Exquisite view of the manor and its accompaniments from the entry drive

This one-of-a-kind property in Royal Oak has it all-145 acres of peace and privacy with a long view of Fox Hole Creek leading to the Tred Avon River. The paved driveway first passes through a verdant landscape with broad vistas to ponds, fields and pastures defined by white fences, then disappears under a  canopy of mature sawtooth oaks, to finally curve around the Colonial style main house.  Opposite the house, a low stone wall encloses a water feature and landscaping on axis with the front door and mature trees focus one’s view on the front façade.  

Boaters view from water.

Before going in for my tour of the house, I walked around the grounds and admired how the rear elevation of the house has unobstructed views of the water from both the main floor’s elevated brick terrace that spans the full length of the house and the deck at the second floor. Brick steps cascade down from the terrace to the lawn, the small boathouse and pier opposite the pool area.  Next to the pool area is a two-bedroom guest house for extended stays.

Pool with shaded seating area

From the main two-and-a-half-story wing, the house telescopes down to one-and-a-half-story wings with an additional one-story wing. The covered walkway steps down to connect the house to the three-car garage with an apartment above. Single dormer windows, with triple windows at the roof line and the deep shed roof over part of the terrace, enliven the very appealing massing. 

The pool area contains a sitting area shaded by a pergola and a pool house with a sauna, bath, kitchenette and porch for respite from the sun.  

On-property barns, greenhouse, gazebo, and ponds

I continued my exploration of the site by passing under the covered walkway and walking down the separate drive to the farm area over to the section containing paddocks and barns. I discovered a delightful space between the two barns that contains a charming sitting room between glass enclosures of a greenhouse on one side and a potting shed on the other.  A walkway leads from this building  to a cozy gazebo, perched on the edge of a large pond. 

One of the barns is used as a vintage car showroom. With a 50’s motif, the addition of a “burger joint,” and workshop really sets this showroom apart.

One of the barns has been transformed into a “showroom” for vintage cars, completer with a hamburger joint and workshop. I was delighted to see a 1950’s station wagon with wood exterior panels just like the one my family had when I was young. Whatever your collection may be, this huge area offers myriad possibilities!

Classically elegant, the horse stables and tack room have been well-kept.

I did not see any horses in the paddocks but the horse stables and tack room have been kept intact for the next equestrian owner. The other barn part has been cleverly modified to contain a billiards room and a vintage convenience store.  

Horse paddocks and run-in barns

Opposite the barns are paddocks outlined by white fencing with small run-in sheds with red roofs and cupolas. One of the roof’s cupola is capped by the horse-shaped weathervane.  Along the side of one paddock is the entry drive with the portion lined by sawtooth oaks. 

The waterside two-bedroom guest house hosts an open plan kitchen-dining-living space and a fireplace.

On my way back to the main house, I toured the charming guest house. Who wouldn’t want to be a guest in this cozy two bedroom house with an open plan kitchen-dining-living space, a fireplace and a full porch with water views? 

A lovely symmetry defines the home’s walk-up exterior. A three-bay porch and warm brick stairs welcome all who arrive.

Before I went into the main house, I paused to savor the exquisite five-bay main wing’s symmetry with the center door, fanlight transom and half glass, half paneled sidelights, 6/6 windows and the classic color palette of white siding, green shutters and red brick exposed foundation. The three bay porch with decorative railing above has a wider center bay, to accentuate the front door and to provide clear views of the landscape from the rockers. The accent of slate treads at the brick steps that lead down to the driveway visually separates the treads from the brick risers for safety. 

The comfortably sized foyer offers a view directly through to the waterfront; wide wall openings, molding, and tidy trim work are just the beginning of the delightful details throughout the home.

The front door opens into a gracious foyer with a side stair to the upper floors and offers a vista through the house to the rear wall of the waterside living room. The beautiful hardwood floors, wide wall openings, soft wall colors, trimwork and moldings introduce these design elements found throughout the house, 

Full-height windows and wide French doors line the long living room, providing panoramic views.

The very large living room easily accommodates more than one seating area, with one area grouped around the fireplace and another near the adjacent sunroom and breakfast room. The transparency of the rear wall with glass doors, transoms, and full height windows that wrap around each corner of the room offers panoramic views of the landscape and water.

A truly stunning view from a covered brick terrace gives you the full Eastern Shore experience

The partially covered brick terrace is accessed by the living room, sunroom, family room and primary bedroom for great indoor-outdoor flow and serene views of the lawn and water. 

Beyond the living room, a corner fireplace warms the breakfast room

The glimpse of a corner fireplace beckoned me to the breakfast area. The placement of the table and chairs under a wide window with a center picture plane between two operable units maximizes views of the landscape and water. I admired how the fireplace is elevated so it can also be seen from the adjacent kitchen.

A sunroom to sing about! wrap-around windows, doors and transoms are enhanced by pitched ceiling above gable end wall. The contrast of warm stained wood and bright blue sky really brings the outside in.

A pair of French doors lead from the breakfast area to the sunroom with wrap-around windows, doors and transoms. I admired the pitched ceiling above the gable end wall, infilled with glass and the stained wood beams and decking that float above the perimeter soffit. Built-in millwork, with a center recess for a large screen TV, holds books, family photos and memorabilia and the sage green and rose upholstered pieces create a wonderful space for relaxation.

Kitchen

The large gourmet kitchen has a mix of cabinet finishes from stained to white to the light green of the island’s cabinetry that compliments the wall color. The stainless steel appliances complete the look. Sunlight from the front windows and the breakfast room’s wide window keep this room sunny throughout the day. Next to the full wall of cabinetry is a hall with the laundry and powder room opposite stairs to the partial basement.  When I went down the stairs, I discovered a wine cellar with a tasting area!

Dining room to living room and foyer

I circled back to the dining room with its wide wall openings to both the foyer and one corner of the living room. The wallpaper, white wainscot and paneling around the firebox, wood furnishings, Oriental rug and upholstered chairs that complement the rug colors combine to create an elegant room for memorable meals. I noted the sly fox resting on the safe harbor of the fireplace’s hearth!

Family room to living room

After crossing the foyer, I entered a hall along the front of the house that passes a storage closet, powder room and den, that ends at the primary suite. A pair of doors lead to the den with another  pair of French doors to the living room for great flow. The stone fireplace sets the tone for a rustic look and encourages one to sit back and enjoy the wide screen TV by the fire. At the rear of the room is built-in millwork and two chairs for reading and enjoying the view of the landscape and the water beyond. 

Primary Bedroom

The sumptuous primary suite’s is located at the waterside corner of this wing. The large bedroom with a sitting area by a fireplace has a tray ceiling for added height and two pairs of glass doors lead to the waterside brick terrace.

Primary bath

The large primary bath is arranged very well with the focal point being the bow window above the tub between the compartments for the shower and toilet. The opposite wall has a long row of cabinetry and dual lavatories next to a linen closet and a large walk-in closet completes the primary suite. 

Third floor bedroom

The second floor contains two bedroom ensuites and French doors from the stair hall open onto the deck for bird’s eye views of the water. The two ensuites are located on either side of the stair hall for privacy and one of the ensuites has extra space for two small offices or a large walk-in closet. 

The third floor is the domain of one bedroom ensuite with its own private stair,  tucked under the roof rafters that creates delightful interior architecture. The  two single dormers at the front wall overlook the landscape and the wide triangular dormer with a triple window overlooks the water for panoramic bird’s eye views -this would be the bedroom I would choose as a guest. 

Dreamy sunset view from water

Although I was not on site at twilight, I thought this photo would be a perfect coda to this property’s story. The nocturnal shot with the interiors lit up highlights the amount of transparency in the number of windows and glass doors and the angled positions of the various buildings creates an irresistible composition of this remarkable property!

This one of a kind, immaculately maintained property, does have it all -a location in sought after Royal Oak with a long view of Fox Hole Creek leading to the Tred Avon River, the verdant landscape of broad vistas to ponds, fields and pastures defined by white fences, Colonial style architecture with the main house’s great indoor-outdoor flow, outdoor rooms of the brick terrace and upper deck, main floor primary suite and  guest rooms on the two upper floors. Outdoor amenities include the pool area, tennis court, small boat house and pier and the greenhouse. For the equestrian enthusiast, there is a five stall barn with tack room and washroom with fenced paddocks. This peaceful and very private waterfront haven is close to the Belleview Ferry to Oxford and is also equidistant to the amenities of Easton and St. Michaels.

For more information about this property, contact Cornelia Heckenbach at Long and Foster Real Estate Inc., 410-770-3600 (o), 410-310-1229 (c) or [email protected] , “Equal Housing Opportunity”. For more photographs and pricing visit www.stmichaelsmdwaterfront.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by HomeVisit, http://www.homevisit.com/, 703-953-3866

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 Wampanoag Nation, People of the First Light, comprised as many as sixty-seven villages populated by approximately 40,000 Indians. The Wampanoag joined with the Pilgrims for a three-day celebration sometime between September 21 and November 9 in the year1621. About 90 warriors attended the feast, including the great chief Massasoit. He sent warriors to hunt deer for the feast, including five deer and other game, geese, ducks, and other fowl along with shellfish, nuts, and berries to add to the Pilgrims’ store. There might have been turkeys, but they were not a major part of the meal. 

“The American Wild Turkey, Male” (1863)

“The American Wild Turkey, Male” (1863) (26’’x40’’) (print) was plate #1 of the series Birds of America created by James Audubon (1785-1851). The series consisted of 435 plates. He wrote about his choice of the turkey as his first plate in the series in his Ornithological Biography (1831): “The great size and beauty of the Wild Turkey, its value as a delicate and highly prized article of food, and the circumstance of its being the origin of the domestic race now generally dispersed over both continents, render it one of the most interesting of the birds indigenous to the United States of America.” Audubon rendered images in great detail. In order to achieve a precise image, he prepared the birds, carefully stuffing and placing them. Audubon gave the turkey a proud stance and rich coloring. The plant behind the turkey is a cane plant.

“Home to Thanksgiving” (1867)

“Home to Thanksgiving” (1867) (15’’x25’’) (hand colored lithograph) is from the Currier and Ives company. The original painting was by George H Durrie (1820-1863) of New Haven Connecticut. Currier and Ives promoted Durrie’s paintings in several prints. The last Durrie print was “Home for Thanksgiving,” and it continues to be popular today. The scene is a winter day with snow on the ground. In the middle ground, a young man has just arrived home in a horse-drawn sleigh and greets his family gathered on the front porch of the house. In the foreground is a dog and a skid of logs pulled by oxen. The young man with the skid raises a stick in greeting. A barn full of hay, cows, and chickens, and a silo complete the winter scene. The modest farm is well-kept. The celebration of Thanksgiving is about to begin. 

“A Pilgrims Grace” (1897)

“A Pilgrims Grace” (1897) (16’’x20’’) was painted by Henry Mosler (1841-1920). He was born into a Jewish family in Prussia. When Henry was eight years old, his family immigrated to America and settled in Cincinnati. He was trained as an artist in Paris and Dusseldorf. Exhibitions of his work in the Paris Salon were successful. As popular as Thanksgiving is as an American celebration, few painters attempted to depict the original Thanksgiving. When they did so, the colonists out-numbered the native Americans, and appeared to be the hosts.

Mosler, popular for his American genre paintings, chose to depict a family at prayer over a meager meal. Dressed in Pilgrim black and white, the family is safe inside the log cabin. A fire burns in the fireplace, and the black and white cat curls up on the steps.  

At the conclusion of the American Revolution, President Washington called for “a day of public thanksgiving and prayer” for the successful conclusion of the war. As President, Abraham Lincoln designated the last Thursday of November as “a day of Thanksgiving.” On October 17, 1863, Harper’s Weekly published Lincoln’s proclamation.

“Giving Thanks” (1942)

“Giving Thanks” (1942) (11’’x14’’) was painted by Horace Pippin (1888-1946). He was born in West Chester, Pennsylvania. While he was in school, he entered a contest and won his first art supplies, a box of watercolors and a set of crayons. Famous for his American genre scenes, Pippin also painted landscapes, scenes from American history, including scenes of slavery. “Giving Thanks” is not a specific reference to Thanksgiving; however, it depicts the family seated at a simple wood table in a log cabin and offering thanks for a meal they will share together. The setting is simple. The sentiment is sincere.

Pippin enlisted in the first World War and became a member of K Company, a largely black regiments known as the Harlem Hellfighters. They were awarded the French Crois de Guerre. He began making art in his 20s, and throughout his career he returned to images of his time at the front. Pippin was discovered in 1941 by the art dealer Edith Halpern, and his career bloomed. His work is in the collections of America’s prestigious museums. Writing about a memorial exhibition of Pippin’s work, art critic Alain Locke described Pippin as “a real and rare genius, combining folk quality with artistic maturity so uniquely as almost to defy classification.”

“Catching the Turkey” (1943)

Grandma Moses began painting in her 60s. Her paintings of rural life in the late Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries became extremely popular after 1939. One of her favorite subjects was the farm family preparing for Thanksgiving. “Catching the Turkey’’ (1943) depicts the annual event. In this winter scene, a large farm house sits by a road leading into town. A school house, church, and other town building can be seen at both ends of the road. In the yard, a man is busy chopping firewood.  The real action is at the front of the painting. One boy wields a hatchet, another throws a snowball, and a third boy vigorously grabs a turkey’s feathers. There will be no lack of turkey for dinner this year.

The turkey was described by Benjamin Franklin as “a much more respectable bird…a true original native of America.” He considered the eagle “a rank coward.” Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson were among those assigned to pick the American emblem, but Franklin did not make his thoughts about turkeys and eagles public. In a letter to his daughter, Sarah, on January 26, 1784, Franklin wrote about the virtues of the turkey. The story began to be circulated in the newspapers. Franklin never proposed the turkey as the national symbol.

Beverly Hall Smith was a professor of art history for 40 years. Since retiring to Chestertown with her husband Kurt in 2014, she has taught art history classes at WC-ALL and the Institute of Adult Learning, Centreville. An artist, she sometimes exhibits work at River Arts. She also paints sets for the Garfield Theater in Chestertown.

Historic marker for the Third Haven Meeting House in Easton, MD

I moved to the Eastern Shore twenty years ago, and as an architect and a history buff, I can’t resist pulling over to read a historic marker as part of my continuing education about my new home. As a Catholic, I knew Maryland was founded to offer refuge for Catholics during the European religious wars, and the colony was an early proponent of religious toleration, including The Religious Society of Friends. 

In my research, I learned that George Fox founded Quakerism in England during a time of great upheaval in both politics and religion. He rebelled against the established church’s ceremonial traditions, ritual and politics, and in 1647, he began preaching a powerful message of a more personal approach and direct communication with God, His message resonated with many other dissidents who became known as the Religious Society of Friends. After George Fox told a judge to “quake before the authority of God”, the movement became better known as  “Quakers”.

Meeting Houses from the entry drive

On the day of my visit, I drove along a gravel drive and reached this peaceful haven surrounded by Easton’s residential district. I learned that the focal point of the property is the original white clapboard building that was built on three acres of land purchased from John Edmondson in 1682. Soon thereafter, construction began on a Meeting House that was completed two years later, since the land had to cleared and timbers for its framing had to be done by hand with broadaxes. One of the builders was William Southeby, a Native American whose wrote against slavery. The complex today contains the Old Meeting House, the Brick Meeting House, the Brick Common Room and the Burial Grounds. 

The old clap-board meeting house front (south) elevation

The focal point of the property is the Old Meeting House that is the oldest documented wooden frame place of worship in Maryland. The building has been in continuous use since the first meeting in the fall of 1684 and over the years, many notable Quakers have worshipped in this building, including William Penn.  Access to the property was originally by water from a creek that originally fed into the Tred Avon River but only the gully for the creek now exists. The entry lane from S. Washington St. was not purchased until 1789 and the final four acres of the property were not acquired until the 1940’s.

The meeting house was built to better accommodate the growing number of Quakers attending Quarterly and Half Yearly meetings of the numerous preparative meetings. Friends came from the surrounding counties as well as from across the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. The Old Meeting house was built in the form of a “T”. The facing benches, where Clerks of the Meeting sat, were most likely at the north and south ends of the first floor. In 1797, the building was enlarged to the west by removing the bottom of the “T” for a 12 foot addition that spanned the length of the building. This greatly enlarged the space for worship and the facing benches were then moved to the eastern wall.  The main entrance was also moved to the south end of the building and was enhanced by brick steps up to a stoop protected by a gabled roof supported by simple columns.

The old meeting house’s front-side elevations

 In 1990, recognizing the amount of wood decay, termite damage and other issues, the Board sought guidance from the Maryland Historical Trust with the result that the building underwent a major renovation, beginning with raising the building off the ground and installing a new continuous brick foundation. 

The ongoing restoration of the large wooden multi-paned windows by volunteer James “Gramps” Mosner continues.  I was amazed to learn that his labor time for each window takes approximately 100 hours!  He has to first carefully remove the original glass, repair or replace the wood frames and muntins, re-prime the exterior wood, clean the natural finish on the inside wood, reinstall the original glass, remove broken panes and replace with mouth-blown glass from Germany that is the closest match to the original distorted glass, paint the exterior and reinstall the sash. This is  a true labor of love from a dedicated preservationist, so the current Quaker members can gaze out of the same windows their ancestors did over 275 years ago. 

The old meeting house vista from the front doors shows wooden pine dividers from 1797

When I stepped inside the building, I immediately inhaled the welcoming fragrance of old pine.  I admired the hand-hewn framing members, made of local hardwoods felled on site; the wide pine flooring, exterior walls partially clad in plaster and  the wide and long windows that reflected the sunlight. The wooden dividers date from 1797, and would  be open during time of worship but closed for business meetings; the men would be on one side with the women on the other side. This practice was discontinued in the mid -19th century.

The old meeting house vista to front doors

Being accustomed to churches with a center aisle and rows of benches, I was intrigued by the interior layout of the wood benches. “Facing benches,” where the Clerks of the Meeting sit, were most likely originally located at the north and south walls. The 1797 addition greatly increased the worship space and the facing benches were relocated to the eastern side wall. This vista is from the northeast corner, where the stairs to the attic were relocated. One of the two pairs of doors added to the west side is shown.  

The Old Meeting House attic vista

The stairs to the second floor open up to a wonderful attic room that spans the length of the building with windows at each gable end wall. The attic floor’s layout was probably two spaces  to accommodate Friends who traveled great distances to attend Quarterly or Half-Yearly meetings. Originally plastered over wood lath, some plaster remains with signatures of Quakers like postcards from the past. 

Brick meeting house front elevation

After my tour of the Old Meeting House, I walked over to the Brick Meeting House that was built in 1880 designed in a simple rendition of the late Greek Revival of that period.  I admired the three bay front elevation with brick pilasters below layers of molding, the arched brick headers and arched topped 12/12 windows with operable shutters. At the loft level, 6/6 windows with operable shutters complete the simple and elegant composition. This building has electricity, heat and plumbing so it is used in the cooler months of the year.  First Day School classrooms are on the spacious second floor.

Brick meeting house front-side elevations

The side elevations of the Brick Meeting House are identical to each other with  a center dormer window, three long windows on the main floor and a door. The wood panel above the door was probably a transom window at one time. I carefully set up this shot to show the vista from this elevation’s windows through the windows on the other side of the building. 

Brick meeting house interior from front doors

After entering the vestibule, I opened the pair of doors to this beautiful vista of the white walls and ceiling as a counterpoint to the warmth of the wood floors and the rich darker wood tones of the benches. Sunlight streams in through the large windows for natural lighting. This building has electricity, heat and plumbing so it is used in the cooler months of the year.  The spacious second floor houses First Day School classrooms. 

The Quaker service, called Meeting for Worship, is meditation based. One arrives and chooses a place on a bench and settles in silence, waiting expectantly for leadings of the Spirit. Individuals are sometimes led to offer spiritual messages as vocal ministry.  Topics often revolve around Quaker values, or Testimonies, which include Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. They may also pray, read from the Bible or another book.

Brick meeting house to front doors

At the front interior wall of the Meeting Room is built-in millwork with books about the Quaker faith. Founder George Fox visited Talbot County in 1673 and upon his return to England, he sent a number of books to this Meeting Room. His contribution was the beginning of the Meeting Room’s library, often considered to be Talbot County’s earliest Public Library, if not the Colony’s.

The Common Room

The Common Room was built in 1982 behind the Brick Meeting House to accommodate the members’ many secular activities, including reaching out to the wider community. Complete with kitchen facilities, its uses include committee meetings, receptions, social events, or other community events that involve members.

The Burial Grounds

In continuous use since the late 17th century, the burial grounds are enclosed by high brick walls next to adjoining residential neighboring properties and open to the peaceful vistas of the grounds on the other sides of the property with mature trees for shade.  In the 18th century, markers were added that were small, similar in shape, with limited information, but maps are available for genealogical research. For those who are seeking more extensive research, the Friends have donated copies of the Meeting Minutes to the Maryland Hall of Records in Annapolis.  

The earliest grave dates is 1790, and now over 177 graves have been identified. The brick wall along the western property line contains a growing number of memorial plaques placed upon  the brick surface in memory of Friends who chose cremation.

The grounds are also used as part of the Sunday program for children to explore this wonderful site through nature walks, art projects. 

Plaque

The Society of Friends sincerely invites you to attend a Meeting for Worship with them any Sunday morning at 10:00 AM or Wednesday evening at 5:30 PM (Childcare is available on Sundays.)

The Author is indebted to Bill Lane, Joan Wetmore and James “Gramps” Mosner for their help in assisting me with materials and insights about this historical treasure in Talbot County.

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.

Private drive opens to coastal-inspired shingle style home framed by sweeping views of the Choptank

“The Point at Broadview” is aptly named for its stunning 2.37 acre site located at a point of a peninsula that offers sweeping 270-degree “broad views” of Fishing Creek and the Little Choptank River. On the day of my visit, I drove down to the end of a road and then turned onto the curved, tree-lined private drive. Past the trees, the driveway straightens out to reveal the front elevation and I slowed down to savor the exquisitely detailed façade. The Shingle Style is one of my fave architectural styles and this house reminded me of many shingle style houses built among Long Island’s dunes that I admired on trips to my late sister’s East Hampton house.   

“Boaters view” of peninsula point and rear of the home.

This aerial accentuates the low slope of the site with 1,145 linear feet of bulk headed shoreline along Fishing Creek and the Little Choptank River.  The cleared area offers both unobstructed panoramic water views from the house and also a blank slate for the next Owners to add landscaping to suite their own tastes.  At one side of the house is an in-ground pool and on the other side is a large garage to shelter boats, near the private boat ramp and deep water dock with 5 feet MLW and a 10,000 lb. boat lift.   

The front elevation is the picture of New England chic. Symmetrical wings, steep-roofed gables, and contrasting trim around shutters framing the windows make the home’s exterior striking.

The house was built high above the flood plain and to lessen the height of the house’s foundation, a low retaining wall constructed of New England fieldstone separates the parking area from the landscaping beds that slope up to the partially exposed foundation, also of New England fieldstone. I loved the symmetry of the front gable wings at each corner of the house that project slightly from the center wing and their steep roofs that slope from the second floor’s ridge to the first floor’s eaves. The earth tones, texture of the shake siding, artful sizes and arrangement of windows, window boxes for seasonal color, blue operable shutters, copper lanterns and white trim evoke the timeless appeal of classic New England design. 

Rear of home with bay-shaped projections on either side of beautiful spacious stone terrace and private second-floor balconies

At each corner of the house’s rear elevation, bay-shaped wall projections infilled  with large windows maximize the panoramic views of the water. I especially liked how the architect specified the “cottage” type window that has a row of muntins above the picture plane for unobstructed views of the water. A variety of outdoor rooms for bird’s eye views of the water include the spacious stone terrace at the main level below a deck at the second floor and two private balconies at each end of the house.

Custom cottage-style front door beckons visitors into the warm foyer

The listing agent met me at the wide front door as I was admiring the custom wood door’s cottage style design of multipaned glass above a wood panel.  When I stepped into the wide foyer that extends to the rear wall of the house, the high ceilings, expanse of wood flooring, and multi-layered trim around doors,  doorways and windows were an introduction to the highest level of finishes I soon discovered throughout the house.  The vista from the foyer ends at a pair of French doors to the stone terrace but I especially admired the perspective of the mini-enfilade that began at the foyer and continues to the window in the last room. 

Open plan living, dining, and kitchen area with fireplace, built-in millwork, and maximum river views

Next to the foyer is an open-plan living, dining, and kitchen area. The living area’s interior wall has a gas fireplace flanked by built- in millwork in a mix of cabinets below open shelves with accent lighting for display. The rear wall of the living area is filled with a quadruple window/door unit with two center panels that slide to each side to create a wide opening for easy indoor-outdoor flow. On either side of the quadruple unit are sconces for soft nocturnal lighting. At the front of the living area is another mini-enfilade through the foyer, the hall past the powder room and ending at the mudroom/laundry.

An alternate view of the dining area and kitchen from the living area

The spacious living area offers a variety of seating arrangements to enjoy both focal points of the fireplace and the water views. I especially liked the diagonal vista to the bay-shaped wall with a built-in ledge with great panoramic views of the water.

The window-wrapped dining area feels tucked away from the open flow of the kitchen/living space.

I could easily imagine my wide, round dining table in the marvelous space that reaches out to the water. Since there is also a waterside dining room, another option would be to extend the ledge below the windows to create wrap-around seating with cushions and pillows and small round tables for relaxing with family or friends. 

Sleek lines and lux appliances elevate the kitchen’s custom white cabinetry

This cook was quite envious of the kitchen area with its custom cabinetry, large center island and its accent of the beautiful mahogany countertop, top-of -the-line European appliances, handcrafted farmhouse style fireclay sinks, Waterworks faucets, gas range and combination convection oven/microwave. I appreciated the sleek lines of the craftsman style cabinet doors that blend into the walls and the upper doors that rise to the ceiling. The exterior door leads to a deck with steps down to the pool area. 

Butlers pantry

I love butler pantries and this compact one is perfect with its delicate English garden wall paneling, handcrafted fireclay sink, freezer, custom cabinets and brass hardware. I could easily imagine displaying my collection of colorful Italian ceramics from Simpatico and the crystal and serving pieces from my mother’s side of the family in the glass fronted upper cabinets. Sunlight streams fully into the space from the windows that makes this efficient space seem wider than it is. 

Dining room

To explore the rest of the main floor, I  retraced my steps to the foyer and discovered the adjacent dining room with its focal point of triple windows overlooking the stone terrace and the water. The room’s length of eighteen linear feet could easily accommodate a large table for family celebrations. At the front of the room, a wide wall opening leads to the hall off the foyer for continuous  flow between the dining and living room.

Library

Being a bibliophile, the library at the end of the mini-enfilade is a book lover’s dream with floor to ceiling built-in millwork and Nautical brass lighting of sconces mounted on the trim between the bookshelves. The wrap-around bay wall infilled with windows for water views defines a very appealing space for settling in on a comfortable upholstered chair and ottoman and getting lost in a new book. 

Mudroom-laundry

Before I went upstairs, I went back to the foyer to explore the English style service areas of the powder room, laundry and mud room. Since my laundry is a stack W/D in an alcove, I coveted this laundry with its checkerboard marble flooring set onto the diagonal to expand the space, front-loading washer and dryer, custom cabinetry, natural stone countertops and large sink. The storage in the mud room awaits a family with bench seating, built-in storage including a peg wall and boot rack.  The triple-unit window bringing sunlight into the space and the exterior door opens onto a small deck that leads to the rear yard for easy clean-up after an afternoon in the pool.

Deck view from second floor stairs’ landing

The stairs to the second floor lead to a landing opposite a pair of French doors leading to the waterside deck. The landing blends into a hall that leads to the primary suite at one corner of the floor and into another hall that leads to the other bedroom ensuites at the opposite corners of the house. This floor also includes an exercise room whose door is shown in the wall next to the stairs. I might be tempted to exercise in this waterside room with its mirrored wall and sliding glass doors to the deck!

Deck overlooking the water

The spacious deck extends beyond the rear wall of the two bay-shaped wall projections at each corner of the house. I was mesmerized by the view of the thin line of the opposite shoreline and the distant horizon line of the water meeting the sky. It was difficult not to linger in this fabulous outdoor room but I went back inside to tour the primary suite. 

Primary bedroom

A pair of doors leads from the stair hall to the primary suite. The  primary bedroom’s ceiling of triangular segments below the roof rafters that frame the bay-shaped walls creates delightful interior architecture. The right side of the bay has an extra window segment to maximize panoramic views of the water and the French door leads to a private balcony for star gazing at night. 

Primary bath

The stunning primary bath is a confection of soft colors and textures and the oversized tub floating on the marble flooring is the focal point of the spacious room. Sunlight filters deep into the space from the wide picture window and the side window that also offer water views.  Opposite the vanities is an alcove that separates the toilet compartment and the shower with all three spaces having windows for daylight.  

Bonus room with bay window wall

The hall from the stair landing leads to the other bedrooms and baths and to this bonus room in the other bay-shaped space at the corner of the house. Its distinctive shape and panoramic water views offer myriad uses such as a sitting room, playroom, office, etc. 

Secondary bedroom with private balcony

If I were lucky to be a guest, I would choose this bedroom ensuite behind the bonus room for its wrap-around window that casts sunlight deep into the room and the French door to a private balcony. 

I don’t usually feature a house that is unfurnished since interior design is one of the four criteria I use in selecting a House of the Week. This house is an exception for its exceptional architecture in one of my fave styles and for its exceptional site, high above the flood plain. It doesn’t get much better than an exquisite Shingle style house, designed by an architect, sited on a point of a peninsula with sweeping 270-degree views of both Fishing Creek and the Little Choptank River. The bonus- this newly finished house’s final inspection was issued in July of this year!

The lack of furnishings allowed me to focus on the beauty of the interior architecture’s ten foot ceilings, hardwood flooring that flows from room to room, large windows detailed with a row of muntins above large picture planes and glass sliding or paired doors leading to the waterside outdoor rooms of the main floor’s stone terrace and the second floor deck.  Natural materials of stone, marble and wood enhance the house’s exteriors and interiors, built to the highest level of construction. Brava to the Architect and her team!

For more information about this property, contact Debbie McQuaid with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-673-3344 (o), 410-924-4482 (c) or [email protected] .For more photographs and pricing, visit  www.sothebysrealty.com/ttrsir/eng/office/766-b-85898-4000107/ttr-sothebys-international-realty. “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

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

Architecture by  Purple Cherry Architects, www.purplecherry.com , 410-990-1700

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.