The massing and exterior color palette of this very charming house immediately caught my eye-the scalloped gable siding and window and door trim are painted a pale yellow and the lap siding below is a deeper butter yellow. The pediment above the windows, the turned columns of the porch and the panels below the bay windows are accented in a deep cranberry red. The color palette and the massing with its front and side gables, wrap-around porch and the “ELL” rear addition gives this house great curb appeal.
One of the owners graciously gave me a tour and I was surprised when he explained that the original gable portion of the house had been the size of a three-car garage. Subsequent additions of ten feet in depth at the rear of the original house, the rear “ELL”, wrap-around front porch and the rear screened porch with a deck above were a seamless blend of old and new-the best compliment this architect could make for alterations to an original structure.
The front door opens to a vista of sunlit open space since the interior walls in the original portion of the house were removed and the fireplace chimney now divides the space into two sitting areas. The stairway with its original balustrade is on one side and on the opposite side is a row of windows to the porch and the water views beyond.
I loved the “ELL” at the rear which is clearly the hub of the house. A wide bay window at the side of the family room area has views to the water and the cozy breakfast nook with its bay window is a perfect spot to linger over one’s last mug of coffee. A French door from the family room leads to the corner screened porch with its panoramic water views. The spacious kitchen anchors the rear of the space and behind the kitchen are the service areas including a butler’s pantry.
So many real estate articles caution sellers to “neutralize” their interior paint colors so it was a refreshing relief to see beautiful shades of warm colors throughout the house. The Owner explained his daughter had been inspired by her studies in Italy to add the lovely rose finish to the walls of the front sitting rooms. One of the second floor bedrooms echoes the warm butter yellow walls of the exterior and the hardwood floors, wood antique pieces and the flowered multi-colored quilt is so pleasing to the eye. Another bedroom cleverly uses a fireplace mantel as a headboard and the pale yellow painted wood floors, warm sage green walls, dusty rose bedspread, more antiques and Oriental rug is equally charming.
The master suite is a stunning retreat with its ceiling sloping to connect to the underside of the collar beams for great spatial volume. The multiple sources of light in the master bedroom with the windows, skylights and French door to the private deck gives it sunlight throughout the day. The pencil post bed maintains the light airy feel of the room and the loveseat by the rear window is a cozy spot for a nightcap. The master bath is enhanced by the wide bay window over the soaking tub, the large tiled shower and the antique wood piece that now has a new life as a dual lavatory cabinet with vessel bowls.
Serene waterfront site with multiple water views, seamless blend of old and new architecture and beautiful interiors – all the features I seek for a House of the Week-Bravo to the Owners!
Design by Dawn Carlson. For more information about this property contact Dawn Lednum with Chesapeake Bay Real Estate Plus LLC at 410-745-6702 (o) 410-829-3603 (c) or [email protected]
Spy House of the Week is an ongoing series that selects a different home each week. The Spy’s Habitat editor Jennifer Martella makes these selections based exclusively on her experience as a architect.
Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.