JHHD June 2026 Yard of the Month

609 Fulton Street

Wayne Garcia & Jerry Gutierrez

A neighbor tipped us off that we ought to take a look at 609 Fulton for Yard of the Month. Sure enough, when I turned the corner from Junius onto Fulton on my evening walk, I immediately saw why. The landscaping had been completely transformed.

You probably know the house—the charming blue-and-white cottage with “DREAM” mounted beneath the gable above its spring-green front door. What was once a modest yard is now a colorful tapestry of water-wise native plants, culinary herbs, and a graceful Japanese maple. It’s proof that even a small yard can make a big impression.

As it turns out, that transformation is a fitting reflection of the house itself.

Wayne Garcia and Jerry Gutierrez moved into 609 this past April, although they’ve owned the property for more than twenty years. During those years, the house served as both a rental property and an ongoing labor of love.

Wayne’s connection to the property began when, as a realtor, he sold the duplex next door and the little cottage that came with it. Years later, the neglected cottage found its way back to him, and he and Jerry renewed it, bit by bit. The first renter was a friend going through a difficult divorce. When she learned they owned the house, she told Wayne, “I need to rent that house right now.”

The house wasn’t ready, but she was adamant. After moving in, she mounted the word DREAM on the front of the house and later told Wayne, “This little house saved my life.”

She wasn’t the only one. Over the years, tenant after tenant found comfort, stability, and a fresh beginning there. “Multiple renters through the years said this house saved their life,” Jerry recalls.

Between tenants, Wayne and Jerry steadily improved the house while preserving its character. A devastating hailstorm in 2012 accelerated the process. New windows, siding, and exterior improvements helped create the colorful home we see today. When the most recent tenant moved out, Wayne and Jerry finally decided it was time to complete the renovations and move in themselves.

Wayne, who in addition to realty, works as a general contractor, led the final transformation. Inside, rooms were refreshed and reimagined. Outside, the landscape received the same thoughtful attention.

Jerry laughs when he remembers his original landscaping plan. “I just wanted to plant St. Augustine grass everywhere. Wayne, however, had other ideas. He said, ‘It’s so cute and so small, we can really make a big impact.’ And he was right.”

The backyard tells a similar story. What was once a heavily shaded area with limited growing conditions is now a charming gravel patio accented by colorful pots and cozy seating—a private retreat perfect for morning coffee or evening conversation.

After years living on the M Streets, Wayne and Jerry were ready for a quieter pace and a smaller house. What they didn’t expect was how quickly they would fall in love with Junius Heights. “We didn’t realize how charming and personable it would be,” Jerry says. “People sit on their front porches, wave at walkers, and visit their neighbors.”

Wayne and Jerry have spent years preserving older properties throughout Dallas, including three small homes and a commercial building near Greenville and Morningside. Wayne also previously served as District 14’s representative on the City Planning Commission, working with neighborhood groups on projects across East Dallas, including rezoning to allow the Garden Café to open for evening service.

Their philosophy is simple: leave things better than you found them. From a reimagined cottage to a thriving garden, that’s exactly what they’ve done at 609 Fulton. Congratulations to Wayne Garcia and Jerry Gutierrez, our June Yard of the Month winners. Thank you for helping make Junius Heights a little more beautiful—and for sharing the remarkable story behind 609 Fulton.