Terrell House
1441 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA
866-261-9687

What makes Terrell House a classic bed and breakfast is the owner’s sense of style including many antiques, oriental rugs, and a variety of collections. Those who stay at the Terrell House can look forward to a large collection of first edition books, antique bamboo fishing rods, antique lures, and local New Orleans art. Linda and Ed O’Brien have been collectors for more than 30 years. They bought the bed and breakfast in October 2003. They have spent much time and care fixing up the residence, which includes a carriage house for additional guests. Much of what decorates the house is from their personal collection before buying the house. What is most impressive is the massive book collection Ed O’Brien has accumulated. He only collects first edition copies and prefers signed books. Most of his collection includes modern authors such as Joseph Heller, Umberto Eco, James Jones, Kurt Vonnegut, and Walker Percy. He even has a signed Faulkner first edition. Even more surprising, this massive collection was only started 6-8 years ago!

Upstairs, among more books, Linda O’Brien shared her favorite collection with me. Linda has been collecting modern Russian boxes for the past few years. She admires the tedious work often painted by a little more than a few strands on a brush. The heavy lacquer adds to the look of these artistic boxes. Though she has never been to Russia herself, she has fallen in love with Russian box art. I have always recommended a stay at the Terrell House. Not only were they great neighbors of mine for 2 years, their accommodations are stunning. Being a very friendly couple, they are more than happy to show you their collections and are quite proud of their bed and breakfast. Not only does one get to stay in a historic New Orleans home, but also one is surrounded by great collectibles and antiques, which only add to the flavor of the stay.

Bush Antiques
2109 Magazine
New Orleans, LA

I was reminded of the axiom, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” when I walked into what I thought was a small antique shop on Magazine Street. In fact, Bush Antiques includes over 12 rooms of antiques, specializing in antique and reproduction beds. They even have beautiful courtyard with garden and architectural antiques. The second floor includes nine separate rooms! The owner, Allain Bush, showed me a fountain from the 1800s made of wonderfully colored tile in an adjacent room. Named after her mother, Margie Bush, Allain’s store dates back to 1969. Allain joined her mother in 1979 and the business moved to its present location. Allain described her mother as a person with a quirky sense of style, which, due to some of the interesting items found there today, is shared with her daughter. Most of the pieces in the store come from France, Buenos Aires, or New Orleans. Even with the decrease in tourism since Katrina, the Bush Antiques’ online business is booming, helping get the word out about all the new shipments of antiques. The Bush Antiques specializes in beds, French furniture and accessories, religious art, garden and architectural art, and some unusual pieces, too.

Some of the great items you can find include a room filled with religious items, everything from priest chasubles to genuflectors to tabernacles. Allain also showed me grand chateau doors tall as any high ceiling in New Orleans. Next she revealed a French console of gilded wood behind a folding chair. As you walk upstairs, one enters a whole other world of the past. Each room tells its own story with details from cards and cigars on a table to shoes by the bed. According to www.bushantiques.com the Bushes wanted to organize their store by “highlight[ing] items in vignettes.” By accomplishing this goal, Bush Antiques is a comfortable place to explore and shop. There is such care taken to make every room feel as a home. There is no doubt you will want to stop for some great New Orleans finds at Bush Antiques.

Mid-City Krewe
Mardi Gras, New Orleans

Considering the confusion of cancellations and weather, we were blessed with a beautiful Sunday for four day parades. Mid-City Krewe celebrated their 75th year of parading Sunday. The krewe is named after the area they began their route in until 2002. The 185 member female and male krewe parade on the regular uptown route complete with marching bands, krewe officers on horseback, and 17 floats. This parade is a favorite among families and children, especially because of their throws. The throws include plush toys, Frisbees, cups, potato chips, polystone medallion beads, and doubloons in several colors. The Mid-City Krewe gives out many beads with the name of their krewe on them, embossed with their symbol of two joined hearts under a crown. Since Katrina they have refurbished all their floats and replaced 6 floats with the first 50-person float in Mardi Gras. This krewe loves to vanguard new Mardi Gras practices. In 1947, the Mid-City Krewe was the first krewe to use animated floats in a parade. This year the parade was as fantastical as ever, complete with brightly decorated floats using a lot of plastic wrapping. I was amazed at how many people gathered for these parades, but the 70-degree weather helped the crowds to stay all day for the night parade, Bacchus. The Mid-City krewe reminds all of us what Mardi Gras is truly about, simple and good fun. Despite what people see on TV and rumors on the Internet, Mardi Gras is for the family and Mid-City helps every member enjoy the season.

Finally back to full membership after Katrina, Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club marched the streets of New Orleans, ushering in Mardi Gras. Named after one of the strongest tribes in Africa, Zulu is known for their elaborate costumes creating a truly impressive experience. Zulu celebrated their 92nd year as one of the longest running parades. Before Zulu, African Americans were not allowed to join krewes or even march on Mardi Gras. The Zulu tradition began in 1916 when William Story sarcastically satirized Rex, (the oldest and most traditional parade still running, which occurs after Zulu). Story wore a lard can as a crown and walked about with a banana stalk scepter, spoofing the Rex king. Seven year’s later the all black krewe began to officially parade. To this day riders dress in black face and large curly wigs. Zulu has 1250 members and 27 floats. They also include award winning marching bands like Xavier Prep Band and St. Augustine Band. It is truly a privilege to be asked to march during Zulu since more people attend parades Mardi Gras day more then any other day. This year’s theme was “The World of Legend, Heroes, and Folklore” with characters like Batman heading the floats. Standard signature floats include Big Shot, Witch Doctor, Mayor and Governor. Each are headed by an elaborately, Native-American influenced, costumed man. Costumes include a full headdress often detailed with sequence and feathers. The amount of care and time it takes to make these costumes is obvious in its appearance. Along the parade route walk the honor guard known as the Soulful warriors. They walk along the parade route in huge curly wigs and grass skirts, a reflection of the influence of Africa in Zulu’s festivities.

Each float and their members throw different beads with the Zulu name and/or symbol. Each float has a new official parade bead each year with Zulu’s name and emblem, too. With a large assortment of Zulu printed items from cups to Frisbees there are always enough throws to go around. This year I was very lucky to have caught a rare bead only coming off of one float. The beads read “King’s Club,” with Zulu icons on either side. Since these beads commemorate the past King of Zulu and are only thrown by one rider, it is my most prized throw of the year. Unfortunately I could not get my hands on the best throw of all, the Zulu coconut. Each float has a number of gold painted coconuts to hand out. More exclusively are brightly hand painted and decorated coconuts which come from the heads of the floats or from specific higher up members in the club. These are especially collectible items and are difficult to procure unless you are willing to get right up against the float. With all the people, it is hard enough to stay in one place, let alone move with ease throughout the crowd. The crowd received the parade well and barbequing families and groups of friends roped off the entire neutral ground. Perhaps the busiest Zulu I have seen in years, it was the perfect start to Mardi Gras day. Zulu livened up the crowd and gave people a reason to join together and celebrate New Orleans and its traditions.

With the theme of cocktail concoctions, the krewe of Orpheus brought Lundi Gras to thousands of screaming people. Lundi Gras is the Monday before Mardi Gras day and is known as a night to rest before getting up early for Mardi Gras day parades. As one can imagine, some stay out all night, refusing to sleep. It’s understandable, for after seeing Orpheus one wants to stay out and party with the city. Orpheus namesake is the son of the Greek muse Calliope, chosen by the founder of the krewe, musician Harry Conick Jr. Every year Harry Conick Jr. has multiple celebrity and musical guests along the parade route, including himself. One of the reasons he started the krewe in 1994 was so he could ride in his own parade, which he has done now for 15 years. Celebrities in the past include Whoopi Goldberg (who I caught a moon pie from a few years ago), Anne Rice, and Glenn Close. This year celebrities included musicians Salt’n’Pepa, Saints coach Sean Payton, racecar driver Helio Castroneves, and many more. The krewe is composed of 1200 male and female members on 36 floats. It is one of the most expensive parades. Derek Frankin designed all the floats. This year’s floats included names such as Mint Julep, Hurricane, and Zombie – all popular drinks in New Orleans. Standard floats include the Trojan Horse, which leads the parade, Leviathan, and Dolly Trolley. Orpheus has popularized the use of fiber optic lights. Not only found on all their floats, which adds to the ambience of the night parade, but also on their throws. Before last year very few parades had blinking and lit up throws. Thanks to Krewe D’etat and Orpheus, other parades realized the popularity of these items and even Proteus, the smaller parade that occurs right before Orpheus, has light up seahorses this year. Throws include krewe-emblemed throws, tambourines, hand clappers, fiber optic beads, fiber optic hats, and gold doubloons. Any throw off of Orpheus is popular due to the variation and style of the parade. Even though Orpheus is fairly new, I cannot imagine a Mardi Gras without this brightly lit and very extravagant celebration.

Representing the Roman god of wine and fun, the nontraditional Bacchus parade rolled in style. Founded in 1968 by 12 businessmen who wanted to bring new themes and changes to the parades, Bacchus always has a celebrity monarch to rule as Bacchus over the proceedings. For Bacchus’s 40th anniversary, Hulk Hogan was invited to rule, which he did wearing more sequence then any other rider. In the past Bacchus has chosen celebrity monarchs such as Bob Hope and Charlton Heston. Breaking free from tradition, Bacchus’s floats are intricate and often animated. The floats have highly intricately constructed sculptures and detailed sides. The riders themselves have lit up costumes. This year’s theme was a survey of the last 40 years in pop culture, fads, fashion, music, and TV. Floats included Music of the 60s, 70s Fads and Fashions, and TV of the 90s. The floats were bright and lit up using LED lights. Bacchus is known for their inventive floats including long time standards like the Bacchasaurus. This float shaped like a dinosaur is over 50 feet in length, with an animated head and tail. Another standard float is the Bacchagator, which is over 100 feet long carrying about 100 riders. To commemorate the recently past Sheriff Harry Lee, a float named the HarryLeesiana lead the parade tossing out black doubloons. Bacchus always has great beads with the Bacchus emblem. The monarch has special beads indicating they came from that specific float. Other great throws include 40th anniversary footballs, doubloons in three colors, and beads with the Bacchus emblem, often specific to a certain float. Being a beautiful night, the parade rolled down St. Charles with little to no problems. As the marching bands played and the riders waved and threw, everybody on the streets was screaming and reaching for a good time. As always, Bacchus does not disappoint. With a great theme, good throws, and detailed floats, Bacchus gets everybody in the Mardi Gras mood.

Krewe D’etat
Mardi Gras, New Orleans

Despite the cancellations due to weather, this year’s Mardi Gras parades have been spectacular. My favorite parade, The Knights of Chaos, had to cancel due to weather, but Krewe D’etat carried on the satirical tradition of Mardi Gras in its Dirty Dishes Parade. Each float was designed around a food theme with names such as “Slow as Molasses,” referencing the rebuilding effort in New Orleans, “Rotten Apple Turnovers,” referencing the corrupt members of city hall, and “Fudge Nutty Brownie,” referencing Ray Nagin and his lack of presence over the last year. Though a fairly new parade, first rolling in 1998, D’etat resurrects the political and social commentary found in the earliest Mardi Gras parades. Instead of king, D’etat has a dictator who rules over the proceedings. The parade includes 21 floats, 40 Flambeaux (men who carry lit poles once used to light the way for the floats, now are more of a novelty), the United States Marine Band, Storyville Jazz Band, and high school marching bands. Throws include doubloons in five different colors, blinking logo skulls, blinking rubber skeletons, a plush high priest doll, and most importantly the Skeleton Walking Krewe hands out the D’etat Gazette. The parade newspaper includes the story behind the theme of the parade, a description of each float, and colorful illustrations of all the floats. A definite must have for any serious parade-goer.

I was very happy to secure a Gazette for myself as well doubloons and blinking skeletons. However, the famous plush toy was impossible to come by! By the time the krewe rolled, it was already two hours late. The crowds were huge this year, mostly because the parades were cancelled Thursday and Muses was rescheduled for Friday night. Unfortunately, screaming in 30 degree weather for three hours can get tiring, so I was unable to stay through midnight for the last two parades. However, it is not the quantity of parades, but the quality. D’etat’s parade of dirty dishes was worth the aches and coughs of the next day. One of my favorite parts of the parade included a group of marching men dressed in Michael Vick jerseys. Calling themselves the dog pound, the group danced with large bones followed by a trailer mocking Vick’s cruelty to animals. One of my favorite floats had to be “Pop Tarts.” Referencing the youth in Hollywood and their crazy antics, the float has a picture of Britney Spears as mother of the year with frightfully skinny girls, like Lindsay Lohan, coming out of a pop tart box. Krewe D’etat truly lived up to its name, “Live to Ride, Ride to Live.”

Antique shops line the streets of New Orleans, so, as a break from the Mardi Gras celebration, I took a walk to gander at the local shops. Scattered throughout the streets, antique shops have kept Magazine Street alive and continue to help the commercial area grow. One cannot walk a block without running into an antique shop. So I walked around my neighborhood and found a great antique mall filled with an eclectic style of items called Bon Marche’. Keeping alive the local flavor, a lot of Bon Marche’s stock is based around Louisiana. I spoke with partner Dianne Butler about the organization of her shop. Having worked as the manager of another antique mall before the storm, she saw an opportunity afterwards to open her own place. Due to the vandalism that occurred she was able to find a shop right on Magazine, which is very lucky considering rent for the area. While people were leaving, Dianne started a new business that has flourished since. I have watched her shop fill with items over the last two years and am happy to see over 10 dealers presently in her shop and her shelves filled with collectibles.

As Dianne nurtured her business it grew to include collections of seashells, architectural and outside furniture, antique jewelry, Louisiana photographs, Louisiana paintings, local, handcrafted art, books, and Mardi Gras related memorabilia. She keeps her shop filled with middle to high-end collectibles as well as cypress furniture made locally. By creating a local theme for her shop Dianne gives visitors and residents a different experience than other, often cluttered antique malls. Instead, Bon Marche’ is clean and professional looking. Do not worry, Dianne will still negotiate prices and greets everyone as if entering her own home. Besides being in a comfortable environment, the shop is filled with a mix of antiques and consignment items, so you never know what you will find. Having a good mix of items helps Dianne to pursue her own interests in collecting, such as art deco, oriental pieces, orange glass, and mannequins. Apparently, while setting up the Bon Marche’, Dianne found many old mannequins to help display her vintage clothes. However, she liked the mannequins so much that she brought them home and has begun collecting them ever since. Dianne’s dedication to her customers and her business is apparent from my comfortable shopping experience. Bon Marche’ opens up Louisiana to its visitors, carrying many local items found no other place. Next time you are in town looking for that one thing to remind you of New Orleans, stay out of the T-Shirt shops and walk on into Bon Marche’.