perfect for parties

Southern Living, Feb 2005 by Hamilton, Majella Chube

See how this Louisiana couple celebrates Mardi Gras and makes the most of their open and inviting home all year round.

If a house could have nine lives and still emerge at its royal best, this one takes the king cake. After undergoing many transformations in its 50-year existence, the home of Gary and Elaine Jones in Alexandria, Louisiana, was born again in grand Creole splendor-perfect for celebrating Mardi Gras.

Ranch Revival

"The original 1950s ranch-style architecture had post-and-beam construction, a flat roof, steel columns, contemporary finishes, and a schoolhouse look," says Elaine. She and Gary purchased the home in the mid1990s and, after 10 years of envisioning their home's potential, embarked on a major remodeling project.

"This house is 99% Elaine and 1% me," Gary admits. "She wanted to create an atmosphere based on the architecture and history of Louisiana."

The open-rooms-without-walls wonderland is a palette of warm colors and rich materials, which was part of Elaine's personal mission. "I wanted to give the home a warm effect but still make it interesting with textures and materials that reflect the cultures of our state," she says.

Although he knew the house needed an overhaul, Gary had his own requirements. "He didn't want to disturb the environment," Elaine says. "Gary wanted our transformed home to still fit into the neighborhood."

Capturing the Louisiana Look

From the exterior, the home maintains its ranch style but with welcoming touches such as wood columns and a porch. "We also raised part of the house by pitching the roof, resulting in higher ceilings for the interior," says residential designer Michael Virden.

Elaine's flair for interiors and Michael's carpentry skills give the home an authentic look. Elaine and Gary used 100-year-old cypress beams and wide-plank longleaf pine floors that were salvaged from old warehouses in New Orleans.

Let the Remodeling Begin

The redesign called for eliminating several non-load-bearing walls in the family and dining rooms. Michael hid the original steel posts that couldn't be removed by building around them. "We used columns made of plastic foam that were wrapped around the steel posts and covered with a synthetic stucco," he explains. A team of masons laid the brick flooring.

One of the largest obstacles the team faced was the family room fireplace. It featured a pit in the floor with a hood suspended from the ceiling. "It would have been expensive to remove," Michael says, "so we built over it." Masons laid curved brick on the bottom matched to the home's exterior and then a mantel carved from cast limestone was hung. Michael framed the corners with cypress.

Other touches around the house include new windows, exterior cypress French doors, and a built-in storage cabinet along one kitchen wall. After seeing a cabinet that she liked in a magazine, Elaine sketched her own version, and Michael crafted a china hutch with a wine refrigerator below.

Now, for Elaine and Gary, home is a treasure-filled box of culture.

HOW TO CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS IN STYLE

Mardi Gras traditions in the South date back to the 1700s. Although the carnival holiday has evolved over the years, there are some commonly agreed upon symbolic and decorating elements.

* Colors: Purple for justice, green for faith, and gold for power

* Beads: Beaded necklaces in Mardi Gras hues, usually thrown from floats at parades, can be displayed on tables, draped from chandeliers and wreaths, and incorporated into flower arrangements.

* Feathered masks: In the past, these were used to shield guests' identities at balls; today they make great accents for table settings and wreaths.

* Doubloons: These are coins with a krewe's (or organization's) name, logo, or motto on the front and theme on the back, Scatter them along a table or pour them into vases around the stems of flowers.

* King cake: A purple, green, and gold ring-shaped cake, usually braided and filled with cinnamon, fruit, or cream cheese. Most come with a tiny plastic baby embedded inside. Legend has it that the person who is served the slice with the baby will have good luck for a year, and he or she has to provide the king cake for next year's party. Elaine's grandchildren (shown above) eagerly await the first piece.