Originally from New Orleans, Tiffany Shanelle, property and design manager at Tiffany Shanelle Home, returned to the Crescent City eight years ago after stints in Los Angeles and New York. “I felt that New Orleans would offer a better quality of life for our family, and, out of all the places I had lived, nothing ever felt more like home than New Orleans,” she says. “I loved growing up here and wanted my children to have a similar experience.”
Shanelle, who worked for the music industry while in Los Angeles, first found her passion for interior design while decorating a number of Airbnbs — mostly in the Caribbean — that she and her husband own. In 2024, they built their dream home in Lake Vista.
“This home was thoughtfully designed around our lifestyle,” Shanelle says. “I love that there are so many inviting spaces where our family can spend time together, along with personalized areas tailored to each of us.”
Just under 6,000 square feet, the home features five bedrooms, five full baths and three half baths. There’s also a gym, a media room and a creative space for the kids. “On the third floor, we have what we call the ‘Pit Boss Suite’ — a playful take on a penthouse suite — serving as my husband’s office and man cave,” Shanelle says. “[He] has collected rare designer duffle bags for years but never had a place to showcase them — so we designed that room around his collection.”
When it came to the interior design, Shanelle knew that functionality was important. However, she also wanted to create a space that felt like a Caribbean resort — luxurious, yet comfortable and welcoming. “In Lake Vista, the layout of the properties means the backyard makes the first impression, so we designed it to feel like an immediate escape,” she says.
Upon entering the back gate, palm trees and tropical plants — along with a Tahitian-blue pool and waterfalls — set the perfect tone. “We call it ‘Meme’s Garden,’ in honor of my mom, and it’s filled with all of her favorite plants,” Shanelle says.
Meanwhile, the large veranda — complete with drop-down screens — is Shanelle’s favorite space. “[We are able to] fully open the panoramic doors from the living room to the veranda, creating a seamless indoor-outdoor experience,” she says. “It has the vibe of a hotel patio restaurant, perfect for entertaining or simply relaxing.”
Inside, the home features a blend of transitional and bohemian elements. It’s an aesthetic that Shanelle calls “New Islands,” with elements that capture the essence of New Orleans but with a distinct tropical twist.
“The inspiration for this home — and for each individual space — was my family,” Shanelle says. “My husband is from the Caribbean, and we’ve made some of our best memories together in places like Barbados, the Bahamas, Belize and Costa Rica. I wanted to create a home that could mentally transport us back to those places — a space that feels like a retreat and a reflection of the life we’ve built as a family.”
As a result, the home’s design is a blend of the city’s rich culture and the relaxed, natural beauty of island life, creating a space that feels both familiar and fresh. For example, many of the light fixtures are plant-inspired, and much of the artwork draws from the ocean and the earth’s natural beauty. Shanelle chose stone in warm and sandy tones, plus design details with imperfect, natural textures.
“Throughout the home, you’ll find thoughtful pieces that reflect [a modern bohemian] style, like the cypress root console in the foyer and several furnishings crafted from woven rope or cane,” Shanelle says. “I also love incorporating organic forms in unexpected ways. One of my favorite pieces is the Agave chandelier, which makes a bold statement in both the stairway and front entry.”
Meanwhile, Craftsman Builders executed many of the custom details with precision and care. For example, the company crafted the intricate ironwork on the gate, stairs and balcony. “It has that classic New Orleans feel, but the ironwork also reminds me of a church, which felt like a beautiful nod to my father-in-law, who is a pastor,” Shanelle says.
Some of her other favorite touches include the cabinets in the primary bedroom, which complement the woven cane detail on the light fixture above; the stone fireplace in the living room, which adds warmth and texture to the space; the backlit Cristallo countertops in the living room bar and the powder room, which imbue a luxe ambience; the primary bathroom, a functional and beautiful space that flows effortlessly into the closet; and the custom island table on the veranda, which is ideal for outdoor entertaining. “Honestly, there are so many special details, and Craftsman Builders helped bring them all to life flawlessly,” Shanelle says.
Overall, it is the home’s thoughtful flow that Shanelle loves the most. While the first floor was designed with guests and entertaining in mind, the second floor serves as the family’s main living space. The third floor, which contains the “Pit Boss Suite,” serves as her husband’s personal retreat where he can stay up late without disturbing the rest of the house.
“This turned out to be the largest project I had ever undertaken,” Shanelle says. “[But it] feels like a true getaway — a relaxing oasis not just for us, but for friends visiting from near and far. Traveling is always great, but there’s something special about feeling like you’re on vacation without ever having to leave home.”
