• New Orleans Apartment Thomas Jayne's and Rick Ellis's apartment in New Orleans is in an 1830s brick townhouse in the French Quarter. The apartment was purchased in early 2005, several months before Hurricane Katrina.The historically sensitive renovation of the interior was done by the late Frank Masson, a local architect and preservationist.

    Thomas Jayne's and Rick Ellis's apartment in New Orleans is in an 1830s brick townhouse in the French Quarter. The apartment was purchased in early 2005, several months before Hurricane Katrina.The historically sensitive renovation of the interior was done by the late Frank Masson, a local architect and preservationist.

  • New Orleans Apartment The apartment is entered through a shared courtyard space with a fountain. The small entry foyer leads into the living room.

    The apartment is entered through a shared courtyard space with a fountain. The small entry foyer leads into the living room.

  • New Orleans Apartment The centerpiece of the apartment is the scenic mural of life on the Mississippi River wrapping around the living room. The wallpaper was made by DeGournay, Ltd., and based on the 1941 book, "The Story of the Mississippi", by Marshall McClintock with illustrations by C.H. DeWitt. The scenes depict riverboats, historic buildings and daily life on the river.

    The centerpiece of the apartment is the scenic mural of life on the Mississippi River wrapping around the living room. The wallpaper was made by DeGournay, Ltd., and based on the 1941 book, "The Story of the Mississippi", by Marshall McClintock with illustrations by C.H. DeWitt. The scenes depict riverboats, historic buildings and daily life on the river.

  • New Orleans Apartment The living room's design was inspired by 19th century Creole decoration. Many of the antique pieces have a local provenance. The arrangement of furnishings is kept spare to keep the room open so it can be easily arranged for cocktail parties and dinners.

    The living room's design was inspired by 19th century Creole decoration. Many of the antique pieces have a local provenance. The arrangement of furnishings is kept spare to keep the room open so it can be easily arranged for cocktail parties and dinners.

  • New Orleans Apartment A section of the mural to the right of the mantle shows a portion of Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square with French solders marching before it. The vivid colors used in the mural, dado, ceiling and moldings are Creole inspired.

    A section of the mural to the right of the mantle shows a portion of Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square with French solders marching before it. The vivid colors used in the mural, dado, ceiling and moldings are Creole inspired.

  • New Orleans Apartment The bold, expressive strokes used by the artists to depict the waters of the river and the dirt roads emulates the energy and spirit of the WPA era DeWitt illustrations in "The Life of the Mississippi".

    The bold, expressive strokes used by the artists to depict the waters of the river and the dirt roads emulates the energy and spirit of the WPA era DeWitt illustrations in "The Life of the Mississippi".

  • New Orleans Apartment The living room opens in the sitting room.The trim and ceiling are painted yellow in both spaces to unifying them.

    The living room opens in the sitting room.The trim and ceiling are painted yellow in both spaces to unifying them.

  • New Orleans Apartment The sitting room, which doubles as a guest room, has Creole pink walls and a French daybed with layers of pillows. The large 19th century woodblock prints are German carnival characters.

    The sitting room, which doubles as a guest room, has Creole pink walls and a French daybed with layers of pillows. The large 19th century woodblock prints are German carnival characters.

  • New Orleans Apartment The sitting room mantel has a contemporary mirror which is flanked by a set of Thomas Frye mezzotints. The large timepiece was used as part of a Father Time costume for Mardi Gras.

    The sitting room mantel has a contemporary mirror which is flanked by a set of Thomas Frye mezzotints. The large timepiece was used as part of a Father Time costume for Mardi Gras.

  • New Orleans Apartment The simply detailed kitchen cabinets are based on 19th century Creole examples. The verre eglomise panel of oysters over the stove is by artist Miriam Ellner.

    The simply detailed kitchen cabinets are based on 19th century Creole examples. The verre eglomise panel of oysters over the stove is by artist Miriam Ellner.

  • New Orleans Apartment The bedroom is lined with a hand blocked wallpaper. Audubon's "California Vulture" hangs above the Creole bed.

    The bedroom is lined with a hand blocked wallpaper. Audubon's "California Vulture" hangs above the Creole bed.