Longue vue house and gardens
The Canal garden continues the Spanish influence with a small rill of water running the length of the secluded space behind the loggia. There is no splashing sound, no dripping, but the water movement in the sun is mesmerizing. In the Yellow Garden, a bronze silent fountain was sculpted by Robert Engman. A kinetic sculpture by New Orleans artist Lin Emery breaks up the symmetry in the Spanish Court. The Sterns were great art collectors, and that included art for the landscape. The courtyard ends with a loggia and comfortable chaises, tables, and chairs for enjoying a view back to the main house Two massive green marble benches sit against the walls and on a floor of patterned pebbles. Small patio spaces are defined along the way. The low, wide bowl fountains run the length of the courtyard. Unlike the enormously popular Granada in Spain, here just Rich and I were in the garden, the sun was shining, and the water sparkled and splashed as it fell in symmetrical arcs. There is a copy of the reflecting pool fountain with the arching streams of water from Generalife. The Spanish Court grabbed my attention as it was inspired by the Generalife garden of the Alhambra in Granada, Spain. There is the Yellow Garden, the Spanish Court, the Pan Garden, the canal garden, the wild garden, and even more. The original plantation style home was rolled away to another location! Seriously, this is a powerful garden designer who can persuade the homeowner to change their house.*Įllen Biddle Shipman led the way in creating gardens rooms.
You enter the property through an allée of live oaks leading to the Classical Revival style home which Shipman decided would fit better with the gardens she designed. Live Oak tree avenue to the entrance of the house The garden is quite genuinely genius in design. The story of the Sterns* is inspiring in every way. Ellen Biddle Shipman considered the dean of women landscape architects, influenced the integration of the garden views in the design of the home. Imagine having the foresight and the resources to set your home on the land in such a way that every window offers a connection to the garden looking out on a painting done with plants. Every room in the house looks out on a perfectly placed scene in the garden. The Longue Vue House and Garden, New Orleans, LA, built in 1942, by Edgar & Edith Stern is a masterwork of design.