Introducing Trouvaille

My husband and I have been on a journey  for the past several years looking for a space, a spot (as he says) that was just right.  We weren’t sure what we were looking for and what we would do with it but we were looking.  And we found it.  A beautiful piece of the world in the Plaisance community about 10 minutes from Opelousas, Louisiana in south Louisiana.  His face when he saw it was like the emoji with the heart eyes and I knew that it was a wrap.  It’s 16 acres of land complete with an old red barn and sweet little three bedroom house and so we bought it.  Again we had no idea but we just knew it was supposed to be ours.  I called my super realtor Arla Slaughter also known as Speedy because she gets it done with as little drama as possible.  I told her Richie had heart eyes and within a day we were going to see it. This is where it gets interesting because as with all things Tracey and Richie there is always a sign and when something is meant to be.  The son in law was there to show us the property, after a little bit I had to ask him, “Where you from?  Whose your people?” where of course I find out he is related to my boys through their Dad and then all the signs and pieces fell into place.  They wanted someone that would love the land and we wanted to love it.  A match was made.

Remember that we had zero plans for this house.  We have a large house in Opelousas that we all fit in nicely and aren’t planning on moving but we had to have this little place.  I wanted a place that I could have all of my friends come create in, I wanted people to come and stay in St. Landry parish, I wanted people to see what REAL Louisiana is like and to experience the breeze, the shady pecan trees and just the true quiet that is being in the country.  At the same time I was working with author Morgan Jerkins and she said, “It would be nice to write my next book in Louisiana” (another sign).  Richie wanted land and space, he was looking for a project and something he could call his own.  I also wanted to have a place where we could live off the land and be fully prepared for the zombie apocalypse but that’s a whole other story.

We then had to figure out what exactly are we going to do?  We are going to make it a home for any traveler, a place of quiet and respite and a place for family reunions, butchering a hog or just having a bonfire and hanging out.  But we had to call it something and the names and suggestions were making us nuts, until I came across this…

It was more than a perfect name, it was everything that we felt.  We decided on Trouvaille, a place for travelers to visit, create, rest and gather.  There is a small outdoor kitchen that is being converted into an artists studio perfect for a small yoga class, working on a piece of artwork, writing or meditating.  The house is being remodeled just to spiff it up a bit. All of the work is being done by the two of us and it’s mostly been Richies show so far but I’ve been squeezing in my projects here and there.  The house has three bedrooms and one bathroom and will sleep 5 comfortably more if you don’t mind blow up mattresses and couch sleeping.  There is a roomy, sunny living room and cozy den that opens into the kitchen with a beautiful view of the acreage from the windows.  We hope to eventually have container gardens for our guests to piddle around in or pick vegetables.  There are several pecan trees that had just the right amount of shade and even a concrete slab with a basketball goal.  It may not look like much to some but it’s ours and we hope to make it a warm, welcoming place for all who choose to stay there.

We are planning an open house and party when everything is complete and will keep you updated on the dates.  It will be listed on Air B and B and can also be booked through our site. Stay tuned for a peek into our DIY projects and the transformation.  We can’t wait to have you come to Trouvaille!