Those who have restored a historic home know the challenges and pitfalls of transforming such a property. Susannah Coolidge and Fred Diegel had their mettle tried as they undertook the re-wiring of their late 1880s Victorian three-bay cottage.
“On an inspection, we discovered the electrical was still knob and tube when we bought the house in 2022,” Diegel said. “We had it redone. It was stressful. It cost a fortune, but now we have a home we love.”
The electrical system had not been updated when the home was restored in the 1980s, transforming it from two rental units into a single-family home.
Both natives of the Northeast, Coolidge and Diegel met in New Orleans while living as neighbors. Both dedicated preservationists, they share a love of historic architecture. They were drawn to this area because of the historic homes and because of its “walkability score,” Coolidge said. “There are restaurants, coffee shops and grocery stores all within a few blocks.
“Once we decided to make an offer on the house, we knew we would have to upgrade at least the knob-and-tube wiring, but the list snowballed from there,” she said. “There was extensive rot on the back wall. We had to have drop ceilings torn out. We had the floor furnace removed and reinstalled in the attic. We closed the floor vents and we had an HVAC system installed.”
The house was built for Joseph Rene Hymel, a prominent planter from a German-French Creole family in the River Parishes, who retained ownership until he died in 1922. His business associate Alfred Isaacson, a native of Philadelphia and a wealthy commission merchant with multiple banking and insurance interests, lived in the house from 1898 until his death in 1907.
Isaacson became prominent on the New Orleans social scene and was an officer in several Carnival associations. He served as secretary of the Livestock Exchange and as city treasurer, and he was a member of the Louisiana Avenue Commission, which negotiated the removal of the Illinois Central Railroad tracks from Louisiana Avenue between 1884 and 1900. The commission, which often met at Isaacson’s house, initiated a plan for the homeowners to plant live oaks every 30 feet along the avenue. They failed to get appropriation from the city, but the project went forward with private funding. The mature oaks continue to shade the street today.
The home is now as Coolidge and Diegel first envisioned it.
“It works for us because of the single-story style. It is practical, and the separate carriage house provides extra office space and private space for guests,” Coolidge said. “Our favorite things in our home are the tall, 13-and-a-half-foot ceilings, the intact side hall, double parlors, and the original medallions, four-inch-wide heart-pine floors and gasoliers.”
The tile was removed from the kitchen floor and replaced with heart pine to match the rest of the house. A green hanging cabinet to the left of the kitchen window was a piece from Coolidge’s New England family. The couple employed 1217 Creative to make a slightly larger matching replica that is mounted on the window’s right side. The kitchen counters were replaced with natural quartzite.
The home is furnished with a collection of family pieces and period-appropriate antiques, including a tapestry purchased at auction that reportedly came from Le Petit Theatre. A small landscape in the back hallway and the painting of ducks in the guest bedroom were done by Coolidge’s grandfather. Collections of old Carnival ball invitations and bulletins were purchased at auctions.
Interior designer Linda Marchand assisted with the decor in the home. Bently Graham designed and installed the holiday decorations.
The Holiday Home Tour is a self-guided walking tour that explores the interiors and grounds of several stunning homes all dressed up for the holidays in the historic Garden District of New Orleans. Festivities also include live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more! This beloved event returns December 14th & 15th for its 49th year. Learn more and get tickets
The Holiday Home Tour is a self-guided walking tour that explores the interiors and grounds of several stunning homes all dressed up for the holidays in the historic Garden District of New Orleans. Festivities also include live musical performances, a festive boutique, and more! This beloved event returns December 14th & 15th for its 49th year. Learn more and get tickets
