Perrier Residence by CICADA: A Historic New Orleans Shotgun Transformed Through Warm Materiality and Thoughtful Preservation

The Perrier Residence by CICADA reimagines a deteriorated New Orleans shotgun home into a warm, contemporary family retreat that honors the city’s architectural heritage. Located in the historic Touro/Bouligny neighborhood, this 1900 ft² residence blends preservation, adaptive reuse, and modern residential design to create a functional and character-rich living environment for a growing family.

Originally neglected and overlooked by most buyers, the classic double shotgun structure, measuring 25 x 75 feet, presented both spatial limitations and creative opportunities. For homeowners Seamus and Kara McGuire, however, the property offered a rare architectural canvas, one that could accommodate both their design sensibilities and their desire to retain the home’s historical identity.

Respecting Historic Character Through Sensitive Renovation

CICADA’s design approach focused on preservation-first renovation, maintaining the shotgun home’s architectural core, including original fireplaces, historic windows, and the majority of existing millwork. The restoration of the heart pine floors became a defining element, infusing warmth and grounding the interior palette in natural, earthy tones.

To ensure continuity, the designers crafted a cohesive color story, where each room’s palette complements the next. This strategy highlights the building’s preserved features while creating a soft, inviting atmosphere that supports the family’s active lifestyle.

A Modern Kitchen as the Heart of the Home

The transformation centers around the kitchen, reinterpreted as the home’s main social hub. Custom-built cabinetry, efficient storage solutions, and arched cased openings shape a space that is as functional as it is expressive. These arched thresholds link the kitchen to a sunny breakfast nook, enhancing daily interaction and forming a warm gathering zone where the family spends much of their time.

Light, Flow, and Spatial Continuity

The project enhances the characteristic shotgun linearity by crafting seamless transitions between the living, dining, and breakfast areas. Large historic windows channel abundant natural light across the interconnected spaces, creating an airy, uplifting environment. Furnishings blend vintage pieces with modern accents, celebrating both personal expression and the home’s layered history.

A fully integrated floor-to-ceiling bookshelf system adds storage, displays the homeowners’ extensive book collection, and introduces architectural texture to communal areas.

Bedrooms That Balance Calm and Playfulness

In the private zones, CICADA introduces intimate, atmospheric bedrooms. The children’s rooms are animated through custom wallpapers, paired with complementary paint colors that inspire creativity and play. These design choices maintain cohesion with the home’s earthy material palette while ensuring each room’s individuality.

The Perrier Residence stands as a testament to thoughtful renovation that balances historic preservation, modern functionality, and family-centered design. CICADA’s intervention reveals the hidden potential of a traditional New Orleans shotgun home, demonstrating how heritage architecture can evolve to support contemporary living without losing its soul.

All photographs are works of Seamus Payne