About a year ago, Realtor Mirell Gallo was showing a client a property at 3123 St. Philip St. with no intention of buying a home for herself. But she knew she couldn’t pass up this house, so as soon as she knew her clients were not interested, she called her husband Augie to take a look. He immediately shared her love of the soaring ceilings, wood floors and original millwork in this shotgun, which was once a double but had been converted into a single shotgun. Shortly after, the Gallos were able to call it their first home.
Not only did Mirell have the good eye to scoop up the property, but she also had the ability to integrate interesting materials from world travels into a cohesive style. The home was mostly renovated, but the Gallos put their own touch on the space with Mirell’s penchant for design and color. And, as she says, paint goes a long way.
Furnishings were styled by Mirell as well. She reupholstered the floral-backed sofa in the living room and the green velvet bed frame in the master bedroom. The master bathroom features an oversized cypress mirror that was included in the sale of the house. The white walls offset the couple’s art, rugs and fabrics from around the world and showcase their proudest possession, a burled walnut Italian Art Deco sideboard from the 1930s.
Mirell and Augie have used every inch of the space efficiently. The living space flows out to a fantastic shaded back deck looking over edible gardens in multiple raised beds.
Join us for the Shotgun House Tour on April 22 and 23 to see this home and other fine examples of New Orleans’ iconic shotgun houses.
Photos by Sara Essex Bradley
