Bayou Home

Away from the piercing rumble of car engines barreling through I-20, away from the milder transit of LA-145, deeper yet into the backroads of the Ruston-Choudrant border, a road lined with the quiet ceremony of tall trees and erratically growing shrubbery leads to a vacation rental settled near a large pond. On the bend toward the sequestered dwelling, two worn, redbrick barns act as sentries, their storied exteriors a striking reminder of time dialing down. Here, the air is rich with renewal, and the house that awaits at Arnold Road can be part of that embrace for all who visit.

Property owners, Beverly and Jeff Posey, having grown up in the Choudrant area, are keenly aware of the permeating synergy that the house and property exude. “This was a special place,” says Beverly. As a child, her mother would drive her to the property to show her around. The sheer expanse of the grounds and the grandeur of the pond, full and robust thanks to the annual contributions of nearby streams, pulled on the sleeves of her imagination and sense of play. “We just loved this place.” Even then, neither Beverly’s affinity nor Jeff’s proximity to the property (his family owning close to 28 acres just south of the property) could have indicated what has become the equivalent of a ministry.

The Poseys are busy bees, of sorts. Soon after retiring from CenturyLink after 35 years, Beverly joined the company’s former CEO in another business venture based in Farmerville. Meanwhile, Jeff has owned Choudrant Mini Mart for 16 years. As a couple, they also own and manage a few long-term rentals in Ruston. Suffice it to say, adding an elaborate renovation and additional property to manage was not in their immediate purview. But in 2022, when their son pointed out a “For Sale” sign that had suddenly appeared at a location they had admired for so long, it felt like a call to action.

Renovations did not begin in their favor. What had begun as a charming A-frame cottage with a darling balcony had some square footage added along with southwestern architectural features like a flat roof. It then sat vacant for decades until a family used it as a homestead for close to 12 years. By the time the Poseys arrived, it was in need of some tender loving care. At least seven contractors recommended “scrape and burn,” but the couple could not be moved. Their vision was to create an “old home place” using the core framework of the original house, which had been built in 1973. It took a year, but thanks to the support of project manager Rhonda Evans and architect Tony Littleton, their vision finally took flight.

In July of last year, the 5-bedroom, 4-bath home was listed on Airbnb. The couple also began an Instagram and Facebook account for the property, naming the house The Blue Heron. The appellation is twofold. Naturally, it’s an honorable nod to the few blue herons who frequent the pond, elegantly hunting in slow struts for fish, insects, and the occasional frog. More subtly, it embraces the symbolic and spiritual meaning of the large bird. Beverly mentions crosscultural representations of self-determination, transformation, and renewal, all characteristics they had always connected to the acreage.

The Blue Heron slowly reveals itself from the main road, its egg-white exterior a stark contrast to the glossy, wooden beams of the porch, charcoal-colored roof shingles, and glint of gold from a white fireplace that will expose itself to be a striking sculpted heron weathervane. A chic checkered pathway is shaped by large square pavers with grass peeking in between the sleek gray edges. The wraparound porch bends toward the pond, where a porch swing holds the promise of soft mornings and afternoons. Inside, the pulse of the renovated house reaches a crowning point.

Luxurious amenities abound throughout the house. “The bedrooms are very private,” informs Beverly, and each with its own bathroom suite. Grand light fixtures cast golden hues on the crisp white walls and cabinetry. Near the kitchen, a walnut, built-in bar features a sink and ice maker. Natural light emanates from artistically shaped windows, bringing the outside in. Privacy is thematic here, easing the way to a tranquil stay in what has earned a “Guest Favorite” rating on Airbnb.

The home is accentuated with meaningful aspects of Beverly’s family history. Black walnut details were originally abandoned slabs found in her father’s barn. Now, their invigorated forms can be appreciated in three different spaces. In the den, as shelves framing a large flatscreen mounted over a fireplace. In the primary bathroom, as bathroom cabinets detailed by whimsical wormholes. And as stairs characterized by unique wood grain. Family ties to the old Diesel Generator Plant in Ruston are represented by an industrial-sized window now acting as a dining room window. Spotlighting the upstairs loft, ironwrought rails find a new life after serving as cemetery fencing. Among these quaint objects of legacy, the smallest can be found tucked under sleek, white kitchen cabinets, leaning purposefully on a white marble backsplash. The wood cutting board was a gift, but the chicken pot pie recipe engraved on its surface was passed down from her mother.

In order to keep with the theme of time-honored pieces, Beverly opted to find most of the furniture and decor from consignment stores and estate sales. From the entrance hallway to the walk through laundry room and pantry, the design is carefully chosen and meant to collaborate with the house’s renovated elements. In the extended entrance hallway, transformed from a porch area, vintage wall decor takes the form of an antique furnace cover revamped as an access hole cover, while an elegantly crafted doorbell chime perches on a far corner, a happy reminder for Jeff of the iconic doorbell jingle from The Jeffersons. A 300-year-old French door with an eye-catching brass lattice fingerplate leads from the kitchen to a spacious pantry, a find from a trip to St. Francisville. In the loft, a curious elephant-patterned upholstered chair and footstool set an enchanting tone, perfect for a bedroom with a fireplace, and a stunning view of the pond. In the den, a 100-year-old, baby grand piano was a hand-me-down from their church pianist, and has become a favorite among musically inclined guests. More treasures can be spied lining the shelves near the fireplace, an array of eclectic pieces like an alligator head lamp, porcelain owl figurine, glass oil lamps, and golden pheasant figurines, some hailing from Revival Design & Avant Garden, owned by Clinton Whitney Downing.

Downing, also a decorator in high demand during the holiday season, visited The Blue Heron recently with his team—Devin Newcomer, Zachary Cooley, and James “JJ” Johnson—carrying boxes full of Christmas cheer. Together, they transformed an already impressive aesthetic experience into a magical place eliciting a spirit of celebration. The entryway sets the tone with a lavishly decorated freestanding arch. Inside, the den’s decor draws inspiration from the natural world, easily appreciated from the den by the glass sliding doors facing the pond. Shades of blue, light green, gold, and creamy white issue from ornaments hanging from a towering Christmas tree and woven between mantle garlands. In the kitchen, window wreaths feature branches with red holly berries, and a kitchen island welcomes two sizable reindeer figurines guarding a bowl of blue, ornamental orbs. On a dark-toned, wooden dresser, two moss covered reindeer are accessorized with shimmering blue ribbon, gold orb garlands, and large red poinsettias.

With or without seasonal accents, The Blue Heron remains a special place whose spaciousness gave way to its use as a perfect location for weddings, retreats, and reunions. The house, which sleeps 12, has already hosted a number of wedding guests, and the pond area has been a serene wedding venue ever since the Poseys installed a large wooden cross near its bank. “The pond is what makes this place,” says Beverly, whose guests have enjoyed the vibrant ecosystem, observing the gentle gliding of ducks, skittish egrets, and a stealthy bald eagle. This backdrop of animal life, greenery, reflective, rippling water, and a vast blue sky has rapidly gained attention on social media. So much so that popular wedding planning website, The Knot, contacted the couple, offering to feature photos of their property. “We are pleasantly surprised by the interest in our location as a wedding venue and love the opportunity to meet all of our couples,” says Beverly, adding, “We are excited to see weddings booked here where loved ones can come together and make lasting memories.”

It only takes one meeting with the Poseys to understand the respect they have for the land and creatures that are part of it. A love that grew out of childhood admiration has turned into stewardship. And the byproduct of the love they keep pouring into the space is the serenity that guests leave with, that “old home place” warmth that brings people closer together.

For more information call 318-372-3564 and follow the vacation rental and venue on Facebook (Blue Heron Stays and Events) or Instagram (@BlueHeronStaysLA).