Southwestern Hacienda in Stevens Park Is the ‘Opposite of Cookie Cutter’

Listing agent and broker David Griffin said that one of the things he loves most about neighborhoods like Stevens Park is that the homes here are cherished by each generation of owners. “Over time, each set of owners added something that made it more desirable, a touch of their own personal taste to make the house the opposite of cookie cutter.”

It’s uniquely beautiful design and desirable neighborhood are just two reasons why we think you’ll adore this week’s Highlight Home of the Week, sponsored by Lisa Peters, Senior Loan Officer with First Horizon. Does she know how to pick ’em, or what?!

A Love of the Southwest

It must be clear from the first look of the home, its incredible front porch, and native southwest zeriscaped yard that the current owners have a love of all things Southwestern-inspired. In fact, after transforming this 1941-built colonial, and as much as they’ve enjoyed living in it and the neighborhood, they’ve at last decided to pick up stakes and move to Santa Fe. You can certainly see that long-held dream expressed in the design of the home.

The owners added this wonderful porch (above), which is 33 feet long and made of thick Oklahoma flagstone, as is the front walkway. Lined with sturdy cedarwood posts, it is easy to imagine passing some time watching the world go by, perhaps with some piñon burning in the chimnea?

Speaking of piñon, this lovely sitting room with a wood-burning fireplace is one of several living spaces. The current owners have used the adjacent space as a music room, and you can see it’s perfect for displaying (and playing) that baby grand.

The dining room is spacious, located just off the kitchen for ease of serving and entertaining. That enormous picture window creates a lovely natural centerpiece. Griffin said all but a few of the windows were recently replaced. A statement chandelier and the gorgeous handscraped oak floors we’ve seen throughout complete the elegant picture. And here again, Griffin makes an excellent point: “If the style is not to your taste, these are surface fixes: the materials, the bones of the house are solid. You have everything you need to easily make it your own.”

The kitchen is well laid out, opening to both the dining room and to a spacious breakfast area. The “distressed” look to the cabinets is in the paint alone, so again, if it’s not to your taste, it’s a simple paint job. (I love it.) The appliances were all recently replaced, and the countertops redone in quartzite.

I always appreciate a nice big window over the kitchen sink. Whether you want to see what the kids are doing or which bird friends have come to visit that day, there’s no better way to do dishes.

The breakfast room is such a functional and happy space. The colorful accent walls are definitely giving me Santa Fe vibes, and for a room that will be the hub of family meals and activity, all that natural light and color have to elicit positivity. There’s also a ton of storage space here, the laundry room is just on the other side of those doors, and the windowed wall has a door to the backyard. Form and function.

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Down the hall from the breakfast room is another living space, what the owners call the family room, what Griffin said could be the “kid’s living room,” and I say is the fun room. That colorful mosaic on one wall, is indeed, made of license plates. They are real, and I’m told they have been collected from the owner’s travels to all 50 states. They created this masterpiece at a previous home and moved it here. Sadly for them, but happily for the new owner, this wall of license plates does convey if the new owner wants it.

And For the Grown Ups …

This cozy living room. Since the home forms a kind of U-shape, this room is directly across the yard from the family room. The glass sliding doors (on the left) lead out to the yard. On the right is a hexagonal cut out of windows perfect for a table or a built-in banquette. Underneath a beadboard ceiling, inlaid stone floors round out a texture feast. A second fireplace from which to burn piñon gives even more atmosphere.

A Classic Retreat

Between the primary bedroom and bath, if you don’t feel like you’re vacationing in a Santa Fe resort, then you may perhaps never have been to Santa Fe. The juxtaposition of Old World charm and modern luxury is perfect: the mosaic tile connects the old world to the new.

The backyard is similarly zeriscaped in Southwestern style with native plants and no irrigation needed. Griffin said the owners have less than $100 water bills year round. This style, of course, is not for everyone, but the cost of putting in some portion or all grass would be minimal next to this caliber of house. You could have the opportunity to decide how much and what shape of lawn you want and keep the rest low maintenance, for example.

The home is on an over-sized lot (.31 acres), and while the home itself has been expanded over the years to 4,009 square feet, it’s still a sizable yard. Because much of Stevens Park and Kessler Park are Conservation Districts, Griffin says it can be hard to find this much space in these neighborhoods.

For Kids of All Ages

Oh, did I not mention there’s a TREEHOUSE? How cute is this thing? It was built in 2009 in a black walnut tree. The hardwood floors are reclaimed from a basketball court. It has electricity, and is, quite frankly, decorated better than some rooms in my actual house. During the worst days of the pandemic, Griffin said the owners would sit in the tree house and talk to their neighbors below.

Stevens Park is a very neighbor-friendly part of town, and people love to live here. The way the home is positioned on the curved street, it has a panoramic view of the parkway that runs along Colorado. “It’s truly a beautiful setting,” Griffin said. “Stevens Park is one of the oldest municipal golf courses in Dallas, and it’s just a block away. Everyone who lives there, whether they’re a golfer or not, enjoys the course for walking in the morning and evening.”

If you’d like to see this wonderful home for yourself, Griffin is holding an Open House this Saturday, March 29, from 1-3 pm. The price was just reduced, so come ready to make a deal!

David Griffin of David Griffin & Company has 1207 N Oak Cliff Boulevard listed for $1.175 million.