New Orleans Lady

Julia Reed on the porch of her First Street house in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo:  online.wsj.com

Julia Reed, one of the South's most celebrated contemporary writers, bought a circa 1847 Greek Revival house in New Orleans' Garden District with her husband John Pearce in 2004, a year before Hurricane Katrina.  The experience is chronicled in her popular book THE HOUSE ON FIRST STREET: MY NEW ORLEANS STORY.

Julia Reed's house is considered one of New Orleans' most beautiful and hospitable homes.  Decorated with assistance from Thomas Jayne, decorator friends Suzanne Rheinstein and Patrick Dunne also gave advice.  In an article written by Julia Reed for Elle Décor magazine, she says Thomas referred to the team as the "Committee on Taste."  The house is also featured in Thomas' acclaimed book AMERICAN DECORATION: A SENSE OF PLACE.


1236 First Street, New Orleans. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Entrance Hall of Julia Reed's house looking back towards the front door. Thomas Jayne advocated a neutral decorating scheme to compliment the adjacent parlors. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio 

The Front Parlor contains the pair of faux bamboo settees purchased before the house was bought in 2004. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

Looking from the Front Parlor to the Back Parlor. The bold door and window trim is typical of the Greek Revival period. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Back Parlor is also used as a Music Room. The gilt catfish on the piano was salvaged from a Mardi Gras float. Thomas Jayne suggested the Claremont yellow silk for the curtains and the chintz from Le Manach. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Dining Room contains a sofa from the home of Julia Reed's grandmother in Nashville. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Pantry is painted in Ball Green paint from Farrow & Ball. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

The Kitchen contains a range for serious cooking. Julia Reed wrote the food column for the "New York Times" magazine for several years. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

A Guest Bathroom is decorated with 19th century prints of Napoleon and Pope Pius VII. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor.

The Master Bedroom features an Aubusson rug on top of sisal. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

The Library was added in the 20th century. The stained paneling was painted to resemble pine  by Julia Reed's childhood friend, Anne McGee. Photo:  Jayne Design Studio

The Sunroom features Bennison Crewelwork fabric. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor.

Homeowner Julia Reed in the Sunroom of her house on First Street. Photo by William Waldron for Elle Décor

Now the house is being offered for sale.  Additional photos may be seen on the real estate website.  Reports are that Julia and her husband are looking at the French Quarter as possibly their next home.
Julia Reed's collection of essays about other experiences can be read in her best-selling book QUEEN OF THE TURTLE DERBY AND OTHER SOUTHERN PHENOMENA.  Additional stories as well as practical advice such as how to cook for compliments are found in HAM BISCUITS, HOSTESS GOWNS, AND OTHER SOUTHERN SPECIALTIES: AN ENTERTAINING LIFE (WITH RECIPES).  Julia Reed is famous as a hostess and some of her best advice will be given in her new book to be released at the end of the month, BUT MAMA ALWAYS PUT VODKA IN HER SANGRIA!: ADVENTURES IN EATING, DRINKING, AND MAKING MERRY.
Devoted Readers in the Chicago area will want to attend a style blogger panel discussion on April 20, 2013, as part of the Antiques & Garden Fair benefiting Chicago Botanic Garden.  Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic, Emily Evans Eerdmans of Emily Evans Eerdmans, and Marisa Marcantonio of STYLEBEAT will comprise the panel with the moderator being no other than the always delightful Julia Reed.