Shreveport, LA. Midcentury modern is a term that’s thrown around a lot these days. But what is it really? Midcentury modern architecture is not simply anything that was designed and built in the middle of the 20th century, but, in fact, an architectural style with a defined set of principles and influences. To this day, the style continues to influence contemporary architecture in ways both big and small.

In the mid-1950s, local real estate developer Henry “Hank” Bronner began constructing a home in Shreveport’s South Highlands neighborhood. This new home was to be designed in the midcentury vernacular of the time, inspired by the likes of Frank Lloyd Wright, Richard Neutra, and Charles Eames. The house was for Bronner’s first wife, Louise, and their daughters. It would be a true testament to the midcentury style with sustainable and innovative design, clean lines, minimal ornamentation, floor-to-ceiling windows, and an emphasis on nature. Sixty-four years later, Mrs. “Cissie” Bonner—Hank Bronner’s second wife—decided to put the home up for sale.

After purchasing the home, May knew from the start that any renovation would mean maintaining a careful balance between preservation and updates as he made decisions on what and how to move forward. Many details, as he would discover in the ensuing months, were hidden, disassembled, or reused elsewhere in the home. “Being in the construction business I knew where the line was and walked it successfully,” May says. “I wanted to approach everything I did very carefully.”

And carefully, he did. Aside from a few minor cosmetic changes, which mainly consisted of painting and electrical upgrades, May stayed true to the midcentury style.  

Today, the 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom home features the same footprint as when it was originally built—featuring the original open floorplan with large, custom floor-to-ceiling windows that bathe the space with natural light. These windows allow a ton of light to seep into the home—providing wonderful, breathtaking views of the beautifully landscaped backyard, patio, and saltwater pool area. The living area is anchored by an offset ledge stone fireplace set against a paneled wall and built-in bookshelves, creating a cozy and inviting atmosphere. A corner pole light provides some whimsy, as the room is decorated in era-appropriate accent pieces and furniture.

Lauren and Brad also saw beauty through nature’s eyes, bringing in a palette inspired by outdoor views. The open floorplan easily allows light to flow through the tall windows, casting light and shadow against the tranquil neutral-colored walls. “We wanted to create a serene and calm open concept design with lots of natural light,” claims Lauren. “Using as many windows as possible helped us achieve this goal.”

Engineered hardwood floors in “French Oak” invite barefoot moments. “Flooring was an important part of the design process. We wanted light wood floors that would create a flow throughout that felt calm and cohesive. There are so many ‘light-colored’ wood floor colors to choose from we had a hard time choosing. It was even more beautiful in person after first seeing it installed.”

“This project was right up my alley,” says Lauren. “I love the peacefulness of a quiet palette and the easy elegance that comes from mixing classic and contemporary styles—curating a unique assemblage of textiles, art, and furnishings—both modern and antique. There were very few rules.”

Never one to sacrifice form for function, Lauren took advantage of her designer acumen to be on-trend but traditionally rooted. “Antiques play an important role in my life, and this house is no exception,” says Lauren. “My selections aren’t richly stained, ornately carved, or extravagantly gilded. They are refined and charming, packed with character and charisma, and, to me, that sums up our home’s style.”

Tucked away in the sought-after Bossier City neighborhood, known as The Village at Tiburon, lies this unexpected and contemporary home. Balancing tranquility with expertly executed custom architecture, this home is like no other—as it is thoughtfully designed to complement the natural fold of the land on which it sits to maximize the views of the property.

Those custom touches include wide-plank tile floors, soaring ceilings, vast walls, beautiful doors, and custom light fixtures at every turn—all contributing elements that capture views from almost every room of the house. Something that would be a wonderful addition would be custom mirror cutting to ensure everything fits and the light bounces around the room in the right way.​ The views are perhaps some of the most enchanting when taken in from the outdoor living area, which is built off the primary suite, informal dining room, and family room. 

The spacious primary suite is thoughtfully positioned on the first floor for all-day privacy and peace, with large floor-to-ceiling windows that look out toward the pool views—the serene bedroom is outfitted with dual walk-in closets. From the tranquil master bedroom, a view of the master bathroom’s masterful focal point is visible.  A lavish, free-standing soaking tub is the eye-catching element positioned in its own nook, complete with dual sinks and a custom shower.

Accented with classic coffered ceilings and a grand, eye-catching fireplace that is flanked by custom-built bookcases—the family room is suited for more casual gatherings. It flows seamlessly into the chef’s kitchen which has been perfected with a large island, professional-grade appliances, beautiful granite countertops, and custom cabinetry. The kitchen has many features that beautifully complement the custom features and ornate built-ins of the living room.

The home’s layout provides a thoughtful separation of spaces for both the primary suite and additional bedrooms. The three additional bedrooms offer private space for undisturbed living, while sunlight pours into the game room perched on the second floor. 

But for all the custom craftsmanship and the unique features that were so thoughtfully placed inside; outside, the grounds are equally as exceptional as the interior—offering endless opportunities for active days and social nights. Features include a covered gorgeous outdoor fireplace and outdoor dining area, pool, and lounge area. Conveniently located off the family room, the outdoor, covered patio area is framed by exposed wood timbers as it overlooks the pool. Complete with a grill, wood-planked ceiling, and outstanding views, this outdoor seating area is sure to host many unforgettable gatherings—whether it is watching television, roasting s’mores, or just spending time together. Or, should you prefer, feel free to dip into the pool as the sun sets as you gaze out on the endless starscape of the unobstructed night sky.

Shreveport, LA. “Around here, this is fairly unique,” admits business owners Frank and Jordan Thaxton of their recently renovated six-bedroom, five-and-a-half-bathroom, midcentury modern home in the heart of Shreveport’s Eastridge neighborhood. “It’s not built in the conventional way that most houses are.”

But that distinctive look makes this home shine even more.

Admittedly, when Frank and his wife, Jordan, started looking for their “forever home” in Shreveport, they struggled to find something that had everything both were looking for. “Either the house wasn’t right, or it needed too much work, or building something from scratch wouldn’t be cost-efficient,” says Jordan. “And, honestly, we never really considered the midcentury style,” recalls Frank, “until one night Jordan found this house.” 

For Jordan, it was love at first sight. The lines, the details, and the “really big windows.” To Frank, not so much. Until he saw it was on a three-acre lot. “Yes, it needed a lot of work. But show me a three-acre lot in the heart of Shreveport? You won’t find one for sale.”

Preservation and Renovation

To help make sense of the relationships between the main rooms of the house—how the scale worked in their favor and render the home more livable—the Thaxton’s opened the “heart” of the home to allow natural light in. “The living room, dining room, kitchen, and den were all cut off from one another,” Frank admits. “They were connected, technically, but there was not much sharing of space. Our primary goal was to increase connections throughout these spaces—through the interior spaces and out towards the back yard.”

Today, these two living spaces—the living room and the den—feature two different design aesthetics and are “connected” by the dining room. The living room, a more formal gathering space, features warm tones outfitted with a large custom sectional with two chairs. It’s just one of the rooms great for entertaining. The den, the family’s favorite room, is informally called the “Little Red Fireplace Room.” And, according to Frank and Jordan, the redesign of the home centered around the vintage fireplace that was installed in the late 1960s.

Three walls were removed, and two new ones were added, along with a load-bearing beam to help “open up” the space. New, custom cabinetry, a Quartzite island, and granite perimeter countertops with a bronze brick backsplash in the kitchen reflect the home’s midcentury roots, while a commercial-grade Wolf oven and stove, as well as a Thermador refrigerator, freezer, and wine cooler offer modern convenience—especially when it comes to gathering and entertaining.

The selection of the furniture inside these spaces helps provide additional details. One of the most notable pieces is the stunning ‘cactus root’ table in the dining area. Easily sitting twelve people, it is 100 inches in diameter and weighs nearly one thousand pounds. Nearby, the ‘little red fireplace,’ coupled with the views of the backyard, perfectly balances the connection between these rooms.

When reflecting on the design and build processes of this home, one of the biggest takeaways for Frank and Jordan was how carefully the exterior space was shaped and created in relation to the interior.

“Throughout the design process, attention to design was given equally to the interior and exterior experiences,” he notes. When we purchased the property, the original back patio was only three-by-twelve feet, so we added a pool, a courtyard, and decking. 

Reimagining The Classic Design

Details like the custom kitchen cabinets, a unique light pendant, and subway tile all nod to classic midcentury design while maintaining a new and fresh air. “The original home had so many midcentury design elements—some we could save, others we could not,” the Thaxtons say.

“One of the things we always must be concerned about is adequate wall space to accommodate some large pieces of art we have collected over the years,” Frank notes. “The scale of the pieces and the rooms in which they were to be installed were coordinated with the furniture, taking into account color combinations and subject matter.”

The color palette was also carefully considered so that it would respectfully reflect the period’s architecture.

“We referenced vintage photos to determine the original colors of the home. This returns the home to be true to its roots,” Jordan points out. “To provide a neutral background for the art collection, we chose a warm white for the walls and medium-gray porcelain floor tiles and carpet for the interior palette.”

All the floors, tile, carpet, and light fixtures came from HomeLUXE Flooring and Lighting. The product is a house that is tastefully stylish but does not shy away from making a statement. And even though it was renovated—there is a timeless quality about it.