GREETINGS FROM DALLAS TO BRAZILIAN MODERNISM!

Written by AFİFE SELEN SELÇUK

(Translated) After a comprehensive 4.5-year renovation of a large, single-story ranch house designed and built in the late 1970s in Dallas, Texas, the homeowners have finally achieved their dream home. The most coveted furniture and accessories of Brazilian modernism are perfectly integrated with site-specific artwork. The couple, who lived in Brazil for several years due to work and began collecting furniture and accessories in the Brazilian modernist style there, decided to move to Dallas and searched for a house that resembled the legendary modern structures of the country they left behind, with large window openings that let in plenty of natural light and spacious living areas. Finally, they found this single-story, mid-century style ranch house located in the northernmost part of Dallas, near the Bent Tree Country Club. The original house had a more closed plan, but the homeowners recognized the potential to transform the divided spaces into an open plan and purchased the house. Two living rooms separated by a level difference and parapets, a dining room, and a kitchen with a breakfast area create a dynamic interior space that flows seamlessly in a linear plane.

The plot, which runs along the banks of a creek, defines the linear layout of the house. The backyard, quite unusual for houses in Dallas, also follows a linear arrangement. This arrangement makes it feel larger than it is, as it is bordered by mature trees in the neighborhood. A fully equipped outdoor kitchen, bar, dining area, and a pergola-covered outdoor living space with a fire pit are complemented by a large swimming pool, a spacious children's playground, and a tennis court.

Interior designer Joshua Rice, speaking about the homeowners, begins by saying, "After spending years in Mexico and Brazil, they developed a special appreciation for the warmth and richness of the architecture of those countries," and continues: "When they were looking for their new home in the US, they entrusted us with the task of designing a house that would reflect these tastes."

Collaborating with Dallas architect Marc McCollom and art consultant Temple Shipley, Rice embarked on a renovation project that lasted almost five years due to the pandemic. "We almost completely transformed the house into an open plan, separating only the guest suite, office, three children's rooms, and the master suite to maintain privacy," he says.

Warm neutral tones, referencing the homeowners' years in Mexico and Brazil, create an elegant and peaceful atmosphere. The natural colors of materials such as rosewood, teak veneer, bronze-textured panels, and Pietra Grey stone play a significant role in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. Rice says, "Our favorite design element is the Pietra Grey marble-clad parapet and panels that divide the living rooms," and explains that the impressive veins of the marble perfectly complement the Venetian plaster walls and white oak flooring.

"Mid-century modern designs are a passion for me, and I am particularly fond of Brazilian modernism." “The homeowners had acquired some high-quality design pieces during their time in Brazil, and this was an excellent starting point for the overall look of the house,” she says.

The house features modernist icons such as Faye Toogood’s fiberglass Roly-Poly dining chairs and table, Oscar Niemeyer’s Alta armchair, Nanna Ditzel’s Model 83 armchairs, and Jader Almeida’s Buni table. In addition, vibrant paintings and sculptural pieces are striking elements. Joaquim Tenreiro’s Movimiento sculpture and Jack Zajac’s bronze Bound Goat Thursday add depth to the Pietra Grey marble used in the living and dining areas, while complementing Fiona Weedon’s Tears and Flowers piece in the dining area.

Photography: Nathan Schroder & Robert Tsai, Pages: 54-59