Character has become popular again and it’s refreshing to see buyers fully embrace it.
The fact that this French Creole-inspired home blew off the market is a testament to what our buyers want today. This beauty had multiple offers within two weeks and is under contract. That’s also a testament to the marketing prowess of Dave Perry-Miller’s Jamie Kohlmann and Ryan Streiff.
We’ve had our fill of the BWB (Big White Box). Those were fine when they were few and far between, then things went bonkers and we lost sight of what matters — texture, materials, and hues create the ambiance and the character that make a house a home. A BWB is fine for displaying your art collection, but creating the feel of home in one, well it’s a high bar to hit. So I’m not at all surprised by this happy turn of events.
Builder Chad Brown is known for creating a classic home that feels it’s been in place for generations.
Brown has long been inspired by Louisiana architect A. Hays Town, who was heavily influenced by the Spanish, French, and Creole history of Louisiana. He was one of the first architects to incorporate salvaged building materials into his designs, which eventually became a hallmark of his style and one that continues to inspire architects around America today.
When planning this French Creole home, Brown went to Baton Rouge for research, then on to New Orleans for the materials. The A. Hays Town style is so prevalent throughout Louisiana that reclaimed product is much easier to find there. Brown discovered antique heart pine for the floors and cypress to use for paneling as well as reclaimed brick.
“One of my favorite things about the A.Hays Town style is that it looks like a collection of buildings connected together over time,” Brown said. “The formal areas are very formal, with more intricate trim detail, but as you progress to the family spaces they become more casual. This house, I believe, has that feel.”
The thing about building character into a house with reclaimed materials is that these homes stand the test of time. You cannot pinpoint when they were built, and it frankly does not matter.
“The bones of this French Creole house, the brick, the gas lanterns, the shutters, those aspects are timeless and relevant,” Brown said. “The antique heart pine beams and floors don’t ever go out of style, they just get better with age and gain character.”
“We go through phases in Dallas,” Brown said. “We’ve been through red brick, Tuscan, and the white box kick. It always comes back to the classic, however, and Manning will stand the test of time.”
A smart buyer understood that French Creole charm coupled with modern-day comfort and construction makes a perfect home. It’s no wonder it sold immediately!
You’ve missed this spectacular French Creole home at 4214 Manning Lane, but we know you are looking, so give Jamie Kohlmann and Ryan Streiff at the Perry-Miller Streiff Group a call. I can guarantee they’ll find you a timeless home with character if you call them fast enough!
