Modern Spanish Revival Sanctuary in University Park Was Designed by Fusch Architects

I look at gorgeous properties daily. One in a million stops me in my tracks. This Modern Spanish Revival is that one in a million.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a home so beautifully designed, so luxurious yet so livable, in a perfect location. You are more likely to find this Modern Spanish Revival in Montecito, California, than in University Park, but the Dallas area is learning that this is what buyers want. 

A Vision For a Modern Spanish Revival

Matt and Kelly Valentine have always loved Montecito, Santa Barbara, and the timeless look of Mediterranean homes. They wanted a modern take on the Spanish Revival style that was sophisticated yet livable and kid-friendly. Fusch Architects was the obvious choice to turn their vision into reality. If you’ve lived in Dallas for any length of time, you’ll know Robbie Fusch is an architectural legend responsible for some of the most beautiful homes in the city. 

Trust is a huge factor when enlisting people to work on your home. The Valentines turned to Kim Daugherty Interiors. Kelly and Kim went to college together but had not been in touch for a while. When Matt’s cousin Heather, who was also friends with Kim, recommended her, it was meant to be, because that trust factor was already established.    

Initially, the Valentines had purchased land a few doors down. A few months into designing, this unique triangular lot became available. Matt was drawn to the privacy afforded by land that backed up to Turtle Creek and Curtis Park, with no views of neighbors. So they pivoted and got to work.

As the project grew to a much larger footprint, Kim reached out to her friends, designers Joanie and Anne Michelle Cooley with Cooley and Company, because creating a home that is just under 15,000 square feet takes a village! 

“As lead designer, my role was creating the overall vision for the house and working closely with Robbie and the landscape architects,” Kim said. “Joanie and Anne Michelle collaborated to execute my overall vision, and we poured our hearts and souls into this house.”

The Valentines wanted to keep a neutral palette with clean and classic lines to evoke a feeling of serenity.

“When you walk in, the house envelopes you in calmness,” Kim said. “It’s like a big breath of fresh air.”

This Modern Spanish Revival is indeed a sea of serenity with white walls, white oak and French limestone flooring, and limestone fireplaces.

Kim believes there needs to be a dark room in every house. The team had Matt’s study wrapped in a Ralph Lauren gray flannel wall covering with black hardwoods and a black ceiling.

“I love my office,” Matt said. “Kim created a work cubby behind doors that I can close and lock. So, when we entertain, it’s still usable space.”  

The kitchen is a page out of the Ellen DeGeneres style book. Look closely. The cabinets are metal.

“We knew we wanted something different in the kitchen,” Kim said. “I have always loved Ellen DeGeneras’s style, and one of her homes featured metal stainless kitchen cabinets. Tim Morgan did a fantastic job of fabricating them. I wanted to do something different on the double kitchen islands, so I added a bronze finish to the metal.”

The main-floor primary suite overlooks the backyard and pool and offers a complete respite from the world with a sitting area, fireplace, and coffee bar. The bathroom has one of those incredible Waterworks freestanding tubs and a steam shower and overlooks a private courtyard. But what will have your heart beating out of your chest is Kelly’s two-story closet with another dramatic staircase. 

This modern Spanish Revival was designed with family in mind.

“With four kids, we wanted several living spaces,” Matt said. “We have two entertainment areas upstairs with a pool table, a large TV, and a gaming alcove. We have a gym and the basement has a sports court for soccer and baseball. Our kids can have friends over simultaneously and not be on top of each other. It’s a great house for kids of any age.”

“There were so many opportunities for fabulous details,” Kim said. “The game room door is wrapped in leather and trimmed with studs. French Brown did all the floors in the house, including the stamped concrete tile in the basement. Every door is unique, and every stain in the house is custom.” 

The Valentines wanted a resort-style backyard, and it quickly became Matt’s favorite area. Marlin Landscape Systems worked with Fusch Architects to create this oasis designing a cabana, an infinity-edge pool, a spa, a pool house, an outdoor living room with a concealed kitchen, and a fireplace. A lower terrace overlooks Turtle Creek.

You’ll find the same attention to detail in the landscape plan. Those are tiny shrubs against each step riser leading to the firepit. The backyard is sophisticated but livable, just like this Modern Spanish Revival home.

“We will miss this house,” Matt said. “It’s so private, and there are so many things I would repeat in another home. Kim did an incredible job.”

“This was a dream job,” Kim said. “I could not have asked for a better project and better people to work with.”

Briggs Freeman Sotheby International Real Estate’s Sylvia Scott has this Modern Spanish Revival at 6825 Golf Dr. offered for $22 million. I’d have my banker on speed dial for this one!