White Rock Home Tour Has a Stop so Amazing They Want You to Drive to Garland to See it

This midcentury modern is so fabulous that White Rock Home Tour organizers want you to drive to Garland to see it. (Photos: Angela Flournoy)

This year, organizers of the White Rock Home Tour — East Dallas’ premiere modern home tour — are asking tour-goers to go the extra mile (actually six miles if you’re counting). The reason? An amazing time capsule of a home located in Garland that has received only the pickiest of updates.

But Garland?

White Rock Home Tour chair Alyson Black assures me that this home is so spectacular that it’s worth the trip. “This home was built in 1965 by commercial architects Craycroft Lacy & Assoc. for a prominent TV news man in a scenic area of old Garland, and was lovingly restored a few years ago,” Black said. And after getting a sneak peek at the photos of this particular home, I have to agree: IT IS FABULOUS! In fact, it’s so fabulous that we’re sure that once people get a gander at this stellar midcentury modern and the other five epic tour homes, they’re going to want to score tickets lickety split! And here’s the best news, tickets just went on sale for the April 21-22 home tour!

This year’s tour, featuring three new builds and three midcentury moderns, really shows off the diversity of architecture all around East Dallas … and Garland. We’re still getting used to that! Of course, we consider the White Rock Home Tour, which benefits Victor H. Hexter Elementary in Old Lake Highlands, as one of the best values in house porn. For just $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the tour you can tour the midcentury time capsule in Garland along with these swinging abodes:

This 1955 midcentury modern masterpiece by architect Niles Resch is set on a huge hillside in Highland Meadow. The homeowner, Shawn Watkins of Watkins Remodeling, has extensively renovated the interior and exterior over the last three years, including the addition of a pool house and outdoor kitchen in 2017.

Recently renovated home of iconic Dallas architect E.G. Hamilton.  Nominated for a 2018 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award, the renovation by Joe McCall of Oglesby Greene Architects restored the design to its original floor plan. The home uses light and glass to bring the outdoors inside, and the efficient use of space reminds us that people did more with less in the 1950s.  This was the first house that E.G. Hamilton ever designed, and where E.G. lived with his family.  In the living room, E.G. would meet with Stanley Marcus and Ray Nasher to drink martinis and hash out the master plan for Dallas — including NorthPark Center.

An inspiring, green modern new build with a unique split floor plan designed around how a home lives and how the sun rotates around the home for minimal need of window coverings. Designed by architect Charles Bobo and built in 2017 by Tavis Westbrook Designs with drop-dead gorgeous (and FUNCTIONAL) custom cabinetry by Grandeur Cabinetworks.  So many ideas for green home construction here!  This home has an industrial grade roof, drip irrigation, electric car charger in garage, instant hot water heater, and more!

Built in 2014 by Greico Homes, this gorgeous 2 story home near White Rock Lake has an open floor plan, with the bottom floor completely open to the outdoor living areas and massive backyard that leads to the White Rock Creek.

A short hop, skip and jump from 8626 Diceman, this Hill Country modern new build by homeowner Cheryl Huckaby and architect Mark Martinek is filled with Austin charm and great art, all around a huge outdoor lap pool. The original home on the lot was deconstructed, and the homeowner re-used many of the materials in her new home.  The two-story home is made of Austin Stone, cedar, and painted Hardie board — a blend of modern and natural elements to remind the homeowner of her native Austin.