A Tastemaker’s Home: Bachman Creek Contemporary By Mr. Dallas
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Our Monday Morning Millionaire is a beautiful Bachman Creek contemporary with quite the story. We kick off our tale with the architect and designer, Mr. Dallas.
John Astin Perkins was a nationally recognized architect and interior designer for over 70 years. It was during the height of his popularity in the 1960s and ’70s, that he was dubbed “Mr. Dallas.”
Perkins was the darling of the movers and shakers of the city. His client list included Ross Perot, Perry Bass, and Clint Murchison, as well as high-end specialty retailers and country clubs. His work was featured in just about every design magazine you can imagine, including Architectural Digest and House Beautiful.
Perkins received an architecture degree from Yale, winning its prestigious Beaux-Arts award in 1928. He decided to get yet another architecture degree from the University of Texas in 1931. And, as if that is not enough, Perkins returned to the East Coast in 1933 to study interior design at the New York School of Fine and Applied Arts, which later became Parsons School of Design. He was obviously a man with a plan.
That plan was to reboot Dallas style in a big way. He is the interior designer credited with creating what became nationally-known as the Dallas Look. That look was decidedly non-traditional. Parrot green, candy apple red, or soft lilac were some of his go-to wall colors. A typical Perkins room was filled with unexpected colors, mixed patterns, classic antiques, and a plethora of accessories. If one was good, three were better. No one had ever been so bold or so fearless in interior design. Anything Perkins touched was exciting.
While the style in Dallas has changed, many of the ideas Perkins created have crept back into our homes today because interior designers know a good thing when they see it. So,while this Bachman Creek contemporary had the great benefit of coming to life in 1957 under the brilliant watch of a supremely talented visionary, there is more to the tale.
Fast forward to the 1990s, and Dan Boeckman has taken up residence in this Bachman Creek contemporary. Boekman, you may remember, was one of the developers of Museum Tower. You should begin to see a pattern. A tastemaker created the house, and it continues to draw owners that understand the provenance and build upon it.
Boeckman did just that by commissioning the dean of Texas architecture, Frank Welch, to design the cabana for his folk-art collection. Little did he imagine what that cabana would eventually become.
Charles and Merry Vose moved into this Bachman Creek contemporary in 2003. With 6,854 square feet, four bedrooms, five bathrooms, a powder bath, detached guest quarters, and that fabulous cabana, it was the perfect place to raise a family.
As a full-time mom with three young boys, Merry’s dream of opening a store seemed to be on hold. But that cabana spoke to her. Before you know it, that former pool house was transformed into the ultimate beach cabana with the help of her friend, interior designer Julie Hayes. It was the insider shopping experience in Dallas until the city found out and put an end to the backyard business.
But never fear, Merry just moved on over to Lovers Lane and opened Cabana and then Canary. If you have not been, you better skedaddle on over and look for a lilac door. Even Gwyneth Paltrow has deemed both stores goop-worthy.
This Bachman Creek contemporary is finally back on the market and ready for the next tastemaker to move in.
“The house radiates understated elegance,” Compass listing agent Michelle Wood said. She’s right, and it’s also deceptively large. You can’t see it from the street, so if privacy is high on your list, Google Maps can’t even give you a street view!
Although you see only one story from the front, the Bachman Creek contemporary has two stories. The entire back of the house has floor-to-ceiling windows, a nod to its midcentury roots. It also has a marvelous covered patio with multiple skylights, which is an idea everyone should steal.
Merry’s pal Julie Hayes also helped her with the interior of the house. Perkins would be thrilled to see the use of some bold color and a lot of lavender!
“The house has a casual California sophistication,” Wood said. “It’s so easy to entertain here and has such great flow.”
Inside the cabana, which overlooks Bachman Creek.
One of the many things I love about this Bachman Creek contemporary is that it was designed to contain the kids. By that, I mean they have the entire upstairs to themselves, complete with living space. They also have access to a wonderland in the backyard. The house slopes down to Bachman Creek, and you may be able to negotiate the kids’ canoe with the sale! One thing you can certainly negotiate is the lot next door. Wood has it listed as well, so again, if privacy matters, you can’t get much better than this!
We are all looking forward to the next chapter of this Bachman Creek contemporary.
Michelle Wood of Compass has 9115 Devonshire Drive listed for $4.35 million.
Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. She has been an award-winning professional home stager and writer for over 25 years. Karen teaches the popular Staging to Sell class and is the creator of the online course, The Beginners Guide to Buying Wholesale. Her love of all dogs, international travel, good chocolate, great champagne, and historic homes knows no bounds. Her father was a spy, so she keeps secrets very well!
