Tag: home designer - Bardwell Homes

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?

Tell us about your overall approach to design.

Because I am a mom of five, I have a firsthand appreciation of the importance of a durable product. So, I strive to select finishes that will withstand real life, whatever that may look like for each individual client and family. Timeless design never compromises overall quality and functionality.

How do you balance functionality and aesthetics?

This balance depends on each room of the house. For instance, the dining room in the front of the house where events like Christmas dinner, Sunday family get-togethers, and special moments will receive a different treatment in terms of fabric and finishes.

How does good interior design impact the home experience?

Good design is very much individualized – it is all about emotion, comfort, and feel. Interior design textures and colors impact your emotions, so you have to consider how each person will use and appreciate the spaces. Ultimately, people want to feel comfortable and love the spaces within their home.

How did your relationship with Bardwell Homes begin?

Our relationship began when one of my custom clients selected Bardwell Homes to build their forever home. I was extremely impressed with Bardwell and was excited to work on future projects with them!

Walk us through the interior design process for a semi-custom home vs. a custom home.

The semi-custom home process offers a curated selection from a design team in which a homeowner comes in and designs based on these selections. This protects the homeowner and keeps them within budget while still giving a custom-feeling experience with the benefit of selecting from options for wood flooring, millwork, countertops, mirrors, and hardware.

On the other hand, the custom home process is a start to finish; the sky is the limit, and the selection of all fabrics, finishes, and materials for each space within the home. This allows the homeowner to add a personal touch within all the elements of their home – with a larger point of emphasis on budget management, as a result.

What’s the collaboration process like with the client and Bardwell?

When a client comes to Bardwell Homes, we host a creative meeting about their ideas, pictures, favorite paint colors, etc. In this first meeting we learn a lot about the homeowners’ goals. We hear how they intend to use the space, whether it’s their first home and they are about to get married or they are looking to downsize.

Once we have a full understanding of their vision, we start with big picture items, such as exterior paint, front doors, roof, brick, windows, interior doors, interior cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and cabinets. After that initial meeting we have one or two additional meetings to select the more detailed design elements.

How do you manage budget constraints with the design goals, even if the client’s needs or vision evolves over time?

Budget constraints happen in every single job. I educate my clients that we do not need to include every trendy detail and that there is a way to prioritize what is the most important to them. For instance, my client wanted a beautiful white marble kitchen countertop. To stay within budget, we changed materials in spaces that were not as visible. Still a beautiful product, but we do not need to use the most expensive finish in every room. As a designer, my goal is to guide my clients to the best returns with the biggest personal impact.

What is the client communication process like?

I am extremely hands on with my clients… We call, text, DM, email, see each other at sporting events, and go out to lunch. When LCI is involved we are ALL IN. Communication is everything.

What advice would you give to homeowners considering a custom build?

Decide on your designer and architect at the same time! Architects have the big vision, and they work with you on creating the sizes of spaces. Designers work with you on how you live in and experience the space. It makes the process flow much better when they can collaborate from the start.

What inspires you?

My family is my inspiration, and they inspire me to be better every single day. My children are my personal inspiration, and my husband is my biggest supporter of my personal and professional aspirations.

Can you tell us about one of your favorite projects?

Oh, that’s easy! I just recently finished one of my all-time favorite projects this spring. Not only was the house design elegantly jaw-dropping, but most importantly, these clients fully trusted my vision from day one, and for that, I will forever be grateful. I really define my success based on the level of the relationship I have with the client.

It’s what matters most for a successful project. The design and everything that goes into the decision-making process leading up to the final product comes naturally when the relationship is strong. This translates into a happy homeowner!

Do you see any trends that you believe are here to stay?

Warm color is definitely coming back! Warmth, cozy, and color is coming back!

Work with Laura Cedor

Laura has worked on designs in the TerraBella community, but she is available to design in any Bardwell community. If you’d like to learn more about working with Laura Cedor on a Bardwell Home, contact us.

Women Who Build: A Custom Home Story