I chose a southern home whose mix of old and new deserves a round of applause! (a standing ovation for the plaster work in the living room!) New Orleans based architect and interior designer John Chrestia had his heart set on building a modern home but after visiting the sun drenched beauty of the Boulware/Bofinger house, he knew this magnificent piece of New Orleans history was his dream home. A complete restoration of the 1854 Victorian townhouse was in order so he quickly moved to the third floor and went to work. Fortunately, many of the original features were still intact including fourteen foot high ceilings, 12 foot high windows doubling as doors, and gorgeous intricate plaster work. Although the home is steeped in New Orleans history, Chrestia chose to make the interiors his own. By bleaching the floors, painting the walls a creamy white and opening up the layout, he successfully created a clean, neutral environment, perfect to house his eclectic collection of furniture and art. Please enjoy this thoughtful restoration…a piece of history re-imagined for today’s modern lifesytle

above, The double-parlor living room ~ classic French chairs share the room comfortably with a 1960s footed table by San Francisco interior designer John Dickenson and a floor lamp by Angelo Donghia.

below, A painting by Jim Richard hangs above a settee from the studio of Emile-Jacques Ruhlmann. The triptych in the entry is by Louisianan Mark Boudreaux.

below, The dining room beckons through original leaded glass doors and features a French-designed plaster of paris chandelier Chrestia picked up at a gallery in New York.

below, A painting by Louisiana artist Pat Trivigno hangs above the fireplace mantle in Chrestia’s bedroom. The chest of drawers is by Paul McCobb.

below, Chrestia’s vast collection of glass includes secondhand finds as well as pieces by artists like Gene Koss, who created the blue and gold vessels.

photos and resources from Met Home, November 2005