A Creative Reset
Photos from our family adventures in New Orleans during spring break. From Abita Springs Mystery House to alligator-filled boat tour of Lousianan’s Manchac Swamp and evening ghost stories in the French Quarter; a wonderful and needed escape.
Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler
Sometimes, the best way to jumpstart a design project is to step away from the screen and into the humid, history-soaked air of New Orleans. This March, I traded the lingering D.C. chill for a family adventure in the Big Easy, and it was exactly the colorful spark the soul needed.
There is something incredibly inspiring about the "afterglow" of Mardi Gras. Seeing the colorful debris and stray beads still clinging to the ironwork balconies of the French Quarter feels like walking through a living collage. We spent our days wandering the cobblestone streets, soaking in the jazz echoing from doorways, and hunting for the ultimate King Cake (verdict: you can never have too much purple, green, and gold sugar).
Our itinerary was a mix of the atmospheric and the adventurous:
Ghost Stories: Once the sun went down, we leaned into the city’s spooky side with a nightly tour of its most haunted corners. Nothing beats a good macabre tale to keep you on your toes!
Swamp Vibes: We headed out to the bayous for a swamp tour, scanning the Spanish moss and dark waters for gators. It’s a completely different kind of "organic design" than what I’m used to in the studio.
The “Pinch & Suck” Masterclass: We couldn’t leave without a proper education in NOLA soul food. A friendly local at Rouses Market gave us a crash course in the "art of the crawdad." The golden rule? Pinch the tail, suck the head. It’s definitely an acquired skill (and we may have only mustered the courage for one!), but there’s no better way to embrace the local spirit than getting your hands dirty and leaning into the tradition.
Stepping out of the daily D.C. routine and into the quirky, soulful energy of Louisiana was the perfect palette cleanser. I’m heading back to the desk with a fresh perspective, a few ghost stories to tell, and a lot of vibrant New Orleans inspiration ready to channel into my next round of designs.