Spooktacular Home Decor: Decorating Your New Orleans Home for Halloween

With New Orleans' rich history of mysticism, this city is the perfect backdrop for a hauntingly beautiful Halloween. If you're lucky enough to call the Crescent City home, you have a unique opportunity to infuse your living space with the spirit of everyone's favorite spooky holiday. Here are five fantastic ideas to help you transform your New Orleans home into a spooktacular, stylish, and unforgettable Halloween haven. Voodoo Vibes Embrace the city's voodoo culture by incorporating voodoo dolls, skull imagery, and mystical potions into your decor. Create a voodoo altar as a striking centerpiece, complete with candles and intriguing artifacts. Ghostly Entrance Make a spooky first impression by decorating your front porch or entryway. Hang cobwebs, eerie lanterns, and faux tombstones to create an invitingly eerie atmosphere for trick-or-treaters. Ghastly Gallery Create a gallery wall of eerie artwork, vintage horror movie posters, and spooky New Orleans-themed prints. This can serve as a year-round conversation piece for your guests. Dia de los Muertos Celebration Incorporate elements of the Day of the Dead with colorful sugar skull decorations, marigold flowers, and papel picado banners. This adds a vibrant, festive touch to your Halloween decor. Vampire Lair Channel the allure of New Orleans' vampire lore by decorating with deep  ngred and black accents. Velvet drapes, candelabras, and faux bats can all contribute to a vampiric ambiance. With an eclectic blend of diverse history, New Orleans offers endless inspiration for creating a one-of-a-kind Halloween home decor experience. Whether you're aiming for a voodoo vibe, a haunted mansion, or a vampire's lair, don't be afraid to get creative and infuse your New Orleans home with the spooky spirit of Halloween. Make your home the talk of the city this October and revel in the magic of All Hallows' Eve! *This article was written by Deveney Marshall of Mara Creative Agency

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Top 5 Decor Trends To Try This Fall 2023

*Interior Design work of Whitney J. Decor, photography by Britt Smith Photography  Although it may still be 100 degrees outside, Autumn is vastly approaching us, and the crisp air of Fall will be coming in soon. *fingers crossed* As this new season ushers in, it’s only fitting we transform our homes to complement this lovely time of year. With the vibrant change Autumn season usually brings, we are often inspired to elevate our surroundings and atmosphere. Here are five decor trends you should consider this Autumn season. The Return of Classic Autumn  When it comes to decorating for Fall, minimal upgrades will have a significant impact. Adding details of the Fall season, such as warm tones, leaves, harvest baskets, seasonal wreaths, and gemstone tableware, transform your spaces with minimal effort. These items will give your home a dramatic boost without breaking the bank. Statement Glassware Statement glassware adds a touch of sophistication and modern elegance to your Autumn decor. These pieces showcase your attention to detail and create a memorable dining experience that beautifully complements the rich colors and textures of fall. Statement glassware adds a layer of luxury to your seasonal gatherings.  *Interior Design work of Whitney J. Decor, photography by Britt Smith Photography   Delightful Scents of Fall Scents are an essential element of curating a dynamic decor experience. Enhance the ambiance of your home this Fall with fragrances that create a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Opt for scented candles, diffusers, or potpourri with notes of cinnamon, apple, pumpkin spice, and warm vanilla. These fall-inspired scents not only add a cozy touch to your decor, but also evoke the comforting feeling of Autumn. Vintage and Antique Pieces Create a warm and inviting ambiance this Autumn by adding vintage and antique pieces to your home decor. Vintage and antique décor pieces enhance the aesthetics of your home by adding a sense of allure and nostalgia. Visit antique shops and flea markets to discover unique finds that add character to your spaces. *Interior Design work of Whitney J. Decor, photography by Britt Smith Photography   Textured Textiles  Texture plays a significant role in curating a cozy ambiance for Fall. Plush textiles like velvet, bouclé, and shearling help to create the perfect display that Autumn is here. Incorporate these elements into your Autumn decor by buying throw pillows and blankets that feature these materials for a comfortable yet luxurious feel.  Autumn invites you to immerse yourself in a world of rich tones, luxurious pieces, and warmth. Elevate your living spaces by embracing the trends that resonate with you. Remember, Fall is a season of transformation, and your home deserves to mirror the beauty of this magical season.  Happy Almost Fall from Rêve!  *Written by Deveney Marshall of Mara Creative Agency

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5 Ways To Capture The Spirit Of New Orleans Through Your Home's Aesthetic

  *525 Governor Nicholls Street #204, Listed by Scott K. James There is a spirit in New Orleans that is irreplicable. With cultural influences from around the world, the culture combines them in its style, food, and art scene. If you’re interested in moving to NOLA or want to pay tribute to it in your home, here are five ways to do so through your home’s aesthetic. 1. Embrace the City’s Architecture in Your Design New Orleans has a rich architectural history spanning more than 300 years. From Creole to Art Deco, there is so much you can use to make your home feel like NOLA inside and out. Whether you live in a cottage, shotgun home or modern house, you can take from the many other types of homes around the city to feel more connected to it. According to the NOLA government, the city has nine common architectural styles: Creole, Greek Revival, Italianate, neoclassical, eclectic, arts and crafts, art deco and modern. There are many ways to incorporate architecture and design into your home. You can use cast iron to replicate the look of the iconic Creole townhouse balconies in the French Quarter. Crown molding is an excellent way to incorporate neoclassical. Decorative columns reflect the stunning pillars of Greek revival homes. Incorporate eclectic or art deco interior design style in your home to pay tribute to the techniques from the 19th and early 20th centuries, or bring in the elegant artwork of romanticized Italianate homes. You could add rustic elements from arts and crafts and smooth facades of modern styles. 2. Bring in the Colors and Festivities of Mardi Gras Mardi Gras and NOLA go hand in hand. It’s safe to say no other location in the world has influences from France-inspired ballsand Spanish carnaval celebrations. Today’s festivities hold a special place in the hearts of NOLA locals and those visiting each year. Keep the spirit of Mardi Gras alive all year by adding green, purple and gold throughout your home. You can create a gallery wall with different masks, beads and photographs from prior celebrations. Use the celebration’s patterns in throws, pillows, curtains and other home decor items. You can make your home as festive as you prefer, but there are ways to add a more subtle touch while still paying homage to Mardi Gras. Instead of making the colors your home’s primary palate, use them as accents for a cream or neutral interior color. Choose subtle patterns and elegant decor pieces to play throughout your home. 3. Make Jazz-Inspired Spaces If you love music, you’re far from alone in this city. New Orleans is a magical place for it — especially jazz. There are clubs throughout the city and it is not uncommon to hear groups get together and play in the street. The music permeates the culture from festivals to funerals. You can bring jazz to life in your home by dedicating a space to display your favorite instruments. Please pick them up when you want to play and use them as fun decor when you don’t. Just ensure you care for them so they stay ready for the next time the rhythm calls you. Pay tribute to your favorite local musicians and jazz legends by displaying photographs on a shelf or a gallery wall. Place them with mementos from your famous clubs and concerts. You can create a comfortable area for you and your guests to listen to your favorite records, whether on vinyl, through your favorite streaming platform — or live music! *525 Governor Nicholls Street #204, Listed by Scott K. James 4. Create a Welcoming Outdoor Space Sunshine and warm nights are a staple of the South — New Orleans included. Spending an evening with neighbors on a porch or patio is a large part of NOLA’s community-centered culture. Sharing a meal, having tea, playing music or just enjoying a conversation still helps connect neighborhoods in the digital age. Being in the sunshine and fresh air makes the city “The Big Easy.” You can choose an open space like a patio or courtyard or sit under a sunroom or covered porch to keep your furniture out of the direct sun and closer to home. Incorporate wrought iron furniture and colorful cushions to make NOLA-inspired seating. Make it feel tropical by incorporating lush greenery in pots and hanging baskets. You can plant native oak, Cyprus or magnolia trees around your property to create a shady retreat. 5. Showcase Local Artisans Community is a part of New Orleans and supporting one another’s efforts helps the city thrive. Many creative minds flock to NOLA to expand their talents and hone their craft. It has a magic that keeps experts making their masterpieces for decades. You can support local artists and their unique styles by purchasing and displaying their pieces around your home. A block from Bourbon Street is Royal Street, which features galleries, boutiques and antique shops where you can search for your new favorite items. Other great spots for local art include the Warehouse Arts District, Magazine Street and the many open-air markets. Pictures, paintings ,and pottery are some of the finds you will surely cherish in your home for decades. *525 Governor Nicholls Street #204, Listed by Scott K. James Capturing the Spirit of New Orleans in Your Home There is so much to love about the city — you can include it all in your home aesthetic. When you pay tribute to old and new style influences and capture NOLA's celebration and community culture, you can always have the spirit of New Orleans with you. It  *This post was written by Rose Morrison of renovated.con

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