Along the West End of Lake Pontchartrain, there’s a stretch of New Orleans that feels unlike anywhere else in the city.
Elevated homes built directly over the water. Each one shaped by time, storms and the people who’ve made them their own.
Sally and her husband knew exactly what they wanted when they began building their boathouse: a place to escape, to slow down and to entertain the people they love.
A showcase home, and the kitchen was going to set the tone for all of it.
The Vision Was Clear From the Start
Step off the elevator, and the kitchen is the first thing you see. That’s not an accident; it was Sally’s intention from the beginning.
“I knew I wanted my kitchen to be the entire focal point coming off the elevator into the house. We positioned the kitchen where you could enjoy viewing the water from it at every angle.”
In a home built for gathering, that kind of clarity of vision matters.
The layout, the sightlines and the openness all had to work together to keep attention on the water and on the people in the room.
Not Every Team Earns Her Trust. This One Did.
Sally was already working with architect and design builder Alfred Hayes and contractor Prom Dagaglou of Certified Construction Professionals, two well-known names in New Orleans for bringing tailored, thoughtfully executed spaces to life.
Alfred brings a unique talent for creating spaces that feel perfectly suited to each individual client, and Prom is recognized throughout the area for his innovative approach to realizing a client’s vision.
When Singer Kitchens’ designer Cat Kennedy learned she’d be collaborating with both of them, she was genuinely thrilled.
For the kitchen itself, Cat became Sally’s partner in translating that vision into something real, and it turned out to be one of the most rewarding collaborations of the entire project.
“Working with Cat was one of the best experiences of the entire project. She completely understood my vision and was highly skilled at putting it all together. She was willing to spend the time to go over every tiny detail and available option, and the end result was so worth it.”
Deliberate Down to the Last Detail
What made this project exceptional was the sophistication Sally brought to it.
Cat noted it immediately: “She had a clear, refined understanding of both the aesthetics and the functional elements she wanted. She wasn’t guessing. She knew.”
The high-gloss white cabinetry was inspired by a glamorous beach house her family had loved. Paired with warm walnut panels, the combination creates exactly the balance she was after: light and airy, modern and luxurious, with enough warmth to feel welcoming.
Every detail was considered:
● Satin bronze hardware and fixtures for a soft, refined finish
● Luxurious natural stone countertops with a full-height backsplash
● Nautical-inspired lighting over the island
● Integrated appliance panels for clean, uninterrupted lines
● A custom-matched hood that completes the space with a tailored feel
And then there’s the detail that might be the most personal of all: a custom cabinet, designed in collaboration with Cat, built specifically to tuck away the coffee maker. The countertops stay clean and the mornings run smoothly. It’s a small thing that makes all the difference.
Great projects like this one start with a homeowner who knows what she wants and isn’t willing to settle for less.
They come to life when the right designer, the right architect and the right craftsman are all working toward the same vision.
That’s what happened here. And the result speaks for itself every time they welcome friends off the elevator and into their showcase on the water.
Let’s Talk About YOUR Kitchen.
