Houzz Tours
My Houzz: Luminous and Low Maintenance in New Orleans
See the new build that replaced a hurricane-ravaged house, beginning a new chapter for a retiring couple
Even though Ohio native Chuck Lody and his artist 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 spotting an ideal midcity lot with a home heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, they decided to stay put and build their dream retirement home here. Architect Byron Mouton of Bild Design and the couple focused on creating a light-filled common area and minimizing maintenance and utility costs. The new house is rich with windows that let in the breezes and Louisiana sunshine.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chuck and Betsy Lody
Location: Near City Park in New Orleans
Size: 2,296 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Chuck and Betsy Lody
Location: Near City Park in New Orleans
Size: 2,296 square feet; 2 bedrooms, 1 1/2 bathrooms
The house was designed with a dedicated home office, but Chuck thought he would feel too secluded working in the back of the house. So he designated a corner in the common room as a work area. A folding door reveals a 7-foot-tall bookshelf with a table space for a computer. Chuck can slide a chair from the nearby kitchen countertop to this tucked-away workspace.
The large, open common area is great for entertaining guests, as the kitchen flows right into the dining and living spaces. Throughout the day natural light floods the space. This is where the Lodys spend most of their time.
Betsy inherited the coffee table from her mother, and the Chinese lamp lighting Chuck's corner work area is from her grandmother. The expandable dining table is from an antiques store in the city. Gray cabinets from Ikea along the wall store serving dishes, DVDs and other accessories.
Couches: Karlstad; chairs: Ikea
Betsy inherited the coffee table from her mother, and the Chinese lamp lighting Chuck's corner work area is from her grandmother. The expandable dining table is from an antiques store in the city. Gray cabinets from Ikea along the wall store serving dishes, DVDs and other accessories.
Couches: Karlstad; chairs: Ikea
The kitchen has long been the most important room in any Louisiana home. This one is designed to be open and connected with the common area. The paintings were gifts from friends and family; the one on the right depicting a scene on the Hudson River was passed down from Betsy's grandmother.
Dividing the kitchen from the common area is an island, which has a 4-foot-wide granite countertop with a Typhoon Bordeaux leather finish.
Hood: stainless steel, Roma Island, ZRM-E42B, Zephyr
Hood: stainless steel, Roma Island, ZRM-E42B, Zephyr
The kitchen leads out to a patio space where the couple likes to dine al fresco.
Cabinets: Ikea
Cabinets: Ikea
Both Betsy and Chuck enjoy gardening, and this covered outdoor patio allows them to sit and contemplate their next planting or entertain guests.
The upstairs bedroom serves as Betsy's creative space, where she sews, paints and works with clay. On the wall hangs a work in progress awaiting its next layer of paint.
Betsy and Chuck made this unique lighting system for the art studio. The double pulley system allows the lights to be easily lifted or lowered with little effort; water bottles act as counterweights.
Betsy made these clay wall sconces for their master bedroom.
Clerestory windows light the master bathroom during the day, while lamps on the wall provide ample light at night.
Cabinets: Ikea
Cabinets: Ikea
The bathroom features a sand sculpture made by local artist Nonie Lyons.
Shower tile: ceramic, Modern Dimensions, Daltile; floor tile: Strands, Daltile
Shower tile: ceramic, Modern Dimensions, Daltile; floor tile: Strands, Daltile
This half bathroom downstairs has a sculptural vanity, the Ronbow Leonie, from Quality Bath.
Mouton designed the backyard patio in an L shape. Concrete masonry elevates the bottom of the home, providing both flood protection and ventilation — an old vernacular strategy for cooling homes during hot Louisiana summers. The siding on the house is a cement-based, low-maintenance material. Mouton used 2- by 6-inch studs on each wall for added insulation.
Chuck and Betsy Lody in the kitchen.
The new house sits on a quiet street lined with oaks. Their home is just one of a few contemporary additions, helping this neighborhood become a treasured secret.
Houzz call: Share your creative home with us!
Houzz call: Share your creative home with us!