The final touches

This is a long overdue post on one of my favorite projects to date. A pavilion and roofed pergola built for Mr. and Mrs. Hukins complete with landscaping and pool.

Copper gutters and rain chains with scroll brackets

The custom cypress gate made with 3" thick slabs feels like a castle door when you open it. Gas lanterns light the entryway at night

Water fountains with fire in the middle really add to the pool.

This corner turned into one of my favorite spots as the project took shape.

A river rock drainage trench catches water from the rain chains and diverts it to the landscape.

We used a white tadelakt plaster to make a transition from new brick to old brick.

A big thanks goes out to all those that helped make this project so amazing.

cypress mantels

As the major part of this project is completed we happily move onto the many final touches...

like these large mantels handmade from locally harvested Cypress.

in the shop

before















antique pine corbels special order
made by hand
meticulous woodwork our favorite, our specialty

long leaf pine beams and mantel

My brother in law, Buddy Carriere single handedly fabricated and installed this very well executed beam work. The acute angle of the knee brace produced a distinct look. The braces are slid into notches made in the header and post.



The key to this type of joinery is keeping the pieces in tension which requires exact measurement and perfectly square cuts. The beautiful grain of the long leaf pine is strikingly accented by the curved cuts of the braces.

Buddy hired me to make his first mantel with him then he made another one just like it. The fireplace in the living space is directly across from the previous beam work so he wanted to use similar elements. It was a great chance to work out the process of cutting the larger elements. What I love about Buddy is that he knows exactly what he wants.

cypress mantle

This simple little piece was made for Jamettte Oubre.



Comissioned by her mother Ms. Janie Domingue