Luxury buyers have long considered a pied-à-terre to be a necessity. It’s the escape from the country — the foot on the ground, as it translates. Finding a Dallas pied-à-terre is not easy.
Until now.
The pied-à-terre serves multiple lifestyles beautifully. It’s often a primary residence, but it continues to be sought after as a second home because of its proximity to the city center and low maintenance. And, of course, it’s always been a favorite residence for savvy business travelers who prefer an asset to hotel bills.
Mister Buster, The Master of Sophistication
In the 1930s, E.F. Duggan was developing a neighborhood called Turtle Creek Park, tucked beside Turtle Creek and bounded by Avondale and Fitzhugh avenues and what is now the Katy Trail. On March 18, 1938, Mr. T. L. “Buster” Morehead acquired this lot and was perhaps the perfect person to build on it. His Mister Buster’s Studio Furniture Company on Henderson was the place to find European imports, have custom furniture made, get your antiques refinished, and acquire the very latest, most stylish interior decor. He was a regular speaker at society functions all over Dallas for years. So, you know, he built a custom home that would last. And it has.
What’s The Password?
Each floor of this Dallas pied-à-terre is like entering another world. We’ll start our tour at the awe-inspiring basement level. In 2006, 54 tons of concrete were poured to create a foundation for wine, cigar, and safe rooms. Descending the staircase, you have a distinct feeling a password is necessary to gain entry. Once inside, it’s like stepping back a century to a London men’s club. A barrel-vaulted Venetian plaster ceiling crowns the cozy cigar room, but you’ll never notice the smell because there is a remote-controlled, high-speed smoke evacuator.
A few steps away, through a custom Art Deco glass, bronze, and marble door, lies the 15-foot tall wine room with storage for 2,000 bottles. No worries, there is a library ladder (of course there is) to access the upper storage. Hand-blown Venetian glass light fixtures and a stone figure of Bacchus (the god of wine) add to the ambiance.
There’s also a hidden steel-encased safe room because every safe room should be near the wine.
Eight Decades of Style
The grand entry and formal living room flow into a dining room that overlooks a side garden through an enormous window. Remember, oversize windows were not the norm in the 1930s. Mister Buster had his own ideas, which have translated beautifully over the past eight decades.
The kitchen is custom cherry wood with Kane leaded art glass in the windows, cabinets, and doors. The French doors and windows overlooking the pool are a subtle homage to the Art Nouveau period. Another floor-to-ceiling window showcases the trees on the right side of the home.
Interior designer Louise Moore had worked with the seller before and was instrumental in adding just the right touches to reflect his needs and taste. The cobalt blue WP Stroheim wallpaper in the main floor home office was a harmonious choice as this room overlooks the pool through another art-nouveau-inspired floor-to-ceiling window.
“It’s a unique, charming house,” Moore said. “You can walk around forever and see something new.”
There are five bedrooms, including the principal suite, and a game room, each with a distinctive personality.
Up a winding metal staircase from the game room lies a real treat. There is a bunkroom that’s a total respite. Although it was designed with kids in mind, I think it might be the ultimate girl cave.
There’s an entire outdoor living experience behind the home. In addition to the pool, spa, covered patio, kitchen, and fireplace, there is also a cabana with a full bath, dry sauna, and guest quarters.
“We put a roof on the pergola and hung drapery and lights,” Moore said. “We also saved the existing wisteria vines to allow them to grow back. It’s a lovely place to entertain.”
Our Dallas pied-à-terre is in one of those hidden gem neighborhoods you’ll never find on your own, so your privacy and security are a given. There is something to be said for a neighborhood when restauranteur Alberto Lombardi chose to move here, and the Trammel S.Crow family has owned almost three acres down the street since 1998. We have it on good authority you will spot Mr. Crow zipping around on his Segway from time to time.
Ebby Halliday agents Nicole Womack O’Neill and Kay Weeks have 4111 Rock Creek Drive in Turtle Creek Park listed for $3.285 million.
