Highland Park Chic Modern Colonial is a Timeless Beauty

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Very few homes stand the test of time. Our Inwood National Bank House of the Week is an incredibly chic modern colonial that looks as if it was renovated last year, not in 1996. It takes skill, knowledge, dedication, and talent to ensure a home does not become dated, and we’ve never seen a better example than 3802 Shenandoah Street in the heart of Highland Park.

This home had the perfect team to bring it out of the swinging ’60s, and past a 1980s renovation, to make sure it would never age. Architect Bruce Bernbaum and designer Emily Summers remolded almost every square inch for the present owners, who knew what they wanted. As collectors of 20th century furniture, art, and decorative objects, a home where they could display their treasures was paramount. However, at that time they were raising teenagers. So, they needed to create a balance that would blend a comfortable family home with an elegant showplace.

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They had good bones to work with as the house was originally designed in 1963 by Wilson McClure and built by L.W. Womack and Sons. There have been only three owners, a testament to those great bones and the fantastic location — it backs up to The Dallas Country Club.

Bernbaum and Summers went to work. Floor-to-ceiling steel windows and sliding glass doors were installed so light could wash through the home. The library was paneled in African Anigre hardwood. An eclectic bowed banister, handcrafted by artist Lee Pettigrew, was added to the staircase.

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At the time, the concept of a great room was brand new. This home was one of the first in Dallas to have what has now become a necessity in any new build, and it’s one of the many features that keep the home current.

The three-story, 6,743-square-foot home is beautifully proportioned, and all of the materials are timeless. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two powder baths. The third floor is essentially one large flexible space. It can be a perfect retreat for kids, a music room, or home gym. Guest quarters over the garage offer visitors a nice degree of privacy.

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The home has all of the expected perks from a chef’s kitchen, to a gift wrap room. However, it’s what does not readily meet the eye that is often so important.

Barbara Bouyea of Bouyea & Associates designed the interior lighting. If you’re keeping up with who’s who in the lighting world, she’s at the top of the list, counting the Four Seasons, The Ritz, Rosewood, and Ralph Lauren among her many clients.

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The master suite is one of those that you simply don’t want to leave. It takes up a good half of the second floor with a dedicated sitting room and private balcony. You’ll have to see the bathrooms and closets in person to believe them. A small bedroom was happily sacrificed to enlarge the master bathroom. That process allowed a fireplace to be incorporated into the room. There was also a clever refashioning of the existing windows as medicine cabinets so be sure to look up when you are there!

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The exterior is as well-thought-out as the interior. In fact, it’s plain to see the home was designed to frame views of the landscape almost as if they were works of art. Considering the gardens were designed by Lambert’s, they are works of art. John Watson did the landscape lighting.

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The second floor balcony is a perfect spot for the musicians.

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House Beautiful came calling in 1998 and wrote a feature on the renovation and interior design for their May issue. We were able to see a scan of the article, and not much has changed in 19 years. That’s a testament to the talents of Bernbaum, Summers, and the owners.

Peggy and David Millheiser with Dave Perry-Miller have this timeless modern colonial listed for $5.1 million.

“You walk in the front door, and it’s a ‘Wow’ House,” Millheiser said.“You see right through to the backyard, and It takes your breath away.”

It has certainly taken our breath away. We just hope the new owners invite us over for a backyard party!

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

Karen is a senior columnist at Candy’s Media and has been writing stories since she could hold a crayon. She is a globe-trotting, history-loving eternal optimist who would find it impossible to live well without dogs, Tex-Mex, and dark chocolate. She covers luxury properties and historic preservation for Candys Dirt.

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