Reading Bones: How to Tell If an Old Lafayette House Is Worth Saving
Buying an old house in Lafayette is never just about square footage or finishes. It is about spreadsheets, imagination, patience, and knowing when the charm is telling the truth versus when it is distracting you from the cost. The best old houses are not perfect. They are layered, imperfect, sometimes intimidating, and often full of the kind of original character you cannot casually recreate anymore.
This post breaks down how to tell when an older Lafayette home is worth saving, from foundation concerns and inspection report language to neighborhood strength, renovation value, and the math that has to hold the whole dream together. It also shares the story of one Lafayette family who leaned into the process instead of panicking, asked the uncomfortable questions, and found the rare place where lifestyle, investment, and a real forever-home vision could meet.
Closing Day (Or, The Part Where We Let Her Go)
105 Teche is officially sold. From late-night touch-ups and intentional staging to going under contract in January and closing at full price in February, this post shares the strategy, emotion, and business behind a design-forward Lafayette home restoration — plus a closing-day cameo from a five-year-old with “serious business” to handle.
From Renovation to Real Life: The Journey Continues
What started as a flip became a home. 105 Teche wasn’t just renovated—it was restored with care, depth, and layers of real life. This post walks you through the final moments, the emotional turns, and the design decisions that transformed a project into something personal.
Intentional, Edited, and Almost Done: Teche’s Not-Quite-Final Reveal
This isn’t your typical flip—and that was the point. From navy marble and unlacquered brass to layout shifts that make daily life feel better, 105 Teche wasn’t built to be perfect. It was built to meet you where you are.
From a Flip to a Feeling: How 105 Teche Became Lafayette’s Design Darling
Renovation progress looks good in theory — until your bathroom mirrors turn out to be auto parts. Between countertop wins, lighting surprises, and a few shipping misfires, the Teche Flip is still pulling off her modern cottagecore moment with suspiciously good humor.
Teche’s Hot Girl Era: Paint Done, Floors Down, Fixtures Loading
We’ve officially entered the best phase of the Teche Flip—the glow-up. With moody cabinets, custom hardware, vintage tile, and the kind of kitchen island that demands a glass of wine, this house is finding its identity. Think warm tones, quiet luxury, and just the right amount of drama. Come behind the scenes as we break down the finishes, the flair, and the still-very-real countertop chaos.
How 10 Paint Colors and a Perfect Sink Defined This Flip
At 105 Teche Drive, we painted the cabinets, stained the island, swapped in a 36″ gas range, and (yes) used ten paint colors. Add in the farmhouse sink I’m head over heels for, plus brass lighting magic, and this flip’s kitchen finally found its rhythm.
From Chaos to Cottagecore: Teche’s Design Risks, Budget Breakthroughs & Cozy Aesthetic
Flips can feel like spreadsheets in disguise, but at 105 Teche, every risk seems to turn into reward. This Lafayette flip house is shaping up into a modern cottagecore dream—checkerboard floors DIY’d on a budget, moody wallpaper murals in the laundry room, vintage-toned brass fixtures, and paint colors chosen like a playlist. The result? A renovation that feels intentional, warm, and anything but cookie-cutter.
From Structural Fixes to Style Moves: The Teche Flip Gets Serious
What started as a modest midcentury brick home is quickly turning into something layered, livable, and full of surprises—like the window we uncovered mid-bathroom demo. From a brand new roof to a freshly framed third bedroom and a just-picked exterior palette, this flip is growing up fast. Catch the latest progress, design direction, and where we’re headed next.
Design Detox: Flipping the Switch on Lifeless Interiors
Once the darling of HGTV, builder-grade flips, and Realtors alike, millennial gray has officially worn out its welcome—especially in Lafayette. Today’s buyers want warmth, texture, and interiors that actually feel like home. From barn doors to all-gray everything, we’re breaking up with bland and embracing rich woods, earthy tones, and natural light. Ready to un-blah your space? Let’s talk staging, shopping, and selling with soul.
Living in a Time Capsule: What to Do When You’re Stuck with a Dated Rental Kitchen
Transform your dated rental kitchen with peel‑and‑stick backsplash, LED lighting, hardware swaps, and vintage flair—no landlord needed.
The Open Floor Plan Debate: Love It, Leave It, or Learn to Live with It?
Open concepts look great in photos—but how do they actually live? Here’s how to know if they’ll work for your vibe, lifestyle, and noise tolerance.
Design Plans, Delusions, and My First Lafayette Flip
Just closed on my first Lafayette flip at 105 Teche Drive—and let’s just say, it’s about to go from “wait, what?” to wow. I’m keeping the good bones (hello, original cabinets) and reworking the rest with a vibe that’s somewhere between earthy cottagecore and cool, clean modern. If you’re into smart space planning, bold-but-budget-aware design, and behind-the-scenes renovation chaos—you’ll want to follow this one.
The New Americana Dream: Homesteading, Homegrown Living, and Creating Your Personal Haven
Dreaming of fresh eggs in the morning, sourdough in the oven, and pond-to-table dinners under the stars? You’re not alone. The modern homesteading lifestyle is more than a trend—it’s a full-on vibe shift. In this post, we’re diving into backyard chickens, vegetable gardens, cozy creative studios, and the joy of building a life you don’t need a vacation from. From flour-dusted kitchen counters to detached spaces perfect for your side hustle or in-law suite, this is slow living done right—with a little flair. Ready to romanticize your real life? Let’s go.
From “Fightin’ville” to Freetown: Exploring Lafayette’s Historic Districts This Memorial Day
Discover the rich military and cultural history behind Lafayette, Louisiana's most iconic neighborhoods—La Place, Freetown-Port Rico, Sterling Grove, Downtown, and Bendel Gardens. From “Fightin’ville” pride to Civil War-era roots, this Memorial Day, take a deeper look into the legacies that shaped the heart of Acadiana.
Lafayette’s Hottest Home Design Trends for 2025: What Buyers Are Loving
Lafayette’s home design scene in 2025 is all about elevated living—with a little Southern flair. Think statement kitchens with Viking ranges, smart storage that feels custom-built, and rich colors that break free from cookie-cutter white. Whether you’re staging to impress or upgrading your forever home, these Lafayette, LA design trends blend sophistication with personality in all the right ways.
How New Lafayette Developments Are Shaping Our Community (And What It Means for Your Property Value)
Big changes are coming to Lafayette, Louisiana—and if you own property (or want to), you’ll want to pay attention. With game-changing developments like Buc-ee’s setting up shop and major infrastructure upgrades on the horizon, our city is leveling up in a big way. For homeowners, that means rising property values and new opportunities. For buyers? More choices—but also more competition.
If you’re wondering how these projects could impact your next move, we’ve got the inside scoop.
Ready to make your move in Lafayette? Let Shelby Brignac, Realtor & Design guide you through it—no fluff, just expert advice.
Snow Day in LA?!
authentic cajun gumbo recipe to keep you warm in these rare Louisiana freezing temps
New Year, New Rates, New Home?
As we step into the new year, exciting changes are already making their mark on the real estate market! The hottest development on everyone’s mind is the recent drastic drop in interest rates. For potential homebuyers and current homeowners, this brings a wave of opportunities and considerations to the forefront.
The Secret about Buying in High Interest Rate Markets
Rates are high, does that mean I should pump the brakes on my search?