Joy Donovan

Joy Donovan is a contributing writer for CandysDirt.com covering the Midcities and Fort Worth.

From Shag to Chic: 1965 Pad Gets Neato Update

By Joy Donovan / November 28, 2025 /

Housing trends in 1965: ‘Twas the era of shag carpets, wood paneling, flocked wallpaper, and a well-placed ashtray in the living room. A really swinging house could look like a scatter of Skittles like this: But reframe that 1965 thinking with a look at the house for sale at 3825 Sundown Dr. in Benbrook. What…

Dos Mares Debuts in Fort Worth, Adding to Cultural District’s Boom

By Joy Donovan / November 24, 2025 /

There’s a boom happening in Fort Worth’s Cultural District. It’s not an oil boom but definitely a business boom. It was 11 years ago that Fort Worth voters approved a new multipurpose arena. That arena, which opened in November 2019 as Dickies Arena, sits just off Montgomery Street and north of I-30. Dickies Arena hosts…

The Palace Theater in Grapevine Celebrates Its 85th Anniversary: 1940 Was a Very Good Year

By Joy Donovan / November 21, 2025 /

In 1940, Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas” ranked as the best-selling record ever, Winston Churchill became England’s prime minister, President Franklin Roosevelt was elected to his third term, and Grapevine’s Historic Palace Theatre opened. That opening 85 years ago on Nov. 21, 1940, as a state-of-the-art movie house will be celebrated today at the theater, located…

Colleyville One-Story Goes Preppy With Ralph Lauren-Style Remodel

By Joy Donovan / November 17, 2025 /

Once a standard-issue suburban build, this 1992 Colleyville home now channels the kind of layered luxury and tailored charm that would make Ralph Lauren think he was in some kind of East Coast country house. The transformation is on display at 1104 Garry Lynne Dr. Once a very nice house in its own right that…

Arlington Home Cooks Up Holiday-Ready Kitchen for Entertaining

By Joy Donovan / November 14, 2025 /

There are some definite requirements for the holidays. Decorations and great food are two of the essentials, but so is a great kitchen to make all the magic happen. When the family comes over for Thanksgiving, Hanukah, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve, having a place to brew spiced cider, bake cookies or roast turkey is…