Mid- century bliss amidst the woods
When she had first moved to Connecticut and was living with relatives in Westport, the owner of the classic mid- century modern home on Old Dimon Road in Redding would go on exploratory drives around the reservoir in the neighborhood where she now lives. “Every time I drove past the road we now live on, I’d wistfully say to myself, ‘ This is paradise. I wish I lived in the woods here,’” the owner explained.
One of only six houses clustered on the slope above the Saugatuck Reservoir, the three- bedroom home is blissfully private – set on nearly two and a half acres on a two- mile long stretch of a state- designated scenic highway. The original land belonged to Louisa Crane, heiress to the Crane Paper estate which produced the paper that printed U. S. currency.
This original mid- century home has only had two owners in 66 years. It was built in 1955 and designed by Edward Lloyd Flood, who is believed to have been a student of Frank Lloyd Wright and an architect employed by Edward Durrell Stone. Many aspects that were built into the home were considered revolutionary at the time, including radiant heat, poured concrete floors, passive solar, and one of the signature elements of a mid- century home – walls of glass to elicit a sense of being at one with the outdoors. “The focus of the single- story home was to create a space that felt as though you were protected from the elements yet still living in the dramatic beauty of the surrounding wooded area,” said listing agent Susan Leone.
Large overhangs surround the 12 floor- to- ceiling windows and 13 glass doors that afford unobstructed views to the outside. Every room has a stunning view to the glorious natural surroundings along with Address: 6 Old Dimon Road, Redding
Price: $ 595,000
Features: An original midcentury modern built in 1955, this three- bedroom home sits on 2.45 acres bordering the Aquarion Watershed property, Devil’s Den Nature Preserve, and hiking trails. Original cedar beams, poured concrete floors with radiant heat, and a see- through fireplace with back- to- back wood stoves are among the highlights, along with walls of glass and French doors that create dramatic beauty that brings in stunning views of the great outdoors. Schools: Redding Elementary, John Read Middle School, Joel Barlow High School double French doorways from nearly every room that lead to the perennial gardens and patios.
Back- to- back wood stoves set into the large see- through fireplace that is shared by the living room and the cozy reading room create a nostalgic and homey feeling. Exposed western cedar beams enhance the ambience of every room. “We love sitting out front of the living room on Sunday mornings and listening to the birds and enjoying the surrounding woodlands,” the owner commented. “At night, you can see the moon rising over the reservoir from the living room windows.” The living room is open to the dining room, which overlooks the rear patio. Radiant floor heating throughout provides a gentle warmth to the floors, keeping feet nice and warm during the winter.
True mid- century afficionados will appreciate the authentic 1950s kitchen with exposed brick, rustic wood cabinetry, original oven, and four drop- down stovetop burners. A home office is located at the back home, which is picture perfect for viewing pleasure. “You can watch red tailed hawks and scarlet cardinals in the winter, bluebirds and yellow goldfinches in the spring, and a riot of hummingbirds that will dance and compete for nectar from the perennial garden and trumpet vine,” said the owner.
The property includes multi- layered perennial gardens and an herb garden. “Entertaining family and friends in the back tented patio area on summer evenings was always great fun,” said the owner. Just over the property’s east side rock wall is the reservoir trail that connects to numerous other trails.
“One trail leads to a secret spot where in the spring the wild wisteria blooms and the old rock wall foundations create a feeling like you've discovered a magical lost land,” described the owner.