On December 7th, 98 we helped advertise a party that Trent Reznor was having at his Garden District Mansion in New Orleans for Friday, December 11th, 98. Trent offered his home as a first time peek inside his fully refurbished Greek Revival mansion for those who were lucky enough to obtain reservations with the Preservation Resource Center (PRC).

Well, during the party a few SLS viewers were able to join and later sent in their reviews of the party and Trent's mansion. The other day, a new viewer contacted me and sent in a very large review of the Mansion.


Trent Reznor's Garden District Mansion (part one - first floor)

The beautiful two story southern traditional on Coliseum St. was spectacular on this crisp December night (12/11/98). There were white lights on the trees in the inner yard, which could barely be seen from the street due to the high, thick- shrubbed fence. A bar and admission table were set up on the opposite ends of the smallest front porch; or maybe the porch just seemed small because of the herd of people being made to wait outside. (We came early)

The party was in honor of the Preservation Resource Centers 25th anniversary and only patron members ($500) were invited to purchase tickets ($75 per person). This house, re-vamped by Mr. Reznor and his architect Rick Fifeld, had never been opened to (basically) anyone since the renovation and Trent's residency. Also, security checks were done on everyone who attended beforehand.

Upon entering the double galleried home, guests were greeted first by upper members of the PRC, and then his attorney who said those magical words, "And I present to you your host for the evening, Mr. Trent Reznor." Boy was I in shock. I shook his hand, and told him it was both a great honor and pleasure to have finally met him. This took place in front of an enormous Christmas Tree (Douglas Fir maybe 15ft) brightly decorated with colored lights and presents under the tree-very festive! (We didnšt think to bring him a present) On the left of the entrance hall was a staircase decked with beautiful lush green garlands. Straight-ahead was the tile-floored kitchen. To the right was a large room with two gallery entrances via the main hall. This large room had two tables set up with appetizers galore across the marble mantelpiece. Black velvet curtains emphasized the 20ft high ceilings. Rich, dark, Victorian looking wallpaper was used throughout the house, including this room. (Just a little note, a very close friend of mine bartended a private party for record execs. At his house a year ago and he swore that the chandelier had a large goldfish bowl with live fish swimming in it. It was not there on this night.)

Back to the main hall, there was a rich wood settee (type of antique couch) and a bureau type table. The most interesting piece was an antique metal nymph-like sculpture beneath the staircase, with a light above it. Past this sculpture you enter a sitting room, where his black grand piano sat with a microphone on a stand next to it. (Of course images of Trent playing on it later that night went through my head, but later realized that was not going to happen---too bad eh?) Also, on the white bookshelves in the corner were his Grammys (plural)!

Connecting the kitchen and the sitting room was a small, darkly lit dining room with a rough wood table and pew-like benches at each end. The kitchen is next, with my favorite part of the house. Proudly displayed on the wall were the originals (I donšt know which came first) of some of the artwork from, "The Downward Spiral" and the home video "Closure." Very cool to see up close and in person, different textures, wire and maybe hair, with vibrant colors. And the painting from The Downward Spiral, if you notice on the back cover I believe, a few white dots, that almost come out as a horizontal line towards the bottom/middle of the picture, are actually human teeth. ---- Molars to be exact... and the one in the center were missing.

The upstairs and back yard to follow!