Valerie Vides is a longtime lover of old homes and buying a 1908 double shotgun in 2016 began her love affair of hands-on preservation work. In 2018, her passion launched NOLA Wood Windows, with her husband Gus, focusing on restoration of original windows protecting the sense of place and historic fabric of New Orleans.
Over the past 7 years her company has restored countless windows including the vitrine windows and doors at the Bosque House in the French Quarter. Valerie blends restoration with modern weatherization techniques to address energy efficiency concerns while supporting the carbon neutrality of a historic home. Addressing rattling, drafty, leaking concerns saves many windows thought to be ready for replacement. If replacement is needed, reclaimed cypress or sapele is used to build custom windows using traditional joinery methods. She often partners with other restoration companies to work on projects and to share knowledge and support.
Valerie is the Window Preservation Alliance Past President and is focused on education and amplifying the voices of the window restoration trade. She is a sought-after speaker and works with the VCC Foundation and Preservation Resource Center to present workshops focused on care and demystifying windows. She also teaches Conservation Technology as an Adjunct Lecturer at Tulane University School of Architecture. Valerie is a regular demonstrator at Jazz Fest in the Architectural Trades tent and is honored to spark curiosity about the historic building trades with hands-on activities for kids to glaze and deconstruct a traditional window.
Outside of work and teaching, she founded a HR Compliance and Payroll company for small businesses, a charter member and float lieutenant in the Krewe of Themis focused on social justice causes, ICIC Building for Growth alumni and a Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program Alumni & Program Ambassador.