Wolf double-wall ovens
Wolf Professional range
Stainless hood by Vent-A-Hood
Custom kitchen cabinetry by Top’s Appliances & Cabinetry
Sub-Zero refrigerator
Backsplash from Stafford Tile & Stone
Honed limestone countertops from Stafford Tile & Stone
Asko dishwasher
Kohler sink
RISING FROM RUIN
The Terry family moved into their Lakeview home days before Hurricane Katrina devastated the area and left more than 6 feet of standing water in their house.
Upon returning, they turned the tragedy into an opportunity, deciding not to just renovate the Argonne Boulevard
home but to redesign it completely to turn it into their dream home.
A comfortable and attractive space for cooking and entertaining was a high priority. Kathy and Steve Terry, both insurance executives, are avid cooks and love to entertain. Now, their renovated kitchen is as attractive as it is functional.
The Terrys solicited the help of Susan Scheinuk, an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers, to create a sleek and modern home to fit their lifestyle.
Scheinuk of Susan C. Scheinuk Designs LLC chose the high-end appliances, as well as the limestone countertops and black-and-tan backsplashes, both from Stafford Tile & Stone.
Henry Simon, a consultant for Top’s Appliances & Cabinetry in Lafayette, enhanced the space with contemporary, natural wood elements and added floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets along one wall. Travertine marble floors were chosen to complement the natural wood. Four stainless steel bar stools easily handle family gatherings and impromptu meals.
Scheinuk says she was inspired by the family’s motivation. “Kathy was ready and determined to be back in her fully renovated home, only this time it was going to be exactly what she and her husband wanted,” Scheinuk says. “It was truly a sense of accomplishment once the home was completed after such devastation.”
Custom cabinets from Marchand Creative Kitchens
Kohler French cast-iron sink
French reproduction hanging lanterns from Fireside Antiques in Baton Rouge
Custom backsplash from Stafford Tile & Stone
Granite countertops from Intrepid Stone
Sub-Zero refrigerator
Wolf range
Custom-built hood with cypress molding and a decorative faux-stone finish
STYLISH AND SOUTHERN
The Fabachers of Old Metairie based the inspiration of their new kitchen on one of the great Southern architects: the renowned A. Hays Town, who was heavily influenced by the Spanish, French and Creole history of Louisiana.
The style can be seen from top to bottom, with the two antique French lanterns above the kitchen island, old cypress interior doors and the brick and pine flooring for a truly Southern architectural feel.
The kitchen was conceived after Hurricane Katrina damaged the Fabachers’ former home and they decided to rebuild on the lot at a higher elevation.
The open floor plan of the previous kitchen was repeated, creating a “flowing space that is both comfortable and inviting,” they say.
The Fabachers used Susan Scheinuk of Susan C. Scheinuk Designs LLC to transform their house into an homage to A. Hays Town’s Southern architectural style.
Pat Fabacher and her husband, Chris, a veterinarian, worked with Scheinuk for several months on the design before breaking ground on the new house.
“Having a designer during the early stages of planning is so important and beneficial,” Pat Fabacher says.
The Fabachers wanted their kitchen to be centrally located with easy access to the backyard, outdoor kitchen and sitting area and the family room.
“Our most favorite thing is the view from our kitchen into our beautifully landscaped garden and rear yard,” Pat Fabacher says.
The color scheme centers around the style and finish of their custom kitchen cabinets from Marchand Creative Kitchens.
In keeping with a stately Southern style, kitchen accessories were heavily influenced by French styles, such as the Kohler French cast-iron sink, granite countertops from Intrepid Stone and a custom-built oven hood with cypress molding over the Wolf range. Flooring was provided by Krantz Recovered Woods in Austin, Texas.
Scheinuk says the Fabachers were “deeply involved in all decisions” on their new home.
“Every inch of their home was well-planned to fit their needs,” she says. And the Fabachers couldn’t be more thrilled. As Pat Fabacher says, “We worked with both the architect and Susan to achieve what we feel is a fabulous home.”
Tile by Ann Sacks Tile & Stone
Bathroom fixtures by Kohler
Bathtub found in the attic of her home
Bathroom fixtures by Kohler
Countertops are marble from Tuscan Stone Imports
A SOPHISTICATED SANCTUARY
A black-and-white color combination shows off a classic and elegant sense of style. Interior designer Natasha Shah had only to look at the black-and-white color schemes at several famous New Orleans restaurants when giving her own bathroom a makeover.
“You cannot have a better color combination that will be considered timeless even in 60 years from now,” Shah says.
A large mirror propped against one wall reflects the exposed brick wall at the opposite end, showcasing traditional New Orleans architecture. Using a black-and-white color palette for the rest of the area along with contemporary furnishings, Shah created a clean, sleek space. An oval black-and-white footed tub is another timeless addition – only with a “slight contemporary twist,” she says.
“I wanted to show respect to the traditional architecture and design of this amazing city but still incorporate contemporary elements that represent the way we live now and create a youthful feeling,” explains Shah, who shares her home with her husband, Pulin Shah, a doctor, and their 1-year-old son, Kai.
The total bathroom renovation came about in 2009 when the plumbing in her Uptown home needed an overhaul.
“If you are going to upgrade the plumbing, you might as well upgrade everything else,” Shah says. The last time the bathroom was renovated was in the 1960s.
The renovation and redesign was done mostly with silver fixtures from Kohler and black tile from Ann Sacks Tile & Stone for the stand-up shower, which is surrounded by curtains on two sides held back with black ribbons. The black marble countertops came from Tuscan Stone Imports, a local company. The only pop of color in the room comes from the yellow flowers on the countertop.
Shah’s favorite feature of the room is the simple color palette: “Strong colors were not necessary to create a strong statement,” she says. “The bathroom itself has a strong statement because a balance was achieved with the right materials, fixtures and space-planning.
My bathroom feels sophisticated and timeless, making me feel relaxed and just plain happy.”
Antique trumeau acquired from New Orleans Auction Galleries Inc.
Antique altar candlesticks
Tub deck in Alhambra limestone
Bath accessories from Waterworks in Houston
Botany Bay Pebbles flooring
Custom-made limestone vanity cabinet
Artichoke candle holder from Hazelnut
Ida Kohlmeyer numbered print
Silver platters with bath products and perfumes were passed down from both sides of the family
Lighting fixture from Hazelnut
Polished nickel vanity lighting fixtures purchased in Atlanta to match the Newport Brass fixtures
Large glass vase and round stone-topped table from Hazelnut
Walls painted Benjamin Moore Seashell
EVERYDAY LUXURY
Andree Batt doesn’t have to go far to enjoy the tranquility of a spa. All she has to do is walk into her master bathroom.
The space includes a dazzling light fixture, plenty of natural light and soft color accents inspired by the sea and sky, transforming the Lakewood South bathroom into a spa-like oasis.
The unique pebble flooring is what truly makes this bathroom stand out – exactly what Batt envisioned when she custom-designed the room.
“Nothing is more relaxing than stepping out of the tub onto smooth pebbles,” says Batt, a former teacher at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. “The pebbles are often done in the shower only. I wanted to continue the pebbles throughout the bathroom to create that spa-like feel.”
The Batt family, which includes Jay Batt, a businessman, and two daughters, Bailey and Kelly, built their house from the ground up.
Their former house in Lakewood South got 9 feet of water from Hurricane Katrina. After renovating it, they decided to sell it and purchase an empty lot to build a new home. Local architect Tim Terrell helped with the design, which included the open space for the master bathroom.
A soothing and peaceful space was achieved with natural-colored stone and green tile accents bordering the large walk-in shower and backsplash over the sink.
“I have always liked the sea and sky colors,” says Batt. “My mother also loved the sea-sky colors. Her favorite color was blue, and I think her taste was a big influence on how my color palette developed.”
Her close friend Beth Kohnke of Beth Kohnke Designs helped choose the sea-foam and amber glass solid glazed tiles and wall and cabinet colors.
Many of the furnishings came from Hazelnut, a home furnishings store on Magazine Street that is co-owned by Bryan Batt, Jay Batt’s brother.
Every detail in the space was carefully selected to create a peaceful and calming space. It’s fitting that Batt describes the room in one word: “tranquil.”
