Naturally Nurtured Style

In 2022, Charles Sarver was ready for a change and set his sites on a home with, not only a larger footprint, but also one located in a more desirable neighborhood near Lafayette’s Moncus Park. The one he found had all that and more, but was built in the 1990s, reflecting the era in all its glory. Beyond removing vestiges of the home’s 1990s decor, Sarver says he didn’t know what he wanted, confessing he had “zero design taste.” Enter interior designer Mary Beyt,

who quickly understood Sarver’s needs and gently nudged him in the right direction.

Sarver didn’t move into the four-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bath home until November, after a whirlwind of demolition. “I would like to think that [the house] was everything, the best of what the ‘90s had to offer,” Sarver says w

hile laughing. Imagine plush, teal green carpet, gold fixtures in the bathrooms and ‘90s-era wall coverings. There was even carpet around the toilets in the restrooms. “It was peak ‘90s,” he says. In the half-bath downstairs, a padded, upholstered wall covering with a subtle pattern caught Beyt’s eye. She suggested keeping it, because that particular look was circling back. He pulled up carpet, removed wallpaper (except in the one half bath) and got the house to a comfortable living state. “No carpet around the toilets,” he emphasizes. “Basically, no carpet anywhere.” Painting and new flooring were also in the mix, while the heavier renovations, like dealing with those gold fixtures and handicap rails in the shower, would wait for the contractor.

Interior designer Mary Beyt helped Charles Sarver transform his circa 1990’s Moncus Park home — covered in plush, teal green carpet with gold fixtures in the bathrooms (and carpet there, too), and ’90s-era wall coverings — into a contemporary oasis outfitted in comfort and style.

In all, the renovation process took about two years, but Sarver deliberately spread out the major work to keep the space livable for him and his young daughter. The master bath gut and renovation, a full kitchen overhaul and significant changes in the living area were tackled in phases.

An expansive kitchen was a non-negotiable for Sarver, who loves to cook and entertain. He envisioned a large, open space where people could gather. The existing wall separating parts of the kitchen came down, requiring a substantial laminated beam to support the second story. The island alone stretches an impressive 14 feet. Double ovens were also a must, proving their worth during Friendsgiving and other holiday gatherings.

With four bedrooms, Sarver was able to provide dedicated space for a few of his favorite pastimes.

The media room is a movie-themed space adorned with film posters and memorabilia, as well as Lego creations built by Sarver and his daughter. “Mary kind of let me have fun with that room of unapproved Mary artwork,” says Sarver. The music room features guitars, amps and a drum kit — a nod to Sarver’s love of playing music.

When it came to furniture and art in the rest of the house, Sarver started with a clean slate, other than a breakfast table passed down from his grandparents (which he refurbished). Beyt introduced him to Chairish, an online marketplace for unique pieces. He found a ‘70s-vibe piece for under the living room TV, perfect for his records. During the process, a newfound appreciation for antiques was sparked, leading Sarver to acquire a cabinet from the late 1700s and two antique chairs Beyt recovered with blue and white fabric with psychedelic vibes.

The art in the house includes local pieces by Mare Martin, whose colorful works celebrate the region’s landscape. Sarver also incorporates his passion for travel, framing large photos from his adventures to places like South Africa, India and Romania, including a shot of Dracula’s Castle. Maps and travel-related prints adorn the main living room wall.

Sarver loves to cook and host gatherings, which meant a major overhaul in the kitchen. The design team removed a wall to open and enlarge the space, enabling Sarver to add double ovens and a 14-foot island. Local artwork, such as a piece by Mare Martin in the living area, live alongside photos from Sarver’s world travels.

Beyond cooking, music, movies and travel, Sarver is an avid outdoorsman. He loves skiing, hiking and backpacking, especially in the mountains. This enthusiasm for nature, however, does not extend to landscaping. Sarver opted for low-maintenance plants like Japanese yews and dwarf magnolias for the outdoor beds. “I don’t have the time nor the inclination to deal with that,” he says. He also added an outdoor kitchen and extended the back patio, making it seamless with the original roof. “It’s nice to be able to cook a gumbo outside so that your couch doesn’t smell like gumbo for the next week,” he says.

Sarver credits Beyt for her vision and guidance on everything from the interior design to the contractor. She put him in touch with Bob Shadix of Trattos Construction LLC, who used local subcontractors for the project, aligning with Sarver’s values as a small business owner; he owns and operates Pixus Digital Printing in Lafayette. “She really was a godsend,” Sarver says. “I don’t know if I ever told her, but to my close friend group, if she’d call me about something, I’d see her calling and say ‘It’s Mama Mary.’”