Love Thy Neighbor

We have the best next door neighbors. When we first looked at our house when it was for sale, I thought (and still do) theirs was the cutest house on the block and wished it was the one for sale. As soon as we moved in, a cute blond came over to welcome us to the block, and that was the next door neighbor. She and her husband have become very dear to us. They are Julie and Larry.

When I finally got to see inside their cute shotgun house with a side hall, I love it. It has original floors, high ceilings, one with a plaster medallion, and a great floor plan. Julie is an avid gardener so we are treated to an abundance of beautiful plants and flowers when we look out our window, or pass by.

They are futbol (soccer) fans, and play in adult leagues. Alberto watches games with them. They've taken tango lessons from us. We've been to parties at each others homes, and have gone out to dinner. Their dog Coconut loves out dog Cholo.

Julie has always kept up with my various projects around our house. She reads my blog. She is very complimentary of what I do. It was she who proposed me for The Shotgun House Tour which led to The Renaissance Award, and the cover and  feature in New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles magazine.

She often asked me to help her with her decor, and I gladly said yes. But it took a couple of years. Larry didn't have time to paint, and other pressing things needed attention like replacing the fence between our houses that Katrina blew down. I would always tell her whenever she was ready we would decorate the inside.

The updated living room - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

I had some time this past winter, so I asked Julie if we could work on her living and dining room. She said she didn't have a painter. And I said, girl who do you think painted my house? We're young and fit and we can do it together!

Julie is a collector. She loves antique nick-knacks. She can't say no to a piece of vintage family furniture. So her house was a bit cluttered. Her hallway looked like the parade of curio cabinets. She loves all her stuff, so I needed to find a way to make it all work, and yet give them an updated, younger, fresher look, because they are a younger couple.

Living room before - wallpaper border, shiny green paint, and Fleur Di Lis had to go - red couch had to stay

Living room before - Super tall ceilings did not deter two petite woman!

We cleared out the living room, and painted it Vamp Greige. There was already a hallway painted  red, and a fairly new red leather couch that needed to stay. So I decided to keep red hallway, and key off the color red.
 
There was a modest budget to work with, so we got a new Oushak style rug, a large one to replace the too small Oriental they had. It has just the right amount of red in it. Julie buys quality things, so she had existing silk drapes that looked a little too gold, but the new Oushak and paint color toned them down.

The Oushak brought it all together - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

We added a couple of new lamps, moved art work around, moved in some smaller pieces of furniture, got some vintage Audubon prints from eBay and framed them with frames from a big box store. I found a fabulous large Ming style coffee table at Discoveries and Julie loved it for its classic lines, yet rustic and sturdy finish. Julie had purchased a pair of killer Mid Century Modern chairs last year, and I had her get the cushions reupholstered in a bold Ikat linen from Duralee.

The pair of cool Mid Century chairs were reupholstered in Duralee Ikat by Leonels - Julie made all the toss pillows

The  amazing Ming style coffee  table I found at Discoveries Furniture Finds on Ramnpart Street

Living room after - I created a bar area in a corner using one of Julie's antique pieces - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

Next we moved to the dining room. It had some lovely pink floral wallpaper that had to be stripped. We had a wallpaper border in the living room, and that was easy to remove compared to the wallpaper in the dining room.

We stripped the wallpaper in the dining room

The original dining rooms set needed to be kept. So I found four white leather chairs with nail head trim to break it up and make it more modern. We recovered the seats of the old chairs with white moc-croc and nail heads. It really updated the trad set. Julie had already purchased a pair of silk drapes in a metallic color, and I had her sew rings on the pole tops panels, and we added return rods. I asked her how she felt about leopard, and pointed her to an indoor/outdoor rug that I thought would be Coconut friendly.

We kept the red paint in the hallway

A huge mirror that was one hung on the wall, became a leaning mirror. The china cabinet was restyled to accommodate Julie's beloved collections. She had some white corbels and brackets that became plate stands. But the biggest change was that we painted her chandelier red! It's a big brass thing, and it's okay. The red paint job made it a spectacular show stopper. I contributed a pair of lamps with red lamp shades that look far better in her house, than they ever did in mine.

Julie's dining room "after" - photo Sara Essex Bradley

It took us two girls a couple of months to do all of this. Julie has a day job, and a busy sports schedule, and Mardi Gras

I keyed off the red hallway - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

White brackets and corbels became plate holders and I gifted the lamps to Julie who has gifted me with years of friendship - photo by Sara Essex Bradley

Our Shopping List and Sources: 

• Vamp Greige paint- Wal Mart
• Red spray paint - Wal Mart
• Oushak - Bokaei Rug Gallery
• Ming style coffee table - Discoveries Furniture Finds
• Vintage Audubon bird prints - eBay
• White leather dining chairs - Overstock
• Leopard indoor/outdoor rug in dining room - Ballards
• Moc-croc fabric for dining chairs - fabric.com
• Duralaee Ikat for Mid Century chairs - fabric.com
• Metallic silk drapes in dining room - Overstock
• Return rods and curtain rings - Overstock
• Upholstery by Leonels
• Lamps in living room - World Market, Wal Mart, Restoration Hardware
• Prints over bar in living room - Hazelnut
• "New" antique style plaster ceiling medallion for dining room - eBay
• Heavy chandelier chain - Shades of Light

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Don't Miss Beasts Of The Southern Wild

When my friend Richard Corliss likes a movie, I take notice. He is the film critic for Time magazine, but that's not why his opinion matters. He's an old friend from my days in the Museum of Modern Art Film Department, and he is one of the smartest guys I know on the subject of the cinema.

So when I saw his glowing blurb about a movie with an impossible title: Beasts of the Southern Wild, I made a mental note to go see it. I had no idea what it was about.

Quvenzhané Wallis

...

Hushpuppy - She will make shrimp boots trend

Quvenzhané Wallis

...

Hushpuppy - She will make shrimp boots trend

Last week Alberto and I actually stood on a movie line at the Prytania Theater in New Orleans to see Beasts. As a New Yorker, I am used to standing on movie lines in New York, but never in twelve years of being in New Orleans have I seen or stood on a movie line (and at 2PM)!

As I learned that day from Alberto, Beasts was shot in Louisiana. There have been lines for every showing since it opened. The premiere was held at the newly reborn Joy Theater on Canal Street, risen from the rot of Katrina which finished destroying it after years of neglect.

The opening of Beasts of the Southern Wild at The Joy Theater - the two stars, the director and the writer

A star is born - A little girl from Houma, Louisiana at the Cannes Film Festival who I'm sure is Oscar bound

Beasts of the Southern Wild is an amazing beautiful movie. Shot by a New Yorker who moved to New Orleans in 2006 (another New New!), and starring two local non actors, a baker and a little girl from Houma.

It was shot on 16mm film (not digital), for under two million dollars (which is chump change in Hollywood terms), with a local crew of 70 odd people working in the part of Louisiana that is washing away as the wetlands erode from global warming and hurricane damages.

On the set - Director and Star

The movie is lovely to look at, a throwback to the art of making an independent film. A young Terrence Malick came to mind from his glory days when he made Days of Heaven. There is also a Mad Max-Steampunk vibe, but with a wild wonderful Louisiana twist. An old Kirk Douglas-Tony Curtis movie called The Vikings also came to mind.

A car boat for the getting around on the fringe

The story is about a little girl and her father, and a community of people who live way off the grid and way beyond the fringe. It is magical, unique, and worth seeing. Even if you're not from Louisiana, you can join in the way this film celebrates life.

A father daughter story destined to become a classic

I'm still on my road trip on a photo shoot with Sara Essex Bradley. As we drive across the state of Louisiana I come to love it more and more.

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Sensible

She enjoys a good Salade Niçoise, and twirling around the studio every so often while blasting disco (in a pair of pumps in timeless leopard and a sensible heel height)...

Leopard pump with a sensible heel

I'm off to a road trip with photographer Sara Essex Bradley to shoot for the decor book we are doing for Glitterati. Don't know if I can blog from the road, so sit tight and twirl.

In the meantime check out this shopping site Nasty Gal. Great collection of clothes and shoes (and a cute blog) for the Rock and Roll twirl girl inside of you.

Cute leopard bootie with low heel

Nasty Gal started as the eBay store Nasty Gal Vintage. Founder Sofia Amoruso has a  killer instinct and intense passion and along with a few hundred bucks, she set up Nasty Gal's headquarters in her apartment. She did everything herself: mined for gems at Goodwill, shot & styled each look, wrote product descriptions, and did her best to spread the word online. Each week, her stock would spark bidding wars among tastemakers. Soon she started asking friends for help. Eventually, those friends became employees. Nasty Gal moved into its own studio space and its own URL, leaving eBay in the dust to build what would become one of the most coveted online retail destinations.

Need it a little flatter?

Leopard platform boot with 3 inch heel - I am so getting these!

You have to admire a shopping sight that has so many leopard print shoes to choose from (and I didn't show them all to you!), and such a great point of view.

Flat and sassy

Desert boot with a little wedge

Founder of Nasty Gal Sofia Amoruso

Sofia says that the name of her company was inspired by the song and album “Nasty Gal” by Betty Davis, the patron saint of badass women, who was known for her unapologetic sexy funk music and uncompromising vision of femininity—complete with leopard stilettos.

Betty Davis Nasty Gal

So off you go to browse and shop at Nasty Gal.

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I Have A New Column At House Of Fifty

The new issue of House of Fifty just dropped. Turn to page 42 and see my first column for them called Advanced Decor.  HOF will be publishing Advanced Decor in every issue!

I chose to profile the fabulous Joni Webb of Cote de Texas. Joni did an in depth post about her experience that I know you will all love to read. Go on over there and tell her The Vamp sent you.

I am proud to be part of the team at House of Fifty

At one point Joni quips, "Not sure if Advance Décor means décor for the advanced aged????".

Go to page 42 of House of Fifty to read my article about Joni Webb

Well it's Advanced, not advance, and it means that one is expert and experienced and the best at what they do, and that one has the audacity of age to share their gift with people of all ages, that they are "advanced" not "beginners". It's like getting a master class from whoever inspires me to write about them. Being advanced comes with time.

So go check out House of Fifty. It is jam packed with wonderful fresh photos of decor and great articles that anyone at any age will love.

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Sunday By The Sea - Cuba The Elusive Island

It's no secret that I am a fan of the work of the photographer Tria Giovan. She has done a lot of work photographing coastal homes and places. So for this Sunday By The Sea post, I chose to show her work again, this time the amazing work she did in Cuba.

A porch in Cuba - photo by Tria Giovan

What better place to enjoy the coastal light than the island of Cuba. Sun and sea washed colors pervade in that magical time capsule of a place, trapped and preserved in elegance and decadence.

The sun and sea washed colors in Havana - photo by Tria Giovan

Tria first went to Havana in 1990. Over the next six years she returned eleven times, taking hundreds of photos that made a body of work that became a book: Cuba The Elusive Island.

Cuba The Elusive Island by Tria Giovan and Marilu Mendez

Tria says that the diverse architecture of sultry Havana, the enigmatic landscapes of the countryside, and the people's openness and warmth made for a compelling time there.

The compelling and enigmatic landscape of the countryside in Cuba - photo Tria Giovan

Havana interior - Love the colors, the rocking chairs, the tile floor - photo by Tria Giovan

Isn't this the perfect Sunday lunch? Photo by Tria Giovan

After lunch let's go dancing at the beach club - photo by Tria Giovan

More fabulous Havana color - photo by Tria Giovan

Retro modernism - photo by Tria Giovan

Current modernism at the Havana Libre Hotel - photo by Tria Giovan

The incredilbe light and color of  the Havana skyline washed by sea and sun - photo by Tria Giovan

Sunday By The Sea in Havana, Cuba - photo by Tria Giovan

I hope you enjoy Tria's photos of Cuba as much as I do. Havana is a place I would love to visit. In the meantime, there is her wonderful book to enjoy and dream on.

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New Orleans Style

New Orleans is one of those places that has unique style. It's been this way for 300 years, a visual feast sprung from early French, Spanish, and Afro-Caribbean influences, and later adding elements of 19th century American style, along with the immigrant cultures of Italian, German, and Irish.

from New Orleans Elegance and Decadence by Richard Sexton

There is a certain sun washed quality combined with the elegance of European furnishings all percolating in a swampy brew of humidity. Swamp Palazzo.  Elegance and decadence.

Swamp Palazzo style from New Orleans Elegance and Decadence by Richard Sexton

Post Katrina New Orleans has created another element of style, something I call New NOLA Style. A dash of the modern has been added to the witches brew, since many, many old things were washed away by flood waters, or oceans of mildew. It was time to refresh the beloved tried and true.

Pre Katrina interior from New Orleans Elegance and Decadence by Richard Sexton

Of course after Katrina many elements of the tried and true were recreated and reproduced. Antique and vintage pieces were purchased to replace things that were lost and destroyed. Those lucky not to lose their old family things also felt the urge to update and renew. Everyone wanted to add something fresh and fun.

From New Orleans Elegance and Decadence by Richard Sexton

This month at Houzz Becky Harris wrote a great article about New Orleans, and I did a Guest Picks there to tell you where to get 20 things to get New Orleans Style. Go check it out.

From New Orleans Elegance and Decadence by Richard Sexton

 

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Bloggers Can You Spare A Dime?

Tom Landry and Shawn Richard are great people. They are each successful in their professions, Tom an architect/designer. and Shawn an attorney. They have a wonderful family life in New Orleans, a beautiful home, a son, and dog and a cat. They are blessed like so many of us.

Happy 4th!

Two years ago, after the earthquake in Haiti, Tom went to Port au Prince to help out. At the time, he didn't exactly know how that would manifest itself, but in no time he found himself at the St. Vincent's Center for Handicapped Children. St. Vincent's was full up (and hard up) before the earthquake, so you can imagine the dire situation after the earthquake, when thousands of children were disabled and orphaned.

Little girl in Haiti

Seeing all those kids made Tom think of his own dear nephew, Jake. Jake is disabled, and as it often goes with stricken children, Jake has the aura of angel about him, cheerful, hopeful, and wanting to help other kids like him.

Tom Landry with his nephew Jake Richard - Tom is the director of Camp Jake

Tom hatched an idea, along with the help of Physicians For Peace (and The Red Thread Promise) to create a respite and an opportunity for the kids at St. Vincent's. He created Camp Jake.

Camp Jake is specifically designed for the children with disabilities. The camp is held for two sessions each year, one in the winter and one in the summer.  This is an amazing experience for the precious orphans of St. Vincent’s. Camp Jake turns a long, winter or summer break with no family, no school, and no respite from cultural ridicule into cherished memories.

This is the resort that turns into Camp Jake for ten days for the orphans at St. Vincent's

Camp Jake is designed to remove physical and emotional barriers, giving the children an opportunity to engage in:

• Creative arts, such as sculpting, painting, music, sewing, and jewelry making, both fun and therapeutic. These activities also teach valuable skills that may enable career opportunities later in life.

Creative arts at Camp Jake

• Physical outlets including sports, aquatics, dancing, and even a special Olympics designed to develop their self confidence.

• Social activities including cooking, dancing, storytelling, and cultural exchanges between the children and the counselors.

Campers will be encouraged to wholly express themselves physically and emotionally. They will have the opportunity to explore life in ways that will broaden their horizons, creating life-long memories.

We're talking about kids with no arms, no legs, blind - you name a physical disability and one of these kids has it.

So as bad as a long hot summer gets for all of us...well you get the idea.

Go to the Red Thread Promise blog and make a donation with the Paypal button.
$5. or $10. will be great, and yes, small amounts of philanthropy make a difference.

Throughout the year, Tom raises money for everything from a water filtration system to grooming and school supplies to 100 wheelchairs for St. Vincent's. You haven't experienced exasperation until the heartless commercial airline with one of the only flights to Haiti, charges a $600. extra baggage fee for one wheelchair traveling to Port au Prince on an empty plane.

I want you to see,  that your dime, your $10. will be greatly appreciated.

Tom helped raise money to send 100 wheelchairs to St. Vincent's

Tom and Shawn are getting ready to leave for Camp Jake, taking supplies with them for St. Vincent's. There is always time to donate. Not enough money was raised this year, but Tom and Shawn could not disappoint the children and cancel.

Let's add a few blogger donations to the equation!

So I am asking all of us design bloggers to help them out HERE.
Alberto and I made a donation using the link. In the box marked special instructions I asked that the donation be given to Camp Jake.

Thanks!

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