Object of the Day: An Inlaid Stone Box

This dear, little box of inlaid stone is a souvenir of New Orleans brought to me by my parents from one of their trips. I’ve always admired this box for its simple design and the masterful inlay of black and white stone.


Such clever designs are an excellent representation of the artistic community of Louisiana where a variety of media thrive in the hands of countless talented native artists. From music to the visual and performing arts, New Orleans is truly one of the most creative places in the U.S.

Building of the Week: The Cornstalk Hotel, New Orleans

In Punch’s Cousin, when they arrive in New Orleans, Julian, Robert and Naasir are staying at the home of a friend of Robert’s—Dr. Joseph Secondo Biamenti. While Julian and his companions are fictional, Dr. Biamenti and his opulent mansion are quite real.


The grand Victorian home at 915 Royal Street now houses “The Cornstalk Hotel,” so named for the decorative wrought iron fence which surrounds the property. The hotel is a beloved French Quarter landmark with a rich and storied history.

A building has stood on that site since 1730. In 1816, Judge Francois Xavier Martin, an author, historian and Chief Justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, built a home on the property where he remained until 1826.

Legend has it that author Harriet Beecher Stowe stayed at the house where she witnessed the slave markets in the Vieux Carré and was, thereby, inspired to write Uncle Tom’s Cabin—a book which helped incite the passions that caused the U.S. Civil War.

In 1834, the mansion was purchased by Dr. Joseph Biamenti who embarked on a major renovation of the property which included the ornate Victorian façade that we see today. This is the building Robert, Julian (Punch), and Naasir would have seen upon arriving in 1852. In 1856, Dr. Biamenti commissioned the famous cornstalk fence which features painted, sculptural stalks of corn rising from bases shaped like pumpkins entwined with morning glories and other vines. As a finishing artistic touch, a yellow butterfly graces the front gate. Visitors to The French Quarter often stop to marvel at this magnificent house and its unusual fence.

The mansion has hosted many famous people over the years from film stars to a United States President. You, too, can stay there if you’re in the Vieux Carré. With its ornate woodwork, crystal chandeliers and posh rooms, The Cornstalk Hotel will afford you a chance to be enveloped in true New Orleans style. Visit their Web site for more information.

Building of the Week: St. Louis Cathedral, New Orleans

The oldest, continually operating cathedral in the United States, St. Louis Cathedral stands proudly as the centerpiece of New Orleans’ famed Jackson Square. Three churches have stood on the site since the first was built in 1718. In 1789, the Basilica of St. Louis, King of France, was given the status of Cathedral. The cathedral today bears little resemblance to the structure of 1789. In 1850, the cathedral was enlarged and drastically altered structurally. What remains today is the result of that 1850 remodeling. Two graceful spires flank a taller central steeple and clock. Pedimented, plastered and sporting Romanesque windows, the architecture of the building mixes the best of French, Spanish and American design.


Blazingly white in the sun, the cathedral is the jewel of the French Quarter as it proudly faces the Mississippi River. St. Louis Cathedral has withstood considerable damage over the centuries. In 1909, a bomb shattered windows and tore the galleries from the walls. Hurricanes—most notably in 1915 and, later Hurricane Katrina—have damaged the towers and roof. The high winds of Hurricane Katrina tore a hole in the roof, causing damage to the ornate plaster of the ceilings and to the historic pipe organ. This damage has since been repaired. The Cathedral is open to the public—both tourists and churchgoers—and continues to serve as a backdrop for the photos of millions of yearly visitors to the Crescent City who wish to preserve the memory of their moment in front of one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.

Where to Shop: The Whisnant Galleries, New Orleans

Aside from the wonderful food, amazing music and breath-taking sights of New Orleans’ French Quarter, an incredibly varied and remarkable selection of antiques is available. Royal Street, Chartres Street and Dauphin Street are lined with exquisite antique stores. The Whisnant Galleries, located at 222 Chartres Street is one of the best. Offering rare paintings from the Seventeenth Century onward, mirrors, lighting, silver, china, jewelry, objet d’art, arms and armor, among other rare curiosities, the Whisnant Galleries has been one of the most outstanding purveyors of fine antiques in the French Quarter since 1968. A visit to their twelve thousand square foot show room is a must if you’re in the area. Not only is their selection incredible, the staff is knowledgeable, kind and welcoming. You won’t regret your visit.