I'm ready to move in --- this is a stunner.
The New Orleans home of designer Tara Shaw in Veranda Magazine.
Tara Shaw, in her house in New Orleans
The house Tara lives in was actually custom built for another owner. It was designed by Barry Fox and modeled after one his clients had seen in France. Living nearby, Tara watched the house going up while taking her daily walks. Lusting after the Parisian design and intrigued by its surrounding wall that created a private courtyard, she never dreamed it would one day be hers. But, when it came on the market – she made her move – trading her Victorian home for something that seemed a more stylish match to her aesthetic.
Photography by Max Kim-Bee.
The back yard has a covered porch, a curving terrace and a long pool that mimics a reflecting pond. The living room is in the bay window, while the master suite is above it.
The large living room is filled with antiques and a few pieces from her reproduction line, Maison. Flanking the fireplace are cameos currently offered at Restoration Hardware. Tara loves quiet, white interiors – the interest and contrast comes from all the textures, like the sheepskin throw, the carved pieces, the baskets, and the patina on the antique finishes. Tara always mixes in touches of contemporary, such as the side table, which add a special pop.
The dining room is stunning – Tara painted the wood floors white and placed her Maison dining room table in here, a design based on a Swedish antique she once owned. The chairs are original but she sells reproductions of them in the Maison line. The large floor mirror is available at Restoration Hardware.
The view towards the opposite direction showing the gorgeous 18th century bench that sits under a dark oil. In the niche is a Swedish secretary.
Here is a close up of the Fortuny covered bench.
In the breakfast room, an antique Swedish table with Mario Bellini chairs which show how Tara always mixes in a contemporary piece that stop the interiors from being museum like. Instead, they are interesting and exciting – a mix of new and old – antique and contemporary. The corner cabinet is a reproduction from Maison. Notice the clock’s carved top – simply gorgeous.
The library has cypress paneling and the white linen curtains pop against them.
In the entry into the bedroom area – handpainted wallpaper by Porter Teleo in lilac tones lends a contemporary vibe.
In the master bedroom, the contemporary Maison canopy bed takes center stage. At the end of it is an 18th century bench that is beautiful.
The view of the sitting area – overlooking the back yard. I love how she did her curtains – so full and I like that they are placed between each window – not just at the end ones.
A close up of the sitting area with the antique Gustavian settee and Maison coffee table.
The master bathroom is so romantic – notice the sink. And, notice how Tara used contemporary sconces to tone down the femininity a bit.
The paneling in the master bath is antique. It’s the perfect touch against the contemporary tub.
The guest room has a classic Tara Shaw chandelier and Maison corona.
Just beautiful!
