This property is located on 2.32 acres in Easton at the upper end of Dixon Creek that flows into the Tred Avon River and then on to the Choptank River and the Chesapeake Bay. I have featured several properties on this street and each time I drove past today’s feature, I had hoped one day it would be for sale and now it is a special pleasure to share this property‘s outstanding site, architecture, interiors and landscape.
The site is also outstanding for its history. “Lee Haven” was part of the original Ratcliffe Manor tract with was owned by two brothers. One brother was infatuated with Mary Lee of Virginia, (purportedly Robert E. Lee’s daughter) so he named his portion “Lee Haven”, and a waterfront estate house was built but no wedding took place. Over time, other houses were built and the Maynadier Hardcastle house was completed in 1915; several subsequent owners made renovations to suit their needs. The “Lee Haven Quarter”, a rare surviving 16 foot square dwelling for domestic and farm laborers on the estate was deconstructed and relocated to the grounds of The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.
The house is nestled in a clearing of mature trees, landscaped grounds, lush plantings by the current owners and extensive hardscape. Its 280 linear feet of protected shoreline, a private pier with two slips, and 3.5-4 MLW, fulfills one’s need for simply enjoying the water views from the house or enjoying a day of boating on Dixon Creek.
I greatly admired the many architectural elements that gives this house its extraordinary charm-the rear elevation’s massing of the gambrel wing that spans from front to back of the house, the roof variety of sloped sheds and gables, hipped dormer windows, an exquisite bow window, and the French doors open up the house to the water. I especially admired the two screened porches whose transparency anchor each end of the house of this eclectic and harmonious composition. From the house, a pathway leads to the pier.
As I slowly drove along the curved driveway, I was equally captivated by the massing and architectural elements of the front elevation with its gambrel gable’s eave projection in front of the extension from the roof’s ridge to the first floor. Various roof ridges telescope down and are accented by hipped or shed roofed dormers. The shed roof over the red front door, supported by slender posts, is the finishing touch to this eclectic and harmonious composition that imparts irresistible charm.
I remember when this house was painted a bright blue many years ago and I much more prefer its new coat of white. Along with the gray architectural shingled roof, 6/1 windows, and the sole red accent of the front door, the house stands out against its green surroundings of trees and grass.
As I walked through the house, I appreciated how so many vistas connect the rooms to each other and to the landscape and water beyond. The large foyer leads to the main stair to the second floor that is on axis with one of the original five paneled doors to this cozy office. Two Eames chairs offer respite from computer work. Bespoke millwork in various modules offers a variety of storage from books to family keepsakes. I loved the shade of blue on the walls that introduces this color throughout the house and pays homage to the water.
Another vista from the foyer’ wide wall opening leads to this wonderful vanishing perspective framed in blue of the living room. The seating area is anchored by a large original rug that floats in the space. I admired the original moldings and trim around the wall openings, windows and the French doors that lead to one of the two screened porches.
The original house had an open porch with a shallow portion that wrapped around the rear of the living room. Former owners encompassed the porch into the living room and infilled the rear wall with a tall and wide center picture plane between single operable units. The side walls are infilled with bespoke millwork and the white paint of the units allows the collection of colorful ceramics and other treasures to stand out. This space would also make a cozy snug with deep cushioned chairs and a large ottoman for sharing- a perfect space for reading!
Screened porches are usually my fave rooms and I lingered in this exquisite porch with its panoramic views of the landscape and water. The furniture defines the seating and dining area and the horizontal framing is set just above the top of the chairs that creates wide openings to maximize one’s views. I especially admired the detailing of the double posts and the angled brackets that spring from each column to create gambrel shaped bays that I felt paid homage to the house’s distinctive gambrel shaped roofs.
Walking back into the house and through the living room, I discovered a delightful open plan dining-kitchen-family room space. An antique wood table, Windsor chairs and a simple candlestick pendant fixture creates a classic look. For dining al-fresco, the open doors invite one to dine on the large deck. From the deck, steps lead down to the path to the pier.
The door to the side wall of the dining room leads to the adjacent office and I greatly admired the beautiful antique chest and the soft blue walls that continue the interior design scheme. Another wide wall opening frames the kitchen’s deep blue island centered between walls of cabinetry and appliances and the family room beyond.
Doing food prep and cleaning up after meals would not be a chore when one has a continuous wall of windows overlooking this tranquil view of the tree tops and the water. I especially admired the gourmet kitchen’s transparency of the pendant light fixtures, the diamond patterned low backsplash and the family room’s wall of deep blue bespoke millwork on either side of the fireplace. Closed cabinets below glass fronted back lit units rise to the underside of the ceiling to maximize storage.
From the family room, another wide wall opening leads to a hall/mud room/laundry room with a half bath. Another stair leads to the fully encapsulated basement. Doors lead both to the two-car garage perpendicular to the front of the house and also to this screened porch with a wet bar overlooking the pool area. The wrap-around screening offers panoramic views of Dixon Creek and is part of the trio of wonderful outdoor rooms of the other screened porch and the deck off the living room that offer the joy of being outdoors in this tranquil setting.
The stunning curvilinear gunite pool is surrounded by an expansive deck and colorful gardens. Additional structures include a charming former icehouse that has a new life as storage shed, and the structure beyond the pool was once tenant quarters. Umbrellas with chairs offer both respite from the sun and views of Dixon Creek.
Having explored the main floor with water views from most of the rooms, I climbed the stair to the second floor’s hall. I admired the semitransparent pendant light fixture above the stair, the detailing of the stained newel posts with the white pickets and the lighter shade of the beautiful original pine floors that are highlighted by the white walls and ceiling.
One side of the hall leads to the primary ensuite and to this charming bedroom ensuite at the corner of the house The bedroom is tucked under the side gable that creates high knee walls for ease of furniture placement. Windows under the gable wall and the front and rear dormers flood the room with daylight. The white iron bed is perfectly scaled for the size of the room and the alcoves under the dormer windows provide space for other furnishings. If I were lucky to be a guest, this is the bedroom I would choose!
At the top of the stair is the primary ensuite overlooking the rear landscape and Dixon Creek. The bright blue walls accentuate the original five-paneled door, moldings and the fireplace surround. The king size bed with the slender pencil post frame and the white bedding maintains the bedroom’s spatial variety.
I admired the primary bedroom’s offsets in the rear walls that create space for other furnishings such as this triple dresser. The original five-paneled door leads to the primary bathroom.
From the primary bedroom, a short hall between walk-in closets leads to the primary bath. The pale gray walls and white cabinetry highlights the deep gray and white tiles.
Opposite the two lavatories are the toilet at the rear wall, a soaking tub and a glass walled shower for a spa experience.
The second floor’s hall continues past another guest bedroom that is located at the front of the house with two windows overlooking the landscape. The second floor bedrooms are spaced apart from each other that gives each room privacy.
At the end of the hall is this bath that serves the front guest bedroom. I admired the interior design of the cream colored flooring with an accent color at the chamfered corners that compliments the color of the lavatory countertop.
Another stair leads to the partial third floor loft with the trio of windows under the gambrel roof’s ridge for bird’s eye views of the treetops and Dixon Creek. This quiet, flexible space could be an office and fitness area as currently furnished, a studio or a teen hang out space. Looking through the trio of windows to a majestic oak tree, this bonus room felt like a tree house.
This historic 2.32 acre site overlooking Dixon Creek with a charming house meticulously and lovingly maintained by the current owners that belies the one hundred eleven years since its construction exceeded my expectations. Each elevation of the house offers great architectural character. The original interior architectural details of the pine floors that flow through many rooms, moldings, trim and five panel wood doors are testament to the high quality level of the craftmanship. Multiple windows offer views of the water from nearly every room and vistas through the house connect the rooms to the lush landscaping and Dixon Creek.
Two waterside screened porches, a deck off the dining room and the hardscape areas surrounding the pool keeps one attuned to the sights and sounds of nature. All this and very close proximity to Easton’s shopping along Marlboro Ave., with quick access to the Bypass and Easton’s Historic District’s shops, restaurants and special events. This exceptional, move-in ready home awaits its next lucky steward (how I wish it could be me!). Bravissimo and Bravissima to the owners for their designs of the lush landscaping and interiors!
For details about this property, contact TTR Sotheby’s International Senior Vice President Laura H. Carney at 410-673-3344 (o), 410-310-3307 (c), or lcarney@ttrsir.com . For more pictures and pricing, visit laura.carney@sothebysrealty.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
Photography by Steven Buchanan, Select Property Studios, 301-996-7295, www.buchananphotography.com
