Page 12 - Ocean Avenue

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE HOMEOWNER

No discussion — there is NOTHING COMPARABLE in SW CT. There are more expensive areas and
“waterfront” properties. We looked extensively from Stamford to Guilford and beyond. But we
wanted a laid back, no pretense, relaxing, vacation-like waterfront experience that would be
genuine, comfortable, and affordable. The expanse of beach views, “toes in the sand”
accessibility, and absolute ownership of beachfront sold us.

As much as our home itself. The “Bluff” neighbors are all affluent professionals like ourselves, who
immediately welcomed us into the fold and became treasured friends. We all respect each
other’s need to privacy, yet come together to “play” in impromptu times and places that simply
make it feel like you have known each other forever. Yet the entire Lordship community is warm,
fun-loving, and fantastic. We have felt like a part of a very unique and special family since the
day we stepped foot in our home. Not like any community we have ever lived in.

Absolutely. We even got plans approved through Planning and Zoning, now expired, that would
not have used the traditional “surrounding fence” that would have marred the extensive,
contiguous view across the Bluff houses. (Ask us about the “Ha-Ha Construction.”) However, once
we lived here, we said… “Why?”

We sadly tore down a dilapidated 110 year old original beach cottage to create a
comfortable, contemporary home that still respected the spirit of that original cottage, as well as
the other 10 other special “Bluff Houses” that flanked us. It took 15 months to create just the shell of
a home that we could at least inhabit — as we were very anxious to be here full time. It took
another 6 months to bring full modern “creature comforts” to our home — but we were happier to
be here on the property without all the homeowner necessities (like a working kitchen!) than to
have to stay away.

Every knob, faucet, light, and architectural detail was selected by hand over months and
months. Creative Director + Sculptor + Advertising Exec + Married Couple = lots of memories
making every feature mean something, yet be conveniently functional. We worked hard to
integrate comfort, approachability, personality, and a little bit of our beloved South of France into
our CT beachfront home.

www.VANDERBLUE.com 203-259-8326