Highland Park Colonial Revival With the Best Cabana in Town

Our Inwood National Bank House of the Week is a Highland Park Colonial revival at 4565 Bordeaux Avenue. Katherine and Hank Gray have lived here since 2014, and they absolutely love their two-story home. We’re always thrilled when we can talk to sellers and get the inside skinny.

“We had been looking for so long,” Katherine said. “When we walked into this house and saw the kitchen had already been done, and the beautiful backyard and cabana, we were sold.”

The home was built in 1938 and has been beautifully remodeled to capitalize on the original character while providing the necessary updates for family living in 2017.

“The previous owners did a great job on the kitchen renovation, installing two refrigerator drawers in the butler’s pantry, along with an ice maker, as well as two ovens and a microwave that doubles as a speed cook oven in the kitchen,” Katherine said.  “In the bar off the dining room, they installed two wine fridges.”

The Grays put their stamp on the house as well, painting everything white to brighten and open up the space. They replaced light fixtures, installed new window treatments, and redid the downstairs bathroom with marble tile and a new vanity.

The Grays updated almost every single thing on the second floor of the 3,841-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bathroom home.

“We discovered the original hardwood floors under the carpet in the bedroom with the pink shades,” Katherine said. “We stained those to match the rest of the house and then put down similar hardwoods in the master bedroom and closets to maintain the flow and integrity of the style of home.”

You seldom see a large master bedroom in a home this age, but then it’s is a not just any Colonial, it’s a Garrison Colonial. They are defined by a second story that projects out over the first story. That allows for a gain in square footage that makes a big difference. It’s a familiar style in New England, but not something you see a lot of in Dallas, which makes it all the more desirable in our eyes. Another thing we love is the live oak growing right outside the window. It turns the master into the perfect treehouse for grown-ups! There is also a his-and-hers closet in the master, which is hard to find in homes of this age.

“The master bath is probably the biggest transformation,” Katherine said. “I’d been set on white tile and marble until we rented a house on a trip to Jamaica. It was natural and open, and I knew it was what I wanted. So, we did the shower with glass and no door and kept the Travertine in a natural state.”

One of the real treats of this property lies outside the back door. There is a stunning pool cabana that gives a whole new meaning to the word. This space doubles as a guest cottage with a full bedroom and bathroom.

“The previous owners used the present bedroom as an exercise room,” Katherine said.  “We installed new whitewashed flooring, all new light fixtures, and new window treatments to make it a cozy retreat for our guests!  They get their own bathroom, fireplace, a mini fridge, and two televisions. It’s also wired for sound! The sliding glass doors open up all the way. It’s a great escape.”

It’s also the party pavilion. “We’ve done a Kentucky Derby party and birthday parties,” Katherine said. “It’s a great entertainment space.”

The Grays are headed to another state, and we know they’ll miss their beautiful Garrison Colonial revival, but the good news is you can now nab one of the most move in-ready homes we’ve ever seen.

Give Door Texas listing agents Emily Brown or Jeffrey Robillard a call and see this $ 1.749 million charmer up close.

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.