TIMELESS RETREAT

ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA   
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Among the vast, upscale subdivisions spread across the lush rolling hills of Choudrant, Louisiana, one house towers on a slope at the end of a long, curved driveway. Here, windows overlook the scenic 15th green in the prestigious Squire Creek Country Club, which offers a sweeping view of a vibrant, towering treeline and a large, rippling pond. The luxurious, modern Tudor-style house features multiple steep-pitched gables and a white-washed brick exterior. 

Noticeably designed for comfort, it’s surprising to know it sat vacant for close to four years until current owners Dr. Dayanny Langiulli and her husband, Dr. Michael Langiulli, decided to make the house their new home alongside their two children. The couple breathed new life into once-empty and muted rooms, meticulously planning renovations and eagerly selecting interior design elements that would represent their definition of what makes a home a home. 

When the Langiullis moved to Ruston around the summer of 2010 for work, they only planned to stay for a few years. But the family ended up loving North Louisiana so much that they decided to stay. That decision prompted the couple to consider the kind of home they could settle into. Seeking more space, they began looking into building a home. Unfortunately, the decision coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in the swift rise of building costs. With only a few houses on the market to select from, the couple was pleasantly surprised that the subdivision property checked a majority of their boxes—multi-level, high ceilings, lots of windows, and a spacious backyard for her son to practice soccer. “And I needed water,” says Dayanny, explaining that she has always wanted a water view, if not the ocean, some pristine water source. That, she got!

The house had been well-loved by the previous owners, but the Langiullis quickly realized some upgrades were due. “I knew Julie could help us,” says Dayanny, referring to the masterful design talents of Julie Mays, further adding, “I knew that she would be the one to help us make it our home.” Before the couple purchased the home, they had Julie walk through it with them. She helped them envision what was difficult to discern in its barren state, as usual, approaching the task with infectious enthusiasm. Her ideas made them feel as though any whim could be achieved. “My daughter used to call her a fairy godmother with a magic wand. When Julie thinks of something, she just waves her wand around and makes magic happen.”

Capturing the essence of home for the Langiullis began with a particular color scheme that tapped into Dayanny’s family and heritage. “I’ve always loved the color of the ocean,” she says, mentioning the Caribbean Sea, located only a few miles from her family’s hometown of Moca in Puerto Rico. Considering this personal detail, Julie wove shades of blue throughout the rooms. Bright and deep blues peek out from decorative display pieces, paintings, and some paint selections. The flow of these colors from one room to another creates a calming mood, but more importantly, it makes Dayanny feel at home. 

Attention to detail is evident throughout the four-bedroom, five-bathroom home. The grand entryway sets a sleek, opulent tone, starting with an elegant, circular ceiling light, bestrewn with crystalline glass pieces held by gold leaf finish brackets. At the base of the stairwell, a large, concave-frame mirror is mounted over a black, wooden-framed sideboard with charcoal-finished doors. Two tall crystal cylinder base lamps, each placed on opposite ends of the sideboard, cast a soft light. In this transitional space, attention is monopolized (understandably so) by a large, mixed media, abstract painting by Ruston-based artist Maggie Jones Boudreaux. Lit by a line wall sconce, observers can appreciate the rich, dark blue border framing a calming teal center, textured by gold focal points.

A glimpse into the left wing of the house reveals a spacious kitchen where a magnificent chandelier captivates the space. The Loire Cascading Chandelier by Visual Comfort Signature makes a dramatic statement with glass discs designed in a tapered arrangement that vaguely resembles the inner surface of seashells. The soft light that filters through the glass swirls land on a dark wooden table surrounded by gray, velvet-upholstered chairs characterized by curved backs and nailhead trim. Nearby, a large kitchen island is illuminated by recessed lighting. Four clear acrylic seat barstools with a brash finish create a striking contrast with the deep twilight blue of the island’s base. The quartzite countertop veining exposes hints of blues and greens, exemplifying the ocean theme, further enhanced by the mother-of-pearl, geometric backsplash of the sink and stove area. As the heart of this home, the kitchen lives up to its demand by way of high-end appliances and cabinetry. The eggshell-colored cabinets lining the sink area feature upper cabinets styled with glass-front inserts, where decorative glazed pottery is on display. Stove-side cabinets frame a Wolf gas range oven paired with a Zephyr Forte wall custom range hood accented with a polished gold banding. “I find great peace and happiness when I’m in the kitchen cooking. I look out and see the ocean swirls on the countertop, the seashell-inspired light fixture, and then I have a beautiful view of the golf course and pond,” says Dayanny.

“We redid the entire backyard,” informs Dayanny, mentioning landscaping, the addition of a pool, and the screened backyard living space. From the kitchen, two wooden French double doors lead to the outdoor patio overlooking the luxurious swimming pool with a mosaic-tiled spa and two curvy loungers. The upstairs area, closest to the kitchen, boasts a fully furnished outdoor kitchen featuring Viking appliances, including a grill, warming drawer, oven, boiler, refrigerator, wine cooler, ice machine, sink, and under-counter storage. From here, the family can transition into the slate patio overlooking the golf course, a cozy nook with a whitewashed, brick fireplace, and stylishly decorated with a starburst wall decor set. Close to the pool, a sizable downstairs area features high vaulted ceilings, chic patio furniture set, a spectacular pendant light fixture, and large floor tiles. The space has become a hub for her children’s friends. Dayanny notes, “We have been blessed to be able to provide a safe place for teenagers to enjoy.” Gathering family and friends is a practice she learned from her father, whom she calls the “social coordinator of his community.” There was always enough to share with others, which is what she has aimed to replicate in her new home. 

Quality family time is usually reserved for the cozy den, one of the rooms that underwent the most renovation. The transformation includes wooden floating shelves displaying decorative accents such as an impressive metallic peacock feather with crystal accents and sculptural vases. An angular chandelier casts a warm light on sophisticated, upholstered sofas and accent chairs. The white-painted, brick fireplace, one of Dayanny’s favorite aspects of the space, showcases a floating fireplace mantel shelf with two slender lamps on each side of a conceptual, landscape painting. Modern, ceramic fireballs are stacked neatly in the firebox. With natural light bursting through shutters, the space maintains an airy ambiance.

The end of any given night holds the promise of a calming wind-down routine. The journey to the upstairs bedrooms begins with a brush of more artistic work near the stairwell entrance. The two mixed media pieces are by Ruston-based artist Emily Pullin and feature cool blue tones, rigid lines, and gold accents. Going up the stairs reveals a radiant, two-tiered, ring chandelier matching the entryway light fixture. The primary bedroom has a coastal theme, evident in the pearlescent wallpaper displaying a “spa blue” botanical design. An upholstered bed with a tall headboard rests under an artistic, gold-toned chandelier stylized with sculptural metal leaves. French doors lead to a glass-enclosed sunroom, allowing Dayanny and Michael to wake up bathed in sunlight and a view of the pond. In the primary bath, a freestanding tub with bronze fixtures sits under a staggered, ring chandelier. A few steps away, a frameless, walk-in shower is designed with large, polished tile and a slab seat. The soft gray walls further accentuate the tranquil tone of the space.

The Langiullis credit Julie with creating a beautiful and upscale home that is also livable. “I really liked the fact that she mixed bright and airy with metals,” Dayanny conveys, adding, “She mixes contemporary with classic, elegant pieces.” Though Dayanny is still planning a few more home projects on her already busy to-do list, the house, as is, is undeniably already a home.