This Dallas Estate Celebrates Its Idyllic Surroundings In Style

Architect Gonzalo Bueno and homeowners Matt and Candee Fleeger had worked on several projects together in Los Cabos, Mexico, and Colorado. But it wasn’t until more than 15 years of living in their Dallas estate that the couple asked him to re-envision it with a fresh perspective. “Our taste had changed from Mediterranean to more modern with contemporary finishes,” Matt says. Wanting to honor the dwelling’s original integrity and its magnificent 4-acre grounds, the owners yearned to breathe new life into the space and optimize it for their large family.

With the help of builders Mickey Munir, Michael Munir and Gary Klingaman, the architect began by refining the abode inside and out. The property’s identity was grounded in its existing arches and travertine columns along the front and back façades. Those elements were maintained as the team reclad the front in stone, simplified the stucco, reconfigured the windows to emphasize symmetry, and introduced plantings envisioned by landscape designer Dave Hunchik. “We wanted it to still feel Mediterranean but with a softer, cleaner look,” Bueno reflects.

While the exterior columns felt stately and romantic, the interiors had an abundance—20 in total—that the architect opted to streamline, covering them in drywall and a Venetian plaster finish for a contemporary feel. “The intention was to modernize their home inside and clean it up, allowing us to put more focus into the art, furniture and lighting,” he explains.

Illumination became a major driver of the redesign, both in selecting sculptural fixtures and honoring the natural sunlight. The home’s previous downlights and heavy sconces were replaced with a more layered and refined scheme, which includes a commissioned staircase chandelier and handblown-glass-and-bronze sconces in the entry hall, set at mid-height to ground the 25-plus-foot ceilings. “When things are installed too high, they start to lose scale,” Bueno notes. “Having the right height makes it a lot more interesting and adds coziness to the space.”

The ambient lighting softens the plaster-clad walls and highlights the textures integrated throughout—bronze mirrors, performance fabrics and natural stone. These organic touches further enhance the connection to the outdoors, a priority for the homeowners that governed many of the design decisions. In the family room, for instance, the wife wanted to preserve the views across the refinished pool and garden. Bueno responded with slender roller shades that leave the generous windows unobstructed and elevate the sense of openness. Here, he further explored scale using an interplay of heights, such as a highback wing armchair placed next to a low-profile custom sectional. In the living room, Bueno elevated sculptures collected during family travels by placing them on custom pedestals, some with bronze-mirrored backdrops. The formerly nondescript fireplace was transformed into a focal point, wrapped in limestone and paired with a commissioned work by local artist Allen Kirsch. “I like a bit of drama in our projects,” Bueno says. “We try to make it interesting but always warm using texture and color.”

Natural texture continues to reign in the entirely reimagined kitchen, where cabinetry features rich vein-matched eucalyptus wood inspired by the same material used in the clients’ Colorado dwelling. Double islands, also inspired by their mountain residence, became a necessity for the family of seven. Nearby, a homework nook with storage lockers hidden in the millwork lets children stay close during busy evenings. “They wanted spaces that were light-filled, functional and connected,” Bueno explains.

That sense of unity also guided the evolution of the primary suite. A breathtaking book-matched, emerald-hued quartzite clads the walls of the bath and shower to evoke the greenery outdoors. Meanwhile, outside the owners’ breezy bedroom, Bueno added a lounging pavilion that has revolutionized the family’s indoor-outdoor flow. The new space serves as a link between the house and the rest of the outdoor areas, which include an elegant dining loggia, golf course, pond and creek, where the family hosts special events ranging from play dates to homecoming parties and fraternity gatherings.

“It all goes back to my initial vision for the house,” Matt says. “I grew up riding my bike around the neighborhood with my friends, so I wanted a wonderful, safe area for the kids to enjoy everything from sports to zip lining.” This thoughtful renovation honors both past and present, preserving the abode’s Mediterranean soul while infusing it with light, comfort and a modern edge that feels distinctly the family’s own.