Family business Bevolo Gas and Electric Lights is, since 1945, the largest manufacturer of handmade, hand-riveted copper and brass lanterns. We went to the Conti showroom and studio where the original French Quarter lantern designs are made.

Bevolo has created over five hundred styles of lanterns that are used for both residential and commercial applications.

The French Quarter lantern design was created by Bevolo in collaboration with architect A. Hays Town who is renowned for introducing one of New Orleans distinctive architectural style.

Bevolo’s showroom on Conti displays an impressive collection of lanterns that reflect a true dedication to tradition, excellence and quality.

We drove across Lake Pontchartrain to Covington in the north of New Orleans to meet with Nancy Sharon Collins. Nancy is Director of Special Projects at AIGA New Orleans and is currently working on The History of Graphic Design of Southern Louisiana, a digital and physical repository of engravings and other printed graphic works from the region.

Nancy showed us some of the early pieces from her growing archive. She is working to raise awareness on the importance of graphic design’s heritage in Louisiana and hopes to share her valuable findings and research in the future through exhibitions and a feature film in partnership with LSU’s Center for Oral History

Nancy’s studio archiving space.

Engraved ‘calling cards’ are a disappearing tradition but can still be ordered in a few places close to New Orleans.

Link | Trailer | Nancy Sharon Collins Stationer

New Orleans (NOLA) is an urban patchwork of European and Southern culture, with a distinctive character and laid-back atmosphere.

This is a city that is proud of its history and that builds on its many layers.

The architecture here is amazingly well-preserved for an American city. It is one of NOLA’s strongest cultural assets alongside food, music and cafés.

This place also shows how to mix the old with the new: CxD partner hotel, the International House Hotel is located on Camp St, a few blocks from Canal St in the heart of downtown New Orleans. Every detail in the hotel was conceived by a designer/maker: from the lamps, to the chandeliers, the pilasters, etc.

The elevator at the IH Hotel is covered in dramatic black and white tiles.

Further from the tourist spots, the Garden District and its main street called Magazine reveals a stronger local flair: independent stores and quaint residential neighborhoods. This area shows everyday life as it happens in New Orleans: laid-back, friendly, inspired and quirky.

On Magazine, Rue de la Course is the place to work on a laptop while sipping a green tea mint frozen drink or a simple café au lait.

Link | New Orleans Album

All packed and ready to leave Orlando

Driving through a storm for 2 hours between Ocala and Gainesville, FL.

Refueling at Love’s in Northern FL

Keeping the notepads, coffee and granola bars handy…

After hours of greenery we finally reach Mobile, AL

Shortly after leaving Alabama we enter Mississippi and drive through Biloxi

More trees, more billboards, a couple of hours til NOLA

I10 across Lake Pontchartrin, New Orleans is a few minutes away!

Link | CxD Backstage