Sara and Cayman Sinclair’s home stands out from most others in their Old Mandeville neighborhood.
Designed and built in 1967 by noted architect Arthur B. Middleton, the sleek midcentury modern home with an open floor plan lacks the exterior embellishments and adornments of its neighbors, most of which date to the 19th century.
The Sinclair’s home will be one of six featured on the Old Mandeville Mother’s Day Home Tour on May 12. But it isn’t the couple’s first time on the tour.
Their last home a few blocks away was built in 1893. It was featured on the OMHS Mother’s Day Tour in 2016.
“This is a real change for us,” said Sara Sinclair.
The couple bought the mid-mod house, situated on 1.3 acres of land shaded by a cluster of mature moss-draped oak trees, in 2021. Though the house was gutted to the studs during a renovation, Middleton’s original footprint remains only slightly changed.
Contrasting colors and textural variety, provided by the glass table, knobby chair fabric, smooth pillows and the chandelier, give the dining area its visual appeal. The table is from Merchant House, the lighting from Eclectic Home, both in New Orleans.
The house is situated into wings that radiate out from a centrally located great room, whose lofty vaulted ceiling opens into a series of skylights.
Each wing — one with primary accommodations; another for their son Sully, 8; an open home office and guest accommodations; and another with a vast open kitchen and dining area — is surrounded on two sides by lush tropical gardens accessible through glass doors and/or clerestory windows that open to the outside.
The result is a spacious and open environment awash in light that blurs the lines between inside and outside.
The kitchen is the heart of the house. Rugs and bar chairs add some natural tones that warm up the white walls and stainless appliances.
The only significant change to the 3,500-square-foot original floor plan was the removal of two walls, which allowed the conversion of small existing living and dining rooms and a kitchen into a spacious kitchen with a massive 16-by-5-foot seated island and a dining alcove.
To the left and right of the island are separate workspaces — one housing a 48-inch Wolf range, the other a coffee bar and wine storage next to a built-in Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer.
The island, counters and backsplash walls are topped with luminous Cristallo quartzite.
The primary bedroom takes on a neutral color scheme that features geometric prints in the rug and wallpaper. Night tables are from Renaissance Interiors.
His and hers spaces
Cayman Sinclair uses the kitchen space to develop and test recipes for Lake House Productions, his business specializing in onsite culinary services for the entertainment industry, as well as event venue Maison Lafitte, the Inn at La Provence, and the soon-to-open Aperitif, a lakefront cocktail bar. The couple have worked together on the design aspects of all the businesses.
“The kitchen is all his,” said Sara Sinclair, a New Orleans native who grew up in Lakeview. “Cooking and entertaining are his passions. Clothes are mine. I get the giant walk-in closet off our bedroom. He gets a corner and a drawer.”
Banana-themed Flavor Paper wallpaper adds a touch of whimsy to the pantry.
“It’s true,” said Cayman Sinclair, from Covington. “But she only gets a drawer in the kitchen. It works for us.
“I don’t get her thing for wallpaper,” he added, , “but she definitely has one.”
The primary bathroom with a large tub and shower, along with geometric wallpaper.
“I love wallpaper,” said Sara Sinclair. Her bold choices in wall coverings include selections from Flavor Paper as well as designs by artist Amanda Talley. “I am on a first-name basis with everyone on staff at Helm Paint,” she added. “I know all the wallpaper books.”
The couple’s art collection includes original works by David Harouni, William Hemmerling, Amanda Bennett, and Esmo Art by Tony and Tracey Mose.
“We collect art as we move through life,” said Sara Sinclair.
The pool is located near the outdoor kitchen and across the yard from a tennis court.
The great outdoors
Cayman Sinclair’s culinary passions are further reflected in a spacious outdoor kitchen adjacent to the generous swimming pool, which is situated across the yard from a tennis court, another of his passions.
Designed by Mike Piazza to carry over the feel of the indoor space, the outdoor kitchen features a chromium-yellow wood-burning Alfa pizza oven, a rotisserie, refrigerator, dual ovens and Cristallo counters. Adjacent is Sara Sinclair’s multibed herb garden, which is fragrant with rosemary, basil, lemongrass, mint, cilantro and lavender.
A mirror-front credenza from Renaissance Interiors adds shine to the painted-brick and papered walls of the living room.
Design concepts
The couple also has restored and renovated several investment properties. Together, they make all design decisions, select fixtures, finishes and art, and determine flow. Their favorite resource sources are Renaissance Interiors, Eclectic Home, Greige, a host of local art galleries, Etsy and a slew of online shops.
“Our shared passions are art, music, and design,” said Sara Sinclair.
“She calls me ‘too Al Copeland-ish,’” said Cayman Sinclair, referring to the late founder of the Popeye’s Fried Chicken empire who was known for his flamboyance. “I call her too dainty. But together, we have devised a method that works. We have a lot of fun working together.”
MOTHER’S DAY HOME TOUR
What: The Old Mandeville Historic Association hosts a tour of six homes ranging from Creole to midcentury modern
When: 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. May 12
Where: Starts at Lang House, 605 Carroll St., for wristbands and day-of tickets.
Tickets: $25 adults, $15 students (12-18 years old). Buy online at oldmandevillehistoricassociation.org. Day-of tour tickets (cash or check only) will be $30 adults, $15 students. Note: Several houses are not handicap accessible.