Monday, May 25, 2009

Millie's House

It has been a crazy two weeks - My computer crashed and I was unable to blog or access any of my pictures. The kids were winding down with school and we had the end of the year projects due - I have learned more about The Boston Aquarium's Water Management Program and the wonderful state of Wisconsin than any Mother should know. Finally we are back on track - thanks so much for your patience.
.
So now after a very long wait we get to tour Millie's house in New Orleans!!! Millie and I have known each other almost 20 years. We have been through relocation's, births, deaths and natural disasters together. Through it all we have stayed good friends despite our distances. Millie grew up in New Orleans and like most, the draw to return to her hometown was so strong; she returned over 15 years ago and will never leave again! Millie is an interior designer, inspired by her own former designer (and dear friend), Jennifer Price of Dixon Smith in Baton Rouge. After Hurricane Katrina, like many others, Millie lost everything. So, when she was able to rebuild and start anew, she decided that since Jennifer had helped her build a such a great foundation, she wanted to give it a whirl on her own. Her results are outstanding! Let's have a look! As soon soon as you enter the foyer, you know you are in for a treat. The lovely limestone floors, beautiful sconces and botanical prints greet you. Look at the wonderful detail work on the sconces- aren't they beautiful?
The Dining Room has to be my favorite room in Millie's house. A wonderful large round dining table seats ten. Beautiful light fixtures, artwork and accessories make for a very enticing space.
Millie has a wonderful eye for artwork. My favorite are the French antique theater panels from Tara Shaw. The room seems neutral and warm at the same time - but how? Notice the red ceiling.
Here is a close up of the beautiful chandelier and ceiling. Notice the contemporary artwork on the wall to the left. A better picture can be seen above with Millie and I standing in front of it. I love the contrast of contemporary art with traditional furnishings.A close up of her buffet; notice the oyster plates and antique candlesticks.
Although the lighting is bad in this photo, I wanted you to see how you enter the dining room from the kitchen. Notice the gorgeous aubusson rug. Here is the eating area in Millie's kitchen. The lighting in this photo is so bad, but when I took it the kitchen was flooded with wonderful morning sun. I adored her lantern over her kitchen table. I loved the patina and the crown on top. I very well may have to copy her and put this in my own kitchen.
Her bathroom, tucked under her foyer staircase, was incredibly difficult to photograph and the pictures do not do it justice. It was a lovely little jewel box with silvery taupe wall paper and custom forged fixtures. Millie even had an iron artist create this toilet paper holder for her. New Orleans has wonderful artisans and because she has lived there all her life she has many connections and can create beautiful custom pieces. Finally the living room - I really love the elegance of this room. But truth be told, this is also the family room! Millie has three children and as such, created a room that is beautiful but also child friendly. Notice the gorgeous curtains, artwork and bookcases. I love how Millie painted the insides of the bookcases chocolate brown to highlight her collections.
Hidden in the fabulous amoire is a retrofitted custom bar. Fabrics are velvets and chenilles which hold up to children's wear and tear. Rugs are simple sisal which add texture and interest.



Perhaps the most stunning part of the space is the painting by Amanda Talley. What a wonderful feeling it brings to this room. I also love Millie's collection of framed black and white prints of her family.

I should have taken photos of the upstairs- Millie's bedroom is gorgeous, filled with antiques and custom Leontine linens. The children's bedrooms are also adorable! But I will save that for another day! If you are interested in contacting Millie please check out at MG Design and Consultation. Thank you for sharing your house with us, Millie!!

22 comments:

  1. Millie's home is stunning. What a great eye. Thanks for sharing your photos of her impeccable taste! She has inspired me.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I ADORE Millie's home. It is elegant but home-y all the same...exactly my style...not stuffy.
    Such a blessing for her to rebuild and redo...if you don't mind saying, what part of NOLA is she in? I do love the Amanda Tally art piece...gets me to thinking on my own homefront!
    Blessings...

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a beautiful, beautiful home. I noticed the Amanda Talley painting right away - I would love to have one of her paintings for my own home! I love family rooms that are elegant too - this one is a perfect example of this.

    The chandelier looks like the Niermann Weeks Swedish chandelier...is it?

    Here is a tip on indoor photography. Take every picture with flash, and without. More often than not the ones without the flash look better and more balanced. I am far from an expert, just have observed this in my own photos. The house still looks wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Beautiful home - i've noticed that a few people have art work by that artist - I love her work!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Beautiful home, and you know - this is the second time that I've seen the faux axis hide runner up a flight of wrapped stairs. I LOVE IT! Thanks for sharing ...

    ReplyDelete
  6. Millie has a gorgeous home and it is so beautifully appointed. What a talented designer she is, xv.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Love the red ceiling in the dining room. Would have never thought of doing that, and yet it looks like just the right thing.

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so beautiful! The red ceiling is fun, can't say I've ever specified that!
    Thanks for the tour!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Millie's home is beautiful. Thank you for the tour - she is a talent! Ax

    ReplyDelete
  10. Welcome back Gina! Wow, what a gorgeous home! Love so many of her details, especially the red ceiling- perfect! Y'all look like you could be sisters! Great house, thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Oh Gina - of course Millie's house would be nothing short of spectacular, it just goes with the name!
    Like Niartist my favourite image is the stairwell & that gorgeous runner. Lovely to see such beauty arise from heart-breaking sadness, a true acknowledgement of Millie's strength, courage & determination.
    Love from the Aussie Millie ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  12. Absolutely Beautiful thank you for sharing and thank you Millie
    Kind regards
    Karen

    ReplyDelete
  13. WHAT a fantastic stair runner. Great spaces.

    ReplyDelete
  14. So very sad to hear that your dear friend Millie lost everything with Katrina. The cosmic balance however resulted in her ending up with this lovely home. She is a talented designer with a wonderful eye. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    Tricia - Avolli

    ReplyDelete
  15. Does anyone know where to find the fabulous runner? I've looked everywhere!!

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a beautiful home and your friend did a great job. Let's hope she will never have to expirience such loss again!
    Victoria

    ReplyDelete
  17. Millie's home is beautiful :-) She has so many wonderful light fixtures and chandeliers -- I love how they're all different.

    The silver walls in the bathroom are stunning.

    Kelly @ DesignTies

    ReplyDelete
  18. Millie did a great job. Seems like a very comfortable but elegant family home.

    ReplyDelete
  19. I agree with so many; Millie's home is beautiful!
    The bathroom in particular is a 'gem'.
    May she never have to endure another loss to Mother Nature.
    Thank you for the wonderful tour. -Brenda-

    ReplyDelete
  20. Millie just let me know that the Dining Room Chandelier is from Currey and Co.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Do you know where she got her kitchen lantern?? WOuld love the source if you have the time.
    gkmorris@sbcglobal.net

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love this room. I want to go with a similar feel in my new home. Do you know the paint color that was used?
    Also, I can't quite tell in these pictures, but is the trim the same color as the walls?

    ReplyDelete

Please leave comments! I love to hear from you!

But since we have had a recent influx of Anonymous comments, I will not post comments which do not have an email account listed with them. This will cut down on spam.

If you are inquiring about a paint color, finish, etc, please take a moment to read through all the comments. More often than not it has been identified. If not, please send me a direct email.

Finally, please no advertisers. Thanks so much for reading!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.