Seasonal changes

Though ever so slight, the changes in our south Louisiana seasons mercifully come along at just the right moment. So it happened on a recent Sunday morning when we stepped outside and found it cooler outside than inside. The rest of that last unusually mild official week of summer served as compensation for the foul weather that accompanied Isaac. My family has a teenage girl from Mexico living with us this year, attending her junior year of high school at St. Joseph’s Academy. She was amazed and a bit confused by the rapid change back and forth from summer to fall and back to summer.

For many who are so inclined, the changing of the guard begins. Home landscaping shifts to more earth tones as the annuals are planted for fall. Front doors sport new wreaths that will be appropriate through two fall holidays. The creatively blessed among us will find ways to reuse some of the decorating and landscaping materials through the end of the year. Bedspreads are changed thanks to the resurgence of the duvet cover, and seasonal tablecloths help tie everything together.

Changing flowers and linens is a quick and comparatively affordable way to give your home a facelift without “going under the knife.” Think of them as the Botox of home decorating. Many of our inRegister readers are opting for a more dramatic change. In a recent survey conducted by SCI, nearly two-thirds of our inRegister subscribers said they would be renovating their homes or redecorating a room in the next 12 months.

Renovating an entire home or even just the kitchen can be a nerve-wracking affair. A friend recently confided that her relatively small kitchen renovation forced her to wash dishes in the bathroom for six weeks. Most believe it’s a small price to pay for the satisfaction that comes with shiny new appliances and the allure of granite countertops.

Architect Kevin Harris has been helping Southerners renovate or build anew for decades. Inside this issue, you will find loads of fabulous photos of his residential work. Kevin has helped create environments for his clients that reflect who they are and how they like to live and entertain. In south Louisiana, and throughout our region, home pride is strong and welcoming others to our abodes is common. Be inspired by his keen eye for design.

Our community experienced a profound loss with the recent passing of Derek Gordon, president and CEO of the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge. One of the top arts administrators in the country, Derek chose to return to his hometown to make a difference by working with leaders of local arts and community organizations to advance an inclusive, dynamic vision. Derek was an inspiration whose legacy will live on for years to come. We are grateful for the time we had with him.