today’s second city guide belongs to one of my favorite areas in the country: new orleans! d*s reader and journalist annemarie dooling offered to create this guide and i’m thrilled to get an insider’s guide to some of the great galleries, shops and restaurants in the area. hopefully ac and i can make it down to new orleans later this fall when the weather has cooled down a bit. if you’re planning a trip down this spring or summer i hope you’ll enjoy annemarie’s guide! click here for the full post or just click “read more” below. [thanks, annemarie!]
New Orleans City Guide (Written by Annemarie Dooling)
New Orleans has always been a haunting place, but Hurricane Katrina gave the city’s shadows more depth. While many areas have rebuilt stronger than before, there are still some neighborhoods to be very cautious in- especially if you are new to the city, and prone to getting lost on unfamiliar streets. Because much of the city is still not in top shape, this guide is limited to completely inhabited, safe areas that anyone should feel comfortable visiting. But don’t let that keep you from the most design-friendly neighborhoods: French Quarter & Garden District- both inspiring in their own way. French Quarter with row homes adorned in elaborate iron fencing and balconies, and the Garden District lined with blocks of charming Southern mansions and boutiques rose gardens, and new families.
French Quarter
{Canal St. to Esplanade Avenue; Mississippi River waterfront to Rampart St.}
The reason most people visit New Orleans, home to salacious Mardi Gras crowds, but also fantastic Southern cooking, and loads of handmade art. Actual design shops are few and far between, but creativity is everywhere in this central hub. Your kitchen will benefit most, after a trip to the French Quarter, where café’s and culinary shops abound.
Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights
A real treat to check out, especially for city-dwellers, Bevolo supplies many of the charming Bourbon Street homes with authentic gas scones and chandeliers. Lights are handcrafted out of copper and tin, and are very much the same lamps they were making in 1945.
Catalogs are available online, or by request only. 521 Conti Street, 504-522-9485
Glasslight Art Gallery
NoLA art at its best, this avante garde gallery hosts lighting installations in bright colors, and loud shapes. Be sure to check out the organic sculpture shapes like jellyfish, clams, and flowers- although some of this work is best viewed as visitors. 728 Saint Louis Street, 504-587-7051
Papier Plume Stationary
The antique-style inkwells and plumes make this a fun stop alone. Throw in the great gifting options, like leather-bound journals, and handmade paper, and it’s a must-stop. 842 Royal St., 504-988-7265
Aunt Sally’s Pralines
Even though Aunt Sally’s is infamous for their yummy pralines, there is a wealth to be found in this shop. Cookbooks from all the Southern greats (Emerill to Brennans; Creole to Cajun), local photographs and art, and a ton of kitchen gadgets like cutting boards, trivets, crocks, serving bowls and salt & pepper shakers. They’ll also deliver pralines anywhere in the US. 810 Decatur St., 1-800-642-7257
Also: Cathedral Square, in front of St. Louis Cathedral, and just a few blocks from Bourbon Street, where local artists, musicians, and vendors come out every day to sell cheap wares. There’s a ton of great art to be found here, and the only place to search for authentic NoLA souvenirs.
Eat: Café du Monde for a coffee and their famous beignets. The people watching here is fantastic, as well, but steer clear in the early morning hours as it’s teeming with tourists -Jax Brewery for cheap pub fare and chain restaurants. Good for a bite on the run -Beignet Cafe for more delicious NoLA pastries, tea, and quick goodies
Chain design stores in the area: Urban Outfitters, Lush
Garden District
{St Charles to Magazine, Jackson Ave through Toledano; concentrated mostly on Magazine St.}
Hope on the St Charles streetcar from the French Quarter- pick it up on Canal St- and you’ll find yourself in the Garden District. Teeming with elaborate Southern mansions, the walk from the streetcar to Magazine St, where most of the shops are, feels like a walk back in time. This districts specialty is antiques, though many contemporary and modern boutiques have popped up in recent years.
Julie Neill Designs
Pricey at best, Julie Neill is a great place to window shop, or collect lighting ideas. Her chandeliers are more like works of art, crafted from metal, glass, and turned wood. While most of the chandeliers at Julie Neill are classic New Orleans chintz, there are great modern pieces with edge- look for the Ingrid and Artemis chandeliers. 3908 Magazine Street, 504-899-4201
Maple Street Book Shop/Children’s Book Shop
What I miss most about New Orleans when I’m back home in New York is the sense of community. The Maple Street Book Shop is a prime example of this. Started in 1967 in a Victorian house on its namesake Maple Street, this bookstore does more than sells books- it celebrates them. Visit for a peak at hard-to-find classics, new favorites, and a calendar chock full of events like book clubs, signings, and story times. The children’s Book Ship, right next door, is the perfect place to find a colorful, and educational gift. 7523 Maple Street, 504-866-4916
Mélange Sterling
The perfect place to pick up a wedding gift, or even a few new additions to your own dinner table, Mélange will also hand engrave you pieces in a myriad of styles. Machine engraving is also available, for a fraction of the cost at $7 a line regardless of style or size. 5421 Magazine Street, 800-513-3991
Mignon Faget, LTD
This little shop holds a wide array of jewelry and gifts, but their home section is exquisite. It’s a fantastic place to pick up a Fleur de Lis souvenir that you can proudly display My favorites are the decorative pen and paper series- so beautiful they stay on my desk all year round. 4300 Magazine Street, 800-375-7557
Dejarnette/Objet Trouve
Literal translation: Found objects, this shop keeps the spirit of NoLA alive with jewelry and other items created from found objects. The idea is eco-friendly, vintage eccentric, and totally stylish. Check out their online shop to pick up even the most coveted of pieces. 877-335-6652
Piranesi Antiques
New Orleans is famous for its antique shops, and Piranesi is one of the best, hands down. From Louis XVI bed frames to Regency armchairs and everything between, with good prices to match. 2104 Magazine Street, 504-523-2000
Perch Home
I fell in love with Perch’s unique goods, which range from vintage Chinoiserrie dining chairs to wrought iron tree branch headboards. But even better then the wide array of furniture and textiles is the work Perch does with the community. From stocking local art to lending a helping hand to local kids, they are 100% nola. 2844 Magazine Street, 504-899-2122
Bella Nola
Bella is one of the Magazine Street sops that is quintessentially New Orleans. There wares range between funky antique to classic modern- chock full of Fleur de Lis designs and gold chintz. Bringing home their Fleur de Lis knobs has been the best addition to my kitchen yet. 4236 Magazine Street, 504-897-9499
Hazelnut
One of the pricier shops on Magazine Street, hazelnut ranges between new and old with standard New Orleans gold adorned furniture and tabletop goods. Their prices, however, are anything but typical, with Venetian glass stemware starting as low as $12 each, and white tabletop ceramics from as low as $10. They also stock a small array of Jonathan Adler ceramics and vases, and plenty of New Orleans-style toile from $36/yard. 5515 Magazine Street, 504-891-2424
Shadyside Pottery of New Orleans
Shadyside is a refreshing departure from the sterling and stemware of the nearby boutiques. The 1988 creation of a Southern native, Shadyside specializes in one of a kind Raku Pottery in a variety of glazes from bright yellow crackle to turquoise and copper glaze. Also available are a variety of bowls, lamp bases, and an interesting selection of pottery busts that would be a fantastic addition to bookshelves. 3823 Magazine Street, 504-897-1710
Pied Nu
A sweet boutique that could hold its own in New York, I love Pied Nu as a one-stop gift destination for others, as well as a little something for myself! Their selection of jewelry is delicate but definitely classic with organic shapes like leaves and tiny diamond swirls, and their home accessories add a little fun with that same classic twist- horn post magnifying glass, anyone? Their apothecary section isn’t to be missed with a selection of Korres bath products & diptyque candles. 5521 Magazine Street, 504-899-4118
Aesthetics & Antiques
The best value for antiques in the city, and a National Geographic favorite, you can stock up on everything from vintage tablewares to marble stools to mardi gras paraphernalia at this Garden District value shop. 3122 Magazine Street, 504-895-7011
Scriptura
As a journalist, I cannot leave New Orleans till I make a stop in Scriptura. They specialize in custom wedding invitations, save the date cards, new home mailings, and other invitations, but I am addicted to their New Orleans specialty stationary adorned with Fleur de Lis stamps, trolley photos, crawfish, jazz musicians and regal crowns. I’m come accustomed to using single sheet note cards by my office phone for messages! 5423 Magazine Street, 504-897-1555
H Rault
This simple restorative hardware shop is a great stop for hard-to-fine outdoor home accessories we often overlook. Chintzy house numbers, Victorian-style shudders, and custom mailboxes can all be ordered through this specialty shop, which has served NoLA since 1845. 3027 Magazine Street, 504-895-5346
Also: Arts Market (A monthly outdoor market of local art; Palmer Park)
Eat: Sucre for delicious cakes and infamous macaroons - Sake Cafe for the best sushi in NoLA, no contest- Urban Cup Cafe for a gallery of art, a great cup of coffee and superb people watching on Magazine Street - Joey K’s for all you can eat Catfish and other Southern delicacies Savvy Gourmet for catering, classes, and cookware- The Bulldog for the best beer selection in NoLA- Sip Wine Market for affordable glasses and more.
Boutique Design Hotels
The best part about staying in New Orleans is being able to avoid the usual Marriott’s and Sheraton’s. The best hotels are the tiny boutiques, full of rich history.
The St. James is affordable, while only two blocks from the St. Charles streetcar line, and three blocks from Canal St. A revamped infirmary, the rooms are large with tall ceilings and intricate design, and the courtyard is small, but awe-inspiring- Check out restaurant Cuuvee right next door for the most hip meal in town.
Le Pavilion is the most family-friendly hotel option with a lobby full of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches nightly, and rooms large enough for the entire crew.
Hotel Monteleone for a ghostly experience in the French Quarter- some say guests at the Monteleone never leave. They may just be enjoying their time at the working carousel bar in the lobby.
EXTRAS (Grace/Design*Sponge Favorites):
-Faulkner House Books: no souther girl can go without a decent library of Southern authors.
-La Maison d’Absinthe: a great place to pick up French accessories and textiles (and some pretty whacky Absinthe-related products)
-Trashy Diva: my friend Katy’s favorite lingerie store in NoLA
-Bellanoche: Katy’s bedding haven
-Katy Beh: Great jewelry
-Displaced Designer: a great place to help out the arts community in NoLA still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina.
