Kitchen Tour

Not sure if you guys remember, but last year, I took y'all on a virtual tour of the Junior League of New Orleans Kitchen Tour.  Well, it hasn't happened yet, but the previews were sent out in this month's New Orleans Homes and Lifestyles Magazine.  Check out all of the kitchens here. 

That being said, many of them are very traditional and a little too, well, traditional for my taste.  Of course, I am sure that they are all beautifully executed and sit within incredible homes.  I will certainly check them out in person...just not in a limo this time around! 

Here are my two favorites of the bunch.

I wouldn't necessarily want this kitchen in my own home, but I applaud the owners for their risk taking, especially in a town where trad tends to still, overall, rule the day. 

I love the slick table paired with the softer chairs...although scarily impractical for my own kitch!



The formal write up:


bill metcalf and cindy chassaniol
1228 Pleasant St.
Sponsored by Stafford Tile & Stone

Bill Metcalf and Cindy Chassaniol created a contemporary white kitchen when they renovated their home in 2009.  Alex Tefel of ATH Painter Contractors Inc. served as the kitchen’s contractor, and Shawn O’Brien of Shawn O’Brien Interiors did the interior decorating. Cabinets by Design provided the white Brookhaven cabinets, installed by Becky Richard. The quartz and Corian countertops by Marques Countertops complement the pickled, bleached white flooring installed by ATH. The main lighting is by CX Design of New York and Jonathan Browning Studios of San Francisco, and there is also LED under-cabinet lighting. All appliances are from Cabinets by Design. The shattered glass backsplash from Stafford Tile & Stone tops off the immaculate modern look.

Can't wait to check this one out in person.  This home has been featured in a local design rag, and I am just itching to see the whole thing!

Formal write up:

nick mayor and jessica bride

1741 Coliseum St.
Sponsored by Nordic Kitchens and Baths

Nick Mayor and Jessica Bride completely gutted their Garden District home but were careful to save original architectural features, earning them a Renaissance Award from the Preservation Resource Center and New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles. After two years, their vision of a modern loft-like kitchen came to life at a grand 600 square feet. Bride, a graduate of New York’s French Culinary Institute, works for the corporate side of restaurants, so the kitchen was a vital part of the home renovation. Randall Shaw of Nordic Kitchens and Baths Inc. and Bruce McNally of BKLN Design Studio in Brooklyn did the interior decorating. The CaesarStone Blizzard countertops combined with the “Glass” Venetian Plaster wall finish – a custom color created and applied by McNally – brightens up the room. Rounding out the modern look is the Cellula Chandelier from Design Within Reach on Magazine Street. The layout was perfect for Bride and Mayor because, they say, it allows kids to run around without fear of hitting an open oven door – contemporary is kid-friendly in this home.


If you are in Nola, I highly recommend that you check out the JLNO Kitchen Tour on April 16, 2011.  If you are considering a kitchen renovation, it is a great source to meet contractors, renovators and get ideas.  OR...it is also a fun thing to do if you are a looky loo like myself. 

Let me know if you are interested in trekking through the Garden District and Old Metairie with me!

Cheers,

JSH







Announcing

I wanted to share Miller's announcement with all of my Gimlet readers.  I love the way it turned out.  I designed it with the help of the awesome Allison of The Stationer of New Orleans. 

If you are in Nola, I highly recommend The Stationer.  BUT, if you don't have access to it, my top suggestion is to always ask your local stationery store if they will design something in house for you...especially if they are willing to "be inspired" by a fancy paper line that you may like, but can't afford. 

The announcement included an insert of this pic in wallet size. 

I included a black and white version in the announcement, but I think the color looks great on the blog! 

This photo was taken by my talented friend Julie of Nola Baby.

I love looking at announcements....send me pics of yours if you have something you would like to share with Gimlet Nation! 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Cheers, 

JSH

P.S.  Another delightful source for announcements, invites, and stationery if, of course, Tiny Prints.  I am sure that most of you know about TP.    Talk about affordable and STYL-ISH with a ton of design options. 

A pic of baby boy's little thank you notes I recently ordered....

Cute, no?  The price was right!

Happy Friday, y'all.

Cheers,

JSH

Stray Dog

I am likely slow on the uptake and you guys have seen this already, but....who knew?  Stray Dog Designs, a favorite of mine, has launched a small line for West Elm.  Unfortunately, most of the Stray Dog stuff is out of my price range, but the West Elm line is more affordable a la Isaac Mizrahi/John Derian/Thomas O'Brien/etc for Tar-jay. 

Super into the chandy....I wish it was bigger and would work in our dining room (yep, still no decision on that, BTW)

Like all of Stray Dog's signature designs, it is papier mache. 

Simple, yet statement piece. 

I also like the side table...

Fresh take on a garden stool with a nice small footprint.

I have a West Elm gift card burning a hole in my pocket and, sadly, the spine bookcases are no longer.  Perhaps I will be tempted by one of the Stray Dog items.  Luxe for less!

Cheers,

JSH

Tunic Time!

As I have told y'all before, I have a not-so-slight tunic obsession. My friends will even often text me pics of "dashikis" or tunics or "tunes" that they find for me and think that I should immediately purchase. Anyhoo, just thought I would share the tunic I must have after I shed the bambino weight. A tangible goal!

The toggle on the top KILLS me. 

Thoughts?

Have you checked out Elizabeth McKay yet? One of my true faves these days!

Me want.

Cheers,

JSH

Nursery Reveal, Professional Pics

So many of you have asked for nursery pics over the course of my pregnancy and post Miller arrival.  Finally, I have some decent pics to share with you.  They do not capture all of the details of the room, but are beautiful pics and at least can show you the bedding, window treatments, etc.  I love Miller's nursery, and I hope you do too! 

I will take some more non-professional pics to show you other parts of the room.  Should you have any sourcing questions, please do not hesitate to ask. 

What do you think?

Cheers,

JSH

Sneak Peek of Miller and his Nursery...

I am so excited to share some initial pics of Miller's happy-place-where-he-currently-spends-no-time, his nursery, as well as Miller himself!

Check out the amazing work of Jennifer Zdon of Twirl Photography via her blog post today.  Pretty damn awesome in my humble opinion!  I will share the rest of the images when I receive them via disk.  Thanks to Jennifer for her shout to Gimlet as well.

Let me know what y'all think.

Cheers,

JSH

PS: Wow...motivation to get on the work out train in exactly two more weeks.  Yay!

New Orleans A to Z

In honor of Miller's one month birthday, we had some professional photographs taken of the little guy.  This is not something we would typically do as we are usually low maintenance about such things, including "photo sessions" of us passing big milestones.  However, when we found Twirl Photography about six months ago, we knew we had to go with it!  Jennifer Zdon, owner of Twirl, takes incredibly natural and beautiful photographs.  Not alot of baby costumes or awkward family photo-type poses. 

Non-professional one month old pic of Miller.  I plan to take his monthly pics in the womb chair.

This picture cracks me up...he is "sitting" and looking sort of Hugh Hefner/Don Draper to me! 

Jennifer Zdon came to our home and was truly the most patient photographer ever...she stayed with us for two and a half hours, waiting calmly while someone cried and fell back asleep, then ate, then woke up, then got changed, then took one photo, then cried, then fell asleep.  You get the idea, no?

One of the reasons we chose Twirl is because we love Jennifer's book New Orleans A to Z, often having bought it for gifts for friends children and, of course, enjoying Miller's copy ourselves.  Have you checked it out before? 

If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you do so.  It is beautifully photographed. 

You can preview the book here! 

I will post some of Miller's pics when we receive them from Jennifer.  We are waiting on pins and needles to see them.  If you are interested in Twirl Photography, check out her site which has a link to her great blog, too!  

Cheers,

JSH

 

Tiny Arrival

Gimlet Nation!! Is anyone out there who still checks in on us and reads this blog?  Helllloooo.....is anyone there?  I wouldn't blame you if you abandoned Gimlet.  I have been incredibly negligent of the blog, but for the greatest reason of my life. 

Our son, David Miller Haynes aka Miller Haynes aka Mill Dawg, Millster, Champagne of Babies, High Life, Binker, Gizmo, or Wolfie arrived on his due date, February 10, 2011 after a long pre-labor and quick labor.  Our obsession with him knows no bounds, and we are completely immersed in our new family life together, delighting in every move, wiggle, and cry he makes! 

Please be patient with me as I figure out how to gather the brain cells to post...I promise that I will be back.  I miss you guys and vow that I have not abandoned you or Gimlet.  I am just living in the moment like I have never done before and willingly devoting all of my time and energy into getting to know my sweet and beautiful son. 

In the meantime, I hope these pics satiate you. 

This is still my favorite pictures of my little Gizmo.  Taken about 5 minutes after he was born.

There is something about his expression here that cracks me up....and those lips!

Anyway, he is almost one month old here. 

I will be posting regularly soon....promise! 

Cheers,

JSH