Luminous and Reduced Care in New Orleans

Luminous and Reduced Care in New Orleans

Though Ohio native Chuck Lody and his celebrity wife Betsy lived in New Orleans for 25 years, they still thought of heading back to the Midwest when it came time to retire. But after seeing an perfect midcity lot with a home heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, they decided to stay put and build their dream retirement home. Architect Byron Mouton of both Bild Design and the couple focused on creating a light-filled common area and minimizing utility and maintenance costs. The new home is rich with windows which let in the breezes and Louisiana sunlight.

at a Glance
Who resides: Chuck and Betsy Lody
Location: Close City Park in New Orleans
Size: 2,296 square feet; two bedrooms, 1 1/2 baths

Adam Breaux

The home was created with a dedicated home office, but Chuck thought he’d feel too secluded working in the rear of the home. So he designated a corner in the frequent room as a work place. A folding door reveals a 7-foot-tall bookshelf with a table space for a computer. Chuck can slip a seat from the nearby kitchen countertop to this tucked-away workspace.

Adam Breaux

The large, open common area is great for entertaining guests, as the kitchen flows right into the dining room and living spaces. Throughout the day natural light floods the space. This is the point where the Lodys spend most of their time.

Betsy inherited the coffee table from her mother, and also the Chinese lamp light Chuck’s corner work place is from her grandmother. The expandable dining table is from an antiques store in town. Gray cabinets from Ikea across the wall shop serving dishes, DVDs and other accessories.

Couches: Karlstad; seats: Ikea

Adam Breaux

The kitchen has been the most important room in any Louisiana home. This one is made to be open and connected together with the frequent location. The paintings were presents from friends and family; the one about the right depicting a scene around the Hudson River has been passed from Betsy’s grandma’s

Adam Breaux

Separate the kitchen in the frequent place is an island, with a 4-foot-wide granite countertop with a Typhoon Bordeaux leather end.

Hood: stainless steel, Roma Island, ZRM-E42B, Zephyr

Adam Breaux

The kitchen leads out to a patio space in which the couple likes to dine al fresco.

Cabinets: Ikea

Adam Breaux

Both Betsy and Chuck appreciate gardening, and this covered outdoor patio permits them to sit and contemplate their next planting or entertain guests.

Adam Breaux

The upstairs bedroom functions as Betsy’s creative area. On the wall hangs a job in progress.

Adam Breaux

Betsy and Chuck made this unique lighting system for the art studio. The dual pulley system allows the lights to be easily raised or lowered with very little exertion; water bottles act as counterweights.

Adam Breaux

Betsy made these clay wall sconces to their master bedroom.

Adam Breaux

Clerestory windows light the master toilet during the daytime, while lamps on the walls provide ample light at night.

Cabinets: Ikea

Adam Breaux

The bathroom comes with a sand sculpture made by local artist Nonie Lyons.

Shower tile: ceramic, Modern Dimensions, Daltile; flooring tile: Strands, Daltile

Adam Breaux

This half bathroom downstairs has a sculptural vanity, the Ronbow Leonie, from Quality Bath.

Adam Breaux

Mouton made the backyard patio in an L shape. Concrete masonry elevates the base of the home, supplying both flood protection and venting — an old fashioned strategy for heating homes during warm Louisiana summers. The siding on the home is a cement-based, low-maintenance material. Mouton utilized two- by 6-inch studs on each wall for extra insulation.

Adam Breaux

Chuck and Betsy Lody in the kitchen.

Adam Breaux

The new home sits on a quiet street lined with oaks. Their home is one of a couple of contemporary additions, helping this neighborhood become a treasured secret.

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