This is the story about our client and their search for the perfect home
Two and a half years later, working within their budget, a very small amount of showings, one outbid offer and a closing from 6700 miles away my clients have found and purchased their perfect house. The style of the house they were looking for is one of the rarest forms in Fairfield County. It’s called Mid-Century modern architecture. These homes are usually situated on great pieces of property and are small in size. This unfortunately gives a perfect opportunity for someone to knock the house down and build a much larger home in its place.
Mid- Century modern architecture is sometimes called “California Contemporary and usually defined as buildings constructed between the 1940’s through the late 60’s.Typically the features include clean lines, open floor plans, walls of glass and the feeling of living within nature. These innovative architects with their simplistic styles were considered ahead of their time.
It all started with a phone call. The person on the other line wanted to know how much I knew about Mid- Century modern architecture. I told him as a Mid-Century modern enthusiast, I have a great respect for the architects like the Harvard Five who fought to be accepted in a world of traditional Colonial styles. And this is how the journey began.
We would attend the New Canaan Historical Society’s modern house tour. We would trade ideas back and forth about how the homes were designed and how some owners and contractors would change the pure style of the home to reflect a more traditional colonial décor and style. Those changes would always upset my clients.
I would always keep them updated on any properties that looked promising. Our journey took us through several different towns like Stamford, Wilton, New Canaan, old Greenwich and Weston. We bid on the famous Michael Crichton house, designed by Lanasberg and built by Hobbs. This house was a very pure example of what Mid –Century modern architecture should look like. Unfortunately we were outbid and the price went over budget. The search continued into the next year with more showings. But we just couldn’t find that pure untouched house in the right location. Some agents would have given up, but I loved going to look at all the homes, even if my clients didn’t want to bid. Fast track to January 21st 2014 and there it was. I brought my clients to the open house of a pure, perfectly sited Mid-Century modern Thomas Flemming designed house in Weston. We bid over asking price on it that day, only to be out bid again. But we were not going to lose this one and after going back and forth and winning over the sellers, the closing took place on April 11th while my clients were away. I finally had the pleasure of handing Roger and Betty the key to their new home on April 29, 2014.
So the journey doesn’t end here. I have made two great friends and I will someday get that call again and someone on the other line will say to me “What do you know about Mid-Century modern architecture”?
My advice is to always work with a Realtor who not only knows the area but also knows a little about the architectural styles you are looking for. In the end you too will find the perfect house.
Peter Bondi
Bondi Realty Group LLC
203-899-9990