Erica Jacobs runs a nature-based, holistic home design company called Between Red & Violet, where she offers services ranging from space planning to landscaping. She defines holistic home design as an “intuitive and perceptual process rooted in physiology, sociology, and psychology designed to enhance well-being.” And her 1000-square-foot quasi-studio apartment (two large rooms are divided by enormous, functioning pocket doors) in New Orleans is the perfect example of her design philosophies.

Erica explains that she integrates nature, aromatherapy, color, texture and light to meet the needs of her clients, creating environments that aim to elicit positive emotions, reduce stress, and encourage social interaction. The idea is to design spaces that nurture the mind, body, and soul. “I bring space back to life by breathing new energy and helping the client find joy and inspiration within their home again—which in turn spills into the rest of your life. Happy home, happy life!”

With 14-foot ceilings and tons of natural light, the space never feels cramped or like she’s living in a studio. And the floor-to-ceiling front windows open up to a porch, making the living room feels like it extends onto a balcony. “I have also painted the entire space floor-to-ceiling white, all in semi-gloss to reflect and bounce even more light around the space. It feels a bit like living inside of a cloud.”

Located off New Orleans’ famed St. Charles Avenue (Uptown Mardi Gras central) and just a few blocks from Magazine Street (where the locals shop and eat), the apartment is in a fantastic location.

“I treasure sitting in the front room with the windows open and letting the breeze float in and the smell of jasmine fill the house. It is truly dreamy, something very special and specific to New Orleans. I spend a lot of quiet time in my home reading, meditating, loving on my cat, Luci, and tending to my beautiful plants. I have a holistic interior decor company so the placement and movement in a space is extremely important to the function of everyday life. Anyone who knows me, knows moving objects and furniture around is a favorite pastime as well. I love to breathe new life into a space routinely. The way life is ever changing—so is my space.”

Erica’s life has actually evolved since this tour was photographed: She’s said goodbye to this light-filled Uptown space and moved over the river to historic Algiers Point.

My Style: I am a naturalist with a love of all things historic. I like clean lines, sensual fabrics, textures, layers and original art all inspired by nature. My style evolves as I continue to learn and grow—something that is never ending.

Inspiration: Nature, science, life experience, and a constant thirst to learn about the world around me. I do not follow trends—I draw from my intuition and personal life’s journey.

Favorite Element: The enormous windows. The amount of natural light that floods in the house is incredible, it creates a feeling of being outside and the ability to bring any plant home and it will grow.

Biggest Challenge: I suppose separating the living area from the bedroom. This is an old New Orleans home though, so it is a walk-through, similar to a shotgun style. In order to get to the bathroom or the kitchen you have to walk through the bedroom. I have created a flow so the front room and the bedroom relate to one another but there is also a sense of direction when walking to the kitchen and bath.

Biggest Indulgence: Having the entire space floor-to-ceiling professionally painted before I moved in. Additionally, ordering window treatments and having them professionally hung. They may seem like small things but when the ceilings are 14 feet high it can be quite challenging.

Best Advice: Create your own unique home, and trust your intuition. If you love something and it reminds you of a special time and place then you will find a way to make it work. Also be patient and selective. You do not have to fill your home overnight; we do not build our lives overnight. Our homes should tell our stories and show our individuality. You are special and one-of-a-kind, and so should your home be. Enjoy being unique!

PAINT
Sherwin-Williams – High Reflective White – Semi-gloss

LIVING ROOM
Original Abstract Painting — Emery Gluck
Original Photography of Ocean – Dawn Series — @aacphoton
Rug — Anatolian Rug from Sunday Shop
Rug — Small silk antique front door rug
Navy Striped Pillow made in Africa — Sunday Shop
Peter Dunham Ikat Pillow — Sunday Shop
Vase – Rachel Saunders Torus vase — Sunday Shop
Custom Raffia Pillows — Katie Koch Home
Throw with Tassles — Loomed
Sofa — Volu Sofa by Article
Coffee Table — Found objects, one of a kind antique drug bins
Parsons Chairs — DwellStudio
Bertoia Diamond Chair with custom metallic leather —DWR
Stainless Steal Artist Plinth — Custom design and artist collaboration with Michael Jacobs/Master Welder — available for order through Between Red & Violet
Starburst Maddox Mirror — Lillian August
Parson Table — IKEA
Bookcase — IKEA
Lamps — Antique find
Feathers — Hand collected collection
Antique dentist cabinet — One-of-a-kind piece
Antique green glass wine bottles — Sunday Shop
Mohair Club Chairs – Custom designed and fabricated Between Red & Violet Antique Marble table with Wooden Spindles —
Vintage Galvanized Steel Barrel – URBAN ROOTS – Barrel
Snake Plant – URBAN ROOTS – Plant
Goat Skull — Sunday Shop
Vintage Brass Sconces – Found in an antique shop in NY
Sheepskin Pelt – Caspian Blue — Sunday Shop
Vintage Wood Tic-Tac-Toe Game with Marbles – Found object
Coffee Table Book by Mallory Page — Sunday Shop
Hand Knit Throw — Rani Arabella @ BARNEYS NEW YORK

BEDROOM
Original Abstract Paintings — Emery Gluck Artist
Handmade Black Vintage Jasper Pillow with Tassels — Folk Project
Vintage White African Juju Hat — Charish
Bedding — DwellStudio
Orchids — Urban Roots
VIntage Mid-Century Modern Dresser — Purchased in NY at an antique shop
Triangle Pillow — Sunday Shop
Antique Yacht — Sunday Shop
African Indigo Mud Cloth — Purchased in small import shop in Harlem
Antique French Chairs — Craigslist find
Sea Urchin Gold Lamp — DwellStudio
Spanish Colonial Antique Writing Desk — Antique find in New Orleans
Crystals — Rosalies Apothecary

BATHROOM
Turkish Towels — Sunday Shop
Nude Oil Painting — Mia Bergeron Artist
Peony Oil Paintings — Mia Bergeron Artist
Custom Linen Roman Shade — Loom Decor
Shalom Hand Made Night Light —Blue Skies

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