A Custom-Painted Mural Brings Nature’s Splendor into Joyce’s Home at St. James Place Senior Living Community

A home is so much more than four walls and a roof. Maybe that’s why so many of the dynamic seniors who live at St. James Place retirement community in Baton Rouge add uniquely personal touches—bookshelves, art walls, designer closets and more—to their homes.

Not every customized senior home features a professionally painted mural though. So when we heard that Joyce C. had commissioned a gifted local artist to transform her sunroom into an indoor oasis, we had to hear more. Read on to see what makes Joyce’s mural so special and how it’s just part of the vibrant life she’s created for herself at St. James Place.Where Does the Money Go?

Finding Peace of Mind and the Support of Newfound Social Connections

An Alabama native with five grandkids and eight great-grandkids (plus two more on the way), Joyce has been part of our Baton Rouge senior living community for two and a half years.

“I’d recently lost my husband, and my kids suggested St. James Place because they knew I wouldn’t want to be alone,” Joyce explains. She adds that our full continuum of on-campus healthcare gave both her and her family peace of mind, knowing there’s a plan in place if her needs ever change.

And while she loves our community’s natural surroundings and gracious amenities, Joyce says it’s the people who set St. James Place apart from other senior living communities in Baton Rouge and beyond. “I didn’t know anybody when I arrived here, but that didn’t last long,” she says. “Everyone here puts you under their wing and welcomes you.”

Joyce received an especially warm welcome from our bereavement support group. Led by Father Jerry Phillips, the group cultivates social connections for seniors who’ve lost their spouse or other loved ones. “It was the first group I joined here and I’m so glad I did,” she says. “There are about 20 of us and together, we help each other move forward and build our best, most fulfilling lives.”

A Lakeside View Outside and Inside, Thanks to a Custom-Painted Mural

Once she chose her spacious patio home at St. James Place, Joyce wasted no time transforming her new residence into a charming reflection of her style and taste. An open-concept kitchen and living room with an electric fireplace give Joyce’s home a warm, inviting feeling with plenty of space for company. But it’s her sunroom that makes visitors stop and say “wow!”

From floor to ceiling, Joyce’s sunroom rivals the LSU Botanic Gardens, courtesy of a nature-inspired mural painted by Louisiana artist Phan Phuong. From the vibrant blue sky to a picture-perfect rendering of our community’s scenic lake, it’s hard to tell where the mural ends and the outdoors begin.

Joyce loves to tell the story of how this masterpiece came to be. “I’d seen Phan’s work before and thought it was beautiful,” she explains. “So I asked him to paint the ceiling of my sunroom to look like the sky. He did such an amazing job, I decided I didn’t want him to stop with the ceiling.”

Phan recalls how the mural evolved. “Joyce wanted me to bring the lake into her home, so that’s what I did,” he explains. “And it just grew from there. Soon Joyce’s vision expanded to include birds, flowers and all sorts of native Louisiana trees. I also added some blue window shutters to add dimension and make the scene more realistic.”

Joyce adds “Phan, who’s originally from Vietnam, really took the time to learn about Louisiana’s plants and wildlife, and it shows. Everything’s perfect, right down to the swans and ducks swimming in the lake. I also asked him to paint a pretty cardinal in one of the trees to remind me of my husband.

“If anyone else in our community would like Phan to work his magic in their homes, they can come talk to me.”

Filling Her Calendar with Engaging Activities for Seniors

From her very first day at St. James Place, Joyce was eager to immerse herself in the many clubs and activities our active senior living community is known for. But she was a bit surprised at how quickly it happened.

“Shortly after I moved in, I attended an activities committee meeting because it sounded like fun,” she explains. “Well, before I knew it, I found myself appointed as the chairperson! I was a bit hesitant at first because I knew very few people in the community—and knew even less about Baton Rouge. So one of the other ladies was appointed as my co-chair.

“Now she’s one of my dearest friends, and I can tell you anything you want to know about Baton Rouge’s cultural, historical and dining scene.”

Speaking of culture, taking in an uplifting play or symphony is one of Joyce’s favorite ways to expand her horizons. It helps that St. James Place is just down the road from LSU, where she and her friends can watch some of the area’s finest young talents perform. She’s also eagerly awaiting a day trip to New Orleans to see a Broadway play.

Like many inquisitive folks at St. James Place, Joyce has become a regular attendee of our Expert Speaker Series. This highly regarded speaker program is one of the area’s most engaging activities for seniors and features the brightest minds exploring everything from cybersecurity to Louisiana history.

“I’m involved with so many activities, I haven’t had time to finish organizing my garage,” she laughs.

Thinking About Downsizing? We’ll Help You Create the Home of Your Dreams

The maintenance-free apartments, garden homes and lakeview patio homes at St. James Place are just waiting for you to make them your own.

To learn more about St. James Place or to schedule a tour of the premier senior living community in Baton Rouge, call (225) 215-4510.