Room of the Day: Vacationing at Home in Louisiana

The owner of this Old Metairie, Louisiana, home had had a particularly rough year and, after taking some much-needed time off in Mexico, she decided she wanted her home to make her feel like she was on a permanent vacation. She hired Mullin Landscape Associates to bring a sense of South of the Border ease to her home outside the Big Easy (Old Metairie is part of Metairie, New Orleans’ first suburb). She describes the finished project as her personal lady cave.

The owner had set the color palette for this outdoor space with blue and green accessories, but the area was not very inviting.


AFTER: A covered patio makes for a much more desirable outdoor area. “Our client wanted to extend the living space of her home to the outdoors,” says designer David Abadie. “The multiuse space we created incorporates a living room with a fireplace, a dining room and a full-service kitchen. She is as comfortable here as she is inside.”

Abadie says that since the room is adjacent to and clearly visible from the living areas of the main house, aesthetics are important, too.


The Mexican tile on the fountains beside the fireplace broadened and refined the color palette with vibrant turquoise. The designers chose terra-cotta-colored pavers to make the blues stand out. The roof was painted blue to mimic the clear skies of Mexico.

The owner selected two outdoor televisions so she can see a screen whether she is cooking, lounging or dining.

Lighting was important. “The owner uses the space almost every night, whether it’s to have a glass of wine alone by the fire or to entertain a group of friends with a dinner party,” Abadie says.


The kitchen has a grill, sink, wine bar and plate warming drawer. The designers laid shells and stones in grout at the end of the countertop to bring in a beach feeling.


A raised countertop and bar stools make for a more casual eating area where friends can dig into food fresh off the grill.


The restful sense is enhanced by the sound of water. “The fountains and the fireplace are the perfect backdrop for outdoor living,” Abadie says.


The owner says she would like to live out here all the time. With the many features this outdoor room offers, she just might be able to make that dream a reality.

More: Previous Room of the Day

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