Half the fun of living in Fairfield County is the chance to see so many interesting houses. If you have a penchant for architecture and design, check out this Rowayton residence that recently earned a HOBI award for Best Remodel from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Connecticut.
The Talent
This 3,000-square-foot home on Bell Island was made over by Hemingway Construction and Christopher Agliaro of PBS Architects in Norwalk.
Inspiration
The owners bought the house in 2004 as a weekend beach retreat. Then they decided to make it their primary home and moved ahead on a major renovation that, among other things, would add another floor. Because the owners left a larger home to settle here, the design team had to find ways to make it easy for the couple to relocate furnishings from their more formal home to this open plan. PBS generated computer filmstrips of proposals, which allowed the owners to better experience the floor plan options.
Wow Factor
“This custom residence gives one a sense of sailing on an elegant yacht,” says Peter Sciarretta of Hemingway Homes. “Surrounded by water crashing onto the foundation from two sides, the house feels as if it were anchored close to a sandy shore.”
Cool Craftsmanship
Free-standing continuous staircases span four floors. The cage light newel posts at every landing are yacht-inspired, as are the ceiling posts and beams on the third floor, designed to resemble a crow’s nest. Walls and ceilings are custom-milled.
Accommodations
The floor plan includes a dining room, living room, library, great room, sun room, office, exercise space and five bedrooms. There’s also a front “show” kitchen and a back kitchen for the owners’ chef.
Blue View
The waters of the Long Island Sound lap at the home’s foundation from two sides.
Architectural Detail
Walls and ceilings throughout the home are custom-milled to handsome effect.
Yacht Details
We like the nautically inspired cage light newel posts that artfully illuminate each of the stair landings.