Bayou Modern

ARTICLE BY VANELIS RIVERA  
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

Perched above Bayou Bartholomew, this modern ranch home blends sleek sophistication with rustic warmth, offering a serene retreat designed by Shawn Brazzell to reflect both nature and the homeowner’s lifestyle.

Close to the banks of Bayou Bartholomew, an oxbow wetland winds around the Northlake residential neighborhood. The area teems with the lively hum of wildlife, from the rippling water surface to the swaying of vegetation, and the scurry of winged creatures. One home sits on an elevated bluff, overlooking nature’s traffic. From the waterway, it gives the impression of an elongated garrison. But from the street, any onlooker can appreciate the distinctive panache of the modern ranch-style home, matched only by its interior. Thanks to the practiced skill of Interior Designer, Shawn Brazzell, this sleek one-story home emphasizes the simplicity of modern sophistication with the practicality of rustic warmth.

​“My creative process is to get to know my client as much as I can,” says Brazzell, who has been in the industry for over twenty-five years. She continues, “I listen to what their goals for the space are, but I also want to know how they will function and live in the space. I want to know how they’re going to use each room. I ask about finishes and what colors and textures they lean towards. I also ask about their lives. Favorite travels, places they’ve been that have left a lasting impression on them.” When the current homeowner, a young professional, approached Brazzell about the waterview property, his vision was a grand, inviting space to entertain and that accommodated large gatherings. “That was the meaning behind all the open space,” she says. For inspiration, she pulled from her visit to the Restoration Hardware (RH) restaurant in Yountville, California. She gravitated toward the serene and stylish minimalist features, characterized by dramatic light fixtures, natural stone walls, organic textures, and understated geometric decor. Working closely with the homeowner, Brazzell was able to curate a focused design featuring sleek, clean architectural lines and minimal yet highly curated decor. Much of the decor and furnishing was sourced locally from Walsworth and Co. The finished product has an upscale and timeless aesthetic with expansive, open spaces and enhanced, striking, modern lighting that defines and elevates each area. Such elements met the owner’s request that the house’s architectural design “Speak for itself.”

​During construction, Brazzell worked with Grindstone Construction, owned by Ben Cunningham. In that way, the layout and her selections coalesced. The result of their handiwork is a striking exterior that juxtaposes a limewashed brick exterior with multiple rooflines characterized by charcoal shingles, two chimneys, and a porte-cochère that connects the garage and private gym to the rest of the home. Rectangular stepping stones lead to the main entryway, where spiky Yucca grass shoots up from a planted area surrounded by a pristinely manicured lawn, designed by Brazzell and installed by Northeast Lawn Service (owned by Chris Brazzell).  A stone retaining wall separates the front yard from a grassy nook that leads to the arched doorway, where two industrial-style outdoor lights, with a matte black finish, elegantly frame a tall, coal colored door. 

​Inside, the foyer is illuminated by a dazzling crystal chandelier, casting a golden hue on the wood-look tiles that run seamlessly throughout the entire home. Immediately, the open concept living room, dining area, and kitchen create a gravitational pull. The high ceilings with exposed beams and recessed lighting have a transformative effect on the ambiance, enhancing the already palpable feeling of grandeur. The natural stone fireplace adds a rustic touch, an aesthetic complemented by the large, dark-framed windows, adding a modern, sleek edge to the room. Surrounding a marble cylinder-based, glass-topped coffee table, two leather tufted couches and black leather recliners complete the relaxing atmosphere. Marking the entryway between the living room and kitchen is a custom-made walnut, live-edge dining table by OA Woods (owned by Kyle Snellenberger), lined with simple high-back linen dining chairs. The space is lit with the frosty glow of a black, linear, hanging light fixture. Quintessential pairings for a cherished dining experience!​

A brick archway creates the entrance into the kitchen. The space has the appearance of orbiting around a commanding kitchen island. Brazzell chose a bold granite countertop from Louisiana Stone, named “moonlight,”  fabricated by Custom Design Center. Brazzell says, “Moonlight is a captivating natural stone characterized by a black background of thick grey and white veining.” The island includes a large apron-front sink sitting atop black cabinets. Two large black chandeliers illuminate the space with glass cylinders skewed in multiple directions. The uniform cabinetry is painted white with sleek black hardware pulls. More drama radiates from the elongated hex beveled mirror backsplash. Additional kitchen features include a spacious hidden pantry, stainless steel, wall-mounted range hood, and Viking appliances.

In this home, a grand dinner experience calls for what many would consider a digestif and there is a space for that. A bourbon bar is placed past the kitchen, tucked between one of the guest bedrooms and the entrance to the back patio. Tall iron sliding doors reveal a fully stocked bar, horizontal mosaic tile backsplash, and an engrossing bourbon-colored granite countertop. Peeking from the other side of the bar, a commanding painting of a black and white alligator revs up the moody atmosphere of the intimate space.

​Keeping with one of the key characteristics of ranch houses, the back patio seamlessly emphasizes the relationship between indoors and outdoors. Three glass garage doors enclose the patio, bringing the outside in and allowing for natural light to take center stage, making this open, airy space optimal for gatherings. Stone floors complement the space alongside other natural materials such as the wooden plank ceiling, brick walls, and stone fireplace, featuring a large television and a natural wooden beam mantel, set asymmetrically off the hearth. Multipaneled black-framed glass windows and a door showcase the living room and kitchen. “There are so many areas for collections of people,” says Brazzell, adding, “And you don’t have to feel alienated from one room to the next because it’s so open.” If the weather allows, the backyard, which expands closer to the waterway, offers a prime lawn game area or romantic date night, think outdoor fire and the clink of wine glasses.

​Come a night of merriment, guests may have free range, but at the end of the night, the primary bedroom is the owner’s sole sanctuary. Here, the resounding feature is the king-size bed, distinguished by a large 9-foot high, custom upholstered headboard.  The large bathroom area boasts a double soaker free-standing tub, “his and her” vanities with semi vessel, concrete sinks, and gold mirrors. The deep walk-in shower is sleek, with pebble floors and a rainhead shower head. Another space connected to the luxurious primary suite is an impressive walk-in closet, lit by a glamorous matte gold chandelier featuring eye-catching metal leafy shoots interlaced with glass crystal beads. Ceiling-to-floor closet space features pull-down rods. And a built-in vanity area leaps out with a jade green quartzite counter and two gold-finish, chandelier-style wall sconces.

​Of course, guests are welcome to stay, and the two guest bedrooms in the home aim to make any family member or group of friends feel part of the household, as each is designed like a primary bedroom with tall beds, large windows, and stylish ceiling fans. Close to these rooms, a cozy parlor offers another chic gathering space with a notable fireplace area featuring stacked concrete fireballs—a bold and unexpected component. Eclectic art and pillows were purchased locally from Fabulous Fabrics. 

​The glitz is not only fashioned for the human inhabitants. A dog lover at heart, the owner made sure house plans also included two features for the family’s fur babies. The first has dual application. Across from the bourbon bar, a snazzy dog washing station includes a stylish vanity area complete with a creamy, onyx stone bathroom sink, black and white geometric wallpaper, and two gold sconces. Additionally, located close to the foyer, a snug, gated alcove acts as a dog room, featuring comfy bedding.

​Ultimately, this prime real estate became the gathering space of someone’s dreams, thanks to Brazzell’s keen eye and learned intuition. When you hire Brazzell, her services include complete home design from interior to exterior (including landscape design, in some cases), design boards for each room, and an enthusiastic sounding board eager to provide an enjoyable house-building and design process. Her hands-on approach and involvement in the design and construction process ensure that every detail is executed with precision and creativity. Brazzell emphasizes, “The worst thing that someone can say to me is ‘Oh, Shawn Brazzell did this.’” She aims to encapsulate her clients’ personalities, lifestyles, and varying styles into an end product they will love: “I just fall in love with all my people. And that makes the process easy because I want to please them, and I want to make them happy, just getting to see them excited about something they’ve worked so hard for, and they’ve dreamed about.” In this home, the proof isn’t just in the design, but in the memories that have already become part of this home.