Architect Hal Thomson designed and built this mediterranean style
home for the Robert Penn Family in 1927. Mr. Penn was in the oil
and gas business in Dallas. This beautiful home features craftsmanship
throughout. Each room is rich with detail, from the hand painted
tiles in the entry, ornamental carvings, hand made doors, woodwork
and ornamental iron. The home also features carved caricatures of
the Penn Boys on the stairway. Except for a kitchen renovation the
home is largely original.
The woodworking and carvings are believed to have been executed
by Swiss carver Peter Mansbendel and his staff. Mansbendel quite
possibly painted the cartouche and acanthus design over the front
door as well as he was also an accomplished painter. The ironwork
was most likely executed by Mansbendel's German friend and ironworker
Fortunat Weigl of Austin or Dallas ironworker Henry Potter.
Click on any image to see a larger view!
The entrance |
The entrance with large Oak |
Detail of Front Entry
Painting above doorway by
Mansbendel? |
Detail of Front Entry |
Ornate Iron Lantern
by Weigl or Potter? |
Side Entry-Mansbendel Door |
Ornamental Iron gate
by Weigl or Potter? |
Ornamental gate detail |
Ornamental gate detail |
Backyard
|
Front Entry Door-
Mansbendel |
Front Entry Door-
Mansbendel |
Foyer Arch looking to living room |
Foyer art niche & ornamental iron |
Newel Post
(carved by Mansbendel) |
Foyer Doors
(carved by Mansbendel)
|
Caricatures of Penn Boys
Stairway
(carved by Mansbendel) |
Doors to Loggia
(carved by Mansbendel) |
Foyer Doors leading to Dining Room
(carved in oak by Mansbendel) |
Foyer Doors(Detail)
(carved by Mansbendel) |
Foyer Doors-linen fold in Oak (Detail)
(carved by Mansbendel) |
Living Room Cabinet
(carved by Mansbendel)
|
Library Room fireplace mantle
(carved by Mansbendel) detail
|
Library Room
Carved Limestone
(Mansbendel?) |
Library Room (gothic detail)
Carved Limestone
(Mansbendel?) |
Carved Ceiling-Living room |
Library |
Library Detail-
Mansbendel |
Library Detail-
Mansbendel |
Library
|
