Custom Home Process

Women Who Build: A Custom Home Story

May 19, 2025 by bardwell

If you arrive at dusk, light pools along the pathway, and the air is full of subtle sweetness wafting from the greenery. And, there in the stunning front archway is homeowner, Emily Bardwell Guillory. This beautiful custom home tucked away in Willow Grove is the culmination of thoughtful collaboration and quiet elegance. Welcome to our completed behind the scenes look at Bardwell’s latest custom home.

Building a Custom Home Begins with a Custom Team of Experts

At the center of this project is Emily. Yet, while her influence shines throughout the home, she knows excellence is never an accident. And, the success of this venture depended on sourcing the right people to carve out the vision . So, she assembled a team of professionals who each brought their own discipline to develop the vision and incorporate depth, interest, and practical elegance. In a traditionally male dominated field, it was unique to have this lead team composed entirely of women, who had a hand in almost every aspect of the build. So many hands contributed to the intention, artistry, and vision of this incredible custom home, but let’s take a look at the result through the perspective of these key players.

Laying the Foundation

Erin Demma, AIA | Owner & Principal Architect, Demma Residential Architects

Social: @demmaarch

The story of this home began with structure, as it always must. Baton Rouge-based architect Erin Demma, a RISD graduate known for her refined yet livable designs, worked closely with Emily in the earliest stages. Their conversations balanced concerns of square footage, rhythm, and flow.

“It’s important to strike the right balance between timeless design and custom additions in a project like this,” Erin said, “I’m very receptive to client input, but my clients also rely on my discretion and expertise to guide their decisions.”

Throughout the home, Erin and Emily added many custom features that make a big impact, though they’re not always apparent at first glance. One of those elements? A scullery kitchen.

“At a glance the entrance into the scullery might be perceived as just a larger walk-in pantry,” Erin explained, “but we took the homeowner’s passion for cooking into consideration and made it an extension of their kitchen. It houses many of their appliances as well as an extra sink and dishwasher to help maintain a clean kitchen when entertaining.”

The spacious kitchen features custom cabinetry and includes several creative, personal elements, like an olive oil nook. These sorts of features work together to change how a home feels and curate a sense of lived in, effortless refinement.

With the bones in place, the project moved inward.

Designing the Space

Hilary Smith Kennedy | Interior Designer, Dixon Smith Interiors

Social: @hilarysmithkennedy, @dixonsmith_interiors

For Hilary Smith Kennedy, interior design is about resonance. She aims to bring a sense of story and sanctuary into each home.

“The client’s personality and lifestyle are almost always the foundation of every interior design choice I make,” Hilary said, “From the beginning, I focus on how they live and what they love. ”

In this custom home, the goal was to layer meaning into every room, blending comfort and craftsmanship in ways that felt both elevated and familiar.

“What was great was Emily’s clear understanding of her own preferences, which allowed me to narrow in on colors, textures and details that supported her aesthetic.”

Their collaboration hinged on mutual trust in process and a shared love for rich, saturated colors that created moods throughout the home. The powder room, with its custom stone sink, is a standout moment.

“When you turn the corner into the powder, it has a distinct pop that is unexpected and expressive – especially on the cinnamon colored walls.”

The primary suite, meanwhile, is a study in tone and depth: rich, saturated hues in the bedroom flow seamlessly into a soft, spa-like bath.

“I love how the master bedroom is a deep saturated color that contrasts to the softer palette in the bathroom,” Hilary said, “but the tones overlap throughout both spaces to create an inviting and welcoming flow.”

The interplay of functionality and emotion works as long as it remains grounded in the home’s overall sensibility.

“These clients love to travel to places like Scotland,” Hilary noted, “so, an old-world feel for certain items was important. Throwing in the use of a plaid rug, organic textures and antique paintings created this multi-level design that had a nod to “Old World” design elements, creating impactful but peaceful spaces.”

Indeed, that ethos carried through details and decor, like heirloom antiques tucked into built-ins or custom drapery that catches the light. Each choice was a story told in fabric and form.

“Walking through the finished home with Emily was incredibly rewarding. I love that moment when all of our planning, design, and hard work materializes into something tangible.”

Space to Breathe

Claire Samaha | Landscape Designer, Newton Landscape Group

Social: @newtonlandscapegroup

Step outside, and the home’s seamless interplay with nature becomes clear. Designed by Claire Samaha, the landscape is composed and lush.

“My vision was for the landscape to feel like a true extension of the home—thoughtful and refined, but still comfortable. I wanted it to support everyday living while echoing the materials, proportions, and rhythm of the architecture.”

Inspired by Emily’s love for English cottage gardens, Claire created planting beds that hum with movement—grasses, soft perennials, and native shrubs.

“The design balances naturalistic planting with clean lines and a clear sense of structure,” Claire explained, “It feels soft and layered, but there’s organization and intention behind how it all comes together.”

One of the main challenges was working with a zero lot line and limited space. Maximizing the parking area while ensuring the driveway flows well for everyday use was essential.

“The layout needed to be strategic to ensure the space functioned well, from parking to circulation” Claire said. “Additionally, with limited space, the focus was on creating defined outdoor “rooms” that feel spacious and functional, providing both privacy and openness where needed.”

The landscape design includes areas for play, gathering, quiet reflection, and gardening, while also framing views from the living and dining rooms to bring the outdoors in.

The Homeowner’s Perspective

Emily Bardwell Guillory | Homeowner, Director of Finance, Bardwell Homes

“I wouldn’t necessarily consider myself an artistic person, but once we reached the finish line and I was walking through the house, I felt like we had created a piece of art.”

For Emily, this project was never just a regular day at work. It was a moment of convergence of desires for her daily life and something tangible for her professional legacy.

“Bardwell Homes, as the builder, was able to be involved from the start with input on plans to its finish as a furnished show home, so it felt like we were truly able to showcase everything we can do with our trusted subs and vendors. So much went into the build, from the overall flow of the house, down to the light switch colors by room, (and so many decisions in between!), and I feel truly honored to have been a part of it.”

With the recent success of Parade of Homes, Emily is already thinking ahead and working on a new asset for clients considering a custom home themselves.

“It includes questions like reviewing door swings for future rug placement, considering gutter downspouts before the hardscaping is poured, and things to consider when choosing dark paint,” Emily explains.

It’s intentional, thoughtful, and precise, just like Bardwell.

Curious about the custom home process?

Building a Custom Home in the Village at Willow Grove: Part 1 The Inspiration and Process

January 29, 2025 by bardwell

What is it like to create a custom home?

It’s a culmination of countless decisions, intensive planning, and personal expression. While every custom home journey presents challenges, it’s an incredible process that yields exceptional results. And, it all begins with a spark of inspiration.

For Emily, building a custom home with Bardwell was no debate, as she and her family have loved living in their current Bardwell home for nearly a decade. Not to mention, she’s part of the family business. In this series, Emily will take us behind the scenes to share her insights, influences, and experiences, offering a rare look at what it takes to build a custom home in Baton Rouge from the ground up.

1. What inspired you to build a custom home?

We have lived in our current Bardwell home for almost 10 years and we absolutely love it. But we needed to be closer to my daughter’s school, we needed more space, and there were a few particular changes we wanted to make to our floorplan that may not be considered “standard,” so we knew the custom route was the right one for us.

2. How has the process been so far? Can you share a moment that felt particularly significant or rewarding?

This was a completely custom home, from choosing the lot, creating the house design, and picking every single finish.

It’s been a slow and steady marathon, but having professionals help us along the way has been invaluable.

Even though I used an outside architect, I was able to bounce ideas off of the Bardwell team to make sure I was on the right track with budget, buildability, and available materials. We are still early in construction, so I would say the most significant moment I’ve felt so far was when the architect presented “the” plan to us. As I walked through the house, room by room, in my mind, I knew this was it. And, it was such an exciting and rewarding feeling to have created our home.

3. What role did the Bardwell team play in balancing your vision with practicality?

By having Bardwell partner with me as we were developing the plans, I was able to review preliminary plans with them so they could provide insight on costs before we got to the final plan set. It’s a check and balance to have the builder involved, because vision and practicality (a.k.a. cost) often conflict when it comes to custom homes. People can get to the finish line with the architect and find out the plan they thought they could build is out of range. In our case, we used JDE Designs, which is one of the trusted architects Bardwell often works with, so it was an efficient feedback loop as we worked toward the final plan set.

4. How does this build reflect your long-term goals and vision?

We wanted to make sure we built a home with longevity in terms of style, materials, and overall value, so that has played a key role in many of our decisions. Being close to our daughter’s school, I also wanted this house to have an open-door policy to all her friends as they make their way through middle and high school. So we kept that in mind as we created different spaces to eat, visit or play.

5. This home will be in the Willow Grove neighborhood… What drew you to this location for your custom home?

First, its central location in Baton Rouge. I’ll be within 15 minutes of work, family, and school. And second, we love the amenities of the neighborhood – from the pool and nature preserve to the commercial district with pizza, coffee and cocktail places – we will have so many options at our fingertips.

6. How do you think this home will grow with you and your family over the years?

We thought about different spaces we could host people and that our daughter and her friends could enjoy as they got older. With the layout of the home, we will have opportunities to sit and visit in intimate settings, both inside and out, and also have opportunities to open everything up to host large parties. I’m so thankful to be building a home that can do this, and we’re all so excited to grow in this home together.

7. What are you most looking forward to about living in your new custom home?

Hosting friends and family!

Build for the Long Run with Bardwell

Building a custom home is a test of endurance, and it requires meticulous planning, creativity, and collaboration. For Emily, it’s been an opportunity to bring her family’s vision to life while leveraging her expertise in homebuilding and new construction with the guidance of the Bardwell team. As construction progresses on this beautiful home in the Village at Willow Grove, stay tuned for the next chapter, where we’ll explore more details of the build and discover how this vision transforms into a home built for the long run.

Built for the Long Run with Bardwell

January 8, 2025 by bardwell

New Homes That Last

Send me the revised report?

Are you available for a 2pm meeting?

What did you need me to get at the store?

Sound familiar? We live at a relentless pace, and finding time to quiet the endless demands often seems impossible.

Where do we go to escape the noise and find sanctuary? Where do we spend our days seeking to return and relax?

It’s our home. Such an ordinary thing that holds great importance.

Home isn’t just a physical place, it’s where our lives unfold, our families grow, and our stories take root. So, we want our homes to mimic that sense of stability and warmth. We want to build homes that will provide a strong foundation amid all the changes of life. We want a home that will last.

The process of building a new home can be just as relentless as the pace of our lives. It’s an all encompassing project that’s exciting and overwhelming. But it’s not a process meant to be rushed.

Most builders only emphasize being on time and on budget. And while that’s certainly crucial, at Bardwell, we believe it’s equally important to do a job right.

At Bardwell, we create homes built for the long run. Over the years, we’ve honed three key areas of expertise required to do this: intentional design, precision to process, and community connectivity.

Intentional, Thoughtful Design

First, we design homes and communities that ignite a spirit of intentional living. Trends come and go, but we pursue thoughtful designs that stand the test of time.

Our aim is to create a beautiful space that works with your daily life. It’s not just a house that has a great layout but one that feels custom to work with you through life.

There’s an art to building thoughtfully. It requires care, time, and meticulous attention to small details. Bardwell homes feature timeless finishes and quality materials, chosen to remain beautiful and functional for decades.

But, intentionality isn’t just a buzzword – it’s about considering how you live each day and integrating those needs and desires into the design to make your life more functional and enjoyable. From optimized kitchen flow to cabinet placement, Bardwell homes balance performance with warmth.

Durability is more than a standard feature – it’s our promise of excellence. Our homes build timeless aesthetics with robust construction techniques to ensure they stand the test of time. Whether you’re building new construction with Bardwell in a community in Covington or Baton Rouge, you know your new home is built for longevity.

Precision to Process

With decades of experience and a proven process, Bardwell brings unparalleled expertise to every project.

Every Bardwell home is proof of our unwavering dedication to quality. From initial design to the final walkthrough, our process is a methodical discipline that requires absolute precision. Our team’s commitment to high standards and transparency provides a smooth new construction experience, whether you’re in Baton Rouge or Covington.

Our process begins with you. We align design with your lifestyle, values, and future needs. Whether it’s a semi-custom home or a fully custom masterpiece, Bardwell homes have the capabilities to be as distinct as the families who live in them.

Ultimately, building a new home is about so much more than blueprints and materials, it’s about carving out a space where life and connection thrive.

Part of a Community

Since 1946, the name Bardwell has been a cornerstone of the Baton Rouge community. Over 79 years, we’ve evolved as a family, creating memories, traditions, and legacies. Our story is woven from a rich Louisiana heritage, an unmatched entrepreneurial spirit, and a diligence to process, reflecting our commitment to families and their visions for the future.

Life requires support. And, there is inherent value in the sense of belonging fostered among shared green spaces, neighborhood strolls, and holiday celebrations.

At Bardwell, our work goes beyond individual homes. A home is a singular entity within the larger context of its community. From thoughtfully planned neighborhoods to shared spaces that encourage connection, we build to enrich the lives of entire communities in Baton Rouge.

This year, Bardwell celebrated an expansion into Covington. In addition to newly acquired lots in the TerraBella community on Lake Pontchartrain’s Northshore, Bardwell will open a new office building in TerraBella in early 2025. This investment into our Covington community will allow us to better support families on their homebuilding journey.

New Homes Built for the Long Run

Building a home is a transformative experience – a journey of reflection, intention, and commitment. At Bardwell, we celebrate this process, knowing that each step contributes to something extraordinary.

As we look to the future, our focus remains on building homes and communities that will stand the test of time. It’s a testament to the dedication, precision, and consistency that define the Bardwell way. It’s an invitation to embrace the art and science of building, to trust in a process that upholds excellence and longevity.

Because in the long run, it’s not just about building a new house. It’s about creating a home, a legacy, and a place to return to.

Are you ready to invest in your legacy?

If you’re ready to build something that lasts, discover the Bardwell Difference today. Take the first step toward creating a new home built for the long run.

Start your journey with Bardwell and learn more about our custom and semi-custom offerings here.

Building a Custom Home with Bardwell Homes

November 28, 2023 by bardwell

Bardwell Homes can help you build your dream home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It doesn’t matter where you are in the custom home building process. We offer a well designed, custom home construction process plus professional guidance from groundbreaking to move in day.

Start Here

At Bardwell Homes, we understand that choosing to build a custom home is a significant investment of time and money. We also know it can pay off in the most satisfying ways to make it all worth it.

Our entire team will work with you to build a home that caters to you in every way. We are dedicated to creating a home that fits your family’s lifestyle, needs, and adds your personal touch. When you build a custom home, you can choose everything from the layout to the finishes, including paint colors and tiles.

The Bardwell Process

Step number one in our custom home building process is securing your finances and land. Where you choose to build is just as important as how! If you already own your land or lot, that is great, and we would love to get to work.

Pick your Lot

If you haven’t chosen a lot for your home, you can pick one in Bardwell’s communities in Greater Baton Rouge. The advantage of choosing a lot is that the site is build ready. Developers must first prepare land and install utilities before building homes. This requires time and money.

Things to Consider When Picking your Lot

Making the extremely important decision of choosing the perfect spot for your house is crucial. When considering the location of your next home, you need to weigh multiple factors, including:

Proximity to Essential Places: How far are your workplace, schools, and shopping areas? Choose a distance to travel that suits your lifestyle and preferences, especially if you have or want children.

Tailoring to Lifestyle: Understanding your habits and hobbies is crucial. Are you drawn to nature and gardening? Do you seek an active lifestyle with opportunities for walks or bike rides? Or do you prefer bustling areas with ample activity?

Ensuring Safety: Feeling secure in your chosen location is crucial. Thoroughly investigate safety statistics and data before finalizing a location.

In the end, your chosen location for your custom home will significantly influence your daily life. It’s where you’ll begin relationships, raise a family, and enjoy local activities. While a location may seem ideal initially, it’s essential to envision how it will suit your life in the long haul.

Design the Floor Plan

After organizing your finances and deciding on a location, the next step is to create a blueprint for the home. This is your chance to make the home uniquely yours.

You may be thinking, “What if I do not have or know of an architect to even start with?” No worries, we have thought about that for you. We work with amazing architects that we consider part of the Bardwell team that we can connect you with. They would love to have the opportunity to work with you and create the house plan you’ve been dreaming of.

After you buy land and finish your floor plans, we calculate the total cost of constructing your house. We provide funding for the specific areas you select. We also offer a planned timeline for home construction.

Additionally, we have a schedule in place for when you can receive funds during the construction process. This schedule is based on the plan and timeline that we have established. The draws fund your custom home build through different stages.

Design Phase

Now it’s time for you to design and bring your style and touch into your home! You can personalize each element with finishes hand selected by you and the guidance of professional designers.

Don’t have a designer in mind? We have that covered there too. We can connect you with some amazing designers that will make this process easy for you.

Let’s Build!

Next, once we have approval on everything, you get to see your plans come to life and we begin the full construction process! Our team of professionals stays in contact with you and keeps you up to date through the construction phases of your house.

When the time comes, we schedule on site final walkthroughs with you that help guide you through the build and see the progress first hand. We schedule a home orientation and a final walk through with you to see the finished work of your design and home.

Sign. Sealed. Delivered!

The final step of the Bardwell process is closing. This is where you receive the keys to your brand new home, which we designed and built exclusively for you! It’s time to move in, settle down, and enjoy the next chapter of life.

Invest in Your Future

Building a home is an investment in your family’s future. As home builders in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Bardwell Homes takes pride in building well designed homes that families will treasure for a lifetime.

Our home construction process helps create a home that is uniquely yours. Build a custom home for personalization, quality, energy-efficiency, and love where you live.

Contact Bardwell Homes today to get started on the journey that takes you home!