February 2019   |   XX  

true, serving as the perfect inspiration for 

exploring new cuisines and learning new 

techniques. But running a close second is 

something one might not expect from a 

modern woman on the move, as Bontemps 

takes every opportunity she can to curl 

up on the bed swing that hangs from the 

roof of the outdoor sleeping porch on the 

second level with a book and a glass of 

wine in hand. “It’s absolutely my favorite 

place to catch up on my love of reading, 

and I love that I can see the Bayou when I 

sit out there.”

That view is something that weighed 

heavily on her decision to claim this 

location as hers, and the fact that no view 

is a bad view was all the more compelling. 

“I have an amazing view of Hogtown 

Bayou from every area of the house, 

and being surrounded by all of the old 

oaks gives me a sense of unexplainable 

serenity,” says Bontemps, who shares the 

home with her two Yorkshire Terriers, 

Kiki and Zeke. 

At the end of the day, that’s what it’s all 

about—coming to a place that feels like 

home, that welcomes you to relax and let 

go, that offers you a sense of peace and 

calm like nowhere else can. It’s a place 

where you can sit and take in the view, 

listen to the whisper of the wind in the 

trees, and close your eyes to everything 

else in the world as a sense of belonging 

sinks into your bones and lulls you to 

sleep.

55-59  DestinQuarters.indd   5

3/29/19   10:10 AM