Gasquet Bland House

Gasquet Bland House. . , Built c. 1860, this elegant Italianate-style residence breaks tradition in the Garden District with its unique upper gallery with bracketed cornice, supported by fluted Corinthian columns joined by cast iron rails. The masterfully carved support brackets are adorned with acanthus leaves and flowers; these are repeated on the plaster ballroom arch. within. The smaller balconies feature overhangs with fanciful jigsaw scrollwork. Only four families have resided here, those of: Frances Gasquet until 1905, Charles Carroll until 1941 and Alice Richarme until 2012. By then, the property had been subdivided and, while the condition of the house was poor, it still contained a vast amount of original detailing. David and Andrea Bland restored the house which entailed sourcing artisans to hand carve many missing elements of the façade, and restore all interior surfaces; uniting the four original lots; and expanding and enhancing the living spaces and richly planted gardens. For this historically sensitive restoration, the owner received the prestigious Louisiana Preservationist of the Year Award in 2013.