Recreating the New Orleans Aesthetic for Mardi Gras

Knock, knock. Who’s there? Your new design. In honor of Mardi Gras, find these festive touches to create a French-Quarter inspired home. Channeling the vibrancy behind NOLA’s energy this week- no boarding pass necessary.

A Bold Entrance

It may be hard to come by those French doors, but not to worry, the solution is only a brush stroke away. New Orleans natives love to make a statement – and let their neighbors know it! Paint your front door or shutters a dramatic color such as a fire engine red, or a chartreuse green (read our Spring Trends Story here: Chartreuse)

First Moves

Show personality. Make subtle changes like choosing antique frames (or antique-esque) in a rococo style to hold-up family photos. Swap out that uber modern console for a demi-lune table. Top it off with a painterly vase and you’ve got southern drama!

Master of the Mix

Have unique statement pieces hidden somewhere in storage but that you NEVER find appropriate for modern decor? Now you do. NOLA’s cultural hub has a lot to do with its great real-estate. The port brought together goods from all over the world, so it should be no shock that the decor down south has overseas influences.

Juxtapose an African rug against a Venetian ottoman, or sit French sconces atop a glossy chinoiserie wall-covering. Channel your inner globe-trotter.

Go Long

If you can’t grow your walls, play a little mind trick. Tall mirrors are über French, and where floor plans don’t allow, these beauties come in handy. Try a wall-length mirror, or if that’s too big a commitment, scatter them in focal points of a space throughout all rooms that need that extra boost. They reflect all the colors beautifully, too!

Timeless statement: Fleur-de-lis

Universal? Yes. Unoriginal? Absolutely not. There’s a reason this pattern is seen everywhere, it speaks to french history and is the perfect way to include “greenery” (the leaves) without having to water them. If the pattern doesn’t fit the rest of your scheme, upholster smaller pieces that nod to the NOLA decor with a soft-hand, like a throw pillow.

Final Touch

Courtyards are BIG in NOLA. And amongst the brick and antique flower pots, what fills these beauties with life? Flowers. In order to recreate the New Orleans experience, try placing magnolias in a limoges bowl. The bowl adds an elevated decor element like no other!