East or West: Home is Best

Contrary to what many of us realize, many residents who lost their homes in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina - which was in 2005! - are still struggling to rebuild. Our BlogTourNola trip a couple of weeks ago wasn't all about beignet's and bubby, we were on a mission to learn more about all of New Orleans, not just the fancy parts. <br /><br />As a wrap up to our trip to New Orleans, we're holding a tweetday TODAY at 4:00EST to talk about the trends and themes we saw in New Orleans, the Kitchen & Bath Industry show, and most importantly, our meetings with the homeowners affected by the storms and where they are today.  To view the chat, please click here. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSA32lEub1GdtT35HRjY1c4h4011PLtt5bB-fi5t6RnFqbbZI_jtPUSDhgz9Vgy3c28wJoHtjrFOv-Yho4QIhgnf1reE1x684PhSK8npoIkB5xyH31XFolHQt71Q3rqfwLcnsZEShATqo/s1600/IMG_2868.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSA32lEub1GdtT35HRjY1c4h4011PLtt5bB-fi5t6RnFqbbZI_jtPUSDhgz9Vgy3c28wJoHtjrFOv-Yho4QIhgnf1reE1x684PhSK8npoIkB5xyH31XFolHQt71Q3rqfwLcnsZEShATqo/s640/IMG_2868.JPG" width="539" /></a></div> Brad Pitt's <a href="http://makeitright.org/" target="_blank">Make it Right</a> Foundation is the largest LEED Platinum building project in the world. To date 90 homes have been built, with 5 more currently in construction. Pitt selected the Lower Ninth Ward for his project, one of the most devastated during the storm. These new houses are environmentally friendly, yet seek to maintain the local "front porch" culture of the area.  Homeowners have a choice of design plan, color schemes and finishes. Those who wish to participate are provided with the tools for financial planning and the team to make their new homes a reality. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoe-XbWHY7vk2-bkL3RuCNsCf2UsNZjr7nuP8ONMGQSFUfCtYJCfVkOElDdBGuDUm8zURZmNayO3RNi7ZUPRpqOQTEGLI8545ndYIJRYioK8dgkjEUmNeEJ9Pbzc2cZmJZGX7i8AslfM/s1600/IMG_2870.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="718" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAoe-XbWHY7vk2-bkL3RuCNsCf2UsNZjr7nuP8ONMGQSFUfCtYJCfVkOElDdBGuDUm8zURZmNayO3RNi7ZUPRpqOQTEGLI8545ndYIJRYioK8dgkjEUmNeEJ9Pbzc2cZmJZGX7i8AslfM/s640/IMG_2870.JPG" width="538" /></a></div>Grassroots organizations are still on the ground working hard with their neighbors to get them back in their homes. We visited three homes and met the homeowners, volunteers and donors who are still working tirelessly (okay, they must be tired, they're human after all!) to get their lives back. <br /><br /><br /> Meet Joe and Gloria: <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4Vh7KAUnX40d8llJ577HKJnQ7UVdPs52QTbNhcqrq1ZYg_JqrvQdIsfDpwkxbsxgReqj7xxLcZ_fVRvZpidP4CgPENH6H_Z8mfOw4iZ7iVglxXAyaQcPF0Qr0nhFsm5A1CX7Y-Y-PHI/s1600/IMG_2871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="727" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4Vh7KAUnX40d8llJ577HKJnQ7UVdPs52QTbNhcqrq1ZYg_JqrvQdIsfDpwkxbsxgReqj7xxLcZ_fVRvZpidP4CgPENH6H_Z8mfOw4iZ7iVglxXAyaQcPF0Qr0nhFsm5A1CX7Y-Y-PHI/s640/IMG_2871.JPG" width="545" /></a></div>Joe and Gloria Robert of New Orleans were newlyweds looking forward to a bright future together when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005.<br /><br />Residing in their new house for just one month before Katrina slammed the city, the couple lost everything when the levee behind their house was destroyed - one of 53 levees in the city breached by the storm surge – and canal water swallowed the home. The Roberts evacuated the city, staying with various friends and relatives. When the flood waters receded weeks later, Joe and Gloria moved into a pop-up camper in their driveway for a while, but they’ve also been staying with Joe’s daughter from a previous marriage. <br /><br />Nearly eight years later, Joe and Gloria’s house is still uninhabitable. While a new house has been framed out, the building lacks essentials including electrical, drywall, flooring and plumbing.  Because Joe is a contractor by trade, he has the skills to work on his house, but he has generously donated much of his free time to volunteering with St. Paul’s Homecoming Center helping to rebuild other people’s houses. <br /><br />Joe works on his home little by little, but is often derailed by setbacks such as having his house broken into and his tools stolen. Even though Joe was forced to save up until he could replenish his tool supply, he has not lost his faith in humanity. <br /><br />Fortunately, Joe and Gloria received some good news recently when Storehouse of World Vision selected the couple and their house for a rehab project. A few weeks ago Storehouse joined forces with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and <a href="http://www.stpaulshomecomingcenter.org/" target="_blank">St. Paul’s Homecoming Center</a> to help rehab kitchens and baths in three houses as a lead-in to NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held April 19-21 in New Orleans. <br /><br />While Storehouse and NKBA partners have donated materials, appliances and labor for a new kitchen and bath in the Robert’s house, the rest of the unfinished home still needs lots of TLC.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.stpaulshomecomingcenter.org/sites/default/files/29906170001_1815653610001_0831dv-la-flood-braithwaite%20copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.stpaulshomecomingcenter.org/sites/default/files/29906170001_1815653610001_0831dv-la-flood-braithwaite%20copy.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.worldvisionusprograms.org/nolaprojects.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="510" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilT1K1rmU4ADprBhqdue6YfYgmx9xjE4WKNHeKiPeNOkmAYoxNNHXGMe-XPUVwgQs_7oV3yHgArRXfdOB_RvDDNkZb1C9pOGR3qcccQFFQxVxVrc8ThVlCRaPuqQZKY6_zMSyozOaf-TQ/s640/Storehouse.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.worldvisionusprograms.org/nolaprojects.php" target="_blank">Learn More and Donate Here</a></span></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=blogtournola&src=typd#" target="_blank">Join me on Twitter!</a></span></div>

East or West: Home is Best

Contrary to what many of us realize, many residents who lost their homes in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina - which was in 2005! - are ...

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BlogTourNola Sponsor: Silestone by Cosentino and an important message

<p> </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8718989508/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="867" id="blogsy-1367963240688.77" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/8718989508_42acaf29a1_c.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> BlogTourNola sponsor <a href="http://www.silestoneusa.com" target="_self" title="">Silestone</a> by Cosentino showcased some gorgeous new quartz surfaces at KBIS and I am just in love - and I'm not just saying that because they are super nice people, sponsored our trip and treated us to delicious food! In other words, my thoughts and opinions are my own!</p> <p>The above montage shows some of my favorite new product releases. I have to say that I am pretty sick and tire of the ubiquitous granite countertop. Are they "over"? No, not over. But there are many natural stone alternatives that are both unique and beautiful. And, unlike many earlier iterations of quartz countertops that had very regular and repetitive patterning, they are now able to vary the surface patterns to look even more like natural stone as its removed from the earth. </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><u>Nebula</u></strong></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717872065/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="100" id="blogsy-1367963240696.691" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/8717872065_c47418ab3e.jpg" width="713"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8718990980/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="432" id="blogsy-1367963240744.5833" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7399/8718990980_0e16632585.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717873917/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="812" id="blogsy-1367963240760.1716" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7283/8717873917_2d65397508_z.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717874675/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="579" id="blogsy-1367963240771.3235" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7427/8717874675_a0f808536e.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"> <strong><u>Suede</u></strong></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8718992928/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="197" id="blogsy-1367963240684.3052" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7344/8718992928_66b7974337.jpg" width="703"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717876101/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="413" id="blogsy-1367963240723.487" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7361/8717876101_b60197885e.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717877603/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="428" id="blogsy-1367963240730.5608" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/8717877603_9b6afe0a9d.jpg" width="644"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717879543/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="812" id="blogsy-1367963240730.4954" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/8717879543_b22a5234ea_z.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> </p> <p style="text-align: center;"><strong><u> White Zeus Extreme</u></strong></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8718998144/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="185" id="blogsy-1367963240747.628" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7297/8718998144_65b219fc46.jpg" width="701"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717881221/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="431" id="blogsy-1367963240737.3923" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7457/8717881221_6f313f6a8d.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717882123/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="812" id="blogsy-1367963240756.2542" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7378/8717882123_3d9995bbba_z.jpg" width="650"></a> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717883377/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="431" id="blogsy-1367963240739.0813" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/8717883377_6b0b004e04.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">For more detail, visit </span><a href="http://www.silestoneusa.com" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); " target="_self" title="">Silestone</a><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); ">.</span></p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717884893/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="484" id="blogsy-1367963240720.4045" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7385/8717884893_4b24e843a8.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;"> Photo of Eco by Cosentino countertop by Linda Merrill at a Make It Right Foundation house, Lower 9th Ward, New Orleans. </p> <p> </p> <p>The folks at Silestone's sister brand Eco by Cosentino have also been heavily involved in the rebuilding of New Orleans, providing the countertops to Brad Pitt's <a href="http://www.makeitright.org" target="_self" title="">Make It Right Foundation</a>. <a href="http://ECObyCosentino" target="_self" title="">ECO by Cosentino</a>, an innovative line of eco-friendly surfaces made of 75 percent recycled materials, was specified for the kitchens and bathrooms of the Make It Right homes based upon its unique green attributes, C2C (Cradle to Cradle) and GREENGUARD certifications.</p> <p><strong><font size="5">And, breaking news</font></strong>! Tune in on Thursday, May 9th, for a tweetchat #Blogtournola as we all chat about our experiences in New Orleans and in particular the people and places we visited in the zones affected by Hurricane Katrina. Big headline news stories come and go, but that doesn't mean that the story is over. Many, many people are still struggling to rebuild their homes and lives, even while helping others in need. One such hero is Mr. Joe Roberts. </p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3">Joe and Gloria Robert of New Orleans were newlyweds</span><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold; "> </span><span class="s3">looking forward to a bright future together when Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast in August 2005. </span></span><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">Residing in their new house for just one month before Katrina slammed the city, the couple lost everything when the levee behind their house was destroyed - one of 53 levees in the city breached by the storm surge – and canal water swallowed the home. The Roberts evacuated the city, staying with various friends and relatives. When the flood waters receded weeks later, Joe and Gloria moved into a pop-up camper in their driveway for a while, but they’ve also been staying with Joe’s daughter from a previous marriage.</span></p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></span></p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s4" style="font-weight: bold; ">Nearly eight years later, Joe and Gloria’s house is still uninhabitable.</span><span class="s3"> While a new house has been framed out, the building lacks essentials including electrical, drywall, flooring and plumbing. Because Joe is a contractor by trade, he has the skills to work on his house, but he has generously donated much of his free time to volunteering with St. Paul’s Homecoming Center helping to rebuild </span><span class="s6" style="font-style: italic; ">other</span><span class="s3"> people’s houses.</span></span></p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Joe works on his home little by little, but is often derailed by setbacks such as having his house broken into and his tools stolen. Even though Joe was forced to save up until he could replenish his tool supply, he has not lost his faith in humanity. </span>Fortunately, Joe and Gloria received some good news recently when Storehouse of World Vision selected the couple and their house for a rehab project. A few weeks ago Storehouse joined forces with the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and St. Paul’s Homecoming Center to help rehab kitchens and baths in three houses as a lead-in to NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held April 19-21 in New Orleans.</p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; "> </p> <p class="s5" style="text-align: -webkit-auto; margin-bottom: 0px; ">While Storehouse and NKBA partners have donated materials, appliances and labor for a new kitchen and bath in the Robert’s house, the rest of the unfinished home still needs lots of TLC.</p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8717885767/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="332" id="blogsy-1367963240770.2578" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/8717885767_26014868f3.jpg" width="844"></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;">Above - Joe and Gloria Roberts house, April 2013. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8719005082/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="484" id="blogsy-1367963240698.9111" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7290/8719005082_b958610d9a.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p> Joe speaking with us in another home he is rebuilding for the St. Paul's Homecoming Center. </p> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/chameleon-interiors/8719006892/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="aligncenter" height="484" id="blogsy-1367963240780.1414" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7401/8719006892_5a83f2d75e.jpg" width="650"></a></div> <p style="text-align: center;"> Doves released at a building site in Gentilly, New Orleans. </p> <p> We're holding a fundraiser, so please visit this link http<a href="http://www.worldvision.org/nolaprojects">://www.worldvision.org/nolaprojects</a> to learn more. (It should be live later today). There are many worthwhile places for our money in this world, but these people have been working hard for eight years, it would be nice to see their labors rewarded and for them to know that they are not forgotten. </p> <p> </p> <p>Thank you. </p> <p> </p><div style="text-align: right; font-size: small; clear: both;" id="blogsy_footer"><a href="http://blogsyapp.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Posted with Blogsy" height="20" src="http://blogsyapp.com/images/blogsy_footer_icon.png" style="vertical-align: middle; margin-right: 5px;" width="20" />Posted with Blogsy</a></div>

BlogTourNola Sponsor: Silestone by Cosentino and an important message

  BlogTourNola sponsor Silestone by Cosentino showcased some gorgeous new quartz surfaces at KBIS and I am just in love - and I'm no...

Read more »

BlogTourNola: Antiquing on Magazine Street, New Orleans

After our walkabout in the <a href="http://Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to visit all the shops I'd wanted to, " target="_blank">Garden District of New Orleans</a>, out <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/category/blogtour" target="_blank">BlogTourNola</a> group was treated to a guided tour of a few select shops on the famous, and very long, Magazine Street.  Our host was up and coming designer <a href="http://shaunsmithhome.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Smith</a> who owns his own sweet little shop as well. Below are some of my favorite things and links to the shops we visited:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="744" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s640/IMG_2786.JPG" width="558" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.petriciathompsonantiques.com/home.php" target="_blank">Petricia Thompson Antiques / Antiqueties d'Europe</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDF6OI5mDrQhhrl99sWy5OTFQJKdQ5bqcINpbTjM2O0vun0V0fw4Akuk8BNQnzmifs9JEYclxu4huvMuCOn5yLeGu7wFMVb2ZjxQMMu5ZF7qLkDiwPq7hEgbZR6jc502PBHy96UBv5sM/s1600/IMG_2789.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDF6OI5mDrQhhrl99sWy5OTFQJKdQ5bqcINpbTjM2O0vun0V0fw4Akuk8BNQnzmifs9JEYclxu4huvMuCOn5yLeGu7wFMVb2ZjxQMMu5ZF7qLkDiwPq7hEgbZR6jc502PBHy96UBv5sM/s640/IMG_2789.JPG" width="567" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.empireantiques.net/" target="_blank">Empire Antiques</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSXzs83WNmZ70zTnj3gaOhir0jgN1r5GyjgTZbk6i4DEVz28Ju8PFItQvM1qOXwIymh0BLFtkLvp7ZexRExXwj-2uniXHR0T7XcNN0x8N1ISNqRq6TCLCTbhtrZZA30lmdt3aCYl6a4/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSXzs83WNmZ70zTnj3gaOhir0jgN1r5GyjgTZbk6i4DEVz28Ju8PFItQvM1qOXwIymh0BLFtkLvp7ZexRExXwj-2uniXHR0T7XcNN0x8N1ISNqRq6TCLCTbhtrZZA30lmdt3aCYl6a4/s640/IMG_2787.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.malachitehome.com/" target="_blank">Malachite Home</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbQQmtQXz2h_VkzkXetHh4Itn3YRG9bU9euLA4VunaFwnBH1IKhZsNO2zA34O_-ikB5m8EE9m2uYRmJKsu182SzFKTIS3BcwORwZla5YuTup22jGUsrswa6a-M3IPNiiOrj0bALcefVY/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbQQmtQXz2h_VkzkXetHh4Itn3YRG9bU9euLA4VunaFwnBH1IKhZsNO2zA34O_-ikB5m8EE9m2uYRmJKsu182SzFKTIS3BcwORwZla5YuTup22jGUsrswa6a-M3IPNiiOrj0bALcefVY/s640/IMG_2788.JPG" width="567" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bremermanndesigns.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=ZWnEaGZplZSb" target="_blank">Gerrie Bremermann Designs</a> - Ms. Bremermann is one of the Grande Dames of New Orleans design and her shop was just filled with exquisite finds both old and new. Her entire staff was lovely, as was she. My Skirted Roundtable co-host Joni listed Ms. Bremermann as one of her Top Ten Interior designers. Read <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/10/cote-de-texas-top-ten-designers-4.html" target="_blank">Joni's excellent profile here</a>. I actually will admit that I wished I had done so before I visited her shop, which is right next door to our tour guide Shaun Smith's store. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3gGMY-K99fDHbFE5zxiQfM4lm9VVAjBZ5og5tsDV63zsqG2WfFqMcnOO2di0wo6EtWOTwUbZbdDd_63DUFWeHS8-xO0yrNai1BWllT9Vk4O_PPQ1_tm_2gGwmXAikFq2Qeu9CM9hlS0/s1600/IMG_2796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="721" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3gGMY-K99fDHbFE5zxiQfM4lm9VVAjBZ5og5tsDV63zsqG2WfFqMcnOO2di0wo6EtWOTwUbZbdDd_63DUFWeHS8-xO0yrNai1BWllT9Vk4O_PPQ1_tm_2gGwmXAikFq2Qeu9CM9hlS0/s640/IMG_2796.JPG" width="541" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://shaunsmithhome.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Smith Home</a> - a huge thanks to Shaun for putting together our little tour of his Magazine Street neighborhood and for the tasty luncheon! His own shop is imbued with his fresh, young style and filled with pieces that mix both old and new. </div><br />Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to visit all the shops I'd wanted to. I would have loved to visit Brian Batt's <a href="http://www.hazelnutneworleans.com/" target="_blank">Hazelnut</a>, <a href="http://www.perch-home.com/" target="_blank">Perch</a> and <a href="http://julieneill.com/" target="_blank">Julie Niell</a>'s lighting shop and factory.  Julie and I had been emailing about me stopping by, but aside from a quick hello on the sidewalk outside her enticing shop, we had a schedule and couldn't stop in. Some other time, Julie, aka the <a href="http://bayoucontessa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bayou Contessa</a>!! So nice to meet you!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFBL-A5zPy-1wptymAaJ6bFdgGDb3ucMojsa2DgARdMrjpAkeq5MNN7BVoP1M_7yMl84WR17jlHNzPkcB2hSqGCYJVSiZgx_JXbi9KO5QA9-TJsNrCkYGF-o-YKJu5JvTEwXpBw25Or0/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFBL-A5zPy-1wptymAaJ6bFdgGDb3ucMojsa2DgARdMrjpAkeq5MNN7BVoP1M_7yMl84WR17jlHNzPkcB2hSqGCYJVSiZgx_JXbi9KO5QA9-TJsNrCkYGF-o-YKJu5JvTEwXpBw25Or0/s640/IMG_2433.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />And I wanted to send a quick hello to the nice lady from Denver who recognized me from The Skirted Roundtable in Shaun's shop. I'm afraid I forgot to ask your name, but thank you for saying hi!  I was plopped down in a chair, sfitzing from the high-80's heat and humidity, sunburnt and feeling a little bedraggled, so you were a nice pick-me-up!<br /><br />After a quick shower back at the hotel, we headed over to the Odgen Museum for a talk given by Miles Redd about his career and new book The Big Book of Chic. We chatted with <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/11/chatting-with-miles-redd.html" target="_blank">Miles at The Skirted Roundtable</a> last fall and this talk included much of what we had spoken with him about. I've met or chatted with Miles a few times now and he's always the epitome of Southern graciousness. Afterwards, we headed over to Chef Susan Spicer's restaurant <a href="http://www.bayona.com/" target="_blank">Bayona</a>.  BlogTourSponsor <a href="http://www.mrsteam.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mr. Steam</a>, or more precisely Mr. Steam VP Martha Orellana (aka Mrs. Steam) was our hostess with the mostest for this wonderful dinner.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4wDtp0feDQ4pwmQVipph9xRm9vUPnvbsqWI4_rNo2VXwI-9YgpaN36UvISzaNjx6NNTMbNNjUIFq3120vq7BZ620g2adkziCjRAZz9pPG6bznb6hDzjskZN_eKuZ12gdMP4XUqcd6ac/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4wDtp0feDQ4pwmQVipph9xRm9vUPnvbsqWI4_rNo2VXwI-9YgpaN36UvISzaNjx6NNTMbNNjUIFq3120vq7BZ620g2adkziCjRAZz9pPG6bznb6hDzjskZN_eKuZ12gdMP4XUqcd6ac/s640/IMG_1240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I dined on grilled hanger steak, fingerling potatoes and green beans in an amazing bordelaise sauce. Seriously, plate licking good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8670054169_893b356985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8670054169_893b356985.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

BlogTourNola: Antiquing on Magazine Street, New Orleans

After our walkabout in the Garden District of New Orleans , out BlogTourNola group was treated to a guided tour of a few select shops on th...

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