Majestic Modern Home in north Dallas, Texas - 5903 Lakehurst Ave.

Usually, I'm no fan of contemporary modern homes - more of an American French Traditional kind, myself.  However, when I discovered 5903 Lakehurst Ave. in north Dallas, my interest was sparked.  I love how this home incorporates nature and the outdoors with indoor living.  From the street view, the plain white box-home (just my name for it, don't get offended) looks generously placed amongst green lively trees and landscaping.  The 4 bed/5 bath home is situated on an average Highland Park half an acre lot with a 4 car garage, 2 courtyards, large pool, and a back living room with ceiling-floor windows creating picturesque views of the pool and outdoor activities.  Modern homes, like this one, are always so uniquely built!  This gracious modern residence is listed for $3,395,000.

Here's The Listing

Thanks for reading,

John

Photographer Robin Stubbert

Good Monday morning to all of you dear readers!

Back in April 2010 I featured the work of oh so talented photographer Robin Stubbert. I'm not quite sure what happened but after some time the pics looked fuzzy so I have deleted that post and am making a new one with the same photographs and some new ones she has added to her site as well.
Robin specializes in interiors, still life, gardens and lifestyle, and books and magazines.
Come enjoy with me!

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More beautiful photographs in Robin's portfolio right here.

About the Seller: Robert Karlseng, Real Estate Lawyer Known Throughout Texas, Selling his Beverly Drive French Residence

The French Castle at 3911 Beverly Drive in Highland Park is definitely an eye-catcher.  Right across Beverly from the Dallas Country Club, the 4 story 12,250 sq. foot home sharply resembles a French castle with its "pointy" signatures and French inspirations.  Key features of the home include a masterpiece spiral staircase, 8 bedrooms, and 7 bathrooms.

The sellers are Robert and Catherine Karlseng.  Robert is a statewide real estate lawyer specializing in real estate lending and contract review.  Along with owning a lawyer partner firm, Karlseng also is the Outside General Counselor for Maverick National Services in Plano, Texas.  For Karlseng's executive biography and about Maverick National Services, click here.

Here's The Listing

Thanks for reading,

John

My Bedroom

It's getting there, but I am super happy with my choice of quilt cover and of course my gorgeous cushion from the lovely Louise at Table Tonic. I wanted the room to be light and airy and I think I have achieved this.
The best thing about this quilt cover - I don't have to iron it yipee :)

Still a couple of things to work on (are we ever finished??) one being the lamps. You can see which ones I ended up getting and I will eventually cover the shades to a grey and white fabric of some sort. Also collecting some more bits and pieces to dress my side tables. I'm off to buy some flowers  for them today I think.

For now I am really happy and will be replicating this look in my new place even though I won't have my grey walls. 

What do you think?

all images myfirstlittleplace

Address to Impress - Home of the Week, Real Estate Nightmare 2324 Panorama Court in Arlington, Texas

The story of 2324 Panorama Court is, what I would call, a Real Estate Nightmare.  Although a comfortably nice home, the history and story behind the behemoth is, simply, a nightmare.  It all started in early 2000's when Johar Saran wanted to build a large new home for his wife and up-and-coming kids.  Saran was a serial Pharmacist owning over 20 pharmacies in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex - in other words, big time income.  It all went downhill when his crimes were unearthed.  Saran was selling drugs over the internet without legitimate prescriptions, obviously a no-no.  He was arrested in 2005 and plead guilty to his crimes in 2006; Saran was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison.  Not only was he forced to pay up $68 million dollars, but he also lost all his drug-payed assets, including his mansion at 2324 Panorama Court.  In 2010, the bank tried to auction off the home, but no one bid.  As I said, nightmare.

Apart from its "rich" history, the traditional Mediterranean home sits comfortably vacant atop a hill overlooking Rush Creek.  Currently, it is listed as Arlington's most expensive listed property.  The 2.6 acre lot hosts a 22,100 sq. foot mega with 4 floors.  More amenities include 7 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms, an indoor pool, gym, library, dance studio, music room, heated marble floors, a media room, sauna, 5 fireplaces, several balconies, large windows, and more.  The sprawling estate and home, once appraised at just over $5 million dollars, is now listed at $3,400,000.  From making $50,000 a day to losing everything, I hope Saran has learned his lesson.  Good luck selling this one!

Here's The Listing

Thanks for reading,

John

Mega Modern Estate on Shadow Drive in North Arlington, Texas

Shadow Drive has a reputation for being one of the finest real estate streets in far north Arlington.  One of the most noted homes on Shadow Drive is this mega modern/contemporary estate located at 2906 W. Shadow Drive.  The large steel gate, which fits together like a puzzle piece, leads to the 5 car glass garage and front parking area.  The 9,470 sq. foot home belongs to Kristopher Kyle Lewis who owns a very prominent and highly rewarded construction equipment company, Lewis Equipment Company.  Ever see new buildings or skyscrapers in construction?  Chances are, the large heavy-duty cranes belong to Lewis Equipment Company - look for the name LEWIS on the side of the crane. The interestingly built home includes a private walking trail surrounding a lake.  The property lines stretch all the way back to the Trinity River, as do most of the large homes on Shadow.  Some of his neighbors include popular Plastic Surgeon Dr. David Rassmussen and CareNow lead Doctor Dr. Marc Anduss.

Thanks for reading,

John

Provencal House

Hi dears! I'm back in Argentina after a great snowy week in NY and Washington DC. As we had already visited most of the museums on previous trips we decided to go to the theatres and we saw four delightful shows: The Lion King, The Importance of Being Earnest, La Cage aux folles and Mary Poppins. All of them admirable.
Now we are staying here until Saturday and then we are finally going back to Brazil. Long, loong, lovely holidays!

Today I'd like to show you this Provencal house perched on a hillside with views of the village of Ramatuelle in France. It belongs to Stephane Olivier, an antique dealer who likes to mis styles, subjects and periods.



A Napoleon wrought iron garden chair and table on the terrace.


A mora clock stands next to a Swedish buffet side table. Above it hangs a Jules Didier 19th century painting called "The Gardener". The lamp was designed from a wooden boot.


As much as I love this house and its style, I wouldn't dream of placing a stuffed porcupine in the kitchen... nor anywhere else!


Interesting and unusual place to place a candle.


Leaning against the crumbling wall, an old carpenter's bench serves as a console with a pair of candles on it. Under the pergola, the mismatched chairs are Italian.


Antique 18th century Italian chair.


Detail of vases and pitcher on the dining room table.


In the master bedroom an 18th century Swedish dresser.

Photography Gilles Trillard
All images from here.

A little bit of news...

For the last 6 months I've been keeping a little bit of a secret which only a few of my friends knew but as I was able to tell my team at work today, I can finally share my news.

In one month time I will be packing up my first little place and moving! I have been offered a promotion with work and it involves a move to Cairns to take up the position. I am excited but I am filled with mixed emotions. The team I will be working up there are really great and it's a very good career move.

 My soon to be new hometown, not bad hey?

But naturally my fellow blogger's, what does this mean for my blog - My First Little Place?? After all, this blog all started because of the work I am doing on my first house. Does this blog now become redundant??

That would devastate me :(

Maybe I could rename my blog "My First Little Place - In Cairns"!!! 

Even though I will go back to renting (!!) being the interior design enthusiast I am, of course I am already planning on how to decorate my new place and what new pieces of furniture and homewares I can get to make it feel as homely and comfortable as possible.

So I hope that you will all stay with me to help get me through adjusting in my new destination, away from family and friends by still following my blog ... that will still be called My First Little Place!

Start counting down the days ...

images via yellowbrickblog, bottomoftheironingbasket

Where I want to stay... Barcelona

I've been to Barcelona and love it, but I didn't get to stay here!! 

Maybe when I venture back there I will stay here, The Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Have you been to Barcelona? Would love to hear about it...

images via contemporist