Ropes

I was recently selected to participate in the Leadership MetroTex program. This is a program sponsored by the MetroTex Association of Realtors in an effort to identify and motivate leadership in the Realtor association community. It is an honor to be selected for this program and with only two days under my belt, I can honestly say that it promises to be life changing.

The very first program day was a "Ropes Course." I had no idea what to expect going in.

The morning of the Ropes Course, I boarded the bus with 30 strangers. That evening, I drove back with 30 friends.

There is no modesty during a ropes course. You are forced to push and pull your fellow participants in ways and places that, under other circumstances, would prove to be embarassing. You are put into sittuations that require authentic teamwork, foresight, planning and sacrafice. You are forced to push yourself outside of your natural limitations and comfort levels. Once you emerge from these challenges, you are stronger, more courageous, wiser and humbled. I absolutely loved the experience and recomend it to anyone given the opportunity.

All the best- Dori

Steven Park Estates meets Joel & Dean

When I first met Joel & Dean at a Kessler Park open house, I was immediately impressed with their directness. Joel has a boyish face and Dean has an irrestibly jolly demeanor, but I was quick to learn that they do not approach anything as novices. These guys are smart and talented and deliberate. And, they are also two of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

Like many Kessler/Stevens Park buyers, Joel and Dean were torn between purchasing a home that had already been updated or one with which they could add their own stamp. After much soul searching and a study of the available inventory, they decided on the latter.

They had recently finished the renovation of a slick, contemporary Oak Lawn Townhome and were looking for a change of pace. They decided on a distinctive Tudor, situated on a winding lot in the heart of Stevens Park Estates. Virtually untouched since it's original construction, they have set about a painstaking restoration. A labor of love in tribute to the home's outstanding construction, design and setting.

The facade offers classic Tudor design elements, including steep gables, stone insets and a massive fireplace. The interior of the home offers coved ceilings, arched doorways and narrow board hardwoods. It is Joel and Dean's task and goal to update the home with attention to detail and respect for the home's period. In this, they are succeeding.

The connection to history is most apparant in the kitchen. There, they have incorporated vintage inspired AGA appliances against custom, inset cabinetry. This kitchen is truly one of the most unique and fitting I have seen in Kessler/Stevens Park.

With the downstairs now complete, one can appreciate how seamlessly Joel and Dean are executing their design direction. They have created a comfortable and informal space that is quite proud of it's past. The masculine furnishings are complimented by soft paint colors and rich hardwoods.

The home is still a work in progress. The upstairs is next. Stay tuned to find out what kind of master-suite they create! If it's anything like the downstairs, the space will be crisp and modern while maintaining a connection to the home's pre-war past.

All the Best- Dori