Return to General Diaz

2009-01-11T10:43:00.004-05:00

We had our first "real" Christmas in the new house. Rick went crazy with decorations - as you can see here!!!

Thought i would share some of the video from the recent snow...Christmas 2008 was magical...we ahd the entire family here for a very special christmas...details to follow.

2008-08-02T12:28:00.002-04:00

we had an article published about the house....they took btter pictures then I ever could.... the article is posted below without picture....

check out the pictures and article at:

http://www.neworleanshomesandlifestyles.com/in-this-issue/articles/news/yellow-brick-road-home-4146.html

2008-08-02T12:27:00.000-04:00

Yellow Brick Road Home August 1, 2008 1:28 PM
BY: EVE KIDD CRAWFORD, PHOTOGRAPHED BY GREG MILES
Rick Duplantier and Rob Clemenz want everyone to know that you can go home again.
One of the main things that Rick Duplantier and Rob Clemenz wanted in their new home was an open floor plan. The draperies in the living room were custom-made by Adrienne Clement, and the rug is from H.D. Buttercup in Los Angeles. The chairs and the ottoman are from Georgian Furnishing.
It hasn’t been quick or easy for Rick Duplantier and Rob Clemenz, whose Lakeview residence took on 7 feet of water as a result of Hurricane Katrina. The couple evacuated to Houston for a month and then lived in Mandeville until March 2006. Heartbroken upon their return to the city, they nevertheless knew that they wanted to rebuild right on the exact same spot. “Our neighbors were a big part of why we wanted so strongly to come back,” Duplantier, a partner at Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr and Smith, says. “We all rallied around each other and supported each other. But it was also a matter of principle: We were not going to let the storm chase us away.”Although they were some of the first Lakeview residents to get started with the rebuilding process by drawing up plans, demolishing their old home and signing a contract to begin construction, the process did not go as smoothly as planned.Struggles with contractors and suppliers held up the project, but despite the hassle, they stayed positive. Duplantier started a blog, returntogeneraldiaz.blogspot.com, to chronicle the rebuilding adventure. In March 2007, while he and Clemenz were living in Mid-City, he wrote: “As most of you know, I am not normally a patient man. In the new world order here in New Orleans, we must learn the art of patience, as the pace of recovery is much slower than we like. We understand that this thing that happened was unprecedented and the recovery is an endurance test. Intuitively we know, however, that our persistence will pay off ... eventually. For now, like Dorothy, we dream of going home. The ruby slippers have been delivered, they simply are not ready for us to put on just yet.”Because they had chosen to demolish and rebuild, Duplantier and Clemenz had a lot of choices to make about their new home. They wanted something unique but also felt a responsibility to preserve the architectural traditions of Lakeview. To help them meet this goal, they enlisted L. Katherine Harmon of LK Harmon Architects. “They didn’t want anything that looked just like the next-door neighbor’s home,” she says. “It was refreshing to not have that as a design goal. They wanted to embrace New Orleans traditions and keep some elements of Lakeview but not necessarily what they had before.”They also chose to use structural insulated panels, or SIPs, which offer much greater energy-efficiency but limit architectural options because they are prefabricated.“We’d originally wanted exposed rafters, but that wasn’t possible because of the SIPs,” says Harmon. “But oh, well. You can’t have everything in post-Katrina New Orleans.”On a smaller scale, the couple knew they wanted a spacious kitchen and an open floor plan. Clemenz, a lawyer who is taking a break to pursue a job hand-painting saints medals and writing contemporary stories to accompany them, adds, “Our prior home was a split level, and we wanted a simpler setup with higher ceilings.”The finished home is certainly striking from the street. “Our neighbor says it is a ‘big red barn,’ and that irked me at first,” Clemenz says. “But then I realized she had made a cute, apt description of our home. It’s a big red barn with modern amenities –– it might be the only big red barn that has a steam shower, a warmer tray and a six-burner stove.”When it came time to design the interior, the couple wanted outside opinions because they have very different senses of style. “I like simple, functional design –– clean lines but with a rustic feel,” says Duplantier. “Think Frank Lloyd Wright in the woods. But Rob’s style is clutter-messy and only functional to him.”Acting on a recommendation from one of Duplantier’s coworkers, they hired Jimmy Clay of Jimmy Clay Design. “I helped them select hard surfaces: flooring, cabinets, windows, doors and other interior architecture,” Clay says. “The kitchen is what I’m proudest of. I think it’s great: porcelain floors reminiscent of slate and the rustic character-maple cabinets.”Duplantier agrees with Clay about the kitchen. “It’s my favorite room in the house,” he says. “I never imagined I would have this much space to prepare meals. It has been a delight inviting friends over to create meals together in the kitchen.”Clemenz doesn’t have a favorite room but loves the added space of the new home. “I like that the house is large enough that you can get away for quiet time if desired,” he says.Duplantier and Clemenz moved into their new home three days before Christmas in 2007, and they have no regrets whatsoever about rebuilding.“Our favorite thing about the house is that it’s in New Orleans,” Duplantier says. “New Orleans has a big-city feel with small-town charm, a little bit of everything with a lazy feel about it. I think the Talking Heads said it best in their song ‘This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody)’: ‘Home is where I want to be, but I guess I am already there.’”

2008-02-10T16:33:00.000-05:00

You CAN go home again!!!

It has been an arduous, as well as exciting, process but we are home. I know it has been months since we have updated the blog, but getting the house done and moving has been priority one.

We finally moved home, into our new house actually, 3 days before Christmas. Not the most conveinent time to move - especially since Rob's business (http://www.saintsforsinners.com/) was exploding over the holidays. Nothing, however, could stop us from getting back to our beloved neighborhood.

Mardi Gras 2008 - getting ready in our new kitchen on Fat Tuesday!!

Front view of our big red barn (as Rob calls it)

This is the rear view and back porches - we seem to be spending a lot of our time sitting on the back porch....a New Orleans tradition!!
This is the pool house - we had to raise it so we could put a bathroom inside. Thanks to my brother-in-law Doug for building the deck, which still needs to be painted.

Pictures of the interior to follow!!

2007-08-04T19:24:00.000-04:00

Have no fear UNDERGOG is here!!!!!!!

The crew starting putting on the siding on Thursday, and with our super-dog Dusty barking orders they are sure moving fast. They had a work stoppage because none of the crew was able to drive the tractor, but then Dusty came to the rescue.

We were worried about the color, but are thrilled with how it is turning out. Now the dilemma is what color to paint the trim?? Rick wants gray and Rob wants white – we are taking suggestions for the next week, but please NO beige…

2007-07-10T17:41:00.000-04:00

You take the blue pill, the story ends and you wake up believing whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in wonderland and I show you just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

“The Matrix”

Clearly we have taken the red pill….we are just now realizing how deep this rabbit hole really is…..but the bottom may be in sight!!

We now have a completed roof – with shingles and all. More important, we have most of the windows and doors installed.

This is a picture of our new front door. This is one of the accessories that we obsessed over. We loved our old front door and wanted a similar feeling, but we also did not want a full glass so everyone could see inside. Conversely, Rob insisted that Dusty be able to see who was coming up the steps. We think this is a good compromise. I am a bit stressed that it may break as there is still a lot of workers that will come coming in and out of the house.

And this strange creature is the new cabana/guest house. Now that we are adding air conditioning and a bathroom, we had to raise the cabana to the new base flood elevation - same as the house. Yes, it does look a bit odd, but we are planning a deck/landing that extends around one side of the pool. Hopefully, it will make the raised cabana all work?? We shall see!

Let us know what you think of the developments. We are thrilled with the progress and the new contractor (TKMTJ) has stepped up the schedule to hopefully allow us to be home during Saints season.

2007-06-10T16:45:00.000-04:00

Fiddling on the roof.....yes, we will soon have a roof over our heads. As you can imagine, nothing is going exactly as planned. The new contractor, TKTMJ, sure seems to be an honest group. They work seven days a week and, except for some weather issues, have stayed on schedule....so here is the house with the roof partially done. The roof should be finished next week:

No the house is not tilting - this just shows off my photography skills!!

It may not seem like much progress, but it is all a bit deceiving - in a good way. The only interior framing left is the stairwell - which is halfway complete. Once that is done (monday) - we will start electrical and plumbing rough in. We have finished selceting floors, cabinets and the exterior.

Just to give you an idea of the height our our newly raised abode - here are a couple of pictures of the view from the upstairs.....

Front view

View from the master bedroom

2007-05-20T17:08:00.000-04:00

We are in the midst of picking out floors, tile and cabinets. The wood for the cabinets is called character maple, and we are putting a darker stain on them. Counter-tops are natural (not polished) black granite. I am trying to convince Rob to let me have distressed wood, pine floors, but he does not know that yet……

Here is Rob checking out progess:

Don't you just love the steps.....make you realize how high off the ground our first floor is going to be, but we sure will end up with a great view of the park from the second floor.

This is me standing at the spot where the kitchen sink will eventually be located...

2007-05-20T17:06:00.000-04:00

Rear View of the completed first and second

floors - THE BACK PORCH IS AWESOME!

2007-05-20T17:02:00.000-04:00

Okay people, this is what we call real progress!!!!

The exterior walls are framed for the first and second floor and the interior walls are done on the first. By the time I write this, the second story will likely be completed as well. These Oklahoma boys are working non-stop. They are even working Sundays!! It’s funny to stop by when they are working, because they are as proud of the house as we are.

This actually does mean weekly updates!

2007-04-28T12:10:00.000-04:00

When you wish upon a star……sometimes wishes do come true. Finally, we have real progress with the house! After months of contractor problems, more on that later, we have actually started building. It seems that the contractor moved a crew done here from Oklahoma and they are not leaving until the house is done. We do plan to give them one day off to enjoy Jazz Fest – I assume that these country boys will want to be front and center at the Brad Paisley jazz fest performance….

So, this is a front view of the house. What you are seeing is the framed first floor!! The house raised about 3.5 feet off the ground – which is why it looks like it is on stilts.

Another front view. You can see up the panels are put together, leaving no gaps in the exterior frame and thick insulation for the complete exterior frame. We have been told that the utility usage and costs will be reduced by fifty percent with this type of construction.

Back view. It sure does seem small right now, although it clearly is going to tower over the house next door!! Rumor has it the Judy has already deemed the house a MONSTROSITY. I consider that a compliment.

One last back view. The large openings are for the French doors and transoms. It sure looks like our wishes for plenty of light in the living room!

2007-03-31T19:01:00.000-04:00

HOLY DELAYS BATMAN!!!!!!

This has been a maddening three months….but that is about to change.

As most of you know, I am not normally a patient man. In the new world order here in New Orleans we must learn the art of patience, as the pace of recovery is much slower then we like. We understand that this thing that happened was unprecedented and the recovery is an endurance test.

Intuitively we know, however, that our persistence will pay off...eventually. For now, like Dorothy, we dream of going home. The ruby slippers have been delivered, they simply are not ready or us to put on just yet.

Although the foundation was completed in December 2006, we have had no visible progress since that time. There has been some “behind” the scene developments, or so the contractor says. Admittedly, we made a few changes to the plans, but the real problem has been the company manufacturing the Panels (SIPS) that we will be using to build the house. The first company was a complete failure, so the contractor had to find a more reputable and reliable company.

Once that was accomplished, we discovered the new company could manufacture both the panels (made of light gauge steel) and the interior studs made of aluminum (heavy gauge). The end result will be a sturdier and more energy efficient house inside and out. The problem was, however, that we had to make sure the plans were absolutely (or as close as we could get to) final. Making changes to steel panels and metal studs will be both a pain in the a** and expensive…..and so we have been waiting and waiting an waiting.………

Finally, when we were at the end of our rope, they delivered our house. What you talkin about Willis!!?? Delivered a house? Well they delivered the exterior panels that will make up the exterior frame and roof and delivered the interior metal studs. Rumor has it (which means the contractor says so) that this means the building will move at the speed of light from here on out!!

So here are a few picture of the truck carrying our house to the lot. And pictures of the Panels and frame sitting patiently on the lot across the street. (Thanks go to Barbara and Jacque Roy – our friends and neighbors who are allowing us to store our house on their lot while the building commences).

So for real this time, yeah right, watch for weekly updates as the stack of metal becomes our home.

Thanks

Rick

p.s. we love hearing everyone's thougths

2007-03-31T11:41:00.000-04:00

During this insane, ridiculous, obnoxious and maddening delay in building the house, we did have some exciting news. Rob's medals were recently included in the Mother's Day gift guide of People En Espanol magazine......see below.

You can check out his work at www.saintsforsinners.com

2006-12-27T20:00:00.000-05:00

Look what Santa brought us for Christmas!!

Yes Virginia, it is the foundation for the house and the cabana. It may not look like much, but to us it rivals the seven wonders of the world. Framing of the house (using the steel panels) can begin in a few weeks - after the concrete cures properly. In the meantime, we will be making decisons on windows and doors.

2006-12-14T20:09:00.000-05:00

Please forgive my straying, yet again, from the task at hand. Rebuilding can wait a few days, and even a few months if this continues....the SAINTS winning that is.... Like so many others here in New Orleans the focus of my attention has shifted. Frustration, despair and worry are no longer the center of our lives, instead we have JOY. For so many years we have waited for a real team, and it has been delivered.

Why is this important? Do you have to ask....but to steal a portion of Chris Rose's column last week: Thomas Paine wrote: "The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph."

Living here in New Orleans we face a struggle each day, still forced to confront the devastation of our great, ruined city. But we rejoice, because just like the Saints we will rise and show the world the champions we truly are.

It is more then just the fact that this team is winning. It is the way in which these players have taken our City on their backs. Instead of seeing this as just another job, or another team they have acknowledged the respsonsibility to lift our spirts and have done so with grace and humility. And, most importantly, have played thier hearts out for us.

This picture says it all...tell me another team or player that would respond with such emotion after winning a simple, regular season game:

Mike Karney after the Saints victory over Atlanta on the

reopening of the dome September 25, 2006.

BLESS YOU BOYS::::

2006-12-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

The countdown has begun!!!

Ready, set, go ……

Liftoff……

Start your engines…..

We have progress.

It may not look like much, but a lot happened on General Diaz this week. They began actual, real godforsaken, construction of the new house. Work began early Monday morning, just like the contractor promised. What was even more surprising was that the crew was working everyday, all day this week. Our wonderful neighbors, most of who are all working on their own homes, gave us reports all week about when the crew showed up and left….little does our contractor know that it is not just us watching, but the entire block.

The forms for the foundation for the house (not the cabana) have been set and the plumbing rough-in for the foundation is done. The survey lines for the cabana have been set and the forms should be done Monday (12/11).

2006-12-10T11:10:00.000-05:00

We did have one small set back (well we had two, but I am going to ignore, for now, the complaining by our ridiculous next door neighbor Judy). On Tuesday the contractor called and advised that we needed to remove two of the trees that we had saved when we demolished the house.

Look at the picture closely…..compare to an earlier picture of the empty lot…..

Can you tell which two trees are now gone. They were both to the right of the pool, one bartlet pear and one palm. We thought we might lose the pear, but had hoped to save the palm. We even priced having the palm dug out and moved temporarily. Alas, the cost was prohibitive and they were taken out on Thursday to allow for the plumbing lines to be installed.

The contractor says we are almost on schedule, so stay tuned for weekly updates!

2006-11-26T18:22:00.000-05:00

Ladies and gentlemen we have........excuses! We are "scheduled" to start the foundation next week. Which in contractor speak is sometime in the next month or two.

The weather here has been delightful for weeks, with only one day of rain recently. Well that one day is the day they were supposed to start the foundation. More river sand and dirt have been added to the lot and it has been compacted. The picture to the left was taken yesterday. Can you tell a difference?

So stay tuned for actual building soon (we hope).

In the meantime, I am going to post a few pictures of our recent trip to Provence with our friends Michele and Mary....we bought some fabrics and other things for the new house. Enjoy

p.s. You can click on the picutres to see a larger version.

2006-11-26T18:18:00.000-05:00

We'll always have Paris!

We spent a few days in Paris. Our friends Tim and Pia

introduced us to a delightful bistro on the banks of the Seine.

2006-11-26T12:57:00.000-05:00

Driving aroud the countryside, we stumbled upon the centruies old, beautiful church.

Everyday we found these gems.

2006-11-26T12:44:00.000-05:00

Remember these shutters....

This is the courtyard and upstairs window of the house we rented in Provence, right outside Lourmarin. The chateau sat in the middle of an olive grove, and was just a charming and relaxing place to end each day.

Now we plan to use similar working shutters on our new house, although likely a different color.

2006-11-26T12:39:00.000-05:00

"LOST IN AVIGNON"

2006-11-12T12:19:00.000-05:00

So this is a FEMA trailer! Yep, right next door to our lot, our neighbor is living in a FEMA trailer while her house is renovated. We are hoping that it is gone by the time the house is finshed.....

2006-11-12T12:09:00.000-05:00

Duh...in response to my friend Steve's question, I guess I should explain that we are building on the same spot.

Here is a picture of the lot as it is today....house has been demolished and they have installed pilings (they are underground). The pool has been drained, cleaned, refilled and is fenced off.

If you have not been to visit before, it is a bit hard to explain the lots in Lakeview. There are no driveways in the front of our homes, as an alleyway runs in the back of the houses. The new cabana will be in the back of the lot, along the alleyway. The driveway will be behind the fence on the left.

2006-11-12T11:47:00.000-05:00

We have plans!!!!

It is vitally important for all of New Orleans that we maintan the architectural integrity of this historical city. Lakeview, our neighborhood, was primarliy craftsman and post-war bungalow homes. We have tried to continue this concept with our new house - except this one will be raised 4 feet off the ground!

This is the front view of the house.

2006-11-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

This is the rear of the house.

We have (so far) been able to save the pool.....Pilings were driven last week for the new foundation. It seems that no cracks have developed in the pool, so despite what it looked like after the hurricane, it may be as good as new by the spring.

2006-11-11T19:45:00.000-05:00

We are one year post-Katrina (we call it "the thing" here) and finally have said good-bye to the the old house.

2006-11-11T17:45:00.000-05:00

As most of you know by now, we had a bit of water in our house in Lakeview last year. It is now one year post-Katrina and things are finally looking up. This past week we signed the contract to build our new house! It could be a fun and exciting six months (if you believe the contractor’s promises) or a stressful year and half (if you listen to the skeptics). Either way, we want to be able to share it with our friends and family from around the globe. We hope that by sharing this process, you will all get to see a small part of New Orleans recovery. More importantly, you will also know when we are finished, and it time to schedule your visit to our new home and the renewed New Orleans.
Before moving ahead, however, we want to take a look back. In an effort to give our friends who have not been to see the damage in New Orleans firsthand (yet), I am going to post some pictures of the house from both before and after Katrina. By doing this we seek no sympathy or tears, you have already shared enough of your love and support. Nevertheless, some may be new friends and still others have not seen or fully understood the difficult task that has faced us the past twelve months. Your comments are welcome, but please know our great city has turned a corner and only a bright future lays ahead for us all.

2006-11-11T17:14:00.000-05:00

This is not an illusion or shadow - the water in the pool was a black as oil when we arrived. It was months before we could drain the pool (no electricity)......by the time it was drained there were fish living in there.

2006-11-11T17:13:00.000-05:00

Den after: Guess I won’t be using my favorite chair anytime soon!

2006-11-11T17:09:00.000-05:00

Six weeks later we finally returned home. It took two hours, and an ax, to get the door of the den opened. It was two weeks before I could walk down there, knowing that a lot of special things we had collected over the years were in this room.

2006-11-11T17:05:00.000-05:00

Rob's home office: This area was comepletely underwater for six weeks. The roof had collapsed and the wet, and very smelly, drywall was everywhere. Most of our photos we have taken over the course of 20 years were in one of the file cabinets. Rob also had over 4000 medals he had bought in Rome for www.saintsforsinners.com in the office. He later saved all of them and although they are ruined he plans to share them with the saintsforsinners.com family

2006-11-11T16:51:00.000-05:00

Kitchen was disgusting. Until you experience it first hand, you cannot imagine the inside of a fridge or a pantry that has sat in 6 feet of water for a month.

2006-11-11T16:49:00.000-05:00

It was a month and a half before the city
officially allowed us to return to Lakeview. Like many
of our neighbors we found ways of sneaking into Lakeview
to assess our property and protect what was salvageable.
This was how we communicated with our neighbors, since
most cell phones did not work and we had no idea where
they were or when they would be back. We all took to
posting notes on each others doors. You do not realize
how much neighbors can mean to you….until

2006-11-11T16:43:00.000-05:00

Yes, the table was upright when we evacuated. It was bizarre how things were moved around the house by the water. The glass top for the table was across the room, with not a scratch on it– not that I would ever use it again. You can kind of see the water line in this picture. If you look at the candle holders on the back right side, there is a line near the top of the highest candle (kind of hard to tell as it is somewhat faint). From what we understand that was the highest point of the water. The next line down is the where the water leveled off and stayed for about 10 days, then began to gradually subside over the next few weeks. I declined to save anything from this room, except for the chandelier!! Keep your eye out for that fixture, as it will be in the new house.

2006-11-11T16:41:00.000-05:00

Do not worry - Natasha made it home safely. Here is a picture after she was bathed and had a haircut

2006-11-11T16:14:00.000-05:00

This was the front of the house about 8 weeks after Katrina and 4 weeks after the flood waters receded. It was Rob's second trip to the house (the first with a camera), trying to locate our cat Natasha. We had left her home because she was going crazy with the dog in the car and we could not find her travel case in the rush to evacuate. We thought she had been taken by the animal rescue volunteers, but were not sure. He had left a note for our neighbors on the front door - which was the only way to get messages to the at the time. Rob discovered Natasha a week later, hiding inside the box spring in the guest bedroom.