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| Julia Reed on the porch of her First Street house in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: online.wsj.com |
Julia Reed's house is considered one of New Orleans' most beautiful and hospitable homes. Decorated with assistance from Thomas Jayne, decorator friends Suzanne Rheinstein and Patrick Dunne also gave advice. In an article written by Julia Reed for Elle Décor magazine, she says Thomas referred to the team as the "Committee on Taste." The house is also featured in Thomas' acclaimed book AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.
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| 1236 First Street, New Orleans. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| The Entrance Hall of Julia Reed's house looking back towards the front door. Thomas Jayne advocated a neutral decorating scheme to compliment the adjacent parlors. Photo: Jayne Design Studio
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| The Front Parlor contains the pair of faux bamboo settees purchased before the house was bought in 2004. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| Looking from the Front Parlor to the Back Parlor. The bold door and window trim is typical of the Greek Revival period. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| The Back Parlor is also used as a Music Room. The gilt catfish on the piano was salvaged from a Mardi Gras float. Thomas Jayne suggested the Claremont yellow silk for the curtains and the chintz from Le Manach. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| The Dining Room contains a sofa from the home of Julia Reed's grandmother in Nashville. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| The Pantry is painted in Ball Green paint from Farrow & Ball. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor |
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| The Kitchen contains a range for serious cooking. Julia Reed wrote the food column for the "New York Times" magazine for several years. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor |
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| A Guest Bathroom is decorated with 19th century prints of Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor. |
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| The Master Bedroom features an Aubusson rug on top of sisal. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor |
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| The Library was added in the 20th century. The stained paneling was painted to resemble pine by Julia Reed's childhood friend, Anne McGee. Photo: Jayne Design Studio |
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| The Sunroom features Bennison Crewelwork fabric. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor. |
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| Homeowner Julia Reed in the Sunroom of her house on First Street. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor |
It all made me smile and remember how happy I am to be Southern. I will be adding some books to my collection and gift list without a doubt.
ReplyDeleteKerry the books are loads of fun and make great gifts, too. Copies of QUEEN OF THE TURTLE DERBY start at just one cent (plus shipping).
DeleteGreat post dahhling, as usual. Had seen this house in various magazines but always a treat to be reminded of its charming easy decor.
ReplyDeleteD.o.S., the Big Easy, indeed.
DeleteOne of the most beautiful and beautifully colored houses I've seen in a long time!
ReplyDeleteBlue, the Elle Décor article mentions a number of the out-of-the-can paint colors by name. I think the light filtering through the big trees in the subtropical climate has a lot to do with it, too.
DeleteI always feel a sense of deflation when I read about a house much loved by the owners being hoisted onto the market after being featured in a leading magazine. Was it just an exercise to move on to the next one? Don't people hang onto and continuously evolve their style and preferences over time any more? I guess all will be forgotten when familiar furnishings are reinvented in the next residence in time for the next photoshoot before her next book is published. Does anyone else feel this way?
ReplyDeleteMfB, I suppose I had a sort of an admiration for those who want to move often; it is one of my least favorite things.
Deletehopefully not
DeleteI like Jayne's use of color in the house, especially the way he favored lighter shades over dark/jewel tones. I also like the feeling of airiness, which features the architecture and appears very comfortable and livable. (The one detail I did not like was the pictures above the bathtub, which seem susceptible to moisture.)
ReplyDeleteThe Reed books look like fun, so I'll put them on my list for the next trip back.
--Road to Parnassus
P., the proportions of the rooms undoubtedly help, too. Although I tend to use not-so-valuable prints in a bathroom, I do specially frame them so moisture cannot cause deterioration.
DeleteI shall forever LOVE Lucullus, Patrick Dunne's store. It was 23 years ago, I was in - he had 2 of the most superb 18thC Zuber wallpaper panels from Cupid and Psyche in Grisaille framed. They haunted me when back in Los Angeles...I opted for a late 17thC French painting of Paris giving the Golden Apple to Venus in oil and in original frame...to say the least, I called back and they were sold!
ReplyDeleteNever again have I seen these other than in shows at the Armory or Barker Hanger for gobs of moolah! The Apple though is so Le Brun.
T.S., I, too, love that Zuber series of Cupid and Psyche. They are still produced, by the way. As things in my house seem to acquire patina quickly, I may be tempted for a scene or two.
DeleteI read her first book House on First Street and loved it. Can't wait to get the others. She is great writer and a fine cook. Sorry to see her leave that house.
ReplyDeleteAmericans never cease to amaze me (and I am one of them now). They are always traipsing through Europe to see old ruins and houses and yet when it comes to their own homes they see nothing in flipping them and moving on to a new project. I guess that is the American spirit!
J., Americans are indeed free spirits. And I suppose there is always that anticipation that the next house will be even better (and perhaps the basis for another book).
DeleteJohn,
ReplyDeleteGreat posting, as usual! I really enjoy NOLA, and enjoyed this interesting post. My clients in Charleston have recently sold their small house - for over $1,000 per square foot- a true jewel box if ever there was. I like the Garden District, but am more fond of the quarter and the area just past called Marigny-NOLA is just so authentic, even with all the tourism- it's like Venice in that regard. Let's visit NOLA soon, Robbie Cangelosi AIA gives amazing tours of the Crescent City. Muriel's off Jackson Square has decadent NOLA cuisine!
Dean Farris*****
DF, someday we'll have to invite all the Bloggers who have left a comment here to join us for a gastronomical & architectural tour of New Orleans! Now that would be a style event to blog about.
DeleteI meant Dufour created the CUPID & PSYCHE panels.
ReplyDeleteYes, Dufour. I received a message that the Zuber re-editions are silk-screened and do not have the dimensionality of the original woodblock prints.
DeleteAdelphi Paper Hangings has two panels, but they are from an entirely different series. Attractive, though. Thanks for your comments.
I would KILL to be there, but will be en route to High Point to cover the Furniture Market!
ReplyDeleteI saw Thomas Jayne last week and he's such a huge talent!
xo
M, hopefully each of the Bloggers will do a post afterwards to summarize the highlights of the panel discussion. And ditto on Thomas Jayne.
DeleteLovely, timelessly chic rooms. And Ms Reed can cook, too. Life just wouldn 't be
ReplyDeletethe same without her recipes for cheese straws and seasoned pecans.
Toby, I always use her recipe for deviled eggs as the basis for my egg salad sandwiches. The key to the success is Grey Poupon mustard.
DeleteThe color combination of the parlor — that striking yellow and green — makes it my favorite room of the house. I imagine it would brighten any day.
ReplyDeleteMark, I think yellow silk curtains must always make a room happy. Thanks for commenting.
Delete