In the main house’s family room, an oversized slipcovered sofa and pair of chairs are the perfect place to sit to enjoy the fireplace and the views. The French doors open up to a deck that looks out over the Bogue Falaya River. The dining area has a French country 17th-century farm table and chairs. One of Barbara Boyce’s favorite piece’s of art is a whimsical painting by Alexander Stolin, which hangs above a table made of imported Italian limestone placed on top
of a carved pine base.
Summerhill, the home of Barbara and Jerry Boyce, overlooks the bluffs of the Bogue Falaya River north of Covington. The home stands on nine acres and is accessible by a winding road with ponds and stables alongside. The Boyces initially bought Summerhill as a weekend retreat for their family, which includes two daughters, Caitlin and Whitney, and a son, Jerry Jr., to come to from New Orleans. They started with a “lodge,” built in 1987, which is attached to the main house completed in 1994. The home was designed by New Orleans architects, Mac Ball and David Waggonner of Waggoner and Ball Architects.
“We loved coming over here with our kids and friends … it is our place of peace, tranquility, and many fond memories.”
The living room walls are glazed a pale yellow, which acts as
a neutral backdrop to the red silk dupioni curtains and painting by Joanna Zjawinskia. Creating a comfortable sitting area is a couch, two slipper chairs and two leopard-print covered French armchairs. The sitting area by the window has a view of the Bogue Falaya River.
Entering the home you feel a sense of warmth and hospitality, as the Boyces have hosted many parties for family and friends. The couple has close ties to New Orleans: Barbara was the chair of the Zoo-To-Do, a benefit for the Audubon Zoo, in 1995 and the home is filled with art and antiques from Royal Street as well as family heirlooms.
The Boyce home at twilight. The gas lamps flanking the front door are from the original D.H. Holmes department store on
Canal Street.
The art is the perfect accent to the furnishings, which are a comfortable blend of antique and modern—Barbara worked with Holden and Dupuy Interior Design to create this timeless look.
The kitchen, however, was given a modern feel. The focal point is the stainless-steel backsplash. Adding to the appeal are the Quaker Maid white cabinets and dark countertops. The kitchen floor, however, is made of wood that came from a wharf dock in New Orleans.
The lodge has a more rustic feel–which can be seen in this building’s family room.
It’s a merging of old and new, elegant and eclectic, that makes the Boyce home so special. As Barbara Boyce says, “We loved coming over here with our kids and friends so much we decided to make Summerhill our [primary] home. It is our place of peace, tranquility, and many fond memories.”
In contrast to the rest of the Boyce home, the kitchen is more modern. Quaker Maid white cabinets and dark countertops are highlighted by a stainless-steel tile backsplash. The cook-top is Gaggeneau.
The spacious foyer with an exposed ceiling.
The angel painting by Arthur Price.
AFrench iron chandelier gives the dining room its glow. A French antiquedining table is complemented by leopard print covered antique chairs.The painting
is by Alexander Stolin.
In the master bedroom, the four-poster iron bed from Villa Vici has a linen covered duvet and stenciled linen pillows.
