True Midcentury Marvel in Ridglea North Will Surely Draw a Crowd

In the Spring, one’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of … real estate and open houses! Apologies to Alfred, Lord T.  And if a well-located, perfectly updated, midcentury modern with a reasonable price tag is your thing, you would be well advised to schedule a showing or at least clear this Sunday afternoon from 3 to 5 p.m. to take a gander at the open house of this North Ridglea listing at 6551 Malvey Avenue. This listing is new — like four days old new — and, naturally, buyer interest is strong.

Loads of curb appeal, the 1952 house blends beautifully into a lush landscape of bountiful Asian jasmine, mondo grass, period-perfect elephant ears, and tall twining old live oaks. Attractive hardscape including a long, stone-and-masonry walkway approach, completes the pleasing first impression.

The strongly emphasized horizontal facade is achieved with a low dado of Roman brick with large gray shingles above, capped with a slightly pitched, overhanging  roof. Too often, open concept means willy-nilly knocking down of walls, with oddly shaped spaces the unhappy result. The open interior of this 2,400-square-foot house has real sweep, which is nothing short of exhilarating. Wide-plank oak floors bind public spaces. The main living area — there are two — is possessed of a relaxed but confident grandeur.

The large chef’s kitchen is defined by a massive island, which looks onto both living and dining areas. The kitchen features commercial-grade Thermador appliances, floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and beautifully tended polished concrete counters.

The gloss plank ceilings give the dining area a difference with a distinction. The space is bracketed on two sides by exterior views of the lush, mature landscape.

All three bedrooms are of near identical size — approximately 200 square feet. A small bonus room is dedicated to office use. Another bonus is a small-but-efficient laundry room. This house ticks so many boxes that it should attract many potential buyers, from young families looking for an upgrade to older empty nesters wanting to downsize in style.

That isn’t the master bath pictured above — that stylish three-piece is the second bath with dual vanities capped by marble and walled with white subway tile. A long back lit hotel mirror is installed over the vanities.

Much of what makes the modern aesthetic appealing is the serenity produced by simplicity and unornamented spaces of human proportions. The serenity of the interior is sustained in the exquisite garden, an alluring secret retreat which attains a zen placidity.

Marcus Lancaster of Virginia Cook is offering 6551 Malvey Avenue  for$465,000. Open house is this Sunday, April 8th, from three o’clock till five.

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.