Nostalgic New Orleans Italianate

Builder: HGH Construction, LLC

Designer: Van Deusen Design

Interior design: Sean Thompson Interiors

 

When the last of the children flew the coup from this century-old home, it was time to turn the family-friendly abode into a refined escape that would rival even the best of the Big Easy. Jonathan Bailey, builder for HGH Construction, LLC, worked hand in hand with Shelley and Caldwell Huckabay to make sure the project was executed with style while still staying true to the home’s original character.

“I think we all came into this project with an intention that we were going to be very respectful of this house,” says Bailey. “Sometimes when people renovate a home, the first thing they do is blow it up and blow it out, and that would have been the wrong approach to this house.”

 

By Christina Cannon

Photography by Philip Slowiak

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Brick: Acme Brick, Tile & Stone

Custom built-ins: Dakota Concepts Inc.

Homeowners: Shelley and Caldwell Huckabay

White Brick Beauty

Back outside the home, the Italianate style gives way to French influences with five gas lantern sconces and a New Orleans-inspired second-story balcony. Here, an iron railing ties in with some of the home’s interior elements and draws the eye upward toward the hip roofs of the white brick home. “The gas lanterns outside are really where it all started,” explains Bailey. “Shelley just fell in love with those pieces, and the entire design style evolved off of that.” To see more from HGH Construction, LLC, visit hghconstruction.com.

A mixture of white and red oak floors, which are characteristic of the home’s age, draw visitors further inside and into the kitchen. The richness of the wood grain floors is complemented by light colors used throughout the rest of the space. Gatsby quartz countertops run throughout the kitchen, and Calacatta Gold marble tiles with faint veining add a touch of character while keeping the space airy and bright. Simple white shaker-style cabinetry rounds out the look and is outfitted with gold hardware, which nicely ties into two pendant lights over the island and the frames of three clear-seat barstools.

To the right of the kitchen sits a wet bar punctuated by two unique globe lights carrying a trace of the gold found in the kitchen.

“This house, from the outside, is extremely traditional and classic, and it was really important for us to retain that classic feel as we modernized the kitchen,” explains Jackie Howard with Scarlett’s Cabinetry. “To create this timeless essence, we extended the cabinetry to the ceiling and used the same finish on the cabinetry as the millwork in a light historical gray-painted finish. We chose to use elements that are removable such as the barstools, lighting, and hardware and let those be what offered the room a modern touch.”

 

Appliances and plumbing fixtures: Ferguson

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry 

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Tile: The Tile Store

In the living room, two blue velvet tuxedo sofas set the stage for the eclectic atmosphere that runs throughout the home. A black iron fireplace cover provides a slight nod to the French Quarter, while a brushed brass and crystal chandelier hangs overhead and works to warm up the room. Just steps away is the home’s library, which provides the perfect space to curl up with a book while also remaining open to the living room, which is ideal for larger gatherings.

The home’s dining room sits adjacent to the kitchen and welcomes guests with its warm, neutral color palette. Here, a wooden table is paired with light gray distressed chairs, and three tabletop vases marry the colors with style and grace. A chandelier, similar to the one that can be found in the home’s living room, hangs overhead and provides additional warm gold accents. Two French doors off the dining room lead to an office complete with additional seating.

 

Interior doors and trim: East Chattanooga Lumber & Supply Co.

Windows: Chattanooga Exteriors

Walking up a staircase just inside the home’s entryway leads visitors to the master suite. Warm hardwood floors run throughout the space and provide the perfect foundation for a cozy and inviting king bed outfitted with crisp white linens. Pops of pale pink and a purplish gray are carried from the accent pillows and fresh flowers that rest on the nightstand all the way to a botanical painting on a nearby wall.

Steps away, a sliding door grants access to the master bathroom, which maintains an elevated elegance with its Carrera Gold basket weave flooring. “This room is a great example of what it meant to respect this house,” adds Bailey. “This is not one of those master bathrooms that has 200 square feet and a chaise lounge in it, but that wouldn’t have felt right anyway. We took the space we had and turned it into a little slice of luxury that still fits the character of the home.”

 

Cabinetry: Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Cabinetry design: Jackie Howard, Scarlett’s Cabinetry

Tile: The Tile Store

Accessible from both the main living space as well as the wet bar alcove, the home’s screened-in back porch offers another great place to relax in good company. Eight blue metal chairs surround an outdoor dining table, while cushioned wicker furniture accommodates four and provides more intimate seating. With a mixture of colors, materials, and textures, this eclectic home combines the old with the new in a truly artful way.

“Our main goal with this project was to make everything flow. We always want everything we do to feel like it was the original intent,” explains Bailey. “It’s rarely ever the big details that leave a lasting impression with you in a house. It’s the little things that tweak it for you and make a house really feel like a home.”

 

Other Suppliers:

Countertops and stone: Pinnacle Granite & Stone LLC

Flooring: Tripps Hardwood Floors

Painting: JHP Contractors

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