On the Road Again

Madison Lily Rugs offers exceptional quality and designs created by the owners.

I just got back from a great trip to Houston. Besides the always-fabulous array of Tex-Mex and not-so-fabulous traffic, I had a chance to take in a number of sights. The itinerary for my swing through H-town was set in motion by a desire to see the old favorites and scout for new inspiration, products and ideas. The first stop was the new Restoration Hardware flagship store, a 25,000-square-foot lifestyle store with a tea shop, bookstore, florist and amazing outdoor spaces. The catalog has the heft of and reads like an art book. Every trip to Houston has to include a visit to the lovely furniture store Meredith O’Donnell. Her new digs are just as elegant as the original store but able to display a much broader range of merchandise. One of my new favorites in Houston has to be a new rug salon found serendipitously in the same strip mall as Meredith by the name of Madison Lily Rugs. It offers a beautiful selection of traditional and modern carpets, many of which are the designs of the owners. I will always love my adopted hometown of New Orleans, but the array of shopping in Houston definitely proves the saying true: Everything Is Bigger in Texas!

Continuing Education

Education comes in many forms. There’s the formal kind where we go to classes to learn the latest that’s taking place in a chosen field. There’s the kind that comes with experience and years. The best kind, though, comes from observing while doing what we love.

Malachite art glass

I like to shop, whether for myself or for a client. To see lovely things that enhance life is a great joy. Exploring new shops and rediscovering old ones is a constant source of new knowledge and information in my interior design work.

Today, while I was running my errands, I made two serendipitous discoveries. One was the newly invigorated Loisel Vintage Modern, and the other was Agora Market, both on Magazine Street. Loisel has great ‘50s and ‘60s pieces in juxtapositions that inspired me to take a closer look at what could be done with modern, classic pieces used in a new way. At Agora Market, there were many beautiful pieces. Some of the most intriguing were 1930s Malachite glass, an art glass that looks like the semiprecious stone for it is named. I had never seen this chic art glass before and will have to research it more.
What a great way to learn something new every day.

The Banana Rule

What are the rules when it comes to being a gracious host? Or a guest?

The ideal guest room has a comfortable bed that one would want to spend the night in, a writing desk that does double duty as a vanity, side tables for water, an alarm clock and the latest books and magazines. A slipper chair so one can put on and remove footwear would be a dream. And, while we’re at it, how about a valet to air one’s clothes and hold the clutter of the day in check? One wouldn’t want to forget about a private bath and, of course, a terrace with a magnificent view.

Unfortunately for most of us, this is not reality. With urban living spaces ever tighter, a dedicated guest suite — nothing more than a fantasy for all but the most affluent of homeowners — will be more than enough for most guests as long as it has clean sheets, fresh towels and a place to rest heads rate-free. Try to have possible options for excursions, but remember that you are not a tour guide. Have a comfortable place to sleep, even though there are always alternatives for the “particular guest.” And, lest we forget the banana rule: Place a banana on the table, and know that when the banana “turns,” it’s time for guests to go.

Art for Decoration’s Sake

Salon at Stein's 27 Rue de Fleurus residence in Paris

There is an age-old question of which came first: the chicken or the egg? In design, the query is whether art should influence décor or décor should be inspired by art? My philosophy on this topic is to use the best of what you have in order to produce a cohesive whole.

Let’s assume that one is beginning the design process from scratch. Gertrude Stein once said, “When one is young, one can afford either art or fashion, but not both.” If you have an immediate reaction to a piece of art, it is meant to be, no matter the design scheme. Often times, artwork can be a good jumping-off point from which to pull a color scheme. The idea here is not to “match” the room to the artwork but to create a harmonious whole. There is no need for the dreaded “sofa-sized” artwork of cheap motel art fairs. Affordable, appealing works of art can be found at many local galleries and weekend art markets. Prints, multiples and lesser-known student artists are all good sources for the beginning connoisseur.

The Best of Both Worlds: Work and Play

Charlotte Moss is one of my all-time favorite doyennes of decorating. I have enjoyed pouring over her lush tomes for hours and becoming enraptured with the southern drawl of her writing style. She often says that she learns through extensive reading and travel (Hmmmm … perhaps great minds do think alike). I’m so happy that someone with as refined a taste level and inimitable style as Ms. Moss still gains inspiration and continues to learn new things from the past, then refines them for the way we live now. I have always embraced the past while enjoying the present and looking forward to learning, experiencing and doing new things in the future. I hope you are learning something new every day and striving to make your own life and the lives of those around you even better.

On Thursday, October 13, The Preservation Resource Center of New Orleans and New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles magazine will host the annual Renaissance Awards & Heritage Club Luncheon. I am honored to be included on the committee for this event. The PRC will honor those who have made significant strides in improving our city through historically sensitive renovations of their homes. A highlight of this year’s event will be Charlotte Moss herself, who will speak and then, after the luncheon, sign copies of her latest book, one of seven, titled “Charlotte Moss Decorates: The Art of Creating Elegant and Inspired Rooms.” I hope you can attend this event.

Where: The Roosevelt New Orleans, 123 Baronne St., Roosevelt Ballroom

When: Thursday, October 13, 2011; doors open at 11:30 a.m., with the luncheon and awards at noon

How: Tickets are available online at www.prcno.org or by contacting Wendy Angus, PRC membership coordinator, at 504-636-3057 or membership@prcno.org. To guarantee your reservation, you should purchase tickets by October 7.

Stencil Me In

Note the stencils behind Sherry Haydel -- a wonderful way to add your own artistic touch to a surface

The New Orleans Home and Interior Design show in mid-September was a great opportunity to see what is new and noteworthy in New Orleans. I participated in the designer challenge segment of the event, listened to several well-informed speakers and met with a number of industry professionals.

One of the highlights was meeting the charming artisan Sherry Haydel. A master in faux finishes and stenciling, she described her process and showed me the breadth of her work. Ms. Haydel has a line of stencils available on-line, and creates very posh custom work for some of the finest private clients and old-line restaurants in New Orleans.

I was amazed by the variety and beauty of her work, as well as the innovation she uses to make stencils that, while complex in appearance, are easy to use. The stencils come in a wide variety of patterns and complexity from chinoiserie to modernistic, repeating geometrics. Some patterns come in parts for straight lines and corners, and others are all-over repeats that she has used to stunning effect on furnishings and upholstery.

Her stencils are so inspiring that I want to stencil everything now. Once you visit her site, you will, too. See her at www.sherryhaydelltd.com.

Designing with Man’s Best Friend in Mind

Come see me at the New Orleans Home and Interior Design Show on Sept. 11 and learn more about designing with your pet in mind.

The 2011 New Orleans Home and Interior Design Show will open Friday, Sept. 9, and run through Sunday, Sept. 11. One of the focuses of the show will be designing with your pet in mind. I will be available to answer questions you may have about interior design at the “Designers’ Challenge” feature on Sunday from noon to 2 p m. I would love to have the opportunity to meet you and answer any design questions that you may have — canine or other.
A good place to start when considering the four-legged members of the family is definitely flooring. Is soft pine the best choice? All wood floors can be damaged by claws, but because pine is the softest, it will show wear and tear instantly. A more durable solution might be tile or perhaps polished concrete for a more modern look.
Furniture finishes need to be considered as well. Delicate silk and linen upholstery is generally not a pet’s best friend. Why not try a durable canvas duck or slipcovers than can just be thrown in the wash?
The easiest way to reduce the impact of the family pet on your home is to be as organized as possible. No, they cannot clean up their toys upon command. The clean-up is all on you. Having a dedicated space for toys, food and bedding helps keep things in check when guests come over.
Be sure to drop by Sunday, Sept 11. I’m looking forward to meeting you and helping you solve your design dilemmas. http://www.neworleanshomeshows.com/homeanddesignshow/