5311 Danfield Dr. year built: 1977 architect/designer: location: Briarwick status: Extant

As far as I know, my parents were the first owners of this home. This was also the first home I lived in. It isn't in the worst shape now, but the neighboring home's condition is terrible and the neighborhood looks mostly uncared for and in general decline. I have to hope (for my parents' judgment's sake) that back in the day, this area near S Post Oak and the beltway wasn't full of trashy strip malls, self-storage facilities turned flea markets, and listless homeowners.

And the houses - many look stamped out from some catalog where front-facing, obtrusive garages were the in thing to do. Also, while this house only has bars on the front door, I'd guess that some time ago the burglar bar trend (much like the reminders in places like Glenbrook Valley) swept through here - maybe more recently than I think.