New Orleans is a treasure trove for design enthusiasts with an eye for the unique. From antique shops tucked away in century-old buildings to cutting-edge studios where tradition meets modern sass, NOLA offers a feast for design-hungry eyes.
Here’s a look at the NOLA spots that’ll make your inner design nerd absolutely lose it.
1. Magazine Street Magic
The six-mile stretch of Magazine Street is basically interior design heaven. You’ll find yourself saying “just one more shop” about fifty times as you wander from Garden District to Uptown.
Royal Antiques has been servin’ up gorgeous 18th and 19th century European pieces since forever. Like, we’re talkin’ chandeliers that could make your grandma’s pearls look basic. Their collection of French provincial furniture might make you contemplate selling a kidney just to afford that one perfect armoire.
Tip: Don’t miss Sunday Shop further down – it’s newer but packs a punch with its perfectly curated mix of vintage finds and contemporary designs. Their candle selection alone could keep you sniffin’ for hours.
2. Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights
Walking into Bevolo’s French Quarter showroom is like steppin’ back in time, but in the coolest way possible. This family-owned business has been handcrafting copper gas lanterns since 1945, and they’re still using the same techniques.
The showroom itself is drool-worthy, with dozens of flickering lanterns hanging from the celings. You’ll see the same fixtures illuminating the swankiest homes and businesses throughout the Quarter. They offer free tours of their workshop where you can watch artisans hammering away – it’s oddly hypnotic.
Tip: Even if you ain’t planning to drop hundreds on a custom lantern, their small votive holders make perfect N’awlins souvenirs that actually look good.
3. Merchant House
Hidden in the Warehouse District, this massive 5,000-square-foot showroom is where local designers go when they need to impress their pickiest clients. The owner travels to India, Morocco, and Europe to source one-of-a-kind pieces that you definately won’t find at your local HomeGoods.
The industrial-meets-global vibe here is insane. Think massive wooden doors from Indian palaces next to sleek concrete tables. The prices ain’t for the faint of heart, but even browsing feels like a master class in mixing textures and styles.
Tip: They’ve got these ridiculous oversized mirrors that make even the smallest space look like a palace. Worth every penny if you’re in the market.
4. Leontine Linens
Y’all ever spent more on bedsheets than your monthly rent? No? Well, you might start after visiting Leontine Linens on Magazine Street. This is where the NOLA elite go for custom monogrammed linens that’ll be passed down for generations.
The shop itself is a lesson in sophisticated Southern style – all muted colors and perfect lighting. Everything is customizable, from the embroidery to the appliqué designs. The owner, Jane Scott Hodges, literally wrote the book on luxury linens (for real, it’s called “Linens: For Every Room and Occasion”).
Tip: Their baby gifts are legendary among the Uptown crowd. If you need to impress at a baby shower, this is your spot.
5. Sud Italia
OK so this ain’t your typical interior design shop – it’s better. This French Quarter gem specializes in imported Italian ceramics that’ll make your dining table scream “I’m sophisticated AF.”
The hand-painted plates from Puglia are what Instagram dreams are made of. The colors are so vibrant they’ll make your food look better even if you’re just serving frozen pizza. And don’t get me started on their collection of olive oil decanters – suddenly you’ll need six of them despite never having thought about olive oil storage before.
Tip: They have these tiny ceramic spoon rests shaped like lemons that cost practically nothin’ but will make your kitchen feel like a villa in Positano.
6. M.S. Rau
If you’ve got Beyoncé’s budget and Marie Antoinette’s taste, M.S. Rau is your holy grail. This Royal Street institution is technically an antique gallery, but it’s really more like a museum where everything’s for sale.
We’re talkin’ furnture owned by European royalty, art by masters like Monet and Renoir, and decorative objects that belong in history books. Even if your budget is more “look don’t touch,” touring their 40,000-square-foot gallery is better than most museum visits.
Tip: Their silver collection is bananas – they’ve got these massive sterling punch bowls that could solve your bathing needs if the water ever goes out. Just sayin’.
7. Nadeau – Furniture with a Soul
For folks who want unique pieces without having to eat ramen for a year afterwards, Nadeau is your jam. Their tagline “Furniture with a Soul” ain’t just marketing – these pieces feel like they’ve got stories to tell.
Located in a big warehouse on Earhart Boulevard, it’s filled with hand-crafted wood furniture from around the world. The inventory changes constantly, so what you see one day might be gone the next. It’s like a treasure hunt with better lighting.
Tip: Their consol tables are perfect for those awkward hallway spaces that seem impossible to decorate. Plus, they’re solid wood. None of that particle board nonsense.
The Big Easy’s mix of Creole, French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences creates a design style that’s impossible to replicate anywhere else. Even if you leave empty-handed (doubtful), you’ll walk away with enough inspiration to transform your space into something uniquely magical.