Yes, he is an attorney working for the Louisiana Recovery Authority and no, he's not a model, though he does know how to strike a pose. He's just one of a million attorneys, except, this attorney is different: he's also a practicing interior designer. Ty Larkins is based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he practices law by day and interior design by day too. Not sure how he works that out - but he does, and quite effectively. So effectively, that HGTV took notice of him and followed him around for a year while he designed a home for their series Dream House. Married, with twin daughters to boot, Larkins has no formal interior design education, but judging from his portfolio, he doesn't need any! His designs are young and fresh - contemporary with New Orleans styled French antiques thrown int0 the gumbo. An online buddy of mine (more about her in a minute!) emailed me Larkins' web site and told me to check him out. Hmmmm....who wouldn't?! I'm not sure how long he's going to be able to keep practicing law when his interior design career takes off. And it will - it's already growing daily. Here's why:
This Baton Rouge stunner was completely remodeled and rehabed by Larkins, who just happens to live here with his family. Can't say that I blame him - I'd loved to live here too. Note the elegant terraced front porch and painted white brick.
The entrance hall in grand, Louisiana style. I love this - I'm a sucker for gorgeous entry halls. Also, I love the mirror casually leaning against the wall on the left. Larkins mixes a French chest with Swedish side chairs .
The library, painted a soft brown, mixes the contemporary and the antique. Antique french trumeau, velvet tailored sofa, Swedish side chairs, zebra skin, and seagrass all blend together to create a cool respite from the hot Louisiana sun.
Another shot of the library. Notice his strong symmetrical design throughout the room.
The molding in the house is exquisite - in the dining room, an antique crystal chandelier dresses up the room despite its relaxed toile slipcovered chairs. Notice how Larkins runs the drapery rod across the wall.
The living room - great urn figure over the mantel. More gorgeous molding - here it's dentil. I love how Larkins stacked side tables for an architectural effect on each side of the mantel.
Another shot of the living room. The contemporary painting by local artist Tony Mose brings in the only color to the room. A Swedish Mora clock is just outside the room to the left.
Another shot of the living room, with the zebra rug placed here instead of in the library. Also, Larkins has used a French antique chair in place of the upholstered ones in the previous photograph.
And one last view of the living room - this time the ottoman and pillows wear orange accent colors. The light fixture is a gorgeous French antique.
The master bath - beautiful simplicity! Note how Larkins uses tile up to the molding on his walls.
The master bedroom, Larkins keeps it traditional.
The guest room - note the French day bed wears more contemporary bed coverings. Grasscloth wallcovering.
Another view of the guest room. Note the contemporary light fixture in this mostly traditional setting.
The back terrace runs the length of the house. The living room opens up to here through french doors.
The backyard is typical of the New Orleans courtyard style of landscaping. Notice the louvered doors set into the back wall. I could be very happy sharing a mint julep here with Ty and his wife.
Here's a bungalow that Larkins completely remodeled for a client. The pink ottoman is the only touch of color in a room filled with white upholstery and slips. Again, he uses a very contemporary light fixture mixed with French antiques. The windows wear wrap around draperies which provide a strong contrast to all the white.
The bungalow's main room is divided between the living area and the dining area. Dark ebony floors pop the white slips and sisal rugs.
In the sun room, Larkins installed French blue tiles on the ceiling - a strong contrast with the black lantern. The room is paneled in famous Louisiana pecky cypress.
In the kitchen Larkins uses subway tile up to the molding giving the room a very clean appearance.
In the bathroom, Larkins again uses marble tiles up to the ceiling. This must be his signature look!
To contact Ty Larkins, email him at info@tylarkins.com or telephone him at 225-281-8060.
So - you're probably just dying to know who told me about Ty Larkins. When I first started blogging last year, I got an email from a young, a very, very, young lady living in Lafayette, Louisiana. She was just starting out on her own in the design business and was full of questions about how to go about doing this. Now, I'm not the world's best businesswoman, to say the least. The business aspect of Webb Design is my least favorite part of it all. I can barely figure out profit margins and I still have trouble with the concept of net vs. list. Despite my less than stellar business abilities, Andrea Veron, the young designer, seemed to think I had all the answers. Over the past year we've exchanged multitudes of emails and phone calls where I, the elder statesman (ha!), attempted to guide her along. OK, - those who know me in real life, you quit cracking up right now -- Andrea has faith in my business acumen! Andrea and her husband recently purchased a two story house that came with an extra structure in the back - and this is where she'll base her new business. She has been keeping busy with clients, but like anyone starting out, she's always looking for new ones. If you live in Lafayette or close by, consider giving Andrea a call. After all, she's had great business training!
Andrea Veron's designs for a master bedroom. I love how she mirrored the back wall of the niche and softened it with silk draperies.
Andrea loves to add dressmaker details - here she added braided trim to the velvet headboard.
At this vignette - Andrea added trim to a skirted table.
For this job, Andrea used a wonderful green paint on the walls to set off the antique red velvet sofa. I love the touch of zebra she added!
A vignette in the same room.
Against a wall, a large mirror makes the room seem more spacious.
Close up of another vignette.
Andrea's new gracious southern home in Lafayette, Louisiana. Her interior design office will be based here. Isn't it romantic looking with it's front gate? To contact Andrea about hiring her, please email her at amveron@cox.net or telephone her at 337-962-1244.