Elegant Abode

The stylish living room now features a sofa in a custom fabric by Kelly Ventura, chairs in an antique chocolate velvet and a custom locally made ottoman on castor feet. Homeowner and interior designer Kennedy Williams added accessories available through her shop, August Interiors Studio Shop.

Kennedy Williams, who graduated with a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture in 2018, founded August Interiors Studio in 2021 while living in New Orleans with her husband. That year, they decided to move to Lafayette to be closer to family and purchased a home in River Ranch. “[The home] is on the smaller side, but [it’s] perfect for this phase of life and our little family,” she says.

The couple, who has a daughter, August Anne, and two dogs, Teddy and Luna, enjoys cooking and sitting outside with a cocktail in the cooler months. The cottage-style home, with its classic Acadiana elements, was built in the late 2000s and only had one previous owner.

While most of the home features original hardwood flooring, Williams decided to add marble tile in the bathrooms and a hand-painted terra cotta tile in the powder bath. She also added brick flooring in the kitchen and laundry area as an ode to the French style that is common to homes throughout the area. “I didn’t use a contractor and subbed out the work myself,” she says. “I did work with Flooring & Accessories for stone and tile work, and I cannot recommend them enough.”

The classic and clean-lined kitchen flaunts pendant lights from Visual Comfort with custom lamp shades, Farrow & Ball light blue paint and polished nickel pulls on the cabinetry, Calacatta Gold marble on the countertops and subway tile backsplash that Williams brought to the ceiling, a butcher-block-topped island and herringbone-patterned brick flooring.

Because the couple loves to cook, Williams wanted to create more counter space in the small kitchen. She added an island that can be moved if needed, and she had a butcher block made at Top’s Appliances & Cabinetry that’s perfect for food prep. She also added Calacatta Gold marble for the countertops on the perimeter and subway tile as a backsplash that continues to the ceiling. Williams hired C&D Cabinets out of Mississippi and decided to hide the appliances inside the cabinetry for a clean look.

Williams designed her daughter’s bedroom with custom draperies; Miss Li fabric by Pierre Frey on the cornice, crib skirt and pillow; sconces from Visual Comfort; and a locally made custom ottoman covered in pink silk velvet.

The 1,800-square-foot home, which consists of three bedrooms and two-and-one-half baths, now features a classic palette of blues and neutral colors. Williams chose a sofa for the living room that shows off a bit of her personality. “It’s feminine and bold, but pairs well with the rest of our home,” she says. “Pattern and texture are the heart of any design. The sofa and draperies in the living room are louder than anything else, but [they are] such a focal point.”

Her goal for a home, as is always the case with her designs, is to achieve timelessness. She also wanted the spaces to feel elegant yet livable. Some of these elegant touches include the green grasscloth wallpaper from Phillip Jeffries in the nursery and a printed wallpaper from Schumacher in the main bedroom. Since she was pregnant when she began the design (and with two dogs), Williams opted for durable, quality items. “We used wool rugs in most every room, and that has been the best investment,” she says.

Another view of the daughter’s bedroom shows the subtle grasscloth wallpaper, Stark wool carpeting, a French Louis XVI antique cabinet with marble top (used as a changing table) and artwork by Alexis Walter.

The overall design — inspired by travel, books, old movies, fabrics and antiques — embodies a transitional vibe with traditional elements. “I love incorporating [antiques] with more modern pieces and lighting,” Williams says.

The calming master bedroom features Schumacher wallpaper, artwork by Alexis Walter, lighting from Visual Comfort and an antique bench.

Aside from the antiques, most of the furniture is custom made. “I believe in investing in pieces that will last decades or more,” Williams says. “My parents still have beautiful pieces from my grandparents that they have recovered over the years, and that [is a] principal that transfers to my design and style.” For example, Williams had the authentic Maison Jansen-stamped balloon-back chairs in the dining room (originally dark green) recovered in a haze antique velvet.

“Because I am an interior designer, the design work is never done,” Williams says. “I love to add new things every so often, whether it be a new accessory or piece of art.”