Southern Elegance

WRITTEN BY MARLAINE PEACHEY PHOTOS BY KIKI RANDON

JAMISON AND ANDREA BAGWELL met in New Orleans and married in 2007. They enjoyed successful careers; Jamison, a third-generation lawyer practicing in Baton Rouge and Andrea, serving as a Career Counselor with a master’s degree from the University of Denver. At an opportune time, however, they made the pivotal decision to pursue their true passions. Moving to Covington, the Bagwells began Bluebird Development in 2016. Jamison launched new construction of high-end homes, while also renovating and transforming older structures, all of which were devotedly designed by Andrea’s intrinsic talent in creative style and architecture. Together their talents have dovetailed to produce an enjoyable experience for their clients. And today, they have proudly achieved the milestone of becoming one of St. Tammany’s finest home builders.

Having grown up in southeast Louisiana, raised firmly within a French influenced environment of history and culture, the Bagwells are well familiar with southern sophistication, which they employ to create extraordinary homes regardless of the client’s style. It is this refined and relaxed approachability which defines Bluebird Development and Design's finished product, always detailed, timeless, and elegant.

Their own residence was the first one ever built and designed by Bluebird. Andrea chose a Federal styled home design, based on the Derby Summer House designed in 1793 by architect Samuel McIntire. It boasts 4,833 square feet in living area, with 5 bedrooms and 4.5 baths.

Andrea incorporated unprecedented detail that she loves in every room: there are ram’s head appliques installed in the oversized federal style millwork, dueling 18th century lights over the kitchen island, the dining room chandelier, circa 1920, is from Paris, the fire place mantel is concrete cast from a 1750 Louis XV style and the kitchen hardware was custom made with a rice pattern cast in solid brass and finished in polished nickel.

She calls her favorite room the “Blue Room”, a cozy sitting room outside the Master Bedroom that is paneled with raised molding and draped in high gloss light blue color, where she likes to enjoy her morning coffee and catch up on the day’s current events. In this room and every room in the house, she has written scripture.

Jamison added that the floors are solid white oak milled in Europe and cut in a chevron pattern with varying stain colors. Antique shutters were converted to pantry doors and in the master bathroom, accented by black and white floors, the master shower has exposed brass plumbing fixtures, which were inspired by their visit to a 1917 renovated hotel in

It has been said that when ordinary people rise above expectations and seize the opportunity, milestones are truly reached.

Panama City, Panama.

Andrea believes that good design begins with an exceptional story. Every object should be truly meaningful to keep the essence of the inhabitants, and with that in mind, she develops authentic and curated interior designs that are creative, distinctive and filled with character as you move through the rooms.

The Bagwells have two children, Harrison, 18, who attends St. Paul’s and plays Lacrosse, and Hudsyn, 16, who attends Archbishop Hannan and competes countrywide as an Equestrian. The family loves to vacation at Alys Beach, where peace and tranquility abound amid Mediterranean influences of stark white structures that are canvassed by sky, sea and sand.

According to Jamison and Andrea, in all of God’s creation, nothing emanates more color than the species unique to birds. Bluebirds in particular, are often associated with happiness, harmony, joy and peace. They symbolize hope, love, positivity and renewal. Because they sing even in the harshest climates, they remind us to never lose faith, even in our darkest hours. Today, Bluebird Development and Design proudly continues to create extraordinary homes that are timeless and classic.

For more information, regarding this property, contact Stevie Mack or Alice McNeely at (985) 626-5695 or alicemcneely.com.