The Element’s House: This Place is So Fancy, The House Even Has a Name. Plano, Yes PLANO Real Estate News

 When a house comes with a name, you know it’s something special. George Harrison had Friar Park, Winston Churchill had Chequers, Cornelius Vanderbilt had The Breakers and of course Elvis had Graceland. Now, you can have “The Element’s House”.

In, of all places, Plano!

Imagine a contemporary castle, complete with moat, albeit not even ankle deep, so no alligator worries! It’s 7,000 square feet of travertine, Venetian plaster, bamboo floors and marble. This five bedroom, seven bathroom modern manor is a collaborative design between the home’s artist owner and New York firm Nastasia Architects. It’s a light filled, open, airy, smart piece of architecture and a must see for anyone with a serious art collection to house. Inspired by the Kimball Art Museum in Fort Worth and the Nasher, it mimics many of the same features and feelings of those spaces. The present owner is not only an artist, but also an avid collector of art and antiques. The house was built with this in mind and there is an abundance of space for both collections and artwork.

You’d be hard pressed to find a right angle as everything is built just a few degrees “off” but in a whimsical way that just adds to the character of the place. You’re tipped off that surprise is afoot when you enter the door and face a staircase flanked by a red Venetian plaster “Sail” wall rising up from the foyer to the second floor.

A green bamboo granite ethanol-burning fireplace divides the dining and living rooms. Ethanol fireplaces, for those of you that don’t keep up with this sort of thing, are the latest, as they burn clean and don’t require a chimney flue so they retain the heat inside of the house, where it belongs. Like I told you, this “smart” house practically has a PhD.

My favorite room is the master bathroom. It’s a marvel of Nero Marquena black marble with a reverse osmosis filtration system and it’s big enough to shower your family and your Smart Car at the same time! There’s a gigantic white tub perched serenely on a level just up from the shower area surrounded by opaque glass.

Clever construction created a window in the second floor media room that allows for the movie du jour to be projected into the foyer downstairs. How cool would that be when you’re throwing a party? Imagine your guests entering to Bogie and Bacall on the wall!

If you’ve got royalty envy, you’ll love the balconies. The rear balcony was constructed as an homage to Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. The balcony overlooking the front of the house is just perfect for viewing your arriving guests or giving them a post-party wave. I feel an Evita moment coming on.

The exterior is just as smart and lovely as the interior. Boasting commercial grade windows and rain gutters (that’s right, NO ugly gutters ruining this baby), it also has the piece de resistance, a gorgeous copper roof!

I evidently have a penchant for water as I’m always attracted to baths and pools but my water dreams have finally been realized in The Element’s House. At the end of the pool is a covered loggia with an embedded Jacuzzi. This is not your mother’s Jacuzzi. It’s got water pump and air bubble jet systems. There’s a handheld shower, FM radio, CD hookup, a television, of course, and it’s made from heavy-duty acrylic with ozone sterilization and chroma-therapy lighting. Of course the bar is right next to it.

Really, what more could you ask for?

Get a sneak peek! 6517 Timber Wolf Trail will be featured on Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Modern Home Tour January 28th from 11-6pm.

Asking: $2,499,000. Listed with Subhi Gharbieh, Gharbieh & Associates Group, Clay Stapp +CO.