SOUTHERN COMFORT Above, a four-posted French iron bed from Bush antiques, and, INSET, the author at her desk
 
  ---There is some cross-pollination between the two spots: I bought the Aubusson in New York from Bush Antiques; the mirror over the mantel is from Patrick Dunne. The shells covering my tables are silver Sheffield ashtrays (an instant collection from an actuall living relation, my generous uncle Michael); in New Orleans they are from the ocean. Down there, I also have more pairs of Keds than Manolos, but the daybed in my office is covered with pillows handpainted with images of them, annual Christmas presents from the designer. Still, the two abodes are mostly separate worlds. If the Romans are right, then I am something of a schizophrenic. And definitely the logistics get confusing, But I don’t care. I can’t imagine living in one world without the other.