We are a shotgun. Not to get all Faulkner on you a la "My mother is a fish," but we are. We are a shotgun. The shotgun is a celebrated style of home in the region that has many variations. The basic foundation of a shotgun is its interconnected rooms. There are sidehalls, camelbacks, and doubles, but we are the classic single with some arts & crafts features to us. Originally Du Mois was a single family residence. But as the Freret corridor has grown over the decades (almost centuries), the neighborhood transformed from a thriving blue collar staple to the Uptown area through most of the 20th century then falling into inner city mediocrity as the suburbs have grown to the renaissance of interest we are presently experiencing.
Our bones are estimated to be 120 to 140 years old for the two reasons. One, there is no subfloor. Like the birth of the modern closet, the subfloor is an invention and addition to construction that appeared in the 20th century. But more importantly our floorboard width is a dead giveaway to being constructed in the 19th century. Generally the wider the board, the older the home as materials over time have become less plentiful or moreso regimented or restricted. Other than that at some point some arts & crafts columns and bookcases were added, perhaps mid 20th century, creating a double parlor effect to the entryway. Also, the baseboard has something of a beadboard or deco effect perhaps indicating a 1920s install. In short, we are a prime example of a New Orleans home that has become a business with a wonderful supposition to its overall history, not unlike other examples around the city.