housing scene with refreshing designs for young post-war families
returning to Dallas. Proteges of Howard Meyer and Frank Lloyd Wright, Lyle Rowley and Jack Wilson were
ahead of their time; they applied green techniques
back when the word meant nothing more than color. They believed in preserving
trees at all costs, energy efficiency, and open floor plans in
not-so-huge homes. As Rowley, now 82, said, “We designed our homes that way
because it appealed to us. We didn’t go into it knowing this would
happen, but our open floor plans brought families together.” Rowley and Wilson named the homes
after their wives, Julie and Nelda—hence the name Ju-Nel.
There are only about 50 Ju-Nel homes, and each one is different.
Almost all are in Eastwood Estates, Casa Linda, Old Lake Highlands, and
Lake Highlands. 9745 Wisterwood Dr., built in the early 1960s, is one of the few Ju-Nel homes in the White Rock Lake
area. Fifty years later, it is better than
ever. Updates such as ebony-stained hardwoods and slate flooring, Corian counters, and gourmet appliances in the
kitchen have not detracted from the home’s midcentury appeal. The house has three bedrooms and
two updated baths, and it sits on a 71-by-125-foot lot with gorgeous trees. This home has 1,622 square feet, but
like most Ju-Nels, it feels much larger. And it’s priced well at
$315,000.
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