We hear a lot of complaints these days about big white boxes masquerading as modern homes. But this modern home at 6957 Bob O’Link is everything a “white box” should be. A “big bag of yes,” one of our editors called it and that’s precisely why Daltxrealestate.com has named it one of The Sweetest Homes in Dallas-Fort Worth.
In this inaugural contest, we asked readers to submit their most wow-worthy home that’s been on the market thus far in 2020. We individually ranked all the submissions on a scale of 1 to 10, carefully studying the photography, staging, and overall design that makes a home stand above the rest.
And this one, a 2015 build by Keen Homes — oh, it’s clearly a winner.
“The perfect blend of modern architecture coupled with today’s most sought after accessory, resort-style living, in your own backyard. A chic signature breezeway harkens back to early modernist roots. A response to harsh climate. Sexy boutique hotel-style pool and lanai. Not too much, not too little.”
Sam Saladino of Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s Intl on MLSIndeed, the breezeway entrance is a signature design element by James Moore at Keen Homes. “It’s both a unique and dramatic surprise for visitors,” says Graduate Builder Kelly Reynolds.
This four-bedroom, four and half-bath home with 4,347 square feet went under contract in just five days.
“I marked this home ‘agent to meet’ for all showings and I will tell you it was so busy the entire week that I thought we needed a revolving door for how many people wanted to see this home,” says listing agent Sam Saladino. “My clients locked in the home mid-finish out.”
Saladino made his own contribution to the design.
“One of the things I was adamant about was that all the interior walls be museum finished. No “orange peel” here,” he said. “The builders were very accommodating and frankly the result made a huge difference. Lots of light and shadow and sculptural lines and edges that would have been lost without those smooth, sexy, labor-intensive walls.”
The new homeowners also added the glass railing atop the two-story living room. “It created yet another layer of transparency and the illusion of floating as you descend the staircase,” Saladino says. “There’s also a wonderful ledge for leaning large artworks above the main stair axis.”
But let’s clear something up. Not all white, modern homes are pejorative big white boxes. Sure, some builders really go all-in with a boxy, industrial look but not Keen Homes.
“It is important to us that our contemporary designs retain a certain homey feel and not ever become sterile or industrial,” says Keen Homes’ Kelly Reynolds. “Spaces inside the home can be large but must also be inviting and retain a level of coziness.”
Flip through their Sold Home Gallery on KeenHomes.com and you’ll see a beautiful cross-section of homes from transitional to modern that blend influences.
The agent Saladino said this home’s design reminded him of the work of Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta (1931-2011), who often combined elements of Western modernism with Latin hallmarks such as thick masonry walls and vibrant colors.
Keen Homes’ inspiration for this design specifically comes from southern Baja in Mexico, where villas and resorts on the Pacific coast are very open and airy.
“We look for combinations and variety in both natural daytime lighting with use of transoms and glass walls and for evening artificial light,” Reynolds says.
This certified sweet home at 6957 Bob O’Link Drive was listed for $1.65 million and sold in five days.
Still have a sweet tooth?
Check out Monday’s write up on this Greenway Parks home by Charles Dilbeck.
