Story Published:
Sep 11, 2007 at 5:47 PM PDT
By
Jennifer Winters
Ask any historian, and they'll tell you, history is ever changing.
The facts stay the same, but interpretation can shift.
That's also the case at an historic house in Downtown Eugene, that's ready for an new chapter in its history.
Anne-Marie Lizet and Jack Feldman's love affair with this 1891 painted lady wasn't love at first sight.
Jack says, "The paint was peeling, the roof leaking. We needed new wiring new plumbing."
But after two years of renovations their dream of running a bed and breakfast, called C'est la Vie Inn, is now a reality.
Jack quips, "Its a lot of work."
The Queen Anne Victorian, built by Jack Chambers as a wedding present for his bride Ida, used to sit a mile closer to downtown Eugene.
Jack says, "it was moved around 1920 to escape the urban sprawl."
The structures outside follows strict historic guidelines, but inside history mixes with Anne-Marie's French aesthetic.
She says, "I really did not want something really Victorian. I'm not into flowers and I wanted colors that make me feel good."
The owners aren't true preservationists. They added new fitting details, while playing up the nooks and crannies, and beautiful views.
Anne-Marie says, "It has to be something a little more special."
They also built a brand new carriage house, which is a garage downstairs and a suite upstairs. Here the style is art deco.
Jack says, "Its been popular with honeymooners."
Local business leaders say the area can support another unique bed and breakfast, especially with the Olympic Trials coming here next year.
David Hauser says, "Our economy and community continues to grow and makes a good place for business ventures."
The beautifully restores kitchen is where Anne Marie cooks the breakfast part of the B & B, but don't expect french cuisine.
"If I cooked a French breakfast, they'd never come back in France you don't cook breakfast you get a baguette from last night."
Like everything else in the house, Anne-Marie and Jack found their own way: mixing a bit of french and history with a lot of hospitality.
Anne-Marie says, "I love my guests."
For her and Jack, c'est la vie.
The rooms range in price from $120 to $250 dollars a night.
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