Karina Gentinetta French antiques on Magazine Street
In New Orleans, it should not be a huge stretch that there would be a plethora of antiques stores specializing in French antiques. Beautiful things from France have been coming into New Orleans for nearly 300 years.
There are many shops on Magazine Street selling antiques, but I have five favorites that deal with goods from the mother country that so defines New Orleans. Today I am revealing my first of the five: Karina Gentinetta.
Karina says, “I was a lawyer for 13 years and lost everything in Katrina which made me rethink what I was doing with my life.”
And what she did was follow her passion for French antiques and interior design, and open up her shop on Magazine Street.
From New Orleans to the New York Times
The New York Times is planning a profile about Karina, and will be doing a photo shoot at her house. She says, “I’m trying not to freak out about my house and think that with two kids and three dogs, my house will not be on the cover of Veranda ever.”
This kind of humility and reality check is what makes the things in Karina’s shop resonate with people furnishing their homes in the 21st century with pieces from the 18th and 19th century.
An Irish table setting by Karina Gentinetta. (Photo Credit: karinagentinetta.blogspot.com)
Among her collection of curated treasures are a gilded Martini side table, French grain sack pillows, a pair of Louis XV parlor chairs, and so much more.
Perhaps you would like to add a modern mix with paintings by local New Orleans Amanda Talley, or maybe a fabulous Nakashimia style root bench, and industrial metal furnishings from the 20th century.
Karina has it all deftly mixed in with her French antiques!
Feel Right at Home
You can order this 19th Century Wooden Horse from Karina Gentinetta on 1stdibs. (Photo Credit: 1stdibs.com)
The shop of Karina Gentinetta is located in a charming old house on Magazine Street (at the corner of Amelia).
When you walk in the door you feel as if you have gone behind closed door of a private home in New Orleans. You will fall under the spell of the romance only French antiques can imbue, and at the very least be inspired by the beauty of it all.
Karina ships world wide, which is a good thing, and she also has a showroom space in New York City at the new 1stdibs bricks and mortar store (and online at 1stdibs too).
Karina Gentinetta
3650 Magazine Street
(504) 373-6664
Stay tuned for my next four favorites. Who do you think they will be?
Until next time, I am the Visual Vamp, and Magazine Street is my beat.
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