A lot of different cultures have contributed different ingredients to create the traditional dish of gumbo. File powder came from the Choctaws, okra from African slaves, and roux came from the French, just to name a few ingredients. On a recent Home, Strange Home shoot in Abita Springs, Louisiana, the crew got to see first-hand how different cultures have come together to create something wonderful.

In this case, its was a home called Bel Soggiorno. Meaning “Good Rest” in Italian, the home was built by architect Ron Blitch. While it does adhere to the Acadian style dictated by local building codes, it does so with an Italian flair. With lots of elevated walkways over a swampy floodplain that lies below, it gives its owner a way to say buon giorno to the bayou every morning.