Hi everybody! If you follow Lost & Found on Facebook or Instagram, then you probably saw that I spent a few days last week in New Orleans.
It was a surprise trip–for me at least. My husband told me last month that for his mid-March birthday, all he wanted as a gift was to plan a short getaway for he and I. In my mind, that meant maybe a night in a nice hotel in downtown Ft. Worth, or a day trip to a B&B in the Texas Hill Country. So I was quite surprised when he produced plane tickets and a 3-day itinerary for a trip to New Orleans!
To make sure I am representing us rightly, I want to say that we don’t do things like this often. We’re not some jet-setting couple, always headed for weekend getaways here and there.
Our weekends are typically filled with kids’ soccer games, birthday parties, and projects around our house! So it really was quite a nice treat to have a few days together on our own (our boys were at my in-laws) and be able to really get outta town.
So this post doesn’t have a lot of substance–no furniture makeovers, DIY projects, or major life lessons to share. I thought about you all many times though while I was exploring this beautiful city and just wanted to share with you some of the beautiful New Orleans architecture I saw.
So sit back, relax, and enjoy some architectural eye-candy 🙂
We rented a small townhouse in the Marigny district, which is close to the French Quarter and much like it in character in charm. This is what I saw when I stepped out our front door–adorable, brightly painted townhomes lining the streets.
Apparently, there wasn’t much of a winter in New Orleans because everybody’s planters and baskets looked like they were at their peak of growth.
The majority of the homes we saw were restored and in great shape. Every once in awhile we came across a home though that was really showing its age.
I am sure it is quite expensive to maintain all of that ornate trim and woodwork! Even with it all worn and chippy though, it is still beautiful.
Once in awhile, we would walk past an open gate, where we could peek back into the hidden courtyards these homes share.
Does’t that look like the most relaxing place to be?
It’s so hard to find authentic architectural pieces where I live. But everywhere I looked in New Orleans, there were pieces with the most amazing patina.
I thought it was a really beautiful city. I was honestly surprised by how lovely it was!
I knew there would be small areas that would be charming, but I had no idea that the city as a whole had so much character.
So if you get a chance to visit New Orleans, I would highly recommend it. Eat some gumbo, stop for an afternoon coffee and beignet, take a carriage ride through the city, and just enjoy all of the amazing architecture.
Thanks for letting me share!
Thank you for bringing us along. Loved seeing all the photos of the architecture. Im with you, the chippy faded ones were about my favorite. 🙂
Glad I’m not the only person out there KJ who thinks that look is great!
Melanie, thanks for sharing your photos. I love New Orleans.
You’re so welcome! Do you visit there often?
Beautiful pictures! How nice of him to surprise you for his birthday;) Just curious what kind of camera you used?
Thanks Tracy! Yes, I felt like a terrible wife letting him plan his own birthday, but that’s what he wanted to do! I used my Sony DSLR camera for these photos, here is a link to a post that I talk about it more. https://www.lostandfounddecor.com/5-simple-tips-for-better-photos/
Lovely birthday gift! New Orleans is so pretty and full of character! We have been there a couple of times, last in November, and it is always wonderful to see! I love the French Quarter architecture…and the Garden District has amazing homes. Thanks for sharing and bring it all back to me!
You’re so welcome Linda. We didn’t make it over to the Garden District and I’m sad. That was one of the areas I didn’t realize was there! We will have to take another trip I guess 🙂
Seeing these pics made me homesick. New Orleans is home and I certainly miss it at times. It’s too late now, but if you make a trip back there again, there is – or used to be – a walking tour called “The Secret Garden Tour” and it takes you thru many of these courtyard gardens that you would never imagine to be as beautiful as they are. I think you may have been just a tad bit early and believe it takes place right before Jazz Fest (last weekend in April & first weekend in May).
Thanks for bringing me home again thru great pics!
Oh, that does sound like an amazing tour! Thanks for the tip Jane.
Gorgeous pictures. I especially like the 3rd photo with the shutters and baskets- beautiful paint colors. My husband and I went once but I would love to go back. We took a walking tour of the Garden District and someone commented on the homes with blistering paint. Our guide said it was due to the extreme humidity and that they have to paint often.
That makes sense! I’m sure all of that paint is hard to maintain.
Lovely being taken back to our time in New Orleans before boarding ship for a cruise. Only wished we had more time to do what you two did- EXPLORE!!! Speaking of patina, don’t you think the heat and humidity ages those houses more quickly than a Northern town? Nice pictures. Thanks
Sandy I would imagine that it does. The humidity there was definitely crazy–I could tell by the super curliness of my hair! Haha. They don’t have the snow to deal with though, and isn’t snow a challenge for housing upkeep as well?
i have just whizzed by on the interstate to somewhere else but i have always wanted to spend some time there not during any festivals just when it is just being beautiful, i am so glad you got to go you two work your tails off and deserved a break xx
Thanks Chris. It really was a nice time, so much incredible food and the chance to sleep in!
Too much fun! New Orleans definitely has a piece of my heart. I love the pics! I’m glad you guys had a great trip.
Thanks Ashley. It was a great break from the routine.
Melanie, I guess you were able to visit before the flooding….looks like you had a great time! I know my husband would ask for that for his birthday, too, since he has been wanting to go for years. Last time we planned it, it didn’t work out. It’s fairly close for us in Texas. Sounds like you’re a bit further north. I’m just west of San Antonio. Thanks for showing us a little bit of NOLA. (Another reason I like watching NCIS New Orleans… the architecture and landscaping!)
Patty, we got really lucky and it ended up only raining on us one day. I think we managed to dodge the worst of it! I am outside of Dallas, so yes, it’s a little further for us.
I Love NOLA and all the South. We’ve made it there for the last 2 years. It is a great walking town and full of history. But the homes and the broken streets are just lovely. And the nicest people I’ve come into.
We also went to Oak Alley to see the plantations.
We were there just before Christmas and plan on going back either fall or after Christmas.
This California Girl loves her some South.
I hope to go back and see the plantations sometime too. We missed those.