One of the most exciting events in East Dallas is happening this weekend: The Lakewood Home Tour! It’s the 49th year for the beloved event that offers a glimpse into both historic and new homes. The tour raises funds for Lakewood Elementary School, J.L. Long Middle School, and Woodrow Wilson High School. Hosted by the nonprofit Lakewood Early Childhood PTA (LECPTA).
Every house has a story, and for this year’s Lakewood Home Tour we chatted with the owners of a gorgeous Dines & Kraft home at 6635 Lakewood Blvd., which will turn 100 during the tour. If you are new to Dallas and especially East Dallas, Albert Dines and Lee R. Kraft were the developers responsible for many of the homes that define the Lakewood look. Taylor and Ryan Nicholson were lucky enough to buy a Dines and Kraft, and they have renovated it to perfection.
The two are not strangers to renovation. When they found this 1925 Dines and Kraft Tudor in 2020, the world was in the midst of a global pandemic, but they were undeterred.
“I fell in love with the charm and character,” Taylor said. “Lakewood Blvd. spoke to us a lot, and this was an opportunity to purchase a home and put our own stamp on it.”
The house had personal paint selections, there was no can lighting, and the cabinetry and granite were dark. But there were stained glass windows, some original light fixtures, a classic Rookwood fireplace, and that dramatic staircase. They got to work.
“The first thing we did was to redo the thick wall texture,” Taylor said. “We refinished the floors, painted, added recessed lighting everywhere, installed new tile, and countertops. We have redone every surface in the home, but we’ve tried to stay true to its age and character.
You may wonder how, during a global pandemic, the Nicholsons managed to pull off all this work. They have a unique situation. Taylor and her mother, Anne Hoyt, co-founded Unrefined Bakery. They have a great team to construct all six of their bakeries, so Taylor acted as the general contractor, and they managed to complete everything in under four weeks. The couple has continued to make cosmetic changes over the years, particularly adding wallpaper.
“I love the layout because it’s not open,” Taylor said. “My fave spot to sit is in the front of the house in our formal living room because I can see the arched doorways and the stained glass. We also love to be out front. We built a fire pit patio because our street is super social. Ryan loves the front patio and our pool.”
On Saturday, this Dines and Kraft beauty turns 100, and it’s the first time a home on tour has hit that centenary mark while on tour! The Lakewood Home Tour is one of the most sought-after tickets this weekend, and although candlelight and VIP are sold out, Daytime Weekend Passes are still available, so don’t miss it!
If You Go
49th Annual Lakewood Home Tour
Saturday, Nov. 8 and Sunday, Nov. 9
11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Cost is $45 for daytime weekend pass, offering admission both Saturday and Sunday