ASIAN GARDEN GETAWAY

A wall of green greets guests as they pull up to the Treehouse in Little Forest Hills. Walking down the gravel pathway, they are transported out of urban Dallas. An 80-year-old pecan tree stands watch near the street, backed by dozens of colorful Japanese maples, 15 bald cypress trees and a bois d’arc tree that shade the grounds. A pond, fountain and large metal sculptures add to the experience, and a wooden bridge in the front yard takes guests over a small tributary of Ash Creek. When it rains, a small waterfall rushes through the ravine. The Asian garden is completed with a gong near the bridge.

The living room boasts floor to ceiling windows with sturdy steel frames. The natural stone was once part of Dallas Cowboys founder Clint Murchison Jr.’s poolhouse. The lofted bedroom looks out on a pond and creek.

“It’s inside-outside kind of living,” owner Danielle Kaserman says. “There is a peace that you get walking into the house. It’s magical, and you don’t feel like you are in Dallas.”

Though hidden by foliage, the home boasts floor to ceiling windows and a front porch where a guest might watch the local barn owl, armadillos or a family of raccoons who often travel through the wooded yard.

Inside, dozens of plants hang in the vaulted space with pulleys and rope that allow for easier watering. The original owner, a sculptor, built the older half of the home and left many of his works on the grounds. He accessed his lofted bedroom by climbing a makeshift ladder and returned to the living area on a fireman’s pole, which is now gone.

The interior is a mix of reclaimed materials; the exposed beams and natural limestone give a Tuscan vibe. Iron pieces and driftwood are highlighted by skylights. The home’s second owner expanded its footprint, adding a kitchen, dining area and master suite. Windows open to a babbling brook and singing bullfrogs.

Lakewood neighbor Danielle and her