To many, Aledo may conjure up images of newly minted communities of rather large houses. In fact the town — to the west of Fort Worth, placed partly in Parker County, partly in Tarrant County — has a history extending back to 1882, the year of its incorporation. Working ranch land like stand-out Stone Ridge Acres at 4007 S FM 5, dot the surrounding environs. Ranch houses appear to have undergone a major metamorphosis from the days of Giant‘s Riata or, indeed, Dallas‘ Southfork.
A visitor could shift through all five gears, from gate up the paved drive lined with flower-filled urns, to reach the main house. While retaining a modern demeanor, the façade pays homage to the classic Tuscan farmhouse with its stone and stucco exterior, arched windows, and red-tiled roof.
A marble mosaic floor revets the groin-vaulted vestibule floor. Crenelated moldings with a late Gothic pedigree sustain the Italianate mood. In the living room, ceilings soar to double height, adding drama to the 6,700-square-foot house.
The adjoining dining room — open to, but distinct from, the living room — is crowned with a frescoed ceiling of gilt plaster moldings. Knotty alder floors pave the ground floor and match the rusticated doors.
Through a barrel-vaulted corridor, to the left is an office, or rather a front office. Behind a door lies an ancillary room where pre-filed mess can be concealed.
The travertine-floored kitchen complex has its own informal living and dining areas. The dining area centers on a built-in banquette, which hugs a bay window. The informal living area has a second fireplace. Kitchen appliances are by Thermador. The double fridge — all 72 inches of it with a freezer in the laundry room — is GE Profile. The farmhouse sink is of carved travertine.
The double-tray ceilinged master bedroom shares the living room fireplace. Raised brocade Stark carpet covers the floors. Windows on the east wall overlook the terraces and cultivated live oak groves in the back.
Twin vanities flank the altar-like, step-up tub. Travertine and rare stone line the floors and walls. The Sherle Wagner fittings are of gold ormolu and amethyst. Completing the ground floor are an additional bedroom with bath, a laundry room, and a state-of-the-art home theater.
The second floor houses the remaining bedrooms of this four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath ranch house. A game room overlooking the living room nearly runs the full length of the upstairs. A door opening over the pool affords spectacular vistas of the terrain below and beyond.
If all of this opulence has led you to conclude that this property is a “ranch” in quotation marks only, a walk round the 20-acre property (19 of those acres agriculturally designated) will correct that impression. The current owners’ son was a champion cutting horse rider, and the ranch features an 18-horse stable, fenced pastures, and hippodrome which can be lit, bright as day, at night.
The infrastructure of this compound is so impressive that it deserves to be duly noted. The acreage depends on three wells for its water, served by regulated and sophisticated pumping systems. Additional rainwater is captured from stable and arena roofs, into 2,500 gallon tanks for reuse. Electricity is provided by two carriers, but there are back-up generators just in case. Oh, and there is lightning protection, apparently essential for an exposed domicile out west. And yes, the house is tricked out with all of the smart house must haves. The appealing 1,150-square-foot guest house is now home to the ranch’s caretakers.
Listing Associates Michelle Perry and David Burgher are offering Stone Ridge Acres at $3.75 million
Eric Prokesh is an interior designer whose work has appeared on HGTV, and in books and publications including D Home, Southern Accents, House Beautiful, and House and Garden. In January 2005, HG named Eric one of the 50 tastemakers in America and D Home has included him as one of Dallas’ Best Designers for 10 years. Having lived most of his life in Dallas, he now calls Fort Worth home and is one of our experts on beautiful Fort Worth Dirt.
