The Most Charming French Acadian Home in Highland Park

What is it about a courtyard that makes us feel instantly at home? The moment I saw this French Acadian beauty, I wanted to walk through that arched entry, sit down in the courtyard, and spend the afternoon sipping something lovely.

I’m not alone in loving courtyards. Every country since 6400 BC has embraced the courtyard.

Courtyards have always provided private, serene spaces filled with natural light. Architecturally, they add connectivity to the outdoors, and from a practical perspective, they provide cross ventilation that makes sense in a warm climate like Texas and with this Highland Park French Acadian.

I bet you’re wondering what “French Acadian” is by now. That was a new one for me, too. I always check with an expert and thanks to our all-knowing resource architect Lloyd Lumpkins, we know it’s inspired by the Southern Louisiana French cottages!

So, we have the best of both worlds in this home: The subtle elegance of France and the comfort of Louisiana.

A Highland Park French Acadian Steeped in History

When this home was designed in the late 1930s by architect George T. Reynolds Jr., air conditioning did not exist, so this French Acadian was beautifully thought out for its owner (who happened to be in real estate!) Austin C. Bray and his family.

An interesting side note is that Reynolds’ childhood home was designed by architect Mark Lemmon, who had married his sister. You have to imagine Lemmon, known for his prolific contributions to Dallas architecture including Woodrow Wilson High School and Perkins Chapel, inspired Reynolds to go into architecture.

Unfortunately, Reynolds did not have a long life, perishing in a traffic accident, so this is indeed a rare home from an architectural perspective.

When I see a house like this, I know it has served its owners well. The Brays were here for more than 40 years, and the current owners for more than 20.

As I’ve said many times, that’s really all you need to know about a house. If families have been happy here for decades, it is simply a home that lives well.

Updates That Make a Great House Better

The current owners, of course, made appropriate updates without losing one ounce of charm. The French Acadian sits on a sizable corner lot in the heart of Highland Park. At 4,309 square feet, with four bedrooms and five bathrooms, and within walking distance to Bradfield Elementary, it’s the family home everyone is looking for now.

“It’s understated from the street, which adds to the charm and feeling that you’ve found a hidden gem,” Compass Real Estate listing agent Michelle Wood said. “There are multiple landscaped courtyards with beautiful views into all of them. It’s also unusual to have both the primary and an additional bedroom downstairs.”

The second floor has one of my favorite features — a bunk room. This is the on-trend room for kiddos today.

Wood had more than 50 people at the first open house. “Everyone has always wanted to see this home,” she said. “It’s really perfection!”

Wood has this charming French Acadian at 4500 Bordeaux Avenue listed for $3.995 million