Two national publications feature my homesJulia Reed, and Garden & Gun....details below Julia Reed celebrates New Orleans & south Louisiana culture in her new book. Front cover shot in my courtyard. Julia Reed's New Orleans: Food, Fun, and Field Trips for Letting the Good Times Roll All photos are courtesy of Paul Costello Photography It's an instant classic and should be part of any southern cookbook collection. I'm so excited for my dear friend Julia Reed's accomplishment. What fun it was to be part of her effort. So when Julia called asking to shoot a chapter in her upcoming book at my house in the French Quarter, my quick answer: Well of course! gumbo lunchI have to believe that we inspire each other. Years ago, Julia Reed walked into my antique store in the French Quarter. She fell in love with some esoteric prints of bugs. They were ridiculous. After all, who buys pictures of bugs? I did and she did! Then, I realized that she lived nearby and I closed the shop and went over there for a drink, and the laughs and good times have been ceaseless since. Julia's classic Seafood Gumbo is below along with a Rum Pecan Pie. That's my kitchen stove and though it's something of a relic, countless memorable meals have been created in that galley-sized kitchen. Most days begin with a strong cup of chicory coffee made in the French drip pot sitting there on the stove. Of course, they're sweetened with natural cane sugar from my family's mill in Patoutville and it makes me think of my French heritage. Julia Reed is a world-class tastemaker and has an extraordinary talent for bringing people together. The other New Orleans celebrations she includes are magical: phenomenal settings with wonderful dishes featuring her recipes along with favorites from prominent chefs and home-cooks...and, it's a great cultural read. Paul Costello's photos are the perfect accompaniment to her narrative. Patoutville shinesI particularly appreciate Julia's love for my home in South Louisiana. And as she started thinking about her forays over the years with me in Cajun country (we've shared many great adventures!), she decided to include a chapter at my country house in Patoutville set amongst the sugar cane background. She penned this sweet note to Patoutville: There's no bad time to visit Patoutville, but it is especially beautiful in summer and early fall, when the sugarcane is wait-high in the fields. In late fall and winter, the trucks full of cut cane form miles-long lines at the mill and there's twenty-four hours-a-day drama as great clouds of smoke fill the sky. Ancient Oaks at BAyside PlantationMy cousin's nearby Bayside Plantation, was another destination in this chapter. As a realtor specializing in historic properties, I'm representing the sale of Bayside (click the above Bayside link for more images and listing details. Aioli Dinner:The culmination of the South Louisiana photo shoot was this fabulous meal celebrated with dear friends. I love that Julia was inspired by Teche country artist George Rodrigue's Aioli Supper Club and chose to recreate that celebration in her book. It's based on old Creole Gourmet Society traditions....another homage to the rich culture of South Louisiana. Among the most cherished compliments I've known, shared here from Julia: ... she's first referring to George Rodrigue and her vision to recreate the Aioli Dinner from his painting: I think the artist would have approved of our gathering under the live oaks. He so respected the traditions of his ancestors, and Peter, with his antiques-filled houses and love of the land, honors the past and his own Louisiana history with more joie de vivre and élan than anyone I know." _______________________________ Thank you Julia Reed! As always with you, life is a magnificent celebration. |
Founders Ball & Exhibition Opening The Baroness de Pontalba & the Family that Built Jackson Square _______________ How a father’s philanthropy & a daughter’s determination created the urban heart and the architectural look of Old New Orleans My cousin and I were looking for a Joan of Arc site when we got lost. Then I saw a sign for Senlis, which I remembered from Intimate Enemies: The Two Worlds of the Baroness de Pontalba, Christina Vella’s biography of the Almonester and Pontalba families, as their family seat. We stopped at the Visitor Center and asked if the Pontalba family still lived in Senlis and discovered that they did! We arranged to tour their gardens and drove through alleys of poplar trees and rolling hills to the château. To our delight we met members of the Pontalba family, who graciously invited us in. That the direct descendants of the Baroness de Pontalba (1795-1874) would welcome us to Château de Mont-l’Évêque, that we would develop a warm friendship, and that they would embrace their Louisiana heritage was beyond any dream that I could imagine! Subsequently, I kept dreaming along with my friends, artist Andrew Lamar Hopkins and Louisiana Museum Foundation Director Susan Maclay. |
Pontalba Family Founders Ball Invitations
From the beginning, we set our sights on the LMF’s top fundraising event, The Founders’ Ball, and invited the Pontalba family to be our honored guests.
We also realized that Mont l’Évêque is a treasure trove of historical items related to the Pontalbas' time in Louisiana - primarily in the 19th century. So, the idea for the exhibition was born.
We also realized that Mont l’Évêque is a treasure trove of historical items related to the Pontalbas' time in Louisiana - primarily in the 19th century. So, the idea for the exhibition was born.
New Orleans’ iconic urban core: Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytère, and the twin Pontalba Buildings - Upper Pontalba Apartments shown.
In addition to items from the de Pontalba family château, the exhibition will draw from the Louisiana State Museum, and loans from private collections. We are honored to have guest Curator, Randolph Delehanty, PhD, who will tell the city-defining story of Don Andrés Almonester and his formidable daughter, Micaela, the Baroness de Pontalba.
The Founders Ball and Exhibit are dedicated to Christina Vella
Of course, none of this would have happened if I hadn't read Intimate Enemies. We should all be eternally grateful to the late Christina Vella, author of this book that was critically acclaimed by the New York Times.
If you haven't already read Intimate Enemies, I encourage you to do so. It will deepen your appreciation of the exhibit and what Jackson Square means to all of us.
The costume Ball will be reminiscent of the elegant parties Baroness Pontalba held in New Orleans and in her mansion in Paris, which today, still known as the Hôtel de Pontalba, serves as the official residence of the United States Ambassador to France.
Late-18th-century to mid-19th-century attire, recalling the days of Don Almonester and our Baroness, are encouraged for the ball. Contemporary black tie and ball gowns will also be acceptable.
Together, we will welcome Charles-Edouard and Isabelle, Baron and Baroness de Pontalba, their son Pierre, and other family members from France!
Here’s a link to buy your Founders Ball tickets. They are $300 each for Louisiana Museum Foundation Members and $350 for non-members. I suggest you do this today for tickets are limited and this remarkable event will sell out!
The only mission of the Louisiana Museum Foundation is to support the Louisiana State Museum through community donations and programmatic support. I hope that you will join me as a proud member of the LMF to support them for this event and beyond.
Almonester Pontalba balcony ironwork detail from the Pontalba Apartments
IBERIA PARISH, LA. From Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5, 2017, the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art - Louisiana Chapter will host its first foray to the exotic Teche Country. "Sugar and Spice: The Architecture & Art of Bayou Teche, Owen Southwell, and Tabasco's Avery Island" is a premiere event celebrating the classical architecture, history, heritage and art of Iberia Parish, Owen Southwell, Bayou Teche, Avery Island and more.
As a native of Iberia Parish, where my roots run deep, I am excited to share this classical world of architecture and art of my beloved Bayou Teche country. Our foray participants will soon succumb to the exotic eden of café au lait-colored bayous, sugar cane fields and live oaks draped in festoons of Spanish moss. This foray is
an exposé to our national audience; one that will showcase the classical featurettes of our heritage in a scale never been seen in this area.
Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime Iberia Parish event are:
SCROLL DOWN for a 38-page information packet that covers details such as schedule, registration, region/architecture history, lecture/lecturer topics, accommodation, et cetera. Click on the button below and purchase your ticket(s). ICAA-member and non-member prices available. Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5, 2017.
As a native of Iberia Parish, where my roots run deep, I am excited to share this classical world of architecture and art of my beloved Bayou Teche country. Our foray participants will soon succumb to the exotic eden of café au lait-colored bayous, sugar cane fields and live oaks draped in festoons of Spanish moss. This foray is
an exposé to our national audience; one that will showcase the classical featurettes of our heritage in a scale never been seen in this area.
Highlights of this once-in-a-lifetime Iberia Parish event are:
- Four lectures by four of the finest experts of Teche Country's architecture, history and art.
- Two luxurious dinners at private antebellum plantation houses on the banks of the Bayou Teche: Bayside Plantation and Shadows-on-the-Teche.
- Three lunches, including one among the sugar cane fields on an antebellum plantation estate.
- Private house tours, including Iberia Parish architect Owen J. Southwell.
- Private Avery Island home tours.
- Bus transportation around the foray.
- AIA CEU (pending to early October).
SCROLL DOWN for a 38-page information packet that covers details such as schedule, registration, region/architecture history, lecture/lecturer topics, accommodation, et cetera. Click on the button below and purchase your ticket(s). ICAA-member and non-member prices available. Thursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5, 2017.
BECOME A SPONSOR
We would be so honored to have your sponsorship for this foray and future ICAA-LA events. Thousands of people of across the country are invited to attend our event.
SPONSORSHIP DETAILS:
To become a sponsor at your chosen level, proceed by filling out and submitting the official ICAA Sponsorship Form, below. Details included in the form.
We would be so honored to have your sponsorship for this foray and future ICAA-LA events. Thousands of people of across the country are invited to attend our event.
SPONSORSHIP DETAILS:
- A sponsorship of this level will support the ICAA-LA educating and encouraging participation from enthusiasts and professionals on Louisiana's classical architecture, art and cultural heritage.
- A portion of $500+ sponsorship level is tax-deductible.
- With $1,000+ sponsorship, your entity would be marketed as a sponsor of the forthcoming foray as well as all subsequent ICAA-LA events for the next 12 months with your logo on marketing material.
To become a sponsor at your chosen level, proceed by filling out and submitting the official ICAA Sponsorship Form, below. Details included in the form.
icaa_fall_2017_iberia_parish_foray_packet__final_.pdf | |
File Size: | 6068 kb |
File Type: |
Check your air conditioning unit every summer for efficiency to beat the heat. There are State and Federal financial incentives such as renewable energy tax credits, special loans, and net metering if your system needs updating. Here are some helpful programs:
- Tax Credit for Solar and Wind
- Home Energy Loan Program “HELP”
- Louisiana Net Metering
- Tax Credit for Solar and Wind
- Home Energy Loan Program “HELP”
- Louisiana Net Metering
Hiring a historic window specialist to glaze windows and secure their surround will help to sustain their longevity and efficiency.
- Don’t remove original windows, just repair existing ones!
- Don’t remove original windows, just repair existing ones!
Your house will expand or swell in the summer, just like everything else in the South. Harsh weather conditions will take effect, so make sure you plan according to make repairs to the masonry, brick, wood, or any other façade material after the peak of summer.
- Do any repair work toward the fall months after the severity of expansion has subsided.
- Spend summer months researching historic building specialists in anticipation of repairs. This is a great time to shop reviews and get quotes.
- Do any repair work toward the fall months after the severity of expansion has subsided.
- Spend summer months researching historic building specialists in anticipation of repairs. This is a great time to shop reviews and get quotes.
See Press for more News!
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