Beautiful homes situated along the many waterways of Southwest Louisiana offer an idyllic view. But few can rival the vantage point, comfort and beauty of the Jamie and Charmayne (Dingler) Yelverton home.

The 7,400-square-foot Southern Acadian style house was built by Russell Stutes to make the most of the view. Robert Kleinschmidt was architect. Cynthia Eagle was interior design consultant. Landscaping featuring curving beds exploding with beautiful plants and shrubs is the handiwork of Walter Melton.

The Yelverton property juts into Indian Bay. Henderson Bayou borders the east. A panoramic vista of Prien Lake, including the curving I-210 bridge in the distance, can be seen from upstairs rooms, the master bedroom, the main hall and the open kitchen and family room.

No neighboring structure vies for attention, not even the Yelveton’s boathouse, which is tucked into the bayou side of the property.

The Yelvertons don’t boast about the unbelievable view, the ample space, how well the floor plan flows or any of their antiques. Given the opportunity, Mimi and Poppy might brag about a grandchild. He is proud of the way his wife decorates and likes what he calls his “man cave.” It’s a modest-sized room with comfortable seating, sports memorabilia, a wall of bookshelves and a large screen TV for viewing football.

They appreciate that the house has a floor plan conducive to entertaining. The Yelvertons have held events with almost 200 guests and hosted numerous high school get-togethers when their three girls were growing up. Family gatherings can total as many as 60.

The couple’s favorite area is the comfortable seating near the kitchen. It offers the best view and that’s where they enjoy morning coffee and prayers.

The Yelvertons always wanted to live on the water and built their home in 1998.

“Our daughters were beginning to need bigger closets,” Jamie said.

Now that they have the house to themselves, they have no plans to move and downsize.

Flooding hasn’t scared them away. After Ike, surge waters rose to a foot inside the house. When it receeded, a construction crew tore out wall sections where needed. Sinker cypress cabinets were impervious to the water. Heart pine floorboards were unassembled, dried out, refinished and re-laid. The Yelvertons held onto an antique china cabinet that reflects how high the water rose.

A few of Charmayne’s friends suggested the renovation was the perfect time to change things up a bit. But she saw no need. She loved her home. She matched the existing wallpaper where she could and was disappointed to discover one of the designs was discontinued.

“I encourage my daughters to hold off buying something for their homes until they know they absolutely love it,” Charmayne said. “That way, they will always love what they have.”

Charmayne’s contentment with her home was only one reason she wanted to keep it the same. She talked about the feelings that many people have when returning to the virtually unchanged homes of their youth. Yelverton grandchildren will visit the same house where their mothers grew up.

“The older you get, the easier it is to realize what’s important and what’s not,” Charmayne said.

What Jamie and Charmayne remember most about the homes of their youth is the love that was fostered there.

“It’s the people who make the house a home,” Charmayne said, “All of our loved ones. There’s nothing warmer than family and friends.”

“That’s it,” Jamie agreed, “faith, family and friends.”

The compliment the Yelvertsons appreciate most about their home is not an expression regarding the awesome view, the beautiful furnishings, the gorgeous wood floors or the great way they’ve lined the walls with encouraging sayings.

The compliment they like best isn’t tied to a thing at all. It is when guests come over, feel welcomed and feel free to make themselves at home, something we can all do regardless of the view we see out our own windows or the size of our space.

The Jamie and Charmayne (Dingler) Yelverton home offers a spectacular view of the curving Interstate 210 bridge. (Rita LeBleu / American Press)