TV Preview: “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” in New Orleans
As much as I regret missing "60 Minutes," I will do so this evening in order to catch the two-hour season finale of "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," which begins at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. CST) on ABC. This...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: An altar for the missing
Ariane Wiltse is restoring a Katrina-damaged 1870s home in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, and she is sharing her journey with us. Here’s her latest installment:The Altar In the front room of my...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: History salvaged from the side of the road
There are two basic ways of thinking about old windows in post-Katrina New Orleans. On one hand, old windows are rich with history and architectural detail. On the other hand, they can be cracked,...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: The sweet sound of progress
By Ariane Wiltse Oh, what beautiful music power tools make — the steady hum of a compressor crooning like a late-night jazz singer in a smoky haunt, the staccato beat of a nail gun, the trumpet of a...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: SoCal contractor moved there after storms
After I wrote about a green home renovation in New Orleans (see it here), I heard from contractor Tom Borland, who had made that home’s beautiful wood countertops. The counters are notable for the warm...
View ArticleBonus Round: How do you pronounce New Orleans?
As long as we’re keeping track of the rebuilding progress in New Orleans, I wonder: How do y’all pronounce the name of the city? As a not-very-well-traveled native of Burbank, I’ve always pronounced it...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: From the ground up
By Ariane Wiltse As the big day approached, the day when we’d jack up the house, cut out the old sills and rebuild the piers, I began to take great joy in watching my good friend Beau squirm (he’s...
View ArticleDispatch from New Orleans: The foundation saga, cont.
By Ariane Wiltse My mom arrived last week with the best of intentions. Like other relatives who have come before her, she came to help with my house in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans. She also came...
View ArticleInsulation and moisture issues in New Orleans
Watch SoCal contractor Bill Robinson discuss insulation and moisture issues in New Orleans with homeowner Ariane Wiltse and NOLA contractor Julie Groth. Then, take the test: Click here for the answer.
View ArticleMike Holmes in New Orleans
I’ve got my own paparazzo working down in New Orleans (AKA my husband, Bill) and he swung by the house Mike Holmes of “Holmes on Homes” is helping to build. This project is part of the Brad...
View ArticleIn New Orleans and missing home (sort of)
Here I am in New Orleans, visiting my husband, who has been hired by Louisiana State University for six months to help train people how to rebuild hurricane-damaged homes properly. This whole deal...
View ArticleCelebrity boot raffle at home show to benefit BP oil disaster victims
This is brilliant benevolence. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans has teamed up with Catholic Charities to raffle off boots decorated by celebrities, chefs, sports figures,...
View ArticleNew Orleans House Paint Colors: Periwinkle Blue, Yellow and White
How can you go wrong with this combination? This lovely raised Creole cottage just off Marconi near City Park is luminous with its periwinkle lap siding, softly yellow doors and bright white trim. It’s...
View ArticleIn New Orleans, a blessed sign of recovery
In most communities, garage sale signs are so ubiquitous as to be a nuisance. After all, most of us have too much stuff and we need to get rid of it. And these days, to pocket some cash is a happy...
View ArticleComing Soon to a House Near Yours: Climate Change Disasters
Who could have predicted this? I’m not referring to radical climate change exacerbated by the burning of fossil fuels. Scientists have been telling us about this for decades. There is no real question...
View ArticleThe New Orleans Healing Center Rises from the Post-Katrina Muck
My heart goes out to the victims of Hurricane Irene. I feel your pain. (And I promise not ask this inane question: Why would you live/rebuild where hurricanes can hit? I’ve been to Vermont. I know why...
View ArticleNew Orleans House Paint Colors — Lower 9th Ward
This beautifully restored little cottage is right on the levee in the Holy Cross area of the Lower 9th Ward. The exterior colors include: • House siding: Bright yellow • Doors, window mullions and...
View ArticleNew Orleans House Paint Colors — Blue, White and Burgundy
I love this blue double shotgun Victorian. But what really makes it shine is the bright lime green of the chairs and table and the big burgundy pot on top. Who knew that was magic? Here are the colors...
View ArticleFree and Cheap: Fleur de Lis Door on the Side of the Road
As you know if you’ve been keeping up with my blog, I’ve recently become enthralled and obsessed with the rebuilding of New Orleans. So it was with some excitement, in my previous Southern California...
View ArticleRebuilding Green in New Orleans
A few years ago, New Orleans was the setting for the National Assn. of Home Builders’ national green building conference. The conference included a tour of green homes, including the one pictured here:...
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