Design Your Life. That was the theme of this year's New Orleans Home & Garden Show—and a timely one at that. Four years after Katrina and the spirit of this great city is once again on the rise, proving everyday that it's the people and their tireless commitment to home, and all it represents, that will rebuild, renew, and restore New Orleans. For this year's show, I was asked to design a room that would showcase both participating vendors and stores around town. With spring finally here, and a personal passion for entertaining, I chose to do a dining room inspired by the season. After last month’s scouting trip, gathering images of furniture and accessories, Jaithan, Jordan and I touched down in New Orleans early last week and headed straight for the Superdome. Here’s what the room looked like when we arrived.
As you can see, I had divided the space into two rooms with windows separating one from the other. The dining room was the focal point of the design; the other, which we’ll post about shortly, was a small consultation space to greet visitors. For the wall color in the dining room, I chose a pretty lavender (Sanctuary AF-620) from Benjamin Moore’s new Aura line. And to bring a little sophistication to the palette, I trimmed the space all in gray (Storm AF-700). Now with such en empty shell of a room, I wanted to begin by injecting a bit of local history in the form of a fireplace. Older shotgun houses in New Orleans typically had smaller rooms, and so the scale of this mantel we'd spotted at Antiques & Wholesale Furnishings would be perfect! Not only will it add much-needed architectural detail to the room, it will also provide plenty of space for display. Chippy's great in the right context, but this piece would need a paint job, for sure.
As soon as I saw this gorgeous Swedish secretary at Perch during the scouting trip on Magazine Street, I knew I had to have it! It's one of those rare pieces so versatile, it could easily go from library to living room, bedroom to dining room. I can even see it in a master bath with beautifully stacked towels and an assortment of antique apothecary jars filled with sponges, cotton balls, and Q-tips. Thankfully, my new friends at Perch—Caroline, Jack and the deliciously vampish Valorie Hart—were so incredibly generous to lend us not only the secretary but also...
this show-stopping piece, an antique pedestal dining table wrapped entirely in zinc! I love its classic lines updated with a modern material.
And with these sleek, black Chippendale chairs ($125 each from Hopkins Boulevard Home Accents), I think the combination strikes just the right balance of traditional and modern, industrial and refined.
With the last-minute addition of these beautiful faux bamboo benches from our friends Sylvia, Jay, and Bruce at Georgian Furnishing, just across the street from the Jefferson Highway Flea Market, we had all the furniture we needed. And now, for my favorite part—the propping!
That's where Aaron (such a sweetheart!) at Top Drawer Antiques helped save the day. Without his generosity, and carte blanche to borrow just about anything I wanted from his gorgeous collection of antique tabletop, I really don't know what I would have done! Accessories like this stunning Heisey punch bowl are the details that will give this dining room life! When I first saw this piece on the scouting trip, I knew right away I wanted it for the center of the table, filled with a lush, beautiful fern.
Once it's all polished up, this English silverplate urn is going to look great in the secretary.
The silverware I found, while a common pattern, can definitely be dressed up if paired with more elegant china and glassware.
Speaking of, I love the classic shape of this set for wine. They'll mix in well with other glasses for water, and the vine etchings are perfect for spring.
What's a dining room without candles, especially these elegant tapers our friends at Creative Candles sent over? Flea markets and even good antique stores are full of single candlesticks; problem is, onsies can look lonely on such a large table, so I like to group them together. It's like an instant collection without all the work! And this Heisey drink set, silver overlay over crystal, will make another great addition to the secretary.
Finally, this gorgeous pair of fluted column alabaster lamps are the perfect size and shape for the top of the mantel, but the shades make them feel so dusty and dated. Nothing a trip to Wal-Mart for shades like this and a can of spray paint can't fix!
WIth all the shopping done, it was time to head back to the Dome. First, we laid down the rug, an inexpensive sisal from Lowe's, put the table in place, then mounted the fireplace to the wall.
With the furniture in place and accessories washed, it was time to dress up the windows with a little designer DIY!
First, we laid out these bamboo roman shades from Lowe's. The texture's great; the color, not so much. But like I always say, when in doubt, paint it out! In this case, I wanted to do white with wide gray stripes to match the trim, just to give the room a more custom feel without spending a lot of money. So while I did the first set...
Jordan did the second.
And voilà! Boring bamboo shades turn decorator glam!
The room's definitely coming together now! As in our old apartment back in the city, we mirrored the fireplace with tiles from Lowe's, then hung plates from Top Drawer on either side.
They're 1940s Bavarian with a modern shape and a rim of timeworn gold paired with a pretty, pale celadon.
In fact, timeworn figures prominently in this room. For me, the theme for this year's show-—Design Your Life—was all about creating a home, however new, that feels as though it's been there for years. With the mix of new and old furniture, together with the antique china, glass and silver, I feel like this dining room really could exist in somebody's home. It's elegant but livable with a wow factor that comes not from garish colors and gimmicky tricks but from the subtle details that give a house history. And that, I feel, is what New Orleans, and its great people, as they continue to furnish and decorate their homes, need the most.
And finally, after all the hard work from the team, including both Jaithan and Jordan, here's the finished room!
As an editor, I tried very hard to come up with ideas that people really could learn from and do themselves. Above all, spend where it counts! The expensive pieces, like the table and secretary, while certainly worth their price, should also serve to inspire. Maybe you have an old piece of furniture you want to wrap in metal or a dusty antique in the attic you could faux finish and paint. Then, once you've spent the money where it matters, fill in with less expensive items: a rug and blinds from Lowe's, lampshades from Wal-Mart, and a starburst metal mirror from Target. But whatever you do, make it your own and most important, have fun! I know we did.
Stunning work, as always.
Posted by: Cabin Plans | October 07, 2010 at 04:27 PM
So lovely! I adore the hutch and similarly colored plates inside it. Totally inspiring!
Posted by: Paula | October 21, 2009 at 01:35 AM
Love it! Everything you do, Eddie, I love. Always an insriration!
Posted by: tiffanylane | September 23, 2009 at 02:15 PM
So impressive! And so doable too. You succeed in your goal to make your rooms attainable...and seeing the step-by-step transformation is inspiring.
Tricia - Avolli
Posted by: Tricia - Avolli | April 14, 2009 at 08:16 AM
That is hilarious -- I just posted how I spray painted our bamboo blinds a chocolate brown color. One of my readers said you did something similar. I love the stripes!!
Posted by: Sarah @ Thriftydecorchick | April 08, 2009 at 11:49 PM
Wow...you did such an amazing job! I love the mix of old and new. I printed a picture of the striped shades for my inspiration folder:)
~Aline
Posted by: hanako66 | April 08, 2009 at 05:39 PM
I cannot overstate how much I LOVE that secretary. It would be perfect in my house.
Posted by: nodomama | April 08, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Great Jo Eddie & Jaithan!
The pieces & the rooms color is devine! So relaxed and fitting for the Big Easy! What you do best!!
leslie
lamaisonfou blog
Posted by: Leslie | April 08, 2009 at 11:13 AM
And not to forget great work J&J You guys are an amazing team! Your support to Eddie is awesome!
Posted by: Redesign Diva | April 08, 2009 at 12:17 AM
AWESOME! WAY TO "SHOW AND PROVE"! I love it!
Kindle
Redesign Diva
Posted by: Redesign Diva | April 08, 2009 at 12:13 AM
what kind of paint did you use to paint the bamboo shades? and in your vast experience, is this paint durable?
Posted by: julie | April 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM
LOVE your work! You are so awesome and was rooting for you on top design! You rock!
Posted by: nena von | April 07, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I love Love LOVE that room! You're inspiring Eddie!!!!
Posted by: Scarlett | April 07, 2009 at 06:13 PM
Eddie, simply stunning. You make it look TOO easy!
Posted by: Tricia Griggs | April 07, 2009 at 06:12 PM
it looks beautiful!!! dave & i just fell in love with a zinc-topped table that we can't afford!! hahaha anyway, gerat job & LOVE the fern!!!
xoxo,
lauren
Posted by: Lauren Liess | April 07, 2009 at 04:47 PM
fantastic job guys. Oh and thanks for the lead on Antiques and Wholesale Furnishings. Great finds with excellent prices. I'm hooked.
Posted by: Julio | April 07, 2009 at 03:59 PM
very, very impressive
Posted by: amy | April 07, 2009 at 01:36 PM
Is there anyway to do a "faux" zinc finish? I absolutely LOVE that look!! This room is fantastic!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 07, 2009 at 12:20 PM
what stunning work!
Posted by: paula | April 07, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Eddie, please please can you come help me with my house?
Posted by: shoshana | April 06, 2009 at 11:46 PM
AMAZING! And I heart he painted bamboo shades so much!
Posted by: decorpad | April 06, 2009 at 05:08 PM
Wow what a before and after, I love everything you did, it is beautiful!!!
Posted by: LindsB | April 06, 2009 at 01:12 PM
Um geniousness. I think I may try out the mirror tiles. Hopefully they are easy to install.
Posted by: Christina | April 06, 2009 at 12:27 PM
Some antique monogrammed linen would have finished the room nicely. Ann
Posted by: Ann | April 06, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Hi Eddie,
Love the room! It came together so well, I love the round table with the plates accenting the wall. You are so amazing, I am so proud to be your cousin! Love you, Elena
Posted by: Elena Chiappetta | April 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
That is a truly beautiful room. I am so excited that you chose silver that is my pattern, and a number of your onsie crystal candleholders, also reside at my house. I accidentally made some good choices over the years :^)
Thank you for your start to finish instructions!
Posted by: Jaybird | April 06, 2009 at 11:20 AM
it looks AMAZING. very collected and New Orleans, too. I would have never thought to paint the bamboo shades, but it kind of reminds me of a book I just finished, Creole Thrift. very appropriate! great job!
Posted by: Jennifer | April 06, 2009 at 10:56 AM
so beautiful. i love the bamboo benches and your target mirror. you should come to iowa-there are many fun treasures to found here antiquing and junking.
Posted by: Julie Schaal | April 06, 2009 at 10:45 AM
How beautiful. Love all the white used in the room!
Posted by: Carrie | April 06, 2009 at 09:38 AM
This is absolutely AMAZING, Eddie!! So, so many wonderful ideas! And the end result is stunning! Thanks for sharing!
PS I would kill for that zinc-wrapped table!!
Posted by: Jenny | April 06, 2009 at 08:54 AM
The shades are genius. I would love to see detailed instructions on these in a future post.
Posted by: LIMOM | April 06, 2009 at 08:44 AM
You are a natural. That is all I have to say.
I want to make reservations at that table!
Posted by: patricia | April 06, 2009 at 07:58 AM
Great job, Eddie. I especially love that you painted the shades. Who knew that could be done?!
Posted by: sandra/tx | April 06, 2009 at 12:54 AM
As always, great job!!!
Posted by: Renovation Therapy | April 05, 2009 at 09:22 PM
Gasp!! The room is beautiful and your step-by-step was wonderful. Well done!
Posted by: Karin | April 05, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Ahhh, Eddie, you never disappoint in putting a room together. This is extraordinary & SO, SO stylish..old and vintage, yet new and fresh at the same time. I just love every detail & esp. love that you threw in a little bit from Walmart & inepensive items too. Gorgeous!!!
Posted by: Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality | April 05, 2009 at 06:43 PM
Fabulous!!
Posted by: Kate | April 05, 2009 at 03:26 PM
This room is gorgeous!! You are super talented Eddie. I wish I had these ideas like you. I'm learning from one of the best though. Keep up the great work! ;-)
Posted by: Elizabeth Haig | April 05, 2009 at 03:15 PM
You're too fabulous for words. LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: seleta | April 05, 2009 at 03:11 PM
Eddie, this room has so lovely. Your color sense is so fresh and I would love to see you do more decorating(still waiting to see more of YOUR house :)). You add a very contemporary and sophisticated take to country decorating. Please show us more!
Posted by: Ann Marie | April 05, 2009 at 02:54 PM
Thanks for showing the whole process. The room is beautiful and looks ready for a wonderful gathering. Great finds, well done.Your entire blog is a joy.
Posted by: Mary | April 05, 2009 at 02:26 PM
Really enjoyed the post and the room. The only thing I might have done in addition is to add some art to the walls. Maybe just one from e-bay or some other art source in New Orleans. A southern watercolor landscape or even a "ancestor" painting. Lovely.
Posted by: cj | April 05, 2009 at 02:24 PM
OMG!! What a room! Love the table and the shades!!If you are ever in NC I would love to have a craft date!
Posted by: Sissy | April 05, 2009 at 12:37 PM
I love this. Especially the table. My husband and I actually have a zinc wrapped table on order from a gentlemen that we saw at a local Antique Market. I was so excited when I saw it here to know that for once, we were ahead of a curve!
Posted by: Melissa | April 05, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Eddie and Jaithan...sheer genius, my faves, the table, the bamboo benches, and those shades. you come up with the best ideas!
Posted by: Karena | April 05, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Hello darlings!
Great to see the process unfold, and as told by you!
You really have our hearts in New Orleans, and we hope you come back sooner than later!
You know the krewe of perch. loved your vision!
xo xo
Posted by: Visual Vamp | April 05, 2009 at 11:16 AM
Jaithan and Eddie,
I must tell you the pictures do it no justice. The room had a cozy feel that the pictures don't portray. Was great to see your work in person!
janie
(from the show)
Posted by: janie fuller | April 05, 2009 at 11:05 AM
I loved what you did with the place. Especially the bamboo shades - brilliant! Do you just love your life or what!
Posted by: Angela | April 05, 2009 at 10:44 AM
You are such a freaking super star, Eddie! I love the room and most of all love that you are in my old stomping grounds. My husband and I both went to LSU undergrad.
LOVE YOU!!!
Kara
Posted by: Kara | April 05, 2009 at 10:22 AM
What a great room. And such good ideas for the windows. You need your own TV Show NOW...
Posted by: martha | April 05, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Beautiful room. Your treatment for the shades is brilliant! Were both sides of the shades painted or just one side?
Posted by: Deborah | April 05, 2009 at 09:02 AM
Great ideas Eddie! Love this room! We just bought a new house that is BEYOND quirky! I think the dining room needs some of these ideas! Thanks!
Posted by: hazel | April 05, 2009 at 09:00 AM
Beautiful job! I agree - we should have fun and enjoy the adventure of making our spaces unique and interesting. All new feels, to me, artificial and fake - no soul. You did a wonderful job of creating a room with great character and soul. Thanks!
Posted by: Sandy | April 05, 2009 at 08:51 AM
Breath-taking! Since I went to college in N.O., a huge piece of my heart remains there. Thank you for sharing your talent in the Big Easy and helping to make that little piece of the world that much lovelier.
And, thank you for once again making Creative Candle tapers look so elegant!
We are so excited about your workshops mid-July at the candle factory in Kansas City.
I am anxiously awaiting new photos from the farmhouse makeover.
Posted by: Pam Fleischer | April 05, 2009 at 08:47 AM
Gorgeous and calming. I love everything about it. I have set up for shows in my past life and I know it can be challenging and you have to be very 'creative' in arrangement- so I absolutely appreciate what went into this lovely project.
Posted by: Debra | April 05, 2009 at 08:40 AM
Love what you did, Eddie! The room looks just fabulous. Especially like your idea of painting the inexpensive blinds for a customized look!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | April 05, 2009 at 08:22 AM
Eddie, The pieces are lovely. The "after" of the fireplace is reeeeally great! I experienced that audible intake of air when I saw the finished room! Yowza!
Posted by: PJ | April 05, 2009 at 03:58 AM
I love the room and especially the secretary. Very beautifully put together!
Posted by: Rebecca @ Harmony and Home | April 05, 2009 at 03:45 AM
Great job Eddie & team. So many inspitational ideas to bring into our own homes . Thanks
XX
V
Posted by: Viera | April 05, 2009 at 01:18 AM
uhhhhhh MAZING!!!!
Posted by: Susan | April 05, 2009 at 01:11 AM
Beautiful room. The fern and starburst mirror reallly pull everything together.
Posted by: Michael D. | April 05, 2009 at 12:46 AM
I was eagerly awaiting your posting of the room and was so impressed with the results. Antique but so modern!!! I especially loved the black Chippendle chairs with the lavender walls. Well done boys and girl!!
Posted by: David | April 05, 2009 at 12:27 AM
That is amazing. Love it.
Posted by: justJENN | April 04, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Beautiful!! Absolutely well done - it looks like it had evolved over years- generations even!
Christy
Posted by: christy | April 04, 2009 at 11:36 PM
What a beautiful room. Painting the shades from Lowe's was truly an inspired touch. Most people do not even think about, or even consider, altering something once they have bought it, and this post just proves that anything can be improved and used in a beautiful space, even items from Walmart and Lowes! Great post.
Posted by: Things That Inspire | April 04, 2009 at 10:51 PM
you better work!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: jenny | April 04, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Eddie & Jaithan
Love, love, LOVE it! I need to get out my punch bowl that goes with my bubble-ware and create an arrangement in it. Time to get the ladder (it's in the back on the top shelf of a corner cabinet). And my Martha Stewart buffet lamps need to be pulled out for spring (they get rotated in and out). Thanks, as always, for the inspiration.
Posted by: Sharon in Chicago | April 04, 2009 at 10:02 PM
Great job, Eddie! What did you think of BM's new Aura line? I've been itching to try it and that grey trim looks stunning!
Posted by: Averill | April 04, 2009 at 10:01 PM
I am absolutely inspired. Such a project with excellent results. You are most assuredly so talented!
Posted by: Kat | April 04, 2009 at 09:42 PM
Brillant! From plan to the final moment -- just wonderful -- and yes! very New Orleans -- style, charm and grace! Your whole team did so well -- and the vendors had lovely items too! What a way to celebrate The Big Easy!
Jan at Rosemary Cottage
Posted by: Jan | April 04, 2009 at 09:27 PM
Wow! You are so talented, Eddie! I just love the room! And it's so much fun to read how you put things together. Being able to put just the perfect touch to a room -- it must feel so good!
Posted by: Margaret | April 04, 2009 at 09:23 PM
I love what you did with the shades. I've never seen that done before. The whole room really does inspire me.
Posted by: Kim | April 04, 2009 at 09:15 PM
I JUST LOVE THE IDEA OF PLACING THE MIRROR TILES IN THE FIREPLACE. I HAVE A 100+ YEAR OLD HOME WITH 9 FIREPLACES ( NON-WORKING.) I WILL STEAL THIS GREAT IDEA FROM YOU.. THANKS SO MUCH!!!
Posted by: TERRY from KENTUCKY | April 04, 2009 at 08:36 PM
The flatware is my grandmother's pattern. I have 12 place settings and would love to buy this set. Can you tell me who the vendor is? Enjoyed meeting you at Scott's--I didn't get anything that day, but this would be my special find. Thanks, Kimeran
Posted by: Kimeran | April 04, 2009 at 08:32 PM
Very inspiring!
Posted by: Deborah | April 04, 2009 at 08:29 PM
FABULOSITY!! That's you , Eddie!! Love it, Love it! Wonderful .....it all came together brilliantly!....
Posted by: Mimilee | April 04, 2009 at 07:54 PM
I love the room. Where did you get the rug?
Posted by: caroline Hanley | April 04, 2009 at 07:54 PM
Wow what a fabulous job!!! Love the color combination!!!
Posted by: Vicki | April 04, 2009 at 07:44 PM
I found four deep plates and a soup terrine in that 1940's Bavaria you've got there in the second hand store here a while ago! I love the thin porcelaine. I love that swedish secretary too. I live in Sweden but have never seen one of those...ha ha ha. Am actually looking for something like that myself, both for the kitchen and one to be have covered doors because I intend to keep my stash of fabric in there.Wish me luck! lol
Great job as always !:)
Posted by: Katarina | April 04, 2009 at 07:35 PM
You never cease to amaze me! What I love about your design aesthetic is that you can "effortlessly" blend modern (Target mirror) with vintage (tableware). I love the budget blinds idea too. Outstanding!
Posted by: Bridgett | April 04, 2009 at 07:32 PM
As always - so clever - I believe you could turn anything into anything.
Posted by: Michelle Winson | April 04, 2009 at 07:32 PM
Stunning...As usual!
Posted by: Trish | April 04, 2009 at 06:56 PM
Wonderful post, gorgeous room -- very Eddie! Love it all!
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | April 04, 2009 at 06:34 PM
OMG..............where are those benches..FAB! Looks so pretty.
Seriously, those benches are great....
xo
Posted by: Diddle McAllister | April 04, 2009 at 05:40 PM
So inventive - and I love the blow-by-blow. Please post more like these! Beautiful, beautiful results.
Posted by: Sanity Fair | April 04, 2009 at 05:16 PM
so welcoming!! love the styling (of course) and the lamps on the mantle brighten things up so nicely! the fern is perf. really lovely!!
Posted by: coco+kelley | April 04, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Eddie and Jaithan, this is a wonderful room with Eddie's signature look. I love all the pieces and the practical use of the old and new and the expensive with the less expensive. Again you are showing us good taste and style does not take a lot of money. In this economy you are an answer to many of our dilemas, of how to maintain a lovely home on a lower budget. Thankyou for the always beautiful and always inspiring. Hugs Kathysue
Posted by: Kathysue | April 04, 2009 at 04:46 PM
WOW! It is stunning! You are amazing. You've inspired me to start flea marketing here in Europe and open my own Etsy shop!
http://tresmagnifique.etsy.com
Posted by: Mom in High Heels | April 04, 2009 at 04:28 PM
It's a gorgeous room! I love that you brought the scale of the room down to show what can be done in a room that you would commonly find in New Orleans older homes.
Posted by: Lazy Mom Leslie | April 04, 2009 at 04:18 PM
Wow! What a fabulous adventure searching for all the antiques and treasures! I love that cabinet hutch! The dining room you've created is fabulous! Its so great to see the step by step process too. The color palate is sooooo soothing and relaxing, makes you just wanna sit there with friends for hours. Now I wanna redo my dining room!
I used to go antique shopping at flea markets and consignment shops around Los Angeles but haven't been in years. So many of my fav shops closed too. I must find some places to go again. This is such an inspiring post! Thank you sooo much for sharing!
I Love Your Place! :)
Posted by: Bonnie | April 04, 2009 at 03:59 PM