Blog Tour NOLA Redux

This month is the ten year anniversary of hurricane Katrina.  All my memories of New Orleans come to the forefront and today I pay homage to the grand adventure that was Blog Tour NOLA.I still think about this visit to New Orleans and what a full rich experience it was, encompassing so much more than design.Quintessential New Orleans style in the Garden DistrictIn 2013 I had the exciting opportunity to meet this special city in a most comprehensive and in depth way thanks to the innovative design resource Modenus. I also had the pleasure of meeting and touring with some super talented design pros who remain my friends.Enjoying KBIS2013 with (left to right) Eric Schimelpfenig of SketchThis, myself, Corey Klassen of Corey Klassen Interior Design and Linda Merrill of Decorative SurroundingsKBIS was held in NOLA that year and was a key part of the agenda however, thanks to our sponsors,  we also saw, tasted (culinary heaven), touched and felt the culture of New Orleans.  As I read and hear about the Katrina aftermath today, I am reminded of our visit to the Lower Ninth Ward and the realization that in the bleakest of times there is hope.Photographer L. Kasimu Harris says he "didn't become a photographer until Katrina." Photo courtesy of NPRArt documents culture and artists have found beauty and expression in the midst of destruction.  This morning I was touched by this story of creativity that has blossomed in the Crescent City. You can listen to it on  NPR.  It mentions the Ogden Museum of Southern Art which we also visited!Talulah Moon preforming at The Spotted Cat on Frenchman Street.One of my favorite NOLA moments was on Frenchmen Street where we popped into The Spotted Cat and roamed neighboring Frenchmen Street Art Market.8 years after Katrina recovery efforts were still underway in the Lower Ninth Ward.The day we visited the Lower Ninth, St. Paul's Homecoming Center, World Vision and KBIS united to tell the world through this press event that recovery was still in process and despite the fact that so much more needed to be done there was hope and progress. Homing pigeons as a symbol of home and hope over the Lower Ninth2013-04-18 11.00.26Today I proudly display the photo (below) by New Orleans photographer Andy Levine in my home. It was taken by him in the aftermath of Katrina. Thank you Modenus for the lasting gift of this special blog tour I was honored to be a part of.  If you'd like to go back and see what I wrote of my experiences, including the culinary treats, in 2013 it starts here.  Andy Levine with the photo he sold me at Frenchman Street MarketAlso, I must say , if you like Houzz you will love the new Modenus.  It's a straight up honest design resource that facilitates connections between designers and homeowners  as well as being a beautiful source of  inspiration.  Check it out! PS I got through this whole post without mentioning BEIGNETS once! Oooops.

World Vision Teams with KBIS and St. Paul's in Continuing Katrina Recovery Efforts

The Bono home will be completed through the efforts of World Vision, St. Paul's Homecoming Center and KBIS2013I always like to discover the "backstory", what lies beneath the surface.  When I discovered that a visit to neighborhoods ravaged by Hurricane Katrina was on the Modenus Blog Tour agenda,  I was curious to see what it's like now and to meet a few of those who have survived both the tragedy of loss and it's aftermath.  For many residents the loss has not ended.  There were stories of theft and fraudulent contractors that just add insult to injury.A new kitchen is coming! It's shaping up with volunteers from Home Depot Our first stop was to the Bono Family Residence on Pasteur Blvd in the neighborhood of Gentilly,  a tree lined working class neighborhood where once there were no empty lots. The Bono home was victim to 13 feet of water.  They are receiving a new kitchen and bath courtesy of a collaboration between World Vision Storehouse, KBIS2013 and St. Paul's Homecoming Center.  It's nice to see the kitchen and bath industry I belong to being a part of this project.  The Gentilly neighborhood is working class with lots of charm, trees and I promise you the birds were singing the day I was there. I hope that's a good omen!Generous World Vision DonorsIt was here that we learned about a wonderful organization by the name of World Vision.  It's a Christian humanitarian organization working with communities to fight poverty.  The Storehouse of World Vision is a network of six warehouses that supply donated goods including building materials, personal care items, clothes and even school supplies.  They partner with local organizations, in this case St. Paul's Homecoming Center, to distribute the goods and get the work done with the help of volunteers.  Connie Uddo (an ex-tennis pro!) is the director and she is passionate about what she does.  She cuts to the chase and at the same time cuts through the red tape to get the job done.  "Tell us your story and we will help", she says.This is Joe Roberts, his home backs onto the London Ave. Canal where one of the major levee breaches occurred during Hurricane Katrina 2013-04-18 11.44.20 This is the other side of the wall.This is Jill. Her home was lost to 13 feet of water. She exemplifies the spirit which has allowed these people to band together and support each other.30,000 homes were destroyed in Gentilly, a one hundred year old neighborhood of middle class and elderly residents.  To date they are about 62% recovered with the help of 60,000 volunteers.  FEMA has done much and continues to work in the area but more is needed.  If you'd like to make a donation, click here for more info.As we were leaving the first house, one of the residents brought and released these white homing pigeons as a sign of hope against the gray sky.Next up:  What's going on at Brad Pitt's Make It Right Foundation and how Cosentino is helping.