Purple Haze All in My Brain, ‘Scuse Me While I Sign the Contract on This Preston Hollow Jewel Box

Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a house by its facade. What lies inside the subtle exterior of a home, much like the plain book cover, will generally blow your mind. This Hal Anderson Preston Hollow jewel box is a great example.

Anderson was a homebuilder and developer who started the spec home trend in Dallas in the 1950s. He chose locations wisely, generally building off Inwood Road between Royal Lane and Walnut Hill. His homes were incredibly well constructed, no doubt due to his vast experience in commercial development. The Athena and Preston Tower are among his accomplishments. He was also a marketing genius and came up with the phrase “Behind the Pink Wall,’ indicating his residential offerings were the most exclusive places to live in Dallas. He got that right.

Anderson’s skills mean the homes he built are an incredible investment today. This 1972 Colonial Revival Ranch is a true find, centered on an acre in a quiet cul-de-sac and surrounded by towering live oaks. Remember, don’t let the beautifully subtle facade fool you. There’s a reason I call it a Preston Hollow jewel box. Step inside, and you are immersed in color, from the elegant Chinoiserie wallpapered entry with original brick floors to the dramatic formal living room painted in a bold purple lacquer.

While that color might surprise you, purple has been popular for centuries, from the deep plums to the pale lavenders and everything in between. There’s always been a place for it in home interiors. It’s regal, joyful, dramatic, memorable, and it’s right on trend. Minwax named Violet as its Color of the Year, Glidden’s 2025 Color of the Year is Purple Basil, and if you love the idea but want a bit less drama, Benjamin Moore has Cinnamon Slate as their 2025 Color of the Year. If anything showed us lacquer is back, color is more important than ever, and wallpaper is a must-have, it was the Kips Bay Decorator Show House in Dallas this year.

Of course, you need balance, and this 4,010-square-foot Preston Hollow jewel box has the perfect amount. Although the immersive purple living room sets the pace, paler colors take the lead in the rest of the house. Bold color is continued in a clever way, with pops of it appearing in soft furnishings, artwork, and wallpaper like the charming Astek Home Drunk Monkeys wallpapered wet bar.

One of the big draws to Preston Hollow homes is the lot size, and having an acre is an enormous asset. Not only is there a covered patio, a pool, and plenty of room for a touch football game, but there is also a sport court, which is almost an essential feature today.

There is so much more to see here, so give Compass Realtor Amy Detwiler a call. She has this Preston Hollow jewel box at 10064 Surrey Oaks Drive available for $3.349 million. Meanwhile, I’m headed to the paint store!