CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Brad Pitt's Got Architectural Digest Covered

casasugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:00:27 -0800

Brad Pitt's been spotted on many a magazine cover for his latest movies and tabloid-famous family, but now the star graces the cover of the January issue of Architectural Digest. The star with a passion for architecture who's contributed eco designs for Dubai and worked with Global Green on affordable housing is making the leap to the shelter magazine world. Pitt shares the cover with one of the 150 eco-friendly homes in New Orleans that he is helping to sponsor and build through his Make It Right Foundation.

To find out more about Make It Right, as well as to see images of some of the homes that have been constructed,

This Just In: Nicolas Cage Lists Two New Orleans Properties

casasugar — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 08:30:36 -0800

Prolific real estate investor Nicolas Cage is on the loose on a wild selling spree. Cage has already put his Las Vegas, Bel-Air, and Rhode Island properties on the market, and today we have news that he's listed his two properties in New Orleans. According to WDSU and Real Estalker, Cage has listed his historical property (shown right) in New Orleans's French Quarter, the most haunted home in the neighborhood, in addition to a Garden District mansion. The haunted home, known as the LaLaurie House (which I wrote about here), is listed for $3.9 million, $400,000 more than he paid for it in April 2007. To hear about the other property and see photos,

The New Orleans 100: A Look at the Good That's Happened Since Katrina

casasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:00:33 -0700

The New Orleans 100 is a worldwide initiative to "highlight and encourage discussion among millions about 100 of the most innovative and world-changing ideas to take root in the city since Katrina." Creative maverick think tank All Day Buffet wanted to combat the negative press New Orleans receives in mainstream media by spotlighting the best things happening in the city, and let me tell you, it wasn't hard. There's a wealth of inspiring projects going on these days in the Crescent City in the worlds of art and architecture, culture, music, entrepreneurship, education, non-profit, and social innovation. We've actually talked about some of these art and architecture projects in the past during my New Orleans coverage, so don't be surprised if you hear bells ringing! Source

This Just In: Sundance's Architecture School Premieres Tonight

casasugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 16:00:56 -0700

Tonight at 8 p.m. (CDT), the Sundance channel will premiere an original six-part documentary series, Architecture School, which follows a group of students from Tulane University's prestigious School of Architecture as they compete for the chance to design an affordable home in Katrina-devastated New Orleans. The winning model will be built during the school year and put on the market, giving one recent grad one whopping résume bullet point at the start of his career. Stiff competition! The home will be built as part of Tulane University's URBANbuild program, which was founded in 2005 to restore urban neighborhoods as a response to the storm. Executive Producer Michael Selditch was so inspired by Tulane University's URBANbuild program that he designed and built the show specifically around the 3-year-old program. Tune in tonight to see for yourself!
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Ask Casa: Decorate My New Orleans Living Room!

casasugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:45:46 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,
I need your help! I just moved into a one-bedroom in New Orleans, and will be living on my own for the first time. My bedroom is furnished but in my living room, I have a television and TV stand, and that's it. So, I'm basically starting from scratch! Can you offer me some suggestions for my living room?
My style is classy, urban, girlie, and colorful, but not outrageously so. I want comfortable, welcoming furniture, not like "sleek" or anything. And, I want it to look mature! I like dark wood, and maybe dulled blues, greens, reds, or yellows for fabrics, so the space has color but isn't too bright. I also want to get cool New Orleans artwork for walls, so maybe if the color of some of my furniture can bring out some of those colors, that'd be nice. I'd also like a pull-out couch for guests. My budget: as cheap as I can get for good quality furniture; I am a recent grad, after all. Do you have any thoughts? Anything would help!
Thanks,
Brooke

To hear my thoughts and see my suggestions,

Before and After: Matt's Hurricane Katrina Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 15:00:25 -0700

Yesterday, I asked who you thought should win Design Star. You can still vote online through Wednesday. To make the most informed decision, I figured I'd show you some photos from each designer's makeover (check out Jen's makeover here). Both designers worked with a New Orleans family whose home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Matt's family, the Oleagas, wanted a comfortable, minimal, and modern space.

To see what the home looked like after Matt redesigned the space,

Before and After: Jennifer's Hurricane Katrina Makeover

casasugar — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:00:55 -0700

Yesterday, I asked you who you thought should win Design Star. You can still vote online through Wednesday. To make the most informed decision, I figured I'd show you some photos from each designer's makeover. Both designers worked with a New Orleans family whose home had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Jen's family, the Gowlands, needed a space that accommodated both their love of cooking and their big family.

Before Jen showed up, the family had very limited furniture and a raw, unfinished space, as they concentrated on rebuilding their home.

To see what the home looked like after Jen flexed her design muscles,

Midday Muse: Fleur-De-Lys on the House

casasugar — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:00:56 -0700

On a recent stroll through San Francisco, I was delighted when I spotted a fleur-de-lys used as an architectural element on the exterior of a Victorian house. As you may remember, I rounded up some fleur-de-lys home furnishings during my February New Orleans coverage, seeing as it has been a symbol of the city since its birth. The lily-inspired shape is also a symbol of French royalty, and some argue it has Italian roots, so it's not quite a surprise to find it outside of the Crescent City. I always loved seeing them top wrought iron fences in NOLA, but I think the shape works well as an architectural ornamentation, too. Have you seen any in your 'hood? Are there any similar ornate details on the exterior of your home?

Guess Who Owns This House?

casasugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:45:07 -0800

A well-known celebrity couple owns this Creole townhouse, located at 521 Governor Nicholls Street in New Orleans’ French Quarter. Can you tell me the name of the super dad who lives here? Source

Roundup: Fleur-de-Lys

casasugar — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 06:00:49 -0800

Continuing with my New Orleans theme this month, I thought it'd be appropriate to round up some fleur-de-lys home furnishings, seeing as it has been a symbol of the city since its birth. Fleurs-de-lys abound in New Orleans. Today, they top wrought-iron fences, serve as trendy baubles, brand popular clothing lines, and emblazon football helmets in the Superdome, cheeky advertisements, and even post-Katrina fridges. The history of the symbol is long and does not escape the shelter market. The lily-inspired shape has bloomed on everything from bedding and bath linens to glassware and paper towel holders. Here's a healthy dose for you:

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Home Library: Gardens of New Orleans: Exquisite Excess

casasugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:45:19 -0800

It's hot, humid, lush, and overwhelmingly green in New Orleans, so it makes sense that a number of books have been written on this city's gardens. One of the best of these, by authors Lake Douglas and Jeannette Hardy, Gardens of New Orleans ($40, hardcover) chronicles the excessive flora of this delta city.

The book features exquisitely lush photos by Richard Sexton and historical maps, photos, and drawings of the city, providing an embarrassment of riches with which to explore this city's gardens. With chapters on private and public gardens, parks, and landmark spaces and species, you'll be charmed with this book, whether you've visited New Orleans yet or are just plotting your first trip.
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On Location: New Orlean's Flavor Paper

casasugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 11:15:43 -0800

Flavor Paper is a New Orleans company that dreams up and produces wild wallcoverings for homes and retail stores. Its wallcoverings have been featured everywhere from Elle to Dwell to InStyle, and their bold, graphic patterns have been implemented in nightclubs, rock stars' homes, and restaurants all over the world.

Located on Chartres Street in the Bywater District of New Orleans, Flavor Paper makes handscreened wallpaper in unique vintage, contemporary, and custom patterns. Flavor Paper is sold in untrimmed 27-inch-wide by 15-foot-long single rolls, which retail between $150-$350 per roll. If you can't get to New Orleans, you can also check out Flavor Paper's showrooms in Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, Athens, Ga., Cleveland, OH, and Portland, Ore. And of course, you can always order wallpaper or request samples via their site. My personal favorite is the Flower Pedal paper (seen in the last slide). Which one is your favorite?

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Lenny Kravitz's New Orleans Home

casasugar — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:15:56 -0800

Did you know that Lenny Kravitz has a home in NOLA? Take my quiz to see if you can figure out some of the details about rocker Lenny Kravitz's New Orleans home.

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Guess Who Owns This House?

casasugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 16:00:14 -0800

This house, located at 2523 Prytania Street, is owned by a famous New Orleans writer. Can you tell me who that writer is?

Love Shack: Incense Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

casasugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 06:45:18 -0800

According to The Mistic, an old-time occult shop that supplies products and services for the "spiritually minded," in New Orleans (a place with a long history associated with sellers of Hoodoo and Voodoo products), incense can be used "in spells to encourage romance, stimulate sexuality, draw love, and create harmony."

Some of the herbs included in these incense blends are juniper berries, lavender, calamus root, basil, red roses, periwinkle, and cinnamon. According to the Mistic, "Occultists generally agree that the best time to do work which draws love and sex is Friday under the Waxing Moon or Full Moon." And, single gals, incense can be used, according to the Mistic experts, to "lure anyone to your shores," or just to "create a general feeling of love amongst partners, friends, family, or coworkers." Are you an incense person? Or would you try it, considering the benefits to your Love Shack? Personally, I just can't fall in love with the scent . . .
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Etsy Find: Masked Set of Four Letterpress Cards

casasugar — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 07:30:49 -0800

Mardi Gras may be over, but you can still put your mask on with this Masked Set of Four Letterpress Cards ($10) by Sarah Ridgley. The perfect thank you card for the krewe member who invited you to the Endymion Ball. If you're secretly admiring someone from afar, it could also be quite the mysterious (anonymous) note card. Or stock up on them now and start planning your 2009 Gras bash. Just be sure to send me an invitation! I'll bring the crawfish . . .

Architect Stories: John C. Williams Architects

casasugar — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 08:18:00 -0800

Williams Architects, located in both New Orleans, La., and Mobile, Ala., offers architectural, interior design, and planning services. The firm has won design awards for historic renovation and new construction from the American Institute of Architects, the Vieux Carre Commission, the Historic District Landmarks Commission and the City of New Orleans. Check out the slideshow for some of their residential projects. Source

On Location: NOLA's Sculpture Garden

casasugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:00:42 -0800

The Sydney and Walda Besthoff Sculpture Garden features 57 sculptures by artists from around the world. Check out the slideshow to find out more about the Sculpture Garden and to see a selection of the amazing art. Photo courtesy of Snujiins.

Artist of the Day: Rebecca Rebouché

casasugar — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 08:00:56 -0800

Rebecca Rebouché is a multimedia artist living in New Orleans. Her deceptively simple style combines embroidery, painting, and collage into lovely, meditative imagery. Of working in New Orleans, she says, "My life in New Orleans is a duality all in itself. I always tell people that to love New Orleans is much like being in a mad, mad relationship. You know it might kill you, but you will never really leave, never stop loving, and you always come back. At times it will enrage you, others it is depressing. But it's my favorite place in the whole world." You can find more of Rebecca's work here. Source

Casa Quiz: Creole Townhouses

casasugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:45:12 -0800

Last week I told you about Creole Townhouses, one of New Orleans most treasured styles of architecture. Can you remember some of the details of these buildings? Take this quiz to find out.

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Open House: NOLA Recommendations

casasugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 07:15:55 -0800

As you may have noticed, I've been focusing some of this month's content on New Orleans. The celebration of Mardi Gras first inspired me to explore this amazing city with Casa readers, but as that holiday came and went, I realized that there was a lot of Casa-related New Orleans exploring left to do.

So, if you're a resident of New Orleans or just an occasional and dedicated visitor, I'm sure you have some recommendations on great places that Casa readers would like to know about. Is there an antique store that you're dying to tell me about? How about a local artist or photographer? Maybe there's a furniture maker who's set up shop in the warehouse district? Tell me all about it by leaving a comment below, and maybe I'll feature your suggestion in an upcoming Casa post!

Architect Stories: BNIM Architects

casasugar — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:00:43 -0800

For nearly 40 years, BNIM Architects has been working to further sustainable, affordable design. With offices in Kansas City and Houston, this powerhouse firm believes in working on deep, green design projects. The firm is committed to its local and regional communities while establishing a national presence as an innovator of design methodologies, sustainability, and new technologies in architecture, planning, and workplace design. Check out the slideshow to see what projects the firm's working on, and which green-minded celeb they've teamed with to create green, affordable homes. Source

Photographer(s) to Watch: The New Orleans Kid Camera Project

casasugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:00:11 -0800

The New Orleans Kid Camera Project was created to address the psychological and emotional impacts of Hurricane Katrina on children returning home to New Orleans. Through the use of photography, creative writing, and mixed media, children from flooded neighborhoods explore their environment and express themselves, their stories, and feelings with their friends. You can donate to the project with monetary gifts or through the gift of your time and skills. Source

Coveted Crib: Doullut Steamboat Houses (Part 2)

casasugar — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 08:05:53 -0800

On Friday I told you a bit about the Doullut Steamboat Houses. You can read the first half of the story here.

As you may have guessed, the houses were influenced architecturally by the steamboats that Doullot himself navigated. The deep decks that surround the houses, their narrow inner hallways, round smokestack chimneys, and square portholes, as well as the Mississippi River facing belvedere, are all distinctly derived from the vessels' architecture. Also in nautical fashion, much of the building (interior and exterior) was constructed with tin, and of course, the ornate woodwork with unusual pearls on the balconies is inspired by those on the steamboats that cruise the mighty Mississippi. In addition, the houses share many qualities with Louisiana plantation homes, which are generally grand, symmetrical, and boxy, featuring balconies and columns or pillars.

What you may not have suspected of the steamboat houses is that they were also largely influenced by the Japanese exhibit building, or teahouse garden building, at the St. Louis World's Fair 1904, also known as the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The exhibit building spawned the second level and pilot house concave roofs and glazed tiling of the scroll-shaped columns of these New Orleans treasures.

400 Egania Street:

503 Egania Street:

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Coveted Crib: Doullut Steamboat Houses (Part 1)

casasugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:00:51 -0800

TeamSugar member RowD recently shared photos of two Steamboat Houses which she encountered during a post-Katrina trip to New Orleans. Since they're such fascinating houses, and historical landmarks at that, I figured I'd give you a bit of a background. The two remarkable houses in question, at 400 and 453 Egania St., were built between 1905 and 1913 by Milton P. Doullot, a steamboat captain, for his daughter and son. In 1977, the twin houses were designated historical landmarks by the New Orleans Historic District Landmarks Commission.

In the 100 years since they were built, the houses underwent some changes, due to hurricanes and normal aging, so they are no longer identical. The original house (400 Egania) was also originally closer to the river, but moved back when the levee was moved. Doullot's great grandson still owns the house, and the other was auctioned out of the family.

For details on these houses' unusual architectural influences, tune in over the weekend for the second half of the story.

400 Egania Street:

503 Egania Street:

Source

Home Away From Home: NOLA's Hotel Monteleone

casasugar — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:30:44 -0800

The Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans' French Quarter is a legendary institution. Family owned and operated for over a hundred years, the hotel was recently renovated to restore it to its original grandeur. (Bonus: It's pet friendly too.) Take a look at the slideshow to find out more about this amazing hotel — including a ghost story!

Midday Muse: New Orleans Architecture

casasugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:00:41 -0800

I snapped this picture last year when I was trolling through the French Quarter with a plastic to-go cup of Sapphire and tonic. It's actually part of a long row of Creole Townhouses, but I was too smitten with that brick peaking out from the plaster to take in the bigger picture. And if you look a little closer, you'll see what else fascinated me — the tiny plants growing in the cracks and crannies of that sheer wall.

Architecture Styles: The Shotgun House

casasugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:00:49 -0800

The Creole Townhouse isn't the only architecture style the world should thank New Orleans for. The Shotgun was also developed in the Louisiana city between 1850 and 1910, and is the predominant type of house there. A Shotgun is a long, narrow rectangular structure, usually no more than 12 feet wide with doors opposite each other at both ends. Each of its three to five rooms open onto the next with no hallways to beget privacy. The Shotgun gets its name, legend has it, from the saying that a shotgun blast at the front door could pass uninterrupted through all the rooms to the back. To hear more about Shotguns,

Coveted Crib: the Wedding Cake House

casasugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 05:45:37 -0800

Mardi Gras' parades and festivities have all ended, but I've still got New Orleans on my mind. In this Coveted Crib, I introduce you to the Wedding Cake House, an ostentatious Victorian Georgian revival mansion, named for its frosting of layers of balconies, cornices and columns. Built in 1896, the house is one of the most prominent and recognizable historical residences along St. Charles Ave, and is home to Attorney Calvin Fayard, one of the region's major political fund-raisers for the Democratic Party. It recently underwent a $6 million dollar renovation by Trapolin Architects including a "full restoration of the exterior facades of the main house and two accessory buildings; extensive improvements to the landscaping and grounds; complete renovation of the existing interior spaces; and the addition of a rear entry vestibule and stair." Project Architect Patrick Melancon says it was a challenge to balance," the aesthetic of a new wing of the house within the context and complexity of the existing, heavily ornate Victorian façade posed the primary design challenge." But, I find the results to be breath-taking, and a dangerously eye-catching sight for the drivers of the recently revived St. Charles streetcars.
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Casa Link: Hazelnut at Home

casasugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 10:15:46 -0800

The owners of Hazelnut New Orleans, the Casa Shop you met yesterday, don't reserve their interior styling skills for their magasin on Magazine Street. Tom Cianfichi and Bryan Batt, who you may recognize from his role on AMC's Mad Men, are both actors with a knack for interiors and have dressed their Garden District carriage house to the nines in a daring mélange of modern classics (Barcelona chair, Louis Ghost chair), bold colors ('70s avocado walls, a beaded blood-orange chandelier), and thrifty finds (a Salvation Army sofa) that only bona fide creatives could see the potential in. The New York Times has an interesting feature about this duo's design evolution with photos of their home that will floor (or shag carpet) you.
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Guess Who Owns a Creole Townhouse?

casasugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:00:56 -0800

An Academy Award-winning American actor born into a family quite successful in the film industry owns a Creole townhouse in New Orleans. Do you know who it is?

Architecture Styles: The Creole Townhouse

casasugar — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 05:45:52 -0800

In addition to its thriving music scene, finger-licking grub, and propensity towards too much fun, New Orleans architecture is what makes it one of America's most unique cities. In other hoods, brand new, $20 million manses are coveted by celebrities and money makers alike. In New Orleans, where you'll find at least six distinct styles of architecture, old homes are the truest treasures.

Artist of the Day: George Rodrigue

casasugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 16:00:42 -0800

George Rodrigue was born and raised along the banks of the winding Bayou Teche in New Iberia, Louisiana. After working briefly in New York as a commercial artist, he returned to his native Louisiana in 1967 to paint the Cajun culture. He now lives and works in Lafayette, and is perhaps most widely known for his Blue Dog series. Starting in March, the new exhibit George Rodrigue's Louisiana: Forty Years of Cajuns, Blue Dogs and Beyond Katrina will be showing at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Source

Casa Shops: Hazelnut New Orleans

casasugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 06:30:26 -0800

The floats have taken their final stroll down St. Charles Avenue, the boiled crawfish have all been peeled, and there are no more plastic beads to toss this Mardi Gras season, but you can still enjoy the Crescent City with a little introduction to one of the best design shops New Orleans has to offer. Find out all about this design shop when you

NOLA Musicians' Village Makes Progress

casasugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:45:46 -0800

In December 2005, three months after Hurricane Katrina, Harry Connick Jr. and Branford Marsalis, both musical forces in New Orleans, along with Habitat for Humanity, announced plans to build Musicians' Village, a neighborhood of the Upper Ninth Ward centered around the Ellis Marsalis Center For Music for displaced local musicians and other qualifying homeowner families.

Musicians' Village is intended to both preserve the city's musical culture, and foster the education of its residents. Now, two years later, 70 single-family homes are either under construction, or have been built on 8.1 vacant acres, which the New Orleans Area Habitat For Humanity purchased in early 2006. Habitat For Humanity has plans to build 300 additional homes in the surrounding Ninth Ward area on other lots which they own. A portion of the proceeds from Connick's new CD Oh, My NOLA will benefit the Musicians' Village. I like that Connick is sporting the Saints hat, too. Who Dat?

Check out our gallery to see photos of the progress.

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Brad Pitt Commissions Designs for NOLA

casasugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 08:00:54 -0800

Remember how Brad Pitt is helping "green" New Orleans? Mr. Pitt has also commissioned 13 architecture firms to help rebuild the Lower Ninth Ward, one of the city's neighborhoods which was utterly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. According to the New York Times, 150 affordable, environmentally sound houses are to be built there over the next two years, as part of Pitt's project, Make It Right. Mr. Pitt pledged to match $5 million in contributions to the project, as did Steve Bing, the philanthropist, and nine architecture firms have donated their services to the cause. "The architects were each asked to design a 1,200-square-foot house for about $150,000, with Make It Right to help with the financing." One of the designs is essentially a boat rooted in the ground, which will float if floodwaters rise. Another has native vines climbing up the side walls to provide shade and coolness. Each architect has envisioned something unique, but they all have green building elements, which will reduce upkeep costs by at least 75 percent.

To hear what Brad has to say,

Found It! Fleur-de-Lys Glasses

casasugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 06:30:44 -0800

Have you been aching for that lampshade you spotted in a hotel on your last vacation but have no idea where to buy it? A side table in a friend-of-a-friend's living room? Let us know and we'll do our darnedest to try to find it for you. And remember, a photo of the item where you originally saw it always helps.

A big fan of any non-souvenir tribute to the wonderful city of New Orleans, I fell hard for these rose-colored fleur-de-lys glasses when I saw them at a local wine bar. Lucky me—I spotted them for sale at Anthropologie ($32 for 4). I love their floral cameo, and that not only is the glass beautifully tinted, but also textured!

Steal of the Day: Kiwi Orchid Napkin Rings

casasugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:00:59 -0800

It's not hard to take your dinner table from blah to glam with these Kiwi Orchid Napkin Rings ($6) from Hazelnut, my favorite home shop in New Orleans. No need for fancy patterned table linens: these beauties will do the trick on a simple white table cloth, with white cloth napkins and some simple tea light votives. Just add a romantic homemade dinner and you'll be set (literally).