Enjoy French Country Estate Living in Forest Hills

It’s the rare owner that treats landscape as exterior finish-out, coordinating the colors and ensuring every season offers a different type of beauty. That is, however, exactly what happened when this stately French country estate was being built. It was sited well back from the street in a landscape that was meticulously planned to offer privacy and dramatic color year-round. Although you see this sort of intentional planting all over Europe, it’s not often seen in Dallas, so it adds an extraordinary layer of beauty and romance to this home. When it came up for sale in 2022, Lauren McKinnon was on the doorstep.

“This is my dream house,” McKinnon said. It’s easy to see why. Of course, the landscape draws you in, but the home is impressive on so many levels. McKinnon and her husband, Zach, were already living in Forest Hills with their two little girls. She’d driven by this French country estate more times than she could count, intent that one day it would be hers. With the news of a third daughter on the way, fate stepped in. A sign went up, the McKinnons made their very convincing pitch in a hot market, and Lauren’s dream came true.

The McKinnons are only the second owners of this 5,710-square-foot, five-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home.

”For me, having a home like this was incredible,” McKinnon said. “The owners who had it built chose everything, and it’s a quality you cannot find in many places now,” McKinnon said.

Hand-scraped wood floors run throughout the residence, and elegant French doors and windows allow light to wash over the rooms, offering endless views of the verdant landscaping. It’s simply beautiful.

The first floor includes a guest bedroom, a convenient laundry room, and our favorite feature at CandysDirt.com: a hidden room! The office is discreetly tucked behind a bookcase, complete with its own private courtyard. Upstairs, three additional bedrooms and two full bathrooms are accessible from both the front and rear staircases. 

McKinnon can attest to the ease of entertaining every age group in this home.

“We had a fantastic Taylor Swift-themed party when one of my daughters turned 10,” she said, highlighting the home’s suitability for hosting memorable events.

Outdoor spaces feature covered dining and lounge areas equipped with retractable phantom shades, providing year-round comfort, and, of course, the property has a resort-style pool and spa. When you have a custom home, you expect all the bells and whistles, and this French Country home has them all, from an outdoor shower to what has now become essential, a Generac generator.

Forest Hills, for our newcomers, is next to the Dallas Arboretum and White Rock Lake. The tree-lined streets and large lots have often been compared to Preston Hollow, but it offers an even greater sense of community. You will find neighbors biking and running through the neighborhood daily. There’s a neighborhood association website with an unparalleled depth of information on everything from social events to resources and the neighborhood’s history.

“Now is the perfect time to buy this home,” said Douglas Elliman Realtor Tara Durham.  “The sellers are offering 4% to be applied toward the buyer’s closing costs, commission, or a rate buydown. I recently spoke with Jackson Thomas of Cross Country Mortgage, who explained that many buyers are unaware that lenders are currently matching seller contributions toward a rate buydown. That means if a buyer works with Jackson, they could secure a rate in the 4% range for the first year — and the refinance is free. A rate buydown makes a home more affordable in the short term and is particularly attractive in high-interest-rate environments. It is a temporary  “starter discount” for the first year. Homes of this scale and quality rarely become available in Forest Hills, and many sell off-market.”

If it were not for a move to another state, the McKinnon family would have stayed in their dream home forever.

“I was grateful every day I was lucky enough to live here,” McKinnon said. “It’s like living in a forest wonderland.”

Durham has this enchanting French country estate at 8129 San Fernando Way available for $2.85 million.