Bon Vivant New Orleans, a line of Cigar Box Edison Lamps, will pop up on Small Business Saturday, November 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Fleurty Girl located at 3117 Magazine Street. Fleurty Girl is a boutique full of curated southern goods like t-shirts, accessories, home decor, music and books, with locations across the New Orleans metro area. "I spent time with Fleurty Girl owner Lauren Thom at the Magazine store during Art for Arts Sake recently," said Drue Deshotels. "I had a great time visiting with her and her customers, and I'm excited for the chance to partner with her to offer a gift that's different but still made locally to her customers and passing shoppers." Fleurty Girl is owned by Lauren Haydel and the two have known each other for years and her support of local artists is signature to her brand. "Drue gifted my husband and me a Cigar Box lamp in black and gold for our new home in the Garden District," said Haydel. "The lamps are a unique gift option for those hard to shop for people on your list." Every artist or craftsman dreams of having a client who becomes a patron and promoter. I found mine when Barbara Weaver discovered my cigar box lamps. She instantly ordered one for her husband’s birthday. Then a few days later, she ordered one for herself. Every couple of weeks since then she’s bought a few more and as of the beginning of November, the majority of her holiday shopping is done and her nearest and dearest will soon come to own one for themselves. Get to know a little about Barbara and her fascination with the Cigar Box Edison Lamps in this question and answer interview. BV: Describe your decorating style. BW: I like anything that serves dual purposes, like an ottoman with storage, or a chaise lounge that is wide and comfortable enough to serve as a single-guest bed. These Bon Vivant lamps are not just decorative, choose the right size box and you can store the TV remote control or something more precious inside. BV: What is it about the Cigar Box Edison Lamps that are so appealing to you? BW: It has the look of nostalgia, and it's very versatile for both men and women. Choose the right color of the cigar box and you'll have a 'handsome' looking lamp piece for the guy on your list. Same again on the selection of the cigar box, plus the soft ambiance glow from the Edison bulb makes the lamp 'feminine' for the gal on your list. BV: You are purchasing them as gifts for Christmas? Why do you think they make great gifts? BW: These lamps are unique and no two are alike. Each cigar box has its own artwork and coloring, and as with the recipients on our Christmas list, there's a variation in personality. BV: There are a few you've purchased for yourself. Where do you use yours? BW: Mine is in my office. I love showing it off! I turn the lamp on during the afternoon hours as the sun goes down and I can tell my colleagues see the lamp when they walk by my office. My husband has his to store the TV remote controls—guess whose idea that was? Weaver is a kind, funny and supportive friend who we’ve gotten to know well over the past year. She and her husband David live on the Northshore with their Cairn Terrier named Simon who'll be celebrating his third birthday in November. Our friends Kathy and Nelson were set to get married in a beautiful outdoor wedding at a venue at the foot of the Mississippi River levee with live oaks, strand lights at sunset on October 7. Picture perfect was an understatement. As the weekend finally approached, family had convened in New Orleans from near and far, Hurricane Nate reared its eye and appeared to be headed for the New Orleans. On Friday, Mayor Mitch Landrieu in an overabundance of caution called a mandatory citywide curfew for 6 p.m. Saturday night just minutes before their ceremony was to start. As if weddings aren’t laborious enough, having to move everything—caterer, florist, cake delivery, makeup artists, hair stylists, car services, etc.—up three hours, communicating with guests the time change was also a task. With all this though, the couple remained calm and rolled with the punches. Having lived in Louisiana long enough to know, if you hate the weather, wait five minutes, Nate made a turn, the weather ended up to be beautiful, and the curfew was lifted just 90 minutes after it took effect. With my wife’s profession, we weren’t able to make it as she was engrossed in the Nate activities and we didn’t make the wedding. We met for happy hour two weeks later to give them their wedding present made especially for them and one-of-a-kind—a white cigar box with two Edison bulbs to light up their nights from now until forever. “Our beautiful lamp is a perfect fit for brightening up our bar top,” said Kathy. “The bulbs cast a lovely light and the dimmer is a brilliant extra (lagniappe, perhaps). We are delighted to have received such a thoughtful, useful and gorgeous gift, and can’t wait to show it off!” Cigar boxes have some complex, beautiful designs and New Orleans area graphic designer Brian Rome has a certain appreciation for composition, color and fonts. Actually, Bon Vivant founder Drue Deshotels selected Rome to design the logo which has gotten numerous compliments since the launch. “The combination of the cigar box and the antique style light fixture beckons nostalgia,” said Rome. “At first, I didn’t know where it would live in our house, but I set it down on my nightstand and that’s where it’s been ever since.” Rome’s wife thought it was a clever way to upcycle. Although his lamp is more masculine than her taste, she finds it fits in with their master bedroom décor handsomely. “I showed a few of my good friends my lamp and they all thought it was sharp looking lamp,” Rome added. “I would recommend this for anyone getting married as they’d make awesome groomsmen gifts. In addition to his full time work as a graphic designer, Rome is also a woodworker and painter in New Orleans. Visit his Facebook page here. He and his wife Ashley just celebrated their second wedding anniversary and have a house in Metairie. If I should ever, God forbid, need a defense attorney, I’m calling Lindsey Williams. If he’s half as committed to his clients as he is to his wife and four sons, then he’ll be my first call. To hear of his courtroom performance, he’s an advocate, informative, authoritative, compelling and passionate. He’s friendly and personable and hanging out with him and his wife is a whole lot of fun. Back in August, I exhibited the lamps at the Louisiana Restaurant EXPO at the Convention Center and Williams came by a few times to visit. He had his eye on one of the cigar box lamps and shortly after the EXPO, we closed the deal for his law office. “I’ve received numerous comments about my lamp,” said Williams. “I intend to buy an attorney friend a lamp as a Christmas gift because he’s complimented me on the uniqueness and beauty of the lamp on more than one occasion.” He adds, “It’s functional and a conversation piece.” Drue Deshotels is pleased to announce his line of custom cigar box Edison lamps to shoppers in the Greater New Orleans area. Each cigar box is personally sourced within the market and selected for its size, color and graphics. Each lamp contains a retractable cage to protect the bulb and also adds a decorative detail reminiscent of the industrial era, and a dimmer switch to adjust the lighting from morning, day and evening. These cigar box Edison lamps are excellent statement pieces in any living room, bar, study or boudoir and are sure to spark conversation.
“It started with one box and an idea while I was walking through the liquor department of my local Rouses,” said Deshotels. “After the first prototype, I showed it to a few friends and they all wanted one for themselves.” Lamps are offered in two models—the Valet and the Tall. The valet model allows for storage of keys, a wallet, watch or remote controls. The Tall model has more height and allows for hidden, not frequently accessed storage. Both retail for just $60. “There’s a sophisticated masculinity to the Bon Vivant lamp,” said Client and Videographer Max Cusimano of Nolavid. “I love how it makes my home office feel.” Deshotels exhibited in the Louisiana Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO in early August and sold more than 30 of his lamps at the show. He also took several custom orders for businesses and personal use. “I love unique, one-of-kind art pieces, and if it’s also functional, then I’m in! I especially like that it is handcrafted from a local artisan who is reusing materials otherwise would be discarded,” said Client Barbara Weaver. “The Bon Vivant cigar box Edison lamps, both in my home and office, are beautiful additions.” Bon Vivant New Orleans cigar box Edison lamps are available at NOLA Boards at 4304 Magazine St. and 519 Wilkinson St., Ste. 105; and Zèle NOLA at 2841 Magazine St. For more information, visit us on Facebook @bonvivantneworleans. Bon Vivant New Orleans cigar box Edison lamps are available at NOLA Boards at 4304 Magazine St. and 519 Wilkinson St., Ste. 105; and Zèle NOLA at 2841 Magazine St. I've had a few people ask me where I make my cigar box Edison lamps? The answer, my closet located in the guest room. Don't think I've been punished by any means though. The closet is bigger than my wife's in the Master bedroom, and houses my wardrobe and now my business. My work space is an antique desk that came out of the Stern Hall attic and a chair that came from Rosenwald Hall's attic, both from Dillard University in the early 2000s. (They were bound for the dumpster and my wife rescued them).
I installed a shelf to hold the stacks of cigar boxes that have yet to become lamps and finished lamps for individual sales or consignment at NOLA Boards hang out around the house plugged in until they are ready to be delivered. There are several satisfying aspects of Bon Vivant, but the initial thrill comes when I find a perfect cigar box--one that is the right size, color and has interesting graphics. Yesterday, was an out of the ordinary scouting trip that yielded seven light wood boxes, a color I tend to stray from. These however, had really interesting graphics and the sizes, with exception of two, will make beautiful valet models (for storage purposes). The Four Kicks box will be transformed into a tall model lamp, while the Oscar will find a new life as a mounted key storage box to accompany a front door or mud room. If you see one you are interested in and would like me to make a lamp for your home, bar, study or office, shoot me a message through the contact page here. When it comes to cutting edge home furnishings and decor, our friends at Abode in Metairie have it on lock. From locally inspired decorative items to throws and throw pillows, tablescapes and much more, you can now find our Cigar Box Edison Lamps among their offerings. If you are in the Metairie area, stop in and peek at these unique lamps sure to compliment any home, office, study or bar.
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