Storybook Hutsell houses in Dallas’s historic Lakewood
Do you ever cruise through an interesting neighborhood, gawking at houses? I love to. While in Dallas a few weeks ago, I detoured through historic Lakewood to gawk at its storybook houses. Around 50 Lakewood homes were built by architect Clifford D. Hutsell in the 1920s and ’30s. Described as Spanish Eclectic, they stand out with colorful tile roofs, turrets, walled courtyards, wooden balconies, arched doors and windows, stained glass — and this one even has blue outdoor curtains hanging two stories high!
And check out that stained-glass window. What is that, a galleon on the high seas? Such fanciful architecture! I like the waterwise foundation planting too: a pair of Arizona cypresses (although they’re going to get big, and I’d never want to cover up this architecture), prickly pear, and silvery ‘Powis Castle’ artemisia.
Potted sansevierias dance up the wrought-iron railing of an exterior staircase. You just get a glimpse of a tiled fountain in the walled courtyard. I adore the personality of this whimsical house. Lucky owners! To see the interior (back in 2016, when it was for sale), check out this article at candysdirt.com.
I snapped a few more Hutsell homes from the car window. I’m totally in love with these colorful Spanish tile roofs.
This one has a Hobbit-esque door and interesting diagonal hedges.
And wrought-iron dragon lanterns!
Another turreted beauty
That’s a wrap on my Dallas trip. To go back to my visit to North Haven Gardens nursery in north Dallas, click here. You can find links to my Dallas garden tours at the end of each post in this series.
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I’ve never seen outdoor curtains on house windows. Not sure why you’d want them. If they are able to open and close and not just decoration they probably also flap in the breeze…
I think it’s purely for the theatricality and color! I’ve never seen anything like this before either.
These exterior curtains were often seen on Spanish Revival homes in the 1920s. I’ve seen numerous photos from California with this detail. A house just down my block in San Antonio had them, but later owners removed them.
Is that right? I had no idea! I can’t imagine the maintenance required in keeping exterior curtains non-faded, clean, and fresh, but what a fun detail on the right house.
Love to drive thru cool neighborhoods to gawk at houses/gardens! And this is an especially charming area, thanks for sharing. Like you, I really like Spanish tile roofs. All the quirky details are so delightful, aren’t they? I always say I’m going to park and walk around this type of neighborhood so I can look more closely, but somehow I never do…
Yes, walking would be the way to really get a good gawk at all these fabulous houses. And you never know when someone will invite you to see more. That happened once in Houston when I was gawking and admiring. The owner popped out and invited me in for a tour!
I live in Lakewood and often drive by these houses. I agree with you about their charm and appeal. Thanks for posting these photos!
You are in a beautiful part of Dallas, Peter — as I’ve seen from your own garden!
Great post, thanks for including the link to the realtor’s site so we could see the interior photos. Those houses have so much charm and individuality!
They really do. I hope the owners and neighborhood continue to treasure them.