“This group was the catalyst for building a contemporary home,” Julie Wall said of the waterfront location where she and her husband, Steve Wall, began a new chapter in life and became first-time builders. “We had a recent insight into this location. And I’ve always had an attraction for contemporary homes.”
“We wanted the view of the bridge, the water, and the sunset,” added Steve Wall.
Having spent two decades in a farmhouse-style house occupying two acres on the North Shore, where they raised their children, Walls loved the Metairie piece adjacent to the lakeside embankment not only for its natural beauty, but also for the convenience of Steve Walls. Work and its smaller size.
Painted wood vaulted ceiling In the living area monochrome in the walls It establishes the most glamorous look of the chandelier, which is inspired by shards of ice.
They bought the property, sold almost all of their furniture, and started working on a house that would be a complete departure from its minimalist style and amenities.
The couple researched ideas online and submitted them to a team of design experts—builder Nelson Clayton, of Nelson Clayton Homes (who oversaw the project and brought others on board); James Chauvin, from Olde Orleans Designs; and interior designer Wes Ulmo, of Wes Ulmo Interior Design, who have all collaborated before.
“One of the things we started with is the wood wall behind the freestanding bathtub,” said Steve Wall, noting the horizontal slats of engineered wood floors that create a stunning focal point in the master bathroom.
In Walls’ master bedroom, tall, triple-angled windows face the lake. Its shape is reflected in the fabric headboard that runs across the wall.
This idea in turn was the inspiration for the “long oak plank” used on the exterior of the L-shaped housing. The product is actually made of aluminum and comes in 24 foot lengths that match the tongue-in-groove ends.
While the modern form was essential, the function of the house was also important. Requirements for The Walls included ease of maintenance, indoor and outdoor spaces where they could relax and enjoy the Lakefront setting, a swimming pool, hot tub, and an outdoor cooking area where they could entertain friends and family (their blended family includes three children and two grandchildren). They also wanted an elevator (for easy access as the living spaces would be raised to accommodate the scene), a garage and a studio where artist Julie Wall could paint.
The ground floor is home to studio space, as well as garage, bathroom and storage. The second floor has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms. However, the main living areas are located on the third floor, which faces north for expansive views of the water and sky. At the top of the house are the living room, dining room, kitchen and another bathroom. The third floor office doubles as an additional guest room.
The Walls Pool is located between the second and third floors, overlooking the lake. It rises on concrete pillars above a slab, and is supported by steel beams and additional supports.
Two of the most striking features of the vertically oriented home are the foyer-like foyer and the “Pond in the Sky” (built by Joe Croton Pools).
The lobby’s industrial steel staircase with its stained maple open decks rises next to a wall of windows. Illumination cascades from engraved crystal bars cascade from the ceiling above.
The swimming pool, which developed organically when the team tried to decide where to place it, is two and a half stories high (which is easy to access from two levels and a pleasure to look at from the third floor). Additional structural support is obtained from steel beams and additional struts. Decked out in porcelain tiles that look like limestone – but not smudgeable – and flanked by stainless-steel balustrades, the pool area has a streamlined aesthetic.
An industrial steel staircase with its stained maple open tops rises next to a wall of windows in the wall’s foyer. Illumination cascades from engraved crystal bars cascade from the ceiling above.
The disappearance of the NanaWall (folding glass doors) from the living room and kitchen leads to a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, with foldable electric blinds and infrared heaters for comfort in both warm and cold weather. Uninterrupted views of the Causeway, waves lapping at the lagoon’s edge and palm trees planted around the house give the pool and outdoor kitchen a beach-going feel.
Working with Ulmo, the homeowners chose a simple, monochromatic interior design with a few touches of glamour. Matte and glossy surfaces contrast for balance, while crystal lighting fixtures that reflect the changing house light are the home’s jewelry.
Every decision was carefully considered, from using tape to determine room and furniture dimensions to selecting kitchen appliances and cabinets ahead of time so they could be included in the blueprints.
“That way you don’t have to change things later,” Olmo said.
The combination of dramatic lighting and stairs in the foyer is just one example of the many calculations that ensured the right result. Ulmo asked the lighting manufacturer to customize a mounting plate so that five of the fixtures could be suspended from the ceiling at different levels. Also, make sure the stairs are made with enough assembly space.
Steve and Julie Wall in front of Julie’s artwork that mimics the waves of a lake.
“I had an idea, and Wes is going to find a way to make it happen,” Julie Wall said.
Since the kitchen, dining and living areas are one open-concept space, Ulmo suggested finishes that would make kitchen appliances disappear. Slick Acrilux cabinets and panels above the fridge and freezer, which eliminate visible stainless steel interruptions, provide design continuity. Smooth, linear, automatically controlled (like most amenities), and slightly tiled, the stove adheres to the same constraint.
One of the more subtle details is the use of the rounded corners of the sheetrock instead of the occluded openings.
“It’s a cleaner look than molding, and the square edge takes more abuse than bending,” Olmo said.
The way the natural light in the home changes throughout the day is considered in many options. Crystal fixtures, which Olmo found on the market, reflect light, as do the spotted silver cork wallpaper used in the hallway, faded metallic accents in the master bedroom wall color and charcoal, and artwork that includes pieces of glass that Julie Wall made for the home. .
A second-floor, pale-shade seating area with modern light sconces surrounds the bedrooms in a Walls home. Cabinets in the bar area, center back, pick up the same dark wood tones as the stair steps.
The lake was also an inspiration. Touches of blue are woven into the décor, and the trio by Julie Wall for the living room features an undulating, wave-like motion.
When building a home that relates to its surroundings, the walls also build a home with a sense of community. At night, the gorgeous glow of the three-story lobby invites people running and walking along the embankment path to stop and look.
“We sit on the couch and watch TV and watch all the action,” Steve says. “We are related to the neighbours.”
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