Creole
Theme
Of all the styles of architecture and decorating around the
world very few have taken the best of all the others and made
it a little bit better in quite the way that the style often
referred to as "French Creole" has managed to do. The truth is
that while this style of architecture that New Orleans is
famous for is really heavily borrowed from many other cultures
and yet uniquely New Orleans at the same time.
Creole architecture for many brings to mind
intricate wrought iron work, long shutters (to cover the
windows during hurricanes originally), huge windows and doors
(these were designed larger than typical homes in other parts
of the country in order to create breezeways for the wind to
come through in the sweltering hot summer months), and bright
colors that you aren't likely to find in most million dollar
neighborhoods. This style of architecture and home décor is
also famous for huge balconies-also with wrought iron
railing.
The amazing thing about the Creole style of home decorating is
that there is no one identifiable feature that labels a design
style as decidedly Creole. Lagniappe is a term that people here
quite often in and around New Orleans. For those who do not
know, it means "a little something extra". From an extra donut
to a freebie bookmark and many things in between, that little
something extra has a long history in New Orleans from the
architecture to the music there always seems to be a little
something extra that you couldn't get anywhere else.
The interior design style of the Creole is also very similar.
Some consider it gaudy but the locals consider it that little
something extra and it is. You may find a little Gothic style,
a little bit of Jazz, and a whole lot of Mardi Gras in one room
and it s quite all right because you are getting all that and
just a little bit of lagniappe too. Home decorating in Creole
country is an art form that defies logic and yet makes perfect
sense for the rich culture and heritage that it
encompasses.
For those that need a little inspiration who would love to
incorporate a little Cajun or Creole spice into their living
spaces, perhaps the following suggestions will prove to be
helpful.
- Red peppers. Nothing says spice quite like a red
pepper. There are all kinds of items you can find with red
peppers in them these days from wallpaper borders to hand
blown glass peppers, jar toppers, pot holders, kitchen
towels, strings of lights for patios-even kitchen canisters
decorated with red peppers. There are all kinds of options
available to incorporate this theme into your home or one
room of your home.
- Music notes. Most people cannot think of Cajun country
without thinking of the music that calls this great section
of the country home. Music notes are a great way to
symbolize the music that made New Orleans famous.
- Mardi Gras Masks. Many people find that New Orleans
symbolizes Mardi gras in their hearts and minds though New
Orleans is not the birthplace of Mardi gras. The masks are
a way that people from around the country can bring the
'spirit of New Orleans' home with them and decorate their
homes with that attitude that can only be referred to as
Creole in many hearts and minds.
- Food. Believe it or not the food is as much a part of
the Creole home as any other design element. For this
reason a French Creole style kitchen is often the way to go
when it comes to home decorating in the Creole fashion. The
kitchen is the heart of a Cajun home and food is what makes
it that heart. Use jars of beans, rice, pastas, and other
lagniappe as part of the overall design and you might just
be amazed at just how Creole the room begins to look.
The most important thing to remember is that Creole is more
of an attitude than a design style. Bring the attitude of "No
Worries" into the design features of your home and you will
have the true Creole style to an art.
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