Italianate Renaissance Villa By L. Lumpkins Architects

Estate properties are a hot commodity today. This Italianate Renaissance villa is a perfect example of what is drawing luxury buyers to Dallas.

We’ve loved this estate on Waller Drive since Tony Visconti, the owner of Bella Custom Homes, built it in 2015.

Visconti, a CandysDirt Hot Builder, and Lloyd Lumpkins, the owner of L. Lumpkins Architects, have teamed up to create some of the most beautiful luxury homes in Dallas. Over the years, they have developed a level of trust that’s rare in the industry. The result is always a luxury home that is not only beautiful but exceedingly well-thought-out.

I’ve written about this gorgeous 10,751-square-foot, five-bedroom, eight-bathroom Italianate Renaissance villa before, so I wanted to bring you a depth of information about why estates of this caliber, especially this one, are so significant and worth every penny. Those insights can only be gleaned from the architect.

“Tony wanted to build a Northern Italy Italianate Renaissance villa,” Lumpkins said. “So we hit the architecture books and did our research. You always go to the source of the style. Too often, when you look at residential architecture, things have been thrown on to a home that don’t belong. It’s back to the drawing board process. When you put lines on paper, they must have a meaning. If they don’t they should not be there. It’s the same when you build a house.”

“I try to educate clients. A home should exude a quiet elegance yet still provide a WOW factor, but without being in your face. In other words, I try not to do Big Hair Texas architecture!”

Lumpkins made the point that successful architecture is thoughtful, and that is what initially drew my eye to this home. It’s not just another luxury house.

Symmetry and the Golden Ratio

One of the universally attractive elements in architecture is symmetry. It goes back to ancient Greece and the Golden Ratio. Put in simple terms, the Golden Ratio is a math term that describes a ratio commonly found in nature. In architecture, it describes how elements can be placed in the most aesthetically pleasing way.

Human nature is innately pleased by symmetry. Good architects keep it in mind when designing.

“I always pay attention to the Golden Ratio,” Lumpkins said. “Waller is close to it, and that’s why it’s so pleasing to people.

Lumpkins does not just design the house. He is the overall visionary of the process.

“I liken my role to that of the conductor in a orchestra,”he said. “You must have a conductor watching over the entire project, and ensuring each member is playing their best and being their most creative. I keep us all playing the same music.”

An instrumental part of that orchestra is Bella Custom Homes vice president and lead interior designer, Stacy Brotlemarkle. Between Visconti, Lumpkins and Brotlemarkle, they don’t miss a beat!

Made to Exacting Standards

Another important team member on this project is the architectural designer Jeff Salmon. He was responsible for the woodwork and fireplace mantles throughout the home.

“You have to look at Italian Renaissance architecture as a language and use it correctly, with proper punctuation and syntax,” Lumpkins said. “Jeff understands the language. We look at things the same way to ensure they are architecturally correct.”

Lumpkins also created an overall plan for the landscape design because it is integral to the house. The symmetry and sightlines from this Italianate Renaissance house are critical to its success. It’s not surprising that the home was nominated in 2019 as one of the 10 national finalists in the landscaping category of HGTV’s Home Hunt.

Staged to Perfection

I must point out that Ebby Halliday’s listing agent Mary Poss knows her market. She had the property staged because a vacant house of this magnitude can overwhelm the most sophisticated buyer.

You must see how a home lives, and that is only accomplished by staging. The team at George Bass Stage & Design brought their unprecedented brand of magic to this magnificent $5.2 million Italianate Renaissance villa at 10121 Waller Drive.

I think you can easily see now that this is an exceptional opportunity to own an extraordinary home.