Having a house location on a corner lot in any urban area is a plus and having a two-car garage is rare but this property in St. Michaels’ Historic District has both. The house is very close to San Domingo Creek for access to the boat launch, park and the Rails to Trails over the picturesque covered bridge that spans the water at the park. This two-story house was once a classic two room wide, one room deep house with the Colonial exterior color palette of white lap siding and black shutters. A rear addition is offset from the front elevation to respect the original streetscape and telescopes down with a shed dormer and two gables to the one-story kitchen area along the side street. This geometry also creates a delightful sheltered outdoor area with a terrace for relaxing in privacy from both streets.
The front door opens into a foyer with an “L” shaped stair between two sitting rooms. The stair is open to both rooms at the lower run and becomes a sculptural element with its artisan cherry newel posts that are among the most imaginative I have ever featured. At the ceiling level where walls once separated the two rooms, more cherry trim outlines the edge of the stair shaft above a lower trim piece at the handrail height infilled with white pickets. At the living room side, white trim follows the angle of the winders above and a shallow niche separates the paneled wall. At the hall side, the area under the stairs has a clever series of drawers for extra storage.
The living room at one side of the stair has a fireplace as its focal point from its projection into the room and the firebox’s highly detailed surround in white contrasts with the black marble around the opening. Above the mantel is a mirror with a spotlight above to enliven the frame’s highly articulated carving. The vista from the fireplace to the family room is a dramatic change from the original two rooms and enclosed stair. Now the space is filled with sunlight from the front windows, the side window at the living room, the skylight over the stair winders and the French door in the family room for access to the rear yard and terrace. The family room’s interior design takes its cue from the fall foliage color in the artwork over the sofa with the foliage color repeated in the contemporary leather chairs.
A wide wall opening in the living room leads to the dining room and its vista of built-in millwork and open shelves that display the owners’ collection of beautiful blue and white ceramics and crystal pieces. I admired one of several contemporary rugs with this one’s wavy lines that anchors the wood table with an artful arrangement of white linen end chairs and side chairs whose pattern reminded me of branches whose red and white colors complements the large shallow red bowl centerpiece.
The spacious kitchen is sunlit from windows and doors on three sides and from the skylight over the wood trestle kitchen table with contemporary black molded chairs in the center of the “L” shaped layout. Wood floors, lighter wood cabinets, darker countertops and stainless steel appliances make this the gathering space with easy access to the terrace for al-fresco meals.
The primary suite spans across the front of the second floor with the upper stair hall leading to a cozy office/sitting room at one corner and the second bedroom suite over the addition. The primary bedroom’s beautiful three-paneled two-toned wood artisan headboard is the backdrop for crisp white bedlinens. I loved the zig-zag pattern of the master bath flooring with small tiles at diagonal ends of larger creamy colored tiles.
The guest room over the dining room below has niches for a display of artisan wood pieces between the wall behind the headboard and the light blue and white color scheme with a honey gold accent color creates a serene retreat. For extended stays, lucky guests can claim the upper floor over the garage with access by an exterior stair. The space includes a recreation room with a mini kitchen tucked under the shed dormer triple window, office, storage/gym and full bath. On the lower level behind the garage is a multi-purpose room filled with light from the windows and French doors. It is currently set up as a workshop and then I understood where the wood details I had admired in the house had originated, especially the distinctive carved wood newel post at the upper stair hall that had been crafted by one of the owners.
Great corner lot in the heart of St. Michaels’ Historic District near San Domingo Creek, a serene interior palette of gray blue with white trim, wonderful abstract rugs over beautiful wood floors, contemporary and antique furnishings, a collection of art from abstract pieces to landscapes, all artfully arranged for maximum appreciation-my compliments to the Owners!
For more information about this property, contact Skipper Marquess with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Annapolis Church Circle at 410-263-8686 (o) ,410-924-3212 (c) or [email protected]. For a virtual tour, visit https://tour.vht.com/434139917/200-w-chew-ave-st-michaels-md-21663, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
Photography by TruPlace , (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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