Last night I attended a very special event here in Dallas.  I got to tour my highschool’s original building (formerly known as Merici Highschool)

I know what you are thinking…it must be some stark, commercial space devoid of any character…well, it couldn’t be further from that!  Luckily it was a little more exciting because the location is an actual residence that someone lives in today.

The house resides off of Strait Lane and is the former “home” of Ursuline Academy (the oldest school in Dallas, dating back to 1874).  The Strait Lane location is  just a hop, skip and a jump from its present campus location off of Walnut Hill (where it moved to in 1950).

The house was featured in House Beautiful‘s October 2001 issue.  How much fun to see it as it was eight years ago compared to how it looks now!  It really hasn’t changed all that much.

I was pleasantly surprised from my visit- the house just had so much charm.  It was a very traditional home but with stylish, updated touches.  Just look at that leopard carpet! The yellow walls brought a bold punch of color to the space and were the perfect backdrop for the sophisticated black and white urn pictures.

You know how much of a sucker I am for black and white checkerboard flooring! This entry was right up my alley.

The formal living room (while not in a style that I would typically flock to), was beautiful nonetheless.  Soft pastel colors paired with gold accents made for a very pretty look in here.

I love anything in a series or grouping.  Plates, art, wall shelves, vases- you name it!  Groupings make a room feel more organized and cohesive.  As you can see in the Merici house, lots of thought was put into the placement of their collected items.  I think this is what really gives a home character- rooms that look like they have been put together over time.  This house definitely has history!

A Schumacher wallpaper envelopes the warm and inviting sitting room.

I spy the diamond patterned Stark sisal rug…a blogger’s dream! (and what a nice, up-to-date touch in here)

I love the cozy “library” feel that the dining room had.  Walls were lacquered in a deep shade of green, antique sconces adorned the walls, and colorful printed screens were displayed throughout, tying in the dramatic wall color.

Creamy white balloon shades cover the dining room windows and are surrounded by the soft natural glow of candlesticks.

The wooden beams and recessed walls nooks, displaying blue and white porcelain in the kitchen, give the visitor some elevated eye candy.

The house was so interesting in that the majority of the windows and doors were in very irregular shapes.

My favorite view was from the second floor looking into the master bedroom suite.  It’s hard to believe that this used to be a school! I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind learning chemistry next to a sunburst mirror and some wallpaper….ahh a girl can dream!

The master bedroom was another one of my favorite “pretty” rooms.  It was a bit more on the feminine side (notice how even the vents are wallpapered!) That pristine white bedding definitely had me at hello.

It was almost like being in a quaint, life size dollhouse.

Wallpaper covered doors throughout the house and even vents! You barely even notice that the doors below exist- they are camouflaged so well!

The study was another notable cozy area.  Globes, antique books, artwork, and wood paneling makes you feel right at home.

What a fun and interesting tour it was.  I can’t deny that I love seeing into other people’s homes (especially ones with such history to them!)