Realtor Lulu David’s Youngsville Home is a Sustainably Minded Family Oasis

For three years, Lulu David worked on the design of her new home in Youngsville’s Sugar Mill Pond neighborhood. Owner of Lulu David Real Estate Co., the seasoned Realtor had a clear vision. “From the beginning, we wanted the house to feel like it could be sitting in a little coastal village in Europe, something with that effortless, timeless beauty,” says David. Perhaps more important, however, David knew what would be appealing if they were ever to decide to sell the house.

“I know what buyers notice, what makes them feel at home and what features become dealmakers,” says David, who also designed the family’s former home. “To me, great design isn’t just about how it looks, it’s about how it lives and how it holds its value over time. Our home has an open entertaining main space floor plan with split bedroom floor plan. We have tons of square footage under roof with plenty of entertaining spaces, such as a bonus room attached to the [primary bedroom] which could be used as an office, nursery or workout room.”   

Lulu David worked with architect Jarod Hebert and Hays Homes custom home builders on what she calls her “Alys Beach meets Mediterranean vila,” a two-story, four-bedroom stucco home crafted using a host of sustainable materials.

David worked with architect Jarod Hebert and Hays Homes custom home builders to realize her dream of a style she dubs “Alys Beach meets Mediterranean villa.” The home’s exterior is clad in stucco and the team focused on using sustainable building materials that will stand up to Louisiana’s often brutal climate and weather events.

“All of our shutters, balcony railings, cantilevers and even the tongue‑and‑groove ceilings are made with Acre products,” says David. “It has the look and warmth of wood, but it will never rot, warp or splinter. More and more homes are making that shift to sustainable, lifetime materials and it’s definitely a bigger upfront investment, but we knew it was worth it. These are details we’ll never have to replace, and they’ll keep that Mediterranean character intact for a lifetime.”

Inside the two-story home, form and function dominate. Built for entertaining and hosting, each of the four bedrooms has an en suite bathroom. The upstairs theater room includes built-in bunk beds and the kitchen comes with a scullery and sizable walk-in pantry with access to the three-car garage.

“Downstairs, we have two of those bedrooms plus an office, and the heart of the home opens to a central courtyard with an outdoor kitchen, an al fresco dining area and even an outdoor shower, perfect after a dip in the pool,” says David, who describes the pantry’s garage access a game changer for organizing and prep. “There’s also a convenient half bath right off the pool and courtyard for guests. It’s a layout that feels thoughtful, functional and ready for whatever life throws our way.”

Shared living spaces are awash in warm neutrals with pops of muted color, natural materials, soft textures and clean lines creating a sense of calm throughout the home, while the central courtyard brings the outdoors in. David chose limewash from JH Wall Paints for those spaces, while the family’s more private spaces are painted in moodier colors, like the earthy green of Benjamin Moore Vintage Vogue. By seamlessly blending her modern sensibility with Old World flair, David avoids sacrificing warmth and elevates cozy comfort.

“I wanted to create a mood that feels warm and organic, like a home that has soul,” says David, who loves that theirs is the home family loves to visit during the holidays and where the neighborhood kids want to hang out. “The whole house just feels collected, welcoming and effortless, like it’s been here for generations but still lives beautifully for today.”