I have to confess that the Santa Fe reference provoked the slightest unease about this house. I’m old enough to remember a national craze in the 1980s for “Santa Fe style” which morphed into a commercial package that included a color palette of sweet teal, pepto pink, and terra cotta and a surfeit of Francisco Zúñiga prints and paintings. Actually, Zúñiga was a Costa Rican-born Mexican artist.
Last August, however, I had the good fortune to return to the source — Santa Fe. I rediscovered and delighted in so much of what is valuable, authentic, and unique about the place. The Spanish Colonial idiom, of course, is not the sole property of New Mexico, though. As we know, San Antonio and South Texas are replete with many a stucco structure in the style, some dating back to the 19th Century.
Add to the balance sheet Frank Moreland, an architect and teacher who left a pioneering legacy of ten sustainable dwellings and earth-oriented structures. I was intrigued to read that his undergraduate degree was a triple major in math, physics, and architecture. So taking all of that into consideration, I think we can agree to open the fine portal and have a look inside 1716 Hulen Street in the Crestline Area on the Westside of Fort Worth.
The interior is simply stunning. Built in 1976, the 2,900-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-and-one-half-bath house has a rustic grandeur that is timeless. Frankly, I was surprised by the construction date. The proportions and design details are so perfectly executed that I would have guessed early 20th century.
The first thing that captures your attention in the large Sala is the splendid timber-beamed ceiling floating high above the Saltillo-tiled floor. It’s so impressive and convincing that I’d swear the lumber was antique. The curved fireplace (one of three) sustains the mood.
I can’t help but remark on the exquisite decor a luxurious mélange of first-rate European antiques and modern pieces. The house looks not so much decorated as collected, and reflective of the character of an evolved, intelligent owner.
I have to admit to being disappointed at the rather generic granite, which looks a bit dated. I would have preferred to find a splash of colorful tile, perhaps. However, the cabinets are a handsome opportunity for some color and appliances are top-notch.
Santa Fe Style is Rustic Luxury
Bedrooms sustain the contrast of opulence and rustic style that infuses the residence with its seductive charm. One of the bedrooms has a romantic fireplace and an ensuite bath with a tub encased in Spanish-style stucco. Again, the same somewhat dreary granite and yes, some hand-painted tile would add exponentially to what is essentially a lovely room.
At the center, visible from the main room, is a charming courtyard with a fountain — the perfect crowning embellishment for this special and distinctive offering.
See this Santa Fe-style home in Fort Worth during open houses from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday from 2:00-4:00.
Laura Ladner of Burt Ladner Real Estate, LLC has priced 1716 Hulen Street at $995,999.
