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Coffee Pot |
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Microwave |
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Wireless Internet |
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Book Library |
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Cable TV |
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Air Conditioning |
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Coffee Maker |
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Private Bath(s) |
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This colossal structure was built in 1883, and is one of the oldest homes still standing after the tragic Lake Charles fire in the early 1900 ’ s. It was built to accommodate large families, and to allow for servants inside, while housing a cook in an out-building with a kitchen. There are fourteen rooms, three open porches and two sleeping porches.
The main entrance of this beauty is a breathtaking reminder of the detail of the carpentry in its period. It boasts a two-storied rectangular shaped bay, framed with corner board and enclosing the door. The half window at its east and full and narrow window at its west ignite curiosity as to the detail beyond the dramatic entrance door, which is topped with a transom.
From square brick pedestals, the beautiful fluted round columns stretch upward to the second floor, their heads ending in meticulously carved fern designs and Ionic capital carvings topped with Victorian designed twin brackets. The west entrance extends from the rear, and has a smaller porch, which is an extension of the entrance porch that once curved around the house.
Upon entering the foyer, one enjoys beauty from all directions. The stairway to the east owns triple balusters for each step. Twin arched doorways to the south lead to the dining room and library, reminiscent of true southern comfort, while arched doorways open to the formal living room on the west. The dining room flows through the breakfast room into the large kitchen, which spills into the roomy pantry. There are seven fireplaces in all, each of a different design, all of which reveal the skilled handcrafted workmanship of a less industrious and more leisurely time.
Upstairs are three enormous but cozy bedrooms and three full baths, encompassed by the ornate parlor, and a small hallway which tiptoes to the breakfast room stairway. The sleeping porches envelope the second floor, and are surrounded by screens and aged oak tree branches.
At the rear of the property sits a charming cottage, formerly used for the cook, where meals were prepared. The side garage is the original carriage house, where horses would lead buggies before dropping off the carriage.
Throughout its lifetime, this home has had to endure much change from its original floor plan. Originally, bathrooms were not part of the main dwelling, so the bathrooms had to be added, four in total. There were also no closets, as closets were considered a room, and the homeowner was taxed per room. This explains the necessity for armoires.
Fueled by an appreciation for older homes and experience with fine woodwork, Romania native Cris Tudor worked countless hours to preserve and accentuate this beauty, re-building three of the seven fireplace mantles. He managed to renovate around the finer details to accommodate a more progressive lifestyle, while enhancing and preserving the beauty of this home.
The renovations, which took Cris over one year, began with major construction done to level the structure, and restorative woodwork to the fascia boards and roof. The interior renovations are inclusive of all electrical and plumbing, heating and cooling, as well as replacement of all appliances and fixtures.
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