We first spotted this midcentury “time capsule,” located about 80 miles from downtown Dallas, on the website Retro Renovation. Those who live to renovate probably can’t wait to get their hammers on it. But we wanted to take a minute to relish in its retro charms.
Located at 814 Connally St. in Sulphur Springs, this three-bedroom, two-bath ranch was designed by Fort Worth architects Easterwood and Easterwood, who also designed the First Baptist Church in Sulphur Springs. The one-owner home is a stellar example of the kind of midcentury homes current buyers are clamoring for.
“We still have the original blueprints, and nothing has been changed — which is a good thing, because it was done well,” says Realtor Ed Murchison.
“This home is rare because it was custom built for a Sulfur Springs attorney in 1954,” says listing agent Ed Murchison of Virginia Cook Realtors. “We still have the original blueprints, and nothing has been changed — which is a good thing, because it was done well.”
Among its best features: exposed brick walls, exposed wood beams, original Italian marble and cork floors, stainless-steel countertops, and pristine pink bathroom tile. The centerpiece, however, is the kitchen, replete with original — and highly sought-after — St. Charles metal cabinetry, which was typically installed in more upscale homes. Dubbed the “Cadillac of cabinets,” these bad boys have pull-out shelves and bins with velvet-lined silverware drawers — features that set apart the home from others on the block.
“Unfortunately through the years, people have come through and renovated kitchens with things that are completely inappropriate,” Murchison says. “This house has managed to survive completely intact.”
Although the home maintains a lot of its original features, the owners didn’t neglect the necessary upgrades, including new paint inside and out, new carpet, recent high-quality roof and AC compressor, to name a few.
Now, I may be a bit jaded, as I’m currently searching for a house in Dallas myself, but the list price seems like a steal to me: $125,000 for nearly 3,000 square feet.
The kitchen has a separate cooking workstation featuring stainless-steel counters and a matching built-in desk
