OUR RESIDENTS DORIS AND ARTHUR SHIRLEY LaJUANNA AND SAM CAROL

Walking into Shirley’s house, you feel instantly transported.

The former Boeing employee and resident of Bow Lake since 1987 has transformed her home both inside and out, and now owns one of the most beautiful, inviting homes in the community. “I don’t have a formal background, but I’ve always been interested, my first love is decorating.”

It shows. Inspired by a trip to Asia and frequent antique hunts that have taken her to Texas and beyond, Shirley’s home now feels both exotic and inviting – with curved dark-wood arches, a Chinese stained glass window and scores of beautiful, Far East objects of art and linens.

A creation like this required its fair share of blood, sweat and tears. “I did all the painting myself and hand-sanded the cabinets one summer. It was a lot of work and I nearly ruined my thumb!”

Shirley has put just as much care into her yard. “I’m so fussy about my yard. I don’t know why; it’s just important to me. It’s part of who I am.” Starting with what was essentially a blank slate 20 years ago, Shirley has transformed her front garden into an oasis of lush greenery and unique details where she likes to relax and unwind.

Through the years, her outdoor decorating efforts have gotten a little boost from Bow Lake’s maintenance team, Roger and Jim: “The maintenance crew here is really great. I decorate with rocks and I told Jim, ‘’I want some big rocks — but I want them to be pretty rocks.’ They’re always digging them up, and when I see their truck go by, I say ‘Stop, stop! Let me see that rock!’ “