Joanna England: In the East Dallas neighborhood of Little Forest Hills, the tidy cottages once favored as holiday homes have unique appeal. Unfortunately, not all buyers or builders see the value in keeping these almost 100-year-old homes standing. However, this particular Friday Four Hundred from February is a fantastic example of how a Little Forest Hills cottage can be renovated for this competitive market and still stay true to the neighborhood motto of “Keep Little Forest Hills Funky.”
It’s sad to see a cottage get torn down in Little Forest Hills only to see some gigantic, zero-lot-line home go up in its place.
That’s not to say that all of the 1930s-era bungalows in this East Dallas neighborhood are worth saving, but if you’re going to build new or completely remodel in this area, you need to respect the vibe. After all, the unofficial motto of this sweet spot near White Rock Lake is “Keep Little Forest Hills Funky.”
Thankfully, that’s just what this completely remodeled cottage did.
“One of the reasons I love the neighborhood of Little Forest Hills, besides the actual feeling of community, is the homeowners are not put into a box and forced to conform to a particular set of rules of how your own home should look,” said listing agent Alex Gough. “The community is encouraged to be unique, vibrant, and eclectic.”
Gough’s team definitely took a cue from its surroundings and upped the ante on cool, hip, and funky. They brought this 1938-built bungalow into the 21st century with modern updates and a clean, high-contrast aesthetic.
“What sets the home apart is the contrast from the white picket fence and the black painted house,” Gough said. “You don’t often see in neighborhoods.”
Black is definitely coming into style as an exterior color, but some might think that it’s too dramatic or perhaps ill-suited to a small house. Gough disagrees.
“A house this color might not work in every neighborhood,” he said, “but it definitely works in this one.”
Inside you’ll find a move-in ready home that’s an incredibly manageable 1,174 square feet with two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Everything is crisp but still warm, thanks to the high-end brass hardware and warm wood floors.
The kitchen is a galley-style affair that keeps it feeling open with white cabinetry and a backsplash window.
Outdoors you have tons of room to put in your garden, your chicken coop, or whatever you please. You can enjoy it all from that wrap-around porch, too. And the bedrooms, while not huge, definitely give you plenty of space. In fact, that’s the general feel of this cottage — everything you need and nothing you don’t.
“I did over 50 transactions across Texas these past 11 months, and this is my favorite house we’ve ever done as our company,” said Gough, who works as a Realtor for the real estate investment company Investorade. “Is it the biggest? No. Is it the most extravagant? No. But it’s the one that feels like home the most.”
Alex Gough with Texas Ally Real Estate Group has listed 8814 San Benito Way for $479,000.
