include custom-carved, limestone mantels that grace the
master bedroom and great room. Even the kitchen is resplen-
dent with a French-style pewter-and-marble hood, which
accentuates the room’s 13-foot-tall ceiling. And since Seitz
has imported French antiques for several years, the Nelkins’
residence abounds with period furnishings that reinforce the
interior effects. “While on a buying trip to France, Connie
personally selected a matching pair of antique French crystal
chandeliers for the dining room,” Diggs says. “This mix of
French antiques with Southern elements, such as reclaimed
cypress, is a quintessential Louisiana combination.”
To round out these embellishments, the adept design team
enlisted the expertise of local craftsmen and artisans to create
many of the home’s custom furnishings and light fixtures.
“Each room has its own essence of quiet elegance,” Seitz says.
“Collectively, this house embodies a sense of timelessness that’s
sure to be enjoyed by the Nelkin family for years to come.”
Left: French doors lead from the sitting area in the kitchen to a
tranquil dining terrace overlooking the Bayou Teche. Above and
opposite: Highlighted with a dramatic marble-and-pewter hood,
the kitchen is further embellished with Calacatta Gold marble
countertops and backsplash. Zinc lanterns that serve as pendant
lighting over the island reinforce the mix of metal and stone.