Coasting

When it came time to find candidates for Fairfield Living magazine’s annual piece on spectacular homes in town, our thoughts turned to the coast. The sound of the waves lapping on the beach, an unimpeded view of the Long Island Sound, a cascade of green grass and coastal flowers, and those briny breezes—it’s easy to indulge in the soul-refreashing pleasures of days and nights near water. Take in a brilliant sunrise with a cup of coffee and toast a colorful sunset with a glass of wine (champagne if it’s a particularly glorious sunset). Even tempests become part of life, deepening a respectful wariness. Living in touch with nature’s changes enriches the story of a life well lived and fully aware. 

Sasco Hill Road, Southport

  • Style: Newport Georgian
  • Year built: 1927, as a country home for Mrs. Hugh D. Auchincloss (née Jennings—her brother was Oliver Jennings)
  • Architect/builder: The home, known as Bella Vista, was designed by Fairfield architect Roger Bullard. The home enjoyed an auspicious pairing—Mrs. Auchincloss was a philanthropist who helped fund the restoration of the old Town Hall, and Bullard was known for his Long Island country houses, including those for the Morgan family.
  • Owner’s favorite feature: “Bella Vista’s rare southwestern exposure presents sweeping sunsets to enjoy every evening. The family has appreciated that time of the day and, when the kids were young, created a unique tradition called ‘Sunset Theater’—a time to gather generations at home and neighborhood friends to celebrate and be inspired by the natural beauty of the changing sky.”
  • What We Love: With twelve-foot-high ceilings and 8,000 square feet of living space, Bella Vista has five bedrooms, each with a fireplace (the 2,000-square-foot cottage even has one). The stately home, sitting high above the Country Club of Fairfield on more than four acres, has a glorious view of Long Island Sound and historic Southport Village. With such exquisite details as fluted corner boards and modillion eaves, this masterpiece is timelessly tasteful and its appeals gracefully mature, generation by generation.

Beach Road, Fairfield

  • Style: Scandinavian look, European
  • Year built: 2000
  • Architect: Architect Richard Swann protectively encased a light, bright, breezy interior (which was designed by the owner) within a bring-on-the-New-England-seasons shingled shell—like a pearl inside an oyster (a remarkably gorgeous one).
  • Owner’s favorite feature: “It’s very modern and sleek on the inside. The inside is the antithesis of the outside.”
  • What We Love: At 1,800 square feet, with seven rooms, the home makes use of every inch of its space, yet remains resolutely uncluttered—just like its views of the beach and water. From its large windows to its long, sloped roofline, the design makes no apologies for soaking in all of the coastal delight it can. This compact and handsome house has a way of saying, “I like this spot, with this view, and this patch of beach, and I’m squeezing in to get it.” Moxie. Also, it’s has authenticity—it’s built on the beach and is framed with natural coastal elements like rustling sea grasses and a pebbled driveway.

Sasco Hill, Southport

  • Style: European
  • Year built: 2002
  • Architect/builder/landscaper: Designed by architect Roger Clemens, this magnificent 10,000-square-foot home was built by Lasberg Construction of Armonk. Inside (which we’d love to show you) has fifteen dreamy rooms. The one-acre property, under the care of Kuhn Complete Landscaping Service, explodes with color and texture in the warmer months.
  • Owner’s favorite features: “The old-world feel and the gardens.”
  • What We Love: Every promise hinted at the courtyard is upheld throughout the property—tasteful restraint, commanding views and confident presence. All of the design elements work in harmony. Each focal point provides interest, but not to the exclusion of others or the whole. Also, the style of the home is unique among the superb estates along Sasco Hill, yet remains a friendly, fitting neighbor. Further, the breathtaking views here encourage one to hold a broad, worldly perspective.

Harbor Road, Southport Village

  • Style: Captain’s Colonial
  • Year built: 1840
  • Architect/builder/landscaper:
  • The most recent renovation of this home was designed by architect Shope Reno Wharton and was executed by builder Maxwell Associates. The landscaping is handled by Greenfield Hill Nursery.
  • Owner’s favorite feature: “We love enjoying the beautiful views of Southport Harbor and Long Island Sound from every room in the house.”
  • What we love: The 3,400 square feet of living space, with eleven rooms, fits on a tidy fractional acre—a common and even desirable signature of coastal living: big water views, close neighbors. The white picket fence is as irresistible as the charm of the shady, mature trees. The bump-outs add space and character. Look closely—there’s a lot of living going on. Plus, the home is immaculately maintained, a consideration in salty air, which further proves this parcel of land is truly loved. It glows.
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