Frank Lloyd Wright-Inspired ‘Harmony House’ in McKinney Is As Surprising As It Is Masterful
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There are a lot of images included with this article, and I hope you’ll continue reading to the end because I saved the best for last. But when writing about the amazing homes we’re honored to bring to our readers, we tend to curate the best images to describe the aspects of the home and property that we find compelling. This is one of those rare time when I’ve been hard pressed to leave out a single photo because every nook and cranny of this home is as compelling as the next.
This week’s Highlight Home of the Week, sponsored by Lisa Peters, Senior Loan Officer with First Horizon, is an architectural gem, inspired by the philosophies of Frank Lloyd Wright, and brought to life by award-winning architect Blake Smith of Taproot Studio and developer LVHR.
Harmony House can be found 45 minutes from downtown Dallas, just 15 minutes from downtown McKinney, down a winding road through mature trees, alongside a stream, and just past a quaint winery. Beyond private gates you’ll find a secluded two acre wooded sanctuary.
Driving up the long curving driveway, you can see how the stunning home seems to blend into the surroundings while still making an artful, striking presence. The longer garage door in front can park four cars, while the smaller door hosts a surprise. It’s outfitted to become whatever the owner chooses: a wine room, an art studio, a studio for podcasts — the sky is the limit.
Other interesting exterior notes — that fabulous roof you can see so well in the first drone shot? It’s a highly engineered metal roof built to withstand both ice and extreme heat. Likewise, the foundation was engineered to bridge standards by the same brains behind the Mockingbird bridge. It’s fair to say this home was built to last.
Upon entering, delightful architectural elements are everywhere you look. Listing agent Janelle Alcantara said, “An architect-designed home has something different. There’s a very calculated flow to guide you through an experience.”
The flow of Harmony House is a perfect example of what Alcantara is talking about. Each space flows into the next in a very intentional way, starting with this entry, where you can see a sort of “through-line” architectural element of the home. Do you see the beam that stretches down the middle, all the way down the hallway? That beam extends from the carport, the entire length of the house, and it’s lit, like a guiding light through the home. It’s a beautiful feature.
Walking down this hall to the left, you would find an office with its own patio and a Mother-in-Law suite. On the right, there’s a closet that is outfitted to become an elevator, a powder bath, then a FEMA certified tornado shelter, followed by one of two laundry rooms.
The great room is cozy yet grand, with soaring ceilings, a smart fireplace, and a convenient bar. The stunning patio is steps away, making indoor-outdoor entertaining and everyday enjoyment easy-breezy.
The kitchen. Sigh. Is a work of art in itself. Alcantara says the kitchen was designed specifically to be a part of the dining experience and therefore an equally elegant space. I’d say this was achieved with honors. The backsplash is a smoked mirror and the shelving is all underlit. The combination of materials and use of space is so artful and understated. Then you have the catering kitchen, which has garage access (amazing for a large scale event), and patio access (for grilling or maybe an herb garden?)
(The second image has another wonderful shot of that beam lit up.)
The surprises continue with the first floor primary suite. It’s stunning and modern with a wall of glass doors giving panoramic views of the property. And do you see the hanging oval shaped thing by the brick wall? Raise your hand if you already knew that was a hanging fireplace.
As if that weren’t enough, come around the corner. The first door you see is your two room custom closet – but wait. The primary closet is part of a $100,000 reserve the owner has set aside for the buyer to customize to their taste! While you’re digesting that bit of amazing news, come on up the stairs and see the rest of the primary suite.
The bath has a full dry sauna and this shower with a skylight that listing agent Adam Zoblotsky says is like taking an open air shower. Then, there’s a massive lounge for ultimate rest and relaxation.
The home includes five bedrooms and seven baths, each with interesting, bold features and beautiful views of the property.
This shot gives another view of that beam, and also, I think, a view of the lines, angles and materials of the home working together in harmony, and how the view beyond so seamlessly becomes part of the whole.
The outdoors is as inspired as you would imagine. It has four distinct seating areas, with the outdoor kitchen sunken. There’s an outdoor shower, and the pool/spa is heated.
This is it! The best part. When building the house, they purposefully kept the lot wooded to keep this feeling of being in harmony with nature. And to be surrounded with woods and not have a walking path seemed … wrong somehow. So they created a .28 mile walking path. But it’s not just a walking path! It has stops along the way. One of which is an outdoor movie theatre and picnic spot. Others are yet to be created, but are set up to become a guest house, maybe outdoor fitness, herb gardens, outdoor sculpture … There are eight stops along the path to fill. Alcantara’s favorite is the one that stops at an elevated hilltop, a lookout point where you can watch the sunset.
Are you ready to move yet? I am.
Harmony House is available for private tours only. Semi private tours are scheduled monthly, with the next tour being held February 21. Contact Adam Zoblotsky or Janelle Alcantara to schedule.
