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AN INTERVIEW WITH JOHN ALTIERI
PROUD HOMEOWNER OF 3 DECKER STREET

WHAT MADE YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH THIS HOME?

We raised our six kids on Shippan Point, a great neighborhood in Stamford. I
commuted by train to lower Manhattan and traveled a great deal. As we approached
retirement and an empty nest, we were visiting family in Fairfield. We were not yet
looking but drove by on a beautiful fall day and saw the for sale sign on the house. We
stopped and looked and loved the setting, the classic architecture and the convenience.
The house was a bit small for our family and lifestyle, but we loved the convenient location
and privacy it offered. We decided to buy it, knowing that we would remodel and add to the
home to allow it to fit our lifestyle.

PLEASE DESCRIBE THE RENOVATION PROCESS ...

We spent just under two years planning and obtaining approvals for the addition, remodeling
and putting in all new systems. Downstairs, we added approximately 2,000 SF with the
present kitchen, family room, pool bath with a second laundry, and two garage bays with a
utility room. Upstairs, we added the office/bedroom and the master suite with two baths and
two large walk-in closets and a good size laundry room. We also replaced the stairway at the
front door with one that is more open, allowing gorgeous outdoor views throughout the first
floor.

We also decided to add a full bathroom, laundry room, mudroom downstairs, with entries
from both the garage and pool. This layout is ideal for hosting large gatherings of friends
and family… seamless flow from the inside out! I loved not having to track water through
the house to get to a bathroom, and never having to lug towels upstairs to do laundry.
Everything you need is right there.

We kept all the Cameron Clark trademark design details on the outside and with the
moldings and windows. For the addition and remodeling, we worked with a wonderful
architect from Yale, Frank Chapman, to make the inside more comfortable, roomy and
practical for a large family and entertaining. He helped us to implement all of our needs
while still maintaining the Cameron Clark classic look. Most people cannot tell what part
of the house is addition. We also added a second fireplace and a large flagstone patio
poolside.

TELL US ABOUT THE GROUNDS ...

One of our favorite things about this house is the view across the lawn of the town
property all the way to Penfield and the marsh. The beautiful water views are so serene…
matched with a sunrise or sunset, it is picture perfect!

HOW DID YOUR HOUSE DO IN HURRICANE SANDY?

During Sandy we had no water whatsoever! The house is on a mound, and we’ve never had any
water encroachment in the 11 years that we’ve lived here. The house is FEMA compliant, and the
entire first floor is at least 12 feet above sea level. We don’t need flood insurance, but have done so
at a cost of approximately $540 annually.