Can Functional be Fun? This North Dallas Contemporary is the Best of Both Worlds

In Dallas, 1970s contemporary architecture can be a mixed bag. Sometimes you’ll find homes where this style works. Others you’ll come across will have a weird amalgamation of traditional fixtures and finishes that don’t reflect the home’s character at all.

But this 1978 soft contemporary in Brookshire Park gets most of it right. The open spaces and natural light help you see why this architectural style was so popular in its heyday. Heck, I often wonder why we didn’t evolve from here instead of mangling things with our move to more traditional shapes and colors in the 1990s. Boy was that a nightmare.

While I’m not in love with some of the paint colors, I do like how these sellers have focused on updates that put the “fun” in “functional” for this house. Jump to see inside.

Located at 10811 Stone Canyon, this home has received extensive updates, says listing agent Julie Provenzano. There are three new air conditioning units cooling this home, new hot water heaters, and a new roof, all installed in 2012. You’ll also appreciate the recently replaced appliances and fixtures in the kitchen, as well as a new refrigerator in the upstairs wetbar in the family room, which also sports newly installed surround sound. The skylights have also been replaced, along with the wiring and breaker boxes, and there’ been a host of improvements done in the backyard.

Considering that you really don’t have to do any work at all, it’s a great property for relocations or a family who wants to move into a bigger home without the hassle of renovations. Provenzano has this three-bedroom, two-full-and-one-half-bath home on close to a third of an acre listed for $519,000.

I’m not in love with this color on the walls in the breakfast room and kitchen. It just seems to weigh the whole space down. I think an icy gray would be perfect, and really play up the texture of that cool ceiling feature, as well as highlight all of the cabinet space in this kitchen. The tile floors are scaled just right for the space, too, and there is plenty of light, thanks to the recessed fixtures and under-cabinet task lighting. Overall it’s a great kitchen, and it will be perfect with a different color on the walls.

One of my favorite spots in the house is this cool sunken den or family room right off the foyer. It has a great lounge-y feel, and you can access the deck just beyond the entry. The fireplace and copious built-ins make it feel much more cozy, and the bar is perfect for entertaining. In fact, this home flows so well from space to space that it’s the perfect spot for parties of all kinds.

The master suite is on the second floor (the other two bedrooms are on the first, which is an interesting configuration to be sure) and has a large bedroom area with recently installed carpet, plenty of windows, and a huge bank of built-in shelves and cabinets. However, the four-poster bed is much too large for the space, and the decor is overall a little too traditional as well. I could definitely see a chic tufted headboard or a platform bed, or maybe even a more transitional design. There is plenty of room for a chaise or a comfy reading chair or two, and I do love the recessed lighting and fan.

The master bath is large, too, and has a jetted tub and a separate shower, a walk-in closet, and an over-sized vanity. I have to say that I love the configuration of this space, as it seems to work really well. However, if you’re claustrophobic, you might not love the shower as much as some people. At least you get a window, right? Maybe the photographer should have turned on the light to make it seem a little less closet-like.

Of course, the saltwater pool and landscaped backyard is perfect for a family that is trying to get used to our Texas summers. Can you imagine moving to Dallas in August? It takes a certain intestinal fortitude, that’s for sure.

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