(Editor’s Note: We’re thrilled to feature Cassie Evans, the incredibly talented and animal-loving daughter of Candy. Cassie is generously sharing her personal journey and ingenious strategies for preparing her delightful home for the prestigious annual Hollywood Santa Monica Neighborhood Association 2014 Hollywood Home Tour. Her insights offer a unique blend of humor, practical advice, and genuine homeowner experiences. The stunning interior design, elevating her beautiful residence, is masterfully crafted by Bernadette Schaeffler. Join us as we explore the transformation!)
Preparing for the Spotlight: My Journey to the Hollywood Home Tour
The anticipation of a home tour can be a powerful catalyst for change. If you’ve ever dreamt of tackling various home improvement projects – perhaps a minor renovation, ambitious organizational tasks, or even taking a space down to its bare studs for a complete rebuild – receiving an invitation to showcase your home on a public tour provides the ultimate motivation. It ignites a spark, transforming long-deferred plans into urgent, achievable goals. This was precisely the “fire under my fanny” I needed to finally bring my home’s potential to fruition.
Discovering the Enduring Charm of Hollywood Heights: Dallas’s Historic Gem
Our story unfolds in Hollywood Heights, an esteemed historical conservation district nestled in the heart of Dallas. This enchanting neighborhood boasts a rich tapestry of history, dating back to the 1920s. It was then that J.B. Salmon, a visionary developer renowned for his meticulous planning (as seen in Kessler Highlands in Oak Cliff), acquired a former dairy farm. His formation of the Hollywood Company marked the beginning of a meticulously conceived subdivision, where he allowed diverse architectural styles to flourish, provided they adhered to strict deed restrictions. This foresight gave rise to a stunning array of homes, predominantly featuring the distinctive Tudor Cottage style, alongside Spanish Eclectic, French Eclectic, Minimal Traditional, Craftsman, Monterrey, and even two rare examples of the flat-roofed Pueblo Revival style.
Mr. Salmon’s dedication to aesthetic beauty and thoughtful development was so profound that he chose to make his own home within the community he created. Today, Hollywood Heights is celebrated for housing arguably the largest collection of stone-embellished Tudor cottages in the entire nation. This unparalleled architectural heritage, coupled with its significant historical value, led the neighborhood association to successfully designate Hollywood/Santa Monica as a local Conservation District in 1989. This esteemed classification is a testament to the community’s commitment to preserving its unique character and is shared by only a handful of other cherished neighborhoods across the Dallas area. Living here means being part of a legacy, surrounded by homes that tell stories of a bygone era while offering modern comfort and timeless appeal.
The Unexpected Invitation: Our Home on Patricia Street Selected!
The day we checked our mail to find a letter from the HSMNA (Hollywood Heights Santa Monica Neighborhood Association, Inc.) proposing our home for the 23rd Annual Hollywood Home Tour was nothing short of exhilarating. For anyone who hasn’t heard me practically shouting it from our charming little rooftop, let me assure you: I am utterly smitten with our life here. We reside in Hollywood Heights, specifically on what I consider the most quaint, quiet, and absolutely darling street in all of Dallas – Patricia. Those of us fortunate enough to call Patricia home affectionately refer to ourselves as the “Patricia Militia.” We’re a close-knit group, fiercely protective of our idyllic enclave, believing “ain’t nothing getting past us.” While our ambitious, long-term dream of gating off little Patricia and granting access via Tolltags might be a distant fantasy for now, who knows what post-home-tour spare time might inspire!
Our street genuinely feels like something out of a movie set. Neighbors greet each other with warm “hellos” while tending their yards, and everyone knows everyone’s pets and children by name – even the youngest toddlers can identify your furry companions and address you personally. We share a genuine sense of community, looking out for one another, especially when someone is out of town. (Let’s just say my neighbor Jake isn’t shy about his night vision goggles and a trusty shotgun when it comes to neighborhood watch!). This invitation wasn’t just a casual “oh great, sure we’ll be in the home tour” moment; it marked the beginning of an exciting, albeit challenging, adventure.
The Pre-Tour Walk-Through: A Humorous and Revealing Inspection
Once the initial excitement subsided, the reality of the home tour selection process set in. A “walk-through” was promptly arranged, during which the committee visited our home. They meticulously toured every room, observing all the details and undoubtedly making mental notes of the myriad tasks that needed immediate attention or significant transformation. The sheer thought of this assessment filled me with a cocktail of excitement and, admittedly, a fair amount of nervousness.
Imagine the scene: a household with two busy working attorneys, a fluctuating population of 6-7 animals at any given time, plus ongoing Board duties and Junior League commitments. Now, layer on the challenge of coordinating workmen – the kind who typically provide a 9 am to 12 pm window (and often don’t show up until much later), requiring constant supervision to ensure the job is done correctly, without collateral damage, and, crucially, without inadvertently releasing a beloved pet into the great unknown. It’s a logistical nightmare many homeowners can relate to, especially when balancing demanding careers and a vibrant, animal-filled home life.
Following the walk-through, I confess I was a little nervous. These individuals, whom I had never met before, likely formed the impression that I was an animal hoarder. Upon their entry, three animals were contained in small crates, and one enormous crate housed our beloved Bitsy. The house was undeniably loud, and I found myself resorting to bribing everyone with Greenies – a desperate but effective measure. To add to my self-consciousness, our grass was unfortunately dormant and dead (a common sight during that particular winter, having endured three freezes). Combine this with the perceived “animal hoarding,” my admittedly absurd collection of tee shirts and shampoo, and my unyielding affection for reusing large Sonic styrofoam cups, and I half expected the committee to propose a separate, solitary home tour aptly titled: “What the Hell Is Going On In This House?”
From Doubt to Determination: The Official Selection Letter
Weeks later, to my utter shock, we received another letter. Given my previous anxieties, I was absolutely convinced it would be the dreaded “we’ve contacted the City about you; we think you have a problem and you need help” dispatch from the HSMNA. My imagination had run wild with worst-case scenarios, painting a vivid picture of judgment and intervention.
Instead, the letter began with the thrilling words: “Your home has been selected for the 23rd Annual Hollywood Home Tour.” The relief was immediate, profound, and quickly followed by a clear, albeit unspoken, directive that I immediately translated as: “now get your ass to work on that house.” And just like that, the true preparation began. This invitation, far from being an obligation, became the perfect impetus, the ultimate motivation I needed to transform our home into the showcase I knew it could be.
Strategic Overhaul: My Home Organization and Renovation Game Plan
With the official selection letter in hand and a renewed sense of purpose (conveniently timed with Lent, a perfect period for shedding nuisances and embracing productivity), I decided to take some much-needed time off from work. My mission: hit the home organization and project ground running. This wasn’t going to be a haphazard effort; it required a systematic approach.
My initial step involved a comprehensive inventory of our entire home, meticulously noting every single item and area that required attention. From there, I compiled a detailed mental list of tasks, big and small. The next crucial phase was aligning this ambitious list with a reasonable budget. This meant tailoring the scope of work, prioritizing essential renovations, and making practical decisions about what could realistically be accomplished.
Finding qualified workmen for each project was paramount. This is where resources like Angie’s List proved invaluable. Reading genuine reviews and testimonials became an essential part of my vetting process, as quality, punctuality, and price were absolutely critical considerations. Once I had assembled a team of trusted professionals, I scheduled each project with military precision, embarking on what would be a significant transformation of our beloved home.
The Heart of the Home: A Fireplace Reimagined with Travertine Elegance
Among the most pressing items on my renovation list was the fireplace. Its existing “urine-colored marble” facade, conspicuously lacking a proper mantle, desperately needed an overhaul. It was a focal point that, in its current state, detracted from the room’s potential charm. Here’s a glimpse of its “before” state:
My vision for the fireplace centered on creating a harmonious blend with our country French furniture. After careful consideration, I decided on elegant travertine for the surround. This natural stone, with its warm, earthy tones, would provide a sophisticated yet inviting aesthetic. To complete the transformation, a custom black mantle was commissioned from a highly skilled carpenter. This mantle was meticulously crafted to perfectly complement the home’s existing, fabulous, and intricately detailed moulding – ensuring a seamless integration of old and new.
Witnessing the progress was incredibly satisfying. Each step brought us closer to the envisioned transformation:
The difference is truly monumental, wouldn’t you agree? (Please disregard the temporary row of yellow at the top – that will be completely obscured by the magnificent new mantle!). If you’re ever in need of an exceptional tile or stone worker, I cannot recommend my guy enough. His craftsmanship is truly amazing; he even hand-chipped the sides of the cut pieces to ensure a flawless, seamless appearance. I absolutely adore his work! Next on the agenda for this magnificent fireplace is a visit from a chimney sweep, who will not only teach me the intricacies of using this bad boy but also advise on the ideal type of gas logs for investment. Once again, Angie’s List proved to be an excellent resource for finding great deals on chimney sweeps, particularly during their off-season.
Seamless Integration: The Art of Wall-Mounted Entertainment
Modernizing our living space also meant addressing our entertainment setup. I enlisted the expertise of an electronics professional to mount our ridiculously large television precisely on the wall. The goal was not just to free up floor space, but to create a clean, minimalist aesthetic by running all the wires discreetly through the wall to a hidden box near the floor. The result is a sleek, wireless look that enhances the room’s contemporary feel.
This particular installation day brought its own unforgettable, albeit stressful, anecdote. While the technician, Randall, was diligently working, I had to abruptly leave the house to rush my bleeding cat to the vet. Upon my return, covered in blood and fur, stressed, and deeply worried about my pet, Randall nervously approached me. He explained that while attempting to drill a hole for the wires through a fire wall, his drill unexpectedly hit a random pier positioned at a 45-degree angle. The drill bit flew out the wall, creating an unfortunate hole precisely where we absolutely did not want one.
“I’m so sorry, are you mad?” he stammered. My response, perhaps unexpected, was immediate: “Randall, I’m covered in cat blood, there’s cat blood all over my house and back steps, and they don’t even know if they can fix his leg at this point. This hole is the least of my concerns, and I am not mad at you at all.” I’ve never witnessed such profound relief on a man’s face. Apparently, some homeowners can be quite difficult, and he was clearly braced for an explosive reaction. True to his professionalism, Randall brought his drywall specialist with him on his next visit, of course, waived any charge for the mishap, and quickly rectified the damage. All’s well that ends well!
An Unexpected Luxury: Entertainment in the Bath
Beyond the living room, Randall also installed a smaller television in our bathroom. This decision stemmed from a practical consideration: the previous owner had adorned the bathroom walls with numerous mirrors to enhance the sense of space and brightness. We discovered that purchasing a TV from walmart.com was significantly more economical than replacing a custom mirror (which had a specific cut-out for a TV mount) with another custom mirror that lacked such a space. This unexpected development means my showers will now, quite humorously, be as long as an episode of Naked & Afraid, transforming mundane routines into mini-escapes.
The Grand Finale Awaits: My Home, Ready for the Spotlight
This journey of preparing for the Hollywood Home Tour has been an exhilarating whirlwind of planning, problem-solving, and unexpected adventures. From meticulously selecting new finishes for our fireplace to ingeniously integrating modern technology throughout our home, every step has been a testament to the transformative power of a clear vision and a firm deadline. The process has not only revitalized our living spaces but has also deepened my appreciation for the craftsmanship involved and the invaluable support of skilled professionals. Our home on Patricia Street, brimming with character, history, and a touch of our unique personality, is now poised to welcome visitors, ready to share its story and showcase the charm of Hollywood Heights. It’s more than just a house; it’s a testament to dedication, passion, and the joy of creating a truly special place to call home.