Up until it was listed recently, this Period Cottage, circa 1937, in Easton’s Historic District is unusual since the property had always been privately sold. It is easy to understand why considering the appeal off both property and house. The property has a wide side yard that is the perfect place for play. The rear yard is fenced with plantings, mature trees and a deck with a curved edge that blends into the organic outline of the landscaping. The deck also has a retractable awning when more shade than the nearby towering tree is needed. The one car-garage off the alley is next to a paved area with an additional two parking spaces.
I loved the asymmetry of the house’s front elevation. The arched wooden door with its diminutive 2/2 high window next to the brick chimney reduces vertically in width, first as a long curve and then as a shorter curve just below the roof eave. On either side of the door and chimney are a pair of double windows. The left side of the hipped roof is detailed with a four-window gable front box bay with brackets below and on the other side of the chimney is a single dormer window. Light colored lap siding changes to scalloped shingles at the box bay’s gable for added texture and the cumulative effect of architecture and color palette is pure period charm.
The front door opens into a small vestibule and a French door then opens into the foyer with a “L” shaped stair. Wide wall openings on both sides of the foyer lead to the living and dining rooms. The spacious living room has a corner brick fireplace with a wood mantel with decorative accents that resemble bricks turned on their edges so only the point protrudes beyond the chimney face. In addition to the front double windows, two single windows on the side wall provides more sunlight. The rear wall of millwork has a mirrored insert in the middle that acts as another “window”. The vista from the living room to the dining room shows the corner cabinets and the beautiful antique wood furnishings that could easily accommodate large family gatherings.
The “U” shaped kitchen is open to the rear addition designed by Lauren Dianich, AIA of Atelier 11 Architects. An open plan breakfast-family room with the rear long wrap-around windows creates a sunroom effect overlooking the landscape. Since the parking is off the alley, a new rear entry has a coat closet and a long bench for parcels and totes with space below for garden gear. The partial height wall between the entry and family room has a deep cap for extra storage. Around the corner is a hallway that leads to the laundry closet and a diminutive powder room cleverly tucked next to the master bath for post-gardening clean up. The master suite’s bedroom has triple windows that match the family room and two shorter side windows above the bed’s nightstands. The blue and white color scheme and the views to the landscape creates a restful retreat. The bath has dual lavatories and open shelving next to the glass doored shower.
My favorite part of cottage design is the interior architecture created by the roof geometry and this cottage’s layout did not disappoint. The stairs end in the middle of the second floor plan with a window above the landing for daylight to filter into the hall. The largest bedroom with a blue and white scheme is over the dining room and has the triple unit gable window and a side nook with a double window. The ceiling slopes slightly on the side wall and becomes a backdrop for the bed’s headboard. The other bedroom with a mint green color scheme has two dormer windows and I especially liked how the sloped ceiling over the knee walls was painted green instead of the ceiling white. At the rear of the second floor is an office for the owners that is open to a sitting area with a window and skylight.
Historic District location close to Town amenities, Center Hall Period Cottage with charming details, seamless addition of new to old that includes a first floor master suite, outdoor “rooms” of deck and hardscape and plantings surrounded by fencing to create your own private world-Bravo!
For more information about this property, contact Kelly Showell with Benson & Mangold, LLC at 410-822-1415 (o), 410-829-5468 (c), [email protected]. For the virtual tour, visit https://thru-the-lens-ivuf.view.property/1684463?idx=1, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Addition to the house by Atelier 11 Architects, 5 E. Dover Street, Suite 301, Easton, 410-822-3680, [email protected], www.atelier11architecture.com.
Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens, 845-744-2758, [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.
James Brennan says
I noticed this house the first time I visited Easton and it remains very attractive. A beautiful example of what I judge to be “Grand Cottage” in style. The 1st floor addition is notable in its restraint and in the care take not to overwhelm the proportions of the original structure. The only real loss is to perforations into the kitchen but this space is becoming vestigial in many clean sheet designs.
I’m tempted, and would pursue an exterior repaint in a stronger, darker palette (blessed by the historic commission of course).