As a young builder back east, I cut my eye teeth on complex remodeling projects. Fairfield County, Connecticut, and Westchester County, New York, are beautiful areas, filled with old homes that radiate charm and history. Each home had its own history. Each project presented its own challenge.
In most cases, each of these renovations was funded by prestigious, independent wealth – where cost was (nearly) no object. These opportunities were educational, daring, ambitious.
So many details… so much history
Thinking back, I feel immense gratitude to the artisans who worked with me, for me, over the years. Cis, Dave, Andy, Eric, Steve, Tony, Brad, and more.
I also thank the clients who trusted me. Noise, dust, complexities, weather, tension, accomplishment, completion are all a part of any project. In the words of Frank Zappa, “you gotta get out of it before you get into it!” Or, you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
A photographic treasure trove
Annie is my in-house graphic designer, webmaster, and advocate. She and Jesse recently digitized our slide archives. It is amazing to review one’s life work …
I could tell you some stories … but, instead of writing so many words,
Maybe I’ll just let the photos speak for me…
“Old Vic,” a Victorian renovation in Greenwich, Connecticut
My client, David, was a successful realtor in Fairfield County. He and I completed several projects over a period of years. Most were residential and a few were commercial.
David and his wife planned to live in Old Vic.
In an unusual order of construction progression, David decided to build a garage in the basement AFTER we had restored the top three floors. By that time, the final paint and finishes were complete! We jacked it up – CAREFULLY – and proceeded…
My crew worked on this home for two years.
An estate in North Greenwich, Connecticut
The property was purchased by a Dutch shipping magnate who constantly traveled. I was hired to restore the main house and the numerous outbuildings.
My crew was there for 2+ years. I had six carpenters at work full time, as well as the usual subcontractors for heat, air conditioning, plumbing, roofing, etc. There were two blonde interior decorators who showed up in a sportscar. I recall one wearing tall red boots. (They were hot!)
The owner did not appear on site until the job was completed. I had a final, cordial meeting when I presented my slide presentation of the entire renovation process.
Interesting note: The Dining Room murals were exquisite. They were refurbished by an art restoration firm in a climate-controlled environment. This was done after we delicately stripped and rebuilt the walls from the outside.
A “not-so-historic” transformation in Greenwich, Connecticut
If these walls could talk…
The Countess was a lovely, 80+, high-born woman with great taste … and an excellent sculptor, as well.
We renovated a tired 60’s ranch on a quiet cove of Long Island Sound, turning it into a faux Palladian villa. No detail was left unturned.
One interesting feature: We built a niche for the quartz crystal horse that she created. Unfortunately, I do not have a photo of it.
