Dallas’ Most Gorgeous Homes: Step Inside the City’s Modern Marvels for Living Cocktail Parties

The Dallas Architecture Forum is opening the doors to three of the city’s most significant modern residences for 365 Modern Living Cocktail Parties. The series, taking place Tuesday June 5, Monday June 11 and Tuesday June 19, will give guests a chance to view some of Dallas’ most gorgeous homes and chat with the designers who envisioned them.

Each evening focuses on a different home, and includes a cocktail reception and remarks from the design team.

On June 5, the forum will gather at Urban Reserve Residence, one of 50 sustainably designed homes in its neighborhood. Immersed in a wooded area, the home combines ultra modern elements with nature. Architect Billie Tsien describes it as a private city condominium in the woods. Interesting features like a koi pond and Japanese garden give the home a serene feel, while the interior (designed by Joshua Rice) reflects the owners’ relaxed but sophisticated lifestyle.

The next home on the forum’s 365 tour is Rock Cliff Residence, a 1952 home originally designed by Dallas architect Harwood K. Smith. The stylish home may look a little familiar to PaperCity readers – it was featured in the December print issue and online. The current owners of the home recently did a careful expansion of the space, enlisting renovation architect Josh Nimmo to add a 1,500-square-foot bi-level wing.

Vaulted ceilings, skylights and white-oak floors make the home a sunny and calm retreat. Interior designer Brent McFarlain went for clean, refined furnishings to complement the owners’ major art collection. Oh, this house has a Japanese garden, too.

The final stop on the 365 Modern Living Cocktail Parties tour is Surrey Circle Residence, a bold modern home with panoramic views of the surrounding natural area. The design connects indoor and outdoor living seamlessly, with large moveable glass walls that open the main living area to a screened-in living room and outdoor kitchen. The sustainably built home features a neutral color palette, while the Robyn Menter-designed interior offers a few pops of color.

The series takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 5, 11 and 19, with designer remarks at 6:45 each evening. Single tickets are $85 for members of the forum, $100 for non-members. Three-day passes are also available for $215 for members, $250 for non-members. Find more information here.