New Haven Register (Sunday) (New Haven, CT)
Gated Westbrook home brings sense of privacy
When the gate shuts at 223 Old Salt Works Road in Westbrook, the property becomes a personal oasis.
In a community where typically, homes are closer together, this property is extremely private, according to Kirsten Adams, listing agent for William Pitt Sotheby’s International Realty.
“One of the most interesting features —absent the view, which is phenomenal — is the sense of privacy when you close the gate,” she said. “You really don’t feel like you have any neighbors.”
With 160-feet of water frontage, the ocean breeze lulls through the front and private upper patios, dancing over the lawn and enwrapping the sunlit corner where a fire-pit promises seaside s’mores.
“Every night you can sit there and be mesmerized by a gorgeous sunset that comes out over Clinton Point,” seller Richard Dlesk said.
Shortly after walking into Nantucket style home in 2016, their gaze drawn to the wall of windows in the front room, Richard and his wife Sharon Dlesk knew they wanted it.
“We just saw this unbelievable place that had a lot of history,” Richard said. “When you pull in the property you just feel like you’ve arrived at the coast of Maine.”
On a recent afternoon, boaters, kayakers and a lone swimmer meandered around myriad rocks watching the point spread wider in the withdrawing tide.
Improvements the Dlesks completed, included expounding on a wing added by Pasta Vita owner Rich Cersosimo —who lived in the home for 40 years —expanding the front room to incorporate a larger dining area, putting in the swimming pool and installing the gas-powered stone fire pit and pizza oven.
They added a detached carriage house/garage and converted the attached garage into a summer kitchen/rec room for their grandchildren.
“The garage is the teenage space,” Adams said. “It gives you that California vibe.”
They surrounded the property in hydrangeas and incorporated a piece of art depicting mermaids in the center of the circular driveway.
There are two fireplaces in the home. One, in the cathedral-ceilinged great room, has a mantle with two large dogs that, according to Richard, “was part of the flavor of the home when we bought it.” There’s also a stone fireplace in the front room where folks gather during parties and look at the water.
“You’re surrounded and engulfed in glass,” Richard said. “As the tides change and the rocks become more present and you get the migrating birds. When you’re sitting in that room, it’s almost like you’re at a zoo, ospreys, black migrant birds in packs, gulls, swans.”
They redesigned the kitchen, creating flow and functionality.
“The kitchen was important to me, I love cooking and having people eat and the playfulness of the whole experience with food and the gathering,” Sharon said.
Every room has water views and most open to a patio, deck or the pool.
The all-glass master bedroom has his and her closets, a bath with a large tiled shower and opens to a private balcony.
The property includes two rentals across the street, a guest house the Dlesks call the dollhouse and a cottage with two units where artist Brendan Loughlin has lived for seven years.
Sitting in the sun the day after July Fourth, Loughlin spoke of living in the seaside community.
One thing artists need is feedback, he said. People walking and riding by in the friendly neighborhood can sneak a peak at paintings he spreads across the lawn and offer their thoughts.
“I fell in love with the neighborhood the, beauty of the point …the beauty of the quietness,” he said. “It’s a place for beauty.”
While being offered as a compound with all three properties, the home is also available individually.