Game of Connections Here: Reba, Painted Ladies, Sherwin-Williams, and Colleyville
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Those who follow the New York Times‘ online game Connections will like this puzzle.
What is the connection between Reba McEntire, Painted Ladies, Sherwin-Williams, and Colleyville?
This is a tough one, but the answer lies in Tarrant County. It’s 5317 Bluebonnet Dr. in Colleyville. The Victorian beauty located here has been the site of a Reba McEntire music video, it’s designated one of the Painted Ladies of architecture, Sherwin-Williams had labeled the house’s paint colors, and it’s settled — for now — in Colleyville.
“There are so many stories in this house,” said Realtor Jenny Adams with Engel & Voelkers’ Flower Mound office. Adams, who is historic specialist-certified and also a member of both Preservation Dallas and Preservation Texas, can tell a few of those stories.
So Many Stories
A Dr. Kincaid built the house for his family in the late 1800s in Bonham, one of the first cities of the Republic of Texas. He and his wife raised four children there, and after the physician died just four years after it was built, his wife remained, renting out rooms. The house remained in the possession of family members until the 1970s.
A more recent story involves Reba McEntire using the house as background for a music video. It dates back to 1987 to the title track of an album of the same name that later climbed to number one on the country music charts. “The Last One to Know” became Reba McEntire’s ninth No. 1 country hit and was written by Matraca Berg and Jane Mariash.
Painted Lady? According to Adams, this house is considered a Victorian “Painted Lady,” with details about it found in the book “America’s Painted Ladies: The Ultimate Celebration of Our Victorians” by Elizabeth Pomada and Michael Larsen. Not only is this house included, but so is the house located next door in Colleyville.
Underscoring the importance of these Victorian Painted Ladies, paint company Sherwin-Williams named these grande dames of architecture with paint palettes celebrating their historic charm. The four exterior colors for the house at 5317 Bluebonnet Dr. were christened Colleyville Cream, Texas Grass, Kincaid Red for the original owner, and Dream House White. These same colors, according to Adams, were used on The Wilson House, located on Swiss Avenue in Dallas.
“This is one of the first Painted Lady colors that Sherwin-Williams came up with, and it’s a standard for Painted Lady colors in the U.S.,” she said.
Victorian History
The Bluebonnet Drive Victorian was moved from Bonham, the home of the late Speaker of the House, Sam Rayburn, to Colleyville in 1983. The previous owner moved the 5,000-square-foot historic structure after purchasing the land.
“She always wanted a Victorian,” Adams said. “That was her dream.”
As picturesque as this Painted Lady is, it has not only been a family home, but also the site of bridal portraits, weddings, and the music video. The seven-bedroom, four-bathroom home has been maintained, with original pocket doors, hardwood floors, and intricate millwork remaining. The wallpaper is either actual Victorian wallpaper or a reproduction from the era.
The house boasts eight fireplaces, of course, as the home’s original heat source, but also to highlight prosperity. Victorian houses, built to showcase beauty, featured different mantel pieces on fireplaces found within one home. Each within this home is unique, and most are original, according to the Realtor. Much of the structure’s origins remain, but of course, updates have kept it in working order. The kitchen was among the most recently renovated areas, although the refrigerator’s look is deceptively a vintage icebox with modern innerworkings.
“The house feels like you stepped back into time,” she said.
Heritage Relocated
One thing that remains sturdy is the home’s foundation, Adams said.
“The house is solid,” said the Realtor who is experienced with moving historic homes. “The foundation to this day is one of the best. It’s perfect.”
The $2.4 million sales price includes not only the structure, but also the land. Adams has numbers on what it would take to relocate the house elsewhere, should a developer want to repurpose the acreage. McMillan House Movers stands ready to transport the Victorian Painted Lady to a new location for its next chapter.
“The sellers would like to see the house salvaged somehow,” she said. “Their mom loved that house.”
