Home Tour: Uptown Queen Anne | Living | nolaadore.com

Oct 18, 2024

When Katharine and David Rhudy decided to move from New Canaan, Connecticut, to New Orleans, it was to be closer to their adult children. They found the perfect 1880s cruciform home on State Street in January 2021, which originally sat on St. Charles Avenue and was owned by Walter Flower, the Mayor of New Orleans from 1896-1900. It was later relocated to face State Street, where Victorian porches were added, and it became known as The Grand Dame of State Street. However, the residence was later divided into four multifamily units and suffered years of disrepair. The Rhudys decided to embark on a whole-home renovation that was completed in January 2023.

MAKE AN ENTRANCE

The tropical landscape mural was customized by The Mural Source. The antique architect’s desk is from Katharine’s collection

MIX & MINGLE

The parlor features club chairs covered in Schumacher Nancy floral chintz with Nagoya embroidered border from Samuel & Sons and an ottoman covered in Clarence House Manari fabric.

Katharine, an interior decorator and designer with Reed & Acanthus Interior Design, approached the process as she does all her projects. First, she identified her family’s wants, needs, and vision for the home. She then worked with local architect Sean Fisher and an in-house construction crew to devise a pre-construction building plan. She simultaneously developed an interior design scheme for every room.

The original goal was to remodel the fourplex into one home, but as empty nesters, they decided to keep the two bedroom, 2,000-square-foot upstairs apartment for visiting friends and family. The “to the studs” renovation included removing haphazard additions and a rotting facade and foundation, while updating mechanicals and unveiling hidden 14-foot ceilings and grand rooms.

SUPPER CLUB

Island: Calacatta Gold marble

Countertops: Zinc from Le Bastille

Cabinets: Wood Mode via

Classic Cupboards

Backsplash: Triton Stone

Hood: Vent-a-Hood

QUALITY TIME

The calming family room comes together with Baker bespoke sofas covered in Schumacher Beaufort chenille fabric and two Holly Hunt chairs covered in Zimmer & Rohde Volupté fabric. The coffee table is Kravet, the ottomans are covered in Schumacher Mini Leopard fabric, and the woven leather carpet is Ambler from Stark Carpet.

“We tried to restore the symmetry and modernize this once great historic home to its former grandeur, while staying true to its historic roots,” Katharine says. “Having lived almost 30 years in Connecticut, where winter months are long and dark, the inspiration was to bring the outside in. [We did so] by letting the abundant Louisiana light stream in through the home with the addition of seven massive French doors in the family room/kitchen area.”

SPRUCE UP

Wallpaper: Schumacher Plumes et Rubans

Vanity: Vanguard Furniture

Mirror & Chandelier: Antiques

OFFICE HOURS

The Arenda carpet from Stark Carpet anchors the office, which is further enhanced with a sofa covered in Thibaut Brooks performance fabric. The Roman shades are in Fabricut fabric with Kravet tape, and the paintings are by New Orleans artist Kevin Gillentine.

One-floor living was also important to Katharine and David, as was a gourmet kitchen with an open floor plan and an outdoor entertainment area. They also added a home office and lap pool. For the interior design, Katharine turned to nature-inspired fabrics, wallpaper, and art (featuring birds, flowers, and fauna) in greens, blues, grays, and creams.

FIRST CLASS

In the primary bedroom, a Doorman Designs bed is topped with bedding in Chinois Palace fabric by Schumacher (seen again in the primary bath) and a Matouk bedquilt. In the bath, Katharine used Calacatta Gold marble and tile from Triton Stone, Wood Mode cabinets from Classic Cupboards, and a Visual Comfort chandelier.

“I was an antiques dealer prior to my current career as an interior decorator, and our previous home was an 1830s farmhouse stuffed to the gills with furniture, decorative objects, and vibrant colors,” Katharine says. "For this home, I took a more minimalist, monochromatic approach, incorporating natural elements in an attempt to blur the lines between outside and inside living.”

Due to the nature of the design, pattern, texture, and varied materials play a large role. For example, patterned wallpaper makes the otherwise cavernous house feel warm and welcoming. “The wallpaper mural in the entrance hall is a favorite and was a design challenge due to the 14-foot ceilings,” Katharine says. “Mural Source was able to customize the size to accommodate the high ceilings. This tropical landscape with dense jungle foliage in warm gray tones is romantic without being overwhelming.”

Other design choices of note include custom made carpets in the living room, hall, and family room from Stark Carpet and the two large Baker sofas in the family room. For the family room kitchen, Katharine special ordered accent chairs, end tables, and counter stools from Alfonso Marina. She also relied on her vast collection of antiques, which are thoughtfully placed throughout.

HOP ON IN

The 48’ lap pool, used for daily swims, was built by Oasis Pools using blue stone from JimStone Co. The landscaping is by Daly Sublette Landscape Architects.

This article appeared in the Summer 2024 issue of Adore