Yowza, another stunning time capsule house: This 1962 Dallas, Texas mid century modern home, listed for sale by Realtor Sandra Melmed, features stunning Asian-influenced decor throughout, most all of it in untouched original condition. The house has an interesting provenance. The original owner was longtime executive assistant to Neiman Marcus chairman and family heir Stanley Marcus, and it’s clear she had fabulous taste.
We actually recall sharing the link to the estate sale for this house on our Facebook page — it was quite something to see all the designer decor, not to mention the fantastic clothes and shoes. Thanks to reader Suzanna for this wonderful tip! And, thanks to the talented photographers from Shoot2Sell Photography and to Melmed for helping obtain permission, we can all take a peek inside this gorgeous property — 24 photos!
From the real estate listing:
- Price: $575,000
- Year Built: 1962
- Square footage: 3,526
- Bedrooms: 4
- Bathrooms: 3 full, 1 half
MID CENTURY MODERN VIRGIN REDO. RARE OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE-PRESERVE ARCHITECTURALLY SIGNIFICANT HOME OF STANLEY MARCUS EXEC. ASSISTANT * HALF ACRE PLUS * NORTHWOOD HILLS ESTATES * ONE OWNER * EARL NORRIS DESIGNER-BLDR * GREAT ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS * TERRAZZO FLOORS * MARBLE BTHRM COUNTERS * ROCK FP * ORIG.TEMP CONTROLLED WINE CLOSET * WALLS OF WINDOWS VIEW SPECTACULAR ASIAN INSPIRED GROUNDS * POOL & CABANA. DONT MISS IT!
Just look at the detail on the original wood double front entry doors — exquisite. And the stained glass bamboo motif side panel is equally fantastic.
In one of the bathrooms, stylish grass cloth wallpaper adorns all of the walls, providing a neutral, earthy backdrop to the stunning black bathroom vanity with what looks like a repeated gold leaf scene across the front. The light fixture — set opposite of the sink — is just as timeless today as it must have been in 1962 when the home was built.
The home even has an Asian-inspired pink bathroom, complete with bamboo trimmed cabinetry, decorative shower doors and sleek, chrome Hall-Mack built-ins.
The kitchen and dining area are filled with light and color. The warm wood cabinets with Asian style pulls help bring the elements of the outdoors inside, while the bright orange countertops and simple black appliances keep the space looking modern. The way the kitchen layout zig zags evokes a river or garden path type feeling and leads to a wall of windows showcasing the home’s beautiful, established and well maintained exterior landscaping.
The exquisite landscaping includes rock pathways and stone sculptures, a small footbridge and a multitude of plant life.
There is even an amoeba shaped pool with its own mid century pagoda style pool house. Don’t we all wish this was the view in our own back yard?
We also learned that according to a 1968 cover story about the house in Texas Metro magazine (which now appears to be defunct), installation of all this landscaping was an epic endeavor. The landscaping — added by the owners — included bringing 90 tons of Brazos River boulders and 30 tons of Granbury stone boulders onto the site. The front entrance steps were built from “Granbury stones placed on bois d’arc trunks” and there is a circulating waterfall, too.
Link love:
- Here’s the official listing for this Dallas time capsule house.
- Mega thanks again to Realtor Sandra Melmed for allowing us to feature this listing and sending her additional photos of the home, garden and pool house.
- And thanks to the great team at Shoot2Sell Photography for giving us permission to feature their exceptional photos of the property.
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
midmichigan says
Ha, ha, Kate! I love it. Very interesting flooring. They look about 3 x 3 feet square so it must have been a two man job just to set them but maybe it’s just sawn and grouted terrazzo. I notice that appliance under counter in the kitchen looks to me like a trash compactor. Rather extinct now; they were very popular in the late 60’ early 70’s and you had to purchase special plastic bags made by the manufacturer to avoid tearing. These time capsule home posts are fantastic.
Kate says
Very interesting about the trash compactor. Hopefully as those went the way of the dinosaur, they were replaced with recycling bins? 🙂
Sam R says
My parents had a trash compactor through the 80s, I think they got rid of it when it finally died. Moving the full bags was something of a challenge for me as a kid, they were often quite heavy!
I think the special reinforced paper/plastic bags are still available. I see working units pop up at the ReStore or SA now and then.
Cubeman says
I had a trash compactor, too. I replaced it with a stainless trash can slide out cabinet. Easy solution and holds recycle bin, too.
midmichigan says
Sheesh, Kate I just Googled it and they’re still made (I can’t believe it) but kind of expensive, around eight hundred bucks:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Maytag-15-in-Built-In-Trash-Compactor-in-Stainless-Steel-MTUC7000AWS/100652814?cm_mmc=shopping-_-googleads-_-pla-_-100652814&skwcid&kwd=&ci_sku=100652814&ci_kw=&ci_gpa=pla&ci_src=17588969
I guess they would work for some folks that need to reduce their bulk but I recycle as much as I can. Maybe it’s just me but I can’t say I’ve seen a new one since the early 70’s in anyone’s home.
dkzody says
I have a friend who remodeled her house in the last 7 years and she has a trash compactor. They are still a big deal out here. Many of the new homes even have them and the older ones are still in use. I have to agree with the poster who said it just took garbage and made it heavier. It was good for people who didn’t want to empty garbage cans every day.
Melissa L. says
This is a wonderful house. Usually I find there are several things I’d change out if I moved into one of the time-capsule homes, but the only thing this house would need would be new carpeting. I love everything about it.
pam kueber says
Why do you think it needs new carpeting, Melissa? Looks pretty fabulous to me!
Melissa L. says
Just one word–dogs.
pam kueber says
got it.
Joyce says
i think 50 years of bacteria may be in the carpet..
Holly says
Wow- that is an amazing house. I want it! Haha!
Sydney says
The dressing room….To.Die.For. And I do believe that’s the kitchen of my dreams!
Aletha @ MidModMich says
What a beaut! Those wood front doors are my favorite; what a welcoming site for the entire home.
Steve says
What a beauty! Love the screens and latticework ceilings. Did anyone notice how the kitchen cabinet pulls look like Shinto Gates?
linda h says
Now I want to look for Torii gate door pulls, too!
Jenny A. says
I LOVE this one. I know I say that about most of them, but it’s true, ha ha! 😉
heidi says
I am in love!! The kitchen, the front door….
Patty says
A real beauty.
Jay says
Wow! Thanks for sharing. As the old folks would say “They just don’t make em like that anymore”. Nice floating credenza in what I believe is the formal dining room. The kitchen makes me dizzy – not the decor, the zig zag layout. The public rooms must have been quite sophisicated looking when furnished.