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Home / The Museum of Mid Century Material Culture / time capsule homes

The Smith house on Pinocchio Street in Dallas — drop-dead gorgeous, no lie! — 36 fun photos

pam kueber - Updated: September 2, 2021

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

mid century modern Smith house dallas

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.  

dallas time capsule house

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!]

dallas time capsule house

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.

dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule house

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

dallas time capsule house
Folks are asking about the pot rack:

It’s an Enclume Whisk (affiliate link)

enclume wisk

dallas time capsule house dallas time capsule house dallas time capsule houseThis 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!

dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule houseThere is color — and fun furniture and art — everywhere!

dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule house dallas time capsule house dallas time capsule houseThere are original bathrooms with, I think, just a leetle sensitive updating, which I’m guessing was likely required for wear-and-tear reason…

dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule houseThe living room is cool and inviting…

dallas time capsule house dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule housedallas time capsule house dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule house dallas time capsule house dallas time capsule houseBut the horrible dilemma: Spend all your time inside — or outside???

dallas time capsule housedallas time capsule houseSuddenly, I need a George Nelson Marshmallow headboard — surely a hack??? — with matching Marshmallow sofa. Surely genius!

dallas time capsule houseBut 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

So here’s a parlor game for us to play:
Readers, can you name all the designs/designers
whose products are featured in this house?
One item per comment, please.
No Repeating! No reading the comments first!

CATEGORIES:
Readers and their Bathrooms Readers and Their Kitchens time capsule homes

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Reader Interactions

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85 comments

Comments

  1. Elizabeth says

    September 7, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    Those orange dining chairs: OH.EM.GEE.

    And I agree, Pam, let’s stay positive. This blog is about showing different homes and how different people are enjoying them. One may not like it a particular home at all, but that’s not the point. This is about sharing the variety that’s out there. It would be sad if folks stopped sharing because of the negative feedback.

  2. TERRY ADLER says

    September 7, 2016 at 12:39 pm

    To me, the home is perfect in every way. I only wish I could move to Dallas just for this dream house.

    Truly a marvel of mid century , every major designer is represented .

  3. Laura M. says

    September 7, 2016 at 12:20 pm

    This house makes me happy!

  4. Ali says

    September 7, 2016 at 12:07 pm

    Oh wow, this house almost makes me homesick. I thought this neighborhood was so cool as a kid, and I still love it. The Disney streets are full of neat mid century houses and this one is out of sight. I love it! The indoors are great and the outdoors are even better.

    I know that some of people commenting here think it’s over the top, and I’ll admit as much, but I dig it. Bonus points for the Big Boy!

  5. Reader Deb says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:55 am

    The Eames style rocking chair in one of the bedrooms–perfect for Kate’s nursery.

  6. Kristin says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:55 am

    I spy a Noguchi coffee table!

  7. Jenny says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:54 am

    That teal and white bathroom!!!! I can tell someone is addicted to buying gorgeous lamps! 🙂

  8. Pat says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:42 am

    Absolutely stunning! Bright colors and beautiful design through out. Is it selling fully furnished?

  9. Wendy says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:33 am

    like button clicked

  10. Wendy says

    September 7, 2016 at 10:31 am

    Colored front dresser designed by Raymond Loewy?

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