because the room itself is gorgeous, but also because in addition to being an amazing photographer, Sherwood is an accomplished cabinet maker and he built the cabinetry for this room.

The picture below shows his treatment for the front of a refrigerator in this award-winning kitchen.

This amazing piece of cabinetry that Sherwood built brings new meaning to the term "camouflage." In fact, this kitchen was a winner in a Sub-zero design contest.

More shots of the award winning kitchen by the multi-talented photographer.

I love this use of antique doors to camouflage a refrigerator. Beautiful photo, and another example of Sherwood's handiwork.

Another shot of this beautiful kitchen which appeared in New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles.

Sherwood's eye for composition is so evident in his juxtaposition of curved and straight lines, rough and smooth textures, and light against vivid.

Another example of interesting and engaging composition.

I love the staging in this photo as well as the use of the reflection in the mirror which is a perfect example of the attention to detail that Sherwood is known for.

This powder room shot shows how effective lighting is in interior photography.

This exterior shot employs a symmetrical composition to support the portrayal of the architecture. This is another example of Sherwood's talent with lighting for effect.

Another light-filled, off-center compostion which portrays the easy elegance of a New Orleans family room. Typical New Orleans decorating details: requisite French chair, lots of windows which bring the outdoors in and light natural color scheme.

Another archetypical New Orleans interior lovingly photographed by Sherwood Cox.

I think it's a pretty intriguing fact that Sherwood was led into the world of photography because he was interested in taking pictures of his own furniture and architectural millwork pieces. His talent for architectural photography is greatly informed by his understanding and experience of creating the pieces which he sought to photograph. His attention to detail and his sensibility to the nuances of such things as lighting and composition make him a force to reckoned with in the field of architectural photography. His art photos and his portraits are just as outstanding. Visit his website for more.

Jonathan Shaw

2008-03-27T21:49:00.001-05:00

Although Jonathan Shaw was born in England and has lived in Australia and in many places in the United States, he currently calls New Orleans home. Many of his murals can be seen throughout our city and his decorative handpainted finishes grace many New Orleans homes and businesses. I'm very happy to say that the current show in my art gallery features his newest work.

A few months ago, he began painting his Dance series. These works are done on canvas or on board and are executed using an interesting combination of media. Drawing on his experience as a decorative painter, Jonathan combines such materials as acrylic paints, Venetian plaster, oil paints, gold and silver leaf, glazes and waxes to produce his richly textured paintings.

Both his paint finishes and the figures he portrays are full of a certain exuberance which carries from the interior of the gallery space out to the street, drawing in many who pass by.

Some of his paintings are very subtle in color, but the gesture of his figures and his application of paints and glazes lend motion and intensity to the work.

The depth of color in the turquoise Venetian plaster is achieved through a series of transparent layers of paints and plaster and forms a dramatic contrast with the richly waxed amber leaping figure. This turquoise color is very alluring and a number of pieces similar to this one have found their way into several New Orleans homes. One even traveled as far as Houma. They look so good in their new homes that I wish I had some photos of them, but alas, I don't.

This especially cracked and crazed surface reminds me of an ancient piece of pottery or relic recently unearthed.

Both the composition and paint techniques capture the unbridled joy of motion.

They are freely executed and vibrate with visual pleasure.

I love the subtle hues of aqua and ocher in this diptych on canvas. I love how the figures relate to each other and the shapes of the negative space between them. I love the contrast of the heavily textured paint on the figures against the almost watercolor-like soft background.

If you are going to be in the area, please stop by and check out this fabulous show of Jonathan Shaw's current work. Our address is 3908 Magazine Street.

If you need further info about Jonathan or his work, please call 504.899.4201.

Fifi Laughlin

2008-03-16T21:12:00.000-05:00

Fifi Laughlin is a bright star in New Orleans lighting design. She creates unspeakably beautiful lamps and chandeliers using handblown, handcast and handformed glass. Although I'm more naturally drawn to neutrals, I am crazy about her use of color. Perhaps its because the colors she uses are so gorgeous or because the translucence of the glass makes the colors so luminous. The Catherine lamps pictured above are my absolute favorites. This turquoise translucence in combination with the clear glass fluted spheres is perfection to my eyes. This Catherine, done here in a clear green combined with amber is also fabulous. I love the sumptuous simplicity of the silk shades Fifi uses. They are both opulent and understated and add dramatic tension to her designs. This detail shows a wonderful combination of clear and opalescent glass. Much of the charm of these pieces is the juxtaposition of textures: fluted against flat, rough against smooth, cast against blown, clear against opaline. The Paris lamp is a lesson in geometry with its round fluted body, square base below and square silk shade on top. Simple and mind-blowing in its balanced perfection. Her attention to detail is evident in the perfectly flattened glass feet and fluted finial. The Meme lamp is both elegant and fun. Again, though I'm not so big on color, I think these are delightful. This style is called Hollywood and I can see why. All mirrored glamour spheres in combo with simple silk drum shades. The double tiered clear formed base of the Beatriz with clear neck and clear fluted spheres gives a feeling of elegant ice sculpture. The smoky Beatriz with dark bases, golden orbs is dramatic and voluptuous. This detail of the Beatriz, with its combination of colors has a bit of an Art Deco feel to it. This floor lamp gets a definite wow! I love the simple drum shade. The simple metal framework of these chandeliers plays a great supporting role to the glass orbs. These pieces shimmer with a gem-like quality and have such a feeling of modern sophistication. I love how well this comes off in the very old home pictured below. Fifi's gorgeous work is a definite room -maker. I am very happy to say that she is a neighbor of mine. She is as delightful and luminous as her lamps! Fifi Laughlin can be reached through her website, fifiblaughlin.com.

Gogo Borgerding's Extraordinary Jewelry Designs

2008-03-10T20:44:00.000-05:00

These beautiful bracelets are the work of New Orleans' own Gogo Borgerding, an exceedingly talented artist and jewelry designer. I am very happy to say that she has a wonderful shop located just a few blocks away from my own where she shows and sells her wonderful creations! I think Gogo is most well known for her amazing collection of cuff bracelets which she designs and creates herself. I am in awe of both her design talent and her skill as a jewelry craftsperson. Gogo's talent is not limited to her bracelets, however. Her necklaces, earrings and rings are also outstanding.She calls this necklace "Lantana Gone Wild." Here are some other pieces from her Lantana collection. I love her Lantana Rings! Gogo was recently featured on the cover of New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles. Her house, which she shares with her husband David, a metal sculptor, also reflects her individual style. Gogo's cuff bracelets show such a talent for pattern and color that I couldn't narrow it down to just a few, so here are several of my favorites. Her necklaces are as beguiling as her bracelets. I'm crazy about her way with color, and especially with the delicious colors she uses in her "Sushi" collection. Gogo's "Guns and Roses" necklace was included in a feature in Elle magazine. She created the Guns and Roses necklace as a tribute to the spirit of those dedicated to the rebuilding of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. More information about Gogo's creations can be found on her website or by visiting her shop in person at 4212 Magazine Street, if you find yourself lucky enough to be in New Orleans.

Michelle Rosato Tullis

2008-02-24T17:48:00.000-06:00

I'm currently showing the work of Michelle Rosato Tullis in the art gallery part of my shop. Michelle is a talented artist and interior designer who grew up in New Orleans. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, she uses a collage format to produce her vibrant images. She loves the process of layering ideas and thoughts through texture and color, creating a visual story on canvas. Michelle often uses copies of old letters from Europe and New Orleans giving her work a sense of history rendered thorough contemporary painting techniques. Her paintings come across as both fresh and timeless. Michelle recently came into possession of a bound volume of copies of The Times Picayune, our New Orleans newspaper, from the 1920's which she is currently using in her collages. New Orleanians, nostalgic by nature, and even more so after Katrina, can't get enough of her latest pieces. It is so interesting to see advertisements for things long gone but not forgotten included within these pieces which are rendered in such an upbeat way. These paintings are not just about happy memories, they are beautiful jewel-toned homages to the New Orleans of long ago. Yet, one need not be a New Orleanian to revel in the pleasure of experiencing these paintings. Her pieces which contain old real estate listings are very popular. It's fun to imagine a time when a beautiful home could be purchased for around fifteen thousand dollars or less. One local real estate agent has purchased several pieces as housewarming gifts for his clients. Although this current show will be ending this week, we will be placing Michelle's work throughout the rest of the showroom. It is a priviledge to show the work of this talented artist. I love how beautiful her things look in my gallery.

You Make My Day!

2008-02-21T20:39:00.000-06:00

I was so touched and excited to have been honored with the "You Make My Day" award by the articulate and talented, over-the-top, on a quest for beauty in an upside down world, Topsy Turvy.

Started by Carolina Eclectic, its a truly imaginative way to give an appreciative accolade to fellow bloggers who inspire and entertain us, and to share blogs we love with other bloggers who may also enjoy them.

Here are the rules:
1. Write a post with the links to 5 blogs that "make your day".

2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.

3. Tell the award winners they won by commenting on their blogs.

I had so much fun with this, but couldn't narrow it down to just five, so here are the six blogs that "made my day!"

Things that Inspire was one of the first blogs I found, and from that day forward, it has been a favorite because Sarah brings such insights into the world of design and architecture. Her posts are both beautiful and educational and I really admire her ability to create an in depth look at her subject matter. I love the rooms she chooses to include in her posts because they are true to her taste. I am also happy that she has become my friend!

I love the name of Habitually Chic's blog because it is so darned true. This girl makes being chic and writing about all that is chic a wonderful habit. It just comes naturally to her and I never get enough of reading her observations and opinions on all that is stylish and of course, chic! Her pictures never fail to inspire. An example, this unbelievable photo of this bridal dress and train just blew me away!

Absolutely Beautiful Things makes my day all the time because the beautiful and talented designer Anna Spiro posts about just that. I love seeing photos of her work, both in her wonderful shop which she has way over in Australia (sigh, too far to drop in on) and in her design projects which she generously shares with us. This Lulu 2 Seater Sofa is a fine example of her design talent!(I want one.)

What can I say about All Things Bright and Beautiful? The photographs she uses are so very gorgeous they take my breath away, but what really wowed me has been her ongoing series of blogging tips posts. This is such an act of blogging generosity as well as artistry. Those posts are as beautiful as they are informative, and her invitations to other bloggers to offer their ideas shows just what kind of friend she is to all of us. Being the biggest technical blogging klutz of the century, I am in such awe of her knowledge that I have nothing to add but a big Thank You!

Patricia Gray is, in my opinion, the diva of Canadian design, and a blogger extraordinaire! Her posts are so full of beautiful images, her work is flawless, and in addition to all of that-her heart comes through,too. This girl really knows what she's doing and it shows in her work and in her posts. She was recently featured in the Washington Post "Blog Posts" because she did a fantastic post on the color Orange. Kudos, Patricia!

Dianamuse is just that: a muse- She's a thinker, a writer, an artist and what an eye for beauty and grace she has! Diana did an interview with me awhile ago and this is actually what inspired me to start blogging. So she truly is my muse. I love the quotes she includes both in her posts and in other little spots around her blog. Whenever I want to experience an intellectual high and have my mind expanded, I go to her blog and let her "make my day!"

I must admit it was pretty hard to narrow it down to such a few, because I think my day gets made multiple times every day by visiting all the amazing blogs out there.

Gerrie Bremermann Style

2008-02-17T10:14:00.000-06:00

While I was gathering images for my pink Valentine's Day post, I was very tempted to include this cover of the March-April 2007 issue of Southern Accents because I love the pretty pink slipcovered chairs in this dining room. I decided to save it instead and do a post on the whole house, decorated by New Orleans "Diva of Design," Gerrie Bremermann since she is one of my favorite designers. So what, do you ask, defines the Gerrie Bremermann style? First and foremost, Gerrie has a way of using beautiful antiques to both dress up a room and simultaneously dress it down. That is to say that she furnishes her rooms with fine pieces presented in such a way as to create a relaxed and inviting setting. Her emphasis is on accomodating her client's lifestyle...with style. Gerrie Bremermann is known for her ability to mix luxurious silks and floral patterns with informal cottons in checks or striped patterns, and for her use of impeccable dressmaker details that elevate design elements such as curtains and slipcovers into art. In my opinion, this gives her interiors a certain sense of delight. This dining room is a perfect example of Bremermann's ability to create a balance between formality and comfort. The grandeur of the chandelier is achieved through its large size and the graceful beauty of its curving arms. It is intentionally oversized to de-emphasize the large scale of the room and make it feel more intimate. The generous silk drapes are a counterpoint to those scalloped edge pink checked slipcovers in cotton on the Louis XVI chairs. The dining table's almost rustic simplicity is balanced by the ornate trumeau mirror on the far wall, and an arrangement of silver pieces on the buffet. Bremerman's talent for symmetry and proportion is seen in this arrangement at the far end of the dining room. The Regence commode and the carved, mirrored sconces create dramatic tension against the more primitive glazed pottery bowl, and the mother and child sculpture lends a note of family and warmth to the composition. I love the inclusion of a bust, placed on top of a book which is resting on the floor as a finishing touch to this story of simultaneous elegance and ease. The living room is a fine example of Gerrie's use of fabulous rugs to set the color tone of the room. Understated, rich in pattern, but subtle in color, the rug is the subconscious star of this space. It is both the motivator and supporter for all the other fine elements of this room. Another element of Bremermann style is the use of light neutral paint colors for walls which create a calm backdrop for the amazing antique furnishings which populate her rooms. Here again, rich silks and velvets play off simple checked and striped cottons. Painted french chairs, a requisite for every good New Orleans room, are well used here in addition to a wonderful painted daybed. Seating is arranged for comfort and interaction, and is composed so that each piece is both featured and integrated into the room. I am a great admirer of her use of beautiful pillows, many of which can be considered works of art done in exquisite fabrics and antique textiles.The furnishings in this room are so wonderful that no piece should be missed. Here is another example of a symmetrical composition. The urns with the orange-hued greek key motif and the same color on the frame of the mirror which play off the dark color of the commode bring an exciting but subtle burst of color to a corner of the living room. The gentleman's library offers a bit of contrast to the rest of the house, yet it still undoubtedly display's the designer's touch. Exquisite antique furniture abounds, colors play off the subtly patterned rug, the requisite french chairs are present and furniture placement is both relaxed at times and symmetrical at others. Here, though, the wall color is a bit deeper. Of course you can probably guess that this chandelier makes my head spin and my knees weak! It's pretty dressy for a gentleman's library, and here again pretty oversized but I think it's absolutely perfect, and it's made only more perfect by being reproduced by its reflection in the symmetrically placed mirror. I wish I could get a better look at the sconces, or paintings or shields which hang on either side of the mirror. The profusion of white roses are in a 15th century baptismal font. Here, the composition of the furnishings is flawless, the fabrics are rich and patterned, and yet the overall effect is subtle. I love the beautiful red-hued pillow with the antique applique. This picture of the entry shows Bremerman style at its best. Another french commode is symmetrically arranged between two painted french chairs, upholstered in a cool cotton checked fabric, and under a fabulous trumeau mirror. The creamy walls and subtle rug are the supporting players here. The pillows made from antique textiles are the art for this space. And again, another over the top chandelier to inspire me and make my head spin. This garden room is the homeowner's "most cherished room." It isn't hard to see why. This room seems even more relaxed than some of the others in the rest of the house. All colors are soft and neutral. The only pattern in the room seems to be the white-on-white Fortuny silk of the simple pleated drapes. The chairs and table in front of the french doors have more graceful curved lines. But the show stopper in this room is the Napoleon III chaise longue which echos those curves and looks out to the garden beyond. The button tufted upholstery done in a creamy shade says it all. This piece embodies Bremerman style in itself: it is fine and french; it is antique and elegant, yet meant for relaxation; it is subtle and rich in perfect details; and it is here to be enjoyed by the people who live here. These people are fortunate to have a wonderful home which embodies both their lifestyle and Gerrie Bremerman's best!