Classic Style with Modern Updates on Classic Colonial Parkway

Are you prepared to be seduced? Are you prepared, in spite of yourself , to fall in love with traditional all over again? This sweet, siren domicile is splendidly situated across from Colonial Country Club, with a coveted golf course view at 2409 Colonial Parkway.

I tried to find fault with this house and the worst indictment I could make was that the façade breaks the ancient and sacred Vitruvian rules of mass over mass and void over void. Actually on closer inspection, the façade merits closer inspection. The paired upper floor windows bind in a strong triangle with the larger windows below them which echoes the triangle of the broken pediment over the front door. The brick dentils below the roof line are picked up in the same pediment. Impeccable tiered and sculpted box woods line the approach.

The entrance isn’t precisely grand. Noble seems a more accurate description. This is a house which is ostentatiously understated. Demonstratively demure. Glorious, wide plank hardwoods of 1941 vintage look newly minted. Difficult to fathom, in our era of doubt and division, is the impression of confidence and serenity in a war-time built structure.

The house, which sits on a near half acre lot, isn’t cavernous. Just under 3000 square feet, the three bedroom, tw0-and-one-half bath home is easily manageable. Nevertheless, living and dining rooms are amply scaled for entertaining.  An informal living area is sun drenched from a wall of windows.

Wainscoting adds a bespoke detail which warms the dining room and stairway. A pair of panel doors close on the kitchen. In this case, empty and un-staged tantalizes the imagination. The interior spaces are of such pleasing proportions, that they could comfortably accommodate traditional or contemporary decorative schemes.

Nothing to complain of in the kitchen either which is decked out with state of the art chef appliances, deep farm sink and wine fridge. A rather sweet banquette defines a breakfast nook.

Bedrooms, including the large 17 x 14 master, are on the second floor also revetted with flawless oak hardwoods. That could be a drawback to some, but as Candy says, if you have children you should sleep on the same floor they do. That is, until they are teenagers.

With what trepidation one reads “Recently Updated”. At 2409 Colonial Parkway one detects the hand of a skillful and sensitive decorator, patently discernible in the master bath. Beautiful black and white toile covers the walls in a perfect foil to the Carrara marble counter tops. Chinese style mirrors hang over the twin sinks. The silk skirts beneath are a charming and unusual choice which are perceived as clean rather than fussy. A  custom Techline closet beyond adds abundant, new build like, storage.

Discreet traditional taste continues in the back yard defined by a rectangular pool and quaint guest house quite reminiscent of somewhere on the Cape or Kennebunkport.

Classical landscape, informed by cordial symmetry, create a tranquil city escape. A greenhouse lies beyond the circular fountain bracketed by disciplined boxwood hedges. If you are as enchanted as I am with this beauty, in a prime location, run don’t walk. The last two properties I have covered were under contract before posting. This plum listing has been on the market for all of two weeks. Agent and Fort Worth insider Jerry Taylor informs me that she has already had four showings. “I’ve always thought this was one of the most beautiful houses in Fort Worth,” she observes.  Agreed.

Listing agent Jerry Taylor of Williams Trew is offering 2409 Colonial Parkway for $1,400,000.00.  Cheers.

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.