Modern Craftsman Style With an Air of Seaside Tranquility in the Heart of Preston Hollow

April 22, 2026 | Karen Eubank | | Sponsored Content

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We don’t often see innovative, architect-designed custom homes like this Modern Craftsman, especially one that offers the tranquil resort-like feel of Seaside, Florida. And we seldom understand how well a house lives unless we are lucky enough to have an owner show us. Gail Hackney did just that, and now we all want to be on her paella-party list!

Hackney and her husband built this home to center on family living. With two active and social daughters, it quickly became the go-to spot for gatherings of both family and friends, as you can see from the paella party photos Hackney sent us. It gives you just the vision necessary to understand what a great home this is.

Lamberts enhanced the architecture with the landscape design.

When the Hackneys outgrew their house nearby, they found this rare 100-by-200-foot extra-deep vacant lot backing up to St. Mark’s School of Texas, with a private access gate to the campus playing fields.

“The lot was twice as big, and we had the very best neighbors behind us,” Hackney said.

They hired architect Michael Malone and builder Manning Snelling to create a 6,886-square-foot, five-bedroom, six-and-a-half bath family home. Malone brought over plenty of inspiration books. One in particular, featuring the works of English architect C.F.A. Voysey, struck a chord. Voysey was one of the founders of the English Arts and Crafts Movement and a pivotal influence on Frank Lloyd Wright’s style, both of which resonated with the couple.

To create an immediate sense of invitation, thick tapered columns and a large gabled front porch were designed to pay homage to the Craftsman style. Malone came up with the concept of a blue frieze line of tile at the top of the house and on the chimney caps, which offers a memorable design element.

“It was a game-changer because it makes the house stand out,“ Hackney said.

The Hackneys also had plenty of ideas for the interiors of their Modern Craftsman, starting with a tear sheet from Veranda magazine that Gail had saved for years.

“It was a room with grid paneling,” she said. “I showed it to Michael and asked if we could do it in the living room. He said, ‘Why don’t we run with this throughout the downstairs?’ I was drawn to it because it was something other than just a blank wall. It was clean-looking yet interesting, not a busy wallpaper or a bright color. It was a texturally different way of treating the wall.”

Carrying the motif further, Malone designed rugs in the living, dining, and family rooms to echo this grid pattern.

“The console table in the living room and the master bedroom furniture were also designed by Michael and custom-made for those rooms, unifying the grid pattern throughout,” Hackney noted.

Essential features were also prioritized throughout the design process. Plenty of natural light was a must, achieved with floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the house. Oak flooring and Carrara marble complete the consistent material palette.

Recognizing the need for functional workspaces, one necessity was a secluded home office. While most floor plans place office space near the entrance with little privacy, the Hackneys opted for an office on the way to the primary bedroom suite, providing a quieter environment. The second floor has another living space with a kitchenette, an exercise room, and four bedroom suites. Two of these are the size of most primary suites with sitting areas, floor-to-ceiling corner windows, and large walk-in closets. Each offers a unique perspective of the bucolic playing fields of St. Mark’s.

“The kitchen was a big factor in the planning and how it would flow with accommodating people,” Hackney said. “I like to cook, and there are certain things I wanted in and around it. I wanted an independent wine room, a separate pantry, and specific appliances.” And of course, she had to manage cooking for a crowd for her famous paella parties!

Hackney shared how the beloved paella tradition grew with the house: “It began when my daughter wanted me to cook paella for her friends. It grew from 20 to 30 people. Then, when she graduated from law school, she wanted paella as a sit-down dinner with the big pans in the middle of the table. That’s when we hosted 60 guests outside. I would never have been able to pull that off without this kitchen!”

Or without the backyard that reinforces that Seaside, Florida, sensibility. There are 1,200 square feet of outdoor living space that include a covered patio with a fireplace and grill station, and a large grassy area. The pool and spa were designed and installed by Pool Environments. The Hackneys created an ideal environment in their Modern Craftsman, for both daily living and entertaining.

“This is a great neighborhood, and St Mark’s is a great neighbor,” Hackney said. “They are very considerate and quiet. The lights go off when the game ends. It’s a very secure backyard, and we have always felt very safe here.”

The house has been a success on every level, from design to lifestyle to entertaining. It was even chosen for the AIA Dallas Home Tour in 2023. Most importantly, however, the family has loved their ability to entertain here. As Hackney said, “It’s a happy place to be!”