I'm currently showing the work of Michelle Rosato Tullis in the art gallery part of my shop. Michelle is a talented artist and interior designer who grew up in New Orleans. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, she uses a collage format to produce her vibrant images. She loves the process of layering ideas and thoughts through texture and color, creating a visual story on canvas. Michelle often uses copies of old letters from Europe and New Orleans giving her work a sense of history rendered thorough contemporary painting techniques. Her paintings come across as both fresh and timeless. Michelle recently came into possession of a bound volume of copies of The Times Picayune, our New Orleans newspaper, from the 1920's which she is currently using in her collages. New Orleanians, nostalgic by nature, and even more so after Katrina, can't get enough of her latest pieces. It is so interesting to see advertisements for things long gone but not forgotten included within these pieces which are rendered in such an upbeat way. These paintings are not just about happy memories, they are beautiful jewel-toned homages to the New Orleans of long ago. Yet, one need not be a New Orleanian to revel in the pleasure of experiencing these paintings. Her pieces which contain old real estate listings are very popular. It's fun to imagine a time when a beautiful home could be purchased for around fifteen thousand dollars or less. One local real estate agent has purchased several pieces as housewarming gifts for his clients. Although this current show will be ending this week, we will be placing Michelle's work throughout the rest of the showroom. It is a priviledge to show the work of this talented artist. I love how beautiful her things look in my gallery.

I was so touched and excited to have been honored with the "You Make My Day" award by the articulate and talented, over-the-top, on a quest for beauty in an upside down world, Topsy Turvy.

Started by Carolina Eclectic, its a truly imaginative way to give an appreciative accolade to fellow bloggers who inspire and entertain us, and to share blogs we love with other bloggers who may also enjoy them.

Here are the rules:

1. Write a post with the links to 5 blogs that "make your day".

2. Acknowledge the post of the award giver.

3. Tell the award winners they won by commenting on their blogs.

I had so much fun with this, but couldn't narrow it down to just five, so here are the six blogs that "made my day!"

Things that Inspire was one of the first blogs I found, and from that day forward, it has been a favorite because Sarah brings such insights into the world of design and architecture. Her posts are both beautiful and educational and I really admire her ability to create an in depth look at her subject matter. I love the rooms she chooses to include in her posts because they are true to her taste. I am also happy that she has become my friend!

I love the name of Habitually Chic's blog because it is so darned true. This girl makes being chic and writing about all that is chic a wonderful habit. It just comes naturally to her and I never get enough of reading her observations and opinions on all that is stylish and of course, chic! Her pictures never fail to inspire. An example, this unbelievable photo of this bridal dress and train just blew me away!

Absolutely Beautiful Things makes my day all the time because the beautiful and talented designer Anna Spiro posts about just that. I love seeing photos of her work, both in her wonderful shop which she has way over in Australia (sigh, too far to drop in on) and in her design projects which she generously shares with us. This Lulu 2 Seater Sofa is a fine example of her design talent!(I want one.)

What can I say about All Things Bright and Beautiful? The photographs she uses are so very gorgeous they take my breath away, but what really wowed me has been her ongoing series of blogging tips posts. This is such an act of blogging generosity as well as artistry. Those posts are as beautiful as they are informative, and her invitations to other bloggers to offer their ideas shows just what kind of friend she is to all of us. Being the biggest technical blogging klutz of the century, I am in such awe of her knowledge that I have nothing to add but a big Thank You!

Patricia Gray is, in my opinion, the diva of Canadian design, and a blogger extraordinaire! Her posts are so full of beautiful images, her work is flawless, and in addition to all of that-her heart comes through,too. This girl really knows what she's doing and it shows in her work and in her posts. She was recently featured in the Washington Post "Blog Posts" because she did a fantastic post on the color Orange. Kudos, Patricia!

Dianamuse is just that: a muse- She's a thinker, a writer, an artist and what an eye for beauty and grace she has! Diana did an interview with me awhile ago and this is actually what inspired me to start blogging. So she truly is my muse. I love the quotes she includes both in her posts and in other little spots around her blog. Whenever I want to experience an intellectual high and have my mind expanded, I go to her blog and let her "make my day!"

I must admit it was pretty hard to narrow it down to such a few, because I think my day gets made multiple times every day by visiting all the amazing blogs out there.

While I was gathering images for my pink Valentine's Day post, I was very tempted to include this cover of the March-April 2007 issue of Southern Accents because I love the pretty pink slipcovered chairs in this dining room. I decided to save it instead and do a post on the whole house, decorated by New Orleans "Diva of Design," Gerrie Bremermann since she is one of my favorite designers. So what, do you ask, defines the Gerrie Bremermann style? First and foremost, Gerrie has a way of using beautiful antiques to both dress up a room and simultaneously dress it down. That is to say that she furnishes her rooms with fine pieces presented in such a way as to create a relaxed and inviting setting. Her emphasis is on accomodating her client's lifestyle...with style. Gerrie Bremermann is known for her ability to mix luxurious silks and floral patterns with informal cottons in checks or striped patterns, and for her use of impeccable dressmaker details that elevate design elements such as curtains and slipcovers into art. In my opinion, this gives her interiors a certain sense of delight. This dining room is a perfect example of Bremermann's ability to create a balance between formality and comfort. The grandeur of the chandelier is achieved through its large size and the graceful beauty of its curving arms. It is intentionally oversized to de-emphasize the large scale of the room and make it feel more intimate. The generous silk drapes are a counterpoint to those scalloped edge pink checked slipcovers in cotton on the Louis XVI chairs. The dining table's almost rustic simplicity is balanced by the ornate trumeau mirror on the far wall, and an arrangement of silver pieces on the buffet. Bremerman's talent for symmetry and proportion is seen in this arrangement at the far end of the dining room. The Regence commode and the carved, mirrored sconces create dramatic tension against the more primitive glazed pottery bowl, and the mother and child sculpture lends a note of family and warmth to the composition. I love the inclusion of a bust, placed on top of a book which is resting on the floor as a finishing touch to this story of simultaneous elegance and ease. The living room is a fine example of Gerrie's use of fabulous rugs to set the color tone of the room. Understated, rich in pattern, but subtle in color, the rug is the subconscious star of this space. It is both the motivator and supporter for all the other fine elements of this room. Another element of Bremermann style is the use of light neutral paint colors for walls which create a calm backdrop for the amazing antique furnishings which populate her rooms. Here again, rich silks and velvets play off simple checked and striped cottons. Painted french chairs, a requisite for every good New Orleans room, are well used here in addition to a wonderful painted daybed. Seating is arranged for comfort and interaction, and is composed so that each piece is both featured and integrated into the room. I am a great admirer of her use of beautiful pillows, many of which can be considered works of art done in exquisite fabrics and antique textiles.The furnishings in this room are so wonderful that no piece should be missed. Here is another example of a symmetrical composition. The urns with the orange-hued greek key motif and the same color on the frame of the mirror which play off the dark color of the commode bring an exciting but subtle burst of color to a corner of the living room. The gentleman's library offers a bit of contrast to the rest of the house, yet it still undoubtedly display's the designer's touch. Exquisite antique furniture abounds, colors play off the subtly patterned rug, the requisite french chairs are present and furniture placement is both relaxed at times and symmetrical at others. Here, though, the wall color is a bit deeper. Of course you can probably guess that this chandelier makes my head spin and my knees weak! It's pretty dressy for a gentleman's library, and here again pretty oversized but I think it's absolutely perfect, and it's made only more perfect by being reproduced by its reflection in the symmetrically placed mirror. I wish I could get a better look at the sconces, or paintings or shields which hang on either side of the mirror. The profusion of white roses are in a 15th century baptismal font. Here, the composition of the furnishings is flawless, the fabrics are rich and patterned, and yet the overall effect is subtle. I love the beautiful red-hued pillow with the antique applique. This picture of the entry shows Bremerman style at its best. Another french commode is symmetrically arranged between two painted french chairs, upholstered in a cool cotton checked fabric, and under a fabulous trumeau mirror. The creamy walls and subtle rug are the supporting players here. The pillows made from antique textiles are the art for this space. And again, another over the top chandelier to inspire me and make my head spin. This garden room is the homeowner's "most cherished room." It isn't hard to see why. This room seems even more relaxed than some of the others in the rest of the house. All colors are soft and neutral. The only pattern in the room seems to be the white-on-white Fortuny silk of the simple pleated drapes. The chairs and table in front of the french doors have more graceful curved lines. But the show stopper in this room is the Napoleon III chaise longue which echos those curves and looks out to the garden beyond. The button tufted upholstery done in a creamy shade says it all. This piece embodies Bremerman style in itself: it is fine and french; it is antique and elegant, yet meant for relaxation; it is subtle and rich in perfect details; and it is here to be enjoyed by the people who live here. These people are fortunate to have a wonderful home which embodies both their lifestyle and Gerrie Bremerman's best!

In celebration of Valentine's Day, I'm sending out some wonderful pink things from the city I love, with love from me!

Party Girl Wallpaper in Electric Raspberry from New Orleans's own Flavor Paper

Bubbly Berries and Cream wallpaper from Flavor Paper

Cycloid in Radiccio wallpaper from Flavor Paper

Fishnet wallpaper in Electric Raspberry from Flavor Paper

Dauphine wallpaper in Electric Raspberry from Flavor Paper

Shvitz Comfortwear's showroom in New York with Flavor Paper's Kabloom wallpaper in White on Chrome Mylar.

Sunset by Andrew Bucci at Cole Pratt Gallery

Marmalade Skies by Miranda Lake at Jonathan Ferrara Gallery

A pink monogram from Leontine Linens

A pink bedroom in New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles designed by Susan Boyd

The aptly titled "Pink" by Gretchen Howard at Soren Christensen Gallery

Calamitrees Series #5 by Sally Heller at Gallery Bienvenu

Paul Poche's Tented Room in New Orleans:Elegance and Decadence, Poche' is quoted as saying "If this bed could talk, we'd have to shoot it!"

And that, in my opinion is the perfect ending for this Valentine's Day from New Orleans post. Love to All from way down yonder!

In acknowledgement of the beginning of the lenten season, which began on Ash Wednesday, the day after Mardi Gras, I thought it would be a good time to look at Ghosts Along the Mississippi, an amazing book by the noted photographer Clarence John Laughlin. The book consists of 100 photographs by the author which elegize and document "the rise and fall of Louisiana plantation culture." While the photos in this book present a study of plantation culture and architecture, each photograph may be seen as an individual work of art. The photos are both educational and haunting, and the accompanying text is passionately poetic. That is why, in many cases I have chosen to caption the pictures with Laughlin's own words. In many cases, Clarence Laughlin eulogizes a particular structure by artistically presenting its ruined form as something beautiful to behold. The text morns its loss and yet honors its fading grandeur. Below are 3 photographs of Belle Grove Plantation, which Laughlin writes, "its birth was attended by the dark star of the year 1857."

"Tragic Queen (No.1)" Laughlin writes that when "John Andrews commissioned James Gallier and his son-then the foremost Greek Revival architects in the South-he indicated that no account of construction expenditures need be kept." He then goes on to say that John Andrews' fortune was swept away by the civil war, and he sold the house to the Ware family, who owned it until it was abandoned in 1924 after crop failures and other misfortunes. Accompanying this picture, the text reads, "Stripped of all its beautiful marble and iron, Belle Grove now lies, its great hollow hulk gaping form beneath the mourning oaks; its interior walls unbelieveably ruined under rapid and ruthless onslaughts of Louisiana heat and rain, and lined with strangely beautiful and lustrous green mould..."

"Tragic Queen (No. 2)" In Laughlin's words, "When completed in 1857, its tremendous mass rose on huge brick foundation arches over twelve feet above the surrounding earth, its walls and mantels were plastered and carved by the most expert European craftsmen money could secure. Its great flight of brick steps were covered with imported marble, its doorknobs and keyhold guards were of silver, its corinthian capitals six feet high, but of the utmost refinement...Yet it was not heavy, or pompous. It managed somehow to combine vastness with delicacy: titanic proportions with grace and warmth, much as piranesi was able to do in his marvelous engravings."

"Grandeur and Decay (No. 1)" Laughlin notes that although Belle Grove has obvious Greek Revival inspiration, it doesn't comform to any of the estaglished characteristics of Louisiana classic houses. He emphasizes that this plate shows the dramatic contrast between the grandeur and decay of the great plantations houses.

Uncle Sam Plantation (below) was "the last of the truly great Louisiana style houses to be built." I love the way Laughlin describes this house and makes it clear how very indigenous this architecture is: "On a substructure of wealth amassed from sugar the great walls and pillars of Uncle Sam arose: pillars and walls whose golden brown tint due, it is said to the river sand used in the cement and mortar, lasted through all the years of their existence, and with a strange symbolism was not unlike the color of the "yellow" sugar which, antedating the final development of the refining process, formed, economically, their ultimate foundations."

This plate, entitled "The Massive Columns" is described by Laughlin thus: "The main structure-two storied and tremendous in scale...was supported on all sides by huge Roman Doric columns, twenty eight in number. Its plan remained true to Louisiana Classic tradition; the great center halls above and below,the four rooms on each floor opening into the halls and opening as well, onto the broad encircling gallery and verandah by means of long windows.

This plate is entitled "Temple to a Misplaced Past" and shows the structure which, separate from the house, held the kitchen. According to Laughlin, the structure gives the impression that a small Greek temple "strayed, somehow into Louisiana; but built of materials unlike anything the Greeks would have used, cypress wood and brick, so that they exuded a feeling of being miniature temples to a misplaced past."

Another plantation which sadly did not survive the test of time is Woodlawn Plantation, built between 1835 and 1839 by William Pugh at a cost of $70,000.

"The Oak Arch" frames the view of this obviously Greek Revival plantation house. It consists of a main body supported by four huge Ionic pillars and is flanked by two temple-like forms which extend backwards, forming enclosed courts for visiting and enjoying the cool of the evening. This house was said to have the first installation of gas and a bathroom with a marble tub.

"Farewell to the Past" After Pugh's death, the plantation was sold and eventually abandoned.

"The Moss Weeps" Laughlin's words: " When, toward the end of 1946, we returned, after a lapse of some years, years which seemed far longer than they were, to Woodlawn, it was to discover a disquieting and truly tragic sight...Its great capitals littered the ground, scattered as though by a giant."

And now, for some of the survivors: Constructed between 1832 and 1836 Bon Sejour Plantation is known today as Oak Alley.

"The Enshadowed Pillars" Laughlin writes:" Noting that his great oaks numbered twenty-eight, Jacques Roman had the columns surrounding the house number the same...The columns have been called Doric. Actually, a close study of their details...reveals them to be something between Roman Doric and Tuscan. It is this customary lack, in most Louisiana Classic houses of adherence to any fixed order, which was one of the elements...in shaping indigenous quality of the Louisiana Classic style. But it revealed an important tendency-the willingness and vision to modify accepted treatment to meet local needs."

"The Guardian" Laughlin describes this plate in these words:"It was as though the natural majesty and massiveness of the oaks were transposed into the pillars; and as though the pillars grew by a process analogous to that of the mighty trees."

Oak Alley Plantation as it appears today. Tours are conducted here daily and the building is available for weddings as well as private events. There is a bed and breakfast and several arts festivals are held there each year. One very special annual event at Oak Alley is the Christmas Eve bonfire.

One of the oldest surviving plantation houses, the Labatut House was built around 1790 by a spanish nobleman named Don Evarist de Barra.

"In Sorrowful Light" In 1961, Laughlin wrote, "The Labatut family's "descendants are still in possission of the house to this day...but the years have not treated it gently. The grove of great oaks once fronting the house is now entirely gone, and the levee has moved almost upon the building. In melancholy light it looms, trembling upon the verge of destruction.:

The Labatut House today. I think it is a private residence. If you will notice that the house seems to be right up against the road in front, this is evidence of the Mississippi River changing course, and this phenomena was a factor in the loss of several plantations.

The wild and crazy San Francisco Plantation is a feast for the eyes, both inside and out.

"Steamboat Gothic" Laughlin says,"Another Louisiana "original" is San Francisco Plantation, the creation of a man who could literally be said to have been possessed by fantasy." Valsin Marmillion "did not believe in following precedence, he was, in everything, and extreme individualist. He wanted a house which would not be imperious and majestic, but light and gay"a house where his many friends could enjoy themselves, a house which would remind them of their revels on the floating palaces. And so he built San Francisco. And the house became a fantasia on a steamboat theme, with Gothic overtones."

Present day San Francisco Plantation After the great flood of 1927, the Army Corps of Engineers constructed a levee which was curved to accomodate San Francisco plantation, ensuring that the land would not be lost to erosion. Today, the plantation sits right up against the road. San Francisco is open daily for tours and is available for weddings and other special events.

A side view of San Francisco with a good view of one of the pair of cisterns.

At the time this book was written in 1961, Chretien Point Plantation was still inhabited by a descendent of the original owner. Laughlin states that "no existing house, possibly, in Louisiana preserves more of its original flavor."

"Under Time's Onslaughts" Laughlin points out that this plantation, called Chretien Point Plantation is an excellent example of Greek Revival Style tempered by Georgian influences. Chretien Point took four years to build and had no formal architect, rather is was designed through a cooperative arrangement between the owner and the craftsmen he hired to do the construction. Laughlin says that this was "one of the most important factors in the appearance of so many houses in Louisiana with such strongly indigenous quality.

Although at the time the book was published, this plantation was in a terrible state of decay and disrepair, it has been fortunate enough to have been saved. Its stairway was recreated for the movie "Gone With the Wind. It has been in operation as a bed and breakfast, but recently has been sold and is currently under extensive historic rennovation. The plantation is currently closed to the public.

"The Luminous Columns" Madewood Plantation was built by Thomas Pugh, the youngest son of W. H. Pugh, who built Woodlawn. Although Thomas died before the house was completed, his widow, Eliza carried on and saw the project through to completion. Since all the wood used in the building had come from the plantation itself, she decided to call the plantation Madewood. Shown in this photograph as it appeared in 1939, it has always been rather well kept.

The present day Madewood was purchased by Naomi Marshall in 1964, at which time she lovingly renovated it. Now owned by her son, it operates as a bed and breakfast and is available for tours and special events.

From his introduction on, Laughlin traces the evolution of this particularly indigenous Louisiana Classical architectural form. He acknowledges both the influence of French and classical architecture and proceeds to show how both the local climate and the availability of indigenous materials had a great bearing on the development of Louisiana plantation architecture. He even points out that the actual backgrounds and personalities of the people who built these structures had a great impact on the emergence of this style. Clarence John Laughlin makes the very important assertion that the plantation architecture of this region is the precursor of modern architecture where the innate character of the available materials used must be respected within a building's design. His passion for his subject matter is easily felt and appreciated by the reader. In my opinion, this book helped to make Louisianans aware of the architectural treasures they posessed and was instrumental in bringing about the historic preservation movement in Louisiana.