The steep exterior steps climbing up to the home lead into a breathtaking second-floor entry of this newly remodeled home. Standing on the entryway landing looking down into the living rooms, dining room and backyard, the bright sunlight streaming through the large expanse of windows allows details to be discovered.

Vicki White, with help from husband Jim and son Bobby, has renovated 11 homes during the past over the last 12 years.

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Vicki and Jim moved to Lake Highlands 25 years ago and lived the first 13 years on Parkford. Jim is a corporate pilot and spends much of his time flying; Vicki discovered her talent while redecorating their neighborhood home over the years. After her efforts with that first house, she decided it was time to tackle other properties. The family decided the best way to accomplish this was to live and work at the same place.

Not only does she paint, paper and physically reconstruct the properties, Vicki also furnishes each home and sells the property lock, stock and barrel.

“I never hire out what I am capable of doing myself,” Vicki says. “I like all aspects of the project, especially the show. If it sells too soon, I am disappointed.”

The Mediterranean, neo-classic, slightly eclectic home Vicki is currently finishing, has her name written all over it – from the taupe “hand-painted” exterior to the detailed molding accents.

The living room and adjacent sitting room are two stories high from floor to ceiling. Vicki stood on a six-foot ladder atop a 15-foot scaffold to texture, paint and glaze the walls, and whitewash the ceiling. The living room’s focal piece is an intricately cut cherry wood bird house much too beautiful for any bird.

The sitting room overlooks a backyard with pool, perfect for entertaining. (Entertaining is what Vicki will be doing much of this year as the newly elected president of the Richardson Junior League.)

The Whites have deep roots not only in Lake Highlands, but in East Dallas as well. Both graduated from Bryan Adams High School, as did their son, Bobby. While living in East Dallas, she remodeled several houses in the Forest Hills neighborhood. Vicki says Realtors felt it was important to call attention to her work on their flyers, creating the “Vicki White Original” catch phrase.

It’s the little things that matter so much in her renovations. For example, the original broom closet in the current kitchen has been converted to a wine closet, enclosed by an antique glass door.

The master bedroom is elegant and soothing, dressed in beautiful linens, handmade by Vicki, as are all the linens throughout the house. Her lamp shades have been hand-beaded, and the flower arrangements also are original designs.

Detailed molding, along the upstairs hallways and doors, add a custom look, and the upstairs den creates the feeling of an exclusive golf or hunt club. Jim’s office, with a two-story-high wall of shelves, is perfect for his vast library and flight memorabilia. (Among his passengers was Ronald Reagan.) The room also is adorned by one of the seven skylights in the house.

The light and brightly decorated upstairs guest bedroom has its very own verandah and has a New Orleans flair.