Behind the Blue Door, Quaint Stevens Park Cottage Has Built-ins Galore

It may not catch your eye immediately, but there’s just something about this adorable traditional cottage in Stevens Park Estates. The tidy front lawn, freshly planted flower beds, and colorful dark teal blue front door — it’s an absolute classic.

It just hit the market today, as listing agent Sam Saladino with David Griffin & Company tells me. We’re just pleased as punch to feature it on CandysDirt.com as our High Caliber Home of the Week sponsored by Lisa Peters of Caliber Home Loans.

And if you think the exterior of this classic cottage is on point, just wait until you see the bevy of built-ins — a true neat freak’s dream come true — throughout.

The bookshelves in the dining room, combined with the beautiful art glass pendant fixture, give the area a ‘library” feel.  “It was completely redone by my sellers about two years ago,” as Saladino tells it. A mutual friend, Murray Woodall, reconfigured the architectural layout of 2019 Old Orchard and brought the finish-out to life. That’s where the true value of this 1937-built home — gorgeous cabinetry and shelving galore, all built by hand and brand new.

And if you think this 1,538-square-foot cottage feels a little cramped for your tastes, Saladino says you shouldn’t let the cozy square footage put you off.

“It’s a two-bedroom, two-bath,” he added, “but lives a lot bigger.”

Saladino has priced the home, which has a detached garage and lovely backyard, for $517,000.

“I’m calling it a ‘new traditional for the modern romantics’ that are flocking to Stevens Park, Kessler, Winnetka and Oak Cliff,” says Saladino. The sellers, who are only parting with this gem of a North Oak Cliff home to relocate to NYC, love Provincetown, and travel there every summer.  “They love the whole New England ‘salt box’ aesthetic, and you’ll see that influence in the finish out.”

It’s especially visible in the kitchen, with the footed cabinetry, neutral color scheme, traditional drawer pulls, subway tile backsplash, and warm wood floors. The light fixture that brightens the widow seat that sits close to the laundry area (a beautiful solution to older homes with laundry in the kitchen — don’t hide it, embrace it!) has a very 1930s feel. The shiplap on the walls keeps things current. 

“My favorite part is a wonderful screened porch on off the kitchen that is another added entertaining/lounging/reading space,” Saladino adds. “With these 80+ degree days in Dallas in the middle of winter there is no better accessory for any home in Dallas.”

The interior lends itself to a wide spectrum of decorative schemes, Saladino offered. Modern, midcentury, antiques, ethnic, tribal, soft contemporary or all of these mixed together.

We love the trim work and the tile in the master suite. The paneled and vaulted ceiling in the master bath is a brilliant design feature, and the symmetry of the pedestal sinks combined with that lovely antique bronze chandelier gives us chills — we love it!

The backyard is wonderfully landscaped and has plenty of room for kids to play chase and for adults to relax. What more could you want in a classic traditional cottage?