Around the Table, Around the Lake
New to our neighborhood this year, the Dallas County Medical Society Alliance and Foundation tour features four homes on West Lawther. Though distinctive, all were designed to make the most of their location on the shores of Dallas’ gem — White Rock Lake.
Don’t miss: The two houses that bookend the tour — Robin Herndan’s on the south and Kate and Dana Juetts’ on the north — are both home to artists, and their studios will be available for viewing. Herndan’s is one of the newest homes built on the drive, as well as the most contemporary, while the Juetts are only the second owners to live in their home, which was built in the 1930s. They renovated the home but were careful to keep the same footprint and maintain its integrity, including much of the original wallpaper.
What’s more: Getting a peek at the majestic homes along West Lawther is a treat in itself, but each house also features a local chef in the kitchen, giving cooking demonstrations and whipping up savory samplings. Dining room tables will be set by Dallas designers and florists, and look for a wine tasting in one of the gardens.
When: Saturday, April 14, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cost: $25 in advance, $30 at the door
For information: 972-473-4771 or HughesJD01@verizon.net
White Rock
It’s the only tour in our neighborhood that exclusively features contemporary architecture, and this year three out of five homes happen to be owned by architects who either built or restored them.
Don’t miss: The “underground” home at 2001 N. Buckner, built in 2000 by architect Frank Moreland. Technically labeled “earth sheltered,” the home’s east, north and south sides are windowless. Plus, Architects Pedro Aguirre of Aguirre Corporation and Lyle Rowley of Ju-Nel Homes will be on site at the tour homes they designed — 954 Forestgrove and 10226 Vinemont, respectively — to answer any questions tour-takers might have.
What’s more: The home tour is only two years old, but the concurrent juried art festival at Hexter Elementary School, 9720 Waterview, is a longstanding tradition. Both events fund the school’s art education, after-school drama club, and art and music supplies.
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 21-22, noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $17 for both tour and festival ($12 in advance at White Rock Coffee), $14 for tour only, $4 for festival only; purchase tickets on tour day at White Rock Coffee, Hexter or any home tour location.
For information: 972-502-5807 or whiterockarts.org
Hollywood/Santa Monica
The conservation district has been inviting people to tromp through its Tudor, Spanish eclectic and minimal traditional homes for 16 years. This is the year of the Tudor, with all five homes on the tour featuring preserved and renovated historic homes in this architectural style.
Don’t miss: Owners of the home on Vivian, built in 1938, have maintained the light yellow and purple tiles from the original bathroom as well as the stained glass front windows. Since square footage is limited in this neighborhood, the tour homes also exemplify creative uses of space. The home on Santa Fe, for example, belongs to a family of four who didn’t want to move into a bigger house, so they screened-in their porch and now use it as a living and dining room.
What’s more: Perhaps the best way to view the homes is by candlelight during the preview tour Friday night, April 27, from 7:30-10 p.m., followed by a party and auction at the Dallas Arboretum’s Rosine Hall. Tickets for the preview events cost $40 and must be purchased in advance at Blow Salon in Lakewood Shopping Center or on the neighborhood association’s website (see below). All proceeds benefit J.L. Long Middle School, which received $11,000 from the association after last year’s tour.
When: Saturday and Sunday, April 28-29, noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $10; purchase in advance from Curiosities, 2025 Abrams, or Whole Foods Market on Lower Greenville at Richmond; purchase on tour day at Lindsley Park, 7115 Lindsley Avenue at Tenison Memorial
For information: 214-929-1919 or hsmna.org
Munger Place
Swiss Avenue might have the market cornered on the upper crust mansion tour, but Munger Place residents pride themselves on being the historic district that knows how to throw a party.
Don’t miss: The work-in-progress at 5301 Junius reveals the painstaking process of what is required to restore an historic district home. Also keep an eye out for the classic car parked in front of each tour home, and an ear out for the live entertainment inside — ranging from a classical pianist to a barbershop quartet to a theramin player, exhibiting one of the world’s earliest electronic instruments that is grandfather to the synthesizer.
What’s more: The neighborhood’s young families realize that not everyone is interested in old houses. So they came up with the block party and porch fest, held this year in the 4900 block of Tremont, between Collett and Fitzhugh. Local Texas artisans making beads, jewelry and stained glass will create and sell their wares along the street’s front porches, while neighborhood eateries offer food to hungry partiers. One of the live entertainment highlights will be the Ballet Folklorico dancers, who plan to host workshops right in the middle of the blocked-off street.
When: Saturday, May 5, 11 a.m.-6-p.m., and Sunday, May 6, noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $10 in advance at Whole Foods Market on Lower Greenville at Richmond, Quaint Home Gallery at 5308 Junius, or Garden Café at 5310 Junius; $12 on tour day at Tremont Park or any tour home
For information: 214-370-9994 or mungerplace.com
Swiss Avenue
A tradition going on four decades, this tour coincides with Mother’s Day and invites us to take in not only the stately homes but also the perfectly manicured gardens in this 102-year-old neighborhood.
Don’t miss: The most controversial site is the Thomas and Kate Baldwin house at 6015 Bryan, in construction mode, which neighbors and Preservation Dallas saved from the wrecking ball.
What’s more: Make plans to attend the annual Mother’s Day parade at noon on Saturday, May 12, and don’t miss the champagne and white tablecloths of the Sunday morning brunch at Savage Park, catered by Kitchen 1924. To get a seat, just walk to the park at 11:30 a.m. and pay. Savage Park also will be the site of food vendors and live entertainment during tour hours.
When: Saturday, May 12, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, May 13, noon-6 p.m.
Cost: $15 in advance, $20 on tour days; purchase tickets in advance at Central Market on Greenville at Lovers, Talulah Belle in Lakewood Shopping Center, Whole Foods on Lower Greenville at Richmond, Albertson’s on Lemmon and McKinney, and Albertson’s on Mockingbird and Abrams; purchase tickets on tour day at each house and Savage Park
For information: sahd.org or preservationdallas.org
