It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas because the 21st annual Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association Homes for the Holidays Tour is almost here! This year, as usual, the ABPA home tour committee knocked it out of the park with four stunning homes in the Highland Park Independent School District.
This is the principal fundraiser for the ABPA, with almost 97 percent of funds raised going to Armstrong and Bradfield Elementary schools. Last year the organization raised $85,000 for the kindergarten and first-grade classes.
One of the homes featured on the ABPA tour this year was designed and built in 1928 by the renowned architect Anton Korn for his family. Korn was one of the most prolific architects in the city, designing homes for notable families, as well as courthouses and hotels.
Last year, this classic Greek Revival at 3337 Bryn Mawr was purchased by Brianna Wright-Guay and her husband, Jason. With the help of contractor Ellen Grasso and Sons, they’ve taken the 3,238-square-foot home it to a whole new level of fabulous. Brianna is an interior designer, so she’s taken the classic look and tweaked it just enough to maintain the integrity of the original architecture but update it for modern family life.
“We opened up the entry and widened the doorway with a paneled arch with hidden closets,” Brianna said. “This allowed for a view of the back yard while keeping the closets functional. I like to see the outdoors through all site lines, and from the entry in any direction you look, you get that.”
The couple was not interested in drastically changing the classic floor plan to create an open feel. They came up with a creative solution instead.
“I like a little division because different rooms serve different purposes,” Brianna said. “So we added a gallery hall behind the dining room that connects the new kitchen to the family area.”
The former breakfast room was turned into a paneled study and painted a color the legendary John Astin Perkins would love. The deep fuschia is a perfect backdrop for the couple’s antiques.
While Brianna and Jason were not interested in drastically changing the classic floor plan to create an open look, they still wanted that open feeling. They came up with a very creative solution.
“I like a little division because different rooms serve different purposes,” Brianna said. “So we added a gallery hall behind the dining room that connects the new kitchen to the family area.
IF YOU GO:
What: 21st Annual Armstrong Bradfield Preschool Association Homes for the Holidays Tour
When: Friday, Dec. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Tickets: $25 in advance and $30 the day of the tour. Visit www.armstrongbradfield.com to find out more and purchase tickets.
Karen Eubank is the owner of Eubank Staging and Design. She has been an award-winning professional home stager and writer for over 25 years. Karen teaches the popular Staging to Sell class and is the creator of the online course, The Beginners Guide to Buying Wholesale. Her love of all dogs, international travel, good chocolate, great champagne, and historic homes knows no bounds. Her father was a spy, so she keeps secrets very well!
