July 2003

For openers just look at this house: Perfection! …Gulf on one side and lake [the back] on the other.

This house had been in my head for a while and as the architectural plans were wrapping up I had many discussions with people in South Walton about builders; their strengths, weaknesses, etc. This house was executed perfectly by Alan Ficarra –an experienced transplant from New York who KNOWS what to do to keep water out of a house. I am a royal pain but Alan survived and we got the best house at the beach.

Not long after completion multiple tropical storms followed by a couple of hurricanes that also hit us. There was not ONE DROP OF WATER IN THIS HOUSE, not under a door [many] or window [even more]. I think the night Ivan hit I slept through the whole thing — never heard anything — no rattling of chandeliers — nothing. The yard was a wreck but the house — nothing.

AMAZING

Jane Selfe