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
Karin says
If this is being “lost in the fifties”, sign me up! I would love to have that aqua Eero Saarinen womb womb chair and ottoman.
Joan says
What an awesome house, I love it! Thanks for sharing Pam!
terry noonan says
That blue and white bathroom made my pants wet.
Lynn says
Pam, thank you for sharing this lovely home. It is fun, colorful, and tastefully appointed with dramatic pieces. The front entry hall is spectacular! The pool is calling out to me to dive right in! Hey, I say, “Color my world!”. This home is so cool!!!
Carolyn says
Yea! I got one! (I never guess this stuff!)
When you step in the front door: Eames “Hang It All” that was featured Aug. 11, “Design Within Reach”
I learned how to drive in a 1962 Caddie – parallel parking – ayii! I think our Silverado is about the same length. With the tailgate down.
Joel says
I love it all.
Debbie in Portland says
There is soooo much going on in this house that I don’t know where to look first! I love that turquoise bathroom, and that kitchen is to die for.
How do I get a Bob’s Big Boy statue for my backyard? And who do I need to talk to to rename my street “Pinocchio Street”? 🙂
Jay says
Wow, what a fun house! Hard to believe it still has its original MC bones – kitchen and baths (especially that turquoise one and huge to boot!). These rooms are usually the first to go. Sorry to see many put off by the décor after all this isn’t House Hunters. Still wiping the drool off the keyboard. Thanks for sharing!
Elizabeth says
Any idea what the tile is on the kitchen floor? I love that! So shiny. We have hideous plastic peel and stick in our MCM kitchen right now and this would be an awesome replacement.
Robin, NV says
I’d like to know what the kitchen floor is too. The rest of the house looks like terrazzo but the black floor in the kitchen is a mystery.
pam kueber says
I don’t know the answer to this one. I would guess vintage — and there were so many options over the years, may be a needle in a haystack. I don’t think I even saw tile like this at World of Tile. But WOT bought from Italy and the East Coast. With this house being in Dallas, the tile would likely have come from a regional supplier…..
Jay says
I went back to look at the pictures again at a more leisurely pace. I think the flooring is similar from the entry through the living areas and around into the kitchen. It’s laid as a cohesive whole with a transition from light to dark at the kitchen. Terrazzo? I was wondering if its the same material used for the turquoise master bath. Where’s that lucky realtor to answer our question?
Retroski says
Cool, cool, coolio! All this color pattern punch and whimsy is my cup o’ tea–it’s vibrant and fun. Also notice the eye for color through each room…the bedrooms are decorated in a more subtle scheme. The whole space betokes a creative, artsy personality.
And the bathrooms, wow! The teal one is so crisp, clean, happy.
I thank Pam for opening my eyes to the different ways to retro. Some styles I found it easy to criticize, but Pam helped me to see the beauty in those looks, too…like the color mustard or a 70s groove pad. So thanks!