Rambler Ranch With Room For Family in The Heart of Lakewood

Our Inwood House of the Week at 6827 Lakeshore is a rambler ranch-style house on almost half an acre of land in the heart of Lakewood. Built in 1951, the sellers have done a brilliant job of renovating it while keeping much of the original detail intact.

So many people get these ranch renovations wrong. They go a bit crazy, blow out all the walls, raise the ceilings way too high, and create a cavernous living space that destroys the charm and original architectural intent.

That original rambler ranch design concept was simple. A casual, informal, long profile, rambling home — hence the name rambler — with an open layout, but not so open you can see what every single member of the household is doing at once.

It’s an architectural style unique to America and represents a time when the indoor-outdoor connection became cemented into our expectations of what defines a home. You cannot envision a ranch-style home without evoking images of dad poised over the grill flipping burgers. These homes accounted for nine of every 10 homes built in the 1950s. We’d be surprised if you or a family member has not experienced life in a rambler ranch. If not, here’s your chance!

One of the best aspects of this home is that the original floor plan was kept intact with the exception of the kitchen. And even that was only opened up just enough to where you still have a nice division of space and a retention of charm. Plus, you don’t have to watch the kids wash dishes while you relax with an adult beverage.

Homeowners Suzi and Sawyer Neely also updated the kitchen with quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances — including an oversized built-in refrigerator — and a huge picture window that overlooks the backyard. In fact, they replaced all of the windows last year.

Suzi may have missed her calling. She’s a well-known photographer specializing in kids and families, but I think she should consider interior design as a side business. Her lighting selections are inspired, and lucky you, if you buy this house, they all stay!

It’s hard to say what my favorite part of the house is because the dual masters are pretty fantastic — more about those in a minute. But what really makes my heart happy is the two-sided fireplace in the family room. That’s a win-win.

The house has two master suites at either end — a great layout if you have a parent living in, frequent overnight guests, or a teenager!

All of these rooms are generously sized, but the dual masters take the cake. The room presently in use as a master has his-and-her closets, a private bath with a glass-enclosed shower, and a dual vanity. The second master (that’s the fourth bedroom if you are counting) also has a private bathroom with beautiful gray penny tile and a glass enclosed shower. 

“It’s a great family home,” Dallas City Center listing agent Britt Lopez said. “You are close to Lakewood Elementary and all the kids walk to school together.”

“We’re going to miss this house,” Suzi said. “It has a great feel. We’ve loved the big yard and central location. We have a lot of wonderful neighbors and we’re on the route of the Fourth of July parade. We’ll definitely miss that!”

Lopez has this 3,626-square-foot rambler ranch listed for $1.3 million. With four bedrooms, three bathrooms, two fireplaces, and multiple entertaining areas inside and out we cannot fathom it’s going to be on the market for long. So, get your boots on and head to the open house at this rambler ranch on Sunday.

Open House: Sunday, October 1, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

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