Recently, I took on New Orleans.
New Orleans, a place of refined culinary skill, vibrant art, and all the visuals my heart could desire. New Orleans looked exactly how I had fantasized. It’s been a dream of mine to visit since I was 10 years old and Princess and The Frog came out. Tiana sold me on the beignets….
Recently, I celebrated the welcoming of my soon to be marriage with a trip to New Orleans. Accompanied by some of my closest friends/family. I was intentional about traveling here because I knew that I would fall in love with the aesthetics. The architecture, the decor, and presentation…. everything was beautiful. Even in the corners of the city that many may overlook.
It hadn’t fallen short of my expectations.
If you know me, you know that I love vintage styles. Specifically, old french gothic design. High ceilings, arches, moody color, crown molding… all of it. I’m in love with it. In combination with art deco and engaging art, my happy place is found.
I really appreciated the use of color throughout the city. Even the industrial styled buildings hosted color to accent the brick. It matched the vibrant energy of the community and the people it hosts. Everyone I encountered while here were so hospitable and genuine. They would go out of their way to make you feel welcomed and immersed in the experience of New Orleans. I love that feeling when I travel to a new place. I believe that the use of color throughout places can influence mood and emotions. So, if there’s any truth to that, the people of New Orleans have proved it with their lively energy.
Jazz seemed to influence a lot of the city. You can see it in the streets, lounges and art. I didn’t get to experience much of it, but I will make it a mission the next time I go. It was nice to see the murals dedicated to the city’s love for music.
My favorite aspect that I noticed throughout many of the building in New Orleans, specifically downtown, was the lighting. Warm low-lighting was used many times to dramatize the aspects that aren’t emphasized as much during the day.
The chandeliers need an honorable mention. The high ceilings were dramatic enough with the crown moldings but the elegantly dynamic chandeliers really brought the eye upward. It drew attention all on its own and brought many of the spaces together. The chandeliers added extra touches of grand luxury and seemed to be a staple amongst many of the buildings throughout the city.
I got to sneak a peek of a hotel that I did not stay in. As a lollygagged through hotel, I found a golden limewash wallpaper in one of the halls. I loved it so much because it reminded me of the green limewash walls in my living room back home. It was gorgeous. If you aren’t familiar with the living room walls that I am referring to, you can take a look on a previous blog post that I made called, “Try… The Truth About The Walls.”
Finding attributes that I carry in my own home inspired me to continue on the path with the ideas that I have and not to worry about what may be “ideal” to the modern styles of design. Beauty is subjective. I favor a mixture of styles that have color and texture and all types of shapes and sizes that fit my unique space.
Being in this beautifully remarkable city made me realize that I shouldn’t be caught up trying to make things “perfect.” My version of perfect will never be a good starting point. Perfection comes after beginning and learning from previous mistakes.
So many times, I would think to myself about the things I’ve envisioned as being “too busy.” Even if it looks nice to me, I’ve considered watering my creativity down. Being in New Orleans showed me that I don’t have to do that. If I like it and it looks nice, no matter the age or style, it can work. A lot of it is about the spirit that you implement into your own personal style. That spirit has to be motivated to create. I believe the difference between a decorator and an interior designer, is that an interior designer has the willingness to test boundaries and create unique space that blend different styles for an amazing result.
I knew that much of the interior design styles I’d find in New Orleans, would be similar to that of which I’ve found in Detroit; Given the history of French settlement in both areas. There were halls that I’d walk down in New Orleans hotels and would find similar tile style to that of which you’d find in a standard Detroit home design. Many that were built in late 19th/early 20th century, that is. These homes were built with Queen Anne/Victorian-style inspiration. A style that I am now learning a new love for, as I age.
I really appreciated the preservation of antique accents in different spaces as well. Gold seems to be a favored metal used to emphasize the style and design of many of the spaces in New Orleans.
It’s safe to say that I will be returning to New Orleans. I haven’t even laid my eyes on half of the beauty that the city has to offer, yet, everything I saw was 1000% worth the visit. I want to fall into a deep dive of the history, exploring museums and historical landscapes. The city is so rich with culture and history that it’s impossible to see everything that you’d want to experience in one 5 day visit. The food itself needs its own dedicated escapade.
Speaking of food, honorable mention to The B-Spot, it has AMAZING food. We loved everything that we ate there, but my absolute favorite dish was the Oxtail Grits. The customer service was outstanding and most of all, it was CLEAN. Which is such an important factor for me when eating out. They have a bar with tasty, aesthetical drinks and quick service timing. I don’t usually return to the same spot in a city twice when I travel because I like to cover a range of eateries, but I will absolutely return here when I come back.
If you’ve made it this far and have enjoyed reading this article, make sure to stay updated on other posts I have in my blog section by clicking here. I also have home interior inspiration in the Iconic Design Board section of my website and more regularly updated boards on my Pinterest @trywithzi.