Sneak a Peek at the Homes of the Arapaho Heights Home Tour

By Nikki Barringer
CandysDirt.com Special Contributor

Up in Richardson, there’s a super cute neighborhood called Arapaho Heights. It’s tree-lined, idyllic, and filled with adorable 1950s and 1960s homes with some new construction in the mix, too. If you haven’t heard of it, you’re not the only one, and part of that is what prompted the launch of the Arapaho Heights Home Tour.

It’s not the first home tour for the neighborhood, but it’s the first one that’s open to the public and features some legit stunners.

All the proceeds benefit Arapaho Classical Magnet PTA. Public schools aren’t getting the funding they need, so across the state, parent-teacher associations are stepping up to bridge the gaps. And you thought the PTA was just a group of parents planning carnivals and homeroom parties. Nope, those fools have an agenda and they’re putting in work … like this tour.

Currently, there are five homes on the tour and they’re all incredible. Like hard-for-me-to-contain-my-excitement amazing. Three of the homes are along West Shore Drive, one is on Waterview Drive. and one is on St. Lukes Drive. Is it walkable? Yes, if – and this is a real if – you’re looking to get your steps in. Like it’s a long walk, perhaps bring a bike or a Razor scooter. Weird they still make those, right? ANYWAY, let’s get to the homes!

It’s so hard to pick a lead because they’re all phenomenal, but alas, in no particular order … THE HOMES …

108 West Shore Drive

This is the personal home of Ted Kollaja, FAIA, and his wife, Elaine. Ted is a former president of the American Institute of Architects and has worked in the commercial space for over 37 years. When he took ownership of 108 West Shore, it was completely original with a see-through rock fireplace in the living room, sculpted carpet, linoleum in the kitchen, and oh, the wallpaper!

Don’t you wish you could see pictures? JK. You can. Just scroll through that slider below to see the before. And look at the freaking stunner after. The Kollajas opened up the kitchen and added a killer midcentury lattice around the study. They filled in the pool and in its place an incredible deck overlooking White Rock Creek. The only addition is a small office tucked behind the garage with a wall of windows overlooking the same creek. A fitting spot to find inspiration for his next design.

This home is sponsored by Heather Kobs + Natalie Martin, Kobs and Martin, Keller Williams.

200 West Shore Drive

Loree Westbrook and husband lived in the neighborhood adjacent to Arapaho Heights. They had their eye on 200 West Shore for years. Everyone in the neighborhood did. It was a way cool midcentury that sat vacant for years. The owners had grand plans of a remodel and were chipping away a little at a time. Through a series of events, and Loree would say, the power of her husband’s persuasion, they became the owners in 2020.

That’s when they got to WORK. Loree is a theatrical set designer who knows her way around a mood board. She teamed up with designer Robyn Freese and they created one of the most stunning remodels in the neighborhood. They managed to stay true to the era, but bring in surprise details here and there. Like in the primary bathroom where the milk green tile takes over in the absolute best way. This home is also set on a creek lot and the views are pretty freaking killer.

This home is sponsored by Nikki Barringer, Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty and Glenn Cameron, Mortgage Lending Partners.

303 Waterview Drive

Tiffany Franklin and her husband, Chris, were looking for a new home. They needed a little more space but loved their neighborhood and Arapaho Classical Magnet so they didn’t want to stray too far. They had resigned themselves to building from the ground up when 303 Waterview hit the market. Tiffany said she stepped inside and instantly knew this was it.

She could immediately see how she’d swap out the buttercream walls for neutrals to balance the red brick inset floor. She had a vision of bold wallpaper in the powder room downstairs, and while on the hunt for the perfect print, she found an accidental new mirror, too. In the dining room, the deep jewel tone on the walls and ceiling creates a dramatic backdrop to layer in patterns and texture. Upstairs the kids’ game room is designed around an oversized neon pink screenprint of Dolly Parton. (There isn’t a picture of that room so if you want to see for yourself, guess you’ll just have to buy tickets for the tour.). Final thing – Is Tiffany Franklin an interior designer? No. Should she be? Probably. Sound off in the comments below.

This home is sponsored by Brittany Broussard, Verity Mortgage.

504 Saint Lukes Drive

Matt and Kelly Giese had a killer midcentury home in Omaha, Neb They loved the original design of the home and still found a way to make it their own. (Like adding a banquette in the kitchen with a custom-made table including a Knoll base). When they moved to Texas, they knew they wanted another midcentury home. Like most of us, they did the shuffle between Lake Highlands and Richardson – both having pockets of cute ranch-style homes that were updated or ready for a refresh.

They found the one they were looking for at 504 Saint Lukes. And just like they did up north, they put their own stamp on it. A kitchen refresh, Palm Springs-style landscaping in the front, and a stock pond pool out back with an umbrella, of course, because … Texas. In one of the bedrooms, Matt painstakingly painted the walls an ombre effect. It’s not necessarily midcentury, but that’s a solid Dad move right there. Since we’re all working from home these days and our little midcentury homes are cute, but not always spacious, Matt and Kelly found a solution by carving an office out of a bonus room off the kitchen. It’s a great example of how to make it work no matter what.

This home is sponsored by Anne Foster, Dave Perry-Miller, and Carol Parmelee, Republic Title North Dallas.

604 West Shore Drive

Andrew and Crystal Stringer lived in Canyon Creek, another incredible Richardson neighborhood. They weren’t necessarily looking to move, but then they saw 604 West Shore. Andrew is a former Eagle Scout and the creek lot proved to be more than he could resist. Where the other two West Shore homes on the tour have a steeper drop to the creek, 604 West Shore has a gentler slope. The Stringers have a canoe out back and yes, they really do canoe the creek. I’m telling you, this neighborhood!

Prior to the Stringers, this home was owned by a contractor who brought it back to life, added another level, and made the whole thing look seamless. Inside the kitchen and living room flow together in an open concept. Tucked behind the kitchen is the perfect playroom. In each of the bathrooms, the tile and vanity each tell a different story – several of them repurposed from vintage furniture. If you’d like to see what I’m yapping about, you’ll have to follow along at ahhometour.com. And while you’re there, you might as well go ahead and snag some tickets, too. 

This home is sponsored by Sitara Richard, Allie Beth Allman.

The Arapaho Heights Home Tour is Saturday, Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 20, from noon to 5 p.m.