The design concepts for Robin and floyd Foti’s new home in Breaux Bridge integrate elegance and formality. Robin has a flair for glamour. Floyd’s objective was to give his wife her dream home.
Husband and wife team, Beau and Lisa McDaniel of C.Mac Construction and Antiquity, brought their talents as builders and designers to the project. Plans for the sprawling Italianate house were drawn by Glenn Angelle and Dionne Sonnier of Angelle Architects.
“I remember the day we first saw the initial sketches for the house,” says Lisa. “Beau and I sat at a conference table with the architects and homeowners, painstakingly trying to hide our excitement. The details of this home were so spectacular, it was nearly impossible to suppress our enthusiasm. The form and function would dictate our décor choices.”
The artisanal staircase and second story loggia pay homage to classical European architecture, as does the Pietra Calacatta tile flooring that runs throughout the home. Concrete columns support both the front and rear overhangs, in addition to numerous interior rooms.
“True to her energetic personality, Robin loves anything that sparkles. So we integrated crystal, cut glass and mirrors at every turn,” says Lisa. “Gold and silver accents were a must from my perspective, if for no other reason than to see the twinkle these dashes of glitz and glam brought to Robin’s delighted blue eyes.”
For the living room, Lisa used a combination of Marge Carson, Theodore Alexander and EJ Victor furnishings. The romantic master suite is adorned with a French-inspired Calais mantel and Michael Amini furniture that lends a touch of elegance.
The concept of polarity is evident in almost every room. Crisp white finishes are contrasted with bold black accents.
“Take for instance the ornate white kitchen cabinetry by Dreamworks Custom Cabinets,” Lisa says. “These are paired with deep black granite countertops. Gracing the view from the kitchen and formal living room with 18-foot ceilings is the turned and suspended grand staircase. It demonstrates another example of polarity with its intricate black and gold floral motif railing.”
The dramatic staircase echoes the black and white motif throughout the adjoining, open living areas. “Our color theme was contrast,” says designer Lisa McDaniel. “Robin appreciates the polarity of various shades of white paired with black.”Crystal chandeliers can be found in every room of the residence. The Maitland-Smith dining table accommodates the Foti’s love of entertaining.
The feminine curve of the white staircase marries well with the black granite underfoot from Precision Stone and Granite. A delicate five-foot crystal chandelier enhances the glamour.
The top of the staircase trails to a dramatic Juliette balcony, which overlooks most of the house. Both interior and exterior railings demonstrate the craftsmanship of award-winning artisan, Randy LeBlanc. His custom iron work in the Foti home earned second place in a recent national ironworks competition.
In this belladonna of a home, crystal chandeliers grace every room, including the master bedroom and bath.
“Robin’s Hollywood-glam-style closet shimmers from the light of three cascading cut-crystal chandeliers,” says Lisa. “The ceiling literally drips with jewels, as do the heavy velvet draperies in the adjoining master bedroom. There’s a sparkle everywhere one looks, which is exactly what Robin wanted in a home.”
Situated along the back avenue of Breaux Bridge’s newest neighborhood, The Lakes, the charming residence sits on a ridge of the Bayou Teche, and is surrounded by oak and cypress trees.
The Foti family is currently installing an outdoor entertaining area near their new house. It’s designed to accompany the existing loggia and outdoor kitchen. The new addition features a pool, tanning decks, gas fire urns, a pergola and a swim-up bar. Designed to mimic resort-style living, it is perfectly positioned with views of the home’s living and entertainment rooms and the upstairs bedroom.
“I realized very early on in my dealings with Robin that our goals were identical, to create something beautiful and on budget, and to breathe life into her dream home. And that’s exactly what we did.”
A former accountant, Lisa pays particular attention to keeping within the budget for her interior design clients.
“The most rewarding aspect of this project was that Beau and I helped fulfill a dream for the Foti family,” Lisa says. “Their home is the end result of decades of hard work, and they have so much to be proud of. Amazingly, not a single work day passed when the Fotis didn’t thank us. That kind of gratitude was life-changing for Beau and me.”
Robin selected Michael Amini furniture when designing the opulent master suite. The Foti family prepares elaborate dinner parties in their gourmet kitchen, which opens onto a grand, elegantly furnished living room with 18-foot ceilings, stately columns, abundant natural light and splendid views of the tree-lined property from its massive windows.
