“Proportion is the good breeding of architecture. It is that something, indefinable to the unprofessional eye, which gives repose and distinction to a room… in its effects as intangible as that all-pervading essence which the ancients called the soul.”
Edith Wharton, The Decoration of HousesThe Decoration of Houses, written 123 years ago, is arguably the best book on domestic architecture written in America, and its beautifully cadenced prose with moments of delicious Whartonian wit is still relevant today.
In the book, Edith Wharton corrects a misnomer: “Colonial,” which appears in the listing of this week’s Fort Worth Friday. In a chapter dealing with mantels she clarifies:
“The application of the word “Colonial” to pre-Revolutionary architecture and decoration has created a vague impression that there existed at that time an American architectural style. As a matter of fact, “Colonial” architecture is simply a modest copy of Georgian models.”
So what accounts for the tenacity of the Georgian style? It was revived with a vengeance in the early 1980s and ’90s and persists as an option to this day. The enduring appeal is in the aforementioned pleasing proportions. Symmetry and a paucity of embellishment conform to the modern aesthetic and suspicion of superfluous ornament.
Our august Georgian sits on a large, three-quarter-acre lot in a quiet cul-de-sac just one block from the TCU at 3200 Westcliff West. Built in 1937, the 3,200-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-bath house has apparently remained in the possession of the same family for 84 years.
This proud beauty has been well cared for in her long lifetime. Check out the shimmering hardwood floors that run throughout the house. Pale pastels with occasional splashes of color establish a mood of sophisticated tranquility.
The kitchen has undergone a thorough update with an added large island bar and abundant cabinetry.
Terraces wrap the house on both floors taking advantage of the stunning views. Not counted in the square footage is a full basement. On the ground floor are a pair of split bedrooms.
From the upstairs landing one can glimpse the principal bedroom suite. The handrails, supported by comely fluted newell posts with X supports between balusters, are of exquisite beauty.
The primary suite includes a custom walk-in closet systems, an ensuite bath with dual sinks, a tub, separate shower, and a linen closet.
The crescendo grace note to this exceptional property is the infinity view at back. The lot extends from the manicured lawn to a slice of the woodlands beneath.
John Zimmerman of Compas Realty has listed 3200 Westcliff Road West at $1.899 million.
