My Houzz: A Personal Vision for a New Orleans Home
Cathedral ceilings, pine floors and exposed brick complement the eclectic decor in a jewelry designer’s home
Ashley Porter, owner of Porter Lyons Jewelry, is a California native who has lived in New Orleans for many years. She’s settled into the city with the purchase of a home she saw for sale while she was walking a friend’s dog. “It was in dire straits, almost blighted, and I took one look at it and knew this project was for me! Being a designer, I wanted a home I could transform into my distinct vision and create some magic.” She commissioned interior architect Mark McDavitt to make the space come to life, inside and out.
The home Porter’s unit is in is a two-story, side-hall shotgun, a typical architectural style found in New Orleans. Her front door opens up to a hallway that runs the length of the right side of the house. Gaston, Porter’s 1-year-old French bulldog, enjoys resting on one of the 4-foot-long red Native American-inspired rugs that are placed along the hall.
The home’s original floor plan was altered slightly to accommodate modern living. That included removing a few doorways and walls to create a more open layout.
The home’s original floor plan was altered slightly to accommodate modern living. That included removing a few doorways and walls to create a more open layout.
The living space, which is to the left as you enter the home, is comfortable and relaxed yet eclectic and playful. Muted reds and blues add color to the space. Although the room is open and airy, each part has its own function. Porter enjoys the openness of this front space and loves entertaining, cooking and playing with Gaston. “I’m so fortunate that I really do love every inch of my home,” she says.
Small glass globe pendants with Edison bulbs hang throughout the space for lighting and ambiance, although the home gets lots of natural light thanks to the east- and west-facing windows.
Small glass globe pendants with Edison bulbs hang throughout the space for lighting and ambiance, although the home gets lots of natural light thanks to the east- and west-facing windows.
The vintage printmaker’s cabinet along the hallway wall is perfect for storing art projects and miscellaneous items. The purse on top of the cabinet is a Porter Lyons design; the large painting was given to Porter by her dad as a housewarming gift. “I always see something different in it,” she says.
The two linen slipcovered sofas in the living area were found at a Restoration Hardware outlet outside of San Antonio, as was with the large Foucault’s orb chandelier over the dining table. The whimsical form of the rattan hanging chair mimics the feel of the dining room light.
“My aesthetic ethos for my home is modern, minimal, with a hint of Native American,” Porter says. “My mom has trained my eye from a young age to notice details…. I’ve always believed the beauty is in these small nuances. As a designer, I’ve always believed quality of your materials sets designs apart.”
The living space is filled with meaningful pieces. McDavitt, who also designs and builds furniture, made the wooden coffee table in the living room. The feathers in the small jar atop it were collected from chickens that live in their backyard. The coffee table is topped with a naturally dyed blue and indigo tapestry. The accent lumbar pillow on the couch ties in with the reds of the rugs.
The living space is filled with meaningful pieces. McDavitt, who also designs and builds furniture, made the wooden coffee table in the living room. The feathers in the small jar atop it were collected from chickens that live in their backyard. The coffee table is topped with a naturally dyed blue and indigo tapestry. The accent lumbar pillow on the couch ties in with the reds of the rugs.
The hanging chair was sourced by McDavitt at Serena & Lily.
All of the rugs in the home are vintage. The lush, green palm, from Harold’s nursery in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, thrives in this brightly lit spot.
All of the rugs in the home are vintage. The lush, green palm, from Harold’s nursery in the Bywater neighborhood of New Orleans, thrives in this brightly lit spot.
Porter’s home looks out onto her lush and colorful neighborhood just off historic Esplanade Avenue. All of the homes on her block were built more than 100 years ago. It’s a friendly neighborhood, with many young families. She loves walking to the local coffee shops, grocery stores, wine shops and restaurants.
On nice days, Porter likes to open the two sets of french doors that lead out to her front balcony. When open, the doors add a fun splash of color to the dining area.
Interior trim and wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; door paint: Surfer, Sherwin-Williams
Interior trim and wall paint: White Dove, Benjamin Moore; door paint: Surfer, Sherwin-Williams
The long table was purchased at Restoration Hardware, and the benches were custom-built by McDavitt.
A Porter Lyons white dreamcatcher hangs above a white singing bowl on a small table next to the fireplace. The centerpiece on the table is pyrite and quartz from Morocco.
Atop the fireplace mantel is an ammonite fossil, along with a self-portrait. The piece hanging above the mantel is a photograph of Binky Griptite, a blues, rock and soul musician. It was a gift, and Porter custom-built the frame. “I feel like this piece just found me,” she says.
A Porter Lyons white dreamcatcher hangs above a white singing bowl on a small table next to the fireplace. The centerpiece on the table is pyrite and quartz from Morocco.
Atop the fireplace mantel is an ammonite fossil, along with a self-portrait. The piece hanging above the mantel is a photograph of Binky Griptite, a blues, rock and soul musician. It was a gift, and Porter custom-built the frame. “I feel like this piece just found me,” she says.
Porter says she splurged on the kitchen because it’s the focal point and such an important part of her home. “The kitchen was the most fun to design,” McDavitt says. “It is the first thing you see when you walk through the front door. The ceilings are 20 feet tall, so scale was important.”
Older homes like this often lack built-in storage, so Porter and McDavitt chose to build up, using the tall ceilings to their advantage. The cabinets not only store tableware, but also act as a pantry. Because the tall cabinets are hard to reach, McDavitt added the large apple orchard ladder, seen leaning against the cabinets, found at the Round Top antique show in Texas. It also serves as a place to hang tapestries.
The cabinets were built by Jeremy Gresham of Gresham Woodworks, and their color, Rockport Gray, as well as the other colors in the home, was chosen by Sara Cooney, a color specialist based in Houston.
The kitchen also features a large island. McDavitt thinks of the kitchen island as a community gathering space for families, ideal for cooking, working, doing homework or completing an art project. Outlets under the island and deep cabinets for storing supplies make this the perfect small home office. The barstools are midcentury modern finds from California.
Older homes like this often lack built-in storage, so Porter and McDavitt chose to build up, using the tall ceilings to their advantage. The cabinets not only store tableware, but also act as a pantry. Because the tall cabinets are hard to reach, McDavitt added the large apple orchard ladder, seen leaning against the cabinets, found at the Round Top antique show in Texas. It also serves as a place to hang tapestries.
The cabinets were built by Jeremy Gresham of Gresham Woodworks, and their color, Rockport Gray, as well as the other colors in the home, was chosen by Sara Cooney, a color specialist based in Houston.
The kitchen also features a large island. McDavitt thinks of the kitchen island as a community gathering space for families, ideal for cooking, working, doing homework or completing an art project. Outlets under the island and deep cabinets for storing supplies make this the perfect small home office. The barstools are midcentury modern finds from California.
McDavitt aimed to utilize all the space in the kitchen, even the corners. “I love using new materials in unexpected installations,” he says. “Ashley was such an easy client to work with and she was open to all my suggestions.”
Porter’s stove hood is made from plate steel. “Plate steel was readily available, and I discovered its versatility and used it on many installations,” McDavitt says. The raw steel was sourced locally and fabricated by a local artist. It pairs gorgeously with the reclaimed longleaf pine floorboards used to make the cabinets.
“Convincing Ashley to splurge on the kitchen plumbing and hardware that I selected was a breeze since I presented it as ‘the jewelry of the home,’ “ McDavitt adds. Another splurge was the white Macaubas Quartzite for the counters and backsplash. The neutral-colored marble has heavy linear veins throughout that are subtle yet striking and unique.
Porter’s stove hood is made from plate steel. “Plate steel was readily available, and I discovered its versatility and used it on many installations,” McDavitt says. The raw steel was sourced locally and fabricated by a local artist. It pairs gorgeously with the reclaimed longleaf pine floorboards used to make the cabinets.
“Convincing Ashley to splurge on the kitchen plumbing and hardware that I selected was a breeze since I presented it as ‘the jewelry of the home,’ “ McDavitt adds. Another splurge was the white Macaubas Quartzite for the counters and backsplash. The neutral-colored marble has heavy linear veins throughout that are subtle yet striking and unique.
The modern appliance garage helps keep the kitchen uncluttered. The frosted glass provides a nice balance between solid wood and open storage. It obscures what’s behind it while making the cabinets feel less solid and more airy.
“My favorite spot is my meditation nook, which I escape into for my daily meditation practice,” Porter says. “The dreamcatchers and air up there is calming and makes me feel refreshed as the sunlight pours in during the a.m. hours.”
McDavitt refinished the vintage ladder to bring it back to life. He and Porter also got creative in utilizing dead space in the home. There’s storage below the meditation nook since there’s no space for a mudroom.
McDavitt refinished the vintage ladder to bring it back to life. He and Porter also got creative in utilizing dead space in the home. There’s storage below the meditation nook since there’s no space for a mudroom.
The guest bathroom off the side hallway is clean and modern but decorated with rustic and eclectic accents. The wood vanity is from Restoration Hardware and the colorful towels were purchased in St. Barts.
A modern, floating toilet saves floor space and is easy to clean under. It also has a dual flush system that saves water.
A modern, floating toilet saves floor space and is easy to clean under. It also has a dual flush system that saves water.
When family and friends visit from California, they stay in this guest bedroom, also off the hallway. Porter made the black dreamcatcher that hangs above the peacock chair in the corner. The chair is an old favorite she’s had since college.
Atop this original mantel is a collection of all things natural and whimsical. It serves as inspiration for Porter in her jewelry making.
All of the home’s fireplaces and mantels are original. McDavitt says they’re testimony to how well-built these traditional New Orleans homes are, as the fireplaces have withstood more than 100 years of use and dozens of hurricanes.
During the renovation, the brick was stripped to its original state and sealed with a penetrating sealer to keep it looking fresh. The cypress mantles were also stripped of years of paint and sealed with Johnson’s paste wax to protect the wood and give it a matte finish.
All of the home’s fireplaces and mantels are original. McDavitt says they’re testimony to how well-built these traditional New Orleans homes are, as the fireplaces have withstood more than 100 years of use and dozens of hurricanes.
During the renovation, the brick was stripped to its original state and sealed with a penetrating sealer to keep it looking fresh. The cypress mantles were also stripped of years of paint and sealed with Johnson’s paste wax to protect the wood and give it a matte finish.
The framed piece above the bed is a photograph of a Mardi Gras Indian taken by Porter’s close friend Chris Jacobs.
A small chair serves as one of the bedside tables. Porter says she saved money by taking her time selecting furniture for the home.
A small chair serves as one of the bedside tables. Porter says she saved money by taking her time selecting furniture for the home.
“My studio-yoga room is where my creativity takes flight,” Porter says. “I have lightbulb moments going off in there.”
This room is toward the back of the home and is the first room in the master bedroom suite. The doors shown here are original but were stripped and cut in half to become French doors. Frosted glass was installed to retain privacy for the master suite while still allowing light through.
The hardware for the small doors is actually marine hardware purchased from Apollo Marine Specialties in New Orleans. “Standard door hardware just didn’t feel right on the smaller French doors, so I turned to door hardware intended for expensive boats/yachts since they still had the upscale factor,” McDavitt says.
Poster: NOLA Film Society
This room is toward the back of the home and is the first room in the master bedroom suite. The doors shown here are original but were stripped and cut in half to become French doors. Frosted glass was installed to retain privacy for the master suite while still allowing light through.
The hardware for the small doors is actually marine hardware purchased from Apollo Marine Specialties in New Orleans. “Standard door hardware just didn’t feel right on the smaller French doors, so I turned to door hardware intended for expensive boats/yachts since they still had the upscale factor,” McDavitt says.
Poster: NOLA Film Society
On the opposite wall is a small home studio where Porter works on her jewelry designs. She also has a larger studio in New Orleans where she makes jewelry. The industrial-style desk pairs nicely with the lamp and stool.
The painting on the left wall was bought from a street artist in Colombia, while the yellow rug is from Peru.
The painting on the left wall was bought from a street artist in Colombia, while the yellow rug is from Peru.
Porter displays objects that inspire her in her jewelry design, including alligator bones and dried roses.
Porter is seen here working on a necklace, with Gaston by her side. This desk overlooks the large yard.
The drapery in the master bedroom, from Restoration Hardware, keeps the room dark in the mornings.
The master bedroom is at the back of the home, just off the yoga room and studio. “My bedroom is calming and such a place of relaxation,” Porter says.
The master bedroom is at the back of the home, just off the yoga room and studio. “My bedroom is calming and such a place of relaxation,” Porter says.
The master bathroom features an original but nonfunctioning exposed brick fireplace. The shower and bathtub were built to accommodate this existing feature. White Macaubas Quartzite was also used throughout this room.
One of the biggest projects in the renovation was completing the outdoor space. Porter came up with the design for the yard and McDavitt made it come to life. He laid the brick, leveled and laid the grass, fenced off the property, poured the concrete, built the plaster planters and installed the lighting. He also cleared all invasive species from the property.
Designing a yard in New Orleans is no easy feat because the city is at or below sea level. A large portion of the yard used to flood during rainstorms, so it had to be engineered to drain water correctly.
Lights were strung from the top of the house so the yard can be enjoyed in the evenings as well.
Designing a yard in New Orleans is no easy feat because the city is at or below sea level. A large portion of the yard used to flood during rainstorms, so it had to be engineered to drain water correctly.
Lights were strung from the top of the house so the yard can be enjoyed in the evenings as well.
Porter and McDavitt call this red wall “The Secret Garden Wall.” It divides the yard and keeps their urban flock of chickens inside. The wall is a plaster facade with a teak gate from Discoveries on Magazine Street. The gate is flanked by two large planters filled with tall cacti.
The wood fence was a custom design by McDavitt and the wood was supplied by Sequoia Outdoor Lumber Supply. The fence was designed to be very tall to protect from neighbors’ prying eyes. The bamboo planter wall along the inside of the fence is a plaster facade.
Wall paint: Golden Gate, Benjamin Moore
The wood fence was a custom design by McDavitt and the wood was supplied by Sequoia Outdoor Lumber Supply. The fence was designed to be very tall to protect from neighbors’ prying eyes. The bamboo planter wall along the inside of the fence is a plaster facade.
Wall paint: Golden Gate, Benjamin Moore
McDavitt created the paths and patios with bricks saved during the three years it took to clear the yard. The glider is a piece from McDavitt’s childhood home in Texas.
The space was finished off with succulents, cacti and other potted plants. Porter goes to Arizona for gem sourcing and loves the tall cactus species native to the desert. Porter sourced Mexican cacti to bring a piece of the desert to the New Orleans yard.
The space was finished off with succulents, cacti and other potted plants. Porter goes to Arizona for gem sourcing and loves the tall cactus species native to the desert. Porter sourced Mexican cacti to bring a piece of the desert to the New Orleans yard.
McDavitt, a Texas native, has raised chickens since he was a kid and is an advocate of urban flocks. He wanted the Secret Garden to be a refuge for their chickens. The flock consists of hens only, since the crowing of a rooster would disturb neighbors.
McDavitt notes that chickens are natural pest controllers. He and Porter didn’t see a cockroach in the house all summer.
McDavitt notes that chickens are natural pest controllers. He and Porter didn’t see a cockroach in the house all summer.
McDavitt and Porter love sharing their fresh eggs with neighbors and friends.
“Now that the molt is over, we’re getting seven to 10 eggs a day,” McDavitt says. They have a variety of chickens, each of which lays beautifully colored eggs. McDavitt’s favorite thing to make with his eggs are breakfast tacos.
“Now that the molt is over, we’re getting seven to 10 eggs a day,” McDavitt says. They have a variety of chickens, each of which lays beautifully colored eggs. McDavitt’s favorite thing to make with his eggs are breakfast tacos.
McDavitt built the coop, seen here. Two terra-cotta men, sourced at Round Top, stand guard at the door.
The yard is also home to three brother cats: the gray one seen here and two black ones. Together they keep the rats in the yard at bay. The green chair was found at Round Top.
McDavitt recycled the wood from the molds used to pour the plaster planters and concrete slabs as paneling for the outdoor shed. It was repainted to match the house and is used for storing bikes, gardening tools and extra supplies. The wall to left, built by McDavitt, hides the home’s air-conditioning units.
The recently planted bamboo in the planter boxes around the yard will be a solid wall by next spring, transforming the space into a private haven. The lawn is slated to become a cocktail pool in the near future — McDavitt and Porter’s next big project together. In the meantime, it’s perfect for games like bocce and cornhole. Porter loves hosting parties in the backyard, including for Jazz Fest and Halloween.
Now it’s fresh and inviting. One special detail of the home is the small stained glass window in the gable, designed by Porter. It’s backlit at night, revealing an image of a crescent moon.
McDavitt designed and built the fence and created the concrete squares that form the off-street parking spaces and the main driveway. He hand-laid the grass in the front yard and completed the front landscaping using native Texas plants, which also thrive in Louisiana’s climate.
Exterior paint: Maritime White, Benjamin Moore; front porch ceiling paint: Summer Shower, Benjamin Moore; door paint: Surfer, Sherwin-Williams
McDavitt designed and built the fence and created the concrete squares that form the off-street parking spaces and the main driveway. He hand-laid the grass in the front yard and completed the front landscaping using native Texas plants, which also thrive in Louisiana’s climate.
Exterior paint: Maritime White, Benjamin Moore; front porch ceiling paint: Summer Shower, Benjamin Moore; door paint: Surfer, Sherwin-Williams
McDavitt and Porter enjoy the newly completed outdoor sitting area with Gaston.
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My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
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See more of this home
My Houzz is a series in which we visit and photograph creative, personality-filled homes and the people who inhabit them. Share your home with us and see more projects.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes |Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Who lives here: Ashley Porter; her fiance, Martin Holly; and her French bulldog, Gaston
Location: New Orleans
Size: Porter’s top-floor unit is 1,800 square feet (167 square meters); two bedrooms, two bathrooms; bottom units are each about 900 square feet (about 84 square meters)
Fun fact: Mark McDavitt, Ashley’s interior architect, lives in one of the first-floor apartments
Year built: 1906
In designing the inside of the home, Porter wanted to expose and accentuate the home’s existing features, particularly the nearly 20-foot-tall cathedral ceilings in the main living space. “New Orleans homes have so much integrity with their building materials and craftsmanship that it’s a shame to hide existing materials behind sheetrock,” McDavitt says.