A Modern Sanctuary: Redefining Highland Park Living with Joshua Rice Design
Tucked into the tranquil east side of Highland Park in Dallas, Texas, a home designed by Joshua Rice Design redefines modern living. Built over three years, the house merges contemporary elegance with family-focused practicality, creating a sanctuary that balances urban accessibility with suburban calm. For the young family of six who call it home, the residence is a reflection of thoughtful design and deeply personal touches.
From the moment you approach the home, its distinctive character is apparent. Gray limestone walls, thermally modified wood panels, and stucco surfaces set the tone, all punctuated by vast Portuguese glass doors that flood the interiors with light.
Rice worked closely with the architects to ensure every detail, from material choices to the home’s partial open-plan layout, would create a seamless flow. The layout itself speaks to intention: a sunken living room anchors the first floor, while the second level houses a treetop family room and en-suite bedrooms for the children.
Inside, the atmosphere is one of serenity. Eschewing the typical association of modern design with bright whites, Rice embraced a darker, muted palette. Rich, earthy tones in materials like fumed oak lend a calm and grounded feel, perfectly balanced by the abundance of natural light. “We wanted to create a space that felt grounded yet luxurious, drawing a strong connection to the natural materials and light,” he explains.
Rice’s vision extended beyond the walls, blending bespoke furnishings with iconic mid-century designs. The furniture selections, both rare and distinctive, bring a curated, almost museum-like quality to the home. The living room features vintage Danish "Scimitar" chairs paired with an Italian rosewood coffee table, while the hall boasts a custom Oxblood Leather and Walnut daybed designed by Rice himself.
These choices reflect not only the family’s appreciation for modern design but also Rice’s passion for crafting spaces that feel both surprising and deeply personal. “The clients wanted something more unique and unusual than the typical design classics,” he shares. “Luckily, that is my passion.”
Every detail in the home was meticulously considered, from the stone-faced cabinets and solid stone sinks to the custom-designed tiles and sculptural sink fabricated by the same Italian artisans who craft Rice’s stone furniture line.
The use of materials like grey “ceppo” marble in the kitchen and dark blue Japanese tiles in the main bedroom brings a sense of cohesion and luxury to the interiors. Even the home’s centrepiece—a panelled fumed oak wall that houses the guest bathroom, office, and media room—is as functional as it is visually striking.
The family’s growth was an essential part of the design journey. When Rice began the project, the couple had one young daughter; by the time the home was completed, their family had grown to four children under the age of five.
This evolution added layers of complexity to the design, but Rice welcomed the challenge. His collaboration with skilled architects and artisans ensured the home met the family’s needs while maintaining its refined aesthetic. “The clients were open to experimenting with design, which allowed us to create something truly unique,” he says.
Text by Catherine Mo