There are several streets in St. Michaels on the west side of Talbot St. that I have featured for their proximity to the Park at San Domingo Creek and the Rails to Trails. Approaching St. Michaels from the west side of Town, this property’s street also has the advantage of being the second street from the beginning of the residential area, so one can quickly reach home without dealing with peak traffic seasons or construction. The house is located at the quiet end of the street near the Rails to Trails and its Dutch Colonial architectural style is one of my favorites, so I was eager for my tour.
The two-story, thee bay house has full shed dormers at both the front and rear elevations. At the front, the roof is broken by a gable that projects beyond the shed roof eave with two columns to cover the brick stoop for the entry door. Large single windows flank the door on each side with three windows on the second floor completing the very appealing massing. On the right side of the house is a gravel parking area and a short path connecting to the concrete sidewalk leading to the brick steps to the house. The other side of the front elevation is a delightful one story screened porch that is shaded by the towering tree between the two properties. The rear elevation overlooks the large, fenced yard with a brick terrace along full length of the house to the gate in the fence at the parking area. Two low sloped roofs project beyond the main roof for the additions of a main floor bedroom and the extension of the kitchen.
The agent opened the half glass/half two-paneled door with an original mail slot just as I chuckled after reading the plaque inscribed “On this site in 1897 Nothing Happened”. The front door opens into the spacious living room with two doors matching the front door’s style at each end of the side wall of the room to access the screened porch for a continuous indoor-outdoor flow. The stairs to the second floor at the end wall overlook the living room and I especially liked the bottom newel post with its rotated footprint and the dark stain of the post and treads that match the beautifully refinished Douglas Fir wood floors. The back wall of the stairs is decorated with deft touches of various sized polygonal mirrors as mini “windows”. I love a neutral palette and the colors and textures of this charming room beckoned me to sit down to relax and watch TV.
The spacious screened porch has a full length sofa, two chairs and a coffee table for relaxing conversation with a table and chairs at the front wall for dining al-fresco. I admired the handmade brick tiled flooring, wide screened panels outlined in whitewashed cedar laid on the diagonal and the beadboard ceiling for additional texture. The front screened panel is positioned opposite the side yards of the houses across the street that creates a long vista of landscape.
Across the living room is the formal dining room with a delightful combination of pattern and texture. Four upholstered chairs are opposite each other at the side of the table mixed with two wood chairs at the end and the shallow wood armoire adds more texture. The front and side windows with sheers with an overlay in a diamond pattern filter light in while maintaining privacy.
Adjacent to the dining room is the galley kitchen with a side double window and sliding doors to the terrace and a vista to the deep rear yard. The original cabinets are stylishly updated with a crisp coat of white paint and a touch of whimsy in the whale tail cabinet pulls. To contrast with the cabinets, the appliances are black, and since this is a second home, the choice of a laminate in a deep gray with white veining and the white stamped vinyl backsplash were both stylish and appropriate. One side of the island has a hinged top that unfolds to become a spot for breakfast with the two barstools. The clever container at one end of the island near the range holds the cook’s essentials-EVOO, vinegar, sea salt, etc. , and the other end conveniently near the sink has a side mounted paper towel holder. I chuckled again when I read the wall plaque that stated ” In this house, we only serve fine wines. Did you bring any?” As the Wine Woman at Piazza Italian Market on Fridays and Saturdays, I certainly agree with that sentiment!
The rest of the main floor contains an alcove behind the stairwell past a closet to an ensuite. The cozy bedroom with a large closet and windows at the side and rear walls overlooks the yard. I loved the bath’s stylish design of dark pebble flooring, shower walls of subway tiles in alternating double rows of cream and beige, glass door, black tile base at the shower’s edge, black vanity with a shelf below and the oval mirror in a lattice frame.
The stairs to the second floor lead to a spacious landing with a window overlooking the rear yard that could be a sitting area for the three bedrooms, home office /homework space, etc. The primary bedroom at the corner of the house has two front windows and one side window for sunlight throughout the day. I loved the interior design of the black iron bedframe like my own, striped gray/white linens, black wood settee and black chest with accents of the coppery semi-translucent lampshades. The finishing touch is an electric fireplace to add warmth on a chilly evening. The other two bedrooms are charmingly decorated for an active young child and a toddler. When I saw the large stuffed whale in the child’s room, I realized what had inspired the whimsical whale tale pulls on the kitchen cabinets!
Great location near the Rails to Trails and San Domingo Creek, large lot with a fenced rear yard with plenty of space for children and pets to play, beautiful blend of historic details that have been meticulously refurbished and stylish contemporary touches, a recent extensive renovation including new HVAC zoned for each floor, outdoor rooms of the screened porch and rear brick terrace. My compliments to the Owners for their exquisite interiors with the neutral wall colors that subtly change between rooms, their mix of old and new furnishings and their touch of whimsy in clever details-this house has such a welcoming personality I am ready to move in!
For more information about this property, contact Debra Crouch with Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0720 (o), 410-924-0771 (c) or [email protected] . For more pictures and pricing, visit https://debracrouch.bensonandmangold.com/,“Equal Housing Opportunity.”
Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 410-310-6838, [email protected]
Spy House of the Week is an ongoing series that selects a different home each week. The Spy’s Habitat editor Jennifer Martella makes these selections based exclusively on her experience as a architect.
Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.