Homey Helium

Some people make a living building things. Others make a living making those things look good.

There’s more to decoration than meets the eye. Space has a tremendous impact on how we think and feel. Sometimes it really is all about appearances, and that’s true whether you’re picking out curtains for your living room or designing an arch of balloons for a wedding.

Our own spaces can tell the world a lot about who we are. Take a look at my desk for instance, and you’ll know right away I’m not someone you’d hire to design your workspace. For that, you should probably call my guest Krysten Ledet

Krysten is the founder and owner of Krysten Ledet Interiors, a full-service design firm that handles renovations, new construction, spec homes, commercial spaces, and hospitality builds. She grew up in New Orleans and earned her bachelor’s in interior design from UL Lafayette before pursuing a master’s degree. She’s a certified interior designer and licensed contractor—so she’s as comfortable knocking down your walls as she is selecting your wallpaper.

Krysten Ledet’s comany, Krysten Ledet Interiors, doesn’t pick out cushions for your couch (though she’ll do that too if you want), that’s a decorator. Krtsyten is a designer, which is a whole other thing. It’s the vital link between your architect and contractor. And, continuing to defy expectations, Krysten is a registered contractor too

Krysten’s design philosophy is shaped by her childhood in New Orleans and by Hurricane Katrina, which put 20 feet of water in her childhood home and left a lasting impression about what “home” really means. After stints working for commercial clients, she returned to residential design and eventually launched her own firm in 2020, partly to spend more time with her family and partly to stop commuting to Baton Rouge.

Bianca Russo is the owner of Louisiana Balloons Atelier, a custom balloon and event décor studio based in Sunset.

Bianca Russo, Owner of Louisiana Balloons Atelier, follows in her mom’s footsteps. Her mom had a specialty balloon store in her native Brazil, Bianca opened her balloon store in Sunset in 2025

Bianca grew up in Brazil, where balloon décor is serious business—and also her family business. Her mother ran a balloon shop and passed down the craft, though Bianca initially took a very different career path, attending dental school before moving to Canada and eventually becoming a dental assistant in Las Vegas.

After relocating to Louisiana, Bianca opened her own balloon studio in 2025. Louisiana Balloons Atelier offers everything from simple foil balloons to fully customized installations for weddings, birthdays, graduations, divorces, sporting events—basically anywhere cake is served, balloons follow.