How very nice of the original owner, an architect, to plan things this way. But that’s why people flow makes sense in this home, from the playroom wing tucked behind the kitchen to the very private master bedroom oasis at the end of the bedroom corridor.
Welcome to 4224 Briar Creek Lane, just off Mockingbird Lane east of Abrams Road in the Hillside addition. Listed with Christy Berry for $842,000. This is a circa 1969 ranch hugging a small lake that feeds into White Rock Creek. Waterfront, yes, but the property is a whopping .52 acre. Every room in the 3550 square foot house takes full advantage of the view, which is, frankly, a rare to-die-for of water in Dallas that is NOT rain. Homes on the street seldom last but for a few days once listed. 4224 Briar Creek just popped into MLS late last week, so get out your checkbook!
You enter the home through a charming white brick arched doorway and heavy Spanish arched doors. Built in 1069, there is something faintly hacienda retro about the home, be it the arched double doors at the front, the arched windows framing the glass, and/or the arched doorways and antique doors inside. It’s almost a Santa Fe appeal, from the French terra cotta colored floor tiles to the ceiling beams. From the foyer, go left to the dining room currently housing a baby grand. On the other side of this room is the aforementioned kitchen. Now here is the greatest thing: you could open the wall between the dining room and kitchen/breakfast room and create a huge kitchen with Great room. Or go back to an adjacent dining area. My point is, this home is a 1, 2, 3 for a kitchen renovation and I don’t think one pouf of sawdust would escape.
The existing kitchen is certainly not BAD — granite counters, limestone backsplash, that same terra-cotta floor tile, and mahogany cabinets. The rest of the house really IS move-in ready. That’s because the owner, darling Phyllis Cole McKnight, opened up the living room to a step-down main living area with huge fireplace. Off this room is the vast deck, where you can enjoy morning coffee, a glass of wine, or entertain a bevy of girlfriends as she has so many times with colleagues from CultureMap and D Magazine. In fact, Jennifer Chininis at CultureMap got to this listing first — we both want to see Phyllis have tremendous success with this home!
There is a giant playroom off the kitchen and main living area, it too, tucked into a wing of the house featuring a wet bar and storage. This room also opens to the deck, taking in the full breath of the view. On the other side of the main living area is the elevated study, loaded with built-ins and that tile floor. All the other floors, save for the kitchen, are natural hardwood.
Then there is the bedroom wing. Here is where the magic happens. Four bedrooms, two with en suite bathrooms with fixtures in fun vintage sixties colors — powder blue and pink — a guest room with a renovated hall bath directly across, and a knocked-out new master suite. It overlooks the creek, and features a stunning remodeled master bath with stone fireplace betwixt the windows. The master bath has a huge, marble-topped vanity; two vessel sinks with contemporary faucets; and a walk-in shower with rainfall head. No corners cut in this $80,000 room: the stone has been taken floor to ceiling.
The garage is in front from the circular drive. Phyllis has raised her three darling triplets in this home, this is where she brought them home from the hospital. Why is she leaving? The formerly single mom met her dream man last year, who surprised her with a wedding instead of an engagement party. We think Dr. McKnight is one lucky man, but we also think the next owner of 4224 Briar Creek is getting a whole lot of good karma in this this house. Great karma — we love it!
