Love Late Midcentury Vibes? This White Rock Hills Contemporary Checks All the Boxes
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White Rock Hills is one of the best-kept secrets in Dallas, which is why you don’t often see homes here hit the market, especially one like this that embodies the final years of Midcentury Modern style as it evolved to contemporary. If you’re tired of seeing nothing but boring white box houses, then you’re in for a treat.
When Gayla McGinnis and Anthony Cuccia spotted this 1975 White Rock Hills contemporary on a quiet cul-de-sac 12 years ago, they saw great bones and a lot of potential.
“It was near White Rock Lake, which was important because we like to bike and walk,” Gayla said. “It had great windows and a peaceful creek running behind the house. I’m obsessed with creeks, so it really checked all the boxes.”
The former owners had been in place for several decades, so the 2,924-square-foot, four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bathroom home needed updating. Gayla and Anthony touched every part of the home and yard.
The couple replaced cedar that was on the front exterior with concrete Hardie board and added a dramatic orange color to the front door and garage.
Inside, carpet was banished, and they smoothed out the textured walls and removed the popcorn ceilings. Gayla came across one of the biggest scores looking on Craigslist: an entire gym floor for sale.
“I love it,” she said. “I wanted the whole house to have maple.”
If you aren’t familiar with why this is such a great find, maple gym flooring is resistant to heavy wear, denser than other hardwoods, and offers shock absorption, which actually protects your joints!
One of the other big attractions was the family room, which quickly became Anthony’s man cave. It had been a music room for the previous owners and was clearly used for performances with the sunken area and a stage-like upper level. This room was treated to the more colorful parts of the former gym floor, which take on an almost Mondrian look, and Anthony installed soundproof panels and speakers everywhere.
“I have collected vinyl since I was a child, and I wanted it to sound right so I could truly enjoy it,” he said.
“We use the entire house and absolutely love it,” Gayla said. “Each room has its own personality and ambiance. We have 50-plus people here three or four times a year and host Christmas dinner for 35 people. I have great memories of Anthony preparing mouthwatering meals with fresh herbs from his garden.”
The couple opened up the kitchen, painted the cabinets a beautiful smoky blue-gray, and added white quartz countertops. The kitchen also features an induction cooktop, convection double oven, and a wet coffee bar with beverage and wine refrigerators.
Trees surround this White Rock Hills contemporary, which has a deck that runs completely across the back of the home and looks out to the creek. Anthony is responsible for the landscaping. He created an entertainment oasis with multiple sitting areas in the backyard. There is even a covered sunken hot tub!
“I’m going to miss my man cave and speakers, of course, but I’m also going to miss listening to the birds and enjoying the view of the yard from all of our unusual windows,” Anthony said.
Located west of Forest Hills, the neighborhood is a 15-minute bike ride to the Dallas Arboretum and about 20 minutes to the Samuell-Grand Recreation Center and Tenison Park Golf Course.
You can see this distinctive property in person at the open house today, August 8, from 1-3 p.m.
