Cars, Wine, and Outdoor Entertaining in a Villa Fit for a Medici
In case you hadn’t noticed, Mediterranean style houses seem to have popped up all over Dallas. In fact, Dallas author, Virginia Savage McAlester, writes in her book, Great American Suburbs: The Homes of the Park Cities, that Tuscan/Mediterranean style architecture has become one of the area’s most popular building styles.
Richard Davis attributes the popularity of Mediterranean styling to the fact that Mediterranean designs integrate well with the traditional architecture typically found in established neighborhoods, and it is a style appropriate to a warm weather climate like Texas. The style also blends easily with Transitional or Contemporary design. Therefore, a client can choose a more traditional Mediterranean appearance for the exterior of their home, while implementing a more open, flowing floor plan design on the interior with contemporary, clean-lined interior details.
One of the most romantic and beautifully proportioned projects that RDDA has been privileged to work on in Dallas in the past several years is this magnificent Mediterranean style villa in Preston Hollow.
Situated in a lush four-acre oasis, this five-bedroom estate, encompassing almost 13,000 square feet, would be just as appropriate in Palm Beach or the hills of Tuscany as it is in Dallas.
Working closely with interior designer, Cricket Seal, the client selected the highest quality materials for the finishes throughout the house. The walls of the foyer are clad in smooth cut Lueders limestone, which complements the rough-cut limestone used on the exterior of the home.
The majestic staircase with a custom made forged iron railing is a focal point of the house and one of the many examples of the attention to detail and craftsmanship that sets this house apart. The house also features twenty custom-made forged iron sconces.
The ceiling in each room is unique. The wine room, which holds 2,300 bottles, features a barrel-vaulted wood ceiling that resembles a wine cask.
To house the client’s classic car collection, RDDA designed a nine-car garage. The space also includes a casual entertainment area.
Nine garage doors would have overwhelmed the entry motor court. Consequently, RDDA designed one large entry door that provides access to the nine parking stalls. With a nod to the historic tradition of Mediterranean architecture, the exterior of the garage is reminiscent of the stables that would have been an integral part of a villa of this magnitude before the advent of the automobile.
The design and style of the house takes full advantage of the property’s beautiful landscapes, which were designed by landscape architect, Linda Tycher. Not unlike the gardens of a great country estate, the grounds of this property were designed to take full advantage of the four-acre site. The landscaping includes bridges, streams, meandering paths, fountains, koi ponds, and an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Continuing the outdoor theme and capitalizing on the beauty of nature, this colonnade seamlessly provides access to the outside, where outdoor living spaces, terraces and patios all play an important role in the look, feel, and use of the house.
The wide overhangs of the roof are accented with carved, wooden beams, emphasizing the Mediterranean style.
The ample covered porches create a dramatic atmosphere for outdoor entertaining—a favorite pastime of the homeowners.
The project was realized with the help of:
Joe Kain, general contractor Cricket Seal, interior designer and Linda Tycher & Associates, landscape architect
To see more images of this project, please visit our website.
Regards, Richard Drummond Davis Architects