The Discreet Charm of Overton Park

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Overton Park is the neighborhood you wished you had grown up in. Smartly dressed residents walk dogs and take exercise in a central park, which follows one of the creeks that snake through the area. Rolling hills clad with mature live oaks add to the feeling of serene security. Another bonus is access to desirable Tanglewood schools.

Nicely placed atop one of Overton’s hills is  4109 Sarita Drive which has been tended and improved over the 30 year stewardship of its second owner. Begin with the exterior. The new roof is clad steel shingle which sailed  through the vicious, Saint Patrick’s day hail storm undamaged. That improvement knocked $900 off of annual insurance payments and noticeably reduced utility bills.  Double glazed windows have been added for additional gains in energy efficiency

Lovers of open concept will appreciate the deftly executed floor plan of the 3,3oo-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-one-half-bath house. Dramatic oversized beams rake upwards to meet the brick fireplace wall. The baby grand piano gives a fair impression of the roominess of the area. Floors are distressed wide plank oak.

Though open to the living area, the dining room is separated from kitchen mess and noise by double doors and like the living room, terminates in an antique brick wall.

The galley kitchen was upgraded in 2006 with the addition of high quality cabinets and granite surfaces. The floors are the original brick of this 1973 build, and have acquired a pleasing patina.

The master bedroom is large with a wall of windows, which frame views of the wooded backyard beyond. Smaller beams give interest to the room. Reconfigurations have added a second large closet containing a small luggage cupboard.

The master bath was also reconfigured in 2009. A large shower room with a bench was built and the water closet constructed. New cabinets and granite counter tops completed the reno.

An addition undertaken in 2004 added a large room and extra bath currently used as a game room. With its independent location at the  far end of the house, and separate water heater, and HVAC, it would be the perfect mother-in-law suite. It contains a small storm shelter room which conforms to FEMA specifications.

A 900-square-foot deck overlooks the hilltop view at the back of the large, over half acre lot. A new electric panel, which can be hooked to a generator, handles the increased load of the additional square footage. Replaced HVAC and tankless water heaters complete the long list of upgrades in this no-worry, move-in-ready charmer.

Briggs Freeman agent Carol Van Hook has priced 4109 Sarita Drive at $720,000.

Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home 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