Come on in. You surely won’t be disappointed. Mega thanks to reader Susan for spotting today’s mid century marvel time capsule house in Dallas, Texas. The original owner was an architect and builder — and oh my goodness, it shows! 25 specatularicious photos –>
Thanks also to realtors Hewitt & Habgood for permission to feature these fabulous photos. Above: Love how the brick column toward the left transforms to become a planter at the front and even wraps around the L to the right of the door. This architectural design detail appears to be totally cosmetic (although the eaves may have required support) — a wonderful idea to “break up” the long horizontal of the front facade. No, not wonderful: Brilliant.
Hewitt & Habgood’s super nice marketing director Kenton (awesome website, awesome photos, well done, Kenton!) told me that everyone at the agency was in awe of this house, and he got right over to take these photos. Note the awning windows discussed in detail here recently.
The house is a ranch style beauty, built in 1950, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 3,630 s.f. (tax records). Here is what the real estate description says:
Rare, vintage Mid-Century Modern estate on .55 acres in exceptional original condition with great architectural details. Gracious formals & interiors with sophistication indicative of time period. Enjoy expansive picture windows, gorgeous views of grounds, large bedrooms — each with bath access, great vintage kitchen & breakfast, two fireplaces, hidden wet bar, folding walls, separate guest quarters, basement & secret entrance to fourth bedroom-office make this very special home a must see. If you appreciate the quality and details from the 1950’s MCM architecture, you’ll love this home. Original owner was an architect and builder, and current owner has had for 40+ years and maintained and cared for it beautifully. Great oversized vegetable garden for the enthusiast. Don’t miss out on this one!
Lots of photos so here they come, along with more Pammentary:
The white brick = more stunning than words can describe. Does anyone know what name to give this brick? Love the built-in planter, love the wall of mirrors, love the crystal chandelier.
To the right (and visible in other photos, above): A focus wall of wallpaper — matches the wallpaper in the foyer. Again: Brilliant.
Pinch pleats over sheer pinch pleats Rock My World. This is The Way It Is Done.
Pretty view from the living room to the back yard.
Note: This is an excellent reference for what a kitchen looks like when you wallpaper just the soffit. That’s laminate on the counters and backsplash.
The bedrooms all appear to be good sizes (this is a large house for 1950 for sure). If the carpet were in good shape, I would keep every inch of it!
Lots of single-focus walls done in a probably high-grade plywood (?)
Super delicious: Gray bathroom with pink tile countertops. I love the sliding cosmetic cabinets under the mirros — and I love how the Hollywood vanity lights are installed upside down from the soffit. Also notice: The decorative screening, instead of a solid wall, between the tub area in the back and this toilet area in the front. I wonder if this is a Jack ‘n Jill bathroom?
Dressing area. Lovely handling of the windows above. Vanity cube lights mounted from side.
Another favorite feature: That wall behind the bed looks to be upholstered. With padding and everything. You Can Do This!
Beautiful patio. Notice the detail within the brickwork on the left edge of the house as it turns the corner — the square peepholes.
Round concrete patio. Great way to break up the sharp edges of the house.
The eaves — if that’s what you call them — fantastic. And here, you can see further detail of the built-in brick planter-to column roof support design at the front. Brick carried to entrance way step.
This house is perfection.
Link love:
- Listing information for 1950 mid century modern house in Dallas.
- Thanks to Hewitt & Habgood Realty in Dallas.
bryant says
the house is beautiful— but UCK! is that popcorn ceiling?? that stuff isn’t only ugly, it’s an asbestos nightmare…. [pam edited comments about asbestos — Readers, please consult with properly licensed professionals about the materials in your house and how to handle]. the first thing i’d do if i moved in there would be to get a crew to take that stuff out and replace it with a classic 1950s plaster ceiling:
http://www.edrawsondrywall.net/swirl2.JPG
pam kueber says
Note: We don’t use the u*** word here — actually, I think the ceilings look pretty nice. But good reminder to folks: Ceilings are another place to test for vintage nastiness such as asbestos; consult with a properly licensed professional to know what materials you have in your house and how you should handle them.
Frank says
IMHO the acoustic ceilings fit the style of the house. As for the asbestos issue, [edited by Pam — folks, please consult with a properly licensed professional to get advice on how to handle the materials in your house…]
dan says
I love a well-done popcorn ceiling! There’s nothing wrong with a little texturing, especially when the house starts to settle.
My parents 1952 house had smooth ceilings until some settling happened in about 1960, and they went with a really nice plaster textured ceiling to cover it – not popcorn, more like a series of swirls – and the workmen did a border of the same pattern for about three inches down on the side walls. Very swank. I wish I had a picture of it.
Jay says
I am always amazed at the sizes of these homes. Such timeless details. Yes, as others have pointed out, it’s Roman brick. i only know this from checking out Ms. Starr’s Portland website and perusing the MCM homes she features. It appears to be a regional thing, No roman brick anywhere in my neck of the woods. The Roman bricks were usually stacked vertically instead of traditional staggered pattern.
nonecaresok says
The carpets look busted, but the rest of the home is really nice.
pam kueber says
I think the carpets look fantastic!
Hillary says
That house seems really progressive for 1950! I’m glad to see the laminate treatment in the kitchen with the square edge and metal trim at the back, it’s the same as mine. I’ve been trying to figure out for a long time if mine’s original to 1949. Almost all of the ads from 1949-50 show a metal edge.
Love the window wall onto the backyard!
Annie B. says
Does it get any sweeter? So many delicious elements of style in this U-shaped beauty. My dream house is U-shaped, clad in cream colored Roman brick, with a folded roof, and an atrium.
RetroSandie says
Oh Wow! This house and the inside is just GORJUS!!!! IF I were getting married (LOL!) I’d want to buy it and move to Dallas in a heartbeat!!!! I get so excited over these beautiful time capsule houses, I could just fly straight up to Cloud 9!!! LOL! 🙂
Lissie says
So, so good….Wish I could see it in person!! I do like the wallpaper on soffit only idea. Pinch pleats are perfection. Also love trellis off the front of the house.
Katie B. says
Love this house! I could never live in a house with all that white though. My family would ruin it in a week. 🙂
Chris Pehlke says
It’s definitely Roman brick – not sure if that’s what you were meaning though because Roman brick is very very common on 50s / 60s ranches especially in Ontario and I’ve read you’ve spent some time at Ford Oakville 😉
The size does seem a bit off. Standard Roman is 1-5/8″ x 11-5/8″ and to me it appears that it may be longer than a foot?
Kate says
AHHH! Roman Brick! I think that is the type of brick my 1962 ranch house is made of! Long and skinny-and mine has ridges down the middle. I’ve asked so many people what the proper name for that type of brick is…so nice to finally know!
JKM says
OMG I live in Dallas and know exactly where this house is! Simply stunning and in a fantastic, lovely neighborhood filled with spacious 1950’s homes on rolling to hilly wooded lots. And only five minutes from downtown! And a basement?!? Basements are rare to non-existent here but this house probably has one since it’s built on a hill. I doubt it’ll stay on the market very long. Oh how I wish it could be mine, mine, MINE.
Regarding the brick question, I’ve always heard that style (elongated and thinner than average) referred to as “Roman” brick. Don’t know if that’s an accurate name or not.
I’ve got to do a drive-by!!!!