Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Living Life Naturally in New Orleans
This couple moved from Brooklyn to New Orleans in the US, leaving the big-city life to enjoy a slightly slower pace
For Erin Wexstten and Yuri Hart, it was their senses that led them to relocate to New Orleans from Brooklyn. “Nature is extremely important to us and is a big part of both of our upbringings,” Hart says. “Palm trees in sight and the smell of jasmine are constant reminders of why we moved and fell in love with New Orleans.”
The couple had lived in New York City for 10 years before making the move and finding a one-bedroom traditional shotgun-style rental that could accommodate Wexstten’s growing skin care business, Oxalis Apothecary. They were drawn to the high ceilings, original doors and beautiful natural light that pours into the whole house. It’s a great backdrop for their collection of plants, vintage furniture and travel mementos.
The couple had lived in New York City for 10 years before making the move and finding a one-bedroom traditional shotgun-style rental that could accommodate Wexstten’s growing skin care business, Oxalis Apothecary. They were drawn to the high ceilings, original doors and beautiful natural light that pours into the whole house. It’s a great backdrop for their collection of plants, vintage furniture and travel mementos.
Wexstten and Hart love to collect little mementos from secondhand stores and from nature while travelling. “We have so many bags of seashells and rocks picked up along our travels,” Wexstten says.
Hanging on the wall in this cosy nook is a framed banana blossom gouache painting by artist and friend Ashlee Nell. “It’s inspired by the huge banana tree in her backyard, where I spend many hours. It’s special to have her work on my walls,” Wexstten says.
Just around the corner from their vintage record player is the couple’s vinyl collection.
Hanging on the wall in this cosy nook is a framed banana blossom gouache painting by artist and friend Ashlee Nell. “It’s inspired by the huge banana tree in her backyard, where I spend many hours. It’s special to have her work on my walls,” Wexstten says.
Just around the corner from their vintage record player is the couple’s vinyl collection.
Hart, a classically trained cellist, has a special love of music. He practises in this desk area. Hart has played since he was 9 years old and collaborates with friends. He also plays classical concerts with his father, who is a pianist.
A teak credenza the couple found in Brooklyn for US$500 is used for extra storage in the entry area. “We picked it up from this woman’s apartment in a four-storey walk-up. She turned out to be a furniture designer from Australia and was moving back. We corralled one of our friends to help us move this extremely heavy piece of furniture into an SUV car service. NYC life, ha,” Wexstten says. “It’s just a stunning piece of art.”
The couple store their bikes next to the credenza. Hanging above them are planters they found at the French Market in New Orleans. The planters are held together by small pieces of wood that connect to form the tier. Hart added the hanging air plant at the bottom.
The original green fireplace tile in the entry is one of the couple’s favourite details. “It’s the prettiest colour and reads like watercolour, which I find very soothing.” Wexstten says.
The dark moulding around it stretches almost to the 4.2-metre-high ceiling. It provides a striking contrast to the fireplace and helps draw attention to the original woodwork throughout the 1925 home.
The dark moulding around it stretches almost to the 4.2-metre-high ceiling. It provides a striking contrast to the fireplace and helps draw attention to the original woodwork throughout the 1925 home.
The couple installed this wall-mounted shelving unit and desk next to the fireplace. The bookshelf displays knick-knacks and other favourite things, including artwork, books and vinyl records.
Because the kitchen isn’t large enough to accommodate a table, the couple put a small eating space in the entry as well.
Hart used a standard copper pole to create a hanging art display area on one of the walls that flank the fireplace.
Hart used a standard copper pole to create a hanging art display area on one of the walls that flank the fireplace.
Wexstten operates Oxalis Apothecary, an all-natural, plant-based skin care line, in this room. She launched her business in Brooklyn in 2015. Moving to a bigger apartment in New Orleans has allowed Wexstten to operate her business from home instead of renting a space elsewhere. The room acts as both an office for running the business aspect of her company and a studio for the production of the skin care line.
After working as a fashion designer for Gap in New York for nearly six years, Wexstten was ready to begin her own endeavour. She started by combining her favourite oils and tinkering with recipes. After giving her homemade products to friends and family and hearing their positive feedback, she decided to start her business. “I was ready to make a change and move into an industry that I was clearly obsessed with, and I feel is changing the way we think about skin care and beauty,” she says. Wexstten is pictured here in her work space.
Organic olive oil mixed with calendula flowers is stored in the large glass jars. Infusing the oils takes four to six weeks, and the oils must age near a sunny windowsill. “It is a folk method, and the oil is very gentle, great for eczema and dry skin, and I use it in all of the body oils and sea salt scrub,” Wexstten says.
Next to the jars is a small pink scale for measuring ingredients. Her brightly coloured utensils for mixing and creating the skin care products hang neatly above the workstation.
Next to the jars is a small pink scale for measuring ingredients. Her brightly coloured utensils for mixing and creating the skin care products hang neatly above the workstation.
“Focusing on pure plant- and mineral-based ingredients, effective formulas and self-care rituals is what I strive for with the business. Using essential oils cured my allergies, and I think that’s where it all started,” Wexstten says.
A small floating shelf above the work space displays some of her frequently used essential oils, including Bulgarian lavender, Atlas cedar, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, bergamot, blood orange and carrot seed.
A small floating shelf above the work space displays some of her frequently used essential oils, including Bulgarian lavender, Atlas cedar, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, bergamot, blood orange and carrot seed.
Wexstten’s day typically begins in the morning in the backyard or here at the desk with a cup of coffee, answering emails or creating social media posts for the day. Production in the studio occupies the rest of her workday. Fulfilling wholesale and online orders or preparing for a market or pop-up event determines which products Wexstten needs to produce for the week.
All products are made and labelled by hand in small batches to stay fresh for the customer. Other tasks include packing and shipping orders, handling invoices, and taking inventory.
All products are made and labelled by hand in small batches to stay fresh for the customer. Other tasks include packing and shipping orders, handling invoices, and taking inventory.
“Owning your own business is no walk in the park, and I have learned so much over the past two years,” Wexstten says.
“Having the studio in the house is great for convenience, and I love that it makes the house smell amazing, but we’re beginning to outgrow the space, which is very exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of 2017 takes us.”
“Having the studio in the house is great for convenience, and I love that it makes the house smell amazing, but we’re beginning to outgrow the space, which is very exciting. I’m looking forward to seeing where the rest of 2017 takes us.”
Wextten’s display area, which she uses at markets and shows, combines stylish looks with portability and an easy setup. She uses copper piping to hang the custom wood signage, and this minimal white shelf for displaying her products.
She usually brings along a plant or two to help complete her display.
In the studio, Wexstten sets the display table next to the room’s exposed brick fireplace and under the colourful wooden wall art made by 1767 that she bought at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago.
She usually brings along a plant or two to help complete her display.
In the studio, Wexstten sets the display table next to the room’s exposed brick fireplace and under the colourful wooden wall art made by 1767 that she bought at the Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago.
On the other side of the fireplace, Wexstten has a dedicated area for preparing orders that need to be shipped. Scott of General Public Designs in New Orleans made the bench seen here. Steph Mantis, NYC artist and friend of Wexstten’s, created the small blocks on the mantel.
Wexstten uses her products regularly in her own daily skin care routine. Several are displayed in the couple’s bathroom.
The couple made a few minor updates to the bathroom, including painting the walls a dusty-rose colour called ‘Abalone Shell’ from Sherwin-Williams and painting the mirror white.
The couple made a few minor updates to the bathroom, including painting the walls a dusty-rose colour called ‘Abalone Shell’ from Sherwin-Williams and painting the mirror white.
The couple also painted the bedroom a dramatic navy blue after they moved in. The paint colour, called ‘Night Swim’ from Valspar, contrasts nicely with the white trim and bright natural light.
One of Wexstten’s recent favourite purchases was the garment-dyed linen sheets from Parachute. The bedding is casual and breezy in the summer months.
The couple take advantage of the ample natural light that’s provided by the two windows in their bedroom. Small potted plants and succulents thrive on the windowsill.
Seen on the left windowsill is collected driftwood. “We just hit the jackpot on driftwood at Moonstone Beach in California,” Wexstten says. A small diffuser for essential oils, which helps her get a good night’s sleep, is by Wexstten’s bedside. The handmade dream catcher by Electric Love that’s hanging over the bed was a gift from Hart to Wexstten for her 30th birthday.
Seen on the left windowsill is collected driftwood. “We just hit the jackpot on driftwood at Moonstone Beach in California,” Wexstten says. A small diffuser for essential oils, which helps her get a good night’s sleep, is by Wexstten’s bedside. The handmade dream catcher by Electric Love that’s hanging over the bed was a gift from Hart to Wexstten for her 30th birthday.
On the wall opposite the closet is a mid-century-inspired dresser that provides extra storage for clothing.
The artwork hanging above is by Matthew Craven. “It was my first real piece of artwork that I purchased. Our friend, Allegra LaViola, owns an art gallery in the Lower East Side in NYC, and I was obsessed with the show,” Wexstten says.
The artwork hanging above is by Matthew Craven. “It was my first real piece of artwork that I purchased. Our friend, Allegra LaViola, owns an art gallery in the Lower East Side in NYC, and I was obsessed with the show,” Wexstten says.
This bedside table is home to Hart’s watch collection, which consists of vintage and modern pieces ranging from 1960s hand-wounds to contemporary quartz pieces.
The couple chose to have floating side tables and mounted lighting next to each side of the bed. Without the footprint of a table, the room feels bigger and more spacious. Plus, it’s easier to clean and dust the floor below.
Wexstten also installed hooks to hang accessories and bags on her side of the wall. This also helps keep the floor nice and tidy.
Wexstten also installed hooks to hang accessories and bags on her side of the wall. This also helps keep the floor nice and tidy.
The couple’s blue-eyed cat, Sushi, is seen here, just after jumping on the bed.
When the couple moved to New Orleans, Hart accepted a position as beverage director at Kenton’s, a whisky bar and restaurant in the Uptown neighbourhood of New Orleans. He had previously worked at a sister restaurant of Kenton’s in Brooklyn. Seen here on their kitchen benchtop is their mini bar area.
“I have learned so much about food from working in restaurants. But it is my mother who has been my biggest inspiration in the kitchen,” Hart says. The couple enjoy cooking at home whenever possible. “We take turns cooking on nights we have off together,” he says.
Hart regularly makes his own stocks to use for soup bases and sauces, a skill that he learned from his father. “Herbs play an integral part in all of my cooking, and there is nothing like being able to go outside and pick just what you need,” he adds.
Wexstten loves the home’s original interior doors because they resemble the doors at her grandparents’ farmhouse, which was torn down after being a functioning farm for over 115 years. “I love the grid and old knobs,” she says.
Hart regularly makes his own stocks to use for soup bases and sauces, a skill that he learned from his father. “Herbs play an integral part in all of my cooking, and there is nothing like being able to go outside and pick just what you need,” he adds.
Wexstten loves the home’s original interior doors because they resemble the doors at her grandparents’ farmhouse, which was torn down after being a functioning farm for over 115 years. “I love the grid and old knobs,” she says.
“Cooking and gardening go hand in hand for me. I became an avid gardener in Brooklyn, so having a yard in New Orleans was a must,” Hart says. He has three plots of land for gardening in the city, including his backyard. Hart begins every morning by picking herbs and tending to his edible garden. Hart will often bring his herbs to work, where they are then incorporated into cocktail recipes for the restaurant.
The couple also use what they’ve grown for their own meals or give them to friends. “We definitely have staples and favourites that we each make. I have two grills in the backyard, and use as many herbs and vegetables as possible,” Hart says.
The couple also use what they’ve grown for their own meals or give them to friends. “We definitely have staples and favourites that we each make. I have two grills in the backyard, and use as many herbs and vegetables as possible,” Hart says.
The couple used sections of found cinder block as planters. Along the side of the yard, the couple built wooden boxes where they grow other herbs and plants.
Hart grows a variety of edibles, including basil, coriander, parsley, sorrel, nasturtium, baby lettuces, mint, dill, lavender, tarragon, thyme, rosemary and sage. He also grows tomatoes, four varieties of capsicum, beans and summer squash.
The couple found the bathtub in the yard when they moved in. They have since planted a thriving pink oleander in it. They also hung string lights around the perimeter of the yard to add ambience and make it possible to entertain through the evening.
When Wexstten, pictured, and Hart lived in Brooklyn, they had a huge backyard, a rarity for anyone living in New York City, which they took full advantage of. “It felt like our living room,” Hart says. In their outdoor space, they had a massive table that seated 15 people where they would often gather for dinner parties.
Although the table was too large for their new yard, they have continued the tradition of sitting outside at least once a day together, either eating dinner, visiting with friends or drinking coffee in the morning.
Although the table was too large for their new yard, they have continued the tradition of sitting outside at least once a day together, either eating dinner, visiting with friends or drinking coffee in the morning.
Hart, left, and Wexstten’s new home is nearly triple the size of their apartment in Brooklyn, with more original character and charm. “It was so exciting to dream of what all we could do here,” Wexstten says.
Who lives here: Erin Wexstten, owner of Oxalis Apothecary; Yuri Hart, beverage director of Kenton’s Food & Bourbon; and their cat, Sushi
Location: New Orleans, USA
Size: 139 square metres; 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
The couple brought most of their favourite pieces of furniture with them from New York, and they filled their living room with a mix of new and vintage pieces and rugs. “We’re very much the kind of people who settle into a home quickly. Friends often joke it looks like we’ve lived in our home for years after just a few months,” Wexstten says. “We love to host, so the house is often filled with friends, food, wine and laughter. It’s one of our favourite places to be, and I think that says a lot.”
The couple spend much of their free time in this space, relaxing on the couch and watching their favourite shows. The wooden coffee table is a US$40 secondhand find. It extends on each side to provide additional space for hors d’oeuvres and drinks when they host parties. The vintage bull skull above the couch was found hanging in an antiques shop in Cold Spring, New York.