The phrase “rare opportunity” is thrown around a lot in real estate, but 1338 Rainbow Drive in Oak Cliff is the real deal. Christie’s International ULTERRE Realtor Lauren Bryant said it’s probably been 15 years since a house on Rainbow Road entered the market. And this one is a particular gem.
The house alone is stunning for sure, but the backyard? Well, that’s something Dallas dreams are made of. It’s a total oasis with succulents, mini palm trees, flagstone and several Japanese maples. I don’t know when it happened, but the Japanese maple is basically the “you’ve arrived” landscaping of the modern era.
If you have a midcentury yard without one, it’s going to raise an eyebrow and I can only assume the midcentury modern police will plant one in the middle of the night. You just HAVE to have one. Or in this case, several.
Out back, there’s also a pool and a pebbled deck with steps leading up to the open-air carport that doubles as an entertaining area when the weather permits. (It’s Texas, so it almost always permits.) Bryant said one of her favorite features is one of the simplest — the dark wood horizontal fence that creates a dramatic backdrop for all the lush greenery that’s also surprisingly low maintenance.
Inside, the kitchen has been completely updated, but done with an appreciation of the era. It looks like a modern version of what was originally there right down to the cork flooring. All the honey-ed tones are spot on and pair perfectly with the granite countertop…which pairs perfectly with the checkboard glass tile backsplash…which pairs perfectly with the staked Roman brick fireplace…and on and on.
That fireplace is a focal point that just won’t quit. It sits in the main living and is such a big deal, there’s a repeated stacked wall in the breakfast nook.
Bryant said, “This midcentury abode appeals to a wide audience and is primed for the next owner’s personal touches. Built in 1950, the clean, simple lines beckon any design purist to pack up their Eames and move right in. At the same time, a transitional or well-edited, traditional scheme would juxtapose the more obvious modern design elements.” It just hit the market this past Monday, so if you want to strut your design stuff, get on it.
Oak Cliff was the original old money section of Dallas so this house in Sam Dealey Estates has likely seen more than its fair share of dignified ragers, soirees, mixes, and mingles — and now it’s your turn to keep the streak going. For a private showing, reach out to Bryant. She’ll show you around and maybe even offer a design idea or two.
