Page 172 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2015

HOME art and fun
THE OCEAN SPRINGS HOME of New Orleans natives Lucie and Dreux Seghers is filled with one-of-a-kind paintings and pottery created by themselves and their daughters, Estelle and Camille.
These two New Orleans natives, along with their daughters Estelle, 17, and Camille, 13, are artsy and their home reflects it. Their paintings, pottery and creative endeavors are featured throughout. For instance, Dreux, a civil engineer by profession, turned an old door into a dining table and Lucie made the pottery wall sconces used in the dining room. Estelle made a couple of Alexander Calder style mobiles for the kitchen and family room. Camille made a dozen small ceramic chickens to represent her mother’s real chickens that keep the family supplied with fresh eggs. Arrangements of fresh flowers also show Lucie’s flair.
A low flat ceiling had been installed in the home’s living room — something the Seghers promptly removed after buying the house in 1996. They also removed a false wall that covered the two-sided fireplace between the living and dining rooms. They were advised to take out the original floors of Southern yellow pine but instead gave them a milk wash to tone down the yellow tint. Modern improvements were made including new wiring and plumbing, central heat and air and an alarm system.
There was a different story when it came to the kitchen. Lucie and Dreux both like to cook and wanted a spacious kitchen. The old kitchen was torn down and a bright space, complete with sky lights, took its place. “We wanted a warm contrast to the industrial modern look of a stainless steel kitchen,” Lucie said.
That warmth was achieved with railroad-style hanging light fixtures, maple cabinets with a cherry finish, and splashes of color from accessories and fresh fruits and vegetables. Dreux’s engineering talent shows in touches such as the center island’s push-through drawers that open from both sides.
The stainless steel counter tops provide bright work space. “They were installed by a roofer, who said ‘you’re the only crazy people I know who’d do this,’” Lucie recalls.
There are organic things: willow twigs covering two windows and large curled pieces of birch bark over >>
172 SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living • August 2015
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