Page 27 - Edward Street_26

AN INTERVIEW WITH THE HOMEOWNERS OF 26 EDWARD STREET

WHAT ATTRACTED YOU MOST TO THE HOME WHEN YOU BOUGHT IT?
Having vision and able to look past the work needed to finish the home, we saw an expansive 1st
floor footprint unlike any other house in the beach area with amazing water views from almost every
bedroom located steps to the beach yet on a very quiet street. The second floor had six bedrooms
including two kids’ rooms with a (shared) Jack & Jill bath, an in-law/nanny suite with en-suite bath and
a separate three-bedroom guest wing. Last but certainly not least was the 3rd floor master suite – our
tranquil oasis with breathtaking water views and a large deck for coffee, yoga and sunrises.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DID TO MAKE THE HOME WHAT IT IS TODAY?
Sadly, the builder was hit by the recession. He built this dream home for his family (6 children, hence the 7
bedrooms) but was unable to finish the interior. For example, only 2 of the bathrooms were usable, there
were no appliances and where finished, the floors had taken a beating. We opened up walls, completed all
the bathrooms, added custom closets and built-ins including the master bedroom walk in closet. Installed
two fantastic gas fireplaces with surrounding built-ins. Designed and built-out mudroom.

WHY ARE YOU MOVING?
We love Fairfield beach and are sad to leave but we are relocating to the west coast for work. We will miss
the great neighborhood, beach and our friends and family in the area.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ROOM TO SPEND TIME IN?
The bonus room is a terrific gathering place for the family to spend winter evenings watching movies in
front of the fireplace. However, with three young children, a dog and two corporate careers, we also love
the tranquility of the 3rd floor master suite. It’s a private sanctuary – sometimes for even just 30 minutes
in the morning enjoying a coffee on the roof deck as the sun rises.

DO YOU LIKE YOUR NEIGHBORS?
We love our neighborhood and neighbors. The Fairfield beach area and specifically Edward street
has seen a tremendous amount of new construction over the past few years resulting in many new
families joining our community. Where this was a hidden gem ten years ago, the secret's out!

TELL US ABOUT THE UPGRADES AND THE DESIGN...
We purchased this dream home from the builder prior to his completion of the interior. We took
our time and over nearly twelve months carefully considered how to finish the project. It truly was
a passion project and our approach was to treat it as a blank canvas. Firstly, we opened up the first
floor to create a much better flow for this expansive living space. In doing so, we retained the space’s
flexibility and the coziness and warmth of the house through smart usage of pocket doors and sliding
panels. In addition, the kitchen, bathrooms and mudroom were designed and finished, several
fireplaces were added along with extensive built-ins, custom closets were built including the master
walk-in, audio and video was wired and installed, and a complete redesign of the landscaping was
designed and completed including new patios, full irrigation, and sod. The design style sought to balance
traditional, warm elements with modern amenities and a functional approach reflecting modern family
life. Furnishing were hand selected to accentuate this feeling of casual luxury.

WHAT IS WITH ALL THE DOORS?
A unique way to incorporate the old into the new. I love the history of the doors and the search for the perfect
one. They add an architectural design element in a place that is usually bland and unnoticed. They are also very
functional – indoor Dutch door instead of a kids or dog gate, sliding door to keep the 1st floor kitchen area cozy, grand
barn door to connect or separate the formal Living room from the dining space – all integrated into the room style.