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Family Affair

Interior designer Laura Roland marries European elegance and Creole eclecticism to transform her parents’ historic French Quarter pied-à-terre into a haven for hosting at Christmas and all year long.
Noble fir Christmas tree on enclosed porch with tall arched windows

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

“Of all the evergreens available, our favorite is the Noble Fir,” says Grant Sutton of The Judy Garlands. “It’s airy with generously spaced boughs, so we can create a layered look that’s not overstuffed.” The tree acts as the centerpiece of the sunlit space that was formerly a sleeping porch.

Laura Roland loves carrying on family traditions—and not just during the holidays. She is now a third- generation owner of Fireside Antiques, the 18,000-square-foot European antiques emporium in Baton Rouge founded by her maternal grandmother, Cheri McDaniel, and her mother, Susan Roland, in the 1980s. “I attended design school, but my education in the field began much earlier,” Laura says. “Growing up, I used to visit the shop after school and bring pieces home to ‘try out’ in my bedroom. By my senior year, I was joining my mom on buying trips to the flea markets in and around Paris. Those early experiences were precious to me personally and pivotal for me professionally. Aside from the many wonderful memories made, I came home with a deep appreciation for the timeworn mirrors, case pieces, tables, and chairs that have been the heart of European homes for centuries and the soul of my interior design projects today.” This appreciation is particularly evident in one of the designer’s nearest and dearest projects—her parents’ French Quarter pied-à-terre.

Interior designer Laura Roland and her mother, Susan Roland

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

Interior designer Laura Roland and her mother, Susan Roland, share a love for antiques and gracious living.

a loose arrangement of feathered eucalyptus overflows from an antique French pickling jar filled with ripe persimmon, atop antique burled walnut Louis Philippe commode

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

In the entry, a loose arrangement of feathered eucalyptus overflows from an antique French pickling jar filled with ripe persimmon. The Empire trumeau and burled walnut Louis Philippe commode are both antiques.

Constructed in 1832, the building served a plethora of purposes in its lifetime, including as an artists’ com- mune and as a bakery. Like most of its neighbors along the cobblestone street of Rue Dumaine, the brick structure reflects the architectural inclinations of the Bourbon Spanish rulers who rebuilt the city following
two devastating fires in the 1700s. Its primary features—plaster-slathered brick walls, towering windows and doors, and lacy wrought iron balconies—were also the primary selling points for the Rolands, along with the original white-marble mantels and floors, soaring ceilings, and private courtyard.

Salon of 1832 French Quarter pied-a-terre with silk curtains and peach walls

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

The salon’s relaxed yet refined styling reflects New Orleans’s elegant, “anything goes” aesthetic. Silk ballroom curtains coupled with matchstick blinds, along with Louis XVI bergère chairs upholstered in a contemporary, abstract print, offer a balance of formality and everyday livability.

“My parents live primarily in St. Francisville but have always kept a place in the French Quarter,” says Laura. “What they love most about this one is its size and layout. It’s perfect for entertaining their large circle of friends and even larger family. I’m one of six children, all with growing families, so the numbers really add up when we get together for celebrations and holidays. Every year since they’ve owned it, they’ve hosted a large open house in early December to kick off the holidays and get everyone in the spirit of the season.”

Arrangement of pink roses, amaranth, and hydrangeas with pears and pomegranates in a footed brass compote.

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

Ben Miller and Grant Sutton of The Judy Garlands, took their holiday decorating cues from the grand period pieces, important abstract art, and lavish textiles.

To sprinkle merriment throughout her thoughtfully curated spaces, Laura called on Ben Miller and Grant Sutton of The Judy Garlands, a floral and event design firm. The duo took their holiday decorating cues from the grand period pieces, important abstract art, and lavish textiles. A sprawling 17th-century French tapestry in the dining room served as the starting point for the old-world feel and the rich, moody palette of the adornments and arrangements. On the ground floor, fresh persimmon, pomegranate, citrus, and Anjou pears mingle among lyrical silver dollar eucalyptus, hardy cedar, pine, fir, and magnolia accented with wine- colored Swiss satin ribbon. The second floor is festooned in softer colors and forms including hydrangeas; loose, wild bay leaf; and feathered eucalyptus with blush-colored Swiss velvet threaded through.

Dining room with coral plaster walls and large tapestry. Exposed beams on ceiling

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

Soft coral plaster walls and mohair- upholstered fauteuils pop against the faded backdrop of the antique brick fireplace and scenic 17th-century French tapestry. The dining table— adorned with a decadent arrangement of lisianthus, pomegranate, foraged fig vines, red Anjou pears, and eucalyptus pods—is set with the homeowners’ collection of Old Paris porcelain, antique silver, and vintage stemware. A hand-blocked, floral quilt by Walter G. makes an unexpected alternative to a traditional tablecloth.

“Our goal was to create a sense of harmony between the holiday décor and the everyday interiors while establishing a sense of discovery around every corner,” Ben says. “To do this, we imagined how guests would move from room to room and how spaces would connect to one another. We also contemplated the evolution of materials and colors as you move deeper into the interiors.”

At the center of it all, Ben and Grant positioned a Noble fir with a vintage Suzani around the base. Boughs are trimmed in dusty rose Dupioni silk ribbon with a champagne sequined appliqué bearing a floral motif. The two men sourced hand- made glass, ceramic, and pressed metal ornaments from some of their favorite European suppliers and closely tied their selections to the interiors.

Library of French Quarter pied-a-terre with Christmas wreath hanging on antique trumeau mirror.

Photo by Jacqueline Marque

A cozy library off the entry is tucked away behind a curtain in Michael S. Smith’s ‘Scarlet Vine’ fabric. The botanical print is contrasted by the geometric pattern on the Schumacher swivel chairs and the clean lines of the antique walnut table and 19th-century Louis XVI trumeau. The ceiling beams wear an authentic patina formed from centuries of flaking and peeling paint.

“The Rolands’ style aligns with our own take on what a home should feel like at Christmas—relaxed and refined with a combination of natural greenery, humble accents, and hints of elegance here and there,” Grant says. “We’ve been known to go ‘over the top,’ but for this house, it’s less about the glitz and sparkle and more about the abundant bounty of fresh materials.”

Don’t miss! Laura’s antique and vintage gift ideas for party hosts. 

See more of Laura’s design in the library of our Baton Rouge Showhouse.

Text and Styling by Margaret Zainey Roux | Photography by Jacqueline Marque

See more from Laura Roland on her website and Instagram.

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