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In the heart of Uptown New Orleans, our architectural journey unfolds, breathing new life into this existing Eastlake style home. Our mission to reimagine its space, refine its design, and enhance its functionality are cataloged in these photographs. The initial challenge lay in the home’s many small rooms. Our vision was to transform them into fewer, more expansive areas creating a harmonious flow that celebrates both history and modern living. We took a fresh approach to bedroom design, ensuring comfort and privacy for both parents and children.

Our redesign also thoughtfully addresses the family’s needs, creating inviting sanctuaries for rest and relaxation. To optimize functionality, we crafted a dedicated workout room on the second floor. The removal of the rear staircase allowed us to fashion a spacious and well-appointed laundry room on the same level, bringing convenience to everyday tasks. One of the most captivating aspects of this project was the restoration of the historic staircase leading to the third floor. By opening up this previously concealed treasure, we have created a space where kids can learn, play, and explore. The transformation extends outdoors, where a sparkling swimming pool awaits just beyond a narrow rear porch. This idyllic setting invites family and friends to unwind and create lasting memories.

In our journey of restructuring this project, we have not only refined the design but also preserved the charm while infusing it with the comfort and convenience of modern living. It is a harmonious blend of history and innovation, creating a sanctuary for this Uptown New Orleans family.

Having completed our client’s second home in New Orleans, they requested design assistance with a new boathouse at their summer island in Muskoka. The existing boathouse, slated for demolition, had a flat roof and bore no resemblance to the main cottage. Collectively, we devised a masterplan for the island siting the structure down the shore so not to impact views from the cottage. By aligning the new boathouse with sun angles allows our clients to enjoy both outdoor seating and beautiful sunsets over the water. The sun-filled living space on the second level, with it’s large stone fireplace, now has a more symbiotic relationship with the main cottage. A rich, cedar-lined ground floor, with it’s fully functioning boat slips, evokes the rich feeling of wooden boats once made in the area. The boathouse has become the perfect spot for the family to enjoy summer life on the water.

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This new residence in Lakeview, situated on an expansive lot, perfectly caters to a growing family with our thoughtful three-floor design. With an emphasis on casual living, we created a rear-entry garage that leads to a stunning outdoor cooking area. Adjacent to this, a pool opens up to various entertainment spaces, blending indoor and outdoor living seamlessly. The drawings also feature a dedicated home office for our professional client. The dining room, a blend of elegance and functionality, boasts stylish display cabinets. The luxury kitchen is equipped with high-end appliances and complemented by an all-glass breakfast room.

This serene space, overlooking the pool, creates a leisurely connection to the kitchen through elegant glass cabinetry. Continuing on the third floor, we designed a bedroom as a perfect haven for boys, completing this family-centric home where every detail is crafted for comfort and style.

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In this Camelback renovation, we blended the charm of Craftsman style with contemporary functionality. The exterior, a faithful replication of the Craftsman aesthetic, invites you into a world where tradition meets modernity. Inside, the transformation is striking. We opened up the interiors, fostering a spacious living area that flows seamlessly, ideal this family’s gatherings and holiday celebrations. The heart of the home is the Shaker-style kitchen, featuring full-height cabinets that offer ample storage without sacrificing style. The kitchen’s design is both a nod to the past and a step into the future, equipped with modern appliances and finishes. A built-in bar adds a touch of sophistication, ensuring this space is not just a house, but a home for making memories.

The primary suite on the ground floor, complete with a home office, provides a private retreat within the home. French doors from the primary bedroom directly out to the new rear porch provide a quiet spot to have coffee in the morning. The new luxurious primary bath was created to provide our clients the escape they were looking for while in residence. Upstairs we were able to carve out three bedrooms, one ensuite and the other two, connected by a Jack and Jill bathroom. offering comfort and convenience for all guests. Throughout, pine flooring adds warmth and continuity, echoing the home’s Craftsman roots. This renovation isn’t just a building project; it’s a reimagining of space, tailored for those seeking a blend of historical charm and modern living.

Our architectural endeavor on St. Charles Avenue redefines a New Orleans classic, melding timeless design with contemporary elegance. Central to this renovation is the addition of a center hall staircase, creating a unifying axis that enhances flow and function across all three levels of the home. The design strategy focused on enlarging cased openings between rooms, ensuring seamless transitions while maintaining the integrity of each space. In the study, book-matched paneling in rich antique cypress exudes sophistication, reflecting our commitment to craftsmanship. We also prioritized clear circulation paths, allowing for an intuitive and unobstructed journey through the house. This clarity of movement is complemented by a built-in library in the hall leading to the primary suite, an embodiment of both luxury and practicality. The primary bathroom is a showcase of refinement, featuring herringbone tile that adds texture and visual interest.

The basement of the house proved to be the most challenging.  Restructuring of the ceiling structure was paramount due to the already low ceilings.  We wanted to expose some of the original structure while, at the same time, open up the spaces to feel more connected to the beautiful new backyard.  Enhancing the home’s distinctive character, pecky cypress doors adorn five closets and the entire exterior wall, marrying functionality with the unique charm inherent to this storied wood. The newly renovated 3 story house now preserves the original feeling of this center hall cottage yet opens up rooms and circulation to today’s way of life.

In the heart of the New Orleans Mid-City neighborhood, our architectural vision breathes new life into this historic Allard Boulevard house. Our design harmonizes the home’s storied past with modern luxury, particularly in the gourmet kitchen which is the centerpiece of this transformation. We expanded the kitchen, seamlessly integrating a large porch addition at the rear. This new space not only enhances the culinary experience but also serves as a gateway to the serene swimming pool, creating a perfect blend of indoor and outdoor living. The kitchen is outfitted with top-of-the-line Woodmode cabinets and Subzero appliances, ensuring both elegance and functionality. A custom vent hood stands as a testament to bespoke craftsmanship, while the abundant natural light accentuates the refined finishes.

The living area is reimagined as spacious and inviting, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the property’s signature oak tree. This thoughtful design element connects the interior with the natural beauty of its surroundings, creating a tranquil backdrop for everyday living. Second floor spaces were reimagined with the Primary suite perched up among the large oaks on Allard. The circulation was reworked and now leads to several ensuite bedrooms and baths. Our approach to the restoration of the Allard Boulevard house was to respect and preserve its historical essence while introducing contemporary elements, culminating in a space that is not just a house, but a luminous and luxurious home.

As architects, designing a home for entertaining, we focus on harmoniously blending functional and social spaces. Central to this concept is a spacious kitchen, tailored for large family gatherings. It is equipped with luxury appliances and an expansive island, fostering communal cooking and social interaction. The design strategically opens up living spaces, ensuring a seamless flow between the kitchen, dining, and lounge areas, perfect for hosting. Large windows and glass doors not only infuse natural light but also create a fluid transition to the outdoors. The highlight is a large rear porch, extending the entertainment area and offering a serene retreat. A notable luxury is the walk-in wine cellar, an elegant space for wine enthusiasts, subtly integrated yet easily accessible. This home, with its thoughtful layout, design and modern amenities, is an ideal backdrop for memorable gatherings of family and friends, combining practicality with sophistication.

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Renovating a historic Thomas Sully home was quite the honor! Our approach was to blend reverence for the past with contemporary luxury. The project entails a complete façade redo, meticulously restoring original elements to honor its heritage. In the backyard, we introduced a pool and entertainment space, infusing modern leisure into the historic narrative. This area, complete with a pizza oven and beer taps, transforms the side yard into a hub for social gatherings. A flagstone patio adds elegance to the outdoor entertaining area.

On the interior, the historic three-story staircase, a structural centerpiece, was reworked to enhance safety while preserving its character. The original fireplace separating the Foyer from the Living Room was carefully maintained, ensuring the home’s soul remains intact. The kitchen now boasts a Sub-Zero Wine Captain, blending high-end modernity with classic charm. Upstairs, the primary suite is a sanctuary for our clients with restored leaded glass, marble finishes and a Jacuzzi tub epitomizing luxury within a historic context. Even the attic was built out as a man-cave of office space and game tables for our clients and their children. We were very lucky to work with such a great family on this restoration!

Our challenge on Decatur Street in the French Quarter was to artfully combine the commercial use with residential elegance. The ground floor hosts retail space, seamlessly integrating into the vibrant street life. Above, two distinct owner’s units offer private retreats, each reflecting a blend of modern convenience and historic charm. An added gallery and a corporate apartment in the rear extend the building’s functionality and appeal.

Historic French doors create an inviting transition to the front gallery, symbolizing a gateway between the bustling street and serene interiors. Inside, the living spaces feature frameless glass showers and compact, efficiently designed kitchens with traditional cabinets, optimizing space without sacrificing style. Unique circular wooden stairs complement rear spiral stairs, offering aesthetic diversity and practical connectivity between floors.

The restoration of original millwork and historic wood floors pays homage to the building’s heritage. Exposed and painted bricks within the interior add layers of texture, evoking the rich history of the French Quarter. This project, recognized for Excellence in Design by the Vieux Carre Commission, is a celebration of New Orleans’ architectural legacy, thoughtfully adapted for modern urban living.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Our redesign of the aged Dining Hall at Sacred Heart in New Orleans focused on rejuvenating its utility and aesthetics. Addressing years of wear, we aimed to modernize the hall for its users’ needs and sustainability. The layout was opened up, introducing round, eight-person tables for a blend of openness and intimacy. A key upgrade was improving lighting and ambiance through energy-efficient architectural lighting and more natural light via new larger windows. The project added a modern sound system and media center, and employed faux painting on a wall to harmoniously integrate faux and existing brick, maintaining the space’s original charm while expanding upon it. The kitchen and service areas received significant enhancements for operational efficiency and to support the dining hall’s new design, incorporating modern appliances and fixtures. This renovation exemplifies a harmonious blend of functionality, heritage, and innovation, transforming the hall into a more efficient, welcoming, and adaptable space.