A New Way to Market a Mansion: Welcome to The Art Home on Ricks

Last night I attended an unprecedented party right down the street. Which was super great, because they served Mojitos and I walked home! And if you know me, you know that I get really fun after a Mojito (or two). (Maybe three.)

The event was the unveiling of a very unique and gorgeous home that is essentially residential art gallery in the way it was built and because it is filled with art. In fact, the home was built around the art, with the art as the focal point in every aspect of design.

It is called ArtHome on Ricks.

The home, 11523 West Ricks Circle, has many stories and you will hear them all right here over the next few weeks. For one, this was once the home of Ebby agent Lydia Player, who I happen to adore and count as a great friend. I met Lydia when she lived in this house when we built our house up the street. One more Mojito and Lydia and I were about to go digging in the front yard for the time capsule she and her boys buried there.

The home is owned by Lynne Tonti and the artwork is by Janet McGreal. Janet has sold art all over the world to celebrities such as The Rolling Stones, Governor and Mrs. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Oprah, Eli Manning and Peyton Manning. This is the first time the sisters McGreal have collaberated on a home. It won’t be the last. Susan Newell built the shell of the home about two years ago, and I watched Lynne and her sister painstakingly finish it themselves. How do you spell QUALITY? The home is jam-packed with contemporary luxury and walking into the kitchen was an “ah ha” moment. Lynn’s sister, Janet, is pictured here with her wrists bandaged — unfortunately, she broke them both, but is mending. The home is decorated with 23 original works and 16 bronze sculptures by Janet. Of course, those could be purchased individually. That is almost more important than it being on .90 acres with 7118 square feet, five bedrooms, five full and five half baths (yes, 5 powder rooms. You will never be less than 5 feet from a commode in this home.), grand 156 foot setback, master and guest suite on the first floor with separate entrance and kitchenette, to-die-for master spa bath, fabu closets, media room and game room upstairs with three bedrooms, bar, Butlers, study, stunning pool and spa, and trees all over the grounds.

The home will be open tomorrow, November 15 from 10 am to 4 pm. Also open at the same time Saturday, Sunday and Monday. It is not in MLS, nor does it yet have an agent, which was the main chatter at last night’s party. Many agents came by — Pogir, Lisa Besserer, Mark Cain, Susie Swanson, David Nichols and Erin Mathews, J.L. Forke, Ralph Randall, Lydia, and more.

We are not quite sure of asking price, something like $4 million ish was mentioned. The whole point of the evening and the very elegant event was that this was not really a conventional home for sale, but a gallery of fine art by a world-renown artist, a collection and collaboration of two sisters.

Here is the invitation we received to the event.

A very interesting concept, one we may even see more of from these two sisters. Of course, you may recall my story on  Paul Adelson and his Artful Home. The sixty-something collector of 20th century modern art feels strongly that art should complement, not match the architecture. He should know: Paul has been a consultant on public art collections for more than 25 years, with such clients tucked under his belt as Chase Bank, Coca-Cola, Kraft General Foods and Trammel Crow, all of whom have commissioned art from his Design District studio, Select Art, on Levy Street.

“There’s a difference,” says Paul, “between what art goes in your home, and what goes in a public space.” A contemporary building, he says, has no room for traditional art. That explains his East Dallas home and the unique new home concept Paul is marketing with the help of his Coldwell Banker Residential Realty agent, Yvette Grove. It’s a turn-key product, from the dishes to the forks and furniture, yes. But in Paul’s home, a house is not complete without art on the walls. HIS art.

I am sure the sisters would agree. To be continued…