WHEN PHILADELPHIA NATIVE DOUG KLEEMAN PURCHASED HIS SHOTGUN SINGLE one day after Hurricane Isaac roared through New Orleans, it was one of the few places that had power. Three-and-a-half years later, Kleeman has filled his open and airy 1324 Toledano St. home with local art and photography. The Tulane Law School graduate hasnât really been able to stop collecting, even after he filled every wall. âIf something else comes in, something has to go out,â Kleeman said. âIâm running out of space.â From interesting black and white photography discovered in a coffee shop in Houma to pieces he found a few blocks away on Magazine Street or in the French Quarter, Kleeman has made a concerted effort to ensure the interior of his home reflects the art and beauty of the surrounding area.
âThe New Orleans-themed guest rooms certainly help, but the mix of old and new in the renovation itself also reflects the essence of the city. Kleeman had the floors refinished, and the master bath and kitchen had already been gutted when he bought the house, so he was able to start with a clean slate. One bathroom has been fitted with subway tile, a pedestal sink and hexagon Carrara Marble, while the other is more modern with a mixture of stick tile and glass accents on the wall. The original built-in laundry hamper was retained in the old style bath, while the more modern one features square marble floors with mosaic borders. The front room is light and airy, and the curved transom was replicated over the new front window to match the original front door. âMy favorite elements are the bi-fold doors with the brass pine cone knobs that lead to the sitting area of the master and the master bath,â he said. âThey lend an organic feel to the home.â
âThe master sitting area features a serene dark blue shade Kleeman said he finds very soothing. In the master bedroom, he chose to retain the freestanding fireplace in the center of the room for an accent and mount the TV. In the back of the house, Kleeman said the patio was âjust broken bits of concreteâ when he purchased the house, so he created a planter box and installed a slate courtyard. âI stuck to a standard renovation with a contemporary touch that follows the original floor plan,â he said. âI saw no need to reinvent the wheel.â
