Oak Branch Cottage: The Magic of Custom Textiles

They say the details make a home, but custom textiles truly make it yours. When it came time to bring our vision to life—from window seats and drapes to shower curtains and accent pillows—J and I knew exactly where to go: Fairfax Fabrics on Magazine Street.

There is nothing quite like a Saturday afternoon spent browsing row after row of rich textures, vibrant patterns, and timeless weaves. But the real magic of Fairfax Fabrics lies in its proprietor, Patricia Daigle. Patricia has an unmatched eye for design and a depth of fabric knowledge that makes what could easily be an overwhelming process feel effortless. With her guidance, we paired colors, weighed textures, and mapped out a cohesive feel for our home.

Custom work leaves zero room for guesswork. Patricia and her team took meticulous measurements of our windows, shower openings, and built-in seating—measuring several times to ensure every custom rod and drape would fit to the millimeter. That level of care and precision makes all the difference.

Now, the wait is over and our custom pieces have started to trickle in!

The Living Room Window Seat

First up was the cushion for our living room window seat. We opted for a tone-on-tone leopard-inspired print, and it strikes the perfect balance between subtle sophistication and playful texture. It adds just the right amount of personality to the nook without overpowering the room. I styled it with a few accent pillows we already had on hand, but seeing it in place made one thing clear: a pair of custom bolsters on either end will be the ultimate finishing touch.

The Guest Bathroom

The guest bath shower curtain also made its grand entrance, and it is safe to say I am obsessed. We selected a stunning palm-inspired art deco fabric that brings a fresh, botanical energy into the space. To tie the room together, we added a blush pink ball trim along the edge, perfectly picking up the blush pink color-drenched walls and ceiling. The contrast between the tropical palm design and the soft, tailored fringe elevates the whole bathroom.

Seeing these first pieces installed makes all the measuring and decision-making completely worth it. A huge thank you to Patricia and the team at Fairfax Fabrics for turning our ideas into beautiful, tailored realities—we can’t wait to see the rest of the drapes roll in!

Custom Textiles, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Laurel Wilder Plates {Side Hallway}

Little by little, Oak Branch Cottage is coming together! Every week brings a new layer of warmth, and last week’s focus was all about positioning artwork around the house to make each space feel truly intentional.

I turned my attention to the side hallway, pairing a new arrangement with our palm-inspired sconce. I decided to group together my collection of reverse-decoupaged plates by Laurel Wilder.

My love for these pieces goes back years. I’ve been sourcing them since 2008 from one of my absolute New Orleans favorite shopping destinations, Hazelnut on Magazine Street. Over time, my collection has grown piece by piece, and I realized they would make such a beautiful statement if displayed as a cohesive gallery wall along the hallway rather than scattered throughout the house.

The craftsmanship in these plates is just exquisite. Each piece of art glass is created using a meticulous reverse-decoupaged technique—hand-stamped with gold, frosted, sealed, and then individually signed and numbered. They have been released and collected over time. Not only are they stunning decorative accents, but they’re also completely food-safe and hand-washable! 

Shelley, an orginal artist from Laurel Wilder has retired, but you should definitely check out the new artist that is available now at Hazelnut. The new artist is doing many of the same designs but in a more casual way.

I’ll share more details on the rest of the side hallway soon, but for now, here is a peek at how it looks today!

Laurel Wilder Plates, y'all!

Oak Branch Cottage: Styling the Louis Philippe Hutch {Dining Room}

With the kitchen finally in order, it was time to turn my attention to the dining room. One of the things I love most about Oak Branch Cottage is having a true dining room—one spacious enough to comfortably anchor a dining table, a buffet, and a grand hutch.

During my recent time off, I decided to tackle styling the crown jewel of the room: a late 1800s Louis Philippe hutch.

A Grand Antique with a Sense of Place

I found this incredible piece over the summer at DOP Antiques, and it couldn't fit the space more beautifully. Standing at an impressive 106 inches tall, it carries a massive presence that perfectly balances the room’s soaring 12-foot ceilings.

Before placing a single item inside, I wanted to give the interior a subtle, tactile backdrop. I backed the shelves with a natural cane wallpaper sourced from Gulf Coast Home in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The woven texture adds warmth, depth, and a soft contrast against the wood without distracting from what's displayed inside.

Layering the Collection

Decorating hutch shelves is always a bit of trial and error, but I had a clear vision for the pieces I wanted to highlight:

• Alison Evans Ceramic Oyster Shells: Bringing my entire collection together in one location makes such a striking statement—and makes it so easy to grab what I need when entertaining.

  
  
  

• Seafood-Inspired Estate China (Seafood-inspired porcelain from Josef Kuba (JKW) Bavaria (Kuba Porzellan) features classic mid-century German craftsmanship with vibrant marine motifs): A recent estate sale find on Audubon Boulevard brought home this lovely set. The subtle coastal colors tie right into the palette I’m building for the rest of the room.

• Glassware & Ginger Jars: Sprinkled throughout to catch the light and add dynamic shapes and heights.

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Still a Work in Progress

Like any good display, it’s going to evolve over time. I’m still taking my time deciding what should go on the top shelf to tie the whole piece together. For now, seeing this antique come alive with pieces I love makes the room feel so much more like home.

Louis Philippe Hutch, y'all!