Coastal Living in the City

For their new construction home with coastal vibes, the Wanko family came to the table with a certain idea that designer Shannon Bella ran with! The four bedroom, five bath home was completed in May 2021. The family braved moving in the week their eldest son graduated from high school. Even with many projects including the pool and outdoor area and a future wine cellar under the main staircase still under construction, the family has enjoyed their new home. 

“The home was designed off of a picture my husband saw of a home he loved,” shared Nicole. Floor plans were designed around that image to create an interior that worked with the exterior design. Changes continued to be made in the building process, ensuring the custom home checked all the boxes. “The fireplace was originally supposed to be under the stairs until we saw a fireplace designed with both sides open. So that was moved in between the keeping room and the dining room.” 

The Wanko boys also have lots of garage space for their hobbies and extra space upstairs in a future game room. Having lots of outdoor areas was most important to the family, as Nicole explains, “We recently moved from lots of acreage to what we think is ‘city living’. So having areas to allow us to enjoy the outdoors was important.”  

The family and Shannon worked with many local companies to get the best products available, working through Covid and supply chain struggles: The custom wood floors are from Antique Woods of Louisiana. The iron staircase railings were custom from Supreme Ornamental. The first floor is Firerock Pavers. The landscaping was designed and installed by Double Oak of Raceland. Most all furniture and appliances in the home were custom ordered from Lefort Furniture in Cut Off. All light fixtures were supplied by Valley Lighting in Houma. All plumbing fixtures come from LCR in Houma.

“I love what Shannon suggested for the dining room,” explains Nicole. “The built-in benches and shelving are gorgeous in the dining room. My husband loves the open fireplace between the keeping room and the dining room. My favorite details are the intricate moldings on the white oak cabinets in the bathroom. I held out to make sure I got these like I wanted. Another favorite is the built-ins in the living because they are so different. This was Shannon’s design and it wasn’t easy to find someone to figure those out!” 

Another family favorite area of the house is the upstairs balcony overlooking the water. The Wanko’s sons love to have Pedro nights up there with friends. The custom bed swing from CC Bedswings is a favorite of Nicole’s. 

“Shannon has helped me with so many projects since we have met,” shares Nicole. “This is the second project that she has done from start to finish ( if finish is even a thing). She visited this home several times during the building process. If I was stuck on what to do she was great at coming up with a perfect solution. Sometimes I would say ‘I don’t know about that, Shannon.’  But then I let her run with the idea and I’m embarrassed that I ever said anything! Everything she has put together for me is always gorgeous.”