Son of Legendary Equestrian and Hotelier Jo Ellard Hosts Housewarming For His Striking New Dallas Estate

Just days after the finishing touches were put on his North Dallas estate, Chad Ellard did the unexpected: He opened his Prestonwood home to friends, family, and those fortunate enough to receive a personal invitation.

The house was waiting for just such a moment.

The entertaining room revolves around a circular bar, backed by dramatic slabs of dark stone and designed to invite guests to settle in. Illuminated guitars line the wall, while bold Western art, rich woods, and contemporary furnishings blend Texas and modern design elements.

The living room was built on a dramatic scale, with floor-to-ceiling glass, towering slabs of dark stone, and contemporary furnishings throughout. The guest house even comes with its own showpiece: a rotating Aston Martin convertible displayed beneath stark green lighting.

Tasteful design and an appreciation for the arts must run in the family. His mother, Jo Ellard — a legendary equestrian and Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame inductee — gifted Fort Worth its first Auberge Resorts Collection property, Bowie House. After furnishing the luxe retreat with artworks from her private collection, Jo soon recognized an opportunity to create a contemporary Western art gallery, now managed by Emily Gregoire.

After an hour of cocktails and socializing, guests were called to Chad’s living room.

Myth of a Man: Chad Ellard Unveils a Monumental Commission

“There are a lot of ways that we tell our story,” Gregoire told the crowd. “You tell it in the clothes you wear or the cars you drive. You can also tell it in the space you live in.”

Nearby, Jo Ellard watched as the crowd that included Oscar nominee Abraham Alexander, artist Elle Caerbert, and the estate’s interior designer, Allen Kirsch, listened to Chad introduce the artist behind the 12-by-10-foot painting: Francesco Ricci. The Italian-born artist, who is exclusively represented in Texas by Gallery at Bowie House, stood nearby, casually dressed in a linen shirt.

“I wanted to start by thanking my mom,” Chad said, shaving a few decades off his age and prompting a burst of laughter as he added, “She’s been educating me about art for my 25 years of life.”

He finished by reading Ricci’s letter commemorating the magenta and coral red portrait. The work that took months to create is woven by a single, unbroken line that frames symbols representing Chad’s life. Every life and memory belongs to one single story, Ricci told the intimate gathering.

“My paintings begin with a life: memories, passions, relationships, places, and experiences. My role is to take those elements and bring them together into one visual story.”

Myth of a Man, by Francesco Ricci, enters the private collection of a family that increasingly places fine art at the center of its homes, businesses, and gatherings.

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