The TV series Mad Men started it all by introducing a new generation to an era of style that defined “cool,” placing midcentury modernism squarely back into mainstream consciousness. Dallas has an excellent collection of ‘mid-mod’ homes by a range of iconic architects that include Harwell Hamilton Harris, Glenn Allen Galaway, O’Neil Ford, and Howard Meyer, but finding one of these retro homes that’s been remodeled to perfection is like discovering the proverbial needle in a haystack.
If you went on the White Rock Home Tour last weekend you may have been lucky enough to see an example of what we mean. This midcentury modern Ju-Nel at 9433 Covemeadow Drive was just listed on Wednesday by Jason Thomas with Nathan Grace Real Estate for $799,900.
There are about 50 of these homes, built in the early to mid 1960s, that can be found around Old Lake Highlands, Eastwood, and Casa Linda. The brains behind these beauties are two proteges of Howard Meyer. Lyle Rowley and Jac Wilson started their own firm in 1958, naming it Ju-Nel, in honor of their wives Julie Rowley and Nelda Wilson. This one has been completely updated by the brilliant and talented team of Miles and Sarah Durham of Durham Builders. Scroll through their website and you’ll see they have a keen eye for modern homes and understood the importance of keeping the integrity and original lines of this vintage home intact while modernizing it for their family. Nothing beats buying a home a builder has perfected for his own family, you know it’s going to be flawless.
“It was important to us to preserve the integrity of the original design while blending in our own design perspective,” Miles said.
Ju-Nel homes are marked by their simplicity and sympathetic relationship to their natural surroundings. The setting is paramount, and Rowley and Wilson always made soffit cutouts to accommodate trees. Open floor plans, expansive windows, and use of natural materials are all signature features of Ju-Nel design. Durham continued the look and feel with rift cut, white oak hardwood flooring and cabinets. Stone pavers from the original floor were preserved and used on the fireplace surround. He gave a lovely nod to the era with the Caesarstone quartz countertops in an updated version of avocado green.
An office was constructed off the master bedroom adding 550 square feet and providing an overhang to cover new outdoor living space below. “ The structural additions made to the house were done with the same cedar exterior and the same paint color which allows for the architectural lines to show,” Miles said.
The house is 3,158 square feet with four bedrooms, three full and one half bath. Every room has a view of the trees. Miles increased the family-friendly appeal by adding a pool and a putting green.
If you’re mad for midcentury modern and want a kid friendly, move-in ready, remodeled-to-perfection home, cross your fingers and make a call, because this retro perfect gem will be snapped up fast.
