Page 26 - 131 Toilsome Hill Flipbook

Interview with the Homeowner

Q: What made you fall in love with this home?

A: We’d been living in an apartment in New Jersey with our 3-year-old daughter and would

drive to Fairfield every weekend to look at houses - but none of them seemed quite right.
The layouts were wrong. The backyard wasn’t usable. It just didn’t ‘feel right’. Then one
Sunday when we had both agreed to give house hunting one last shot, we pulled into the
driveway of 131 Toilsome Hill Road.
As an Englishman raised on American movies, my mind was already made up as we drove
up to the house. The beautiful colonial houses, neat, expansive lawns, and family feel. Our
daughter raced down to the bottom of the garden, laughing and we knew we’d live here.

Q: Have you done any renovating?

A: We made a lot of cosmetic changes to begin with. We pulled up carpets, had the floors
stained and picked a more contemporary color palette. Since then, we have made
changes from top to bottom: We had the entire house insulated, which makes a huge
difference. We also had nearly all the windows replaced, had custom sliding doors fitted
and a deck leading out into the garden. We also updated the deck for the covered porch.
We’ve painted the exterior of the house from white to dark grey. We thought it might be
too much, but passersby loved it! We’ve updated the bathrooms, made the basement
comfortable and turned the attic into a room with infinite possibilities. We have strived to
keep original features where we could, like the ceramic sink and bathtub as they are part
of the home's history, incredibly well made and are very collectable, then combine them
with more contemporary touches. It’s unrecognizable from when we move in.

Q: Tell me about the area.

A: I’m a bit ashamed to admit that I think we were a bit snobby when we first moved here.
We assumed there wouldn’t be any good food, but it’s been a revelation. The choices are
endless: Great sushi, ramen, amazing brunch options. The neighborhood is fantastic. We
walk our dog almost every day around Toilsome and along the stream at Brooklawn and it
never gets old. I commute to New York City, and it never feels like a drag. I'm on the train
to Grand central in 12 minutes and always pleased to get home again.
There are wonderful beach options nearby with more family-oriented Penfield and
Jennings and the more rugged New England- style Sasco Beach for picnic sunsets, all a
short drive away. Summers feel like one big vacation.