Paul Zansler

Name: Todd and Kate Novak Location: French Quarter — New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 675 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Owned New Orleans is known as a city that loves color, and Kate and Todd Novak embraced that notion with a touch of “understated” bordello in their French Quarter getaway. Though they call Marin County, California, home, Kate and Todd’s love of New Orleans stems from their time at Tulane University.

Name: Tyler Antrup and Matthias Helfen Location: St Roch; New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 850 square feet Years lived in: 1 year; Owned Tyler and Matthias’ cottage, shared by kitty Bruce and pitbull rescue Omie Wise, is hard to miss when coming up their street. The Crayola-esque hues make the house stand out amongst the neighbors, many of which are in pre-renovation state.

Name: Stephen LaRue & Scott Peebles Location: Irish Channel; New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented Sometimes a fresh start can bring one back full circle. For Stephen LaRue, his return to New Orleans after a long hiatus presented an opportunity for a clean slate. As an interior designer, he has had numerous residences over the years with about as many different styles, most recently rather sleek and modern.

Name: John Malta Location: Uptown; New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 8 years; Owned In New Orleans, a brief respite from the searing summer sun is always welcome, whether provided by a front porch, a sprawling live oak, or a daily summer thunderstorm. Walking into hairstylist John Malta’s gray-toned uptown cottage has such an effect; one simply feels a breeze has rolled in.