The DeGolyer House Dons Its Christmas Finery

by Sarah Greenman · 18 photos · 19 comments

Two Christmas trees and an overhead garland trimmed in red ribbon frame the entrance to the grand house, a meandering 21,000-square-foot structure evoking the feel of a Mexican hacienda.

by Sarah Greenman

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A glittering 13-foot tree skirted with poinsettias greets visitors as they enter the living room. A portrait of Nell DeGolyer hangs above a baby grand piano.

by Sarah Greenman

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The DeGolyers wanted their house to be grand enough to offer suitable hospitality to scholars, heads of state, artists, intellectuals and international dignitaries, but informal enough to accommodate a more casual lifestyle, too. Special features include an intricately designed coffered ceiling and an elaborately carved fireplace mantel.

by Sarah Greenman

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by Sarah Greenman

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A Nativity centerpiece adorns the dining room table. The original furnishings and tapestries reflect Nell's preference for 17th- and 18th-century English styles.

At the far end of the room, a unique shell-shaped alcove provides the perfect frame for a 13-foot Christmas tree.

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Nell's former bedroom glows with pink and gold holiday decorations. Minty green, it has opulent architectural details and simple furnishings.

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by Sarah Greenman

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Greenery, garlands and Nativity figures dress the windows and surfaces. Pale red poinsettias sit around the base of a dresser.

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The bedroom boasts a fantastically large closet and washroom, almost unheard-of luxuries for a home built in the late 1930s.

by Sarah Greenman

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by Sarah Greenman

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The luxurious closet once organized all of Nell's dresses, shoes, hats, gloves and jewelry. It also has a vanity and a three-way dressing mirror.

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A generously proportioned sitting room connects the bedroom with the rest of the house. White poinsettias, swagged evergreens and a decorated tree keep company with the room's feminine furnishings.

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A glass Nativity scene perches on a gold-trimmed coffee table. Garlands and green metallic Christmas balls cover the cozy hearth.

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Everette DeGolyer acquired thousands of books in his lifetime. The heart of the home is a magnificent library with shelf space for 15,000 volumes.

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The library shelves are filled this year with a collection of crèche scenes from all over the world. The displays range from modern sculptural pieces to traditional carved figurines.

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The home was originally called Rancho Encinal (Spanish for "oak ranch"), because of the many live oak trees on the property. It has 13 rooms, plus seven bathrooms, an attached greenhouse, a four-car garage and servants' quarters with two bedrooms. Of the 13 rooms, there is only one bedroom, since the DeGolyers built the home after their four children had already left for school.

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The estate includes a long terrace patterned after the mission at San Juan Capistrano, California, and a charming inner courtyard reminiscent of Mexican structural design.

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The property slopes gently down through the gardens to an infinity pool and finally to the banks of White Rock Lake. Glass art sculptures by Dale Chihuly will be on display in the gardens through December 31, 2012.

by Sarah Greenman

Comments

JAN MOYER Now I know why I don't like poinsettias.....sorry, but seriously? I didn't read the history, did they own a lawn and garden chain?: )

5 months ago · Like ·

loriv59 What a gorgeous home! I'd love to visit it sometime.

5 months ago · Like ·

Michael L Benson, Realtor Always great to visit the Arboretum but particularly now during the holiday season.

5 months ago · Like ·

tcufrog You should do an ideabook with photos of the gardens. They are gorgeous.

5 months ago · Like ·

hnick Absolutely gorgeous * My idea of a home at Christmas - not overly decorated and yes Poinsettias - why not? And the Christ child throughout as this is why we celebrate Christmas!

5 months ago · Like ·

Suellen Valetta Fantastic

5 months ago · Like ·

joanmc Beautiful! Thank you to the staff and volunteers!

5 months ago · Like ·

lessismoore Love Nell's suite of rooms.

5 months ago · Like ·

greenpoyo This gorgeous place is one of my favorite haunts when I'm in the states. The DeGolyer home is classy, but the real treat is the arboretum.

5 months ago · Like ·

Zita Czunyi Nagyon szépek!

5 months ago · Like ·

somecookie The house is probably nice without the poorly done decorations. Money rarely equals good taste.

5 months ago · Like ·

ireneelizabeth Exquisite!

5 months ago · Like

davisbj I missed having tea at the Arboretum this year. The DeGolyer looks awesome.

5 months ago · Like

joydias superb! I wish I will have a home similar to this one day :)

5 months ago · Like

cybercanary Thank you for sharing your beautiful home. I truly enjoyed each room. So festive and truly celebrating Christmas in all its glory.

5 months ago · Like

mrsben Sarah, thank you for the tour. The home itself is breathtaking with its architectural elements (particularly the ceilings) and seeing it in all its Christmas glory was definitely a treat.

5 months ago · Like

wantsideas Beautiful house and I especially love the glass sculptures in the pool. On my to do list next time I am in Dallas.

4 months ago · Like

Zita Czunyi Mese szép!!!

3 months ago · Like

davisbj It's not a private home anymore. It includes a tea room, gift shop, and rooms to view that were in the original home. It's part of the Dallas Arboretum. Check out the website for more info.

3 months ago · Like