Live East Dallas Cool in this Lake Highland Estates Midcentury Modern Home

If you’re looking for an East Dallas midcentury with tons of curb appeal and a cute interior, then our Tuesday Two Hundred hits all the right notes.

Located at 214 Leda Dr., this curb appeal cutie is in Lake Highland Estates, near Easton Road and Northwest Highway (not to be confused with Lake Highlands Estates, further north). The owners have started updates, so there’s still room for buyers to put their own stamp on the place, but it’s totally livable now. Think hardwood floors, renovated master bath, new low-E windows, fresh paint, covered patio, ceiling fans, decorative lighting, sprinkler system, and a large custom utility room.

This 1953 ranch has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,259 square feet on one story. It has a nice backyard, great for families. Bonus: it’s in the attendance zone for Hexter Elementary, which scores a “9” out of 10 from greatschools.org.

Lake Highland Estates is an established East Dallas neighborhood with lots of charms. This house is just a few blocks from Norbuck Park and Flag Pole Hill Park, and steps from the north shores of White Rock Lake. The drive downtown takes about 20 minutes.

As for curb appeal, let’s talk about that gorgeous live oak tree. Owner Candace May Moss says it’s one of the reasons she and her husband bought the house.

“We’ve had estimates that it’s 60 to 90 years old and one guy said over 100,” she said. “I sometimes imagine it’s one of the reasons that our street is curved—maybe they didn’t want to cut it down.”

There are also new, modern house numbers she just put on over the weekend and a welcoming front porch. The yard also offers a sprinkler system.

Inside, those hardwood floors greet you, along with a big front picture window looking out to that fabulous tree. The front rooms have original crown moulding and the Mosses recently painted them a super dreamy light gray.

“Everyone who comes in comments that they love the color and it makes them feel good,” she said.

The kitchen features cream-colored cabinets and stainless steel appliances, including a gas range. The layout is a little awkward, and that’s one of the “to be completed” renovations new owners can tackle to create exactly the kitchen they want. It’s a big space with a lot of potential.

Nearby is a large utility room with washer-dryer hookups, built-in cabinets, and a sink. This was custom-designed by the Mosses, and stands out in a neighborhood where most houses only have space for a stackable set.

Clerestory windows in the master bedroom are an original midcentury touch, and the hardwoods extend into the bedrooms, too (no carpet anywhere!). The master is painted the same dreamy gray as the living room. All three bedrooms are surprisingly large for a house that’s under 1,300 square feet—the floorplan makes efficient use of what’s available.

The master bathroom is renovated with a new vanity and herringbone backsplash, and the second bathroom has awesome vintage blue tile original to the house. It’s a bonus that this property has two full bathrooms—most in the neighborhood have one full and a half bath, instead.

In back, there’s a covered patio. This is also an area for buyers to tackle, as the pavement is cracked and it could use some sprucing up. But the bones are there, with lots of grassy green space and a storage shed.

This home was listed Dec. 3 by Barbara Stone with The Michael Group Real Estate for $275,000.