Jimmy and Christine Foret talked about leaving Sulphur to live in Lake Charles. However, it was just talk until Christine found Five Oaks, a new pocket neighborhood off of West McNeese Street. The name comes from the five stately oaks on the property developer Tupper Homes  registered, named and worked around. These oaks, the park and a wooded area are the view from the Foret’s upstairs guest suite/office balcony.

“This place has the feel of country living,” Christine said. 

The idea of unexpected combinations gains traction inside the 3,800 square foot (under-roof) two-story decorated by Silverspoon Designs.

“The interior offers a wonderful juxtaposition of materials,” said Glenda Tupper, Silver Spoon Designs, “The combination creates a striking contrast.” 

The dining room custom built-in buffet has a living edge, which Tupper explains is the natural contour of the tree with or without the bark. It contrasts with the dining room chandelier that features a bronze lace pattern with large crystal drop. A brass reproduction industrial style light over the kitchen sink with subway backsplash seems both old-fashioned farmhouse and modern chic. The reclaimed brick is the perfect antithesis for the delicate Murano blown glass foyer chandelier, purchased during one of the Foret’s trips. 

The floor plan is beautifully practical. 

“The flow of this house is the greatest thing, it makes a circle,” Christine points out on her way down the hall to the spacious master bedroom. 

She stops in the hall when asked about a square near one of the home’s Nest thermostats. 

“That’s the home’s central vacuum system,” she said, opening the flap and pulling out the hose. “Even Jimmy likes to vacuum now.”

This is another pairing of the unexpected: man and vacuum. 

The master bedroom is located down the hall from the open living, dining and kitchen area. The connecting master bath features his and her dressing areas and a four-foot wide walk-in shower with a sloping trough drain. The laundry is accessible from master bath and is only a few steps from the garage entry alcove. In the butler’s pantry alone are three great and out-of-the-ordinary design ideas: Rain glass is used in overhead cabinet doors. To bring additional light and interest into the room, a short, wide rain glass paned window runs below cabinets. Plus, a rain glass tile is used as backsplash. 

The pantry features special areas for gumbo and other large pots.

Christine and Jimmy took the opportunity to decorate with lighter colors now that there are no kids at home. However, they did include furnishings from their previous home and keepsakes. 

The well-used Ducan Phyfe dining room table was purchased at an auction and once belonged to an Evangeline Parish sheriff. 

“I love a bargain,” Christine said.

She put her Duncan Phyfe china cabinet from her previous home to work in the upstairs bedroom. 

Jimmy’s grandfather’s cowhide rocker is in Jimmy’s office. Christine still has one of her first furniture purchases, her great grandmother’s bedside table. 

“I was in high school and it cost two weeks salary,” she said. “I have a hard time getting rid of pieces that I am attached to. I am still moving things around to see if they’ll work in different places.”  

From the coffee pot lamp fashioned from the pot Christine’s father always used to the photos and mementos from the couple’s travels, decor in this house is not a casual afterthought.

“These things, these reminders of our lives, pictures of family and things we picked up during our travels bring back great memories,” Christine said. “It’s part of what goes into making our house a home.” 

The beautiful living room was built to be relaxing and comfortable. Windows are covered with custom Roman shades that adjust bottom up and top down. 

 

Christine Foret paired the Dunan Phyfe table she has had for many years with new nailhead dining chairs. (Special to the American Press)

The Jimmy and Christine Foret home is located in Five Oaks, a Lake Charles pocket neighborhood off of West McNeese Street.