Several months ago, I wrote about a waterfront property in my neighborhood that had a mesmerizing view across the Chesapeake Bay from Poplar Island to the tops of the Bay Bridge supports. About a mile from that property is today’s feature and I was fascinated to see the same view across the Chesapeake Bay from the shift in perspective. As I drove down the gravel drive, slender, towering pine trees lined the drive like sentinels to frame the water as it became tantalizing closer and closer until I reached the house’s guest parking area outlined with huge black cherry trees that no doubt inspired the house’s name.
Once again I was mesmerized by another incomparable water view over the expanse of water with both the tip of Kent Island and the far horizon of the Western Shore beyond the Eastern Bay appear to be mere lines drawn on a broad, flat canvas of blue. What magnificent sunset views the owners must enjoy from their front row seats ranging from the large boat dock, the rear rooms of the house, deck, terrace and second floor balcony!
Reluctantly, I turned away from the water to explore the “T” shaped brick house, built in 1988, blending traditional form with contemporary windows and sliding doors. The massing has a story and a half center wing with side gable wings projecting at different depths and a shed roof that projects from the main roof to create the front porch. The front door opens into the foyer with stairs to the second floor and a vista through to the living room to the water view. The chair rail, crown and dentil moldings at the ceiling and the traditional style stair balustrade introduce the traditional interior design throughout the house.
The living room’s wallpaper of white swans with wings spread in flight from above is a striking graphic of white against the taupe background. The mix of rattan and leather seating and the well stocked bar in the dark blue hutch set the stage for cocktails and a stroll around the deck to admire the sunset over the water before coming inside for dinner. The spacious dining room with its front five-unit bowfront window can easily accommodate large family celebrations or dinner parties. Wide elliptical arches detailed with moldings and keystones connect to both the foyer and the living room for easy flow among the rooms.
The kitchen is open to both the large family room and to a delightful full height bowed wall projection with floor to ceiling windows that creates a cozy nook. One could well imagine enjoy sinking into the plush upholstered chairs to enjoy that second cup of morning coffee and watch the parade of boats and merchant ships on the Bay. The gourmet chef’s kitchen has a galley layout with white cabinets and dark blue corian countertops opposite additional cabinetry that wraps around one corner to contain the R/F with cabinet paneled doors, a tall pantry cabinet, microwave and a coffee bar with a both a Keurig and an Expresso machine.
The kitchen’s design scheme of white, dark blue and wood floors continues into the family room. The family room’s side wall has a fireplace and built-in millwork on both sides including a wide open area for a large flat screen TV. The change from crown and dentil molding to stained wood trim signals this is an informal room for relaxing in the seating grouping around the fireplace including two full size sofas and two chairs. Pairs of glass sliding doors infill the entire width of the adjoining screened porch to extend the living space and another single glass door and full height sidelights lead to the deck that connects to the primary suite at the other end of the house. The screened porch wood slat ceiling slopes up to the underside of the collar beam and the white finish creates a light and airy feeling for both sitting and dining areas. A short hall behind the family room leads to the laundry with a mini kitchen and an exterior door to the parking area for access by caterers. Between the family room and the garage is another bedroom and full bath that could be a quiet office area.
The main floor bedrooms are located at the opposite end of the house. The primary bedroom at the corner is aptly named for its prime view of the Bay from the pairs of wide glass sliding doors to the deck and the two side double-unit windows spaced to accommodate the bed. I loved the Turkish style flooring in the primary bath and the layout includes both a corner shower, spa tub, and dual vanities. Two other bedrooms and a hall bath complete the bedroom wing.
The second floor layout takes advantage of the geometry created by the numerous gable roofs and knee walls. The stairs end at a hall with a gable dormer opposite the full bath. The space over the bedroom wing has double-unit windows and a half moon transom at each gable end wall, knee walls and sloped ceilings that meet at a flat area to accommodate lighting. The delightful space over the center wing of the house could be used as either a second family room or extra sleeping space for family celebrations. Another gable at the rear wall has glass doors and sidelights overlooking the large balcony with a spectacular bird’s eye view to the panoramic expanse of water. I especially liked how the knee walls around the perimeter of the space were painted deep aqua to accentuate the white angles and intersections of the sloped ceilings. The area over the garage wing has ample room for storage.
One of a kind 10.8 acre waterfront site with a range of outdoor rooms to savor the views from the screened porch, the deck that spans the length of the house and leads to the terrace, pergolas at both the living room and the primary suite; balcony and pier. Main floor plan with a range of cozy and spacious rooms, easy flow among the main rooms and the outdoor areas. Greet your guests at the front door or after they dock their boat at one of the two boat slips at the pier.
For more information about this property, contact Trey Rider with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-280-5600 (o),443-786-0235 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.treyrider.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
Photography by TruPlace, www.truplace.com, 301-972-3201
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.
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