When John Angell emailed me photos of this iconic Lakewood Hutsell mansion yesterday morning, I almost spit out my coffee. Yes, I was that excited. You see, these architecturally significant, historically important, and delightfully eclectic homes are not often for sale.

I was sure I had written about this Lakewood Hutsell before because I’ve seen and written about a lot of homes designed by this amazing architect.

I was wrong.

What had me fooled was the rarity of the outdoor curtains that hang on either side of the large arched stained glass window. And the balcony, and the piqué assiette courtyard floor, and the stained glass. Let’s face it. This beauty is almost the sister of the Hutsell at 7035 Lakewood Boulevard, making it a close copy of the home the architect built for himself. I’m not at all surprised that an old Hutsell fan like me was fooled, because repetition is present in all this genius designed.

A Home That Serves

This Lakewood Hutsell was built in 1936, probably for the well-respected and extremely socially engaged pharmacist Glenn Runyon and his wife. There are a number of articles in The Dallas Morning News archives about teas, parties, and weddings at the home. It appears to have been the social beehive of Lakewood at the time.

It appears only four families have owned this home. Remember, Realtors always say if a house has not changed hands often, it’s a mark of how well it serves the owners. The present owners have spent the last eight years renovating and restoring their Lakewood Hutsell to absolute perfection.

What makes these homes so unique are the eclectic details. Most of us know Hutsell for his use of multi-color clay tile roofs, an abundance of stained glass and inspired color on exterior wood balconies. But it’s the interior detailing that takes these homes to another level.

Hutsell’s Innovative Design

This Lakewood Hutsell has a few things I’ve never seen before in his other designs. For instance, the round window in the sunroom is fitted with original ironwork to hold candles. It must surely be one of Hutsell’s most creative innovations. Directly opposite this window is a mirror in the same shape and size. It serves not only to reflect the beautiful courtyard but to also bounce light into the multiple stained glass windows in the room. The flooring here is another wonderful feature. I can’t quite tell, but I’ll hazard a guess that it’s either cork or linoleum created in a pattern to mimic the piqué assiette courtyard floor.

Incredible Batchelder Fireplace

Hutsell is known for his use of Batchelder tile in his fireplace design. The living room fireplace in this Lakewood Hutsell is one of the best examples I’ve seen. The reason we preserve and restore these fireplaces should be a no-brainer, but I’ll give you some insight. Ernest Batchelder was a leader in the Arts and Crafts movement in America and a smart businessman. He marketed his tiles through catalogs to the entire country. The hallmark of these tiles is a neutral palette with pastoral scenes. So, the lesson here is don’t ever paint over a Batchelder fireplace!

Another eclectic detail in these homes are the speakeasy grilles. I can only surmise Hutsell spent his fair share of time in speakeasys and that’s what led to the inspiration. This is a much more amusing way to check out who is on the other side of the door! I can’t quite figure out why he installed one on the balcony door, but it was the ’30s and times could get wild!

The present owners have done great justice to this Lakewood Hutsell, preserving every possible detail and updating necessary areas without ruining the layout of the home. The kitchen is an excellent example of how to create a modern space without ripping out walls and ignoring the original floorplan.

Not only does this 2,204-square-foot Lakewood Hutsell have three bedrooms and three bathrooms, but it also has a complete guest house and the most adorable greenhouse. The backyard has been landscaped to be completely low maintenance, which serves the four pups who live here very well.

I’ve been smitten with Hutsell homes from the moment I laid eyes on them many moons ago, so I’m decidedly biased. However, I also know value better than most. This beautifully restored Lakewood Hutsell is one of the best deals I’ve seen come around in a very long time. If you’d like to know more, give

Dallas City Center agent John Angell has priced 6969 Lakewood Blvd. for $1.25 million, but you’ll want to call to confirm this off-market offering before you write the check.