This Classic Georgian Mansion Was a Former Kips Bay Decorator Show House

What separates one luxury home from the rest? It boils down to one thing — classic architecture. Look around any major city in America or Europe. Classic architecture stands the test of time because it never goes out of style and it can be easily adapted to the taste of each new owner. This Georgian mansion is one of the best examples I’ve ever seen.

This Georgian Mansion Showcases How Classic Design is Timeless

We’ve written about this Georgian mansion a lot because we all think it’s fabulous.

We featured it when it hit the market years ago and when it was chosen for the 2021 Dallas Kips Bay Decorator Show House. We wrote about the designers that worked on it. We toured it, picked our favorite dramatic rooms, and went home to dream about them. It’s back on the market after a refresh and we know you can’t wait to see what makes a classic Georgian mansion a timeless home.

Venise and Larry Stuart purchased this beautiful Georgian mansion in 1998. They were determined to create a classic, traditional home that looked like it had been standing for decades. The fact this timeless home was chosen for a Kips Bay Decorator Show House shows they succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations. D Magazine wrote about their journey in 2002, noting: 

Much of the molding throughout the house was salvaged from the 1940s home that originally stood on this lot. When she ran out of salvageable molding, Venise simply had Casci Ornamental Plaster duplicate it.

You still see the original molding everywhere in this house today. It’s been painted several times, but this is essentially the same home the Stuarts built in 1999. There is no finer example of how to update a classic home.

Creating Successful Transitions Can be Simple

In the before and after photos, you can see how simply changing a fireplace surround, adding new light fixtures, and using a different paint color creates an entirely different feel.

“The original classic design stands the test of time and allows individual homeowner style to come through without tearing down walls,” Compass listing agent Amy Detwiler said.

One of the things I love in this Georgian mansion is the transitions in the foyer. Notice that in the most recent incarnation matching paneling was added to the stairwell. It was an excellent decision. When we saw this home during the showcase, the foyer was a dark bluish-gray.

“We painted the entry,” Detwiler said. “It was very dark. We also removed the runner on the stairs and changed the railing color to give it a refresh.

It’s a lot of work to take a show house back to a home that resonates with buyers. Hudson Construction Group stepped in after Kips Bay was over and toned it down. (Click the link and you can see every photo of the show house.) Don’t get me wrong, there are still some fun and dramatic rooms, but the general look was taken to a more relatable level for a luxury buyer.

An elevator runs to all three levels of this 11,195-square-foot, six-bedroom, seven-bathroom Georgian mansion, so you never have to walk up the stairs with your suitcases. What you see here is only a glimpse of all the home offers. Enormous guest quarters are over the garage with a bedroom, bath, dining room, living room, and kitchen. This has become a must-have today, and finding one with this much space is unusual.

One of the most significant transitions is the sunroom. If those gorgeous Art Deco metal doors are not your thing, they come off quite easily, but seriously how can you not love them?

Two of the most surprising spots are at the top and bottom of the house. The third floor is not pictured here, but trust me, it’s worth a trip to see it. The bottom level houses your own private nightclub with an enormous bar and fireplace. I can see a jazz trio down here with a singer belting out Ella Fitzgerald classics. On the other hand, you can also stock the bar with sodas, and your kids will love having their own party space. (I’ll opt for Ella!)

The house is on almost an acre and a half with expansive manicured grounds, a heated pool and spa, and a charming playhouse for the kiddos.

“I’m personally drawn to this style of home,” Detwiler said. “From the front gates to the backyard, it’s beautiful, perfect for families with children of any age, and a great house for entertaining.”

And so easy to make it your own, as only a classic home permits. This is one of the rarest opportunities in Dallas in my opinion.

Detwiler has 5138 Deloache Ave. listed for $9.25 million.