A strong foundation

One stunning home from the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League tour

The Castañeda home on Canterbury Court in Kessler Park looks almost like a tree house from the street.

Built on a 35-foot hillside, most of the home is hidden from view by lush greenery. But enter through the front gate, and the stunning home comes into view. A bridge over a dry creek leads to the modern home and the spectacular gardens surrounding it.

The home is one of 12 on the Old Oak Cliff Conservation League Fall Home Tour, Oct. 13-14.

Previous owners built the bridge that leads from the gate of the Castañeda house to the entrance. The Castañedas, empty nesters who moved to Oak Cliff after their kids went to college, have redesigned much of the landscaping. A night view shows the dramatic view from the home’s front gate on Canterbury Court. The couple loved the house in part because of its hidden entry.

When Chrysta and John Castañeda bought the home in 2005, it had already been renovated from the foundation up. That is, previous owners had torn down the 1930s house and built a new one on the old foundation.

The Castañedas moved the master suite to the second floor. “We wanted to be able to look out over the garden,” Chrysta says.

They also added walk-in closets and a bathroom with teak cabinetry. They opened the two-car garage to create a bay for motorcycles and bicycles.

The Castañedas also took on an extensive exterior renovation, including reinforcing the original 1930s retaining walls and adding a patio and porch with a landscape design to match the owners’ modern esthetic.

The Castañedas lived in Lake Highlands for many years and raised their children there. When they became empty nesters, they high-tailed it to Oak Cliff.

“We have admired Kessler Park and Oak Cliff for decades,” Castañeda says.

The Old Oak Cliff COnservaTiOn league fall hOme TOur is Oct. 13-14 and includes homes all over North Oak Cliff. Tickets are available at Tom Thumb and cost $20. Proceeds from the tour go toward neighborhood grants for beautification, security and other enhancements.

The Castañedas have a modern style and prefer muted tones accented with pops of color and work from local artists. They added teak paneling and cabinetry during extensive renovations after buying their home in 2005.