This Chad Dorsey-Designed European Soft Contemporary Offers a Lesson on The Dallas Economy

This European soft contemporary in Highland Park home is important for a few reasons. Of course, the home by Chad Dorsey Design surpasses all expectations in terms of beauty, clever use of space, gorgeous materials, and quality construction by More Design + Build, but there is something more important than that.

It’s an example of how the economy in Dallas is just fine.

The Dallas Economy Isn’t as Bad as They Say

When I hear anyone say the economy has cooled off or interest rates are killing us and they begin to act like the sky is falling, I do some digging. According to US News & World Report, Texas saw 5.3 percent annualized growth in the three months through April. The report also showed that California, Texas, and Florida together account for almost 29 percent of the U.S. economy. Comerica’s Texas Economic Activity Index reported our state GDP grew at a rate of 3 percent in the first quarter, outpacing the national mark. 

I’ve always been a glass-half-full gal, and I tend to take the doomsayers with an enormous grain of salt. I’ve lived here during times of much worse interest rates and economic challenges and watched Dallas take it like a bump in the road.

I also turn to the current luxury listings online. Invariably, they tell the story of how we are doing.

There are 12 single-family homes in Dallas on Realtor.com listed for $10 million or more. Compass Real Estate has six, one of which is pending. And that’s not accounting for about 50 percent of off-market luxury sales. The luxury market, at least, seems to be thriving. It’s because Dallas simply defies the odds over and over again, and the inventory now is what our newcomers have wanted.

When the pandemic hit and people began streaming to Dallas, I was told repeatedly by luxury agents that we did not have what buyers new to Dallas wanted. Architects and builders got busy and are now delivering what our Realtors and buyers requested. Compass agent Michelle Wood’s listing at 4237 Arcady Ave. in Highland Park is an example of exactly what buyers want today.

An Inspired European Soft Contemporary

“The idea of a European country estate inspired the house,” Dorsey said. ”I wanted to create a home that seemed like it was an old one but renovated, yet with a lot of classic details.”

One of the challenges in any part of Highland Park is creating privacy, and Dorsey used an old European technique to ensure this home has plenty. He designed a wall in front of the house, much like you see done on estates in Europe and Mexico. The creation of a small but effective courtyard allows the home to have huge floor-to-ceiling windows yet retain complete privacy. It’s like walking through the looking glass into another world.

Dorsey always draws inspiration from his travels and is constantly looking for new ideas and how to implement them in different ways. It’s what sets his home apart. On this custom 7,091-square-foot European soft contemporary he used limestone and cypress throughout the house. Limiting the materials used creates not only a better flow but also a feeling of spaciousness.

Using Wall Coverings to Elevate

Another element that sets Chad Dorsey Design apart is Dorsey’s love of wall coverings. There is hand-painted de Gournay in the formal dining room, hand-painted Porter Teleo in the breakfast room, Eletis wallpaper in the powder bath (which also features a Calcatta Viola Plum Strike sink from Dorsey’s upcoming new line!), and a gorgeous silk wall covering in the principal bedroom.

Additionally, Dorsey had almost 40 percent of the furnishings custom-made.

”I like using local resources and local artisans,” Dorsey said. “On a lot of projects, we might have a metal worker doing something architectural, but we will tap them to do a table or something else that comes into the project after it’s completed. It’s always fun for them to add that final touch into the home and see it finished.”

One of the many clever designs Dorsey incorporated into this five-bedroom, five-bathroom home is a loft space.

“You have code requirements in Highland Park about height,” Dorsey said. ”This is on the back of the house over the three-car garage but connected through the home gym with a private staircase outside. There is a full bath, and although it’s now being used as a family bedroom, it could be a great guest room or playroom.”

That flexibility is also what buyers have wanted, so you can see this home meets every need and then some.

Wood has this European soft contemporary in the heart of Highland Park at 4237 Arcady Ave., listed for $12.5 million.