Historic House Workshop at Preservation Resource Center

Ahem, some PR - just in case you are in New Orleans this evening ~

Valorie Hart is well known for giving Argentine tango workshops with her husband Alberto Paz. Now you can attend an interior design workshop she is giving at the Preservation Resource Center. Historic House Workshop: "Designing the Interior of Your Historic Home" with Valorie Hart (including a Book Signing with Stephanie Bruno) Tuesday, May 10, 2011 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. At the PRC 923 Tchoupitoulas St. (in the Warehouse District) Learn the tricks of the interior design trade – plus get a signed copy of a new book about local neighborhood architecture! This workshop is ideal for anyone who is decorating their home for the first time or who is looking to redesign the interior of their home. Learn design tips from Valorie Hart, who is a design consultant at Perch and author of Visual Vamp, a home decorating blog. See images of beautifully decorated rooms, and learn tips and tricks to promote traffic flow through awkward spaces. Also, Stephanie Bruno will discuss & sign copies of her new book, New Orleans Streets: A Walker's Guide to Neighborhood Architecture. Cash bar. Free and open to the public. For more information, call 504.636.3399 or email sblaum@prcno.org.

Yard Project Almost Done

Gravel and Trina Turk and a place to party

I have been working on my yard since Katrina trashed it. It has been slow going to say the least.
I have the best neighbors in the world, and they have been working hard to rebuild the fence that blew down between our houses, and it was finally finished a few months ago, which was what I needed to proceed.

I'm giving you some hints of the elements I am using in these photos from my clipping file.

Pink and Buddhas

Our house is on a double lot, a real treat for city living. We have two old cracked concrete patios in the back, because at one time this double shotgun house had two families living in it, hence two patios. I took down the fence between the two to open it up into one larger space.

A lawn to mow

No budget to completely demo old cement patios, and really no will to do it either. So I came up with some stylist choices, that have worked out very well.
There is a nice area for entertaining in the back now.

I spy a Bocce court!

On the side of the house with the extra lot, there is a driveway for off street parking. I have carved out some planting beds flanking the drive, preserving a 150 year Sweet Olive tree, and adding new pass-along plants, including some great palm trees.

There was also space for a lawn! Green grass in the city! At first I thought about hard scape for this area, or even raised planter boxes inspired by Brooke and Steve's (Velvet and Linen)
front yard vegetable garden. But in the end I was most inspired by Cholo, who loves to play ball, and the grass was the best option for his sweet little paws.

Are you up for a game?

We planted St. Augustine grass, and it is still coming into to it's own, but I can see how lush it's going to be, and I envision some croquet perhaps? I've been eye balling a vintage croquet set in a local antique shop on Magazine Street.


And how about some lawn bowling and cocktails?

Oooh Lawn Bowling outfits!

Or maybe a game of Bocce!

Love the ghetto-look Bocce court with the discarded beer can

The weather is so fine right now. The shop was closed Saturday because a huge raucous St. Patrick's Day parade rolls on Magazine Street, 1400 drinking men dressed in tuxedos handing out roses for sloppy kisses.

So Jack came over and we did alot of work, painting and spiffing up. Alberto is building a few things, and helping me realize the vision I have had in my head for five years and counting.
How was the weekend where you're at? Are you doing tons of yard work too?

Another hint - the secret garden
Something I love from the French Quarter

I'm on the fast track to complete as much as possible. The PRC Shotgun House Tour is April 2, so if you are in New Orleans get your ticket HERE, and come and see our house AND yard!