Fort Worth Friday: Palm Springs Swank in the Heart of Westover Hills

by Eric Prokesh

Sitting on one of the highest points of desirable Westover Hills, is an alluring three bedroom, four and a half bath,  mid century modern beauty that evokes Sinatra era Palm Springs Swank.

Oh, and the rock.

From the entrance vestibule at 2004 Canterbury Drive, one steps down into an airy living area defined by a soaring rock wall with fireplace, which extends to the exterior, and a near curtain of glass which frames the hill top vistas. Impeccable terrazzo floors look as if they were poured yesterday instead of the 1959 date of construction. A vintage brass rails and door hardware add to the list of astute details. An elevated, overlooking dining area seems almost aloft in the space.

The chef’s kitchen, though the undertaking of two owners, is executed to a single plan consistent with the style of the house and contains the expected high end commercial appliances plus ice maker, refrigerated wine storage & cooling drawers. The slab marble surfaces are continued into the back splashes. Another project of the owners is the outdoor living area which overlooks the pool and the finish out of the basement as a cabana with spa bath.

Roomy at 4740 square feet, the scale remains human, with bedroom suites off a corridor containing storage walls broken by rhythmically spaced floor to ceiling windows. The master has an additional gas fireplace and a closet with center island most capacious, even by current standards. It shares a living area with another bedroom.

Occasionally, serendipitously, one has the pleasure of life coming full circle. Researching the house’s architect,  J. B. Johnson, I realized I had had the pleasure of being in one of his best known works many years ago, Casa Ocho Caballos in Acapulco. A year after the construction of the Canterbury house, Mr. Johnson moved to Mexico where he began a prodigious second career, extending more than 50 years, designing many landmark buildings in Mexico City, Cuernavaca and Acapulco.

John Zimmerman is the listing agent, the asking price is $1,799,500.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, in books and publications including DHome, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and DHome has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.