Dear Santa: I have always wanted to live in a Charles Dilbeck home. Ever since I moved to Dallas and learned that Charles Dilbeck was one of the area’s most prolific architects, I have wanted to buy one of his homes. They were the first “older” homes I saw in Dallas. Well, that is, until I found Swiss Avenue. Dilbeck created romantic Tudors and French country homes sprinkled throughout the Park Cities and a few in North Dallas. His was Harry Potter style before Harry was a Potter. His homes have a signature English farmhouse feel to them, and are built rambling, as if they have been added onto. Dilbeck, for example, always said that in authentic cottages you could always find the original log cabin that the home started from. He also designed homes without hallways, so you have to go into one room to get to another, as if the house had been added on to randomly. It creates a very organic feel. And it was always such a refreshing contrast to the post World War II ranches that sprawled everywhere. Plus, I know his family.
I’ll tell you what REALLY got my heart pining: the Dilbeck ranch I saw in Westlake called Paigebrooke, the former ranch of Ted Dealey — talk about Dallas history — that was moved painstakingly, brick by brick, to it’s current location.
Well. here is a Charles Dilbeck-designed home located in the best block of Lakewood on Avalon. French Normandy style built in 1940, the home is set back on a lot that is just under half an acre and featured in the book, ‘Great Houses of Texas.’ And this one is updated and affordable at $1,685,000.
Wait Santa, it gets better: there is one bedroom and a full bath down, so you can have a place to stay if you want a quick snooze on Christmas eve. There are three living areas and three of thos Dilbeck signature fireplaces — one is a corner. There are three bedrooms and baths upstairs. Tell the Missus they have all been remodelled so she can take a long, hot soak in the tub after she turns you loose.
The master is light filled with a huge lounging deck.
The kitchen is stunning — looking at that white marble, those white-washed cabinets and farm-house pulls makes me drool with delight. Just charming. This home is a living piece of historical architecture with qualities and finishes unseen in today’s marketplace. In fact, like most Dilbeck homes, this is about as close as you get to history, or my Paigebrook, in Dallas.
Vitals: 3737 square feet, built in 1940. Four bedrooms, four baths, almost half acre lot, no pool but room, and luscious hardwoods.
Oh those beams! That staircase railing! The split front door. All original designs. Even the playhouse in the backyard behind the pond is iconic Dilbeck. (What a perfect place for the grandchildren to play!)
Can I have it the day before Christmas Santa, please? I want to serve Christmas dinner on that farm table in the dining room. Listed with Nancy Guerriero and Janelle Law at Dallas City Center Realtors. (Photos by Shoot2Sell!)
And Santa, don’t even worry about the bows: this one is perfect as is!
