The 1920s-era home has a stone exterior and a slate roof, and there are extensive gardens.

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They updated the plumbing and electrical wiring and installed a new red-slate roof.

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You add in the sump pump, the French drain, the alarm system, the slate roof, the gutters, the generator and you convince yourself that you're safe.

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Its owner, retired insurance executive Ron Gunnell, says the estate includes 11 miles of crown molding, 80 tons of steel to support the slate roof from China and 52 interior hand-marbleized columns.

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To make the exterior look classic and more imposing, Mr. Breaux picked slate for the roof, with copper flashing instead of galvanized metal.

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