It can easily be said that Gerrie Bremerman is the creator and godmother of interior design in New Orleans as we know it today. By that I mean the mix that has become almost generic, the eclectic mix of the old and new and the high and the low.
Mrs. Bremermann is in her 80's and still working six days a week with her husband Tom in their shop on Magazine Street (at #3943).
The artist Amanda Talley recently went to dinner at the Bremermann's. She worked in Gerrie's shop for eight years, and is a very good friend. Amanda also just started a new blog, (The Big Easy Life) and her first post is about that evening. I've borrowed Amanda's images as my e-mails to Gerrie's staff at the shop have fallen on deaf ears.
The Bremermann entry hall - I love the whimsy of the plastic flagI love the photos Amanda took, because they are casual. Where else could you get to see the inside of Gerrie Bremermann's closet?
Or get an idea of Mrs. B's fabulous sense of humor?
The Bremermann aesthetic has spawned dozens of shops on Magazine Street, and inspired many a design career. It would be safe to say that beautiful shops like Tara Shaw, Petricia Thompson, Kevin Stone, Julie Neill, Karla Katz, Perch, and many more owe a huge debt to the Bremermanns for paving the way.
The Bremermanns are life long collectors. Their home looks a full feast for the eys, but without the feeling of clutter or being overdone or over wrought. It looks inhabited, not staged.
Their present home is a combination of two apartments on a higher than street level floor. It has lovely views.
Gerrie's husband Tom works alongside her six days a week. They have been married for over 60 years and their relationship offers much insight on the subject of getting along and staying in love. The fact that Tom refers to Gerrie as the Queen sounds like a sure fire way to a long and happy marriage.
The Bremermann touch is lavishly and lovingly used. I love Tom's Eames Lounge Chair. I had one like it for years.
I also love the way Lucite is used alongside antiques. And the tiger print stool is the perfect little grace note.
The dining room is lovely. Amanda said there were pink monogrammed napkins the night she dined there.
The long sideboard looks mid 20th century.
The guest room is so sweet. The canopy twin beds are perfect. It's interesting to see so much fitted carpet used. Of course it being an apartment probably calls for its application.
The little sitting area in the guest room is precious.
I love the big girl drapes, especially the French pleat at the top.
Please go to Amanda's new blog and read more about this dinner party. There are some great photos of the Bremermann's art collection which has many contemporary pieces as well as more traditional ones. The Bremermann mix is flawless.
Love, love, LOVE the mini hand chairs!Also check the Southern Accents web site, as they have published many great photos of Gerrie Bremermann's work, and also see Joni Webb's blog Cote de Texas and her opus on Mrs. B. as her number four pick of her top ten designers.
The Bremermann look that spawned a movment:Turned wood chandeliers, trumeaus, slips, and mixing it all up
What I hope you will take away with you from this post, is a snap shot of a life well lived by two hard workers who love what they do, love each other, and love the city of New Orleans.
Antique bust at The Bremermanns,draped with carnival beads from the all women Krewe of Muses
PS Happy Birthday to my sister Cher!
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