Spring Home Tour Preview: Seven Distinctive Homes

This well-restored three-story brick storehouse was designed and built in 1838 by Nelson Fouche, a free Black mathematician and architect from Jamaica. The exterior rectangular design is unified by the horizontal repetition of forms, the progressive shortening of stories, and the symmetry of openings and roofline. Full-length, French panel doors and fanlight transoms grace the first level. The second level has square-headed openings with granite lintels and casement doors. The balcony features wrought iron railings in a cathedral pattern. The third floor has attic windows between sawtooth dentil rows. The gallery was added in the 1970’s.

Originally, there was a dirt floor on the ground level as they expected spring flooding. Today there is a beautiful, patterned terrazzo floor. The owners restored the second story so that it is just as it was in 1838. No doubt the immense walled garden space was important for home-grown fruits and vegetables.

(New Orleans Architecture Vol. IV: The Creole Faubourgs, p. 107)

A facade is just that. This house has the look of a traditional home from the 1800’s, but that is just a mask. You step into a very modern, skillfully designed home that extends into a delightful garden space. Before termites destroyed the original Creole cottage, it was from 1950-late 90’s home of sisters Nita and Zita, legendary Hungarian burlesque dancers from the 1920’s. They became recluses in our city and inspired the 2024 documentary the Nita and Zita project.

Today a very different artist lives at that address, Turkish born conceptual photographer, Zeren Badar. You can admire his work throughout the home. You are welcome to enjoy the private garden and the view from upstairs.

This three-bay single shotgun house with Italianate decoration has been a home in the Marigny since the 1870’s. But it is doubtful that it could evoke the same delightful feeling then as it does now. This sunny yellow house is a backdrop for a habitat of over fifty native plants in the front beds and cleverly arranged back garden.

A whimsical mural by artist Mark Bercier covers the side fence in the front. The interior is a delightful collection of Mid-Century Modern furnishings and art from friends, family and dealers.

Once a severely blighted property, this structure has been transformed into a stately raised, center-hall residence. The renovation emphasizes proportion and symmetry with double parlors, a European- inspired kitchen and a palette of deep saturated tones balanced by contemporary lighting. The home stands as a compelling example of adaptive restoration within the neighborhood.

You might have passed by this blue on blue home of two shuttered doors and two shuttered windows without giving it much thought. But this home is far from ordinary. From a very humble beginning in the 1830’s it has been transformed into a modern architectural masterpiece.

Originally, the property had two houses each with just two rooms. A small alleyway separated them. The current owners bought 814 during COVID and acquired its neighbor 812, a very dilapidated affair, soon after. The renovations and major additions took only two years. The alleyway became a gallery with skylights. The large rooms and open spaces invite you to wander back to the pool and bamboo garden.

Two and a half years ago, this gold-certified native plant garden was all concrete front and back. The owners, Claire and Thomas, will show pictures that document this amazing transformation. The change is truly inspirational. Next door neighbors have replaced slabs like those across the street with lovely plants. This spot on the tour may help you rethink the space around your home.

The owners have generously shared information that will enable others to make changes to urban landscapes. The first steps, selective removal of the concrete and mixing the clay soil with loam were difficult. But then they had the pleasure of finding native plants they love. They were helped by our local Native Plant Initiative and the book, Planting in a Post Wild World by Claudia West and Thomas Rainer. They chose weeping yaupon holly trees, anise, and ocola for the front, and an assortment of fragrant, flowering plants for the back garden. They now love spending time in the beautiful ecosystem they have created. Native plants can be purchased at Jefferson Seed on Jefferson Highway, Pelican Greenhouse in City Park, Chickadee Native Plants Delta Flora to list a few.

This home was built in the 1840’s as a single-room cottage. The middle room is the oldest. The two large open rooms in the front, the kitchen and deck in the back, and the camel back with a balcony were added in that order. The owners have many historic pictures that they will stream on the large TV in the front room. Barge wood in the library, heart of pine in the hall and the many elegant details have created a very charming home. This is a key lot. If you go to the right of the shed in the back, you will find a walkway leading to their secret garden. Delightful.