No matter what your opinion of George W. Bush, he was our president for two terms and he has defined the Darias, both Lane and Place, as his kingdom. His presence on the street makes for ever greater security and scrutiny, which neighbors really like. Besides, when he’s out of town, the gates are usually open. This home is a brand new custom build a few doors down by that genius home builder Dennis Mullinex, a CandysDirt-approved builder, just completed in 2013. Which practically makes it brand new. The owners are from Wisconsin, and this was built as a second home for them to be near their children. It has a huge lawn (.91 acres), a stunning pool and a putting green. You will note the layout makes this a perfect home for grandparents: a lot of living is downstairs, including a to-die for master suite, bath, and closet. The upstairs is suited for grown visiting children with their own little ones. However, that is not to say this could not also be a fabulous family home. With more than 7200 square feet of perfection, I think a whole brood could live here quite nicely.
It also has a most unique safe room. The door is actually a huge, heavy door from a safe taken out of a bank in Wisconsin.
“The hardest part was not installing it,” Dennis told me, “It was hauling it here. That door safe is heavy!”
Is that not the coolest “safe room” you have ever seen? I mean, no one’s getting in there and no gunshot will penetrate that steel. Not that I anticipate any gunshots, but then, one never knows. This is Texas!
The rest of the house is a keeper. The foyer is quite elegant with the double-curving staircases spilling down from the second floor, creating almost a rotunda-like effect… wonder of course if having W down the street inspired this presidential feel. At first I thought the foyer space was excessive, then I recalled how great big foyers actually make fabulous secondary entertainment rooms. In fact, I want a larger foyer in my next house to house my grand piano. That way, when you entertain, guests come in to music.
In this house — by the way, the address is 10181 Daria Place, and it is being marketed by the darling Babs Jackson at Keller Williams Park Cities — the study is huge and right off the foyer, flanked by a formal living room. The dining room is quite large and will hold a huge family plus cousins should, say, Cousin Eddie and his brood show up at your doorstep.
From the dining room, there is a huge, long Butler’s pantry that is really as big as some kitchens. This is where you can tell this is grandmother’s house. As one of the the bibs given to me by my favorite role-model grandparents, Jan and Mike Davis, reads: ” what happens at grandma’s stays at grandma’s.” This could mean an unlimited supply of Coca Cola or other soft drink from a real soda fountain built into the Butler’s pantry.
Then off the Butler’s pantry is the fantastic kitchen. I swear it doesn’t stop. Oceans of white marble counters, an island the size of Greenland, white-washed and gray cabinets, double SubZero, farm sink, super high end appliances, pot filler, everything. Oodles of cabinet space. Off the kitchen is the spacious family room overlooking the huge back yard, grounds, pool and putting green.
The master suite is on the eastern side of the home, and check out this set up: The walk-in carwash shower is the size of the Bush family garage, and I think I might sell my body for that master closet. Well, if anyone would buy it. Do you realize there is a desk and a chaise lounge in the master closet?
Upstairs is a nice study nook/office right out there in the open so you can monitor the computer action. There is a large playroom that could be another bedroom, and two full bedrooms with en suite baths. Are the three twin beds not fabulous? Altogether the home has four bedrooms, four full and two half baths, and three living areas. There is an outdoor fireplace on the patio, a salt-water pool beyond, a gazebo with firepit, that putting green and still enough room to wander the grounds, meditate, walk a dog, or try to run into GWB. In fact, I saw him out the day I toured this home. It was after the Republicans cleaned house won. Our former president was smiling broadly. Could it be because the house down the street from his estate is listed at $3,700,000?
Come to think of it, this house is even more perfect than I originally thought: Cousin Eddie and his brood could not possibly get into this gated community. If they somehow made it past the gate at Meaders, this home also has a gated front. So no one’s getting in if you don’t want them.
And if they do, hell: just lock them in that safe!
