By Lola Magazine
A Beautiful Beginning
When you first meet Sara McDaniel, her bubbly personality fills the room like sunlight through lace curtains. She’s the kind of woman who sees beauty in broken places—whether it’s a chipped porch swing, a forgotten cottage on a backroad, or a young mother searching for a new beginning. What started as a hobby—restoring a single fixer-upper—has evolved into a transformative journey of healing, homecomings, and hope.
Sara’s big break came unexpectedly. “I just shared what I was doing—pulling up carpet, painting trim, breathing life into spaces,” she says. One day, Better Homes and Gardens reposted one of her photos. “And suddenly, my world changed.”
Fast-forward to today, and Sara owns 29 properties, including the charming Villas at Spanish Court, and has flipped more than 50 homes in and around Minden. But her story is not just about real estate—it’s about redemption, purpose, and community. It’s about building more than beautiful spaces. It’s about building lives. “You can love shiplap and chandeliers and still want to change the world,” Sara laughs. “Why not both?”
Restoring the Heart of Home
Sara’s love for Minden—her hometown—is stitched into every square foot she restores. “Every time I fix up a house, I feel like I’m giving something back to the town that raised me,” she says. And her work has helped spark a quiet renaissance here. Blighted homes once destined for demolition now beam with character and charm. The Villas at Spanish Court—a cluster of Spanish Revival-style homes—once sat crumbling and forgotten. Today, they’re Instagram darlings and top-tier short-term rentals.
But it’s not just about curb appeal. It’s about heart. Sara is showing what’s possible when preservation meets purpose. “Minden is part of my story,” she says. “I want it to be part of others’ stories too.” And that desire—to help others write a new chapter—is what led her to her most meaningful project yet.
Phillip’s Cottage
In the heart of Minden, nestled beneath a canopy of oak trees, stands a house filled with promise. This is Phillip’s Cottage, a transitional home for young women and their children who have completed the Louisiana Teen Challenge program and are ready to begin again—but need a little help doing so. It’s named for Sara’s late father, Phillip Carroll, a lifelong educator in Webster Parish who passed away suddenly in 2023.
“He spent his life shaping young people,” Sara says, her voice full of emotion. “Phillip’s Cottage is my way of continuing that work—of helping girls find their footing with dignity and hope.”
The home, slated to open in August 2025, will be much more than shelter. It will be a place of healing, mentorship, accountability, and growth. Residents will pay a reduced rent—a model designed to promote empowerment through responsibility. “We’re not here to enable,” Sara explains. “We’re here to equip.”
Honoring Her Father’s Legacy
The name is not just sentimental—it’s purposeful. “My dad showed up for people,” Sara says. “That’s what I’m doing now—showing up for these girls.” A beloved figure in Webster Parish, Phillip Carroll was known for offering second chances freely—to students, neighbors, even strangers. His daughter carries that same torch today.
Each room at Phillip’s Cottage will be designed with the kind of thoughtfulness and beauty that has become Sara’s signature: cozy bedding, curated décor, full pantries, and a sense of dignity. But the real foundation of the home will be structure and support. Residents will receive mentoring, job coaching, financial literacy lessons, parenting support, and—most importantly—a community of people who believe in them.
Sara sees Phillip’s Cottage as a model—not a one-time project. “We want to replicate this in other towns,” she says. “But we’re starting here, because this is home.” The support from the community has been powerful: churches, businesses, and neighbors are pitching in with time, resources, and encouragement. “This isn’t just about renovating a house,” Sara says. “It’s about restoring lives.”
Photos of Phillip’s Cottage were taken throughout various stages of construction. The cottage is scheduled to open and welcome residents by late summer 2025.
How You Can Help
As the countdown to opening day continues, there’s still work to be done. Phillip’s Cottage is currently accepting donations—everything from baby supplies and toiletries to kitchenware and linens. Financial contributions are also needed to support the nonprofit’s day-to-day operations.
Whether it’s a one-time gift or an ongoing partnership, every donation helps write a new beginning for the women and children who will call Phillip’s Cottage home
Stay Tuned for Fall 2025
Sara’s next project is a downtown space, reimagined—where beauty, hospitality, and Southern charm will welcome you in. You won’t want to miss this exciting new shop along the brick streets of Minden.
Follow Sara’s journey:
simplysoutherncottage.com
Instagram: @simplysoutherncottage
Donate to
Phillips Cottage:
phillipscottage.org