A simply stunning Highland Park French Normandy masterpiece, at 4401 Lorraine Avenue, hit the market last week and it has totally captivated us. Our staff sees hundreds of home online each day. When we have the opportunity, we also see several in person each month. So we’re accustomed to gorgeous properties and yes, we can get a little jaded.
Then there are the times, when a home is so fantastic, we get that dazed look in our eyes and gasp “OMG, just look at this!” This is one of those times.
What distinguishes this property from thousands of others? Well, it’s not just beautiful but it’s also tasteful and well thought out. It has a restrained elegance. You know what Realtors say about location? You can’t get much better than the corner of Armstrong Parkway in Highland Park.
“It’s perfect for a discerning buyer looking for an established original residence and location,” Caroline Summers said. Summers, who is with Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International, has the 7,500-square-foot home listed for $6.275 million. “This home was originally an English Tudor built in 1933 and completely redone in 2014,” she said. It was redesigned in the French Normandy style and meticulously renovated by Bill and Sheri Carpenter. Yes, that Bill, the one you head over to see when you’re in need of a little personal renovation.
The home has three levels — with an elevator, of course. There are five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a powder bath, and three fireplaces. “This home has a light, bright, almost beachy feel, but with a classical elegance that is lost in so many of the new builds you see today,” Summers said.
“The dining room is massive,” Summers added. “Formal dining rooms are becoming smaller and smaller and this is a nice departure. It’s large enough to host cocktails and dinner for the grandest of family celebrations.”
The kitchen is awash in white — totally on trend right now, with an oversized marble island, Viking range, double dishwashers, and a SubZero refrigerator. The informal dining area will make you think you’re in the heart of Provence, not Highland Park.
The second floor master suite overlooks the grounds and has a lovely sitting area at one end.
The master bathroom is another revitalization in white — from paint to tile and marble — the classic elements are presented in a modern style.
The third floor is a perfect suite for older children with a study and living area. Take the elevator or get a bit of exercise climbing what is possibly the most stylish staircase in the state.
Guests have their own private paradise with a 1,284-square-foot apartment over the garage. The idyllic grounds were carefully planned by Dallas landscape designer Robert Bellamy, who is known for creating wonderful private sanctuaries. It’s very much a family home with plenty of space for multiple age groups. The Carpenters are empty-nesters now, so if you’re in the market for a sizable family home, in a location that can’t be beat, give Caroline Summers a call soon, because homes this flawless, regardless of price point, are hard to come by.
