DFW News App

Stephen Walsh and I were classmates back in 2010 at the University of North Texas where we both studied interior design. We were just friends then and went our separate ways in pursuing our own careers. In 2020 we reconnected after both experiencing life-changing events: the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of a loved one, divorce. Growing up as a military brat, I’ve lived all over the country, but I’ve been a resident of Fort Worth since 2016. Stephen, who grew up in Arlington, made the move in 2021 from east Dallas and Oak Cliff to live with me in Fort Worth. We moved to east Fort Worth’s Central Meadowbrook in 2022 after a whirlwind of a year. That same year, we sold my Westover Hills house, bought our Central Meadowbrook home and got married. When we were looking at houses, we were enamored with the midcentury modern architecture in Central Meadowbrook. The neighborhood is an eclectic mix of homes ranging from the early 1900s to midcentury modern to new builds. Our home is a true midcentury modern with a flat gravel roof, split-stone exterior and steel-casement windows that provide natural light and views throughout the house. The front door has been repainted and refreshed in a coral paint and brass hardware. It has three circular window portals that give you a peek into our foyer but is also very distinguishable when you pass by from the street. Our front yard is heavily shaded with oak trees that we enjoy while sitting on the front porch overlooking the view of the Meadowbrook Golf Course across the street. Our backyard has double-tiered landscaping where our driveway wraps around into the back. As interior designers who have a passion for all things midcentury modern, we could not pass up an opportunity of owning a home of this quality and character. It’s our dream home — especially at a much more affordable price point than what we could ever dream of getting in Dallas.Meadowbrook Golf Course is a 100-year-old public course that is currently under renovation. Both Stephen and I are new to golf, but we’ve enjoyed learning this game as a new hobby. We can’t wait to play the new course design. It’s going to be an exciting time for our neighborhood.We love the diversity and interest the neighborhood provides as each home is unique. There are folks that have been here forever, second- or even third-generation families, and there are also young professional couples like us. All have been so kind and welcoming.There are plenty of lots that are heavily wooded and some streets that are lined with oak trees that sometimes feel like we’re being transported back in time. Among those streets is a road — also heavily lined with oak trees — that used to lead to somebody’s farm. It’s kind of cool to imagine those trees were leading up to someone’s home. The landscape is different from what you expect to find in North Texas, let alone the east side of Fort Worth.The rolling hills of the Tandy Hills Natural Area nature preserve are on the west side of our neighborhood, where we can catch a beautiful sunset view of downtown Fort Worth, and to the east of our house are the expansive greens of the Meadowbrook Golf Course.There’s a lot of hope in our neighborhood for future revitalization of east Fort Worth, which can be seen through our neighborhood associations and the energetic engagement of our new council member, Jeanette Martinez.We hope to see more development and more shopping and amenities. There’s not a ton of sit-down restaurant options near us, but I know this is something many of our neighbors would love to see happen. We’re also hopeful the city will really consider revitalizing the East Lancaster corridor and clean up Brentwood Stair Road. The location is ideal for us since we both work remotely. Stephen and I recently started our own business — RW Collective. We focus on architectural and interior photography that we work on from our home studio. I also continue to practice full time as a commercial interior designer for a local architectural firm in Dallas-Fort Worth.If we have meetings or site visits to go on, we’re just a quick hop on Interstate 30 and can get downtown in 10 minutes. It’s also a straight shot to Dallas.We also love that there’s a deep sense of community here — one of diversity. Coffee Folk is a great little community gathering spot where we meet many new neighbors and bring friends from other parts of the city to enjoy. We think it’s the best coffee in Fort Worth.We like going for walks in the neighborhood and seeing others walk their dogs or with their children. It’s just Stephen and me and our three cats — all boys — named Eero, Pipsan and Jiro. But we will soon be adding a new member to our family, as we are expecting in September of this year. We cannot wait to welcome our little one and watch them grow up in this home.Maria Ramirez-Walsh is from the Philippines. She and her husband, Stephen Walsh, lead their company RW Collective from their home in east Fort Worth. Central and West Meadowbrook

Total population: 5,796Male: 48% | Female: 52%

Age0-9: 14%

10-19: 10%

20-29: 16%

30-39: 16%

40-49: 10%

50-59: 12%

60-69: 11%

70-79: 5%

80 and older: 2%

EducationNo degree: 21%

High school: 28%

Some college: 31%

Bachelor’s degree: 15%

Post-graduate: 4%

RaceHispanic: 48% | White: 31% | Black: 19% | Two or more: 2%

Click on the link to view the Texas Education Agency ratings for nearby schools:

Eastern Hills Elementary

Eastern Hills High School 

Meadowbrook Elementary

Meadowbrook Middle School 

Sagamore Hill Elementary

West Handley Elementary