West Side Prairie-Style on Collinwood Takes Cues From Frank Lloyd Wright

Any guesses as to date of this paean to Frank Lloyd Wright? 1900? 1945? Actually this well-placed, faithful tribute to the master at 5404 Collinwood Avenue was built in 1986. The low slung, prairie-style house with its strongly emphasized, stepped horizontals just looks so right on the lot, reminding us that the point of this design idiom was, in large part, an effort to meld dwellings with nature. And this style, now over 100 years old, still has the ability to look fresh and perfectly suitable for a Southwest city.

The interior is complex and somewhat difficult to decode at first glance. The façade faces south with the entrance offset on the west. The dwelling is somewhat inward looking. Bedrooms are behind floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing a central atrium with blinds for privacy. The slate-clad center is under a peaked, plant friendly, conservatory sky light. In fact, the floor has a slight pitch and a drain to deal with excess water.

The living room centers on a massive Roman brick fireplace. Ceiling levels vary throughout the structure and even within rooms. Solid construction with steel I beams support the layers of sculptural masses.

Exterior walls are mostly fenestrated with clerestory windows. Every room contains generous storage. Ceilings are trimmed with Frank Lloyd Wright-like geometric designs. Even the under ceiling, wall sconces seem both modern and from another era.

The kitchen has one of the three fireplaces, with brick tile floors to add additional warmth. Don’t miss the quirky drinking fountain next to the fridge.

The spacious master bedroom also has a fireplace and a whole wall of storage. There are another two bedrooms also with there own, en suite bath in the 3,153-square-foot home.

The master bath has a beautiful travertine shower chamber with twin shower heads.

The floor plan is so flexible and rife with possibilities suggesting many options and uses for the spaces. It is worth noting that it would be a challenge to buy an Arlington Heights lot and build a house with all of these high-end finishes and with this level of quality construction for twice the listing price.

Kay West of Virginia Cook is offering 5404 Collinwood for $499,000.

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.