Starting from Scratch

– By Robin Jovanovich –

Shortly after Paulette and Eric Mann bought property on Parsonage Point to build a home on in 2001, Sept. 11 happened. “We just let the project sit,” said Paulette, “and stayed in our Thorne Place house. It just seemed the wrong time to move forward.” But they kept in touch with their architect, Paul Benowitz, and after a long stretch Paulette started looking at house design plans again. She knew she wanted a Shingle style home with a large mud room and an office for her on the main floor; her current home didn't have either. “And we were leaving behind a great kitchen so that was a must in our new house.”

They broke ground on the home in January 2005 and moved in 18 months later. It was a pretty smooth construction process, said Paulette, because they were able to live in their old home the entire time and she visited the site daily. “I also loved my builder, Joe Fuscaldo, and his subs. They take pride in their work and it carries over to the whole job.”

Rutt Kitchens in Westport built her cherry kitchen and family room cabinetry. Shelly Dufour of Singer Design in Bryam helped her with the initial decorating. “We've got a long way to go,” laughed Paulette. “There's lots more wall space to fill.”

If she could do any thing over again, she would have hired both a lighting consultant and a closet designer. “The cherry cabinets need lots of light, so does a master bath. I'm still adding fixtures (Patdo in Port Chester is a great source).” As far as the closets, closet designers are expensive but worth it, according to Paulette. “I know I saved money by letting my contractor build the closets, but I didn't end up with enough in the right places in a very large home.”

The mudroom is one of her favorites. Every cubby has an outlet — “for all those iPods and cell phones.” There's a sink on the floor to wash Martha, the family Labradoodle, and all those muddy and snow-caked boots.

The Manns say they have felt at home in their new abode from the time they moved in. "I've got some art that needs hanging in the living room and have to do something with the dining room, but I'm most anxious for spring to arrive so we can begin landscaping in earnest."