Truly one of the most gorgeous estate homes ever built in Dallas, this 8,982 square foot, French Italianate villa is simply a knock-out! Designed by Elby Martin and built by Means and Mathews with the help of many artisans, it is full of special architectural details rarely seen so masterfully employed. One feels a spacious warmth and intimacy the minute one walks through the front door. It is almost as if one has been transported to Palm Beach or the south of France. A resort like ambiance had been captured in the impeccably designed masterpiece.Ground Floor Drive up the winding stone drive, and into the beautifully landscaped courtyard. Enter though the glass and wrought iron front door into the limestone entry which takes your breath away. In classic style one's eye is drawn through the home and to the garden and pool beyond. The home is designed on a vertical/horizontal axis from which an amazing floor plan evolves. Front Gallery The front gallery with its arched doorways, groin vaulted ceilings and rich moldings, connects the formal stairway, the living room, public areas, the backstairs and the family areas. Library/Music Room and Dining Room To the left and right of the entry, respectively, are the very special music room (or library) and dining room. Both rooms have pine paneling - hand etched by artisan craftsmen, arches casement windows, and limestone floors. A distinctive carved limestone fireplace flanked by lighted arched bookshelves makes this room an ideal place to relax with a book, some music, or a glass of wine with a friend. Living Room From the front gallery step into the expansive living room with its groin vaulted ceiling and massive plaster fireplace. Wooden parquet floors - handcrafted from quarter sawn - oak are hand scraped and evoke the floors one might see in the great old French chateaus. This large light filled space functions as the heart of the house, and is a showplace for art as well as a gathering place for entertaining par excellence. Symmetry reigns with triple arches flanking both sides of the room and leading to the rear gallery and the terrace and pool beyond.Rear Gallery The rear gallery echoes the front gallery with its limestone floors and groine vaulted ceilings and has recessed French doors to the rear loggia. Arched shutter doors flank either side and on a cool spring or fall day can be open to the romantic pool and gardens beyond. Kitchen - Breakfast Room The kitchen is perfectly situated and opens into the breakfast room and the family room and is the heart of the family living area. With its fieldstone floors, beamed ceiling, limestone walls and decorative stonework, one could be in a country kitchen in Provence or Tuscany. A built-in Welsh cupboard functions as a desk and command center. A light filled breakfast/family dining room opens onto the kitchen and has a wonderful bay window overlooking the garden and pool and cabana. It is a cook's kitchen with SubZero refrigerator and freezer, island cooktop and pull out cabinets and drawers. Countertops are of elegant Italian granite and the island with eat at counter is crafted of limestone. Family Room Step into the warm and inviting family room from the kitchen area with its beamed cathedral ceilings, rough plaster wall finish and stone wainscoting and window sills. A large stone fireplace and French doors to the pool and garden guarantee this room to be one of the most "lived in" parts of the house. A built in media center, Surround Sound and lots of storage and bookshelves help to make this the counter of action. The Wrapping and Craft Room Brilliantly located off the family room (with pocket doors so that it can be easily closed and out of sight) is the gift wrapping center as well as storage for easel, art and craft supplies, and wrapping paper. Double deep sinks for clean up, a recycling bin and beautiful copper backsplash make this the room everyone wishes for.The Master Suite A very private downstairs master suite includes an elegant "sleeping room" with wood floors, parlor doors and light control that opens onto a sitting room or solarium with windows overlooking the garden. The spacious master bath has a double shower and his and hers vanities, water closets, and amazing walk-in closets with 3-way mirrors, built-in storage, built-in ironing board and tons of storage. An exercise room with mirrors and French doors which opens to a private patio completes this wonderful and serene suite of rooms. Additional Apartment for Nanny or In-Laws A perfectly designed suite of rooms downstairs and adjacent to a separate attached garage includes a bedroom, sitting room and bathroom with a separate kitchenette. An oversized shower with a handicapped ready doorway, walk-in closet and large vanity make this an additional guest suite as well. The Back Hallway and Service Areas Lockers and storage in the hallway that leads from the garage make organization a breeze. A super efficient laundry room and mechanical room are off this hall. The Garage and Attic The 3-car garage has three large walk-in closets, wall hung cabinets, under stair storage and extra large garage doors as well as a rod for dry-cleaning! The attic above this garage is floored and ready for finishout for even more storage. Upstairs - 3 Bedrooms, Media Room, Office, Library Nook One one side are two bedrooms each with a study, large bath and a walk-in closet. Windows seats, eaves, wainscoting and hardwood floors make these the perfect suites for a growing family. There is even attic storage in each of these two rooms. Guest Room Everyone would love to be a guest in this jewel of a guest room. Beautiful details such as a barrel ceiling in the bathroom and coved ceiling in the bedroom, give the feel of a wonderful Paris hotel room.Outside Designed by respected landscape guru Harold Leidner, the garden and pool are spectacular. The classic pool is USDA approved depth and length and is lovely. A waterfall feature flows from the attached spa and at either end are the Pergola and the Cabana. With limestone edging and grass decking the pool seems to float. The grounds include a cutting garden as well as potting shed, a compost pile, and woods surrounding the house so that one is not aware of any neighbors. Cabana The cabana is the crowning piece in this already perfect entertaining home. Outside is a huge covered room with grill, and inside a pool room, media room, dining/sitting room, bathroom with music speakers inside and out and a Surround Sound Home Theater system. This a spectacular place for a large party, or a small relaxed gathering. Healthy Living Space In addition to its gorgeous look and gracious feel, the house was designed with special attention to making it an environmentally healthy living space - a few examples of this are: - The whole house has water filtration - No urea or formaldehyde construction products were used in the construction - "Friendly" magnetic field electric setups are throughout the home - Space guarded filtration is on each A/C unit refer to mls:11494888