Baton Rouge’s newest event venue aims to be a home away from home. Located in a historic cottage on Highland Road, Leigh Moss’ Fête: A Petite Southern Venue specializes in intimate gatherings, bringing the feeling of home without the hassle of hosting in the space you actually live.

“People like to gather in homes,” Moss says. “It feels natural, especially down south. But we don’t always want to clean and get our own spaces perfect for guests.”

Moss originated the concept with a similar space in Natchez, Mississippi. Moss got the idea for the business while in the town with her The Punch Bowl Diaries podcast co-host April Hill, who is from Natchez.

“I went for a party and just fell in love with the town,” Moss says. “I immediately called my husband and told him that we were buying something in Natchez now!”

And with Moss a real estate agent by trade, it wasn’t long before they were the proud owners of a cottage in Natchez’s historic district. However, while the space was popular, Moss says that splitting her time between Baton Rouge and Mississippi became too much. But, loving the business and noticing a need locally, Moss decided to move the operation instead of shutting it down.

“We already had a historic cottage of Highland Road that I was running my other business out of,” Moss says. “So it was a natural and easy transition.”

Through an ivy-covered iron gate and under a canopy of oak trees, the new space was pulled together in a matter of weeks, with Moss working with friends and family to pull together a feminine design complete with antique touches that help to spotlight the cottage’s history.

“Historic structures have my heart,” Moss says. “And it’s that character and charm that attracts people and makes their events feel complete. All the original characteristics–like authentic shiplap walls, wood floors, windows and doors–we got to restore those and make sure they shine. It’s a special place.”

From baby showers to girls’ nights out to dinner parties, Moss offers hosts the opportunity to plan everything themselves, or she and her team can take over from concept to take down. And that team consists of a host of local vendors that work to make parties unique and memorable. “It’s been so fun to work on this, and I can’t wait to share it with the local community,” Moss says.

For more information and to book, visit instagram.com/fete-venue.