Chris Lambton’s Stuff

^{Photo: MICHAEL DISKIN}

As anyone who has battled with a significant other over the thermostat can attest, sleeping temperature is a major source of contention in relationships. (Usually he's hot, she's cold, and everyone's complaining.) But since he can't fall asleep without the wind and whirring of his Vornado fan, local guy Chris Lambton has already learned the art of compromise with his bride-to-be, Peyton Wright. Of course, the road to a relationship wasn't easy for either: he came in runner-up on the sixth season of The Bachelorette, and she was a finalist on The Bachelor. But the reality-TV alums met at a charity event in 2010, fell in love, and will marry in May in South Carolina. While we won't get a Kardashian-style glimpse at their special day, we will be seeing the couple on TV together soon. In April, Lambton premieres his new HGTV show Going Yard, which will follow his family's Dennis-based landscaping company as they perform miracles for clients on and around the Cape. It's a surprise return to the small screen for Lambton, who famously turned down the chance to star as lead in his own Bachelor season. We asked him why the winds have shifted.

First of all - you can't sleep without a fan? Explain. I need the noise! If I don't have one, I'll use a white-noise app. And I think it has to do with growing up on the Cape, the sea breeze. We had a screened porch, and you'd feel that great breeze in the summer. It's funny - my old college roommate uses a fan because I used it for the two years we lived together. Sometimes I bring one when I travel. I couldn't sleep at first on The Bachelorette because I didn't have one. And when we visited Peyton's parents for two weeks over Christmas, she told them, "Chris needs a fan." So they got one for me [laughs].

I suppose it's a way to learn the important art of compromise in a relationship. Is Peyton okay with it? Just so long as it's not blowing on her! Hold on, let me ask. [Shouts] Hey Peyton, how do you feel about sleeping with the fan? [Muffled response.] She says she's used to it. Of course, every now and then you'll see me sleeping with the fan on and her sleeping in fleece and sweatshirts next to me.

You were portrayed as Mr. Nice Guy on The Bachelorette. Why did you say no to starring in The Bachelor? I got a very good edit; I can't complain about that. . . . [But] Something my father always told me was, "You have one thing in your life: your name. So be careful what you do with it." On a show like that, you put your name in the hands of editors. You don't have control of it. When they offered me The Bachelor, I was like, do I really want to give up my personal life story - my brother, my mom, my friends - for a whirlwind ride of media that will last six or 12 months? Because after that, the only reason you're in the media is if you break up with someone or date someone.

True! Here you are, back in it again for getting married. Yeah, but we mostly stay out of the media. We're not in the magazines when we go to the grocery store or being followed by paparazzi. They don't do that around here, and we want to live a normal life. We know our wedding will get publicity, but we're not going to put it on TV! We want to keep it as low-key as possible. It's our day, not to be shared with anyone else.

Would you ever have considered a show in the style of Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica? I don't think so. That puts a lot of pressure on a couple. Every week is a new storyline. What, would we have to get in a fight every week? When you're starting out a relationship, there's a lot on it to begin with. Why put it behind the eight ball? We love each other and want to be together.

What made you feel better about doing Going Yard? This is work. It's what I do every day anyway. It's not reality TV that looks into our relationship. Sure, you see the funny interaction between us: I go to work, and sometimes I bring Peyton to help with decorating and talking to clients. But it has my brother and father, too. It's an extension of our daily business. Now we're just doing it with cameras around!