Francis Glover and her husband, Larry, had been working on what she laughingly describes as the project house since 2009. When her husband died two years ago, Francis found herself mired in grief and pushed herself to finish. When a local group asked her to place the house on their holiday tour of homes fundraiser, it forced her to make finishing touches and decorate.

It also allowed her to share her creativity, family history and a philosophy that’s been of help to her: Happiness is a choice. She’s incorporated the philosophy into her d?cor.

The house was built by her late husband’s grandparents,Thomas Briton and Ruby Jacobs Taylor around 1931. The depression house, like many others of the era, is built strong and constructed of what was available. It was moved to its current DeQuincy location from Fields. The cypress logs used to help get the house into place are still beneath it.

The Taylors had four children: Thomas, Joy, Charlie and Norma. The three oldest were born in the house.

According the family history distributed during the Tour of Homes, “Thomas and Gertrude, who brought a son, Larry Glover, to the marriage, moved into the house around 1974…”

Gertrude died in 2009. Thomas died five days later.

“Theirs was a great love story,” Francis said.

Francis and Larry lived in St. Martinville at the time. While Francis was able to see how the house could be re-created, her husband was less than enthusiastic.

“He didn’t’ even want to move here,” Francis said, chuckling.

Nevertheless, the couple dove in, which required major renovation in the house, tearing down the smokehouse and refurbishing the old barn.

Just about everything used in the house has a story.

“I drug these things around all over South Louisiana before being able to use them,” Francis said.

The living room mantle is from her childhood home in Hemphill. Her “Christmas stockings” are wooden forms used to display socks and hosiery in the department stores of yesteryear. Vintage suitcases were cut and attached to the walls to create shelves. Walls are full of vintage black and white shots. One wall has photographs of both sets of the Glover’s parents marking their 50th wedding anniversaries and a photo of the Glovers on their 25th wedding anniversary. They were married almost 45 years when Larry died.

Just a few of the highlights of the Glover home d?cor includes: Francis had gifted her father-in-law with a new tie every Christmas. She used some of those ties to create a Christmas wreath. When the home of late Frank Matthews was cleaned before it was sold, Francis scavenged sheet music from the dumpster of the man’s home who had taught band for years at the local school and helped her father-in-law lead music at Pilgrim’s Rest Baptist Church. She framed the Christmas songs with evergreen and photos. Her son dug the library card catalogue out of the trash for her that she uses as a living room lamp table. The coffee table is an old blanket chest that once held her father-in-law’s baby clothes.

Her late father-in-law’s cuff links and other items were used in a shadow box in one room of the project house. Christmas tree pins were used in a shadow box in another room.

A handmade blouse from the late 40s was discovered in a wall during renovation. It’s in the laundry room, as is a plastic Rudolph that has been part of her holiday decorations since her son was a child. Her mother’s mink stole and pearls look feminine and elegant displayed in the master bath. Thomas’s Santa suit – he dressed up every year for the Christmas Eve get together – is on display in a special door/display case in the master closet. Francis’ wedding dress will go there after the holidays.

Francis’ media room doubles as her hero room. Thomas served in the military and Francis’ son, Michael, is currently serving in Kuwait. The room is accented with plenty of red, white and blue, the same colors Francis used in her son’s rooms when he was born.

“I didn’t want to use pink or blue like everyone else was doing at the time,” she said.

Photographs on the wall and under the glass of the bureau commemorate the service activities of family members who served in the military. Joining the uniformed men on the wall of fame is the black and white photo of a German Shepherd.

Gertrude Taylor’s uncle, a doctor, disobeyed orders and did surgery on the dog when he was serving in WWII. When the war was over, he brought the dog home.

“It’s been said that Blue is the only dog that my grandmother ever let in her house,” Francis said.

The master closet and bath are masterful. The closet design was developed by Francis and installed by a group of Mennonites from DeRidder.

However, for the majority of the woodwork and other renovations in the house, Francis credits her carpenter, Coy Royer, who is known for his craftsmanship in the community.

Like many creative women, she had an idea of what could be done and unlike some carpenters she has worked with, Coy was always game.

“He just made it happen,” she said.

She also found a great listener and responsive service from Geaux Electric.

The house is chock full of inspiring ideas.

“I wanted a leaded glass window in the master closet,” Francis said.

She discovered that a leaded glass door installed sideways would work as well and be a less expensive option. The leaded glass is perfect for adding elegance and light without sacrificing privacy.

Francis Glover’s house was much commented on after the tour, but she says she doesn’t think she’ll be on it again any time soon. But then again, she might.

In her barn – a bright red structure accented with the American and Texas flags – she said there are enough keepsakes and other antiques and vintage items that she could decorate the entire house again and not have to use any of this year’s decoration.

“Happiness is a choice,” she said. “And I’m happiest when I have a project going on.”