Chartres 1883
•
In the first of our new series ‘At Home,’ we speak with Logan Killen Interiors about their collaboration with Dear Valentine.
Nestled into the colorful and eclectic Bywater neighborhood, the total renovation of this former feed store and carriage house is rooted in authenticity. Partnering with New Orleans-based hospitality group, Dear Valentine, and long-time collaborators, Inhab Group, the Chartres property offers a relaxed escape downriver of the French Quarter. Here, Katie Logan Leblanc and Jensen Killen—founders of Logan Killen Interiors, as well as Sunday Shop!—share their favorite moments from the project and a few must-do’s for guests and locals alike.
On the Property
Sunday Shop: Set the scene for us… where are we and what were you working with?
Katie: Chartres is a historic pair of buildings set on a corner in the Bywater neighborhood (or Faubourg) of New Orleans. It’s such a special place overflowing with creativity and color. The Mississippi River is one block away, and the French Quarter a short bike ride. Being a historic building, we were not only given a footprint, but the existing building informed every decision we made. The property has, of course, had many lives. We really leaned into its time as a general store, keeping things simple and almost utilitarian. After it was completely gutted, we were tasked to bring all the history back to life. We wanted it to be comfortable with modern amenities, but they needed to be disguised so you felt like you were stepping back in time.
Jensen: The Bywater in New Orleans is such a colorful, lush, and eclectic area—this definitely influenced the general approach, as well as the color story. We intentionally incorporated a historical color palette to evoke a specific moment in time.
On Collaboration
SS: Tell us about the client for this project.
K: We worked closely with Inhab Group, both the owners and the contractors of this project. It made for such a special collaborative process—we were all obsessed! Their directive was basically “do your thing.” We all wanted to get the details and materials right, so we kept it simple while focusing on authenticity. Details are minimal, but we used real plaster on the walls. Additionally, partnering with Dear Valentine brought this beautiful stamp of luxury to the operational side. It was pretty much a dream team leading a dream project.
SS: Were there any moments when you saw the vision come to life even better than expected?
K: Really there are so many moments of this. The Portola Paint Roman Clay is used throughout the project and it’s hard to imagine what it would feel like without that material grounding the whole project. It was the key to the whole project, the walls are so beautiful you do not need much else! The Zia Tile mosaics are fantastic, and the Lefroy Brooks plumbing brings such a posh, classic touch. Everyone is probably tired of hearing me talk about the little logo on the back of the toilet… I love it.
On Picking Favorites
SS: Do you have any favorite pieces in the project?
J: We spent a lot of time space planning in these buildings in order to accommodate as many bedrooms as possible—each with its own private bath. With that, and as with most historical buildings, closet space isn’t easy to come by, so we designed custom wardrobes for each of the bedrooms. They feel like antique pieces that could have been original to the space. This gave the rooms authenticity while also providing the function of a typical closet. The interiors were outfitted with small drawers, a place for luggage storage, hanging, and multiple hooks for ultimate functionality.
K: The draped sofas we designed for the living spaces! We’re launching them through Sunday Shop in the spring.
SS: And favorite architectural details?
K: Oh man! So hard. In the main house there are turned wood columns, concrete floors, a beaded board ceiling; these elements really set the tone for the project. And I think about the kitchen backsplash tiles in the main kitchen often. But, I think the great room in the Carriage House stands out as my favorite space. This was never a fancy building—the Carriage House was stables and storage. Now it’s just so energetic and singular, and my eye dances around happily when I am there. I can’t pick a bedroom… I’ve tried.
J: I agree, this is hard! I would say the Carriage House entry and kitchen. The entry is super moody and has a total vibe. The space was dark with low ceilings, so we just leaned into that. We added skylights in the adjacent space, and that decision, combined with the vaulted ceilings, really created a beautiful light-filled space. We also had a lot of fun incorporating colors that we don’t always get to use. The floors are done in Benjamin Moore’s Harrisburg Green, and that with the yellow ceiling created a room that feels really special.
On the Unexpected
SS: Tell us about any unexpected surprises you were fond of in the end.
K: The 3rd floor attic space was not part of the original scope, and it’s now a favorite room for everyone. The view from the shower is so great! We were also able to carve out private baths for each bedroom which, operationally, is such a nice treat for guests.
Neighborhood Favorites
Crescent Park: Ideal for a morning stroll, this park has incredible views of the Mississippi River.
Lucullus Antiques: A hidden gem with delightful owners, it’s especially great for the culinarily inclined.
Bacchanal: A perfect late-afternoon stop with great wine, food, and live music.
N7: The best atmosphere for an intimate dinner. After walking into a discreet street entrance, you are transported into an entirely different world.
Elizabeth’s: No better brunch to start a slow morning with. Jensen says the maple bacon and a bloody mary are a must.
The Elysian Bar at Hotel Peter and Paul: A real treat for design lovers by the incredible team at Ash NYC, and a great spot for an afternoon spritz while soaking in the inspiration.
