Color Palettes in New Orleans

By Stephanie Andrews

Greetings from New Orleans!

Our family recently visited New Orleans for my brother’s wedding, and it brought back so many memories for Ed and me from when we lived there in 1994. Ed had just graduated from college and started his first “real” job in logistics for a molasses trading company, while I was a retail manager, troubleshooting across the Southeast. Having recently gotten engaged, we decided to begin our life together in New Orleans.

Our time there was filled with both happy and challenging moments.  So much was new, from understanding the traditions of Mardi Gras to the incredible restaurants that we could not afford, to the deep family ties that everyone seemed to share.  Additional difficulty stemmed from the intense heat and my realization of what compromise truly meant in a partnership when we lived together. It may not sound profound, but I was genuinely naive about what it would take to be married, and I was a bit nervous! Those were my inner thoughts, but outwardly We lived in a charming duplex in the Garden District with my cat, Smokey.

Returning for the wedding, this time with our daughter, niece, and nephew, Ed and I enjoyed showing them our favorite spots. We stayed in an Airbnb in our old neighborhood, which felt familiar yet more polished, especially since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The most noticeable change was the fresh coat of paint on so many homes. While we remembered elaborate “Painted Lady” Victorian homes along the trolley line, on this visit, it was the sweet little bungalows that captivated my attention.

These homes reminded me of those in Candler Park, Inman Park, Grant Park, Kirkwood, and Oakhurst, but without a large highway bisecting the neighborhoods. It felt like one vibrant community where restaurants, bars, shops, and homes were closely intertwined and visually colorful.  New Orleans truly is a culinary mecca, where only the best chefs succeed, and introducing the kids to its tastes and sights was a delightful surprise.

If you’re considering repainting your home or simply love colorful homes like I do, I am sharing some of the bold and confident color palettes that I observed. These schemes don’t take themselves too seriously; they just felt right as we were walking down the street. To get these color translations for you, I sifted through my paint decks from Sherwin-Williams, Benjamin Moore, Farrow & Ball, and House of Hackney to try to find the perfect match. Some of these palettes might inspire you, while others you may find truly appalling, and that is what makes my job fun.

I encourage a trip to New Orleans.  September is the perfect month for a long weekend! This vibrant city is full of character, color, delicious food, and a rich history that few other U.S. cities can match. Even after Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans remains a testament to a spirit of survival and resilience.  Perhaps that is the sentiment that struck me as I returned with Ed 30 years later, understanding a little better the word “compromise”.

Until next week,

Stephanie