NOLA 2: Carroll-Crawford House (1869)

I was immediately drawn to the first room on the left in the house made famous by Julia Reed in The House On First Street: My New Orleans Story. It's somehow both cozy and spacious, with bright, fresh colors that speak to me of what I'd imagined New Orleans to be.

These vibrant prints from the 1920s are wonderful! Julia and John have a stack of insect prints from the same series, ready to be framed and installed. I know they'll look great in the room.



Isn't the medallion beautiful? I like the way its ornate style contrasts with the clean lines of the crown molding.


Speaking of looking great in the room ... meet the neighbors!


Allison owns the Carroll-Crawford house diagonally across the street. I'd been admiring (stalking) it as I walked toward the Reed-Pearce house for the brunch.


Isn't the ironwork spectacular?


The walking tour guides say such luminaries as Mark Twain and Edgar Degas have been lavishly entertained in this home. And now we're invited. Come on, y'all ...

Lush vegetation, hanging baskets, ceiling fans on the porch. It has the feel of a plantation home in the Caribbean, doesn't it?


What a cozy place for mint juleps on the veranda!

What kind of birds would look (and sound) best in the cage?


Light floods the entry hall from above and below. I must warn you that the quality of the photographs won't be consistent. As I mentioned in the previous post, I avoided using pictures with other guests in them. Several of the images I'm showing you are from other blogs and websites. The red carpet in the entry hall has now been replaced with seagrass. The seagrass looks and feels great underfoot.


The following image is from an Elle Decor March, 2009 article. I admired the window treatments, and Allison told me they were the work of Richard Keith Langham from Alabama. You can read about him HERE. His name led me to the Elle Decor article.


Several homes I visited in New Orleans had paintings hanging in front of books on shelves. I loved the look. It seemed to be merging visual and literary arts -- giving the feeling that being surrounded by art and culture is more important than keeping things in orderly categories.





The sculpture on the shelf (below the ornate gold frame) is one that Allison created. I think it's one of the most quietly beautiful things in her stunning home.





The kitchen seemed to me to be in keeping with the character of this wonderful old home. I'm definitely not a decorator, and I don't know the jargon. But I do know when a space exudes positive energy. It's easy to see why the family gathers here at mealtimes, rather than in the more formal rooms.


This is the back staircase. Isn't the woodwork amazing?


Looking out at the gardens ...





The pool ...


I didn't see this bedroom (but I thought you'd want to!).


Headed back toward the front door. Wonderful light, airy spaces for entertaining.








One last look upward ...


Valorie, the Visual Vamp, snapping a picture of our hosts' home, with the former Anne Rice residence behind her. It looks relatively "compact," doesn't it?


Here it is from the side street. Now that's the house I'd like to tour the next time I'm in NOLA!

Thank you for stopping by. Next we'll do a walking tour of some of my favorite houses in the Garden District.