This Hillcrest Estates Italian Villa Was Built For Memories That Last a Lifetime

This one is bittersweet for me because I know this gorgeous Hillcrest Estates Italian villa well and will miss the experience it offers every time I enter the front door. But, most of all, I will miss the sound of music and laughter because this house has always been filled with joy.

Hawkins-Welwood Homes built the custom 10,084-square-foot villa and wrapped it in warm stone with a classic terra-cotta roof reminiscent of those in the Tuscan countryside.

Fusch, Serold & Partners Architects are responsible for the classic styling, understated elegance, graceful proportions, and clear consideration for active family living.

The owners, Chris and Robin Dance, raised their three sons here and I’ve never seen a home so perfectly designed for a family.

A Special Hillcrest Estates Italian Villa

The house is creatively divided into sections that are tailor-made for family needs. The first floor is more adult, with the formal dining and study opening off the entry and the grand open-plan living space. A wine room with a 200-bottle capacity is just down the hall and ideal for a cozy dinner.

“The wine room has been very special to our family,” Robin said. “We have our Christmas Eve meal there every year, by candlelight.”

It’s over to the kids on the second level.

Three large ensuite bedrooms each feature generous private loft spaces and a common study area. A home gym and game room on this floor can be accessed by a secondary staircase leading up from the kitchen. It’s only a few steps further to the extensive and private guest quarters with a living area, wet bar, large walk-in closet, and a balcony off the bedroom. The quarters have a dedicated private staircase leading to the grounds.

What Candy Says About The Hillcrest Estates Neighborhood

Our founder and publisher, Candace Evans, lives a few houses away.

I truly believe Hillcrest Estates is the best-kept-secret neighborhood in town. We have proximity, privacy, protection (the area is controlled access and a fabulous patrol program), and the best neighbors in the world.

I think one of Dallas’ biggest strengths is our strong neighborhoods with enormous lots that are still close to everything. A recent case in point, our Doodles escaped from the yard and loped down Ricks Circle on an adventure without collars. Another neighbor took them into her spacious backyard. The Doods thought they were at home and began frolicking with the neighbor’s dogs and enjoying their pool. It’s also possible to have horses here on some properties!

The Hearts of a Home

I have to say there is not a single heart to this home, but several.

One is undoubtedly the open-plan family room. Although it’s dramatically vaulted and beamed and is anchored by a large fireplace with an antique French surround, it has a surprisingly intimate feeling. The wall of divided-light windows and French doors opens to the covered patio and pool, and that outdoor area is absolutely the second heart of this home.

When you build a house, the smartest thing you can do is make it inviting for your children and their friends. From the diving pool with a hot tub and slide to the regulation tennis courts at the back of the property, these are the gathering areas any kid will love.

A Home is About Creating Memories

The guest quarters have certainly been the third heart of this home for the boys. The owner’s son Ian, and my son, Rowan, are good friends. During high school, they were in a band together and the guest quarters became the rehearsal space and recording studio. The tennis courts were the perfect spot for large shows. To give you an idea of how well-built this Hillcrest Estates Italian villa is, you could not hear the band practice if you were in the central part of the house.

“It’s a fantastic house for parties and celebrations of any kind,” my son, Rowan, said. “It has it all. The guest quarters were really kind of like a clubhouse for us, and Ian smoked many briskets on the patio. We made a lot of great memories in this house.”

And that’s what a home is really all about — creating memories that last a lifetime.

Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate‘s Tiffany Lawson has 11453 W. Ricks Circle listed for $7.895 million.