Mad For Monochrome? Get Clarity With Contrast in This Black-And-White Beauty

This was one of those fraughtful weeks that sent me poring through hundreds of listings in pursuit of something noteworthy. Each time my interest was peaked by an eye catching exterior, I experienced that sinking feeling on entering. I suppose it’s the decorator in me but I just could’t get past the sad soft furnishes and surfeit of sappy accretions that induced claustrophobia.

Note to sellers: Rent a storage unit and relocate half of your home’s contents.

It was in that context that I embraced this listing in River Hills — the home of some of the best new construction in Fort Worth.

The exterior is simple enough. Three symmetrically disposed bays. The central bay retreats behind the two flanking bays with a block portico thrusting forward to embrace the visitor. Attractive arched windows on the upper level have eyebrows that break through the roofline entablature. Masonry is painted a pleasing, somewhat retro, Wedgewood Blue.

The vestibule gives a bold preview of coming attractions. A black staircase descends into the foyer with brazen, brash confidence. No, those stair treads aren’t marble. They are ebonized wood polished to pristine perfection.

Dark gray porcelain tiles run from the front to the back of the 4,444-square-foot residence with five bedrooms and three-and-one-half baths.

First stop is the library just to the right off of the entry. At times one has to remind oneself that these aren’t black-and-white photographs. An occasional jolt of color in the art breaks the illusion. Glossy black frames underscore the beauty of windows and door frames.

Alright, that really does look like a monotone photo. I chose the above because it gives a fair idea of the floorpan. Open, yes, but with several cozy nooks to camp out in. Oddly the effect of the obsessive strictness of color palette isn’t one of froideur but counterintuitively, richesse.

Not a fan of planned obsolescence, but I would be dishonest if I didn’t confess that I think the stainless steel appliance trend, for me, is getting a bit long in the tooth. Here, framed in black and white it enjoys a rejuvenation. And, what a stunner!

Forget the super-duper menu of appliances (observe the width of the double ovens and warming drawer) but I’m a sucker for a barrel-vault, here, again executed in black and white.

The ground-floor master bedroom clocks in at just under 350 square feet and is part of a suite that includes a sitting area, a custom closet system, a bathroom with dual sinks, jetted tub, and a shower with body sprays.

Built in 2014, this house comes with all the modern luxury must-haves, including a second-floor private screening room.

The outdoor entertaining area is rather compact, but features a full outdoor kitchen and sitting area on a custom poured concrete floor. The gray beadboard ceiling echos the indoor dining room ceiling.

There is an annual association fee of $2,500, and homeowners have access to the new and highly rated Overton Park Elementary School and all of the high-end retail Clearfork shopping that marks the new, westward center of gravity of Fort Worth.

Barbara Schweitzer of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International has priced 5128 Peach Willow Lane at $1.45 million.