Stephen Chuilli

There’s something special about meeting a builder who actually lives next door to his clients — and means it when he says, “We build it like we own it.”

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen Chuilli, founder of Lagniappe Homes, to talk about his family’s stunning mountain-style residence on Schooner Drive in Cornelius, the story behind the company name (it’s a New Orleans thing — and yes, everyone mispronounces it), and what’s trending in custom home design heading into 2026.

What we cover:

• The story behind Stephen’s personal home on Schooner Drive — built on a rare seven-acre property in Cornelius, complete with timber trusses from Blowing Rock, a wood-burning fireplace in the kitchen, and a pickleball court with a Saints logo (we’ll allow it)
• How a 1928 home renovation in downtown Concord planted the seed for what’s now a portfolio of nearly 200 projects over 11 years
• The gap Stephen saw in the building industry — and how his background in consulting and industrial engineering shaped Lagniappe’s client-first approach
• 2026 design trends worth watching: bold color saturation, personalized specialty spaces, walk-in residential refrigeration (yes, really), and the split between modern and cottage-style exteriors

Lagniappe Homes
19440 Zion Ave
Cornelius, NC 28031
(704) 750-0540
lagniappe-homes.com

Video tour of a Lagniappe Home last year by Jeff:
https://youtu.be/B-73UGSiyx0?si=XEupj4TTxeXWDVLa

Jeff Hamm is the creator and producer of The Best of LKN. He’s a licensed real estate broker and accomplished digital marketing professional.

Since 2020, Jeff has been sharing the stories of Lake Norman’s most inspiring small businesses and nonprofits.

When he isn’t working, you can usually find Jeff boating, playing pickleball, cycling local greenways, and taking walks with his dogs Sam and Maisy.

Photo credit: LKN Images by Kathleen Martin