Lafayette Builder’s Personal Project in The Sanctuary

This home in The Sanctuary neighborhood in Lafayette is the culmination of years’ worth of ideas from a builder who knows what it takes — from foundation to finishes — to create a lasting, timeless home.

For Ryan Baldridge, the opportunity to build a personal residence was a dream project. The owner of Provence Homes, a custom builder, it was Baldridge’s chance to bring years of accumulated design ideas and functional insights into being. Life’s unexpected turns however, led the home to become a celebrated parade house rather than his family’s forever abode. Baldridge’s wife decided to pursue specialty certifications, requiring her to step away from work. This led the family to an unexpected decision: finding a

new owner for their nearly completed home. It quickly transformed from a personal project into a showhouse.

“I think it’s important because really everything that we put into the home was not on speculative decisions,” says Baldridge. “It was on personal decisions and what we loved. And all the extra expenses that went into it were because we wanted those things in our home.”

The house, located in The Sanctuary neighborhood in Broussard, began construction in April 2025 after more than a year of planning. It was completed for the parade in April 2026.

Baldridge’s vision for the home was deeply rooted in his extensive experience. Having built numerous custom homes, primarily “forever houses” for clients who prioritize lasting quality, he had collected a mental catalog of features that elevate a home beyond mere aesthetics.

“I’ve just been able to have all these pinned-up ideas of what I find makes a home quality and what makes a home feel special,” says Baldridge. “Even from the design perspective of all these different ideas I’ve gotten over the years with working with my awesome clients that I was able to get all of that creative energy out in this one project.”

The home’s architectural style is transitional, a term Baldridge embraces to describe its eclectic mix. The exterior hints at European farmhouse elements, while the interior seamlessly blends modern and traditional touches. Ivy Residential Concepts, a full-service firm led by Jewel and Vincent Centanni, handled the architecture, interior design and kitchen design. Ali Pugh designed the landscape, with Paul Meadow overseeing installation.

The four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home is 3,864 square feet and includes three flex spaces. Each area of the home is meticulously designed to reflect how people actually live in the spaces, rather than simply focusing on luxury materials and finishes.

“My designer, the firm, Ivy, they just do such a good job of mixing both traditional elements with modern elements to make it feel very present,” says Baldridge. “But also, they do such a good job of … that perfect mix of the aesthetics to feel modern and clean, but then also everything kind of hearkens back to a more traditional design.”

The exterior features a brick façade with a mortar wash, a traditional technique reminiscent of lime washes used in older European homes. This finish offers a more substantial, textured look than paint, echoing the enduring beauty found in historic architecture.

Inside, the home’s layout reflects how a growing family lives, with the builder’s own family as the case study. Embracing a return to more traditional, separated spaces, the layout is a departure from the open-concept trend. With young children, visibility is crucial, yet distinct areas provide structure. The kitchen, for example, is oriented front-to-back rather than side-to-side, with cabinetry on the living room wall and a narrowed opening to create a sense of separation while maintaining sightlines.

A key decision was keeping the kitchen island free of sinks or stoves, transforming it into a clean, functional surface. They also included a dedicated breakfast nook, a comfortable alternative to bar seating for family meals.

“It’s just weird when four people are eating in a line not meeting each other,” says Baldridge. “It’s not conducive to conversation.”

The primary suite’s design prioritizes quiet for early risers. A closed foyer leads to the bathroom and closet, allowing a partner or spouse to prepare for the day without reentering the bedroom. Upstairs, a flex space and a smaller secondary flex room offer versatility, with a Jack and Jill bathroom designed for comfort, featuring separated vanity spaces to minimize sibling squabbles.

The home’s color palette emerged from the decision to use checkerboard marble flooring, leaning towards white and light blues. These hues, along with unlacquered brass accents, create a cohesive and calming atmosphere. The walls are painted in alabaster, a creamy white that provides a neutral backdrop, allowing future furniture choices to be flexible.

Baldridge’s favorite feature is the transition from the kitchen to the butler’s pantry, marked by a distinctive glass wall. This detail, inspired by historical English homes, adds visual interest and a sense of honest, traditional architecture.

The 3,864-square-foot home has four bedrooms, three and a half baths and three flex spaces. The thoughtful design, born from personal experience and professional insight, creates a living environment that is both luxurious and eminently livable.

“High-quality architecture and construction takes a lot of effort and planning, and it takes a lot of passion,” says Baldridge. “When you have the right team and you kind of put all the effort in, it really can be a little bit magical whenever everything comes together.”