Moving in!

I must apologize―I've neglected my blogs. Been a busy bee working to finish my house…and of course, so much has happened since. The house has been finished and I've made it through Mardi Gras…and the best of all, I have officially moved back home!

There are so many things to talk about. First and foremost, I am so grateful for all of the people who've worked so hard to make this project happen. It was definitely a team effort and amazing to see all that is involved in building a house.

My house is absolutely beautiful and enchanting―inside and out. It has a warm, coriander color on the outside, with canyon (terra cotta) colored shutters, sky-blue porch ceilings, and a buttery-cream trim.

The porch is even more magnificent than I ever imagined. I am ready to start making pots there (its my new studio) until I can refurbish my cypress studio building. My goal is to have completed this project within one year.

The St Augustine grass is back in the yard. It is a strong hearty grass, abundant in New Orleans, and was lush and beautiful before we began the renovation. But a lot of grass died during the reconstruction;  Sublett Landscape Architects added filler to the yard and planted new grass. I can't wait to see the lush St. Augustine lawn grow back.

I also just had a walk-through with the landscape architect to learn about the beautiful plants in my yard: sweet olive tree, indigo, banana tree, azaleas, boxwoods, and even more―it is so tropical. Some of the plants are beginning to bud and flower, and the bees have already moved in and are enjoying the nectar from some of the flowers.

I really appreciate the open cell foam insulation under the house, and in the walls. It really makes a difference and helps to keep my house warm and cozy. I have become almost an insulation fanatic (even insulating the hollow casings of my old historic windows). I haven't used the air conditioning unit yet, since I get a natural breeze from the river, which flows throughout my house with the help of my windows and french doors.

I'm still getting acclimated―this is still surreal. I keep saying to my friends, "I have an actual house!" It is so beautiful, so majestic―a palace I would have never, ever imagined. I have yet another reason to love New Orleans and call it home on a whole other level.