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Down to the Wire
Kristin and Chris Smith enlisted the help of their friends Marsha Baker, Stacey Davis, and Stacy Johnson of Envy Interiors to refresh their recently acquired Uptown New Orleans home. The designers undertook an intensive, week-long installation after three to four months of meticulous preparation. The Smiths, having previously renovated a home, had a clear vision for their new space. Kristin, a personal trainer and Pilates instructor, provided initial images and expressed a desire for a blend of classic and funky styles, easily adjustable pops of color, and a bold, New Orleans-themed powder room. A key request was to avoid prints that would clash with their extensive art collection, which they wanted to remain the focal point. The design team communicated frequently with Kristin, using text messages to narrow down her aesthetic preferences, but much of the work was executed independently with the couple's full trust.
The renovation process involved a coordinated effort of painters, movers, sanders, electricians, wallpaper hangers, and carpet installers. While the Smiths vacationed in the Virgin Islands, the Envy team worked diligently, enduring the noise of ongoing sanding, to complete the redecoration before their return. The designers meticulously placed every item, from window treatments and wall colors to rugs and accessories, even babysitting the couple's two German Shorthaired Pointers. Despite the tight deadline and challenging conditions, the team successfully transformed the home. Due to flight delays, the final reveal was conducted via FaceTime, a moment that moved Kristin to tears of joy. Chris also expressed his satisfaction, acknowledging Kristin's keen eye and the designers' ability to bring her vision to fruition.
The 1920s-built house featured classic architectural elements and a traditional layout, including formal dining and living rooms, a contrast to modern open-plan designs. A 1950s addition introduced mid-century modern details like exposed beams, clerestory windows, and a terrazzo floor. The home also boasted wide casement openings, updated kitchen and baths, and an elegant lap pool, meaning the Smiths could focus solely on interior décor. The chosen color palette drew inspiration from their art collection, which includes works by prominent artists such as David Harouni, Tony Mose, Louis DeAngelo, and Moffitt Aycock.
The dining room, with its original deep chocolate walls, was a notable exception to the general design approach. Instead of repainting, the designers enhanced one wall with metallic-accented wallpaper and introduced custom metallic linen drapery. Stacy Johnson, specializing in window treatments, highlighted the choice of gold metallic linen for its regal quality and the addition of an exquisite metallic beaded trim. A dramatic organic crystal wand branch chandelier completed the dining room's sophisticated ambiance. Other significant design elements included a persimmon-colored wall in the keeping room, a bold persimmon and metallic gold damask-patterned wallpaper in the powder room, and a bespoke bar area created from an erstwhile transitional space between the keeping room and living room. This bar quickly became a favorite spot for the Smiths, who enjoy entertaining. The designers expressed immense pride in the project, particularly because the comprehensive, simultaneous execution allowed them to achieve a cohesive and deeply satisfying outcome for the homeowners.
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