Which photo to to lead with? The front with the pink Cadillac? Or the back, with Bob’s Big Boy guarding the pool? Now those are decisions I don’t get to make every day! Thanks to our good friend Ed Murchison, midcentury modern house realtor extraordinaire, we are getting a sneak peak at the gorgeous 1954 “Smith House” in Dallas. Designed and built by Gordon Nichols, it sits on Pinocchio Street among a whole bunch of other “Disney Streets.” The Caddy is just ONE hint of the fun inside and out back: Just keep on scrolling, we have 36 fun and fabulous photos courtesy Shoot2Sell Photography.
Note to view photos: If you are on a desktop, you should be able to click on any photo and it will double in size on screen.
All about The Smith House, from the listing:
Come immerse yourself in the true Mid-century Modern vibe that is so widely sought and so difficult to find. Designed and built by the famed Gordon Nichols, the home at 11016 Pinocchio Drive known as the Smith House, is among the best of the Mid-century Modern houses in the highly desirable Disney Streets. The house was one of the featured homes during the highly successful 1954 Parade of Homes which highlighted the latest modern conveniences and building materials. [Ed tells me that more than 100,000 people visited the house during the 1954 Parade of Homes!]
Its low-slung roof and expansive horizontal feel represent the goal of many builders and architects in the postwar era to offer flexible seamless indoor and outdoor living spaces. The roughly T-shaped house set on a generous lot projects the garage out toward the street and the family bedrooms to the rear of the house. A large master bedroom suite occupies the south end while the kitchen, dining room and two spacious living areas are in the center of the house. The open concept living areas feature vaulted ceilings, exposed beams and cool MCM features such as the Nelson Bubble Lamp in the dining room. The kitchen…is just wow featuring the original cabinetry, vintage pink appliances and Formica counters. This is the real deal…no cheap builder-grade granite here. A unique design element is the brick fireplace, providing what the builder described as a “visual center” in the front entry hall.
All of the principal living spaces as well as the master bedroom and guest bedrooms all open to the covered lanai and terraced decks affording views of the refreshing pool. Once you step out to the south lawn that includes the pool area, blink your eyes and you may think you are in Palm Springs…or on the set of Mad Men! If it is a peaceful spot to enjoy your morning coffee that you seek, the north lawn features a private deck just off the dining area. In addition…there is a separate guest suite providing a perfect place for guests or a family member that desires their own private space.
With so many original features and thoughtful touches, the Smith House is a truly special and unique Mid-century Modern home. Slip on your smoking jacket, turn on the Sinatra and pour yourself a martini…your home!
Basics:
- Four bedrooms, 3.1 bathrooms
- 2,260 s.f.
- $665,000
Open house: Thursday, September 08, 2016 – 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Folks are asking about the pot rack:
It’s an Enclume Whisk (affiliate link)
This is not an original-owner house. But whoever got their hands on it most recently knew (1) WHAT TO LEAVE ALONE, and (2) how to have A Blast bringing the bones of this delicious home to life!
There is color — and fun furniture and art — everywhere!
There are original bathrooms with, I think, just a leetle sensitive updating, which I’m guessing was likely required for wear-and-tear reason…
The living room is cool and inviting…
But the horrible dilemma: Spend all your time inside — or outside???
Suddenly, I need a George Nelson Marshmallow headboard — surely a hack??? — with matching Marshmallow sofa. Surely genius!
But what I mostly now neeeeeeeeeed me is a Big Boy! Where the heck do I get one of these?
THANK YOU, Ed Murchison, for giving us a heads up on this one — it’s fabulous! And thanks, again, to Shoot2Sell for the great photos — we can only guess how much fun you had on this one!
Link love:
- Listing for this house (sold now, link gone)
- Ed Murchison’s homepage – MidcenturyModernDallasHomes.com
- Shoot2Sell photography
Linda Goins says
I agree with the comment above. Love the architecture and original features but some of the furnishings are too much. I don’t say it to be negative, and didn’t interpret his comment to be negative either. Seems odd not to be able to say what you don’t like along with what you do like. Great house!
Tracy says
oh my god, I lust for this!! Are furnishings included?
And I’ll miss you Kate . Happy motherhood!!
ineffablespace says
The chains take the place of a downspout and tend to disperse the water.
This one is a mixed bag for me. Personally I think the architecture, which is leaning toward Googie already, is starting to get obscured by the contents a bit. The house is turning a little bit into 1950s caricature instead of 1950s authentic. It seems a bit like those 1950s “diner” or “soda shop” bar/rec rooms that people started putting in their houses in the 1970s or so that were a little too much to be real looking.
sherree benoit says
I love this house! It rang a bell with me when I saw the large whisk in the kitchen and the marshmallow bed in the master. I realized that I had seen it featured on Home Strange Home on HGTV a few years ago. The owners collections have been paired down (probably for the photo shoot for the real estate listing). I would love to see what the other homes on the “Disney” streets looked like when built. I hope whomever buys it will leave it as is 🙂
pam kueber says
Oh I would love to see the entirety of the collections! I noticed a Pinocchio puppet in the foyer — and Disney memorabilia in another room.
Guy H. says
The chains hanging off the porch, what is the purpose of them?
pam kueber says
Rain chains — the rain stays on the chain(s) as it flows down from the gutter. I saw this in action at my brother’s house just last week!
midmichigan says
I try and look at these MCM homes, imagining them empty of furniture. This home would be an MCM classic regardless. It’s very nice. They did a great job maintaining the design; rain chains and all. They adorned it with MCM decor that puts it over the top. Very nice job, it should sell fast. I like these kinds of post, Pam!!
Reader Deb says
In the kitchen, first thing that caught my eye, Enclume Premier Whisk Pot Rack [note from pam: I made this an affiliate link that opens in a new window FYI — thanks Deb, I had no idea this existed — I need to do a separate story — how fun!]
Reader Deb says
Neither did I, so I googled “giant whisk” and this is what turned up. One more thing to add to my kitchen wish list.
pam kueber says
Me too!
Jackie says
I’m sure it’s a beautiful house, but the decorating is so powerful I can’t see the forest for the trees. In other words, I’m having a hard time trying to see the features of the house because the decorating is so over the top.
Bam Carle says
It is absolute perfection. Can’t believe it’s under a mil—it could at least be used to shoot a film…
pam kueber says
I think it’s totally the case that some people have more tolerance for lots of color and pattern than others. I’m in the ‘bring it on’ category myself!
pam kueber says
I’ll start the Parlor Game: In the office: Broyhill Premier Chapter One credenza (low dresser?) and desk in yellow, and stools with black upholstery. Dreamy!
Carolyn says
Whoo-hoo! because, seriously, what else could you say? You’re right with “spend more time inside – or outside?” I think I’d have a hard time leaving…until I realized what I’d be coming back home to!
Thank you Ed for passing this along to Pam for us to enjoy.