Welcome to Oak Branch Cottage: First Impressions & What Made Us Fall in Love

 When we first laid eyes on Oak Branch Cottage, we knew she had something truly special. Today, I’m taking you back to day one—how she looked when we purchased her and the exact details that stole our hearts from the moment we pulled up to the curb.

The listing photos....

Here are a few of the big reasons we knew this was the right next chapter for us:

1. Off-Street Parking (A True New Orleans Miracle!)

If you are familiar with living in New Orleans, you already know that off-street parking is absolute gold.

For the last 18 years, we’ve dealt with the daily puzzle of street parking—hoping for a spot directly in front of the house or trekking down the block with armfuls of groceries. Having dedicated off-street parking is going to be an incredible game-changer for our daily routine, and it's something we certainly won't take for granted!

2. A Long, Wide Front Porch

The front porch immediately called to us. It’s wonderfully long and wide—the kind of classic Southern porch made for slow mornings and cool evening breezes.

Next up on the project list: We plan on removing the existing screens to open the porch back up, let the light pour through, and give the facade a fresh, welcoming feel.

3. Soaring 12-Foot Ceilings

Stepping inside, the vertical space instantly took our breath away. Moving from 8-to-9-foot ceilings up to 12-foot ceilings completely changes the energy of the home:

• More Natural Light: Higher walls mean larger window potential and better light distribution.

• Visual Space: The rooms feel airy, open, and far grander.

• Extra Elbow Room: Coupled with the high ceilings, the house itself is almost 500 square feet larger than our previous home, giving us that extra breathing room we’ve been craving.

4. A Wider, Spacious Lot

At Acorn Cottage, our lot was long and narrow—meaning the neighbors were just a little too close for comfort.

One of the biggest selling points of Oak Branch Cottage is the larger, broader lot. Having a bit of distance between us and the neighboring homes gives us a renewed sense of privacy and plenty of space to stretch out, garden, and enjoy the outdoors.

What’s Next?

We have so many plans to make Oak Branch Cottage our own, starting with opening up that front porch and improving the landscape! Thank you for following along on this journey with us—stay tuned for plenty of renovation updates, design inspiration, and "before & after" reveals!

Oak Branch Cottage from the Beginning, y'all!

Big News! Saying Goodbye to Acorn Cottage & Hello to Oak Branch Cottage

 It’s official: The Acorn Cottage has sold!

While it’s bittersweet to close that chapter, J and I aren’t going far. We are staying in Uptown New Orleans, just shifting over a bit to the wonderful Carrollton neighborhood. We officially closed on our "new-to-us" house on Wednesday, and we couldn't be more excited!

Now... the real fun begins.

Contractors, electricians, plumbers, and landscapers—oh my! We have a grand vision for this space, and while the to-do list is already growing by the minute, we can’t wait to roll up our sleeves and bring it to life.

I’ll do my best to log all the progress, design ideas, and inevitable renovation bumps along the way right here as we transform this new gem into Oak Branch Cottage.

Stay tuned for updates, before-and-afters, and plenty of behind-the-scenes chaos. Here’s to the next adventure!

Oak Branch, y'all!

Pretty in Pink: Petunias in the Garden

 If you know me, you know my garden "uniform" is almost exclusively white and green. There is something so crisp, clean, and timeless about a sea of white blooms against dark green foliage. But this year, as I wandered through the aisles of Perino’s Home & Garden in Metairie—my absolute favorite local haunt for all things green—something caught my eye and changed my mind.

Among the rows of vibrant flowers, I found a tray of light pink petunias that felt like the perfect compromise. I decided to break my "whites-only" rule and let me tell you: I am so glad I did.

I got these beauties in the ground back in March, taking advantage of that sweet spot in the Louisiana spring before the real humidity kicks in.

Now that we’ve hit the peak of the season, they are putting on a fabulous show. They’ve filled out beautifully, cascading over the edges of my garden beds and creating a lush, velvet-like carpet of color.

For a "white flower purist," jumping straight into hot pink or bright purple can feel a bit jarring. This specific shade of light pink is the perfect "gateway color" for a few reasons:

• The Subtle Pop: It provides a soft contrast without screaming for attention. It feels sophisticated, not loud.

• The "Glow" Factor: In the twilight hours, these light pink blooms seem to catch the fading light just like white flowers do, giving the garden an ethereal feel.

• A Fresh Perspective: It’s just different enough from my norm to make the garden feel brand new this year.

If you’re looking to replicate this look (or just want your Perino's haul to thrive), here is what’s working for me:

1. Sun, Sun, Sun: These petunias are soaking up the sunshine and loving every minute of it.

2. Deadheading: I spend a few minutes each weekend pinching off the spent blooms. It keeps the plant focused on making new flowers rather than seeds.

3. Consistent Water: Especially as the days get warmer, I make sure they don't dry out completely, though I’m careful not to drown them.

Sometimes, a little change is exactly what the garden needs. My white blooms will always have my heart, but these light pink petunias have officially earned a permanent spot in my spring rotation.

 

If you haven't been by Perino’s lately, go take a look! You might just find a "pop of color" that surprises you, too.

Are you a garden traditionalist, or do you like to switch up your color palette every year? Let me know in the comments!

Pretty in Pink, y'all!