When Jayson Seidman and Paris Neill Seidman first encountered the historic Italianate home in the Garden District, they saw something most prospective buyers had missed. “The house was quite chopped up internally and most saw it as a four-unit rental,” Jayson recalls. “For us, it was an exercise in addition by subtraction.”
Built in 1894 by Dr. Oscar Czarnowski, a prominent physician, the home had led many lives before the Seidmans purchased it in 2020. “Unlike many homes from that era, the home was framed in masonry instead of wood — a more durable and expensive material that reflected Dr. Czarnowski’s means,” says architect Kim Payne Allen of Studio BKA, who led the restoration. By 1921, the single-family residence had been converted into four luxury apartments, and, when the Seidmans acquired it, the main structure housed two residences alongside two units in the carriage houses.
When Hurricane Ida hit in 2021, it revealed years of deferred maintenance and the extent of the work ahead. “There was water intrusion on the south-facing side of the home,” Allen says. The project proceeded in two phases: first restoring the carriage house with extensive roof and plaster repairs, then transforming the main house back into a single-family residence — though the couple chose to keep one rental unit in the main house.
For Jayson and Paris, who met at Delachaise Bar when Paris’s brother orchestrated an introduction, the location was ideal. “We loved the Garden District neighborhood, the specific location close to great schools, the walkability of Magazine Street and, most importantly, the architectural style reminiscent of London and New York City,” Paris says. Both Louisiana natives who attended Tulane University at different times, they were drawn to the home’s European sensibility.
Luckily, Jayson’s boutique hotel work had given them both comfort with historic properties. “Given most of our hotels in town are historic, we felt quite comfortable and excited to peel back the layers to learn and ultimately preserve the original architecture, natural light and beautiful interior site lines,” he says.
The renovation centered on restoring the home’s original flow and grandeur. For example, a switchback stair at the front door had awkwardly served both the main residence and apartment. “The flow of the house was very choppy before we made changes,” Allen says. “Once we decided to recapture the apartment space into the main residence, we knew the stair had to be reworked — its configuration didn’t make sense for a single-family home. The entry, stair and center hall set the tone for the overall organization of the house, so restoring that sense of hierarchy became [paramount].”
The new straight stair extends to the rear of the home, opening up the foyer and creating a spectacular architectural moment that Allen adores. “Jayson knew early on that he wanted metal balustrades instead of wood,” she says. “I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant at first, but, once we mocked it up, I was completely convinced.”
The introduction of arched doorways throughout the home also became a defining feature. “Jayson had the idea of introducing arches, and I wanted to make sure they felt authentic to the home’s architecture,” Allen says. “The thick, rounded plaster casings were inspired by details from French architect Joseph Dirand, and they felt right here. We also love creating architectural dialogues that repeat throughout the house to connect everything together.”
However, the delicate balance between historic preservation and modern functionality required ingenuity. Like most historic homes in New Orleans, storage can be an issue. “I don’t like reducing the proportions of historic rooms, so we had clever ways to tuck storage into integrated design elements,” Allen says. “We created a lot of built-ins that looked like walls. You’ll see this in the nursery, kitchen and the primary bathroom.”
The collaborative process between architect and homeowners proved remarkably fluid, especially considering Jayson’s history of developing boutique hotels. “It started by sharing quite a large amount of inspiration images and references from around the world that spoke to us,” Jayson says.
“I’m talking 10 inspiration images a day for months,” Allen says. “After a while, I could practically read his mind. He’s great at communicating his vision and the kind of aesthetic he wants, and it helps that he has amazing taste in decorative objects.” Digital modeling software allowed the couple to virtually walk through the renovation before construction began.
One element Jayson felt particularly passionate about was checkerboard tile. What began as a simple black-and-white scheme evolved at the stone yard when exotic slabs — Alexandrita quartzite and Cristallo Jadore quartzite — inspired a bolder approach. The team selected checkerboard tiles in three colorways, creating uniquely saturated bathrooms that pushed conventional boundaries.
For Paris, however, functionality was paramount. “[I wanted] an open kitchen — a space that didn’t just look good but also functioned well,” she says. “The nursery was also a priority as we wanted to create a room for our first child that she would love and grow into.”
The couple’s overall vision was clear from the start. They wanted a calming, open-yet-cozy home with enough spaces throughout to read a book or watch a movie in peace. The third floor became their “West Coast wellness escape” with a gym, playroom, sauna, shower and kitchenette — a dramatic transformation of previously unoccupied attic space. Meanwhile, other parts of the home are inspired by the brownstones of London and New York, including the exterior paint color.
Throughout the home, layered collections reflect years of travel and relationships with artists. The most notable heirloom is a 28-person dining table from Paris’s family home on the North Shore. “It’s all a result of our travels and investing in pieces of art and furniture over the years that are quality and come with a good story,” Jayson says.
For Allen, the project was successful due to its enduring design. “What makes [this home] timeless are the thoughtful customizations that reflect the owners’ point of view,” she says. “Everywhere you turn, there’s a moment — from the architecture to the art, it’s just a really beautiful home.” For the Seidmans, the home represents more than beautiful design. “We align on design and, most importantly, family values, travel, music and making wonderful memories with our family and friends,” Paris says. “We see our home as a solid foundation to build lasting memories.”
