Modern Neoclassical University Park Home with Denise McGaha’s Unique Touch

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Modern Neoclassical

Photo courtesy of Karlisch Studio

If you’re looking for a luxury home that already has a distinctive style, look no further than our stunning Monday Morning Millionaire. This modern neoclassical University Park home was a stunner when it was built by TAA Custom Homes. However, every great home needs a design fairy godmother’s magic touch. The owners of 3533 Villanova Street chose one of the best to sprinkle a perfect amount of fairy dust over their home. Denise McGaha, for the uninitiated, is a bit of a whiz at marrying traditional and modern and adding a spicy dash of pizzazz to make a home truly unique.

The story is tried and true. A house is purchased as the forever home, but of course, life intervenes, and that’s why we have so many incredible houses for sale in our fabulous Dallas market. The beauty of the forever home is that people go above and beyond to add their aesthetic to the property. They hire the best designers, and contractors, add amazing features and unique elements and when they decide to sell, some lucky buyer gets all of these benefits.

Modern Neoclassical

Photos courtesy of Shoot2Sell Photography unless otherwise noted.

When the present owners purchased the modern neoclassical home, it had the space they needed — 6,588 square feet, four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a powder bath, an elevator, and a third-floor game room. What it did not have was that personal stamp. It was beautiful but a bit vanilla.

Modern NeoclassicalThe owners reached out to McGaha. “They wanted a younger, fresher look,” she said.  “They have three grown children and eight grandchildren, so I wanted to create a home where nothing was too precious, but you could entertain business associates and make a statement. I created an eclectic mix that reflects them. It’s elegant yet livable.”

Modern Neoclassical

Modern NeoclassicalSmall changes can make a huge impact. It’s amazing what paint and wallpaper can do to alter the character of a room. These elements create warmth, intimacy, change the focus, and of course deliver excitement where it’s needed. The remarkable living room ceiling, for instance, had initially been stained a dark brown. McGaha painted it to match the walls, lightening and lifting the room, allowing the texture to make the statement. It was a simple but incredibly effective move. She also replaced the original fireplace mantle with a black Nero marble mantle to create balance.

The living room before a new coat of paint on the ceiling and an ebony fireplace mantle were added.

Modern Neoclassical

The living room after two simple changes. What a difference!

Photo courtesy of Karlisch Studio

McGaha added wood doors to many of the previously all-glass upper cabinets leaving only glass doors for display cabinets near the range.

“The master bedroom challenge was about bringing the scale down and trying to create balance,” McGaha said. She wrapped the room in a soft gray and had silver leaf wallpaper applied to the barrel-vaulted ceiling. “In the evening, when the room is lit, there is a warm golden glow,” McGaha said.

The bedroom was lovely when the owners purchased the home, but they wanted a warmer more intimate space.

Who needs a bathroom when you can have a bathing room?

The bunny wallpaper in a grandchild’s bathroom is from Hunt Slonam’s collection for Lee Jofa.

Right outside the master bedroom, there is a sitting room retreat.

The dramatic game room for the grandkids has a full bath so could easily be a fifth bedroom.


Not only is this modern neoclassical home uniquely beautiful it’s also uniquely efficient, thanks to a geothermal system and full LED lighting. “The electricity bills are less than $200 a month,” Land Here Realty listing agent Anne Platt said. That’s unheard of in a house of this size.

The owners added mature Magnolia trees to the backyard as well as a swimming pool and hot tub — pure heaven for those eight grandkids!

If you’re in the market for a move-in ready home in one of the best neighborhoods in Dallas, this modern neoclassical can be yours for $3.275 million. I bet you can even make an offer on the furniture!

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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