6 minute read
La Belle Maison
BY LIESEL SCHMIDT La Vie EstBelle
With its sharp peaks, smooth white expanse of stucco, stately columns, and multitude of mullioned windows, there’s something old worldly about the home that the Authement family created for themselves in Mandeville. Built in 2020, the 9500 square feet that comprise Belle Maison embodies the picture of Acadian architecture, made to look as though it is a heritage home rather than one that was completed merely a year ago.
Boasting dual masters with en-suite baths as well as three additional bedrooms, four bathrooms, and an office, the home sprawls across the lush expanse of green it sits on, interrupted only by the meticulously maintained landscaping and a blue stone paver patio leading to a vibrant blue pool and a cabana area. The lot backs up to a thick expanse of trees that gives the property a sense of privacy—one of the main reasons the owners fell in love with the location. That, and the size of the property itself. “My dad and I built this home together with the plan of sharing as a family after selling both of our own homes,” says Joseph Authement, who shares the home with his wife of 16 years, Megan, and their three children as well has his parents, Pam and Rickey Authement. “We all moved to Mandeville after losing both of our homes in hurricane Katrina and had always wanted to build a home together. Then we found a perfect corner lot in a quiet cul-de-sac in the sanctuary that was over an acre to build this home on.”
Clearly, the space is big enough that the two couples and the children can comfortably live together, affording them the opportunity to share their time and their lives. “We love that we were able to bring three generations together under one roof. For us, family means everything,” says Joseph, who works for Johnson and Johnson Behind flexible robotics.
Naturally, with the pool and cabana as well as the wooded area that lines the back perimeter of the property, the outdoor elements of the home have great appeal—especially for the kids and the dogs. As breathtaking as the exterior may be, it is the interior that truly shines.
The theme of white continues inside, wrapping the walls in cool, crisp colorlessness that allows the architectural details and carefully chosen décor to take focus. “We wanted to bring in some old New Orleans-French Quarter feel throughout the home because our family is originally from New Orleans,” Joseph explains. In the living room, soaring cathedral ceilings are lined with exposed beams reclaimed from the Levi Strauss factory, bringing with them an element of warmth and over 100 years of history. Anchoring the space are reclaimed antique heart of pine floors, almost mirroring the beams overhead. On the back wall, an elegant, antique style fireplace creates the perfect space to showcase art that provides a vibrant pop of color in an otherwise white expanse of space. A large chandelier hangs above, adding another touch of elegance to the rustic feel of the room.
Flowing from one room to the next, the heart of pine floors and reclaimed beams on the ceilings provide a sense of continuity, as does the old Chicago brick that accents the main rooms of the first floor. The open floor plan of the living and dining room transition seamlessly into the kitchen, with a massive island claiming pride of place in the center of the room. Topped by Taj Mahal quartzite, the Shaker-style custom cabinetry continues the theme of white, with stainless steel Viking appliances offering everything a home chef could want in a kitchen. A ceramic farmhouse sink in the island lends to the French country modern look of the space, and a custom plaster vent hood above the stove incorporates perfectly with the thick crown molding tracing out the ceiling. Just off the kitchen, a 375-bottle wine cellar holds the Authements’ collection. “The kitchen and the wine cellar are really two of our favorite rooms of the house,” says Joseph. “We love to cook, so we spend a great deal of time in the kitchen.
As one would expect, the masters are, indeed, masterfully appointed. Both master bathrooms feature Carrera marble floors and countertops as well as a steam shower and freestanding tubs. The master bedrooms downstairs also boast vaulted cathedral ceilings and fireplaces with old Chicago brick and old Chicago mantles.
From every aspect, Belle Maison is everything it claims to be: a beautiful house. But it’s the love in it that makes it even more beautiful.
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