La Belle Maison

SHADES

By Liesel Schmidt of GRAY

Nestled along the waterfront of Lake Ponchartrain, the home that Frank Stuart and Vince Liuzza III own in Mandeville is a reflection of their love for monochromatic décor. There’s minimal use of color splashed throughout like unexpected strokes of highly pigment paint in a master work. Every inch of the condo is like a signature on a canvas, or a fingerprint, as the couple lean toward this use of neutrals as a rule, almost ignoring the entire color wheel except when it comes to their art, which injects unexpected bursts here and there through pieces that are both mesmerizing and unforgettable.

Built in 2000, the home belies its decades through the couple’s thoughtful renovations, giving incredible attention to detail by the two men whose day-to-day routines involve paying attention to details. “This was a complete renovation, and all furnishings were purchased specifically for this home, sourced by Lesle Veca of V Home & Interiors,” says Liuzza, who co-owns Southern Window Accents with Stuart, in addition to his role as owner and broker of Liuzza Realty Group. “Lesle and David have been friends of ours for 20 years, and we trust her to understand our style. She dedicated countless hours to working with Frank to find the perfect furnishings for every space; and when shipping delays were a challenge, she sourced local craftsmen to custom-make what was needed.”

Constructed with a nod to the architecture of the West Indies blended with Southern charm, the waterfront condo opens its arms to welcome its owners to light-filled spaces that, while nearly devoid of color save for varying shades of charcoal and gray, are densely populated with textures and accents that sparkle or shine. The result is what Stuart coins as “lakefront chic,” though there is not a stick of coastal kitsch to be found in the mix. Instead, the rooms have been lavishly decorated with pieces of quality which are often the topic of conversation for anyone visiting the home.

This was a complete renovation, and all furnishings were purchased specifically for this home, sourced by Lesle Veca of V Home & Interiors.”

Boasting 2,350 square feet with 400 square feet of balconies, the threebedroom home seemingly gives context to the way the couple thinks. “The aesthetic is an overall transitional theme that combines traditional lighting, furniture, and window treatments with more modern elements such as the doorknobs, bathroom tiles, dark bathroom cabinets, and bold furniture colors,” says Veca. “Bold” is a relative term here, as their furniture does not stray from the gray and charcoal line they have drawn.

Built on the foundation of good bones from the original architecture and footprint of the home, the finishes are what truly make the spaces. The couple removed all interior doors and lighting, gutted the kitchen and baths, and tore out the flooring. Guided through the renovation process by Mitch Guillot of MG Interior Designs, Stuart chose new finishes including flooring, bathroom tile, cabinets, appliances, counters, and EMTEK crystal doorknobs. They then entrusted Lesle Veca with the task of hand-selecting their furniture, mirrors, lighting, and even their cabinet pulls to perfectly fit every space. As exacting as their standards are, there were, of course, some pieces that Stuart and Liuzza brought in themselves: the master bed frame and an office desk custom made by Nick Dischler, balcony tables custom made by Keith Dufour of Louisiana Cypress Lumber Co., and original art by David Harouni of New Orleans. Naturally, Southern Window Accents supplied the custom window treatments: linen drapes in living room, motorized velvet drapes in the master bedroom, motorized Perfect Sheer shades in the master bath, office, and guest room. “The motorization technology just puts the window treatments over the top,” Liuzza notes.

As one of the most used spaces, the kitchen was given a great deal of attention, kitted with only the best. The space, slightly off-bubble from a true L-shape, is lined with custom cabinetry boasting Taj Mahal quartzite counters, inset with stainless Dacor appliances and a Hoshizaki ice machine as well as pull-out pantry drawers and hidden electric outlets. A large center island offers bar seating along with a beverage center and wine fridge—perfect for the couple who loves to entertain.

The master suite is a continuation of the monochromatic theme, with accents that make it feel lavish and sanctuarylike: motorized white velvet drapes add a touch of luxury, while crystal lamps bring in an edge of glamour. The ensuite is slightly more modern, with slate-colored cabinets and coordinating shower floor tiles, three tall gold-framed mirrors, antique gold plumbing hardware from Kohler, and—of course—custom closets.

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Every inch of the home is a labor of love—and one that Stuart and Liuzza can proudly claim as theirs, having left their previous home to start a new chapter of their lives. “After living in—and loving—The Sanctuary for 16 years, we were ready to live in a walkable community with restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and bars close by,” says Liuzza. “The condo has a secure, gated courtyard entrance with carport parking, a large furnished common area, and a gorgeous oak tree. We love the location, and it’s an amazing place to live at this point in our lives.”