When we came across this 1955 ranch reborn as a Hill Country modern, we were intrigued. It takes a savvy, experienced contractor to remodel a home to this level of sophistication. Guess who whipped 7242 Midbury Drive, into shape?
The Realtor.
Full disclosure, Mickey Carr with David Griffin and Company is not only a Realtor. Carr, and two of his childhood friends, formed Spruce Designs a couple of years ago. He designed the remodel, the addition, and was the general contractor on this project.
“I built custom homes with my parents for about 12 years at a resort on Lake Whitney,” Carr said. “I decided to get back into the business full time — in addition to my real estate sales, of course.”
Carr and his partners know exactly what they’re doing and have remodeled this home with intelligence and style, and without compromising the surrounding land — it sits on over half an acre, on a corner lot. He listed this 4,700-square-foot beauty for $1.59 million last Friday. There are four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two half baths.
“This was an estate property, one couple owned the home from 1961 to 2014,” Carr said. “We wanted to purchase in 2014, but another investor beat us to it. After more than a year, that investor did nothing with it, stuck a for sale sign in the yard, and we bought it. Seven months later, you can now see the end result.”
Spruce Designs did not miss a trick on their Jan Mar renovation. A new driveway and sidewalk were as essential to the new look as the new windows and doors. A mix of Austin stone and Lueders limestone updated the façade as well as the back porch area. All the original plumbing and gas pipes were replaced and two tankless water heaters added. The entire home was rewired with new main service and pre-wired for security and sound in the main living areas, media room, master bedroom, master bath, and back patio. Contemporary landscaping was added and two outdoor living spaces were created.
Opening up these older homes is the key to appealing to a modern family. Creating movement around the central fireplace allows for ease of entertaining, great light flow, and easily keeping tabs on kids.
If you’re wondering why some wood kitchens are outdated but others are right on target, this is a perfect example. It’s the style of cabinet, the kind of wood, and the stain used that modernize the look. The kitchen cabinets in this home are a flat panel walnut and they are gorgeous. Having the beams match the cabinetry is brilliant, and one of the many things that creates the cohesive design.
Moen faucets and black honed granite for the perimeter complement the enormous waterfall leathered quartzite island. Wolf, Sub-zero, and Asko appliances will turn you into the neighborhood chef, even if you’ve never lifted a spatula before.
There’s a great study just off the main living area, accessed by double barn doors. And yes, barn doors are still extremely cool. Spruce built in a floating credenza with walnut shelves against the back wall. You could easily open the doors and use this area as a supplemental buffet and bar space for a large party. The media room cabinets are painted flat panels and a floating entertainment center was constructed with smoked glass and mesh for your sub-woofer. The essential wet bar has a lighted glass front — so nice when you need to quickly grab an adult beverage in the midst of a riveting episode of Justified.
Bedrooms retained original wood floors and bathrooms were updated to perfection.
Our hats are off to Spruce Designs and Mickey Carr for an astonishingly well done renovation and remodel.
