This street in Chestertown’s Historic District has been featured many times for its gems and the middle house in this colorful streetscape is today’s feature. When the current Owners bought the house, they had been told the three houses were built by a father for each of his daughters, so they would be close to his house further up the street. 

The house’s appealing eclectic look begins with the Victorian touches of the  full porch’s very low sloped roof supported by turned columns with chamfered bases and tops and the 2/2 windows; the Italianate details of the porch’s exposed eave brackets and the double arched top windows at the attic level;  and the piece de resistance is the unusual roof shape of the single dormer that reminded me of a Tudor lady’s mantle. Great details that create great curb appeal!    

The houses are aligned with each other so the porches encourage interactions with neighbors and plantings add some privacy. The white furnishings of the porch swing and Adirondack chairs stand out against the blue floor to create a cozy seating group and the Victorian front door’s fretwork adds texture to the space. 

The slight offset in the truncated “L” shape of the one room wide, five rooms deep house enables windows at the front part of the house to have long views of the side  and rear terraces. The arched arbor separates the side “service” area for HVAC equipment and storage for bikes from the rear terrace, accessed by the house’s side door that is protected by the low sloped roof with brackets.

The fully fenced, low maintenance yard, enhanced by mature trees for shade and other greenery, ends at the alley with parking for two cars. The yard’s spaciousness provides a safe area for children’s play, exercise for the family pet or for simply relaxing in this private outdoor room or the other terrace when spring has once again awakened the beauty of the garden. 

The front door opens into a hallway with vistas through doorways to both the living  room at the side wall and dining room at the end of the hall. My old farmhouse has shallow treads and high risers so I especially liked these deeper wood treads accented by white risers. The exquisite carved newel post introduces the wood balustrade with painted pickets and stained cap rail that extends to the third floor. The white walls highlight the beautiful wood floors found throughout the house. Behind the first part of the stairs, a sloped ceiling creates an alcove off the hall that could be fitted with cubbies, hall tree for coats, hunt table, etc. The period detail of the doorways’ fluted jambs adds texture to the white walls.

The living room’s white walls reflect the sunlight from the two front windows and one rear window and the white shutters over the bottom portion of the window can be adjusted for seated privacy when needed.  The room’s period details includes picture molding around the perimeter of the room and the rosette trim at the corner of each window. The mix of white and floral upholstered pieces and the artwork that adds perspective to the wall creates a charming room for relaxation. 

The focal point of the living room is the angled fireplace with a surround of deep gray soapstone panels with subtle Arts & Crafts decorative carvings. The mirror over the fireplace becomes another window and catches the reflection of the artwork over the sofa. The doorway next to the fireplace leads to the dining room.

The spacious dining room’s fireplace between the doorways matches the living room’s fireplace. The perimeter of the light colored neutral walls are detailed with picture molding and a chair rail interrupted by the two side windows opposite a single window. The size of the room easily accommodates this table for six but the room’s length could also accommodate a longer table for family holidays or entertaining.

Behind the dining room is a short hall opposite this full bathroom. I loved the period touches of the basket weave tile floor and the pedestal sink juxtaposed with the contemporary design of the shower’s tiled wall and non-slip pebble flooring. The shower’s glass door that spans the width of the rear wall expands the space visually. The stylish black accents  of the shower frame, fittings, free standing storage unit with a glass front and side and accessories create an updated and very stylish bathroom. The finishing touch is the window with its diamond patterned leaded and stained glass design that the Owners commissioned from a stained glass workshop in Baltimore.

There is a direct vista from the kitchen to the living room through the dining room’s doorways that are aligned with each other. The kitchen’s bright blue walls, the red accent of the lamp on top of the wood breakfast bar and the stainless steel appliances stand out against the bright white of the cabinetry and the dark quartz countertops. Instead of a full backsplash, the wall between the base and upper cabinets is enhanced by a row of miniature artwork.  These original watercolors are the work of notable local artist Marcy Dunn Ramsey, whose work can also be found in Chestertown’s Watershed restaurant and other locations.

The glass fronted and backlit upper cabinets both highlight the colorful pieces within and also minimize the mass of the cabinets. The accent blue wall leads to the rear room of the house.

This multi-purpose room that overlooks the rear yard has potential for several uses as a TV room with a sofa bed for extra guests, office, or a main floor bedroom. The wide window offers panoramic views of the yard and the urban landscape beyond. 

Removing the side exterior door would give privacy to this room if a main floor bedroom is desired. Adding a small space off the kitchen’s exterior wall and relocating both the exterior door and the stack W/D from this room’s closet would allow the former W/D space to become a closet for a main floor bedroom. 

The stairs from the main floor end at a dual landing with one hall continuing past the guest bedrooms along the side of the house. Another short hall leads both to the spacious primary bedroom and to another run of stairs to the third floor. The primary bedroom is located over the living room below and its closet is carved out of one back corner of the room. Placing the rod for the window treatments at the ceiling’s edge maintains the spatial volume of the room.

This flexible space has doors to both the primary bedroom and also to the hall so it could easily become another guest bedroom, office as shown, a family room or renovated to become a bathroom and walk-in closet for a primary ensuite. The hall door is opposite the window in the hall and with the two windows at the exterior of this room, the space has ample sunlight.

The hall bath has been as stylishly renovated as the main floor’s bathroom’s transformation. Gone are the days of platform Jacuzzis-my architectural clients want both a soaking tub and shower and the wall mounted rain shower head  here solves both wants. The white beadboard wainscot flows seamlessly around the room below the window sill and the top of the lavatory cabinet. The soothing light aqua walls and the wood accents of the mirror’s frame, the sconces and the towel hooks are perfect finishing touches.

At the rear of second floor is another bedroom and it reminded me of my guest bedroom with its white iron frame and light aqua walls. The large rug adds color and the white shutters that cover the lower parts of  the two windows add privacy. The rocking chair next to a well-stocked bookcase provides opportunities for reading before bedtime.

I envied the stairs to the third floor attic space since the access to my attic is only a pull-down stair!  I was very pleasantly surprised to find what awaited me as I reached the top step.

The stairs opened into this spacious bonus room with delightful interior architecture from the low knee walls, the side gable wall and the front dormer with the bright white walls and ceiling reflecting the sunlight from the windows. The worktable placed under the dormer windows with bird’s eye views of the urban roofscapes and treetops gives one a break from work when needed. Painting the floor, side wall and millwork the aqua color was an inspired choice!

 

This historic gem offers an irresistible combination of charming eclectic architecture and  interior period details including wood floors, stair balustrade with exquisite carved newel posts, moldings and two fireplaces with the stylish updated bathrooms and the kitchen that would please any chef. Large windows fill the rooms with sunlight that is reflected off the white or light colored walls.  The outdoor rooms of the full front porch for interacting with neighbors and the private fenced rear yard for family fun with two brick terraces enhanced by mature trees and lush greenery are perfect spots for relaxing at the end of the day. The house’s flexible room layout offers the potential for a main floor bedroom or a second floor primary ensuite. The staircase ends at a “bonus room” that offers myriad possibilities-office, studio, playroom, or teen gathering space with bird’s eye views of the rooftops and mature trees of downtown Chestertown. Wonderful renovation and bravo for the bold color choices!

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For more information about this property, contact Andy Alderdice at Long and Foster Real Estate, 240-497-1700 (o), 301-466-5898 (c), or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.andy4homes.com ,“Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by TruPlace, 301-972-3201

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

The nucleus of St. Michaels’ town plan began in the 18th century with the individual land speculator, James Braddock, who was an agent employed by the firm Gildart and Gaywith of Liverpool. Braddock soon ventured out on his own to acquire property that grew to thirty six lots grouped around a central square, now known as St. Mary’s Square. Its boundaries were Market (now Talbot)St., Mulberry, Chestnut and Water St. Today’s feature is located on one of these original streets and the lot was purchased in 1845 by Mary Thomas. She built a “single story frame dwelling with back buildings in good repair”, according to the book, Historic St. Michaels, An Architectural History by Elizabeth Hughes. Ms. Hughes surmised that the current house may have incorporated part of that original single story structure. 

This classic 19th-century two-story, three-bay house is one room wide and three rooms deep at the main floor. The third room is a one-story previous addition at the rear of the house. The cream-colored siding and deep green shutters are a classic color palette and the white fence along the border between the Town sidewalk and the front yard is part of fencing that fully encloses the property.

A brick –sidewalk and steps lead up to a brick stoop at the front door below a pitched roof supported by brackets. The long 6/6 windows at the front and the side corner of the house offer a panoramic view of the streetscape from the first and second floor rooms. 

The warm weather months can bring amusing interactions between tourists and residents of this street that is a pedestrian link to the waterside restaurants.  A friend of mine who is a resident but whose lot is not fenced looked out her window one summer day to see a man sitting on her front porch talking on his cell phone. When she came outside, he was startled to see she was not in period dress. He told her he thought St. Michaels was like Williamsburg, where tourists could visit homes!  

The one-story addition has a center French door between full sidelights for access to  the deck with steps to the deep rear yard. The umbrella that shades the dining area is a welcome reminder that in a few months it will be spring when we can once again enjoy our outdoor spaces. The strings of light add a festive look in any season’s twilight.

The deep lot extends to the edge of the parking lot at Muskrat Park. The shed for lawn and garden maintenance blends into the tall wooden fence at the property’s rear and side lines. Next to the shed are two off-street parking spaces with access from Church Street; a coveted bonus on this street where not all houses have driveways. The snow covering the ground that contrasts with the fencing and trees accentuates how wide and deep the rear yard is and the privacy it offers. The elevated deck’s table and chairs under the shade of the umbrella or the picnic table farther in the yard offer al-fresco dining options. 

The location of the entry door at the house’s side wall creates a spacious dining area at the front of the open plan living-dining area. The large Oriental rug defines the dining area’s wood table and chairs and I admired how the chairs’ upholstered seats pick up the colors of the rug. I also admired the Asian touches of the armoire’s textured door and the base of the lamp at the side table. The large clear glass globe light fixture above the dining table reminded me of an upside down oversized brandy glass and its transparency discretely disappears into the room’s volume. 

The open plan living-dining area has abundant sunlight from the two front windows and single windows at each side wall of the house. I loved the exposed massive wood beam that may have been the front wall of the original one-story house. Here it cleverly delineates the dining area from the living area. The living area’s large colorful Oriental rug, mix of antiques and comfortable upholstered pieces grouped around the wood stove insert in the brick chimney created a welcoming space. I admired the window treatments’ combination of plantation shutters over the lower half of the double-hung windows that provide seated privacy and the fabric valances at the underside of the ceiling.   

The focal point of the living area is the chimney with a wood stove insert and a 19th-century wood mantel. The wood pieces add warmth and the large painting adds perspective to the wall. I could well imagine spending a quiet evening relaxing by the fire in this charming space. 

The stairs to the second floor are on axis with the front door so the living-dining area has minimal circulation space for flexible furniture arrangements. The circular coffee table makes it easy to move though the room. I imagine the Owners’ dog Tater is especially fond of napping on the long sofa in this lovely room!

 

The wall opening at the end of the living area leads to a large kitchen with its R/F wall next to the stairs. I love the quirky details that have been preserved in historic houses-here the powder room is tucked under the stairs so the door and trim have chamfered corners. The kitchen has a mix of closed cabinets and open shelves for ample storage with accents of the dark quartz countertops and the stainless steel appliances. The Craftsman style cabinet fronts with their minimal grain compliment the beautiful pine flooring’s knots and color variation. 

The current Owners added the stainless steel appliances and the colorful touches of the backsplash above the gourmet stove and the rug. Former Owners added the addition and fully removed the wall between the kitchen and the adjacent family room to create an open plan area.

The open plan kitchen-family room has a wide double window above the sofa that creates an inviting space to lean back against the colorful accent pillows and relax at the end of the day. Like the living room’s round coffee table, this round coffee table over the oval rag rug makes circulation easy to and from the adjacent rear deck. The kitchen counter overhang creates space for a breakfast bar. 

This vista of the family room showcases its bead board ceiling’s geometry created by the low-sloped hipped roof. The double unit window and the triple unit’s French door between full glass sidelights gives a sunroom feel to this delightful space. From the sofa, one can enjoy the expansive view of the rear yard.

Opposite the sofa is ample wall space for a large screen TV. Next to the TV wall is a door leading to the laundry/mud room with an exterior door leading to the side yard. 

 

The stairs to the second floor end at a single loaded hall and the windows at each end of the hall provide daylight. The interior walls become a gallery and I especially admired the artwork at the top of the stairs that depicted a boat and its reflection in the water. The vertical boards create a wainscot may have been part of the original house.

The spacious primary bedroom spans the full width of the house and the front wall’s trio of windows and the side walls’ single windows flood the space with light. The pale neutral colors and the wood furnishings create a serene space.

The current Owners transformed the hall bath beautifully. The heated flooring in a tile pattern I have specified for many of my architectural clients is a perfect vintage look for this historic house.  The accents of the slate blue door and window trim complement the neutral cabinetry and the glass shower door both expands the space and also highlights the shower’s other tiled walls.  Next to the lavatory cabinet are recessed open shelves for towels and other storage.

It is unusual to find a large walk-in closet with one, much less two, windows for daylight in an historic house and this “bonus” room is organized with California Closet accessories so every item has its place.

The guest bedroom’s window overlooks the side yard and its soft blue and gray color scheme is very soothing. I especially liked the framed mirrors over each nightstand that become interior “windows”. The closet’s penetration into the room creates a natural alcove so I would be tempted to add a cushioned seat below the window with either a drawer for storage or a shelf for a child’s favorite bedtime story books.

Another flight of stairs leads to the partial third floor’s two bonus rooms tucked under the ridge of the roof with windows at each side wall. One room is furnished as an office and another is this guest bedroom. 

This charming historic house that dates from the beginning of St. Michaels urban plan has both a very deep lot and off street parking, quite unusual for the original part of the Historic District. The fully fenced property has a central location offering close proximity to shops, restaurants, museums, the Rails to Trails, boat ramps and the summer concert series in Muskrat Park. 

This house has been meticulously maintained and enhanced by the current Owners’ renovation and tasteful interiors. The house has undergone many upgrades without compromising the details of its historic character and the new antique heart-pine floors in the TV room complement the beautiful wood floors throughout the house. To me, this is a great example of a “Goldilocks” house-not too big and not too small,  with stylish upgrades that make it move-in ready. This historic gem is a very appealing starter home, retirement home, or weekend getaway-showings begin this Saturday!

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For more information about this property, contact Tom Crouch with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0415 (o), 410-310-8916 (c) or  [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.thomascrouch.bensonandmangold.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 410-310-6838, [email protected]
Window treatments by Higgins and Spencer, 902 S. Talbot St., St. Michaels, 410-745-5192
“Historic St. Michaels, An Architectural History” by Elizabeth Hughes, published by Historic St. Michaels-Bay Hundred, 1996

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

This street is one of my fave cross streets through Easton’s District and it has been the location of several Houses of the Week. On my trips, I have watched the transformation of this gem on its corner lot so I am thrilled to feature it this week. The three-bay house has very appealing massing from its hipped front porch, the gable over the box-bay that projects over the porch roof and the two-story angled bay projection at one side. I admired the Owners’ color choices of butter yellow siding, mint green shutters and the red front entry door. The white picket fence with its arched arbor was built by the Owners and is a preamble to this duo’s creativity found throughout the gardens and the house.

As I started to open the gate to explore the gardens, two plaques caught my eye. One was from Bay Wise for the Owner’s landscape practices of conservation for the health of the Chesapeake Bay; the other designates the gardens are the creations of a Master Gardener.  Since this property is a corner lot, there is no house next door to block sunlight, making this a perfect space for this kitchen garden to thrive. Steps lead up to the kitchen area for easy gathering of veggies or herbs for meal prep. On the day of my visit, the veggies were nestled in their raised beds under a blanket of snow but a few carrots and onions peeked out as if to say they were ready for picking!  

Setting the barn at the back of the kitchen garden also enables it to become part of the rear flower garden’s perimeter fencing for privacy from the side street and rear alley. I loved how the barn’s red board and batten siding contrasts with the main house’s yellow lap siding. 

The flower garden truly shines in the springtime with a colorful  profusion of plants and flowers. Linking the flower beds are meandering paths of brick and random sized concrete pavers. The latter were recycled by cutting up the existing concrete sidewalk that once led from the alley parking to the house. As I walked through the garden with the Master Gardener Owner, we came to a point where several paths met at a “roundabout” with its inner circle infilled with multi-colored marbles.  In their excavation of the garden, the Owners discovered the marbles throughout the yard that previous owners’ children used in play. I loved the vista from the garden to the house and the barn with their juxtaposition of position, texture and color.  Since all of our gardens are covered with snow, I am very grateful to the Owner for sharing this photograph with all of us!

The brick terrace next to the side wall of the barn is a charming spot for al-fresco dining. The space is partially enclosed by a one-story wall extension of the barn with a high window overlooking the garden and a pergola supported by turned columns. The nearby steps to the kitchen area make serving easy and the string of lights adds a festive touch. 

At the rear of the garden, a massive crape myrtle with branches hovers protectively over the delightful outdoor room that is currently a working greenhouse, complete with shelving, fans, and a rain barrel. The simple roof form with a low slope porch and the vintage metal chairs beckoned me within since diminutive spaces are so irresistible to me.  The Owner told me the space has also set the scene for many cozy candlelit dinner parties. Behind the rear fence are three parking spaces off the alley. 

Nocturnal lighting is so important to one’s enjoyment of a garden and this massive crape myrtle, festooned with lights, creates a focal point for relaxing in either the three-sided enclosure, created by “found” materials or in the red chairs under the shade of an umbrella.

After strolling through the gardens, I was eager to explore the house. The Owners greeted me at the front door that opens into a hall between the living room and the library. At the end of the hall is a door marked “Le Bain,” that opens into a full bath. I admired the texture of the painted bead board cladding on the underside of the upper stair run and the layers of molding below the balustrade. The hall’s furnishings of a runner, antiques and a mirror between two sconces fit the period of the house and introduce the other treasures I soon discovered.

Being a bibliophile and writer, I always enjoy seeing someone’s else library. I learned from one of the Owners that a chest of drawers inspired the layout of this space. The husband took the drawers out and arranged them as the base for the millwork he built around the window. The two drawers below the window seat become flat files for maps, etc. I admired the deep teal hue that envelops this room and the three windows keep the room sunny throughout the day. I could well imagine a family pet perched on the window seat cushion to keep the Owner company.

Having a full bath next to the library offers the possibility of a main floor ensuite with the library becoming the bedroom. The light teal base of the claw-foot tub echoes the library’s walls and adding tile around the tub and a hand held shower head would be relatively easy. The side window overlooks the kitchen garden and the mirror over the pedestal sink reflects the view of the kitchen garden from the window.

One focal point of the living room is the angled bay projection that offers panoramic views of the landscape and streetscape. The large Oriental rug over the beautiful wood floors and the neutral colors of the mix of furnishings create an inviting space for relaxing. It was very cold on the day of my tour but I was quite comfortable from the radiators’ heat. Combined with high velocity AC, that is my choice for total comfort.

 

The other focal point of the living room is the fireplace angled at the corner opposite the seating. The wall above the fireplace is a mini gallery and the wall opening leads to the adjacent dining area and through the house. 

Like me, the Owners are devotees of Second Chance, the fab Baltimore store for architectural salvage. I have enjoyed shopping there with my architectural & design clients as you never know what you will find! These Owners shopped at just the right time and came away with a truckload of beadboard which now graces several rooms in the house, including the built-ins around the dining area’s windows and a pantry for wine storage built by the husband. Antique trim now adorns the frame around the window and I especially liked how the millwork’s side edge curves toward the window. The Windsor chairs and oval table set the scene for dinner and the cushioned seats in the millwork and the sofa on the opposite wall offer more seating for entertaining.  

The three windows at the rear wall of the kitchen overlook the rear flower garden. The flooring painted a creamy white, the white cabinets and open shelves gives this kitchen a spaciousness feel with the accent of the stainless steel appliances. I admired the island whose base and top were salvaged from two different pieces and how the top of wood planks compliments the other wood countertops.  The wall opening at the corner frames the breakfast nook.

I was enchanted by the cozy breakfast nook and I presumed the wood benches with their wavy tops and table were also from Second Chance. The wife proudly told me she and her father built them and applied a distressed look to give them the patina of age.  The corner windows offer panoramic views of the garden and the vintage arched window floating above one bench is a transparent definition of the edge between the nook and the adjacent mud room.  The floral pattern of the cushions and pillows portray some of the garden’s flowers. What a delightful space to linger over the second cup of breakfast coffee or an informal meal!

Every house needs a mud room, especially on snowy or rain days. The Owners cleverly solved the problem of the exterior French door being located closer to the corner of the room than the doorway to the kitchen. The wood cabinet next to the kitchen fills the full depth of the space and antique trim pieces the couple purchased were used to infill the narrower part of the mudroom wall with a bench (originally a stair tread), storage and hooks for jackets or totes. Next to the mud room is a laundry/pantry with repurposed shelves.

The stairs to the second floor blend into the upper hall’s box bay nook surrounded with windows that flood the space with light that filters through the back of the vintage bench. This space is a perfect spot for telling bedtime stories to wee ones before bedtime. The hall leads to the three bedrooms and the bath. 

The spacious primary bedroom has delightful interior architecture from the angled bay wall that is the focal point of the room. I loved the backdrop behind the bed of the wallpaper’s subtle color and pattern and the stylish oval mirror on a wood stand is an elegant accessory.  Instead of drywall and bi-fold doors, the frameless wall of closets in the primary bedroom were constructed of the Second Chance bead board that adds texture to the wall. The soft colors of this room and the antique furnishings create a serene retreat.

The second floor bath has a dresser that now has a second life from Second Chance as an elegant lavatory with a marble shelf that supports the wood framed mirror.  The white floor tiles with chamfered corners accented with black squares set on the diagonal are the perfect scale for this space with the deep red walls.  The room’s window is directly opposite the mirror so the image of the Roman shade with its gold and red filigree is captured in the mirror.

One guest bedroom is located over the library below so it also has windows on all its three exterior walls and a cushioned window seat overlooking the garden.  The closets match the workmanship of the primary bedroom’s closet wall. The iron bed faces the windows and the wood candlestick table is a stylish nightstand. Lucky is the guest who can claim this quiet corner during a visit!

The third bedroom also overlooks both the garden and the side yard for ample sunlight and bird’s eye views of the gardens. The spacious room could easily revert to a bedroom use with the addition of an armoire for clothes or a built-in closet.

Deep urban corner lots are highly desirable and this property maximizes its potential due to the vision, creativity, innate interior design, gardening and woodworking skills of the talented Owners.  The house and gardens complement each other so well and far exceeds my selection criteria of site, architecture, interiors and landscape.  Walking through the rooms, I was amazed to learn how much the Owners had accomplished in only a few years and how the repurposed wood pieces and the new breakfast room furnishings seemed original to the house. Bravo and Brava to  the Owners for an exquisite renovation of their charming house and gardens!

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For more information about this property, contact Peter A. Stark with the  Chesapeake Bay Properties Team of Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410 822-6665 (o), 410-253-2484 (c), or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.peter.chesapeakebayproperties. com , “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by Jim McKee of Broadview Interactive LLC, 703-593-4392, www.broad-view.net.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Chestertown’s North and South Queen Streets streetscapes are uniquely different in their architectural character. Much of North Queen’s single family housing stock on tree-shaded blocks dates from the 1770’s to the mid-19th century. South Queen’s streetscapes have some more recent development, including this row of townhomes with a mix of façade treatments. From the front porch and the second and third floor windows, each unit’s views of the Chester River become more expansive. 

 

I appreciated the massing of the development with each pair of units being offset from the adjoining pair, instead of aligning the units in a row parallel to the street. The open spaces for each unit include both a front garden area and a fenced rear area. The architectural detailing of the building’s wide and steep gables that are broken by the center eave defines each house individually and the unit’s three-bay facade with a full front porch offers great curb appeal.

The front walkway for this unit is directly across from the sidewalk to the parking area for Wilmer Park. There is something for everyone in this park-“Aunt Sarah’s Playground”, kayak storage racks and launch, waterside walkways for daily exercise, pavilion and gazebo for picnics, and a wide and long open grass area for recreation, outdoor theater and festivals. I walked over to the park and wished it were warm enough to choose one of the waterside benches for a brief visit so I hope my next visit to Chestertown will be in warmer weather! 

The elevated deck at the rear of the townhouse overlooks a raised bed garden surrounded by a brick walkway. The perimeter fencing with a mix of solid panels topped with diagonal lattice and finials offers privacy. 

The front Craftsman style door in deep purple opens into a hall with a vista through the house’s rear glass doors to the deck. Since the front door has a storm door, daylight can penetrate deep into each end of the house. Artwork along the hall makes this space a gallery  and adding recessed wall washer lighting fixtures along the hall would highlight the art, wall hangings, etc. I admired how the Owner Artist added colorful runners in the hall and her choice of  two different designs instead of one runner makes the hall look shorter than it is.

The townhouse’s layout works very well with the front space either a  primary bedroom or office area as it currently furnished, the rear spaces of the open plan living-dining-kitchen area and the bathroom and laundry in between. I especially admired this office’s mola wall art between the two wide windows and the rug with its floral pattern.

Off the bedroom/office is a large bath, sized for a primary bedroom, with sleek green cabinetry and the earth toned tile flooring. Next to the bath is a large walk-in closet to complete an ensuite.

I always enjoy featuring interiors by an artist, for they understand color and are not afraid to use it. I loved the deep terra cotta accent wall of the dining area that  accentuates the painting on the wall far better than a white wall would.

The width of the stairs defines the dining area and the wood table and chairs complement the beautiful lighter oak flooring that flows through the house. The artful wall hanging on the stair wall adds texture to this very appealing dining area.

The kitchen’s light gray walls and the stainless steel appliances create a monochrome look for a spacious feeling and I especially liked the breakfast bar’s  contemporary pendant light fixtures. Since the kitchen has no window, my only suggestion would be to remove the two cabinets above the sink and that length of the backsplash so one could have a view of the living room.  Off the kitchen is a door to the laundry.

My fave room is the living room that spans the full width of the townhouse. This room has abundant sunlight from the glass door and full sidelight, the window next to the fireplace and the skylights. I loved the earth tones of the interior design with the mix of modern and traditional furnishings, colorful accents of the geometric rug, pillows and squares of fabric art. The simple design of the firebox recessed into the wall with the wood ledge mantel supporting personal treasures is a perfect finishing touch. 

The other side wall of the living room contains built-in millwork surrounding the TV and space for books, sculpture, and artifacts. I loved the diagonal vista from the corner of the living room to the accent wall in the dining area.

The deck off the living room is a delightful outdoor room that offers a long vista and panoramic view to the row of trees in the far background, instead of a typical narrow urban alley with outbuildings.  

 

So many townhouse designs have the stairs open directly into a single loaded hall. Here, the stairs end at an enlarged landing that becomes another room,  furnished with a wood corner cabinet, the texture of the baskets on top of the cabinet, another colorful geometric patterned rug and artwork. 

Having two primary ensuites is a plus for aging in place-this second floor primary bedroom with expansive views of the Chester River is currently furnished as an office. With its three windows and spacious size, the room would be a great primary bedroom for a couple with young children. When the parents moved to the downstairs ensuite, this space could become a family TV room with a sofa bed for guests.  I loved the color of the accent wall to the third floor studio that is the same color of the primary bath for this ensuite.

The second floor’s primary bath’s colorful wall and the mirror’s artisan frame create a stylish backdrop for accents of towels and accessories.  

Two guest bedrooms are located at the rear of the house. If I were a guest, I would choose this bedroom for its delightful eclectic look of the Craftsman style wood bedframe, coverlet of flowering vines, antique chair and sleek contemporary nightstands. The swivel sconces frees up the nightstands’ tops for books and photographs. I appreciated how the window treatments of drapes and sheers blend into the wall and make this room’s width seem larger than it is.

With my realtor hat on, I appreciated how the third floor bonus room was not finished in drywall or other material, since a buyer could see how well insulated this space is. Adding drywall would create dramatic interior architecture from the height variety of the knee walls, the sloped ceiling and leaving the wood cross beams exposed. I would place my writing desk under the front window for breaks from writing to enjoy the bird’s eye view of the Chester River. Having stairs instead of a pull-down unit is a plus!

Great location at the edge of downtown Chestertown with Wilmer Park as your front yard; one of only six townhome units; outdoor rooms of the front porch with views of the Chester River and rear deck overlooking the fenced yard with views of the urban landscape; great layout with primary ensuites on both the first and second floors for aging in place; open plan living-dining kitchen, updated kitchens and baths and the bonus of a third floor accessed by a stair with potential of an office, studio or easily accessible storage-great property. Brava to the Owner/Artist for her creative use of color and her very appealing and eclectic interiors! 

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For more information about this property, contact Jennifer Mobley at Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company, 410-778-0330 (o), 443-350-5917 (c), or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit https://cbchesapeake.com/directory/agents/jennifer-mobley

“Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens, 410-310-6838, [email protected].       

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Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.

Neavitt is one of my fave villages so I never pass up an opportunity to feature one of the houses that give this village its unique charm. Ironically, last week’s feature was a house transformed by architect Mark McInturff, FAIA, and today’s feature is the home of his sister, who is a good friend of mine. I am very pleased to showcase her innate interior design and gardening skills that makes this house a treasured home. 

As I did the first time I was a guest, I admired the three-bay massing of both the house and the wrap-around porch and the texture of the porch’s metal roofing. The side bay of the porch frames the location of the entry door with its full sidelights.  Since my last visit was in late summer, as I recently walked up the wide steps, I missed the pots of colorful flowers that adorn each edge of the steps during the warm months. 

The location of the front door maximizes the porch’s seating area and the half glass/half wood door with full sidelights and the full glass storm door provides daylight for the foyer. The side of the porch ends at an original door that my friend left intact. She added a closet to the room within but the closet could easily be removed to restore the room’s original use for easy indoor-outdoor flow. The light gray siding, white Doric columns, the long main floor 2/2 windows and the shorter units on the second floor with shutters creates a serene backdrop for the seasonal colors of the landscape and year round great curb appeal.

The original “L” form of the house is enhanced both by the long shed dormer at the side and the one-story kitchen area overlooking the fenced yard. Instead of shutters, trellises at each side of the kitchen windows patiently await climbing flowering vines in the spring. 

 

As a counterpoint to the semi-private front wrap-around porch, the brick terrace is fully private due to the rear yard’s perimeter fence of vertical slats of wood that have weathered to a lovely patina.  The layered plantings along the fence include pachysandra and white quince. The table and chairs offer a shady respite from the sun and create a cozy space for al-fresco dining or watching children at play. 

 

As I write this article, my rear yard’s landscaping is slumbering under a thick blanket of snow so I wanted to include this picture to remind us that warmer days will come! The shed at the side wall is well used by my gardener friend and the low bed of white azalea and peonies below the Lady Banks Roses against the fence creates a lovely vista from the terrace. My friend chose that flowering plant for its characteristic evergreen leaves and white flowers and its ability to spread out quickly. It is also a harbinger of spring as it is among the earliest flowering of all roses.   

My friend also sent me this picture of her flowering plants and I can almost smell the fragrance of these peonies and azaleas that I also enjoy  in my own planting beds.

The front door opens into an entry alcove off the living room. The entry alcove was created by the extension of an HVAC closet next to the stairs and a short hall leads to a full bathroom. The wooden rack on the alcove’s side wall holds a  collection of hats that add a splash of color to the white walls. Like me, my friend is a bibliophile, so she added new built-in millwork to display artwork, books, collectibles and family photographs.

The living room’s loveseat with side arms was carefully chosen to fit between the two front windows. The neutral colors and placement of the furnishings make the space seem larger than it is and the accents of the patterned rug, the curvilinear  Oriental style tray that has a new life as a stylish coffee table top, and simple window treatments give this room a sophisticated look. I especially liked how the white window treatments blend into the wall and rise to the underside of the ceiling to expand the spatial volume.

 

I coveted the two distinctive spindle chairs with high backs and fretwork sides in front of the porch side windows of the living room. Walking through the beautifully decorated rooms, I was reminded of how well the scale of the furnishings complemented the size of each room and how my friend’s lifelong interest in antiques and her discriminating eye carefully curated each room’s interior design. I also appreciated how the floor plan had not been “modernized” to create the ubiquitous “open concept” floor plan. Instead, the rooms maintain their original dimensions with very little alteration. 

The texture and color of the exposed brick chimney becomes a sculptural element. The wall opening between the living and dining rooms was widened to create a telescoping vista through the adjacent rooms to the rear wall of the house.

The dining room is located at the center of the house and the rear window overlooks the rear garden. The white wainscot below a subtle wallpaper pattern, the beautiful antique furnishings of the table, Queen Anne chairs, Grandfather’s clock, antique chest and Oriental rug add warmth to the space.

The delightful “bonus” room connected to both the  wrap-around porch and the dining room has the original wood slat porch ceiling. The room’s  bead board wainscot, easy care tile flooring, triple side windows and a rear window overlooking the garden has great potential for myriad uses.  Since it has a closet, it could be a bedroom or office. If it were my house, I would remove the closet, replace the wood door to the porch with a French door and make this room a sunroom/TV room. 

My fave room has always been the kitchen at the rear of the house. About two years ago, my friend’s “Mcinturff design DNA”  kicked in and she began her transformation of the kitchen. She first addressed the room’s volume by removing the ceiling, exposing the roof framing and adding a window above the double window unit overlooking the garden. The white color of the sloped ceiling reflects the sunlight and is accentuated by the contrast of the pale wall color. 

She next added two new floor to ceiling cabinets, changed the existing cabinet fronts from glass to solid wood to match the new ones, and added molding above the upper cabinets.  She replaced the Formica countertops with granite and replaced a dreary double sink with a much more workable single stainless sink and gooseneck  faucet.  Her finishing touches included the warmth of wood antique pieces including a distinctive armoire with upper glass fronts, another chest and a small piece between the doorway to the dining room. The adjacent pantry/laundry provides extra storage. 

Behind the kitchen was a bathroom that had deteriorated to the point that made demolition necessary. In its place is part of  the two-story addition with a first floor’s  spacious pantry/laundry and fridge next to the kitchen, and a bath with a shower off the entry hall.  

I am very lucky to have been a guest for several memorable meals and stimulating conversation in this corner of the kitchen’s delightful interior architecture. It was easy to linger after dinner on one of the Queen Anne chairs around the beautiful antique table and being surrounded by windows overlooking the garden.  The exterior door leads to the brick terrace.

The second floor contains two bedrooms and one full bath. The primary bedroom spans across the front of the house with three windows and one side window for ample sunlight. This serene bedroom with its light aqua walls, wood bedframe with low headboard and footboards, white quilted coverlet, striped bed skirt and patterned shams created a restful retreat.  Two small wooden tables with lamps serve as nightstands and behind the bed is a large walk-in closet. 

Like the living room, the primary bedroom’s window treatments on the wrap-around windows rise to the underside of the ceiling and the exposed brick chimney adds a touch of texture.

Part of the two-story shed roofed addition is this spacious full bath with a Jacuzzi tub/shower. The white pedestal sink and toilet blend into the white wainscot and contrasts with the pale yellow wall above.

The rear guest bedroom’s warm butter yellow walls are a backdrop for a vertical row of china plates and artful arrangements of art and memorabilia. A set of nesting tables serve as one nightstand and on the other side of the bed is an antique washstand.

“Little Giddings” is the sixth home my friend has renovated and illustrates so well  her innate design talent for both interiors and gardens. Her space planning and staging skills and her exquisite taste gives this house its distinctive personality. Classic historic Eastern Shore vernacular architecture, outdoor rooms of the front wrap-around porch and brick terrace overlooking beautiful plantings, great flow among the main floor rooms, “bonus” room that could become a main floor bedroom, updated kitchen and baths-all this in the charming village of Neavitt-Brava! For more information about this property, contact Joan Wetmore with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-673-3344 (o), 410-924-2432, or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit , https://www.sothebysrealty.com/eng/associate/180-a-df220928172710858981/joan-wetmore, “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 410-310-6838, [email protected]

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.