Dallas has always been a hotbed of excellent residential architecture, and our Inwood National Bank Home of the Week is a perfect example of the sterling level of local talent. The architectural firm Domiteaux + Baggett are the masterminds behind this Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Preston Hollow custom home with a Palm Springs vibe. It would be a perfect location for a remake of any Rat Pack movie. We can easily imagine George Clooney and Brad Pitt hanging out by the pool at 5706 Watson Circle.
The 5,000-square-foot home is listed by Minnette Murray with Coldwell Banker for $2.75 million and we were lucky enough to get a peek at it this week.
It was designed with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a lush backyard. That idea was not just a cool style choice; it was also a practical consideration. “The present owners had young children when they began building the house, so we wanted to make it easy to keep an eye on the kids,” said Mark Domiteaux, one of the principal architects in the firm.
The growing family directed a lot of the design decisions. “The clients wanted each child to have their own bedroom and bathroom, in a separate wing, so the havoc could be contained,” Domiteaux said. Three bedroom suites were created upstairs as well as an open-plan recreation area. The master suite and guest room are in their own secluded space at the end of the house. If you’re keeping track, that’s five bedrooms and five bathrooms. Of course there are four more half bathrooms in the house. No one is ever going to be waiting in line to brush their teeth here.
A hallmark of Domiteaux + Baggett is the front door. The firm works with local artist Robin Herndon, well known for her fused glass art. “We introduce our clients to Robin and they work together to create a statement door that sets the tone for the house,” Domiteaux said. This one is Spanish mahogany with a long rectangle of fused glass surrounded by windows with horizontal mahogany bars, a signature look that is repeated throughout the home.
Upon entering the house, you’re swept away by light, glass, stone, wood, a view of the expansive backyard, and a sense of calm. “Everything about this house gives off a peaceful, Zen feel,” Murray said. “The home’s warm and organic atmosphere is perfectly balanced with the contemporary style.”
“I think the entry dining room windows are my favorite thing,” Domiteaux said. The windows are a real nod to Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and they just explode that corner open.”
The kitchen is a study in style and efficiency. The family entertains a lot, and with the dining room as a focal point, the kitchen needed to be an easy space to work in while still pulling its weight in the style department. Domiteaux used Padauk, a Brazilian hardwood, for the desired effect. “I had used it in my own kitchen so I knew it would be perfect,” he said. This is when trusting your architect is essential: Padauk is orange — bright orange. “It takes about six weeks for it to turn color,” Domiteaux said. “As it ages it becomes darker and richer, and more and more beautiful.”
“Our homes are eclectic,” Domiteaux said. “The design is always driven by the personality of the client. We get to know them and their needs during the process. This is very much a family house. It was a dream job because the clients were open to ideas and did not want to compromise on anything.”
That’s exactly what a potential buyer wants to hear because lack of compromise translates to an extremely good investment. And then there’s that potential for George Clooney to film a movie here. That’s a deal sealer!
