Friday Five Hundred: A Mad Men-era Lake Gardens Home Don Draper Would Enjoy

I miss Don Draper, badly, especially when I see a home that would suit him during his early years, before he was about to teach the world to sing in three-part harmony. I think he and Betty would have been super happy hanging out by the pool and grilling burgers at 10450 Lake Gardens Drive. The kids could have attended Hexter Elementary, a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, and donned their Breton T-shirts to sail on White Rock Lake. If you long for the Mad Men, midcentury modern lifestyle look, jump in the Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 (or the Prius), tool on over to Lake Gardens, between Peavy and Easton and clap your eyes on this crisp, clean 2,521 square feet of contemporary bliss, listed by Terri Gum of Ebby Halliday Realtors for $534,900.

 

Built in 1955, it definitely falls into that midcentury date range, although you might not think it so modern by the unassuming exterior. Once you open that door, however, hold on to your fedora as the present owners have made some great stylistic choices that retain the feeling of the era, while maximizing comfort in this three-bedroom, three-full-bathroom and three-half-bathroom home.

The living room fireplace has been tricked out with a rough wood, floor-to-ceiling facade that beautifully breaks up the white bookcases flanking it, which provide tons of storage (always a good thing).

A wood-burning fireplace divides the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen has an huge island, a gas cook-top, double ovens and miles of granite countertop space, perfect for curating your cocktail hour. You know that’s what Don would do.

A second living area has custom shelving and another wood-burning fireplace overlooking the backyard.

The master bedroom has a clever seating area that looks to have been fashioned from a former closet space. I’m totally digging the reinvention of space.

The backyard really seals the deal. The covered deck, pool and patio mean your house is going to be the one friends flock to, so head for the turntable, crank up “Fly Me to The Moon” and get the party started.

Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. She has been an award-winning professional home stager for more than 25 years. She’s been a professional writer for 20 years. Karen is the mother of a son who’s studying music at The University of Miami. An ardent animal lover, she doesn’t mind one bit if your fur baby jumps right into her lap. Find Karen at www.eubankstaging.com