BlogTour is all about great design, local culture, a lot of walking and plenty of sustenance to keep us going! We're starting today with an amazing champagne brunch at Lüke, Chef John Besh's restaurant.
Lüke is Chef Besh's homage "to the grand old Franco-German brasseries that once reigned in New Orleans". Check out the sample menu here. Yum. Speaking of yum, so is Chef Besh:
Our hosts for this breakfast is KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, which starts on Friday. KBIS is the world's largest international trade event dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. It showcases the latest products and most innovative design ideas that change the industry to meet the needs of the marketplace. This captivating event features the largest array of product displays and demonstrations, professional development courses, keynote & session speeches, interactive roundtable events and the opportunity to network with thousands of industry professionals. The show attracts key decision makers from national and international markets and targets dealers, designers, distributors, retailers, home centers and more. I'll be extensively covering the show here later on in the week and likely in the weeks that follow. As an interior designer, I'm always excited to bring to my clients the latest in great design, technology and finishes. I'm also going to be gathering ideas for my Dream House project as well.
After our hearty breakfast, we'll be taking the St. Charles St. Street Car for a scenic tour of the Garden District and then walking through the Antebellum splendor to the famous Magazine Street which is filled with design shops for miles.
We'll be headed to Shaun Smith Home where the designer himself will lead us in a tour of great design and antiques shops on the street.
We'll return to Shaun's adorable shop for some much needed refreshments (hopefully something long and cool - it's gonna be a bit warm there!)
We have a couple of hours break to do some more sight-seeing/shopping and head back to the hotel to freshen up for what is going to be a spectacular evening which includes a meet and greet at the Odgen Museum with the amazing designer Miles Redd!
The Ogden Museum, which is part of the University of New Orleans, was one of the first museums to focus solely on Southern art, helping to identify and define the genre. Ogden's collection helped to revive the forgotten works of great Southern artists and preserved an important aspect of Southern culture.
came out. I actually have the electronic version of the book, not a printed copy. I wonder if he would sign the cover if I just printed it out... tacky? Maybe, but much lighter in the luggage
After the Miles event, we'll be headed over to Chef Susan Spicer's Bayona Restaurant, taking in some music at Lafayette Square on the way.
Boy, I do hope we're sitting outside for dinner! After our long New England winter, this looks pretty amazing!
Although the inside doesn't look bad either! (images via Bayona's Facebook Page)
This certain to be delicious dinner is hosted by Mr. Steam, a premier source of upscale, and high quality steam products including towel warmers, shower speakers, shower seats, aromasteam and chromasteam™ systems. Their advanced technology, engineering, and design provides equipment that enhances lifestyles worldwide. The company has refined — and redefined — value and reliability, assuring the highest level of quality. In addition to providing private luxury enhancements for residential use, from smaller homes to estates, our products service a large roster of hotels, resorts, health clubs, spas, and professional team headquarters.
Ahh.... While I think New Orleans provides its own steam quite nicely (humidity frizz, here I come!) Mr. Steam seems just about right for a cold New England winter (well, fall and spring too, to be honest!).
This is going to be a great day! And tomorrow, we're headed out to Gentilly to tour some of the homes that have been rebuilt after the devastation of Katrina. We're not just focused on the sparkling gems of New Orleans, but also the real-life aspects of this amazing city as well.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
If you would like my help on your dream house project, I would love to chat with you! Please email me. Thanks!
Subscribe to ::Surroundings::