Coasting
PETER CADOUX
home is a customized blend of both sensibilities.” The result is a beautiful and distinctive home of approximately 5,000 square feet that strikes the perfect balance between old English charm and New England contemporary waterfront living. While the front of the home suggests a timeless symmetry, with natural wood roof shingles and siding, chimneys made of native New England fieldstone and deck rails in a classic English Chippendale design, the back is a different story. Here, the house connects the owners with their beloved coastal lifestyle by way of a more asymmetric look designed to capture and frame the water views with expansive glass windows, balconies and porches with French doors. The uninterrupted view as you enter represents the initial balancing act between the two merging styles. “The view provides a sense of drama as soon as you walk in,” says Cadoux. The first floor comprises a spacious living room, formal dining room that segues through a butler’s pantry into the kitchen, a family room and an orchid room off the kitchen (the client has a passion for growing orchids). A second level contains a master suite with a balcony, children’s play area and three more bedrooms, all en suite. Thanks to the roof’s steep pitch, a third level
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accommodates a private library/office decorated with nautical flair. A strategically placed balcony delivers a view of the New York City skyline. “The kitchen and bathrooms are detailed with full slabs of Carrara marble and glass tiles, offering elements of surprise in the interior aesthetic,” says Cadoux. But it’s the rear of the home that constantly draws the eye with magnificent coastal views best enjoyed from the deck and lush lawn leading down to the beach and boat dock. This talented and widely published architect – who founded his eponymous and full-service design firm Peter Cadoux Architects in Westport, Conn., 18 years ago – brought all of his coastal knowledge and experience to the commission. The son of a builder, graduate of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design and active member of the American Institute of Architects, Cadoux is an expert in the complex and often challenging building codes and regulatory processes imposed on homes in this area and throughout coastal New England. Sited on a half-acre block, the original home had no historic value, was below flood elevations and didn’t meet FEMA regulations, so the decision was taken to raze it and start afresh. But one key element remained. “The owners were very fond of an existing large copper beech tree at the rear of the house, so we made some design alterations to protect it,” says Cadoux. “It’s not only beautiful, but provides shade and doesn’t take anything away from the views.” There goes that balancing act again, with Cadoux listening carefully to his clients’ wishes and then creating a design solution that pleases everyone. “I’d rather work for people than for projects,” he insists. “These clients understood the value of good design and THE DETAILS quality construction, and that For more information, visit cadouxaia.com. makes for a much more engaging and enjoyable experience. “I can work to all different scales and vernaculars, but great people, coastal waters and heavily regulated areas – these are my passions.”
Living by design The home’s formal entrance and stylish interiors capture and frame the stunning garden and water views at the rear of the house.