New Orleans Homes

As I pack to move, along with wondering why I need so much stuff, my mind has also been very much thinking about organizing.  Thank goodness we are moving to a larger house!   But as I say that, I do have to admit that I do like small places - the type that are referred to as "cozy" in the Real Estate listings.  And I think that is one of the reasons that I find the architecture in New Orleans so charming.  Of course, I am not talking about the mansions of the Garden District which are absolutely stunning, but those beautiful Shotgun houses and Creole Cottages that you find scattered throughout the city, including the French Quarter.

We stayed in a condo in the French Quarter in 2008.  It was located on North Bourbon Street, in behind a double shotgun house.  It was a converted slaves quarters and it was absolutely delightful!  It was small, but so well thought out organizationally, and beautifully decorated and restored.   I enjoyed the feeling of actually living in the Quarter rather than just being a visitor.  It was removed from the busiest part of Bourbon street and surprisingly quiet. 

This is the living area. The French doors on the left lead to the swimming pool and you can see part of the dining set at the left.

This is the kitchen and dining area. I loved the beamed ceiling and the original brick walls. The floors were slate.

This is the back of the Condo.  The doors in the picture are those shown in the living area picture.  The brickwork around the pool was beautiful and the tiles were also a lovely effect.  The gate on the left leads to the front courtyard and then past the shotgun house that fronts onto Bourbon Street.

I was so amused by this arrangement for the washer and dryer.  This is in the courtyard between the shotgun house and the condo. 

Our stay there prompted me to spend  many an hour thinking about getting settled in a home in New Orleans. I thought about all the places where I would need to build shelves to hold all of my yarn and books, and how to set up a compact little office area, and.that I would still need to have a courtyard so I could continue to do some gardening.....well, you get the idea!  

Along with watching the ships on the Mississippi, one of my favorite pasttimes in New Orleans is just walking around looking at the architecture - the different styles and colours, the ironwork, the lovely courtyards and gates. 

This single shotgun house is on Esplanade.  Long and narrow...and cute.  But I imagine, it would be challenging for furniture arranging!

This is a double Creole Cottage - similar to what we call semi-detached.  And isn't the purple of the townhome next to it beautiful?

Here is a Double Barrel Shotgun House - again - like our Semi-detached.

I have been told that they are called shotgun houses because you could open up the front door and shoot a gun and the bullet would go straight through to the back door without hitting anything.  And, the reason for the long and narrow design is that taxes used to be charged by the frontage you had.  Typically you will also find these homes without closets because you were also taxed on the number of rooms, and a closet with a door was considered a room by the tax collectors.

Here are three different styles side by side.

This creole cottage looks like it needs some serious work.  But if you look closely, you will see new lights at the eves, and there is new intercom with camera at the gate.  Can you say "Shabby Chic"? I would love to see behind those shutters!  I suspect the interior is spectacular!

This is an alleyway between two buildings leading to a courtyard. 

This entrance captured by attention with its white columns and grey ironwork gate and matching shutters.

The iron supports for the galleries were what caught my eye here.

I liked the colours and the gingerbread style supports on this home.

This was a view from our balcony one year.  Wouldn't it be lovely to have a gallery adorned with hanging plants and flower boxes like those in this picture?  A gallery is like a balcony, but supported from below. 

Here is just one example of a Garden District home.  I am usually on the Streetcar when I am taking pictures of these homes, so although there are many homes far more beautiful than this one, many of my pictures are blurry!

This is a home that fronts onto Audubon Park.  Some of the most beautiful homes in New Orleans are in this area.

And last but far from least, is a pictue of some of the Make It Right Nola homes that are being built in the Lower 9th Ward. 

 The Make It Right campaign is spearheaded by Brad Pitt and is still accepting donations.  Can you believe that the 5th Anniversary of Katrina is this coming weekend and there are still people who have not been able to return to their homes?

http://www.makeitrightnola.org/

If you can, take the time to look at the Make It Right Nola site - link above.  I am sure you will find it interesting.

Although I dread packing, I shall not complain because I am thinking of those people who were displaced almost 5 years ago and be thankful that I still have belongings to pack and a roof over my head.