1300 Hillcroft Drive, Lake Charles (Special to the American Press)

Larry Turner has listed, shown and helped clients buy and sell some exceptional Lake Area real estate properties since he made Lake Charles his home in the 1980s. 

In the process of showing the highpoints of these properties, he has fallen for two. The first time was when he showed what became his home on Enterprise Boulevard. The prospective buyer realized Larry was smitten before Larry did. 

“I was finishing the tour and like I always do, I asked, so, what do you think?” Larry recalled.

The prospective buyer told Larry, “I think you should go ahead and make an offer.”

(Special to the American Press)

When he first saw the house he calls home today, he immediately recognized the feeling. Russell Stutes Construction built the 4,600-square-foot contemporary brick home in 1985. An additional 600-foot apartment space over the garage is in the preliminary stages of being finished for Turner’s roommate Ricky Chapman.

On the outside, the Turner house is neat and unassuming except for its size. The abundance of natural light and the floor plan, especially the four spacious bedrooms, each with its own full bath attracted Turner. The Enterprise Boulevard house was big, but it had only three bedrooms. When Turner saw the Holly Hill and Hillcroft house for the first time, he saw it not so much as how it was as how it could be. 

 Overall the house is airy. Lines are simple. All the walls are white. However, warm colors from art, rugs and other décor help create the perfect balance. (Special to the American Press)

Against a modern backdrop of white walls, ceilings and almost white floors, Larry Turner has, without any intention other than purchasing things he likes, added whimsy, warmth and energy.

The space is the perfect balance of yin and yang. It soothes the senses, yet pulses with vitality. According to yin-yang theory, everything in the universe is composed of two opposing, but deeply interconnected forces – the Yin (feminine) and the Yang (masculine).

Soothing and ample white space surrounds bold paintings. A small accent table with a delicately turned leg is combined in the space with a 12-foot-long, dark heavy old-world vintage buffet imported from Brazil. Antique wool rugs warm the white ceramic tile that resembles limestone.

(Special to the American Press)

Turner is proud of his estate sale finds. He drops his professional demeanor for just a moment to suggest the Stiffel lamps were a steal. 

 “I never think about whether something will match,” Larry said. “I buy what I like, and it always seems to work together.”

He loves his $50 painting he bought at an Episcopal Day School Auction by Dr. Digligia as much as he loves his Graciela Rodo Boulanger. 

This kitchen shows how the texture and color of genuine wood can be used to warm up a modern space. (Special to the American Press)

Turner displays art from local artists Chris Allen, Cindy Caigle, Eddie Morman and Vickie Singletary. Mayan marionettes stand guard in the foyer. Overhead, a chandelier seems to angrily swirl above. It is a custom-created assemblage of blown glass shapes, spheres, globes and corkscrews. It is as much a piece of sculpture as it is functional lighting.  

 “Even though I like the contemporary style, a home has to have warmth for it to feel like home,” Turner said. 

Not everyone can display a Graciela Rodo Boulanger. However, many of us can follow Turner’s lead for adding warmth to any setting. We can go out of our way to make others feel comfortable. We can bring the objets d’art we love into our own homes – without overdoing it. We can look with fresh eyes, not at what is — but at what is well within our power and budget  — to create the feeling of home for those we love.