Craig and Angela Stoma Crawford grew up in Lake Charles. Both attended LSU. But his graduate orthodontic training and practice took the couple across the U.S. and abroad to live in places like California and Costa Rica.

Thoughts turned to moving home about ten years ago for the couple. “We were expecting our second child,” Angela said. Also around that time, Craig’s father retired and his orthodontic practice was available.

“I decided if we were moving home, I wanted to be in the heart of Lake Charles,” Angela said. “We’ve done our share of sitting in traffic.”

Craig’s brother told the Crawfords about the house next door to him on Wilson Avenue. It wasn’t on the market – yet — but talk was, it was available. It was in the right place: near Immaculate Conception Catholic School, five minutes from Craig’s practice, close to the Crawford’s parents and close to the Racquet Club.

The couple sent a real estate agent they knew they could trust to give them an honest assessment – Craig’s mother, Charmayne Crawford. Angela’s family also toured the house. This was ten years ago before the internet and cell phones were used to share photographs like today. Everyone gave the house “a go” and Angela made the final decision.

“It’s five minutes from everything,” Angela said, “plus it has all the charm and convenience of being downtown.” Based on the few photographs that she had seen she also knew the house had potential, despite one of Craig’s initial reactions to it being “an old house.”

The Margaret Place location has proven to be ideal. The neighborhood of immaculately maintained older and historical homes is less than a block from Immaculate Conception Catholic School where the Crawford’s two children attend. “I can tell you that I am the envy of all the carpooling moms,” Angela said, smiling.

Craig Griffith, son of Dr. and Mrs. John K. Griffith, grew up in house during the early fifties through the mid-sixties. “We moved the year Kennedy was assassinated,” Griffith recalled. He remembers his mother saying that Margaret Place was a great neighborhood that would continue to rejuvenate itself generation after generations. Griffith also remembers that Judge Preston Savoy and Sheriff Ham Reid also lived in the house. When asked if nearby Griffith Street was named for his parents’ family, he said it wasn’t. But he did remember that when his family lived on Wilson, there was a Wilson family living on Griffith, the first cross street.

The Crawfords have managed to bring out the best of the house’s classic features, beautiful woodwork, beamed ceilings and large windows with tailored, elegant furnishings. Tasteful and understated describe this home built in the Craftsman style. Exposed rafters and the strong, stocky treatment of the porch’s brick pillars still hint at its origins.

The striking entryway features a black and white tile floor. The foyer is spacious. But the mirrored wall, against which an heirloom chest is nestled, makes it look enormous. Closet space and storage is plentiful throughout the house, including this room. The black and white floor and the classic, tasteful, uncluttered arrangement in the living room, including the parsons chair dotted with two pillows with an oriental motif, is of the work of the great architect and designer, David Adler.

The Crawfords pick up décor during vacations to remind them of their travels. There are a few heirloom furnishings used in the Wilson house, including a dining room set from her grandparents, Bea and Lionel Gervais who lived in Jennings and had a store there.

On the wall over the sofa in the living room is a vintage shot of the Lake Charles skyline. Angela’s sister created the rendering of Joseph’s drive-in, which was owned by the Stoma family. Craig’s parents are Patrick and Charmayne Crawford. Angela’s parents are Joe and Janet Stoma. In a corner of the traditionally styled living room is a power punch of color provided by a multi-colored hanging light, an Eddie Mormon painting and a brightly painted tin toy car (furnished with a driver by the Crawford children).

A Will Richardson painting hangs in the dining room. Richardson was responsible for helping popularizing tie dying in the U.S. in the late 60s.

Like her house, Angela’s communication style is warm and understated. When asked about how she makes decisions about décor and furnishings, she said that with two children (a daughter, 13 and a son who is 10), her primary concern is furnishings and décor that are kid friendly.

This is a beautiful house that should be showcased, but it’s not designed for show. It’s designed for comfort. It’s designed for entertaining. But most of all, it’s designed for family. In addition to the massive master suite and children’s bedrooms upstairs, there is also an art workspace and game/media room for the kids. In the art workspace, Angela used a door salvaged from the renovation, topped it with glass and had legs designed and welded to make it a functional and stylish. Underneath the glass are favorite pieces of artwork.

For family time together there is a huge family room that opens to the living room, the kitchen and a new exercise room. An easy-to-clean sofa table doubles as eating/work space. Vintage and recent family photos line the shelves of the media wall. While some designers forget that big rooms require lighting that doesn’t get lost, that’s not the case in the Crawford family room. Semi-flush pendants are covered with robust barrel shades overhead. During the day, natural light floods the space. Earth tones with hints of blues and greens frame the newest addition to the house – the pool and outdoor living space.

“We’ve done all of our renovations in phases,” Angela said. The Crawfords decide on an area of priority, make the changes then give themselves a break before moving on to the next project.

Angela and Craig appreciated the California climate that allowed them to enjoy the outdoors almost year round. They wanted to develop their backyard, which had no shade in a way that would allow them to use it more. The outdoor entertainment area has a bathroom, full laundry facilities, full kitchen, fireplace and plenty of seating. Rhonda Bertrand helped draw up the couple’s initial idea into a workable building plan. Gus and Molly Quinn were contractor/designer.

Joe Underwood of Pro Pools designed the saltwater gunnite pool and hot tub combination. The stylish aluminum shutters are from a local screen/aluminum contractor.

The travertine tile around the pool and in the outside entertainment area, gives the combination a grand, sleek look. Angela said the idea is to keep it simple. “When we make changes, we can only afford to do it once, so we make lasting, low maintenance changes.”

The design of the pool and outdoor entertainment area might be sleek and simple, but the textures are layered and complex. Poplar and cedar combine with brick, travertine, stainless kitchen appliances and stools and rattan to banish boredom without fussiness.

Though the street view of the house doesn’t give away the size of the house or the elaborate pool and outdoor entertainment area, the Crawfords now have yet another area for family – and friends – to enjoy in the house they bought on the recommendation of family – sight unseen – that hinted at great potential.Brick