“There is nothing like a hurricane followed by an epic flood to upset the order of things and blow in some literal winds of change,” observes G&G contributor, Julia Reed in her introduction to lifestyle photographer Kerri McCaffety’s forthcoming design tome, New Orleans, New Elegance (The Monacelli Press, May 2012) which explores the Crescent City’s evolving interior design sensibilities as it emerges from the rubble left behind by Katrina.



Defined by the cultural cross pollination of English, French, Spanish, and African influences, New Orleans’ pre-Katrina style was firmly rooted in the past—inherited settees, gilded mirrors, French chairs, and heavy window treatments were the design norm (with a few exceptions, of course). But the wave of contemporary energy that followed in the wake of the storm brought a fresh, forward-thinking elegance to the city’s historic homes.

In her new book, McCaffety notes, that in the post-Katrina design world, local homeowners maintain a healthy respect for the past (this is New Orleans, after all), but they are no longer confined by it. Lucite tables, bold colors, abstract art, and graphic fabrics mix with old-world antiques and architecture. Thumb through the pages of New Orleans, New Elegance for a peek inside more than forty eclectically appointed homes and apartments from the French Quarter and the Garden District to the Warehouse District and Uptown.

An exclusive look at a few favorites below:
 

Rich chocolate brown walls set off graphic blues and whites, and make this formal space intimate.

(All photos by Kerri McCaffety)

A Bywater parlor with a vintage Hollywood vibe.

A Mardi Gras mask gets elevated to art in an Uptown bedroom.

A well-stocked bar is something of a prerequisite in the Big Easy. Love the casual elegance this Garden District set up.

"Hermes Orange" walls make a bold statement.

A library that's a product of the city's past and present. An antique chandelier and mirror mix with Philippe Stark "ghost chairs" and a rustic table made of salvaged wood and drugstore columns.

French without fuss. A sturdy French farm table serves as an island and anchors the room.

Modern art (Art by Luis Cruz Azaceta) and clean lines in a French Quarter Victorian.