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Tough talk on all things housing -- booms, busts, bargains and more -- from "Nightline" correspondent Vicki Mabrey
Vicki Mabrey is a correspondent for "Nightline" based in New York. She covers real estate as well as a range of national stories.
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Shed & Breakfast
July 08, 2008 4:24 PM
If only we all had the imagination and creativity of my friend (and former next-door-neighbor) Judy Whalen. Judy is a photographer's rep and her husband Jack Unruh is a Society of Illustrators Hall of Famer. Between them, what an eye. Their East Dallas house, made of Arkansas stone and filled with a fascinating selection of collectibles, is my favorite museum.
You gotta love the "not so big" house... This one is probably a bit over 2000 square feet...
Even though Jack is an amazingly talented artist whose work appears in Entertainment Weekly, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, Field and Stream, GQ,and a gazillion other publications, he leaves the decorating to Judy. She can make everything from nothing. Witness the "Shed & Breakfast" she created in their backyard.
Sheds like these must be pretty common -- my grandparents had one in their yard; it's where my grandfather cleaned up after fishing trips and beat his buddies at dominoes. This lovely little structure started as an eyesore about a hundred feet from Jack and Judy's back door. At one point, Judy even mused about tearing it down. But then her creative gene kicked in -- on a whim, she and a friend decided to knock down the ceiling -- and look what they found up there. (Not the chair and basket -- just a latticework of wonderful rafters and a nice high ceiling.
She first painted it all white, and wound up renting it out for catalogue shoots. (One photographer brought in sand, and the little shed doubled as a beach backdrop).
The property is now listed with a location scouting service -- you might have seen it behind the accordion-playing lady in the York air conditioning commercials
or maybe you bought Pergo based on their kitchen (which has dark oak floors, by the way).
But at some point, Judy thought, Why not a guest house? Get the guests out of their Cowboy Room and put them out back in their own little house.
The result is the best little "outhouse" in Texas. And it didn't cost a fortune. Just a lot of imagination.
By prowling the aisles of the Canton Flea Market to find the most unique, interesting, fun touches a human can imagine, Judy has created a space so comfortable it's hard for guests to leave.
Recognize these? They're old calcified hose nozzles. 
And the nightstand? A birdbath covered in glass... 
The towel holder? Yep, the business end of an old rake.
Frankly, I'd rather stay in the Shed 'n Breakfast than in Dallas' finest hotels. Unless, of course, you offered me a deal on the penthouse at the downtown Adolphus Hotel, with its fantastic view of the neon Mobil Pegasus. Then I might have to take a night in each.
July 8, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (20)
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Really interesting posting! These days when people are trying to increase the value of their properties, it's wonderful to read and "see" how a little creativity can go a long way. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Carolyn | Jul 8, 2008 8:14:41 PM
I like to see people recycle old buildings and houses instead of tearing then down and throwing them away. Their creativity just amazes me!
Posted by: Nadine | Jul 8, 2008 10:20:53 PM
Rescuing structures and decor-izing them is an art form and a passion for those of us who do it. Sharing the result, especially for profit, is worthy & respectable. It gently makes the planet a nicer place to be.
Posted by: Dave Lewis | Jul 8, 2008 10:54:05 PM
Rescuing structures and decor-izing them is an art form and a passion for those of us who do it. Sharing the result, especially for profit, is worthy & respectable. It gently makes the planet a nicer place to be.
Posted by: Dave Lewis | Jul 8, 2008 10:54:06 PM
The photographs don't do the "Shed" justice! It's one of the most inviting places I know! It's a thrill to see Judy's creativity get some big time show. She's amazing & brings out creativity in her friends, too.
Posted by: Delores Cullivan | Jul 8, 2008 10:59:19 PM
I live in East Dallas, too. This article makes me want to run right over and see Jack and Judy's place for myself... thanks so much for sharing their creativity with us!
Posted by: Joyce | Jul 8, 2008 11:22:56 PM
Interesting article that may inspire me to do something creative with my home.
Posted by: Mary Cooper | Jul 9, 2008 12:56:14 AM
It is great to see folks putting their minds to utilizing what they have and figuring out how to make "plain" quite beautiful. Also, very cool to see a non-McMansion featured like this. Bravo!
Posted by: Pablo Alto | Jul 9, 2008 8:23:43 AM
I am packing my bags now...I would love to spend a day or two there.
Posted by: Carole Bryant | Jul 9, 2008 10:26:30 AM
It's great to see my old friend still has the magic touch! Beautiful home and shed. Judy "Mouse" strikes again!!
Posted by: Bill Eby | Jul 9, 2008 10:46:36 AM
This is a fabulous article and home; I, too, prefer older, stately residences that you can decorate with wonderful estate sale collectibles. My kinda palace!
Posted by: Jolynn | Jul 9, 2008 10:48:14 AM
Charming and serene! A lot of memories. We saw the shed before and after the final restoration: it is an adorable place. Judy is AMAZING and a wonderful friend. Not to mention what she did in the garden: I love the planting ( talking about a green thumb!!!). It goes without saying that the creativity genes are very strong: her daughter Kim shares the same passions; she was and still is my inspiration . It is because of her I started gardening few years ago
Posted by: Cristina | Jul 9, 2008 11:19:38 AM
Loving it! Deep Ellam... here I come!
Posted by: Lesley | Jul 9, 2008 12:05:19 PM
Jack is my best friend, and I love Judy - My wife and I have stayed in the Shed, and it is wonderful. Judy is very talented, and Jack an expert Fly Fisherman - no questions asked of either of them about talent, they have it in their veins? love both
Posted by: carl mitchell | Jul 9, 2008 2:41:33 PM
We became friends with Jack and Judy when they stayed at our B & B (Parson's Pillow) in Cody, Wy. Yes, they are both VERY talented ! ! !, but most all wonderful people ! ! !
We are somewhat disappointed the you did not include pictures of Jack and Judy wearing their SPOON GLASSES ! ! !
Posted by: Lee and Elly Larabee | Jul 10, 2008 12:03:51 PM
Judy is one of my workout buddies. I too would love to have her creativity! Now I see why she likes to do her shopping at the flea markets in Canton. When are you going to have the Baylor Babes over to see the shed and Breakfast? (hint, hint)
Love the house and backyard too!
Posted by: Terri Schneer | Jul 10, 2008 12:06:58 PM
WOW! This quaint abode looks like a great place to "get away from it all"! What I would give to have this much creativity. Kudos to Judy! And no mention was made of this place being available as a vacation rental...
Posted by: Penni | Jul 10, 2008 12:09:20 PM
Ahhh, I remember the Cowboy room well! But the Shed & Breakfast is a true masterpiece, starting with the catchy new name. You are so right when you say that Judy has the "Eye". Old hose nozzles & birdbaths indeed!! I think I need to take a page out of Judy's creative book and scour my basement for some recyclables of my own. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Jan | Jul 20, 2008 12:35:33 PM
Great shed and what wonderful idea's. She has inspired me to rethink my ever increasing collection in the basement. And my husband called it junk, wait till he see's this!
Posted by: Carla | Aug 21, 2008 9:58:42 PM
Great shed and what wonderful idea's. She has inspired me to rethink my ever increasing collection in the basement. And my husband called it junk, wait till he see's this!
Posted by: Carla | Aug 21, 2008 9:58:46 PM
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