What does a famous architectural and interior designer, who is an indefatigable explorer, world traveler, and devoted historian choose to design for family and personal use? A Bluffview traditional two-story home, of course.
You’re probably not going to know the name, because Paul Duesing is one of those designers that flies gracefully under the radar. He is the go-to guy for resort design, and celebrities regularly tap him to create a get-away feel for their homes. If you are a globe trotter, you may have stayed at the Duesing-designed The Royal Livingstone in Zambia, Africa or The Resort at Pedregal, in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The man is legendary to those in the know.
It’s significant when an international designer, who could live anywhere in the world, chooses Dallas. But, we know Bluffview is an exceptional neighborhood by any standard. You’ll find politicians, celebrities, movers, and shakers tucked into its leafy environs.
The Bluffview traditional Duesing designed is quite a love story.
Duesing and his mother spotted the house in New Orleans, and it was in pretty bad shape. However, it had great bones, so they moved it to Dallas, next door to his own Bluffview home. No sooner had they started to gut it than his mom suddenly passed away. Anyone who has been through this sort of thing knows the difficulty of finishing a project meant for a loved one who will never enjoy it. The pain is insurmountable, and the thought of moving forward unbearable. So, the house sat unfinished for some time. Then as happens, inspiration and motivation descend, and Duesing decided it was time to finish the project. It was a labor of love, and once he began, it was full speed ahead for a year and a half.
“This setting was put together to escape from sound, and sight, to entice the senses and to make you feel like you are not in Dallas,” Duesing said. “The idea was to establish a personal resort feel.”
The concept of a personal resort stemmed from a high-profile client who fell in love with the Duesing-designed Royal Livingstone near Victoria Falls. She and her husband asked who the designer was and promptly hired Duesing to do their home. The idea of a personal resort unfolded from her desire to have what she’d experienced on holiday.
“She fueled the idea of how I could help people escape, at home,” Duesing said. “You should not have to go on a trip to feel as good as you feel in the best resorts in the world. You should feel that good in your own home.”
There is no better example of this than the Bluffview traditional he designed with his mother’s spirit in his heart. It embodies his values of exploration, authenticity, character, and quality. Remember what I always tell you, dear readers? If you can purchase the home of a designer or architect, run right to the agent and put down your earnest money!
This Bluffview traditional is such a treat. Completely hidden from view behind tall hedges, the moment you step onto the gravel motor court, you know you are in for something special. You cannot see another house from anywhere in the backyard or out of the windows. The landscaping reminds me of Europe with 18 species of trees, a pond-like pool and a charming cottage in the backyard that serves as Duesing’s headquarters.
This Bluffview traditional at 8606 Wingate Drive is 3,343 square feet of the most well-thought-out, imaginative design. The entire compound takes you back to a more gracious era but, as Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s listing agent Anne Goyer said, “Paul has a classic look but with a wink and a nod. His style does not take itself too seriously.”
This Bluffview traditional is listed by Goyer and Lee Lee Gioia for a steal of a price at $1.6 million.
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!
