Denia Neighborhood Walking Tour

1601 Lindsey Street

Continuing west down the street to number 1601 on Lindsey Street, the next house retreats further back as it is mostly obstructed from view by several trees and large bushes on the property. However, the home is a contrast from its neighbor as an “L”-shaped, mid-century modern construction of a light beige color. A steeply-angled but flat roof, with slim, rectangular windows at the top, hangs over the disconnected garage as the main view from the street. The rest of the house lies perpendicular to the road and stands two stories tall. The styling matches that of the garage and has a wide dormer window in the middle. There is a minimal use of windows along the front, but the large overhanging porch as the back provides a sizable opening.

1526 Willowwood Street

The next stop is further south and around the corner on Willowwood Street at number 1526. It was built in 1975 and takes a sharp turn from the traditional. Also being located closer to the middle of the long lot behind a curve of trees, this house is harder to make out due to its subtle, Southwest Modernist coloring and lack of ornamentation. However, upon a closer inspection, this house becomes a marvel of its own. The front of the house is a 28-foot high screened-in Atrium. It functions as a full solarium and has a bridge that crosses from the front entry to the house. The rest of the two-story home opens to this area with large double doors and windows as well. This particular example truly brings the outdoors in and relishes its connection to natural environs.

1700 Willowwood Street

The fifth house is the only one made of roughly-cut pale stone and built after the turn of the century in 2001. Though not historic by any means, its unique style is worthy of being included in the listing of interesting homes to note in the neighborhood. Settled slightly lower than the sidewalk before it, 1700 Willowwood is a unique home that is very Western and seems like it would be better placed on a desert ranch. The rounded curve to the entryway with the vertically-opening shutters is a deft design that really sets this house apart. A metal roof adorns the long house and has the more modern additions of a few solar panels. It is constructed with roughly cut stone and has numerous square cutouts for windows set a middling height in the wall and smaller ones along the top just under the eaves. This is a way of letting in more of the natural light that is utilized for many mid-century modern homes while playing with its form in a singular way. Its placement on the downward slope into the lot and the obscured façade additionally makes it seem inconspicuous; however, the back features full floor-to-ceiling windows that open up the home to an airy backyard of raised planting beds and terraced butterfly gardens. It has the added distinction of being a Mount-Miller creation. A famous pairing of the local architects, Isabel Mount and Tom Polk Miller produced many mid-century modern designs that can be found across Denton.

1811 Willowwood Street

Nearby is 1811 which sits perpendicular to the street and has an extended gravel driveway alongside the house. With a marked difference in coloring, the rather flattened roofline is trimmed in a light yellow that stands out against the teal vertical slats of the house’s siding. A partially walled in front porch area with a half-height wooden fencing that extends to the yard hides the front door from view. An open beam crosses the entryway to connect to the other extension on the house and provides a less-cramped overhang. While very private from the outside, the back side of the house is paned with large, clear windows to allow a large amount of light into the space and bring the outdoors in. A common form of mid-century modern homes, the style of this house seems withdrawn from the front, but open and light in the more intimate sanctums. It was built in 1980 and was the residence of  Paul Voertman , the successful owner of Voertman’s Bookstore in Denton. He was known as a very generous philanthropist and a strong supporter of the arts.

Check back next week for another portion of the Historic Preservation Month Walking Tour!

1813 Willowwood Street

As one of the most unassuming houses in the neighborhood, 1813 Willowwood Street is a cream-colored rectangle of thin bricks and flat, white siding on the right end. The blue double-door entry is set next to a very slim rectangular window and is set off by the dark stain on the heavy upper trim of the roof. It was constructed in 1964 and has an even plainer façade than most mid-century modern homes, making it seem very utilitarian. However, that drastically changes on the inside when the home is flooded with light and air with its open courtyard. The main rooms of the house are shaped as an L on the edges of the courtyard with walls made of structured glass to reveal the outdoor space and provide a cross view of the entire enclosure. A section of this functions rather like a slim solarium for ferns and other potted plants. It was designed by  Dr. Ray Gough , an influential professor at UNT who is considered the founder of the Interior Design program for the College of Visual Arts and Design.

1824 Willowwood Street

The stateliest home on Willowwood Street is quite impressive as it sits on its five acre lot. Reverting back to an older style of architecture but a bit surprising to find being built in 1961, this Greek Revival Farmhouse is more formal than the others but is a less flamboyant version for the category. Four columns support the overhanging roof of the main square façade. The windows are large and very symmetrical with the top middle decorated with a false balustrade. The ornamental pediment over the doorway flanked by the two smaller windows and sconces are characteristics that are Greek Revival in their stateliness. Making the house much larger, two extensions on either side give a more informal air as they are not symmetrical or as fitted to the style—bringing a more modern twist on the traditional. The right side extension has a sloping roof shape much like a Dutch roof and has matching bow windows on either side of the secondary entrance.

1712 Highland Park Road

The next house to visit is located at 1712 Highland Park Road where the road intersects with Willowwood Street. This particular home is special to point out as it was designed by the famous Denton architect O’Neil Ford and his partner Arch Swank. It was known as the Lillian Parrill House when it was first built at the corner of Avenue “D” and Chestnut Street, not far from where Ford himself grew up. Miss Parrill commissioned it for $6,500 to be built in 1939 for herself and her two sisters. The next year it was featured in the April issue of Pencil Points Magazine (now Progressive Architecture). The house moved to its present site in 1967 and features a beautiful oiled hemlock siding that is grey in color. The roof is gently pitched over an “L”-shaped structure with a small extension in the back and several steel casement windows.

1600 Highland Park Road

This slightly hidden home is secluded behind a natural wood fence and several trees on the property. It has light grey vertical cladding that blends amongst the modern, stylized block wall that curtails a direct view of the front from the street. Golden yellow trim around the garage and the front door provide small accents, as well as the bright blue walkway that leads up to the entrance. The shape of the house is a long rectangle with a widely pitched roof. The front and back of the house maximize the use of large glass windows to let in beautifully shaded views of the surrounding lot. It was built in 1962.

1900 Westridge Street

Directly across the road onto Westridge Street is number 1900 and another Mount-Miller design built in 1970. This very different form of mid-century modern is accentuated by the two-story block in the middle that has the upper level slightly protrude over the bottom. This is offset by the angled roof lines of the right side extension and features geometric windows around the door. The light tan brick runs perpendicular to the vertical siding that covers the second story and the left side extension. The master bedroom and ensuite bathroom were added on in the 1980s. Again, a large back wall of windows is added to allow for a lot of natural light and outdoor views to the backyard and patio.

1940 Whippoorwill Lane

Moving north again along Highland Park Road to 1940 Whippoorwill Lane, another mid-century modern home stands on the corner lot. Though not as distinctly designed as some of the others along this tour, this particular home still has the typical low build, lacks any major ornamentation, and relies on the natural setting of its site to bring it shade and beauty. The bright green door and dark green shingles on the roof contrast the white siding and black trim on the house. It was constructed in 1970 and has seen drastic renovations on the outside to bring it to the current condition. However, its overall aesthetic has not been greatly altered and maintains its historic characteristics.

1907 Whippoorwill Lane

The more rustic look of this particular home’s exterior belies a 1985 date of completion and a contemporary interior. The dark board-and-batten of the vertical cladding emphasizes the two story home. The drastic tilt to the saltbox roof further makes the front section stand out compared to the smaller extension on the left. A wooden walkway also leads from the entryway to the driveway. Though very different from the usual trends of the time, the use of natural wood and stain show a desire to be inconspicuous and even environmentally aware of the materials utilized in regards to the home’s surroundings.

1903 Whippoorwill Lane

The next-door neighbor is also on the list and was built in 1961. This long, rectangular box is another modest mid-century modern build. With the horizontal lines of the brick, roofline, and half-wall in front of the porch being contrasted with the vertical lines brought by the poles that support the overhang for the porch, the house is simplistic but natural. The large windows on the porch wall also allow for wide views out of the house while the half-wall and porch provide a touch of privacy for looking in. The back has an open courtyard area that lightens the weight of the heavy roof.

1901 Whippoorwill Lane

Even more flat and rectangular than the last, 1901 Whippoorwill Lane also maintains an understated profile. It is a bit older having been built in 1955. The mid-century modern home uses dark orange brick layered over the bottom two-thirds of the wall to mimic the half-wall look and has a line of smaller, square windows to peek over the top. The large white blocks that make up the rest add a further sense of weight to the low structure. The entryway is small and understated with very little recess. The left side of the house matches the right brick with a little less height and slightly larger windows. The overhanging roofline provides shade to the front façade, dampens the stark color contrast of the orange and white, and further imposes a heavy horizontal line on the design.

1426 Kendolph Drive

Taking a left at the end of the lane brings the tour back to Kendolph Drive. As another home tucked in among the trees, the house at 1426 is snuggly fitted into its shaded spot in the middle of the lot. It was built in 1961. The structure itself is situated perpendicular to the road and uses this perspective to juxtapose the angles of its two flat roofs. The dark caramel up against the cream of the siding also stands in earthy contrasting colors. The entrance is recessed under the overhang of the roof on the right side.

1403 Kendolph Drive

The beautiful 1959 mid-century modern design for this particular home makes it one of the highlights of the entire tour. To properly describe this house, it must begin as one would approach it from the street. The wide pathway that leads to the entry is lined at the edges with small stones and it pulls the eye towards the door and the massive overhang that is stilted over a portion of the yard. A small porch area to the left side is accentuated by a decorative concrete wall that compliments the block across the house’s lower foundation. Slim windows line the bright red door that pops out amongst the dark vertical siding of the upper section. The light gravel that runs under the stilts is terraced down the yard to the driveway and has large stones embedded to add a touch of naturalism. The flat, angled roof lines add to the geometric feel of the shapes described in the building’s outline, but what truly sets this off is the right façade of the house that hangs over the carport. The bright red, yellow, olive green, and white grid (reminiscent of paintings by artist Piet Mondrian) that overlooks the side yard is a surprising burst of color and lightness that gives a whole new perspective on the design in its totality. This view also peeks into the front extrusion where the coloring is repeated around the opening of the small side porch there. A view through the house from there shows full windows out of the back to let in even more light. The multiple sides to this house show a care for not only the front-facing design like so many older styles, but a consideration for the building as a whole.

1316 Kendolph Drive

The last part of the walking tour is another concentration of mid-century modern houses on Kendolph Drive.  A design by local architects Isabel Mount and Tom Polk Miller (Mount-Miller), the house at 1316 was built in 1960 and sits back into the middle of the lot. This dwelling breaks the mold by having a higher-pitched roofline as well as a more consolidated layout. However, it fully leans into its relationship with its surroundings. The coloring of the siding is a naturally stained wood and light orange brick that blend well with the many trees and foliage that embrace the structure. Windows along the front stand out with white trim and just under the eaves of the roof, there are several small stained glass pieces to add in further decoration and light. On the other side of the house, it has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the backyard that has two koi ponds. There is also an enclosed sunroom to provide another option to enjoy the melding of indoor and outdoor enjoyment.

1311 Kendolph Drive

Moving north, the house across the street on the right bears a slightly familiar shape and set of characteristics as others previously seen. The rosy orange brick of the house blocks in a front carport and porch area as a partial wall. The flat roof extends over both the front carport to the right and porch area to the left of the door. The main block of the dwelling sets to the left and has a vertical cladding all the way around the back of it. The right side of the house boasts multiple large windows, the wall being half glass to look out over the back patio area and allow natural light to filter in. This house was built in 1959.

1227 Kendolph Drive

Another exception to the “historic” aspect of the tour, this particular home was built in 1992 and is believed to be one of the last residences designed by Mount-Miller. Though straightforward in its construction as a rectangular box with a side carport, the smaller front extension and entryway is what immediately draws attention. Dark brown siding is contrasted by a recessed entryway made of brick with light-colored mortar. Looking as though a cut out has been taken from the normal structure, the door and a window are set at angle to cover the distance between the outside edge and the back wall. It stands out as a non-traditional doorway and becomes the focal point of the front façade. The right side reveals wide windows and the use of the front extension as a living room area with open views directed towards the side and back of the property. It has a singularity about it that makes it stand out in the neighborhood.

1226 Kendolph Drive

Turning to the neighbor on the opposite side of the street, an additional Mount-Miller house stands out in shape and color. The typical vertical cladding runs across the main body of the house in a light grey and is off-set by a similar shade of stone that forms a small wall on the left side. The flat, angular roof is emphasized by the extruding front extension and continues its line to a deeply receded entry. This door also pulls back at an angle. The bright rectangles of color near the door are repeated at the end of the house, no doubt inspired by the 1965 year of construction but not original to the design. Surprisingly, this is not the only entrance as there is a second blue door that is under the slight overhang on the left side of the extrusion. Though only a few small window peers out the front, the other side doesn’t hold back with full floor-to-ceiling windows and half walls of glass.

1221 Kendolph Drive

Built in 1978, this house is slightly younger than many of the others and benefits from that with a straightforward design that shows growth and diversity in the mid-century modern movement. Though it retains a neutral palette of coloring with one pop of bright orange on the door like so many others, the house has a streamlined style that uses its lack of ornamentation to greater advantage. The broad roof and heavy trim keep the home feeling low and flat but does not overcome the lightness of the pale vertical slats of siding. The clever inserts of windows along the roofline and tall panels of glass around the door add a sleek elegance while making sure that all light is not shut out from the interior. This house does not rely as strongly on horizontal lines as much as vertical ones and slight triangular shapes.

1220 Kendolph Drive

Venturing only slightly further north on the street, the next house reverts back into the stronger traditions of the style. This can partly be explained by the house being built earlier. The house blocks itself off by maintaining a high window threshold and using the overhang as a carport in front of the main block. With the shorter end facing the street it discreetly blends in with the trees and landscape with light green siding and peach brick. It seems small and compact but enjoys a privacy cultivated by its reserved exterior. The side as shown in the historic photos from 1958 reveal the wall of windows that span half of the length for the true purpose of the design to shine through. By 1959, the landscaping and fencing were installed. The overhang created by the roof and the cultivated side yard hemmed in by the fencing provides an open but concealed outdoor area.

1200 Kendolph Drive

All the way at the end of Kendolph Drive where it meets with Underwood Street, there is a house around the corner that is partially screened off by a wall of bushes and trees. Originally designed for the extended Miller family of Mount-Miller, what peeks through is an interesting house of a natural brown with vertical siding. It has a small trail that leads up to a door on the shorter end. On that wall is a beautiful wooden sunburst and an attached canopy that shelters a front sitting area. The rest of the house seems to be a long rectangle that runs the length of the corner lot. A geometric side fence runs along the side to hide the rest from view. The black trim that lines it adds rectangular shapes of different sizes along the wall and those slim shapes near the top are colored in yellow, pink, and a light brown. It was constructed in 1965 and seems to have slowly disappeared further into its lot.

1120 Kendolph Drive

The last house on the walking tour and coincidentally the very last house on Kendolph Street is located at the dead end that runs right up against the I-35 frontage road. Just like its near neighbor, this house is tightly surrounded by trees, foliage, and bushes. It also has a similar grey geometric fence along its side and not much of the house is visible from the street other than the corner and the wide open carport that sets next to it. The teal trim that lines the roof of the carport matches that of the house and is repeated again in the squares of color near the doorway. A dark but natural stain on the siding obscures the house further amongst the shade of the trees and the shadows that are cast by the extended roof over the edges of the house.