Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Kellie and Marc


Today I have the great pleasure to bring you a very special reader's home. She has been coming to perch. in New Orleans for design ideas, and over the last couple of years has become very dear to us.


A wing chair now in Kellie's house next to an antique armoire
Fabric from perch. - Note the matching dog bed!


I met Kellie when I first started working at perch. I liked her right away, liked the choices she made in the shop. We struck up a friendship. Sometimes she brought her husband Marc with her, who is adorable.

The wing chair then - cute, but Kellie made it cuter!


Kellie loves to decorate, though she is not one aspiring to be a designer or a decorator. Her Mom has always done interesting serial home renovating and decorating, and Kellie can't remember a time some craft project was happening in her house.

Kellie is one of four girls. She was fortunate enough to grow up in a home where her mom was constantly redesigning, redecorating and rearranging. All four of the “girls” have the decorating bug, although they all have different styles.

Kellie says, "Maybe it’s genetic!?! When my mom was ready for a change, she went for it. One time mom decided she didn’t like the location of her kitchen. She called the plumber, electrician, painter, and carpenter and had them move her kitchen to an entirely different part of the house. The funny thing is…nobody flinched…not Dad, not my sisters. We were used to the constant projects and upgrades".


Bright green paint and a gas lantern are touches added by Kellie and Marc


The house is a new build in Greta, Louisiana, just on the other side of the Mississippi River from perch. It is adorable, and looks like it has been there for a hundred years.

Kellie and Marc purchased the house in August of 2004. Initially, Marc did not like the house at all and did not want to buy it. Admittedly, it wasn’t too spectacular. It needed some help but Kellie knew she could make the house a beautiful home. Also, she loved the neighborhood and loved the fact that they could walk to church, the post office, bank, coffee shop, florist, etc.


Kellie's design books

Kellie loves design books, and magazines, and blogs, and she is well versed in what's happening in the design world. She knows how to use trends, and make them her own long lasting classics.
Her style is decidedly feminine, what's she calls as girly.

Kellie tells us, "Marc’s and my home is in a constant state of change. In the six years we have been in the house we have added a sun room, added a fireplace, re-did the kitchen, painted each room a godzillion times, and added and subtracted furniture and art. The den has been four different colors. Thank god my husband’s patient!"


Basket of shoes by the side door


What inspires Kellie's decor choices? She tells us, "I am definitely feminine and girly—maybe from growing up in a house full of girls. I like soft pastel-ly colors and lots of whites. I always lean toward soft pinks and lavenders. My husband is pretty laid back about my girlie-ness and decorating and takes it all in stride. His only request was that we not have a pink bedroom. So I painted our bedroom a color called Lily Lavender! I try to have an eclectic assortment of furniture. I don’t want to be too matchy-matchy. My furniture ranges from mid-century to antique French to contemporary. And I love, love, love buying art!"

Marc is perfectly at ease with Kellie's choices, and loves how pretty she has made their home.

Kellie and Marc

Marc is in the military, and has been deployed overseas for a year. He is home for a small leave for a week or so, and Kellie is anxious to show him some of the changes she's made while he has been away.

Marc is a Sergeant First Class in the U.S. Army. He is an infantry soldier and has spent the past six months serving in Iraq. Marc knows that anytime he leaves for a deployment he will be coming home to an “updated” and changed house. Working on the house keeps Kellie occupied, and keeps her mind off of the realities of his job.

Detail of antique armoire doors

Kellie is a methodical decorator. She knows what she wants, and she saves up her cash for it. She works hard, and she shops wisely. She loves to mix vintage and antique and contemporary things, using a pale color palette of blues, whites, grays, lavender, and pink.

Detail of antique armoire


There is a pooch in the house named Toulouse, so everything is dog friendly. Toulouse is affectionately called Lucy, and was found walking the streets of Houston.

Lucy

She was homeless and they took her in. Kellie says, "I didn’t want a dog but Marc loved her so much that I caved."

Lucy has been a great dog and takes good care of Kellie while Marc is away. They assume Lucy is about 7 years old although they aren’t quite sure.


Kellie shops at perch. , and at other stores on Magazine Street. She supports local businesses as much as possible. She also is a savvy internet shopper.

She loves high end luxury things as well as anyone, but if her budget does allow for them, she scales down and uses one or two really nice things mixed in.

The living room
Kravet linen covered sofa - a definite investment and splurge

Synthetic Antelope area rug is very affordable
All of these pieces including fabric for pillows
and white lacquer coffee table are from perch.
Pink chair is vintage


Kellie's sister made the pillows

Vintage trim on pillow from perch.


Papier mache antelope head over fireplace - Stray Dog from perch.

Vintage pink chair


Right after Katrina, Kellie bought three Julie Neill chandeliers. She saved up for them and bought them one at a time. The prices were more reasonable then, though certainly not bargain basement.


Dining room chandelier then


Recently Kellie wanted to change her dining room chandelier, to coordinate with a Julie Neill fixture in her open floor plan kitchen/dining area/ living room. She had a modern one that ended up HERE

The two different chandeliers really work!


We searched long and hard for her, and realized that matching the kitchen fixture would be impossible, and that two different chandeliers could coexist, and be quite interesting and beautiful.

The dining room chandelier now


We considered many possibilities, but came back to a classic Swedish/French style wood turned chandelier. The only problem was the cost. Another Julie Neill chandelier was not doable.


The candle chandelier was wired for electricity
Antique Swedish dining table from perch.


I found a candle chandelier at Tommys Flower Shop in the French Quarter (933 Rue Royal, New Orleans, LA 70116, phone - 504-522-6563), and we had our perch. electrician wire it up.

The best part is that the cost was only $465. total! Compared to the starting cost in the $2000. range for a chandelier style like this we were pleased and Kellie was thrilled.

Kellie's grandmother's china

Kellie has some lovely china from her grandmother, and she mixes in vintage silverware and lovely monogrammed linen napkins when she sets the table.

Hem stitch linen napkin and vintage silverware

Dining room


Marc and Kellie had the kitchen redone. It has a small footprint, so they were able to use the luxury items they wanted: stone counter tops, farm house sink, stainless appliances, Carera subway tile black splash, and the drum style Julie Neill chandelier.


Carera marble subway tiles

The kitchen has a great mix


Each of the three bedrooms in the home are unique and beautiful.

The front bedroom has a French daybed, an antique tall clock, a zebra print hide on the floor, and a Lucite desk with a seat belt chair.

Seat belt chair from perch. paired with a Lucite desk


The white linen drapes with the wide black border were made by Kellie's sister. The chandelier is Julie Neill.

Antique daybed and Julie Neill chandelier in the office

Antique case clock in the bedroom that doubles as an office


The guest bedroom is all vintage from the charming painted bed and dresser, to the lamps and the chandelier.

Vintage painted bed in the guest room

The silk drapes were made by Kellie's sister, and the hand made return rod came from perch. The mirror night stands are from Pottery Barn.

Kellie got one king sham from Leontine Linens for the guest room
She said they were so nice to her to suggest this as a way to have a little luxury



It's no secret that Leontine Linens has beautiful and pricey things. So Kellie just got one king size monogrammed pillow sham for her guest bed. Just that one thing makes the bed look luxe.


Vintage painted dresser in guest room
Metal antlers from perch.


The lavender master bedroom has the third Julie Neill chandelier.

Kellie and Marc and I have been married for 7 years. They are a great match!

She says, "I’m a high-strung lunatic and he is cool, calm and laid-back. I am fortunate that my husband lets me do my thing with the house. He never balks at my girlie decorating or my constant projects. He is definitely secure in his masculinity. I think it’s great that my combat soldier of a husband sleeps in a Lily Lavender bedroom."

The Lily Lavender master bedroom


There are vintage side tables and chairs, and a fabulous Barbara Barry vanity with a Kartell Victoria Ghost chair and an antique trumeau mirror above it.


Barbara Barry vanity

Kartell Victoria Ghost chair

Side table in master bedroom

Silk drapes in master bedroom



The enclosed back porch (sun room) is adorable, with a French settee covered in pink on one side of the room, and a pair of sleek white Barcelona chairs on the other.


White drapes and a pink settee on the back porch


Heavily lined white duck drapes are very elegant and help keep the room cool in the Summer and warm in the winter.

White Barcelona chairs on the back porch


White Barcelona chairs on back porch


Lady paintings on the porch

Sweet blue shed in the back yard


The art collection interweaves a story throughout the entire house. Kellie and Marc collect local artists, and what they love. It is colorful and whimsical.


Side hall art gallery


The lady painting collection is impressive, and Kellie is always looking for another pretty lady to add to the bevy of beauties that grace her walls.


Vintage lady paintings

Vintage lady paintings

Vintage lady paintings


So there you have it! Kellie and Marc and their pretty little house. I hope it inspires you and that you had as much fun looking at all the photos as I had taking them.


Doll house in the office


Kellie's sister Maggie, is a beautiful seamstress and she has sewn all of the curtains and pillows throughout the house. She has an etsy website where she sells her original designs and creations, and she can also make just about anything to order.

In addition to her etsy website she sews military bags and purses for a company called “Hero On My Arm”. You can order a bag HERE


Kellie's sister Maggie makes the "Hero On My Arm" bags


Maggie used Marc's old fatigues and lined the bag with cute a cute floral


I asked Kellie how her home made her and Marc feel: "I am definitely a nester, and I love my nest. My job is in sales and I spend my days talking and meeting and negotiating. At the end of the day, I want tranquility. My house is just that…soft, calm and quiet. I love when it’s late at night and Marc and I are on the couch watching TV with the dog at our feet and the dishwasher humming. I feel safe and serene. So lovely. Marc’s much simpler and easier than me. He just wants a place to eat his Cheetos, take a shower, and grow tomatoes."



Marc and Kellie both grew up in New Orleans but in different parts of the city. She was a west bank kid (Algiers) and Marc grew up in eastern New Orleans and the Northshore. They both love New Orleans and plan on staying.



PS Today is my birthday. I am holding at 100! My birthday wish is for Marc and all those who are serving to come home safe and sound.

36 comments:

  1. HAPPPPPPPPPPY bd AND MANY MANY MORE!!

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  2. ENJOY your birthday!!! J'adore that pink settee... and I think they should have a Fifi Flowers colourful painting on their wall ;)

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  3. love her art collection, very fun. i happy birthdayed you on facebook and heree is another. may your wish come true.

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  4. Happy Birthday and may your wish come true!

    That wee house is jammed pack full of ideas!

    Congrats to you both for a great job!

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  5. Here I am up in the middle of the night with insomnia thinking that I might get to be the first one to wish you Happy Birthday. But I should have known that all the other "creatives" are out there stumbling about in the wee hours along with me. But anyway, happiest of birthdays to you Valorie!

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  6. What a great story and WOW does Kelly ever have great style! I know she has a great friend in you....I know I do!
    Happy birthday darling.....you are the very best!
    xoxo

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  7. What a great story and WOW does Kelly ever have great style! I know she has a great friend in you....I know I do!
    Happy birthday darling.....you are the very best!
    xoxo

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  8. I think that house is nothing short of a HERO and I need to sketch it for a sweet homecoming party invite!
    Happy Birthday and safe home!
    Love her style!
    pve

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  9. What a beautiful house and a beautiful post. Happy Birthday VV!

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  10. Happy Bday and thanks so much for the tour. That is my favorite kind of post. I used to live in Old Gretna on Huey P. Long so I know how great that area is! Kelly's home is beautiful.

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  11. Looking good for 100, girl. Great post and one lucky girl to have a creative mentor like you and a beautiful shop like Perch to make it all work. It's great to see young women so involved in making a home. Best of luck to this young couple. Congratulations on your birthday.

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  12. I really enjoyed this entire post so much! Happy Birthday -- I am right behind you at about 99 in a couple of weeks.

    Scribbler

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  13. Happy 100th! ;) GREAT post...Marc and Kelli's home is truly inspired. Absolutely stunning.

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  14. Thanks for sharing Marc and Kelli's home! It was absolutely lovely! I loved how she put everything together, and that there was thought put into everything she purchased.

    Happy Birthday! You are a day before mine!

    Sue

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  15. Such a beautiful, inspiring home! I love love love the art collection - gosh, I want that!!

    And Happy Birthday :)

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  16. What an adorable house, I love the lady pictures and the pink mardi gras indian portrait too. So New Orleans or in this case, West Bank!
    Happy Birthday Vamplette.
    XO-Sabina

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  17. What a beautiful home. I love all the artwork. But most of all... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

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  18. Wonderful home - thank Kellie for letting you share.

    Happy Birthday!

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  19. Happy Birthday Valerie!

    I love all the careful mix Kellie has accomplished all over their home.
    Love love the vanity mirror combo, she may not aspire but I'd love to go shopping with her any day.

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  20. That armoire, the chandeliers and the pink settee make me swoon~
    Happy Birthday! I hope to visit NO soon and Perch shall be the first place I visit~

    Kelli
    http://houseofjoleigh.blogspot.com/

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  21. What a gorgeous home! I love the mix of traditional and modern, especially with such a soothing color palette. I'm definitely inspired!

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  22. Happiest of birthdays to you! I love so much about that house. I'll leave it at that.

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  23. WEll Happy Birthday young lady!

    delightful trip through a very delightful home..I can see your touch in it too :)

    big bisous for you this day!!!

    Kit

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  24. Happy Birthdy! This is one of the best posts you have done. Loved it!

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  25. those lady paintings are so awesome.
    what great style and taste kellie has...
    the sun porch is my favorite for sure...
    also happy birthday to you!!!!
    xoxox
    j

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  26. Happy Birthday! You're giving us all a present with this great post. Kellie is very talented....I would be in so much trouble living in NOLA. I love the way she mixes things up and they sound like the perfect couple he caves on the house and she caves on the dog. Everybody's happy!!!!!!Maryanne xo

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  27. I've had the pleasure of seeing Kellie & Marc's home in person, and you really did it justice with your feature. And her sister Maggie makes the prettiest things, she really does. The whole family got an extra share of creativity I think!

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  28. What a beautiful home. I hope you have a great birthday 1

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  29. Great writing and great home! I have the antelope carpet in my children's playroom.

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  30. Beautiful. Love the armoire and the chandelier that you found her.

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  31. This was really interesting Valorie
    Happy Birthday!
    xxx

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  32. I find her collection of original art so refreshing and personal. Many decors I see are void of original art work and lack the spirit and soul of the homeowner. Books, original art and one of a kind pieces make a space a home
    Helen

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  33. Happy Happy Birthday Valorie!
    Loved this post...not just because the images are beautiful (love the antique armoir and the pink settee), but because I so appreciate women who just do what their hearts tell them to do. Kellie is great, and so is her house.

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  34. I loved this post. My favourite parts of Kellie's home were the pink settee, the wooden dining room chandelier and the unusual seatbelt seat and perspex desk.

    Happy Birthday VV.

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  35. Happy Happy Birthday!!! Kellie's house is amazing....love the porch, the curtains, garden stools, pink settee....everything about that room!

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  36. so inspiring...LOVE that desk. happy to find your blog. hope you stop by and say hello. x

    happy weekend.
    m.fay

    http://www.amateurcouture.com

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