Beetlejuice Would Feel at Home in This Neo-Gothic New Orleans French Colonial
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If Tim Burton makes another Beetlejuice movie, he needs to hire Victor Brockwell and Derek Whitener. With a work-life in fashion and theater, this couple is a creative tour de force. Nowhere is that more evident than in the New Orleans French Colonial home they built together in Farmers Branch.
When they started searching for a house, it quickly became evident they were not going to find their perfect home. They turned to architect Mike Adams and builder Todd Bonneau to capture their unique vision. The conversation went like this: “We want a blend of industrial contemporary loft with a rich New Orleans-style and oh, yes, with a bit of 18th-century brothel mixed in.”
Bonneau embraced the challenge and executed on their bold ideas at every turn with skill, craftsmanship, and patience. The grand staircase is the focal point. He rebuilt it seven times to get it absolutely perfect.
“We felt it was a great place to bring our collective vision together,” Brockwell said. “It’s a combination of old-world New Orleans style, but with a contemporary openness of the stairs. We sourced the balusters and had the open-see-through treads created.”
While touring historic homes across New England and Europe, they fell in love with traditional architectural details. The deep trim, chair railings, picture molding, and intricate island ceiling medallions were exactly what they wanted for their new home. With authentic pieces challenging to source, they tracked down vintage originals. After they were restored, the duo cleverly layered the custom moldings to create dramatic, exaggerated scales for each room that give their New Orleans French Colonial a rich historic depth.
Authentic industrial lighting in the kitchen contrasts with the elegance of the modern New Orleans French Colonial kitchen. The fixtures were salvaged from a 1940s factory in Denmark. Old paint was peeled off by hand to reveal the raw metal, and the lights were rewired in Los Angeles.
Without exception, guests love the smallest room in the house. It’s the high-drama powder room enveloped in Ellie Cashman’s oversized Dutch Golden Age-inspired floral style wallpaper.
Brockwell and Whitener found several of the home’s chandeliers in the French Quarter of New Orleans.
“Derek is a bit more into the haunted aspect than I am,” Brockwell said. “When someone indicates a possibility that a chandelier was formerly hanging in a haunted house, he’s sold! The hallway chandelier is from a New Orleans mansion that was abandoned for decades, so who knows what spirits it brings with it.”
The couple had two luxurious primary suites constructed, with the downstairs suite including a specially designed storm room. The upstairs suite features a private balcony overlooking the pool and one of the best closets I have ever seen. It was customized with a second washer and dryer, which is what every proper luxury closet should have.
The claw-foot tub was another challenge as Brockwell and Whitener wanted to bring vintage elegance to the upstairs bathroom. Working with the great staff at Nob Hill Decorative Hardware, they sourced one that did not weigh a ton, much to the relief of their builders and structural engineer.
Although it will be hard to tear yourself away from inside this dramatic New Orleans French Colonial, there is a custom-designed pool and covered patio you will love, whether you’re entertaining a group or simply relaxing.
“This is a private retreat and architectural masterpiece with unforgettable character, timeless craftsmanship, and unparalleled style,” listing agent Mikey Abrams said. He’s not wrong. In fact, Tim Burton may simply want to move in!
