Fifi Laughlin is a bright star in New Orleans lighting design. She creates unspeakably beautiful lamps and chandeliers using handblown, handcast and handformed glass. Although I'm more naturally drawn to neutrals, I am crazy about her use of color. Perhaps its because the colors she uses are so gorgeous or because the translucence of the glass makes the colors so luminous. The Catherine lamps pictured above are my absolute favorites. This turquoise translucence in combination with the clear glass fluted spheres is perfection to my eyes. This Catherine, done here in a clear green combined with amber is also fabulous. I love the sumptuous simplicity of the silk shades Fifi uses. They are both opulent and understated and add dramatic tension to her designs. This detail shows a wonderful combination of clear and opalescent glass. Much of the charm of these pieces is the juxtaposition of textures: fluted against flat, rough against smooth, cast against blown, clear against opaline. The Paris lamp is a lesson in geometry with its round fluted body, square base below and square silk shade on top. Simple and mind-blowing in its balanced perfection. Her attention to detail is evident in the perfectly flattened glass feet and fluted finial. The Meme lamp is both elegant and fun. Again, though I'm not so big on color, I think these are delightful. This style is called Hollywood and I can see why. All mirrored glamour spheres in combo with simple silk drum shades. The double tiered clear formed base of the Beatriz with clear neck and clear fluted spheres gives a feeling of elegant ice sculpture. The smoky Beatriz with dark bases, golden orbs is dramatic and voluptuous. This detail of the Beatriz, with its combination of colors has a bit of an Art Deco feel to it. This floor lamp gets a definite wow! I love the simple drum shade. The simple metal framework of these chandeliers plays a great supporting role to the glass orbs. These pieces shimmer with a gem-like quality and have such a feeling of modern sophistication. I love how well this comes off in the very old home pictured below. Fifi's gorgeous work is a definite room -maker. I am very happy to say that she is a neighbor of mine. She is as delightful and luminous as her lamps! Fifi Laughlin can be reached through her website, fifiblaughlin.com.

These beautiful bracelets are the work of New Orleans' own Gogo Borgerding, an exceedingly talented artist and jewelry designer. I am very happy to say that she has a wonderful shop located just a few blocks away from my own where she shows and sells her wonderful creations! I think Gogo is most well known for her amazing collection of cuff bracelets which she designs and creates herself. I am in awe of both her design talent and her skill as a jewelry craftsperson. Gogo's talent is not limited to her bracelets, however. Her necklaces, earrings and rings are also outstanding.She calls this necklace "Lantana Gone Wild." Here are some other pieces from her Lantana collection. I love her Lantana Rings! Gogo was recently featured on the cover of New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles. Her house, which she shares with her husband David, a metal sculptor, also reflects her individual style. Gogo's cuff bracelets show such a talent for pattern and color that I couldn't narrow it down to just a few, so here are several of my favorites. Her necklaces are as beguiling as her bracelets. I'm crazy about her way with color, and especially with the delicious colors she uses in her "Sushi" collection. Gogo's "Guns and Roses" necklace was included in a feature in Elle magazine. She created the Guns and Roses necklace as a tribute to the spirit of those dedicated to the rebuilding of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. More information about Gogo's creations can be found on her website or by visiting her shop in person at 4212 Magazine Street, if you find yourself lucky enough to be in New Orleans.

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.