Carpenter Spotlight: Chris Owens

June 24, 2024
A man is standing in a warehouse with a sign that says 43

Chris Owens (@oxdesignco) is a master carpenter that has put together many amazing custom furniture pieces, facades and finishes for homes across Southeast Louisiana. Here he's pictured with parts for the custom beds he built for The Syd.

The Satsuma House

This home is one of our favorites built to accommodate ten guests. Chris graced us with his talents and constructed beds with custom paint and slotted headboards and an 8-seater round outdoor table.

A man is painting a wooden table on a deck.
A patio with a table and chairs next to a pool.
A round wooden table is sitting on the side of the road
A hotel room with three beds and green curtains.
A drawing of a wooden fence with a measurement on a white background.
A bedroom with a bed and a painting on the wall.
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The Syd

The Syd is our biggest project to date that Chris and John have taken on for us. They built almost all of the furniture including all the amazing custom beds with under storage for luggage, the wall hooks, huge 15+ seater conference style dining tables, and custom  bunk beds, that have been perfect for our bigger parties. Not to mention the unique, behind-the-couch bar tops for extra seating. All the wood in this project came from local lumber species, like 'sinker' Cypress (cypress debris fished out from rivers or swamps and repurposed), and Pecan.

A long wooden table is sitting in front of a wooden wall.
A living room with a mural on the wall and a flat screen tv.
A wooden table in a room with a sign that says no parking
A bedroom with a king size bed and a blue wall.
A black suitcase is sitting under a wooden bench in a garage.
A bedroom with two bunk beds and a wooden floor.
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The Canopy

Here, Chris build the beds, kitchen island, floating desks and an amazing statement dining table. We have been loving the texture these half fluted round dowels have. Most of the wood in this house is White Oak which is known for it's sturdiness and good value. The wood was then stained with a mahogany finish to match the dining table top.

A bedroom with a bed , desk , chairs and a computer.
A kitchen with a large island and two bar stools.
A large dining room with a long table and white chairs.
A dining room with a long table and chairs
A phone screen shows a picture of a bed with a wooden headboard.
A bedroom with a king size bed and a day bed.
Coming Soon

The Zen House

For our Zen House, Chris did a more minimal design for the beds, headboards, and ledge desks. We even had Chris put together the trapezoidal wood panel for the art in the living room painted by artist @swietstuff.  His most notable piece in this house, however, has to be the dining table that dons a gorgeous live edge slab of oak for it's top.

A living room filled with furniture and a flat screen tv.
A bedroom with a bed , lamps , and a window.
A desk and chair in front of a window with a fence in the background
A dining room with a long wooden table and chairs.
Two wooden hangers are sitting on top of a wooden table.
A bedroom with a bed , desk , lamps and a window.
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The Afro Future

In collaboration with the New Orleans African American Museum, Chris lent us his skill to create these stunning mahogany-stained white oak beds, custom frames for our curated pieces, floating desks and this sleek simple dining table.

A living room with a couch , chair , desk and television.
A drawing of a couch showing the front view
A dining room with a long table and chairs and stairs.
A patio with a table and chairs and a ceiling fan.
A bedroom with a couch , desk , and rug.
A bedroom with a king size bed and two windows.
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At The Waterline

Sam's favorite beds are the ones Chris built at this house. They're not just pretty but are the sturdiest beds he's ever built (maybe!). He also made a great indoor dining table and an equally great outdoor dining table, both stained a beautiful black walnut.

There is a table and chairs on the deck with a pool in the background.
A black bench is sitting in front of a white wall.
A bedroom with two beds , a desk , and a ceiling fan.
A dining room with a long table and chairs and a mural on the wall.
Two black radiators are sitting on the floor in a garage.
A large room with a dining table and chairs in it
Reserve

Like what you see? You can catch up with Chris' work on his instagram page @oxdesignco!

A man is standing in front of a fireplace surrounded by paintings of birds

Artist Spotlight: Zac Maras

November 8, 2025
Zac Maras is an Abita Springs-based artist best known for his vibrant and colorful mural works. Zac’s work largely focuses on animals found around Louisiana. Favorites include blue herons, egrets, spoonbills, gators, frogs, and crawfish. Zac has painted many murals that can be found all throughout the city. He is not afraid to bring our big ideas to life and his art style elevates any space he paints. Scroll below to see how the amazing works he's done in our houses and beyond!

Introducing CastleDay

May 21, 2025
Outdoor space of The Herald Introducing CastleDay: Where Private Villas Meet Unforgettable Gatherings There's a certain magic that happens when you bring people together in the right space. Not in a hotel ballroom with thin walls and neighboring guests. Not in a vacation rental that feels like someone else's home. But in a place designed from the ground up for your group, your celebration, your moment. That's the vision behind CastleDay. A New Kind of Retreat in New Orleans We created CastleDay because we saw a gap in how people gather for the moments that matter most. Weddings. Milestone birthdays. Family reunions. Corporate retreats. These occasions deserve more than compromise—they deserve privacy, space, and the kind of setting that turns a gathering into a memory. Our three contemporary private villas— The Herald , The Cocodrie , and The Florentine —are located in New Orleans, a city that already knows how to celebrate. But unlike traditional venues or vacation rentals, each CastleDay property offers something rare: an entire villa exclusively for your group, with no shared spaces, no neighboring guests, and no interruptions. More Than Accommodation. A True Private Retreat. What makes CastleDay different? It starts with privacy. When you book one of our villas, it's entirely yours. Every bedroom. Every gathering space. The pool. The grounds. Everything. Our villas sleep large groups comfortably—20+ guests in spaces designed to feel both luxurious and livable. Everyone gets room to breathe, while thoughtfully designed common areas draw the group together when it matters. Our villas feature: Spacious, modern design that balances elegance with comfort Multiple gathering areas both indoors and out Chef-ready kitchens for those who want to cook (or hire a private chef) Resort-style amenities including pools and outdoor entertainment spaces Thoughtful details that make hosting effortless Perfect For Every Kind of Gathering We've welcomed wedding parties who want everyone under one roof the night before the big day. Corporate teams looking for an inspiring off-site location. Extended families celebrating milestone birthdays. Friend groups marking special occasions or simply wanting a memorable vacation together. The beauty of a private villa retreat is flexibility. Want to have a chef prepare dinner while your group mingles by the pool? Done. Need space for a small ceremony or corporate presentation? You have it. Prefer to keep things casual with a long weekend of catching up? The space adapts to you. New Orleans. Elevated. Location matters, and New Orleans brings its own energy to any gathering. Our properties give you a private sanctuary while keeping you connected to one of America's most vibrant cities. Explore the neighborhoods, experience the food scene, soak in the culture—then retreat to your own private villa where the celebration continues on your terms. Your Gathering, Your Way At CastleDay, we believe the best gatherings happen when people can truly be present with each other. No checking out by 11 AM. No worrying about noise complaints. No navigating hotel lobbies in formal wear. Just your people, your celebration, and a beautiful space designed to make it all effortless. Whether you're planning a wedding celebration, organizing a corporate retreat, or gathering the people who matter most, we'd love to help you create something extraordinary. Ready to explore our villas? Visit castledayretreats.com to discover The Herald, The Cocodrie, and The Florentine, and find the perfect setting for your next gathering.
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