Claire and I decided somewhat spontaneously to head up to Dallas to check out their Modern Home Tour yesterday. Some highlights:
Best Exteriors:
![smitharc_home This modern gem was across the street from the home above. Unfortunately, it wasn't on the tour--would've loved to have seen the interior!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/smitharc_home.jpg)
This modern gem (advertised as a Smitharc home) was across the street from a home on the tour. Unfortunately, it wasn't part of the tour--would've loved to have seen the interior!
![exterior_entrance A mix of natural materials makes this entrance inviting.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/exterior_entrance.jpg)
A mix of natural materials makes this entrance inviting.
I Envy These Living Rooms:
Awesome Kitchens:
![mod_kitchen_lighter I adore everything about this kitchen.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mod_kitchen_lighter.jpg)
I adore everything about this kitchen.
Best Bathroom Vanities:
![striped_vanity One of my favorite rooms on the tour, I love how this bathroom uses neutrals but feels superfun.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/striped_vanity.jpg)
One of my favorite rooms on the tour, I love how this bathroom uses neutrals but feels superfun.
![double_vanity This unique type of double vanity affords more personal space.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/double_vanity.jpg)
This unique type of double vanity affords more personal space.
![zebra_wood_powder_room Love the band of zebrawood across the backsplash in this powder room.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/zebra_wood_powder_room.jpg)
Love the band of zebrawood across the backsplash in this powder room.
Beautiful Bedrooms:
![rex_ray_br This is how you work layered rugs! I'm also dying for the Rex Ray over the bed.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/rex_ray_br.jpg)
This is how you work layered rugs! I'm also dying for the Rex Ray over the bed.
![neutral_br I need more color in my world, but I'd love to vacation in this bedroom now and then.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/neutral_br.jpg)
I need more color in my world, but I'd love to vacation in this relaxing bedroom now and then.
![mod_br Very Hollywood.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mod_br.jpg)
Very Hollywood.
![guestBR_storehouse_bed I still regret not buying this bed from the now defunct Storehouse when I first spied it eight years ago!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/guestBR_storehouse_bed.jpg)
I still regret not buying this bed from the now defunct Storehouse when I first spied it eight years ago!
Great Hangouts:
![library_colorful Have always wanted an orange and pink room!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/library_colorful.jpg)
Have always wanted an orange and pink space!
![media_room How fun is this media room?](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/media_room.jpg)
How fun is this media room?
For the Kiddos:
![kid_br_perch I can't think of a better perch for a little kid.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/kid_br_perch.jpg)
I can't think of a better perch for a little kid.
![kid_br_giraffe Precious.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/kid_br_giraffe.jpg)
Precious.
![kid_workspace Love this light fixture!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/kid_workspace.jpg)
Love this light fixture!
Fab Furniture:
![styling_vingnette Ecclectic corner.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/styling_vingnette.jpg)
Ecclectic corner.
![terra_cotta_office I don't normally go for terra cotta, but this workspace WORKS.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/terra_cotta_office.jpg)
I don't normally go for terra cotta, but this workspace WORKS.
![red_vintage_shelves I'm a sucker for this vintage shelving unit.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/red_vintage_shelves.jpg)
I'm a sucker for this vintage shelving unit.
![monte_tavo_high_chair Spied one of these high chairs in one of the houses on the tour. At $299, it's a bit spendy, but I was impressed by how well it blended in with the homeowner's black leather parsons chairs.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/monte_tavo_high_chair.jpg)
Spied one of these high chairs in one of the houses on the tour. At $299, it's a bit spendy, but I was impressed by how well it blended in with the homeowner's black leather parsons chairs.
Interesting Geometry:
![ribbed_windows Ribbed windows.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/ribbed_windows.jpg)
Ribbed windows.
![fam_room_fireplace This modern fireplace facade is not only great-looking, it's also very budget-friendly and relatively easy to DIY.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/fam_room_fireplace.jpg)
This modern fireplace facade is not only great-looking, it's also very budget-friendly and relatively easy to DIY.
![wood_block_wall Fans of HGTV's The Antonio Treatment have seen this exact project before, but it's still pretty.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/wood_block_wall.jpg)
Fans of HGTV's The Antonio Treatment have seen this look before, but it's still pretty. (Photo courtesy of Juli Branson.)
Details to Die For:
![mod_tv_niche Between the dark black box and the tile treatment, this TV niche looks like a fireplace at first glance.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/mod_tv_niche.jpg)
Between the dark black box and the tile treatment, this TV niche looks like a fireplace at first glance.
![walk-in_wine_fridge A walk-in wine fridge is quite the feature, no?](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/walk-in_wine_fridge.jpg)
A walk-in wine fridge is quite the feature, no?
![cantilevered_floor Floating this wood floor is such a unique way to transition between two slightly different levels..](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/cantilevered_floor.jpg)
Floating this wood floor is such a unique way to transition between two slightly different levels..
![capiz_shell_fixture Love the juxtaposition of the hard masculine lines of this wall treatment and the organic shape of the capiz shell fixture.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/capiz_shell_fixture.jpg)
Love the juxtaposition of the hard masculine lines of this wall treatment and the organic shape of the capiz shell fixture.
![stair_storage Nice use of otherwise dead space under the stairs.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/stair_storage.jpg)
Nice use of otherwise dead space under the stairs.
![curved_desk_cool_lamp As if the crescent-shaped desk wasn't cool enough, the distinctive vintage lamp is a nice mix of elegance and whimsy.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/curved_desk_cool_lamp.jpg)
As if the crescent-shaped desk wasn't cool enough, the distinctive vintage lamp is the perfect mix of elegance and whimsy.
![paperstone_wall Not just for eco-friendly countertops anymore, this compressed paper material (like EcoTop or PaperStone) look great on walls!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/paperstone_wall.jpg)
Not just for eco-friendly countertops anymore, this compressed paper material (like EcoTop or PaperStone) looks great on walls!
![barn_door_back_porch Open this huge sliding door and the back porch easily extends the living space.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/barn_door_back_porch1.jpg)
Multiple barn doors on this home easily extend the interior spaces and allow for ventilation. However, as hot as it is for much of the year, it's doubtful you'd get much use out of that handy feature. (Photo courtesy of Juli Branson.)
![treehouse Mod treehouse.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/treehouse.jpg)
Mod treehouse.
![colorful_nikes The award for best spectator shoes goes to this father/son duo.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/colorful_nikes.jpg)
The award for best spectator shoes goes to this father/son duo.
Materials I’m Lusting For:
![floor_tile_plaid Let's hear it for modern plaid!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/floor_tile_plaid.jpg)
Let's hear it for modern plaid!
![dotted_tile_animal_print This tile proves you can be both fun and neutral!](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dotted_tile_animal_print.jpg)
Here's another tile that proves you can be both fun and neutral!
![dotted_striped_tile Claire pointed out that this dotted tile has an upholstered look.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/dotted_striped_tile.jpg)
Claire pointed out that this dotted tile has an upholstered look.
![granite My new fave granite.](https://roomfu.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/granite.jpg)
My new fave granite. If you can identify it, I'll be your best friend.
While the Austin Modern Home Tour is largely an edgier selection, there was a lot to love on this inaugural Dallas tour. I would move right into houses #3 (4311 Middleton), #5 (8627 Midway), and #7 (5706 Watson Circle) in a heartbeat. House #10 (2963 Magnolia Hill Court) had a location that was equal parts blessing and curse. Although it was within walking distance of the American Airlines Center, it was within walking distance of the American Airlines Center. Let’s face it, you’re either glad you can hoof it over there or you’re cursing traffic every day there’s an event. And while the townhouse itself seems great for entertaining, you’d have to hire a staff for every party you throw to guide guests into the neighborhood, because finding the building was super tricky. If I could take this exact home and relocate it, I would add it to the list of serious contenders, provided I could buy all of its supercool furnishings as well.
We skipped house #1 (6517 Timber Wolf Trail), because (a) it was isolated out in Plano, and (b) it didn’t look distinctive enough to warrant the drive. For the same reason, we blew off #9 (3315 Miro Place), and #12 (8637 Redondo). Wish we’d done the same with the very average-looking house #8 (4420-A Holland). These were perfectly fine houses, but they weren’t exactly tour-worthy.
By far, the house that won the Tour Gone Wrong prize was #4 (9839 Rockbrook Drive). First of all, the happy staging featured in the tour marketing materials was gone, leaving the home feeling depressing and deserted. In fact, there was such an incredibly creepy vibe to the house, I wandered through three rooms and then got the hell out of Dodge. Several other tour goers commented on having similar reactions to the house. I can’t describe it other than to say it had the taint of murder, or at the very least, foreclosure on it. In fact, the eerie powder room near the entry–all green glow and rusted metal–looked like something out of Session 9, a movie so scary I would pay a significant amount of money to do a mind erase, à la Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. In addition to the bad juju running rampant in the house, every room had a different set of stairs leading to it, giving the house an annoying lack of flow. If I’d been the tour curator, I would never have allowed this house to stay on the tour without the benefit of staging. It needed something to counteract the ick factor.
I enjoyed the min-adventure though, and look forward to Austin’s version of the tour this Saturday!
à la
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