New Orleans is a melting pot of French, African, Spanish, Haitian and American Low Country cultures that infiltrate the city with unique architectural flair and a captivating color palette. It’s safe to say that New Orleans maintains a quintessential style all its own.

When you visit the famous French Quarter, the first things you’ll notice are the bright-colored facades of historic buildings, ornate cast-iron railings, gas lamps and green courtyards. There’s a lot to appreciate about the neighborhood, and it’s bound to inspire any home design.

Whether you’ve experienced the French Quarter in person or have it listed on your bucket list, you may desire to reinvent its magic within the walls of your home. Here are five ways to incorporate this style into your interior design.

1.   Antique Furniture

French-inspired antique furniture dresses up any room with elegance and grace. When you consider the furniture found throughout New Orleans homes, wood and ornamental upholstery should immediately come to mind. 

Pay homage to the city’s cultural origins by selecting distinctive antique pieces for your space. You might look for Gilded mirrors or oil paintings that depict your favorite part of the city. 

Throughout the Rococo period from 1730 to 1760, chairs went through a design transformation that emphasized comfort. Intricate carvings on the legs, arms and frames resembled fancy, curvy scrolls and included a luxurious overstuffed seat cushion. Many upholstered fabrics had toile designs and tufted folds, delivering even more charm and sophistication.

While perusing an antique furniture store, look for a traditional marquise or Duchesse — a famous French lounge chair once used for reclining.

2.   Ornate Ironwork

The next time you’re visiting the French Quarter, pay attention to the ironwork that runs throughout the neighborhood, such as the detailed balconies suspended from the buildings. 

You don’t necessarily need to have a balcony if you’re looking to add some iconic ironwork to your own home. There are plenty of ways to bring French Quarter ironwork into your design.

For example, look for an attractive wrought-iron headboard for your primary bedroom. You might decide to include an iron gate or door somewhere in your house or yard, as well. 

Cast iron features deliver an element of romance and femininity to your New Orleans motif. However, you may be interested in knowing that the city’s lacey ironwork derives from Spanish architecture, not French. 

3.   Crystal Chandeliers

Every home inspired by the French Quarter needs an exciting, fun crystal chandelier as a focal point. When visiting New Orleans, you’ll likely see everything from glam and luxurious to something a bit more voodoo and tribal-like. 

Chandeliers with dangling crystals often go with either of these decorative styles. 

Add a crystal chandelier to your foyer, so it’s the first thing guests see when they walk in. You might also put one over the dining room table or in the living room. Dress up your walk-in closet with an alluring light fixture, as well. 

Any space in your home could do with a touch of illuminating class. If you’re feeling extra fun, you could even add a fancy chandelier to your outdoor patio. 

4.   Outdoor Entertainment

The French Quarter offers visitors enchanting outdoor dining and entertainment experiences galore. Consider revamping your outdoor living area when incorporating the style into your home. 

String market lights for enhanced nighttime ambiance. You may also want to add a bar cart to welcome guests with a homemade cocktail mixed especially by you. 

If you live in an apartment with a tight patio space — think New York City high-rise — you could purchase a small bistro set, which exudes the famous French cafe culture and comes in various colors. 

Music is also an essential part of New Orleans history. The city’s jazz scene emerged between 1895 and 1927 with the likes of Charles “Buddy” Bolden, Jack Laine’s Reliance and Kid Ory’s Creole band.

Include an outdoor sound system for infusing the ultimate entertainment into your backyard. Keep it vintage with a classic gramophone for playing your favorite jazz records at your next gathering. 

Of course, it’s impossible to look past the luscious greenery found in French Quarter outdoor patios. Hanging ferns, potted plants, water fountains, classical urns and garden statues are important elements to consider when designing your outdoor living space. 

5.   Lots of Color

The French Quarter is perhaps best known for its rows of colorful buildings. There are plenty of ways to add character to your home with a fresh coat of paint, from various pastels to bold, jewel-toned shades. 

If French Quarter colors are a bit too vibrant for you, you can always tone them down with saturated hues instead. Combining unlikely shades is a specialty of NOLA architecture, though.

Think lime green with teal or robin’s egg blue with a buttery yellow or rusty orange. You might even match dark purples with lighter pinks. 

Whatever your fancy, the French Quarter is certainly not afraid to stand out.

Bring Mardis Gras Home With You

A trip to New Orleans or simply browsing through a travel catalog is bound to get your creative juices flowing. The French Quarter oozes fun. Bring a taste of Mardis Gras into your home by finding ways to incorporate the city’s multicultural style and color.

Written By Rose Morrison of renovated.com

Image Grace J. Silla Photography