225 Extra: 2017 Spaces & Places by Baton Rouge Business Report

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2017

SPACES PLACES • Flooded home gets a makeover • Modern millennial work spaces • Touring interior designers’ homes

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R E L A X AT I O N D E S T I N AT I O N Making room for the joys of a modern shower Some people can't start their day without it. Others use it to wash away the stresses of the work day or as a nightt t ime ritual before bed. tt No matt t er how you use it, the odds are good that you tt shower. According to Peachtree Consulting Group, 93 percent of people take showers, 8 percent of which report rarely or never taking a bath and 10 percent shower tw t ice a day.

The shift from bathing to showering has led to a revolution in shower technology. Touch-screen T controls, multi-functional showerheads and handshowers, specialized lighting (chromatherapy) as well as waterproof, Bluetooth speakers have made the shower a relaxation destination in the home. But doesn't spending more time in the shower mean wasting water? Not according to bath fixture giant, Kohler. Modern shower fixtures deliver a luxurious shower experience using about 20 percent less water than the showerheads you grew up using. The secret? Introducing air into the mix. The experts call it “managed distribution.”

We call it the “ahhhh” effect. So how can you get the “ahhhh” effect in your home? Do what Barbara Cormier of Baton Rouge did last year. She asked the experts at Acadian House Kitchen + Bath Design to come take a look at her bathroom and make recommendations. After living in her home for 20 years, Barbara had two specific requests for her master bathroom: 1

a large shower for her husband

a soaking tub for her.

Barbara had approached other contractors to discuss her wishlist but was told if she wanted a larger shower,r,r she would have to add-on to the house. When she

The Cormiers' new home for hydrotherapy.

The couple's love of coastal style influenced the colors in the room.

called Acadian House, designers Angela Poirrier and Monica Broggi took a closer look. It turned out, that by removing a false wall panel, Acadian House found an additional 18 inches to add to the already doubled space, transforming a very small shower to a massive, modern walk-in. Once Angela and Monica created the extra space, there was room to add some attractive features to the doorless, low-entry shower,r,r such as a dry seat and wet seat with access to a hand shower and body sprays, great for someone with back problems. And the soaking tub? It became the focal point of the space. Discreet grab bars assist with safety and a hand-held spray eliminated the need for jets which require extra cleaning. For those renovating with the goal of staying in their “forever home” for as long as possible, implementing universal design is a must. “Universal design creates spaces in the home that are highly functional and safe for all, ensuring that the space will meet all needs throughout each phase of life,” says Angela Poirrier,rr, a certified aging-in-place specialist.

Barbara and her husband will be able to enjoy their “dream bathroom” for years to come. Barbara said, “I was very comfortable having Acadian House working in my house while I went to work.” When asked why, she said, “I have friends who have done renovations, and they cried every day from the mess and the delays ... I never cried!” She described her experience with Acadian House in three words: stress-free, clean and beautiful.

Low stress renovations. High quality finishes. 6971 Exchequer Drive Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-756-2777

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Designers Angela Poirrier and Monica Broggi created a “dream bathroom” with accessibility features.

UP FRONT

Publisher: Julio Melara Executive assistant: Millie Coon

BY JENNIFER TORMO

LOOK INSIDE

CONFESSION: If I’m walking through my apartment complex and someone opens the door to their unit, I crane my head to glance inside. If I’m lucky, I’ll get a peek at their living room. I know; this sounds weird. But there’s something so intriguing about seeing a space with a layout just like yours—that yet looks totally different with someone else’s decoration choices. I seek stories behind those quirky, unexpected accents: an old church pew in a living room instead of a couch or a collection of 100 vintage teacups displayed on a wall in place of more traditional art. That’s why it’s so special to curate our annual Spaces & Places issue and hunt down those kinds of stories in our city. Our team takes notes all year on the interesting spaces we find around Baton Rouge and compile them in this project, published each spring. In this, our third annual issue, we spoke to interior designers like Ty Larkin about their most personal project: their own homes (page 44). Entrepreneurs invited us into their at-home work spaces (page 36), full of vintage cameras, sewing machines and industrial ovens. And we talked to millennials (page 29) to find out if the stereotype is true: Are they perpetual renters? This issue took on new significance, too, as we began our planning in the aftermath of the August 2016 flood. All at once, the word “home” became both more and less meaningful. Our community mourned what was lost—the floors and walls, the irreplaceable mementos, the one-of-a-kind furniture pieces. But we also became more grateful for what we do have, and we found joy in helping others and humility in being helped ourselves. The first weekend after the flood, I 6

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spent Saturday in Denham Springs helping gut friends-of-friends’ houses. It hurt my heart to see the streets lined with soaked couches, baby cribs and antique dressers. When I got home that night, my sneakers were caked in dust. As I trekked dirt into my apartment complex’s hallway, I saw that the stairs were already covered with footprints from neighbors. I was walking alongside others who’d spent the day doing the same thing as me. As sad as I felt, I couldn’t help but think: This time next year, once the worst of this is over, so many amazing homes are going to exist in our region. That’s what our city is taking steps toward. Chef Matt Reed echoed this sentiment in his home renovation story on page 19. As exhausting as his renovations were, he says they allowed him to create a better home for his family. As our community continues to rebuild, the 225 team is looking forward to hearing more stories about how other families have handled adversity following the flood. We are always looking for ideas, so please submit them to editor@225batonrouge.com. In the meantime, I hope you can find as much inspiration in these pages as we have. Baton Rouge faced an incredibly tough year, but with as many hardworking, creative souls as there are in this city—as evidenced by the unique homes shown in this magazine—our spirits can never be broken. And to those featured in this issue, thank you for allowing us a look inside your home.

Editor

EDITORIAL Editorial director: Penny Font Editor: Jennifer Tormo Managing editor: Benjamin Leger Staff writer: Kaci Yoder Digital content editor: Mark Clements Staff photographer: Collin Richie Copy editor: Robin Mayhall Contributing writers: Andrew Alexander, April Capochino Myers, Cynthea Corfah, Lee Feinswog, Adrian E. Hirsch, David Jacobs, Tracey Koch, Elle Marie, Kayla Randall, Maggie Heyn Richardson, Stephanie Riegel, Jeff Roedel, Jessica Rogers, Leslie D. Rose, Meg Ryan, Rachele Smith, Meredith Whitten, John Wirt Contributing photographers: Allie Appel, Kristina Britt, Miriam Buckner, Chloe Enos, Jordan Hefler, Courtney Holden, Stephanie Landry, Ischelle Martin, David Morris, Sean Richardson, Amy Shutt, Tate Tullier ADVERTISING Sales director: Jill Stokeld Advertising manager: Mike Romaguera Senior account executives: Katie Baron, Rei Heroman, Elizabeth McCollister Account executives: Manny Fajardo, Blythe Johnson, Ambrey Nicholson Community liaison: Jeanne McCollister McNeil Advertising coordinator: Meagan Delatte ADMINISTRATION Chief financial officer: Jonathan Percle Business manager: Adam Lagneaux Business associate: Lydia Spano Office coordinator: Debbie Lamonica Courier: Jim Wainwright Receptionist: Cathy Brown PRODUCTION/DESIGN Production director: Melanie Samaha Art director: Hoa Vu Graphic designers: Tammi deGeneres, Melinda Gonzalez, Rachel Parker, Emily Witt AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT Audience development coordinator: Kenna Maranto A publication of Louisiana Business Inc. Chairman: Rolfe H. McCollister Jr. President and CEO: Julio Melara 9029 Jefferson Hwy., Suite 300 Baton Rouge, LA 70809 225-214-5225 • FAX 225-926-1329 225batonrouge.com © Copyright 2017 by Louisiana Business Inc. All rights reserved by LBI. Spaces & Places is published annually by Louisiana Business Inc. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. All information in this publication is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed.

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CONTENTS

SPACES ON THE COVER Interior designer Elise Rosato invited us into her art-filled apartment on Perkins Road for our feature on designers’ personal spaces. In her living room, photographed by Collin Richie, a gray couch and clear coffee table provide a neutral canvas for colorful accents, including a painting by late New Orleans artist Bill Hemmerling. Read the full story on page 44.

44 ��Interior designers and an antique store owner invite us inside their expertly curated homes

59 ��An artist has big ideas for her small space

61 ��A photographer’s plant-filled rental near the LSU lakes

INSIDE IDEAS 10 ��Three locals’ DIY experiences and advice 14 ��How to score the best finds at estate sales

Inside Capital City entrepreneurs’ athome work spaces

RENOVATIONS 17 ��How to survive a home renovation 19 ��Baton Rouge chef reimagines his flooddamaged kitchen

22 ��A home in the Tara subdivision undergoes a rustic-contemporary transformation

RESOURCES 26 ��Denham Springs antique shop recovers after the flood, plus advice for your own antique adventure

29 ��A look at how millennials are faring in 34 ��Tips for preparing to sell your home

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COLLIN RICHIE

the local real estate market

ourso

DESIGN S

LOCALLY OWNED + OPERATED FOR 16 YEARS

Kitchen + Bath Design • space planning • product selections • cabinets • hardware • beams • mantels

Richard L. Ourso CKD, CAPS 225.291.8588 11150 Cozumel Drive

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I madeTHIS

IDEAS [DIY]

Locals share their home projects—and how you can get crafty at home, too BY CYNTHEA CORFAH Photos by Collin Richie

JEWELRY BOX MAKEOVER MELANIE PARKER, 25, has been DIYing since 2013. From crosses to wine racks, she challenges herself to make “farmhouse vintage” household items out of pallet wood. She has completed around 30-40 such projects. In addition to her original works, the industrial hygienist enjoys giving old items new uses and looks. She took an old jewelry box that her sister no longer wanted and gave it a new rustic finish. Parker revamped the abandoned jewelry box in just two nights, sanding, painting and waxing in the evenings after she got home from work.

PARKER’S TIPS

• Use sandpaper to prepare the box for its new finish • Waverly paint is accessible and affordable at Walmart • Antique wax gives the paint and exterior a sealed finish • Tap excess chalk paint off brushes before applying each layer for a smooth appearance

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IDEAS [DIY]

BLANKET LADDER CANOPY BED FRAME AFTER ADMIRING A $6,000 canopy bed online, event designer Victoria Roberts decided to make her own for $5,650 less. The 33-year-old prefers a minimalist urban home. She says she doesn’t like much furniture or clutter, but she does want the few pieces she has to stand out as unique. With the help of a co-worker, she completed the espresso-colored canopy bed frame for a queen-sized bed in four hours. The assembly of the $350 project took two hours, with the remaining time required for the primer to dry.

ROBERTS’ TIPS • Give the painted bed frame adequate time to dry before placing the bed. • Use untreated posts for a more rustic look.

Items used:

• Eight 4-by-4-foot pressure treated posts • Seven 2-by-4-foot posts for bottom decking • Two 4-by-8 3/4-inch sheets of furniture-grade plywood • Four 1-by-4-by-8-foot pine boards • Eight 6-inch lag bolts • Eight 4-inch lag bolts • One box of 3-inch wood screws • One box of 2-inch wood screws • Paint primer • Paint

RANDA LOPEZ MORGAN, a 26-year-old agricultural support librarian, wanted a decorative and organized way to display her throw blankets without having to break her bank. After searching online for ideas, she decided to create a wooden blanket ladder. This wasn’t her first DIY rodeo. She’d also made mosaics out of Mardi Gras beads, decorative hangers for bridesmaids and transformed her white Keds shoes by painting them in a galaxy theme. So crafting the ladder out of pine wasn’t as hard for her as it might sound. With the help of a friend, she finished the blanket ladder in two hours.

Items used:

MORGAN’S TIPS

• You don’t have to cut the wood yourself. Home Depot cuts wood for 50 cents per cut, she says. • If you are cutting wood at home, purchase quality blades. Cheap blades may cause wood to splinter.

• One 1-inch pine dowel, 8 feet long • Two 1-by-4-inch pine boards, 6 feet long • Elmer’s wood glue • Optional: paint or stain

DON KADAIR

COLLIN RICHIE

Hope in high water

“All the furniture had to go. It was sad, but we just had to put it out of our minds. We worked six days a week, daylight to dusk, for 10 weeks … We were back up and running by Nov. 1.” —THEATRE ANTIQUES CO-OWNER AL BYE, ON RESTORING HIS ANTIQUE SHOP AFTER THE FLOOD. READ MORE OF HIS STORY ON PAGE 26.

“After the flood, my father-in-law told me, ‘This is an opportunity. Never are you going to be able to see the guts of your house again.’” —LOCAL CHEF MATT REED, ON MAKING THE MOST OUT OF HIS UNPLANNED HOME RENOVATION. READ MORE OF HIS STORY ON PAGE 19.

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IDEAS [SHOPPING]

ESTATE SALE FINDS:

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH Tips and tricks for attending an estate sale and leaving with great finds BY MEG RYAN • Photos by Collin Richie

Items found at a recent Estates by Two Sisters sale

Knock on doors ahead of time—if LOOKING FOR SOME secondit’s appropriate. Most estate sale hand finds to fill your companies usually frown upon this, home? Estate sales could but if the sale is being run privately, be your best bet for unique Campbell suggests knocking on the purchases large or small at door to see if you can get a sneak reasonable prices. Estates peek before the weekend kicks off. by Two Sisters owner and Sometimes you’ll be successful and end up with a private shopping estate sale coordinator experience—or at least figure out Robin Campbell gives us the what you want to reach for the day ins and outs of how to get the sale opens. pieces you’ll love at the best Issue Date: Spaces & Places Ad pictures proof beforehand. #2 price. Browse Make • Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval sure or youminor knowrevisions. where you’re going • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless revision requests are received within 24 hours. andbewhat thetosale will have • Additional revisions must be requested and may subject production fees.to offer

by checking online resources like estatesales.net. Campbell says the sales can vary, and some include more of one type of item than another. One weekend? Fine china. The next? Extensive clown collection. You never know.

morning of every sale to hold each customer’s places in line. The company holds a preview on Thursdays, offering guests a first look at items, all full price. Fridays are still full price, but Saturdays offer 25 percent off and Sundays 50 percent off.

Know your estate sale company and its policies. Every company runs its sales differently. Build relationships with owners, Campbell suggests, to achieve better deals and, sometimes, the inside scoop on upcoming sales. Among Estates by Two Sisters’ policies: They hand out tickets the

Arrive early, but prepare for endof-the-day bundles. Arriving early allows you to get a ticket that’s earlier in line, but staying late has benefits, too. Campbell says if it’s approved by the client and benefits them, her company will bundle items or offer discount prices that were

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IDEAS [SHOPPING] not available at the beginning of the day. Some sales also have bid boxes, where you can offer your preferred price for an item and might end up owning it if your bid is the highest. If you love it, buy it now. Campbell sees shoppers leave items they love until the next day, hoping to benefit from discounts. But the pieces are often gone when they return. If you truly can’t imagine living without an item, she suggests you forget the discount and nab it now. Manners can sometimes get you a better deal. If you’re a haggler at heart, Campbell says polite and discreet price discussions can sometimes get you an extra discount. Being rude and asking for a discount in front of other customers has the opposite effect. Head back for more. While shopping on the first day gives you first picks, heading back later in the weekend allows you to shop items that you might have missed the first time.

HOW TO FIND ESTATE SALES Estates by Two Sisters owner and estate sale coordinator Robin Campbell at a recent estate sale

chasing before money is exchanged. If it’s furniture, look for rips and tears, and smell the item to detect any unpleasant aromas. If it’s an electronic device or appliance, plug it in and make sure it works properly.

Cash is king. While#1 Estates by Two Spaces & Places

Know what you’re buying. Estate sales are fiRUN nal,AS soISCampbell says it’s AD WILL key to know exactly what you’re pur-

Sisters accepts credit cards and checks, Campbell says cash is often the preferred form of payment at

estate sales due to how easy and reliable it is. Prepare for heavy lifting. Campbell says Estates by Two Sisters, like most estate sale companies, does not have a moving team. While they have one person to help with deliveries, she says you should prepare in advance for who will move bigger items into your home and how to

Estatesales.net offers an easy resource to find out all the details on upcoming sales. If you enter your email address, the site will send you an email every Wednesday with updated information on upcoming local sales. make that happen. Also, measure the item and take photos to make sure it’ll fit where you want it to go. She says the item typically should be picked up during the weekend or the Monday following the sale.

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RENOVATIONS [TIPS]

While your kitchen looks like this:

Try this:

PHOTOS COURTESY ACADIAN HOUSE KITCHEN + BATH DESIGN

Kitchen midrenovation

Makeshift temporary kitchens

MAKEOVER MADNESS

How to survive a renovation when you’re still living in the house IF YOU’RE CONSIDERING giving your home a facelift, make sure you’re ready for some short-lived but intense changes in your life. Acadian House Kitchen + Bath Design Vice President and designer Angela Poirrier says about 90 percent of the company’s clients stay in their homes during renovations. Unless there are health issues or there’s no working bathroom, she says the client usually does not need to move out. But as you pack your rooms into boxes and the construction dust starts to accumulate, life can get stressful. Poirrier offers up some quick tips to make a renovation as painless as possible. —MEG RYAN

Solidify your vision and plan first. Have your budget

and materials selected before construction begins, Poirrier recommends. This will prevent extensions on time or budget. Acadian House uses computer software to test out materials and layouts for clients, preventing surprises or changes later on and keeping the timeline on track.

she says. Try not to use doorways that go through the construction so you can avoid carrying dust between rooms. After renovations, a cleaning service that specializes in construction cleaning can help remove accumulated dust. Poirrier suggests homeowners only sweep, not mop, and to keep up with a regular dusting throughout construction.

Create a makeshift kitchen. If renovating your

Remove wall hangings. Clients are always surprised

kitchen, move your refrigerator into another room so you don’t have to buy a mini fridge, Poirrier suggests. With that and small appliances like the coffee maker, microwave and toaster oven, you can still make meals and coffee. You can also create a makeshift pantry by storing dry foods, small appliances and plates on a wire shelving unit or a fold-out table. Use a table you already have for counter space. And be prepared to use a bathroom sink as your kitchen sink.

Don’t pack away the essentials. When boxing items

in your kitchen and bathrooms, make sure you don’t pack those you use regularly. Otherwise, you might not see your can opener for 90 days. Keep your sharp knives, microwavable dishes, foil, paper towels, serving utensils and wash cloths on hand.

Keep dust to a minimum. Acadian House does its best

to close up doorways to prevent dust, but Poirrier says it’s still inevitable that a thin layer of it accumulates in homes due to the air conditioning. To keep this to a minimum, change your air filter once a week during renovation,

what items must be removed from adjacent rooms, Poirrier says. If you’re remodeling your kitchen, any pictures or mirrors on the walls in adjoining rooms should be relocated so they don’t fall and break during construction.

Go with the flow. Understand that unexpected hiccups

can affect your timeline. Particularly in the spring, Poirrier says sheetrock and paint need extra time to dry. While these hiccups may not back up your entire time frame or add to your budget, they do affect your stress level, so be mentally ready.

Trust your contractor. Poirrier stresses hiring a con-

tractor you trust and who has a strong reputation. You should not have to call your contractor constantly to make sure the job gets completed.

Get to know your renovation team. Having strangers in your house can be uncomfortable. So, make sure you get to know your contractor and his or her team. Friendly conversation and asking how the project is going is encouraged, and it allows you to feel more at ease with the people coming in and out of your space. 225batonrouge.com

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About 13-15 inches of flood water filled the Reeds’ home during the flood. Matt and Emily Reed with their 2-year-old twins, Oliver and Scarlette, and baby boy, Knox, in their renovated kitchen DIAN HOUSE COURTESY ACA FLOOD PHOTOS

AFTER PHOTOS BY DON KADAIR/COURTESY ACADIAN HOUSE

RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

ABOVE WATER

A local chef made lemonade out of lemons after the August 2016 floods forced him to renovate his home BY RACHELE SMITH THE KITCHEN COUNTERTOP is a busy place in the Reed household. Matt Reed, a local chef and caterer, uses the large quartz countertop like command central, operating the day-to-day activities of his young family while cooking up creative meals for his growing business. Today, he’s dishing up snacks at the counter for two regulars: his 2-year-old twins, Scarlette and Oliver. As he slices tomatoes for tonight’s salad, he retells the story of his family’s unexpected home renovation— and how it brought out the best in the community. “It was Sunday morning, and the kids and I were

getting ready to watch football when my wife [who was nine months pregnant] came into the room and said that all of the neighbors were outside and were worried about the flood,” he says. Matt spent the first 18 years of his life living outside the United States, growing up in such exotic locales as Singapore and Indonesia. He’s an easygoing person, perhaps because of that experience, so he admitted he wasn’t concerned at first about flooding. But that changed when he saw water rising at the end of the cul-de-sac on his street in Prairieville. Matt and his neighbors moved fast. A tight-knit

neighborhood of about a dozen families, they immediately helped each other save precious belongings. “We started with the home in the back then worked our way up to my house,” Matt recalls. He and his wife, Emily, focused on protecting items for the new baby as well as saving toys and other special gear for their toddlers. They were lucky—Matt estimates they saved about 80% of their personal items before 13-15 inches of flood water overtook their home. And in between helping neighbors and saving their own items, Matt also boated with the Cajun Navy and hitched a ride with

a stranger to pick up his daughter’s prescription refill. “During this flood, I did so many things on my bucket list that I didn’t even know were on it,” Matt says. The Reeds’ neighbors offered them temporary shelter. Once the chaos died down, they turned their attention to their damaged home. Matt serves as chef for Acadian House Kitchen + Bath Design’s Sip and Saute, a monthly cooking event at the kitchen and bath showroom, and he was relieved when store designers offered to help with the floors, kitchen or baths in his home. Kakin Elizabeth Todd,

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RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

TESY OTOS COUR BEFORE PH

USE ACADIAN HO

one of two designers from After visiting with the Acadian House who assisted Reeds, designer Adele Kelty with the renovations, says Merchant says the couple she considers Matt part of knew they wanted to add the family. more counter space and “We have known the open up the home’s kitchen. family for years, and with They ended up more than the twins just turning 2 and doubling the counter space. a baby on the way, we knew They also renovated the it was important to get them master bath, replacing a back into their home,” Todd Jacuzzi tub that they never says. used and a small shower Emily went into labor eight days after the flood, For their new space, the Reeds worked with designers to choose quartz countertops, a matte black faucet and a Haier freestanding range. giving birth to a healthy boy named Knox. And although they were thankful for the many people who reached out to them, Matt says it was difficult living away from their home, especially with such young children. As they rebuilt, they Issue Date: Space & Places Ad proof #3 decided to make a few im• Please respondso by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. provements something • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless revision requests are received within 24 hours. good could emerge the and may be subject to production fees. • Additional revisions mustfrom be requested situation. classic look of the family’s wooden dining table complements the open, airy feel of their designer kitchen. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY The TYPOS

BEFORE

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RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

BEFORE By removing an unused tub in the master bath, additional storage was created. These “no slam” cabinets, made by Fieldstone Cabinetry, will never make a loud bang when closing.

Leading into the master bath, this sliding barn door adds rustic charm and saves on space.

with a walk-in shower. The designers say it took four months to complete the kitchen and bath renovations, a schedule greatly aided by the homeowners. “Matt and his family/

friends had a lot to do with the rebuilding process and did a lot of the work themselves,” Merchant says. They added walls, doors and trim. Being involved with the construction was

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important to Matt. “After the flood, my father-in-law told me, ‘This is an opportunity. Never are you going to be able to see the guts of your house again,’” Matt says.

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He says he not only learned a lot during the rebuilding process, but after the renovation, he and Emily now have the perfect home for their growing family.

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RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

BATON ROUGE’S

SWEETHEARTS A couple who met in Hollywood come home to create their dream house BY RACHELE SMITH • PHOTOS BY COLLIN RICHIE

[225] SPACES & PLACES 2017

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THERE’S SOMETHING FITTING about meeting your future spouse on the Hollywood set of America’s Sweethearts. In 2001, when the Julia Roberts film was shooting in California, Misti and Brumby Broussard worked behind the scenes. She was in the production office, and he served as a personal assistant to Roberts. It didn’t take the two displaced Southerners long to find a common bond. “I’m from Louisiana, and Misti’s from Texas,” Brumby says. “And one of the first things we talked about—I mean, just within the first

10 to 12 minutes of meeting each other—was how we both knew that we wanted to move back to the South to raise a family.” Today, with their two young children, Brogan and Bronson, the couple are doing just that. They exchanged their California lifestyle for a home in Baton Rouge’s Tara subdivision. It was a move that brought them closer to family in the Capital City and within easy driving distance of Brumby’s parents in New Iberia. But while their decision to live in Baton Rouge originated with family, it’s also

COURTESY THE BROUSSARDS

RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

BEFORE

Brumby and Misti Broussard in front of the kitchen in their renovated Baton Rouge home

BEFORE allowed them to check an item off their bucket list: renovate a home. For 12 years during their time in San Diego, the couple owned an upscale furniture and art retail business called Mixture. The three-level store was set in a 1940s-era brick warehouse. It was huge, Misti says, and often played a role in helping San Diego residents

update and renovate their own homes. “We’ve been watching and helping customers for so long. We had so many ideas, so we were just super excited to do this on our own,” Brumby says of their Baton Rouge renovation. After no fewer than 17 house showings in the area, they made their way past the foyer in what’s now their Tara home and could immediately see its potential. Their mutual must-have list for their new home

included an open concept— or, at least, one that could turn into an open concept. With years of experience in design, art and choosing upscale furniture, the couple also set their sights on an expansive kitchen, a place where Brumby could use his culinary experience and grow the couple’s catering business, Simply Fresh BR. They were also attracted to the home’s proximity to Towne Center, an area they’re considering as a site for a potential restaurant: a fast, fresh and open-grill concept borrowed from San Diego they are dubbing

Brogan’s Fresh Kitchen & Market. Within days of buying their new home in 2015, the Broussards had demolition crews knocking out walls along the foyer, kitchen and what was once a formal living room. They also created a fourth bedroom and a small office area, upping their square footage slightly (from 2,800 to 2,850 square feet) and turned their kitchen, dining and family room area into an open floor plan, making it perfect for family get-togethers and entertaining. It was a seven-month-long

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RENOVATIONS [BEFORE & AFTER]

renovation, but they relied on the know-how of their local contractor, Brad Canova of Canova Design and Construction, to get through it. Updates also included new appliances, improved kitchen and bathroom storage, granite countertops and other little extras, such as hidden electrical sockets, artistically designed lighting fixtures and a bookshelf in the grand entryway that does double duty as a bedroom door.

“I didn’t want to walk in and see a door [to the guest bedroom], and I didn’t want to give up that wall space, either,” Misti says. Instead, the door has become a unique space to display special photos and meaningful art objects. “People ask me about [furniture and home décor] catalogs. I tell them those are fine, but you should also include pieces of your life in your home,” Misti says. “Those are the things that make your house a home.”

Disguised as a bookshelf in the grand entryway, this door opens into the home’s newly added guest bedroom.

The dining area features a mix of elements from California and Louisiana. The table—crafted of parota wood, a fast-growing and sustainably harvested tree from Central American—was designed for the Broussards by a craftsman in California, while the chandeliers, which Misti spraypainted a gunmetal color, were discovered at Red Door Interiors in Baton Rouge.

This manzanita branch is from the couple’s wedding 10 years ago. Used as decoration then, the branch was picked up from a manzanita farm in California by Misti’s mom. Her mom saved the branch and gave it back to the couple to place in their new home.

BEFORE 24

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The funky light fixtures in the family room, made by the Dutch company Moooi, complement the kitchen’s contemporary style. Both create a rich entertaining vibe perfect for hosting family and friends.

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RESOURCES [ANTIQUES]

Walking through

water

Theatre Antiques co-owner Al Bye shares how he got the store back on its feet less than three months after the August 2016 floods BY MEREDITH WHITTEN • Photos by Collin Richie How long have you been at Denham Springs Antique Village district?

Issue Date: S&P Ad2 proof #3

Our business is co-owned by the Watts and Bye families. We started renting a booth in 1996, and then the ladies who owned it decided to retire, so we’ve had the building since 1998. We have 10 dealers with us, and all but two are back from the flood.

What happened on the day of the flood?

Our building was built in 1926 and, to our knowledge, it had never flooded. We really didn’t think we’d get much water, but me and my brother took 12 sandbags by at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The water was already at my knees. We were just shocked. It came up so fast. It caught us all off guard. We thought we’d prevent damage, but it was just impossible. We couldn’t do it.

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RESOURCES [ANTIQUES]

What kind of damage did the flood do?

Only 40 percent of the theater was under water. We had 4 feet of water, and there was 7 feet of water by the stage. We had to throw out almost all our inventory. We sell furniture from Europe, primarily armoires from England. All the furniture had to go. Our shop is also known for iron tools. We had to grab as much as we could before the rust set in. It was sad, but we just had to put it out of our minds.

How long did it take you to get your business reopened? We were back up and running by Nov. 1. Most people couldn’t believe we turned the building

HOW TO ANTIQUE Bye, who is also president of Denham Springs Antique Market Association, shares his tips for antique shopping

How can you be sure what you’re buying is an authentic antique?

With furniture, open a drawer if it’s got one. Does it look new? Pull it away from the wall and look at the back. Old furniture has a slatted back. [Antique furniture is]

How did you replace the inventory you lost?

over that quickly. Folks back and shopping with us. A lot of people whose homes flooded are looking to replace what they lost.

What did you have to do to get your business ready to reopen that quickly?

It was a challenge, to say the least. We worked six days a week, daylight to dusk, for 10 weeks. We had to gut everything, rewire and reinsulate. We had to rebuild everything. Family and friends from all over came to help us. Nobody was insured for this. We used personal loans to rebuild. That was much faster than going through the government. We just said, “Let’s not wait. Let’s move forward.”

also good, heavy furniture. Pottery typically shows its age–it’s not just smooth. You have to be careful. People are snookered every day. Do your homework and investigate. Go online and learn a lot before you buy. Some manufacturers will tell you what you’re looking for.

It was easier to restore [the building] than to restock [inventory]. It will take years to catch up. Regular containers come in from auctions from overseas, and we’ll know where they’re coming in. We have to dig and hunt. Almost everything we have is from out of state. We go to Kansas City, Missouri, to hit farm auctions for tools. That’s where a lot of the costs are—going to other states. America’s not that old, and most of the furniture is in people’s homes and not moving around much, so the furniture from Europe is desirable here.

Is there a day of the week that’s best for shopping at the Denham Springs Antique Village district? Fridays and Saturdays are best in this area. There are 15-20 shops here.

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RESOURCES [REAL ESTATE]

Seth and Leslie Irby purchased a three-bedroom house in the Southdowns neighborhood last fall.

THE MILLENNIAL MARKET To buy, or not to buy? It’s the question young adults are grappling with across the nation. But is it different for first-time buyers in Baton Rouge? BY MAGGIE HEYN RICHARDSON • Photos by Allie Appel WHEN SETH AND Leslie Irby moved to Baton Rouge from Richmond, Virginia, last summer, buying a house was a top priority. The couple, like their friends in Richmond, had spent years renting in the Virginia capital, a city whose charming neighborhoods were out of reach for most young professionals. The Baton Rouge market, on the other hand, looked promising. Houses were more affordable, even in hip parts of town, and property values had steadily appreciated across most of the city. Moreover, the Irbys were ready to commit to Baton

Rouge long-term. Both grew up here and graduated from LSU, and they had missed friends, family and local culture. After finding jobs in their fields—his in management consulting and hers as a pediatric nurse practitioner— they were ready to buy their first home. They looked at several houses on a scouting trip in the spring and again over the summer. “For us, it was about putting down roots and starting to invest in a community and in a neighborhood,” says Seth, a 28-year-old consultant at Emergent Method. Last fall, the couple

closed on a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house in Southdowns, the same neighborhood Seth had grown up in. They liked its proximity to downtown and LSU, and they valued the flurry of nearby amenities, including the dining and shopping scene in the Perkins Road overpass area, the LSU lakes and City Park. “We get out our bikes on the weekends and really enjoy the area,” Seth says. “It’s a great part of town.” Across the country, millennials are giving a lot of thought to how they want to live. While homeownership in all

age groups is far from the levels it had reached before the housing bubble burst in 2008, many young professionals are now giving serious thought to homeownership. According to an annual survey of home shoppers conducted by realtor.com, 52% of all homes in 2017 will be bought by first-time buyers, and 61% of those will be under 35 years of age. Still, it’s not easy. It can take time for millennials to find the right house for the right price, especially as many juggle student loans and weigh where they want to live long-term.

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RESOURCES [REAL ESTATE]

“It’s even harder for younger

Large numbers are choosbuyers because they’re often ing to rent while they weigh looking for something in that their options. under $250,000 price range, In Baton Rouge, millennials who are ready to buy where they’re having to compete are finding a lot of upside. with a lot more people.” Trulia housing economist —GINGER MAULDEN, PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER BATON ROUGE BOARD OF REALTORS AND A COLDWELL BANKER ONE REAL ESTATE AGENT Ralph McLaughlin named Baton Rouge fourth on er’s agents in large numbers ident of the Greater Baton his top 10 hottest real and asking to see properties, Rouge Board of Realtors and estate markets for 2016 says Locations real estate a Coldwell Banker One real in a recent Fortune article. agent Jewel Fourrier. estate agent. Grand Rapids, Michigan, “This is a college town. “What’s really amazing is Charleston, South Carolina, A lot of recent graduates that they can have a college and Austin, Texas, occupied have met their spouses and degree and be starting a the top three spots, respechave good jobs—things that career and qualify for a tively. The cities on the list house,” Maulden says. “They, make you say, ‘I’m ready to were singled out because of buy,’” Fourrier says. of course, have to have good their affordability, more inBuying a home has been credit established, but it’s bound home searches than commonplace among the much easier to qualify than outbound, an anticipated Irbys’ friends, Seth says. you might think.” increase in property values “Everybody we know has Armed with consumerand healthy job market. either bought or is lookaimed real estate apps like Moreover, the availability ing for a house,” he says, Trulia, Zillow and Dwellr, of creditDate: is alsoS&P making Issue Aditproof #2 adding that most of the which provide listings or more for millenni• Pleaseappealing respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • ADto WILL RUNtheir AS IS unless revision requests are receiveddata, within 24 hours. profescouple’s friends want to census young als buy first house, • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. be in neighborhoods like sionals are contacting buysays Ginger Maulden, presCarefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

Southdowns, the Garden District or Capital Heights, which are seen as offering short commutes and high quality of life. “I see with our friend group that location is dictating their decisions,” Seth says. “They see those neighborhoods as places where property values are increasing, and they like the convenience.” But some buyers find that while older, in-town neighborhoods offer charm and a proven track record of appreciation, it’s challenging to find a house that’s not going to require an additional investment to renovate or update, Fourrier says. “They’re young and busy, and a lot just don’t want fixer uppers,” she says. That points to another challenge currently unfolding in the local housing

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RESOURCES [REAL ESTATE]

market. The area is suffering from a low inventory of available houses due to the August 2016 flood, Maulden says. Realtors can analyze market availability by looking at how many months it would take for the total inventory of homes to sell at the current pace of sales. “A six-month supply is what’s considered a healthy housing market, and right For now, Brook Martin is satisfied with renting an apartment near the LSU lakes. now in greater Baton Rouge, we have about a threemonth supply,” she says. erties currently exceed that Kitto, live in an apartment “It’s even harder for younger price point. complex near LSU. But unbuyers because they’re often Some local buyers may like the Irbys, they say they looking for something in decide to wait out current couldn’t be happier about that under $250,000 price conditions. After all, it’s their recent decision to rent. range, where they’re having the biggest purchase they’ll The two had spent several to compete with a lot more make, and they want to be months looking for the right people.” certain the buy is right for home to purchase but hadn’t That doesn’t yield many them before they finally found a place they were options in neighborhoods commit to a down payment completely comfortable buyIssue Date: Spaces Ad proof #1 like therespond Garden District, andormonthly mortgage. ing. Armed with good jobs, • Please by e-mail or fax with your approval minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS and IS unless revision requests are received 24 hours. Southdowns Capital Youngwithin professionals Brook savings and solid credit, • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Heights, where most propMartin and her fiancé, Matt they ultimately pulled back Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS

and put their plans on hold. “We sat back and asked ourselves, ‘OK, what do we really want out of our lives right now?’ We were sort of new in our jobs, and we loved to travel, so even though we had been averse to renting, we decided that, for now, [renting] was the right move,” Martin says. Martin, a 23-year-old programs director at an assisted living facility, and Kitto, who is in industrial sales, say they felt instant relief at the decision. It’s also allowed them some fun perks. With a mortgage, they would have forgone a honeymoon. Now, they’re planning to use some of their savings to travel to Italy. “We love our apartment,” Martin says. “It feels good not to be tied down to a house.”

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ROOF HAIL

DAMAGE IN A NUTSHELL, hail puts a roof on the fast track to leaking and causing potential interior damage. When hail hits a roof, it leaves an impact mark on the shingles (pictured right), which breaks away the granular asphalt coverage. Once those granules are removed, the fibers of the asphalt shingle are exposed–leaving them susceptible to UV rays. UV rays eat away those fibers, creating the perfect place for water to get through the roof and into the home. Hail damage is nearly impossible to see from the ground or with untrained eyes. Here at Premier South Roofing & Sheet Metal, damage detection is our forté, this is what we do. Let us give you peace of mind. We’ll check out your roof, answer your questions, and help with insurance–for free.

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RESOURCES [REAL ESTATE]

MASTERING CURB APPEAL Tips for first-time home sellers SELLING A HOME for the first time can be just as intimidating as buying one. But right now, sellers have reason to be at least a little less intimidated. Last summer’s floods continue to have an impact on the Capital Region real estate market, with prices drastically increased in some areas and low inventory available. “Now is a great time for sellers,” says real estate agent Joy Russell, Many of her listings are selling within 24 to 48 hours, she says. Here, Russell offers advice to help first-time sellers improve their home’s chances of selling. —MEREDITH WHITTEN

List it Focus on curb appeal. “Buyers make a judgment about the inside Real estate agent of a home based Joy Russell on the outside,” Russell says. Make sure the driveway, walkway and front entrance are presentable. Mow the yard. Pressure wash the exterior. Plant flowers or have a professional landscaper spruce up your home’s exterior. “A first impression leaves a lasting impression on the buyer.” Set the price right. “Sellers may feel they can set the price high and negotiate down,” Russell says. However, this may do more harm

than good. The first two weeks on the market are crucial, with most activity, including showings, occurring then. Do your homework. Look at homes in your neighborhood that sold within the last six months. Pay attention to price per square footage, listing photos and descriptions, how long the properties were on the market and what they sold for. Start packing for your move now. “You need to have a move-out plan in place, especially if your home sells faster than expected,” Russell says. Be prepared to move out the day of closing. Pack things such as seasonal clothing and items stored in the attic before your house sells. Calculate moving costs beforehand and have information, such as homeowners insurance policies and utility accounts, in one place, so you’re organized when it’s time to put your move-out plan in action.

Pick a realtor Research first. How long has the agent been in business? How many transactions did the realtor do last

year? What is the average number of days the realtor’s listings were on the market? Ask for a complete marketing plan. Review a realtor’s sample listings and photo quality. And ensure the agent has a strong social media presence. “Thirty-five percent of my sales come from social media,” Russell says. Understand your contract. Don’t assume an agent offering the lowest commission is the best choice. The standard commission rate in Baton Rouge is 5% to 6%. “You want a realtor who’s going to fight for you,” Russell says. “If a realtor is working for a 4% commission, make sure they’re doing more than sticking a sign in the yard, putting it on MLS and praying it sells.”

Stage it Update your home’s interior. “Do touch-ups and repairs to give your home a fresh, crisp look,” Russell says. Replace light bulbs. Hire a professional cleaner. Shampoo the carpets and eliminate odors. Update cabinet handles and doorknobs. “Little things go a long way,” she says. Clear off counters. Particularly

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RESOURCES [REAL ESTATE]

Remove keepsakes and political or religious items. “A lot of people don’t like to remove personal pictures or furniture, but that makes it more difficult for a buyer to envision their family living in the home,” Russell says. Move Fido. “Not everyone is a pet lover,” says Russell, who recommends removing pets from the home or placing them in a kennel or crate. Remove pet toys, bowls and hair, which if left as is may give an impression the house is unclean.

The anatomy of the staged home Russell explains why this staging works

White walls Neutral canvas allows buyers to more easily envision what they’ll do with the space PHOTOS BY AMANDA PITTMAN / COURTESY JOY RUSSELL

in the kitchen, this will better highlight the space. Keep bathroom counters, end tables and bedside tables as clear as possible, leaving not much more than a lamp. “People often have too many toys or books,” Russell says. “Less is more—the fewer items, the larger the home appears.”

Artwork Adds pops of color to the otherwise neutral space

Show it Make sure your home is show-ready when you leave in the morning. Showings typically occur between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m., and sellers usually get a two-hour notice. Don’t be present during showings. “Buyers want to explore a home without feeling Issue Date: Places Ad proof #4 pressured,” RussellSpaces says. “When&a seller’s • Please by e-mail or fax discuss with your approval or minor revisions. not there,respond the agent can freely • AD and WILLcons RUN AS IS clients.” unless revision requests are received within 24 hours. pros with

Modern dining furniture Complements the modern light fixture

LIVE PLAY DINE • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees.

Sofa and coffee table Positioned to take advantage of the natural light flowing through the room

White couch Provides contrast to the dark wood floors

BEFORE

Z A C H A R Y, L O U I S I A N A

A Traditional Neighborhood Development

Americana combines the very best of traditional neighborhood living with award-winning public schools & modern amenities. Front porches give way to grassy lawns, and just around the corner are office buildings, boutiques & restaurants that fit in perfectly. Located just 18 minutes from downtown Baton Rouge.

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SPACES [WORK SPACES]

Work home from

How three local business owners transformed their living spaces into working spaces BY KACI YODER â&#x20AC;˘ Photos by Collin Richie

Kristen

SOILEAU Kristen Soileau Portraits

HER PHOTOGRAPHY TAKES a pastel-hued approach to romance, but Kristen Soileau knows when to bring in a good shadow. In a dedicated home office off her living room, the 25-year-old has styled a space with white walls, dark woods, feminine touches and organic decor. The wedding and elopement photographer likes to take risks with unexpected locales and spontaneous moments with her clientsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and when it comes to the eclectically finished space from which her biz operates, her eye roves just as far. 36

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SPACES [WORK SPACES]

Shelves handmade by husband

Floral couch secondhand from fellow photographer

Thrifted vintage Army trunk

What do you use your home work space for?

Mostly editing photos, answering emails, packaging, client relations. Whenever I’m completely over photography and computers, I watercolor a lot.

How would you describe your design style?

Simple, edgy, but also with a quirky, feminine aspect. I’m not super frilly, and I wear a lot of black, but I love florals—organic, botanic-style patterns. I would say “chill,” but I’m also inspired by patterns and typography, and so in terms of decor, I look for that. The other day I called it “bohemian midcentury modern,” and my husband was like, “I’m pretty sure you just made that up.”

Desk handmade by husband

1960s children’s book about San Francisco

What is your favorite thing in your work space?

I’m most inspired by the typography pieces I have. I did design [in college], not really knowing what I was getting into, and found that I fell in love with the texture of typography and the shapes and silhouettes and the negative space and positive space. So, I’m always looking for interesting patterns and lettering for inspiration.

What are the secrets to keeping work and living spaces separated?

Vintage cameras

Planter from HomeGoods

Camera from college

Vintage typography book Card by New Orleans-based designer Lionheart Prints

First, make sure you have a door. Then, everything in here is business stuff. I try to keep Kristen Soileau Portraits stuff in here and not elsewhere. I make that very clear, and I keep very strict boundaries with that.

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SPACES [WORK SPACES] Ikea lighting

Salvaged filing cabinet

Work table from Lowe’s

Damien

MITCHELL

Damien Mitchell Designs THERE’S A SIMPLE, utilitarian slant to Damien Mitchell’s handcrafted leather goods that’s hard to miss. The Garden District resident favors straightforward lines, sleek silhouettes and functional design in his leather work. The 27-year-old’s apartment work space has a similarly no-nonsense approach. Most of his work space items come straight from Lowe’s or have been thrifted or salvaged, making for a stylishly grungy and—most importantly—usable space that flows into his living room.

Motorcycle enthusiast swag

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SPACES [WORK SPACES]

How are you typically using this space?

I’m mostly sewing at my sewing machine or cutting leather fabric at my work table. It also kind of serves as a living space as well.

How would you describe your design philosophy?

me to sit there and watch TV when all my work tools are hanging on the wall and my sewing machine’s there. I really don’t separate home living space from my work space; I work pretty much all the time. My living space and my work space just kind of merge together, like my lifestyle.

I like to think that it’s very minimalist but not in the typical minimalist meaning. It’s very functional. It’s basically everything I need and no extra stuff.

What’s the story behind your favorite item in the space?

My industrial sewing machine. It’s definitely the main piece of my business. Without it, I couldn’t do much of what I produce. It’s a ’60s or ’70s model console sewing machine, and the good thing about that is that back then it was made in Japan. Quality then was much better than the new machines, which are made in China.

What are the perks of having a home work space?

Vintage, bought locally at All American Sewing

Pegboard from Lowe’s

Secondhand tools from stepdad

The perks would be that it’s really difficult to procrastinate. It’s hard for

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SPACES [WORK SPACES]

Jim

OSBORNE

& READY Melodie

THERE’S HAVING A home work space, and then there’s turning your home into your work space. Jim Osborne, 34, admits he now essentially lives in a bakery, as his small bread and pretzel business, Rösch Bakehaus, has taken off—and taken over. Alongside his partner, Melodie Ready, Osborne may always be at work, but he’s also got the luxury to go to bed a few steps away while he waits for a long dough proof. And we have a feeling breakfast time is amazing.

Rosch Bakehaus

How has working from home transformed your space?

What started off as a house is now two-thirds bakery. In the kitchen, we have 24-inch-wide butcher-block countertops, and that’s critical for making bread. So the kitchen is in a very, very specific way built for rolling out bread. The dining room is no longer a dining room; it contains freezers and a vacuum sealing station. We quickly outgrew a regular oven that’s not really made for breadmaking anyway, so we’ve installed a large commercial gas oven that can get up to the temperatures we need. What was a guest bedroom is now a dry storage room, so as much as 1,000 pounds of flour at a time and all of the components of breadmaking, packaging and branding somehow fit into a bedroom.

How were the countertops created?

I did the countertops myself. You can buy breadmaker’s benches commercially, but they’re not quite the right species of wood, they’re not quite the right size, they don’t fit easily into the house. So I just did that myself.

How did you approach the design of the kitchen?

Just like any chef designing a kitchen, everything is function-based. Minimizing steps when we can is important. That’s difficult to do when you’re converting a house, but we have racks behind the benches where the bread is rolled out for proofing and for cooling, and [you] try to keep ingredients as close to you as you can. The layout, as much as we can, follows the same rules of a commercial kitchen: Minimize the number of times you have to repeat steps.

Industrial cooling rack from restaurant supplier

Proof while you nap

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Handmade countertop by Osborne

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SERVICE. Stanton’s service department is top rated nationally. Experienced technicians set Stanton’s apart from the bigger retailers. In most cases, a technician could see a customer for diagnosis the next day. The Service Manager sets the bar high with over 25+ years’ experience as a technician. He genuinely cares about customers and expects no less from his technicians and office staff. Whether it is a warranty call or an older item, Stanton’s is dedicated to delivering the quality, professional service that has earned the reputation for the “best service in town.”

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Personal

space They design others’ homes for a living, but what’s behind their own front doors? Local interior designers and an antique shop owner took a break from giving clients advice to give us a tour of their homes BY MEG RYAN • Photos by Collin Richie

Ty Larkin takes us inside his three-bedroom Hundred Oaks townhouse.

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Elise

Rosato

Rosato combines antiques, estate sale finds and contemporary pieces to create her unique look. She says designing a home is about finding out what pieces you love and why you need to have them, and filling in the details after the big pieces are in place.

How the interior designer transformed a cozy apartment into a sophisticated sanctuary

ELISE ROSATO GREW up surrounded by antique pieces. She lived with her family in their double shotgun home on Canal Boulevard in New Orleans. From an early age, her father—then-owner of the now-closed Hampshire House Auctions—taught her the ins and outs of auctions and estate sales. Now, as the face behind Elise Rosato Interiors, the 44-year-old uses her antiques background to design clients’ interiors and commercial spaces, and flip homes. She calls her personal style eclectic and loves filling her home with antique finds and original artwork. Currently, Rosato lives in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment on Perkins Road. She decorated it with her own signature look: a fusion of traditional, modern and midcentury styles. She is also in the process of completely renovating her recently purchased home in Old Goodwood, which she plans to move into in about six months.

Rosato owns multiple pieces by late New Orleans artist Bill Hemmerling. The artwork over her couch is an original work she picked up from Hemmerling’s warehouse before he died. She says this jazz ensemble stands out from the artist’s other work due to its large size and bright musical scene.

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The bedroom is your sanctuary, Rosato says. Making this space feel as relaxing as a bubble bath is a priority for the interior designer. When working with clients, she’ll convince them to take project funds away from another room to add a little extra to this room, with luscious bedding, candles and original artwork. In her own home, an antique gold mirror and a Jim Blanchard painting of her childhood home add sentimental value and personal touches to the bedroom.

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Besides the bedroom, Rosato says her favorite space is the living room. She loves to curl up with a good book and a glass of wine, and play New Orleans jazz music in the background.

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Larkins Inside Ty Larkins’ polished three-bedroom Hundred Oaks townhouse TY LARKINS ALWAYS looks at the architectural “bones” of a house first. Then, he adds interior decoration on top. Walking into the Larkins family’s custom-made detached federal townhouse, it’s clear the interior designer practices at home what he preaches to his Ty Larkins Interiors clients. The-48-year-old and his wife designed the house about 12 years ago, when they couldn’t find an existing house with the architectural elements they desired. Larkins describes it as a “city house,” similar to a townhouses you’d typically find in New York, Philadelphia or the designer’s birthplace, New Orleans. While the home features turn-of-the-century architecture and comes off as traditional, he says, the interior design mixes genres. Guests can even spot Larkins’ custom-made furniture interspersed with pieces he has purchased.

Larkins’ studio (above) is one of his favorite spaces in the house to spend time in. The room is north-facing and doesn’t receive a lot of natural light, but he decided to play that characteristic up by creating a warm space that looks best at night.

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Handmade sculptures of Japanese magnolia flowers by Bradley Sabin are displayed in the foyer.

The living room houses plenty of original art piecesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;and no TV. This is a space solely for family time or chatting with friends. The art piece by Ralph Turturro above the couch is the largest piece in the home. Another piece by James Beaman (top photo) hangs above the fireplace and looks red from a distance, but Larkins says with its layers and layers of paint, it can change color depending on how the light hits it.

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Larkins’ bedroom (above) is his favorite space. It’s the room where he spends the most time. The bedroom’s attached sunroom (right) is a versatile space, where you’ll find Larkins and his family watching a movie on the long couch or enjoying breakfast at the table. Both the bedroom and the sunroom offer plenty of natural light, creating a soothing atmosphere.

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In the dining room, Larkins likes to play with drama. Bright colors, different textures and stand-out pieces all work to create a memorable space.

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Lisa

Pellissier Inside the antique shop owner’s art deco home in the Garden District

THE PINK ELEPHANT Antiques owner jokes she was always the kid who loved junk. As a child, she cherished rifling through garage sales and thrift stores. Today, the 49-year-old owns The Pink Elephant, where she sells antiques with a funky vibe. The store opened in April 2016 and has about 30 antique dealers, each offering a unique style. The owner says she’s always looking for weird and quirky items to fill her own section of the store. The same goes for her three-bedroom home, which is filled with unique vintage finds she’s collected over the years. But Pellissier knows not to get too attached to anything. While there are pieces she will never part with, she says one aspect of being an antiques dealer is that she’s always shopping. When something really special comes along, she’ll replace one vintage piece with another.

The living room is the space Pellissier refreshes the most by changing out pieces. Bright colors—oranges, blues and greens—are a must for her, but she adds some white to keep from overwhelming the eye. While she prefers a maximal use of color, she understands not everyone designs that way.

A blue steel table sits to the side of the living room. Pellissier says she adores the piece because it is solid and well-made. And, of course, because it has that cool, vintage vibe. 225batonrouge.com

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SPACES [INTERIORS] Pellissier is a taxidermy collector, with one room solely dedicated to hanging her finds. She says you’ll typically find her in this room rearranging the mounts to make room for new additions.

The kitchen was white when the family moved in, and they decided to keep its original, clean design. Pellissier adds her trademark pop of color with vintage pottery.

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She decorates with unique artwork, such as the playful movie theater sign (above right), which came from a small town in Texas. The medical poster is originally from Germany. A New Orleans mannequin now acts as artwork, hanging on Pellissier’s wall. While to some, the homeowner’s items might look random, she says buying things she loves makes them all come together in the space.

• Please respond by e-mail or fax with your approval or minor revisions. • AD WILL RUN AS IS unless revision requests are received within 24 hours. • Additional revisions must be requested and may be subject to production fees. Carefully check this ad for: CORRECT ADDRESS • CORRECT PHONE NUMBER • ANY TYPOS This ad design © Louisiana Business, Inc. 2017. All rights reserved. Phone 225-928-1700 • Fax 225-926-1329

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AN EXTENDABLE tempered glass table from IKEA saves space during the day while also offering extra room for the Mixons’ frequent dinner parties.

Jamjuree Mixon inside her downtown Baton Rouge apartment

ON SHELVES next to the kitchen, the Mixons store supplies for all their hobbies, including Joseph’s building tools, musical instruments and golf clubs and Jamjuree’s photography and craft equipment.

ROOM FOR ACTIVITIES

How a clothing designer makes the most of her 875-squarefoot downtown apartment BY JENNIFER TORMO • Photos by Collin Richie JAMJUREE MIXON DOESN’T own a couch. There is no TV in her living room, either. When she and her husband, Joseph, downsized from their Prairieville home to a one-bedroom apartment last year, they saved their square footage for less traditional entertainment: an art station instead of a TV, a dining table that could seat 10 instead of a couch. The space is still plenty cozy—and attracts daily visits from friends who come over to play card games or enjoy home-cooked meals. Today, Jamjuree is perched on a clear plastic chair at her dining table, wearing a graphic T-shirt

and funky glasses. The savory scent of vegetables and pork wafts in from the kitchen, where she and Joseph cook soup daily. “I love minimal style,” she says, explaining her and Joseph’s pared-down, industrial aesthetic. When she saw the Commerce Building’s concrete floors and modern marble and natural-wood kitchens, she knew immediately it was where she wanted to live. “You know those tinyhouse TV shows? That fits her style perfectly,” Joseph, 30, says. And much like those tiny houses, the couple’s apartment is full of furniture hacks. Joseph, a program-

mer who used to work in construction, built most of the pieces by hand, including Jamjuree’s collapsible sewing station on casters. He custom-built his own desk to fit into a small hallway between their bedroom and the dining area. When Jamjuree isn’t cooking or entertaining, she’s working. The 25-yearold moved to Baton Rouge three years ago from Ayutthaya, Thailand, for a work-study program. Not long after, she met Joseph and fell in love— both with him and her new city. Today, she runs her clothing brand, SVH Official, from her apart-

ment. She sketches, sews, designs and meets on Skype with her business partner in Thailand. “We both love to work,” Jamjuree says while Joseph nods in agreement. “Our apartment is designed more like a workspace.” Sketches and inspirational photos are displayed around Jamjuree’s desk, along with her latest project-in-progress: a dress made from Mardi Gras beads. Next to the desk is a clothing rack showcasing some favorite designs: a black and white checkered crop top with a matching pencil skirt and a lime-green mini skirt.

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A GALLERY wall in the entryway is a daily reminder of Jamjuree’s home in Thailand. A framed photo of the country’s former king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, hangs next to a miniature Buddha sculpture that her grandmother gave her as a good luck charm.

4 COURTESY JAMJUREE MIXON

During the day, Third Street-facing windows flood the apartment with light. At night, a photography softbox plays double duty, providing lighting both for the room and for Jamjuree’s photography. She also uses a camera tripod as a makeshift easel for her oil paintings. The Mixons agree their downtown lifestyle has pushed them to keep room in their lives for only the activities they truly love— Jamjuree’s art, Joseph’s woodwork, shopping for produce next door at Matherne’s, taking a swim in the Commerce Building’s rooftop pool and having drinks at Draft House. It’s a comfortable living, and they aren’tS&P changing it anytime soon. They just AD WILL RUN AS IS lease for re-upped their another year.

THE MIXONS spend more time in the kitchen than any other room, where they make tom kha gai, a Thai coconut soup, with ingredients from Matherne’s downtown and local Vietnamese market Vinh Phat.

JAMJUREE’S DIY sewing station is armed with a colorful spools of thread she uses to create her clothing designs, as well as casters so she can easily move her work around the apartment.

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Darian Tarver (left) and roommate Emily Huynh in their living room. Huynh’s bike is at the ready for a ride around the LSU lakes. Tarver found the small, retro-looking desk at a consignment shop in Zachary.

PICTURE PERFECT Inside a photographer’s plant-filled digs on the LSU lakes BY CYNTHEA CORFAH • Photos by Collin Richie DARIAN TARVER’S HOME channels her style as much as her brand does. The 23-year-old owns a photography business. Her photos often contain the same natural lighting and rustic colors as her airy and bright home. Tarver moved into her three-bedroom rental on Morning Glory Avenue in 2016 and quickly filled it with unique finds, dried plants and pastel colors. Though she shares the space with three other housemates, she says the home was fairly empty and only lightly decorated when she moved in. That gave her free reign to transform the house into a relaxing, creative space. “I work best in an empty space and can just see things where they should go,” Tarver says. While each room in Tarver’s home resembles a Pinterest post, her

Tarver’s favorite place to be in her home is her brightly lit workspace where she edits photos, responds to emails and books sessions with clients.

Snake plants and cacti are two of Tarver’s favorite plants. 225batonrouge.com

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sunroom-turned-workroom might take the cake. The workspace is bright, clean and simple, with accents of gold, white and pink. Her desktop is a mix of plants, books and office supplies. “I guess just because I’m so used to taking pictures of things that I want anything around me to just be like—if someone took a picture of this, it would look just as good as it does in person,” Tarver says. Each room in her space has a different mood. The sunroom is warm and airy, with light pouring in from the large windows. Her living room is cozy and dimly lit. With brown couches and mixed patterned pillows, it boasts touches of bohemian and Western styles. Her bedroom, more minimalist than the rest of the home, is filled with natural light, walls painted a sandy peach and has a comfy, cloud-like bed in the center. Bouquets of dried flowers are pinned to the walls, and eucalyptus plants are scattered throughout her home. Some of the dried flowers have sentimental meaning: One of the bouquets, hung 62

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above a light switch and wrapped with a white ribbon, was saved from a close friend’s wedding. “I’m inspired by other people’s creativity, and so that’s a lot [like] how my photography is, as well,” Tarver says. “I guess that’s how I find inspiration in general … how other people get inspired.”

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TARVER AND HUYNH worked together to transform their sunroom into their ideal workspace.

to keep the unhinged green door that was left in the home as decoration when Tarver moved in.

DRIED LAVENDER MAKES a sentimental centerpiece on Tarver’s dining room table. Tarver and her roommates decided

FOR THE MANTEL DISPLAY, Tarver purchased flower vases from Goodwill, spraypainted them and filled them with dried plants. She scripted “it is well”

on Kraft paper to create the sign above the mantel.

NO PART of Tarver’s space is left untouched. A corner of her bedroom is filled with her hat collection, a record player and her own hand-drawn portraits.

Photography by Bill Feig | The Advocate 225batonrouge.com

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