For
the New Orleans home of celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse and his wife, Alden Lovelace, interior designer
Tara Shaw conceived a dining room suited to keep pace with the couple’s legendary dinner parties.
Shaw mixed 18th- and 19th-century finds with modern elements for a decor that’s both high-minded and relaxing. “The table is really the anchor,” she says. “And the balance of mid-century or contemporary with antiquity lends a collected-over-time feel to the room.”
A large 18th-century Italian door frame, gilded with silver while retaining its original patina, rests casually against the back wall, fitted with a mirror to visually expand the space. A tiered Baccarat crystal chandelier provides sparkle overhead, complementing a set of 18th-century Swedish dining chairs, 19th-century Italian consoles and carved architectural fragments.
Silverware, serveware and European china amassed by the Lagasses over the years adorn the table, where a sculpture bust paired with live tulips provides a surprising centerpiece.
Despite the pedigree of the furnishings, the space is notably welcoming. “Chairs need to be comfortable — and although these are antiques, I’ve seen people sit for hours in them,” Shaw says. “Just because it’s an antique does not make it impractical or uncomfortable.”
