Christmas Spirit Lingers in the Lakewood Home of Northpark Architect E.G. Hamilton

The women of First Community Church on Gaston Avenue came calling in 1958, asking their congregation members if they’d open their home for a holiday tour themed, “Christmas All Through the Home.” The homeowner at 6882 Avalon Ave. — this week’s Highlight Home of the Week — was happy to oblige and offer his 1950s-built contemporary home.

The homeowner and congregant, of course, was the burgeoning Dallas architect, E.G. Hamilton, who’d later design NorthPark Center and be known as “the man who built Dallas.”

The holiday tour made news in the Dec. 8, 1958 “Woman’s Angle” column, which highlighted the traditional and modern yule decor from First Community Church congregants’ homes. The DMN Home Editor Jeanne Barnes wrote splendid descriptions of the homes’ decor, including a pink-trimmed tree set in a pink alcove at 6906 Westlake, ruby red glassware set for Christmas breakfast at 6836 Merrilee, a traditional silver tea table at 6905 Northridge, a costume jewelry-studded wreath at 7048 Meadow Lake, and a gala New Year’s Eve theme here at 6882 Avalon:

“A unique decoration for a contemporary home is the suspension of vari-colored ornaments in mobile fashion from a white trellis in the E. G. Hamilton home. The wood trellis is a permanent structure in the living room above the wood-burning fireplace of rosy beige brick,” the article read.

I only wish I had a better photo of the fireplace adorned with mid-mod mercury glass ornaments hanging from overhead, but shown side by side below, you can picture it, right?

But there’s MORE!

I’m dying — “a small forest of Christmas trees set in the front enclosed patio.” Well, the fireplace and trellis, enclosed patio, and the family room are all there for its next owners to decorate as so. This home listed by Ali Stewart of Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate hit the market last week and quickly attracted buyers.

I say all this to introduce you to this week’s Highlight Home of the Week, sponsored by Dallas mortgage banker Lisa Peters of Cardinal Financial, an architecturally significant home that we covered back in 2021 and return to visit today.

Hamilton, who had moved to Dallas in 1952 to work with the esteemed architect Arch Swank, designed and built this 1,804-square-foot home as his personal residence in 1956* (according to DCAD).

Why the asterisk? I found an interesting 2015 interview with Hamilton about this home:

“When I came to Dallas, I looked for a place to live – to build a house – and I found a lot over on Avalon,” Hamilton said, as retold for the 2018 White Rock Tour of Homes. “I found out who owned it, and I made a deal with them to design a spec house in exchange for the lot. So I built this little house in ’53, and I built the spec house up the street a little bit.”

That would make this one of the first homes Hamilton built in his 70-year career and a gem as a rare architect’s own home from 1952! The home remained in the Hamilton family until 2016 when its next owners Graham McCall and Charles Cascio engaged the AIA award-winning architect, Joe McCall of Oglesby Greene Architects, to update the home. The seamless result honored the 1953 design with original wood paneling and interior brick accents, while respectfully re-organizing spaces to create 21st-century amenities. It was nominated for a 2018 Preservation Dallas Achievement Award.

Today, the listing agent Stewart says it’s been meticulously maintained by its current owners since they purchased the home in 2021. “They’ve preserved the true essence of Hamilton’s original intent and design,” she says. “Much like its renowned architect, it remains quintessentially tied to a specific style and time. But it’s still timeless in its relevance and significance to modern living.”

Located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the heart of Lakewood, the home sits under a canopy of trees, including one that literally goes through the roof. The courtyard, divided into two spaces behind a gated entrance, is composed of a brick-paved entry court and a grassy outdoor living space.

A spacious living and dining area extends across the front of the residence, adorned with expansive walls of glass, elegant brickwork, and rich American walnut accents. The use of brick is a defining element in Hamilton’s design, characterized by its long, uninterrupted lines that provide a visually pleasing sense of unity. The floors feature a deep, stained oak finish while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the high-ceilinged, beamed spaces with an abundance of natural light. This primary living space seamlessly transitions into a generously sized secondary living area, offering picturesque views of the lushly landscaped backyard.

Positioned between the two living spaces, the kitchen preserves the home’s original walnut cabinetry while receiving a modern update through the introduction of custom-built cabinetry. It is equipped with top-of-the-line Bosch appliances, including a built-in refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, oven, microwave, and an efficient induction cooktop with a sleek vent hood.

The primary bedroom offers a picturesque view of a fenced courtyard and features ample built-in cabinetry to accommodate clothing and luggage storage needs. The primary bath boasts a contemporary touch with double vanities and a generously sized, glass-enclosed shower for added comfort and convenience.

The second bedroom offers an abundance of space and serves a dual purpose as both a bedroom and a home office. Similarly, the third bedroom has been thoughtfully arranged as an inviting office space. Both of these bedrooms provide views of the backyard through expansive walls of glass.

“I think the home leaves you with a sense that we are both present and past, inside and outside at exactly the same time,” Stewart says. “It’s a magical expression you can feel the moment that you walk through the door.”

Ali Stewart of Dave Perry-Miller Real Estate listed 6882 Avalon Ave. for $1.299 and it went under contract in six days. It’s currently under active option contract and is contingent. If you’re not sure what that means, give Ali a call.