In the heart of the Irish Channel, a remarkable transformation has taken place on what was once an empty lot. The stunning new home — a perfect collaboration between homeowners Audrey Reed and Michael Yusko, architect Alec Adamick of Adamick Architecture, contractor José Villeda of JLV Construction and Morgan Cattaneo from the interior design and architecture specialists at Cattaneo Studios — seamlessly blends the timeless charm of historic New Orleans architecture with modern comfort.
In 2021, Reed and Yusko, who already lived in the Irish Channel, discovered an unusual opportunity just blocks from their existing home. “We were living in a double a block and a half away,” Reed says. “We were expecting our second child and thought a new house might better fit our needs. We noticed this lot down the street and realized that it was almost a double lot, which we thought would give us the ability to check off most of the items on our wish list.”
Yet this wish list was ambitious. The couple wanted a better layout, parking and, ideally, a pool, all while remaining close to family, work and their children’s school. Rather than searching the market for an existing home that might meet their needs, they chose the more challenging path of new construction.
That’s when they turned to Adamick Architecture. “We liked that Alec lived nearby in a new build that was designed to look old,” Reed says. The architect’s firm has built a reputation for camelback additions and historic-inspired new construction in the Irish Channel, making them ideal partners for this unique undertaking.
The design process proved more complex than initially anticipated. What began as a single-story center hall concept in May 2021 evolved significantly when the clients decided to substantially increase the square footage. This decision triggered a lengthy review process with the Historic District Landmarks Commission.
“The HDLC really made us dial back the Italianate design of the house to make it more simple on the outside,” Adamick says. “I overcame this with sheer will and fighting for this design with the city.” The final design emerged as what he describes as a double gallery five-bay house with two bays set back to reduce massing — a compromise that ultimately enhanced the home’s character.
Construction began when JLV Construction joined the team. José Villeda, the company’s founder, was immediately drawn to the project. “The moment I reviewed the plans, I knew this was going to be one of the most beautiful homes we had the opportunity to build,” he says.
One of the project’s most impressive achievements is how much functionality was packed into the 6,000-square-foot lot. The resulting 4,372-square-foot home includes four bedrooms, four and a half bathrooms, formal and informal living spaces, a mudroom, playroom, small office and a striking outdoor area with pool and cabana.
“Fitting [the] home, along with a carport, pool, pool house and multiple patio areas was no small feat,” Villeda says. “It required a highly intentional and efficient design, and the result is truly remarkable. The thoughtful layout, creative use of space and architectural harmony are what make this home truly special.”
A key innovation was the semi-raised pool concept, which Adamick considers the project’s pièce de résistance. By elevating the pool to the same level as the house, the design creates a seamless flow between indoor and outdoor spaces.
“Most visitors are surprised when we tell them it’s new construction unless they happened to access Google Street View in getting to our house because it still has an image of an empty lot,” Reed says.
This authenticity was achieved through careful attention to historic details such as high ceilings, coved ceilings, crown and picture-rail molding, a fireplace, operable transoms and floor-to-ceiling windows. The family incorporated reclaimed elements, including three pairs of pocket doors from Bank Architectural Antiques and a newel post from an 1890s cottage.
The interior design and overall aesthetic choices of the home, from the the facade, the exterior fixtures and finishes, the pool house and outdoor kitchen and beyond, was led by Morgan Cattaneo of Cattaneo Studios, which turned out to be a design match made in heaven for Reed.
“Morgan worked on our house from the inception. Not only does she have an amazing creative eye, but she also has great attention to detail that made the house so functional,” Reed said. “She really thinks through her recommendations and took into account our needs and tastes.
Cattaneo employed a sophisticated color palette anchored by Farrow and Ball’s “Wimborne White,” with dramatic accents in blue and green. “The trim of the entry hallway and the drawing room are in ‘Inchyra Blue’ and the dining room is drenched in that color, which created a very dramatic effect,” Reed says. “The kitchen is ‘Card Room Green,’ which I think is the perfect green for a kitchen.”
The overall design includes “thoughtful details that tell a rich and beautiful story,” according to Cattaneo. “This house was designed for multiple generations including Audrey’s parents who live nearby, as it was to be the central hosting home for their extended family. One way we included them was studying the design of their era — Audrey’s mother Debra was very cautious of our color palette up front, and we ended up doing a modern, more jewel-toned take on the avocado green and mustard yellow of the 70s which actually led to some really beautiful and bold rooms,” Catteneo said.
Beyond its aesthetics, the home works as a functional family space. As is often the case, the kitchen serves as the heart of the home. “It looks out over the pool and sits right between the dining room and the family room, making it a central spot for both everyday life and get-togethers,” Villeda says.
Practical considerations also were incorporated, including a large laundry room (which Reed says is one of the prettiest in the city), en-suite bathrooms for all bedrooms, a curbless shower for accessibility and performance fabrics chosen with children in mind.
The project’s success stemmed from exceptional collaboration between all parties. “Any construction project requires an incredible level of coordination,” Villeda says.
For Adamick, the project represents broader prospects. “It is possible to respect New Orleans vernacular architecture while still creating new construction that really functions well for entertaining and for modern living,” he says.
