Rayne Photographer Creates Farmhouse of Her Dreams

Marc and Haylei Smith’s 2,000-square-foot, hardy wood- and metal-clad farmhouse is nestled on five acres in Rayne and was designed by Lafayette architect Lisa Bourque.

Early in their marriage, Marc and Haylei Smith were on the hunt for a home in the country with acreage. They looked at a property in Rayne, but ulimately passed on it for another home. In 2023, when they were ready for a change, they remembered the property from years earlier. “We randomly drove by the property and noticed it looked overgrown,” says Haylei, an architecture and interiors photographer whose work regularly appears in this magazine. “We discussed how it would be nice to know if the owners wanted to sell. It was honestly amazing because a few days later, we passed the property again going to Roberts Cove Germanfest and there was a for sale sign out front.” Haylei says they called about it that day, and within a few weeks it was theirs.

The five-acre property was set off the road, was bordered by trees and included a barn that the couple planned to renovate into a small apartment. “One thing led to another and it became a full-blown home,” says Haylei. “While building, I learned I was expecting a baby girl.” The now-growing family needed a new plan that included more space (for them, and their Jack Russell terrier, Tete). They turned to Lafayette architect Lisa Bourque. “I’ve worked with [Lisa] for years, photographing her architectural projects,” says Haylei. “I’ve always liked the way her mind works to make small spaces function in a big way.” The team, which also included Houston, Texas builder Randy Watts and Baton Rouge interior designer Jennifer Liffmann, determined that the best way forward was to take the barn down to the studs and rebuild with a cleaner slate.

Late in the spring of 2024, the Smiths moved into their new, 2,000-square-foot, Hardie wood- and metal-clad farmhouse — right on time for baby Ella. Haylei worked with Liffmann to incorporate as many natural elements as possible and create a comfy-cozy farmhouse aesthetic in alignment with the architecture. Those natural materials and finishes brought the ample nature on view outside through the windows, inside. “Stained wood beams, ceramic tile and pine wood floors, iron stove, aged brass pulls,” says Haylei. “Nothing is too fancy or precious.” Over the past year, however, Haylei’s style has shifted to a more traditional look. “I think a great interior takes time; you really have to live with the home for a while to know what design decisions need to be made and layer items as you find them,” says Haylei. One thing that hasn’t changed however is the photographer’s decision to maximize natural light. “When I was thinking about a floor plan, I oriented our rooms so that the sun would come up in the kitchen and master bed and bath. I wanted to wake up with the sun and go to sleep in a dark, cool room.” says Smith. “I never need to turn the lights on during the day and at night, we mainly use dim lamps.”

The couple regularly entertains at home and Haylei says while they don’t consider themselves homesteaders, they do love being outdoors. She has taken up gardening and Marc added a pond into the mix, which he’s continuing to stock and is building wood duck boxes. They worked with Jack Fencing in Lafayette and Dakota Premium Hardwoods in Scott to create a fence that didn’t cut off views of the pond and trees, but would corral the baby (and any future siblings) and resident “livestock” Tete.

Like many families, the Smiths tends to spend most of their time in the open-plan kitchen. Haylei says Marc loves to cook, but for this photographer, it’s all about light.

“I really love the kitchen in the morning when the sun is coming up,” says Haylei. “Its the kind of golden sunrise light that shows the steam coming out of your coffee. I also love the privacy of our property. In the back, there are no neighbors and we’re completely to ourselves. We are blessed with wonderful neighbors at the front of our property who we’ve grown to love.”