You might recognize this home from a few seasons ago. We renovated the Coopers’ home around seven years ago and then later renovated their daughter Bowman’s home. We love working with the Coopers! This time around, they asked us to help them with an addition they wanted to build.

When Cynthia and Scotty picked out this home, they were downsizing as empty nesters, but then they realized they had downsized a little too much. This addition has given them a little more space and made it possible for them to have guests over, including Bowman, who comes over for holidays and likes to stay for a few days.

The challenge was to fit a lot into a small space. We had 500 square feet to work with and wanted to include a living room, a kitchen, a bedroom, a laundry room, and a storm shelter.

BEFORE

The goal for the addition was for it to feel original to the home. Cynthia and Scotty wanted the exterior to match the existing house, drawing from a classic New Orleans style with white walls and gas lanterns.

When we renovated the Coopers’ home years ago, Cynthia asked for French doors flanked by louvered shutters, all handmade by Dave. To keep the exterior consistent, Dave built four more for the addition. Using the same details helped the new space blend seamlessly with the original structure.

AFTER

SOURCES

Exterior Lanterns | Flambeaux

Windows | Plygem by Cornerstone

Siding & Shutters | Color Matched to House

When you step from the main house into the addition, you enter a new hallway. With recent storms in mind, the Coopers wanted a storm shelter—without it looking like one. We created a hallway between the main house and the addition that includes a hidden shelter where they can comfortably retreat with their animals in the event of a tornado.

The space includes storage for important documents, a built-in bench, and simple touches like a rug and pillows to keep it feeling cozy. This hallway also houses the washer and dryer, making it a practical, everyday space.

SOURCES

Storm Shelter | Survive-A-Storm

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Wall Paint Color | Sherwin Williams Library Pewter

We added a full kitchen that’s small enough for this space but still has everything you need. The lower cabinets are painted a brownish tone and house a panel-ready refrigerator and dishwasher. Dark counters and backsplash, together with a set of walnut cabinets with glass fronts above, keep the moody, masculine feel.

SOURCES

Countertops | Cosentino

Range | ILVE

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Cabinet Latch | Emtek

Cabinets | Premiere Wood Concepts

Blinds | Amazon

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Wall & Cabinet Paint Color | Sherwin Williams Library Pewter

While the exterior of the addition was meant to tie in with the main house, Cynthia wanted the interior to be the opposite. She wanted to surprise Scotty by making this a space for him. The main house is light and airy, feminine and minimalist, with layers of white on white. This space is more masculine, with shades of green and brown, leather textures, and dark wood materials. It’s a funky, New Orleans-inspired man hangout that’s perfect for Scotty.

We installed hardwood floors throughout and created an entire wall of built-in shelving with storage space above and a rolling ladder. At the center of the wall, we inserted a gorgeous vintage piece. Scotty likes to collect bourbon, and I found the perfect display case at an antique shop to use as his bourbon locker.

The Coopers love their animals—just like we love ours—so I wanted to have something special made to celebrate that. We had a local artist paint each one of their pets and mounted them over the fireplace. The paintings are perfect. The colors and the shadows make them a little moodier. They’re dark, with more depth, giving them a more vintage feel, which also plays well with the aesthetic.

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Ceiling Fan | Fanimation 

Sconces | Wayfair

Rolling Ladder | Putnam Rolling Ladder

Art | Marian Parsons

Art | Krista Kim

Art | Nancy Abernathy

Wall & Cabinet Paint Color | Sherwin Williams Library Pewter

Cynthia didn’t want this to look like a typical bedroom with a bed in the middle of the room. Instead, she wanted to create a nook for the bed. We built this nook behind the living room’s built-in. It hides the bed, but leaving the entrance to the nook open (without a door) allows guests easy access to the restroom.

SOURCES

Furniture | Howse

Sconces | CB2

Pendant Light | Anthropologie

Art | Alex Bodishbaugh

Wall, Trim & Ceiling Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Dark Olive 

With touches of dark oak in the cabinets, dark shower tiles, and gold details like the mirror, this little bathroom looks like something you would find in the French Quarter. We chose a walnut vanity with a counter that matches the kitchen. Dave added some detail with handmade wooden feet. The Coopers were so happy with the black-and-white checkered tile that reminds them of a certain New Orleans restaurant they like.

SOURCES

Sconces | CB2

Countertops | Cosentino

Cabinets | Premiere Wood Concepts

Cabinet Knobs | Emtek

Cabinet Latches | Emtek

Shower Wall Tile | Daltile

Floor Tile | Daltile

Floor Tile | Daltile

Runner | Turkish Trunk

Wall Paint Color | Benjamin Moore Dark Olive

Cynthia and Scotty love vintage pieces, and I love how we were able to carry that into the outdoor area as well. The brick pathways, romantic fountain, and ceramic fireplace mantel make the space feel like an old French Quarter courtyard. The brick flooring was created using reclaimed brick that once belonged to a hospital damaged years ago in the Joplin tornado. The fireplace mantel was found in an antique store in Italy. It dates back to the 1600s and adds one more meaningful layer to the space.

Not as glamorous, but incredibly important to the Coopers, was an additional parking area we added to the side of the house. To finish off the exterior, we planted new trees and greenery to create a natural privacy barrier that also helps beautify the entire space.

SOURCES

Outdoor Kitchen Suite | THOR Kitchen