by Bonnie Rushing

Charm radiates from Lee and Lenar Whitney’s turn-of-the-century home located in downtown Houma. Each room is layered in rich colors and embellished fabrics paired with French country-style antiques. Hand-beveled glass transoms allow sunlight to emanate from room to room. Original Appalachian oak flooring is found throughout most of the home.
The bedrooms and bathrooms are located on the south side of the house. In the master suite “Dripped in Red,” a painting by artist Sam Jones IV of IV Gallery in Austin, Texas, depicts the Whitneys while ballroom dancing, one of their newest passions.
The kitchen, dining room and sunroom are located on the north side of the home and allow views into their New Orleans-style courtyard. Enclosed by a brick and hand-forged wrought iron fence and nestled under shade trees, the cozy courtyard is further enhanced by the fragrance of sweet olive and blooming ginger.
The Whitneys’ home has been a labor of love, and they pride themselves in personally renovating the home. Lee, an experienced carpenter, enjoyed the challenge of completing all the craftsman work himself, including refinishing the hardwood floors, painting the exterior and constructing of the courtyard. Lenar also added her personal touches with the
cabinet design, window treatments and sanding and painting of all interior surfaces, among other projects. PoV