It’s one of those cold, gloomy Monday mornings that turned into a perfect day. Kind of like this house. I had 100 plus peeps for barbecue last night, and whenever I entertain large groups it opens my mental vistas to floor and traffic patterns in homes that make party-giving more of a breeze: like 9995 Hollow Way in Preston Hollow. This home is like a peaceful retreat where you can still throw great parties on .90 acre with expansive interior windows that bring the outdoors in. That is particularly wonderful if you happen to have, say, 100 people coming and Mother Nature decides to open up and sprinkle away, as she did Sunday night. Sometimes the party just has to stay inside!
This 5,290 square foot Austin contemporary was designed by Mark Barry of Barry Bull Ballas. Every room took maximum viewing advantage of the richly treed lot which sits at the southwest corner of Walnut Hill Lane and Hollow Way. There are four bedrooms, four full and two half baths, a three car garage that opens onto Hollow Way , and the master bedroom on the first floor. The home also squeezes in a mud room, library and game room, and three large bedrooms are upstairs. I love that this house is not a mega monster of 8,000 plus square feet that totally hogs the lot. For years, this home was a rambling, beefed-up 1950’s ranch known more for it’s plain-jane gated entrance off Hollow Way that once housed two nuns and a rather famous couple: extremely positive juju and many fun parties. In 2003, the current owners bought it, lived in the home and then, in 2012, tore it down and built this sleek sophistication of wood and stone. The floors are beautiful wood, stone, tile and concrete, and the stacked Austin stone walls carry through the interiors to exteriors, a technique employed to make the window almost seem invisible. There is rich use of warm woods, unusual granites, and vaulted ceilings with stunning light fixtures. Of course the kitchen is locked, loaded and ready for the gourmet cook. 
The pool is unusually large and a focal feature of almost every window, especially the master. Originally listed for $2,750,000 the home is reduced to $2,499,000 which is fair given that it’s on Walnut Hill Lane. Listed with Christy Berry of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s, who also has nearby 9806 Inwood Road.
But of course, that busy Walnut Hill Lane street connection nets you a nice savings from the Dallas County Appraisal District.
And to think that in 2003, this home actually sold for $745,000 and everyone thought, JACKPOT!
