Home Tour: Cooking Up a New Life in New Orleans for Our Favorite Food Blogger

Laurel & Wolf/Colleen Clark
Updated


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Joy Wilson has lived just about everywhere - LA, Miami, Vermont and Seattle. But the blogger and cookbook author, known to her fans as Joy the Baker, finally found her home in the heart of New Orleans.

"Living in New Orleans is like living in a different world. It's magical, it's joyous, the pace is much slower, and we'll celebrate anything, everything, all the time," she says.


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Joy purchased an early 1900's double shotgun home that was abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. With such an open layout, she couldn't think of a better place to launch her bakeshop, test kitchen, classroom, and of course, entertain.

It can be hard to break up a large space and that's exactly what Joy found to be little intimidating. "I've lived such a food-focused life that I've let my design style get away from me," she says. "I know things that I like but I don't know how to put them together."


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Laurel & Wolf interior designer James Tabb helped her transform the space into one she can be proud of. The pair worked together entirely online via the Laurel & Wolf platform to create a multifunctional space.

"Joy's style is all over the place in the best possible way," James says. "You can tell she's traveled a lot, and she's collected so many beautiful things. So I wanted to blend those objects with textures, patterns and colors that fit how bright, warm and fun she is."

The dining area consisted of a live-edge wood table that was handmade by one of Joy's friends and paired perfectly with it were upholstered chairs, which added a bit of softness to the space. Hung farmhouse pendants softly lit a gallery wall that consisted of artwork that Joy has accumulated throughout her travels.


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The bright and airy kitchen allows Joy to show off her collection of stunning serving pieces she uses for blog and cookbook shoots. And to really complete the space, Food52 pitched in and a selected a variety of baking supplies, from salvaged wood rolling pins to deep blue Staub French oven.

"Function is very important to me. I like things to look pretty, but I also need them to work. I need to be able to toss flour around the kitchen and not worry that an $800 bowl might break," she says.


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Joy is excited to use her newly redesigned space to celebrate the launch of her new brunch cookbook Over Easy. She can't wait for all cooking classes she plans to host and hopes to fill her beautiful home with new friends, warm pastries and delicious cocktails.


Credit: Courtesy


Credit: Courtesy

"I'm proud that I moved to a city where I didn't necessarily have a lot of people connections, that I'm pushing myself towards adventure. And now that the design process is done, I feel like I finally have the confidence and the excitement to invite people in here."

This article originally appeared on LaurelandWolf.com.