Inside a 450-Square-Foot Carriage House Turned Polished Apartment in Baton Rouge

In the kitchen, polished nickel accents, referencing vintage automotive trim, coexist with soapstone counters and a cleverly concealed dishwasher. A rolling island tucks away when not in use, and custom cabinetry makes use of every available crevice.

In the bathroom, the shower is lined with glossy Zellige tiles, in a fiery shade fittingly dubbed Rouge, that Hughes and the team latched onto early in the process. “The shower is isolated, so it could be a little more vibey,” Bridget says. As for the vanity? It’s tailored to the space with two towers, offering a his-and-his approach to storage.

The renovation wasn’t without its challenges—starting with the materials. It turns out, the home’s interior walls weren’t framed in wood but built from terra-cotta blocks, hidden behind layers of plaster and paneling. “When the demo crew showed up, they tried to use a sledgehammer and nothing would budge,” Hughes says. “We didn’t know we were essentially working with a fortress.”

Other surprises? A grease trap once used for servicing cars, long buried under the first floor. Drainage issues caused by a previous pool installation. And a couch that had to be hoisted through the second-story window. “If it ever needs to come out,” Broha jokes, “it’s getting demolished.” Still, every frustration was worth it. “We probably spent too much time thinking through function,” Broha says, “but it paid off in a big way. The space is compact, yes—but it’s fully livable.”

Homeowners Jason Broha (left) and Hance Day Hughes enjoy coffee in the banquette nook with their pup.

In a sliver of space carved out by the window, an antique barley twist-leg desk becomes a small but elegant workstation. The sculptural Tizio Classic lamp by Artemide offers focused task lighting, while a marble toothbrush holder by Labrazel corrals pens and pencils.

Hughes and Broha’s dog makes himself at home atop the Saltwater Bed from Woodbridge Furniture. The cozy carriage house retreat is layered with tailored accents, including a mushroom-hued Evelyn lumbar pillow from Annie Selke and a Vivian Settee by Wesley Hall at the foot of the bed.

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