See How an Architect Transformed a Dilapidated New Orleans Cottage into a Bright, Airy Retreat

Not long after they got married, Ben and Eva Massey began looking for a historic New Orleans fixer-upper — they’d ride bikes or drive all over the city in their quest for the perfect house. Then, one day, they found it: An 1890s home in desperate need of love, situated between the Garden District and the Mississippi River in the historic Irish Channel neighborhood. The house — built in the traditional sidehall, shotgun style that’s common in New Orleans — had a large yard, tall ceilings, and “good bones,” Ben Massey says. 

“When we bought her, we discovered copper pennies placed at every opening of the home, which we think is a time-honored tradition of keeping evil spirits away — very New Orleans,” says Ben Massey, who owns Benjamin Massey Architects. “We named her Penny.” 

But, although it was love at first sight, the Italianate Creole home also had some serious issues — a rotting foundation, a roof that was caving in, and crumbling interiors, just to name a few.

Today, after a total makeover, Penny is a “dreamy cottage with an air of quiet luxury,” according to Eva Massey. And the 1,500-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is currently on the market for less than $500,000. Here’s how this duo transformed a neglected, overgrown property into a bright oasis.

When they found her, Penny was in rough shape. The paint was peeling, some of the windows were missing panes, the roof and the foundation needed to be replaced, and the wood floors were peppered with holes.

“You could see the dirt below,” Ben Massey says.

It was obvious the home had been well-loved — it seemed like families with children had lived there in the past — but now she needed a little TLC.

As Ben Massey began to sketch out plans for the renovation, he settled on a minimalist design aesthetic to highlight the original integrity of the house. He didn’t want to erase its historic charm but, rather, show it off—by keeping and refreshing elements like the soaring 12-foot ceilings, the fireplace, the molding, the wood floors, the doors, the trim, and the windows. For inspiration, the Masseys looked to Belgian artist and interior designer Axel Vervoordt.

Beyond that, their top priority was brightening up the house. First step: They relocated the kitchen to the cottage’s side-porch-turned-sunroom, which opens onto the backyard.

“Since it was a long space flooded with natural light, we felt it was a perfect place for a brand-new, sun-drenched kitchen,” Ben Massey says.

They painted the walls a creamy tan hue, AFM Safecoat’s Poetry, and hung light fixtures from Etsy. They installed cabinets and a large, single-basin sink (both from NewAge), as well as locally sourced porcelain knobs and an 18-foot countertop made of Italian marble. In the backyard, where they figured people would gravitate from the kitchen during parties, they kept the original clothing line, but rehung it and gave it a fresh coat of paint.

They transformed the former kitchen space into a new guest bathroom, doubling the number of bathrooms in the house — another big priority.

“My wife and I had a blast treasure-hunting for the fixtures and fittings, such as the vintage claw foot tub, the mirrors, and the checkered marble tiles,” says Ben Massey. 

To bring the guest bathroom together, they painted the walls a moody indigo and draped creamy lace curtains across the window.

“It’s heaven,” he adds.

They also spent some time freshening up the primary suite, which is situated in the center of the cottage. A pass-through closet leads from the bedroom to the en-suite bathroom, which has a walk-in shower with subway tiles and a marble shelf, as well as an antique jam cupboard for storing towels. In the primary suite, they opted for a minty-white shade of paint called “Oasis,” also from AFM Safecoat. 

Throughout the home, they hung paintings by artist David Surman that they found with help from Katherine Ainsley, founder of the nearby art gallery Sibyl.

After the renovations, the house feels “majestic and serene,” he says. But now it’s time for the Masseys to pass the torch to a new owner. 

The ideal buyer is “someone who loves New Orleans architecture and who loves to entertain.”

The front porch is ideal for impromptu get-togethers, while the backyard is perfect for hosting barbecues and afternoon hangs. The house is half a block from a neighborhood park and three blocks from the shops, antique stores, and cafes of Magazine Street. It’s also situated along the route of the neighborhood’s St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Since they listed the house for sale, the Masseys have heard nothing but good things, and they’re confident they’ll soon find the right buyer for Penny.

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with compliments about the beautiful layout and design of the home,” Ben Massey says. “People are loving the unique color palette, the kitchen, the bathrooms, and the natural light. We know the future buyer will fall in love with this home, just as we have.”