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Home Feature Renovating an “Old” Farmhouse in Grand Cane
“BY ADAM BAILEY in GRAND CANE Old” Farmhouse Renovating an
This newly renovated Louisiana farmhouse seems to have evolved over time. Step inside and see how many of Louisiana’s blended cultures have created this one-ofa-kind architectural statement just outside of Grand Cane, Louisiana.
n northwest Louisiana, “porch life” is as much n northwest Louisiana, “porch life” is as much a part of the cultural fabric as Southern Baptist a part of the cultural fabric as Southern Baptist churches, cotton fields, and sweet tea. So when Ellen Jarratt decided to renovate her family’s farmhouse, she knew that the porch would be central to the character of the house. She also wanted any restoration project to bring new life to the property through historic culture and context. “I wanted to make sure any renovation felt like it may have been part of the original house, dating all the way back to the late-1800s.” dating all the way back to the late-1800s.” The result? A freshly renovated “old” farmhouse—a justunder-2,000-square-foot Southern belle of a home—that under-2,000-square-foot Southern belle of a home—that beautifully pays homage to the property’s historical past. Known locally as the White Gate house, it effortless-Known locally as the White Gate house, it effortlessly evokes the feeling of a traditional farmhouse without feeling stodgy. It’s timeless, old, and beautiful—and is feeling stodgy. It’s timeless, old, and beautiful—and is wrapped with the perfect amount of porch space. “This wrapped with the perfect amount of porch space. “This house was designed to have a different zone of porch for house was designed to have a different zone of porch for every part of the day,” Jarratt admits. Make no mistake, in northwest Louisiana, residential architecture is as unique and diverse as the people who live there. Similar to the way people who live there. Similar to the way the area’s bayous and streams merge into the Red River, the architectural character of northwest Louisiana was formed by the blending of various styles and traditions, giving home design its distinct look and feel—one that screams northwest Louisiana! Step inside and see how a piece of that architectural splendor and history is on full display. Located approximately forty-five minutes south of down Built in the late-1800s, the home’s original construction showcased a central breezeway, or dogtrot, and was cov
The White Gate house is simple in its construction. Made of rough-sawn lumber, it originally consisted of two bedrooms which were divided by a breezeway. “At some point were pulled into each side through open doorways, making another two more bedrooms were added, giving it a total it the coolest spot in the house (and one where the family of four rooms,” Jarratt recalls. “Later, another addition connected the kitchen, which was originally built as a
The White Gate House Renewed
Located approximately forty-five minutes south of downtown Shreveport (just head south down U.S. 171 into Desoto Parish), the White Gate house conjures the soul and spirit of its Louisiana location in a number of ways, but the most obvious is its original construction. Built in the late-1800s, the home’s original construction showcased a central breezeway, or dogtrot, and was covered by a continuous gabled roof—a fairly common feature for homes in the South during that time. Prior to air conditioning or electricity, rural agrarian families built dogtrot houses, also known as dog-run or breezeway houses, to take advantage of air circulation and cross breezes. By The White Gate house is simple in its construction. Made using several open windows on the sides of the home, the of rough-sawn lumber, it originally consisted of two bedcentral open hallway would optimize airflow, as breezes rooms which were divided by a breezeway. “At some point were pulled into each side through open doorways, making another two more bedrooms were added, giving it a total it the coolest spot in the house (and one where the family of four rooms,” Jarratt recalls. “Later, another addition dog was likely to camp out, or trot, hence the name). connected the kitchen, which was originally built as a
separate room away from the house. That addition included a dining room, bathroom and utility porch.”
Separated kitchens were a fairly common feature in agrarian homes of late-1800s. It kept excess heat from wood burning stoves away from the main house (remember, you were trying to keep cool). If there ever was an accident, and the kitchen caught fire (which was common back then), you reduced the likelihood that the entire house would go up in flames.
Northwest Louisiana’s hot and humid climate was also a major influence in the renovation. The home’s large, deep overhangs help provide shade, and the doors on either side of the kitchen are aligned with the front and back porches helping to create cross-ventilation. The house, too, is raised on piers so air can circulate under it.
“How the house was originally sited and designed had to take into account all of the important local-climate conditions. Unfortunately, the dogtrot has been enclosed. Luckily, the way that the porches are situated, with the windows open, there’s always a constant breeze.”
Other elements also pay homage, though subtle, to the property’s history. The larger, main house—with its rustic, Acadian roots—suggests a humble structure with its simple, flat moldings, and chunky-tapered rafter tails. The kitchen and dining area, which includes the kitchen,
agrarian homes of late-1800s. It kept excess heat from cident, and the kitchen caught fire (which was common overhangs help provide shade, and the doors on either ditions. Unfortunately, the dogtrot has been enclosed. Luckily, the way that the porches are situated, with the windows open, there’s always a constant breeze.” property’s history. The larger, main house—with its rus-
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dining room and utility deck, evoke a clear transition of dining room and utility deck, evoke a clear transition of the additions to the house—with its newer details. The modernized kitchen, its custom island (with seating) and ceramic subway tile easily compliment the perfectly placed seven-foot, custom-made farmhouse-style dining table—opening up the space in a sort of vernacular pro-table—opening up the space in a sort of vernacular progression—adding a little new to the old. “The idea behind gression—adding a little new to the old. “The idea behind the renovation is that the house looks like it had evolved over time,” claims Jarratt. home that has naturally evolved over time. The inside room area offers a natural gathering spot for guests where Old photographs and tchotchkes align the walls and shelves, making it eminently livable for both the homeowner and guests. “I like mixing the old with the new,” what was already in the house, sprinkled with a few items from my parent’s house in Shreveport where I grew up. So
An Illusion of Being Built Over Time
Today, the home is humble, poetic, and simply beautiful—without pretense—as it conjures the feeling of an old home that has naturally evolved over time. The inside design features a combination rough sawn oak and pine siding, reclaimed doors, and new engineered hardwood flooring. The recently renovated kitchen and open dining room area offers a natural gathering spot for guests where Jarratt can entertain friends and family with ease. The arrangement allows the dining room be the “show stopper” since it’s so open to the rest of the house. Old photographs and tchotchkes align the walls and shelves, making it eminently livable for both the homeowner and guests. “I like mixing the old with the new,” Jarratt confesses. “The furniture and art are a mixture of what was already in the house, sprinkled with a few items from my parent’s house in Shreveport where I grew up. So a lot of it is very special to me. I never realized that this
A thriving preserved home of the first accredited public high school in the state, Grand Cane has become the art and live theater center of Desoto Parish. In September 2009, Grand Cane was designated one of only forty four cultural districts in the State of Louisiana. The Back Alley Theatre is also located in the Cultural District and is a popular destination for patrons of each of the many seasonal productions. Village restaurants accommodate production events by pairing dinner with the shows while the nearby Cook-Hill Bed & Breakfast is available for weary travelers that want to stay awhile. Don't forget to check out the unique boutiques too! www.villageofgrandcane.com
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have no idea why it’s there. My theory is the walls were have no idea why it’s there. My theory is the walls were used like an early day chalkboard for schooling.” used like an early day chalkboard for schooling.” and east side utility porch—are all big enough for tables, guests that Jarratt cherishes the most. “Our family is our place was called White Gate until I found several pictures with the name written over the front fence that had a with the name written over the front fence that had a white gate.” It was during the renovation that Jarratt also noticed It was during the renovation that Jarratt also noticed some historical writings on the walls of the home. As most some historical writings on the walls of the home. As most rooms were gutted down to the studs, it was discovered that many of the original boards had been written on. “After removing the paneling in every room, followed by “After removing the paneling in every room, followed by wallpaper, cheese cloth and newspaper, I found the original wood and found the writing on every exterior breezeway wall of the original structure. There’s writing, num-way wall of the original structure. There’s writing, numbers, and drawings—some with dates of 1878 and 1899. I
Loving those Porches
Then, of course, there are the porches, nine-feet high and eight-feet deep, wrapping around the front and east side of the house. Each takes into account the climatic conditions and the sun’s positioning throughout the day. In the back, a new deck was added, and a stone path leads to a fire pit and seating area. The porches—the front, back and east side utility porch—are all big enough for tables, chairs, and swings. “They are basically outdoor living rooms,” says Jarratt. Those easily offer up perfect spaces for quality time with guests that Jarratt cherishes the most. “Our family is our life’s greatest work—what we are building and creating as we go—and I value the memories that are being made in this home.”
Louisiana’s Architectural History
Jarratt confesses that the renovation of the White Gate house—both inside and out—would not have been possible without the collaboration of several skilled design professionals to help restore the property—Mike Willis of Mike Willis Construction (General Contractor), Eddie Shinault of M&E Company (Electrical) and Carl Costanza
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(Caretaker, Groundskeeper and friend). Jarratt admits that any home renovation, no matter how great or small, is a huge undertaking. “I was pleased to be a part of the strong to be a part of the strong renovation effort that produced something that is nothing less than exceptional. However, this is an ever-evolving process, and I’m thinking up new proj-I’m thinking up new projects all the time including a barn to replace the one that fell down.” The home easily illustrates Louisiana’s architectural history in all its glory. Any drive down long country roads in Desoto or Caddo Parish will offer many reminders of Louisiana’s architectural past. From the simple Acadian cottage used by farms in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, to the grandiose mansions of the antebellum aristocracy, the White Gate house is a descendant that easily reflects the traditions of Louisiana’s blended heritages, every bit as much as the of Louisiana’s blended heritages, every bit as much as the food, festivals, parades, and music. Overall, the White Gate house renovation project provid-Overall, the White Gate house renovation project provided a very functional need with the simplest of means. It ed a very functional need with the simplest of means. It is rare that renovation projects succeed in making homes as well placed and beautiful as the original structures left behind. Jarratt, along with her team, successfully found ways to reinterpret the forms for modern living and opened up this cottage to the landscape and breezes. Now go take a good look at your own house. What do you see?
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