Tree lined W. Chestnut Street is ideally situated between two of St. Michaels gems, The Village Shoppe, purveyor of fine foods, and the park at San Domingo Creek that is bisected by the Rails to Trails. This charming house with off-street parking from the rear alley is located on the quieter end of the street, just one house away from the park. The house’s great curb appeal is due to the break in the roofline that breaks down the massing, the light gray shake siding with white trim and shutters, darker gray roofing, red brick stoop and steps covered by a gable with an elliptical header and the accent bright blue front door. I admired the perfectly proportioned shutters, especially the single shutters on either side of two closely spaced windows. Window boxes beneath the ground floor windows are ready for the next gardener to add their favorite flowers. The landscaped area on both sides of the stoop and steps to the brick sidewalk that is bordered by a filigreed black edging is a graceful finishing touch.
When I passed through the gate in the white picket fence that encloses the side and rear yards, I envied the expanse of immaculate green lawn with nary a weed in sight. The meandering brick path that led to the rear screened porch, the rear terrace and the gate to the rear parking area passes by trees and plantings that create a verdant oasis.
I entered through the screened porch that is sized for seating and dining and would be the perfect spot to unwind at the end of the day with the breeze from the ceiling fan/light. The wood slat ceiling has a slight gambrel form that adds height to the space. Directly behind it is a sunroom/dining area and laundry/storage space. The galley kitchen beyond has views of the side yard from the double windows over the sink and the Oriental rug over the floor sets the elegant tone that is completed with white cabinets, my favorite granite countertop color/pattern and stainless steel appliances.
The two original parlors both have fireplaces and the one next to the kitchen also has the original stair to access one of the second floor bedroom suites. The second parlor is on the other side of the central main stair and its original fireplace, deep built-ins for books and family photographs and front and rear windows create a charming room for reading or visiting with family and friends. Opposite the main stair is a lovely powder room with a side window for daylight, white fixtures between the Oriental rug over the hardwood floor and a wood storage cabinet with a delightful trio of pitchers that have the same design but descending sizes for a fun design touch. Artwork of a St. Michaels scene completes the vista from the door.
The two bedroom suites have their own personality and appeal. One has a wall of closets and the other a beautiful armoire for storage. One has an exquisite French style bed with high headboard and footboard and the other has a painted wood frame. Both of the bedrooms have lovely bed linens, painted wood floors and generously sized baths.
This house and its property has been lovingly cared for and its historic characteristics, including the rear garden shed, have been carefully maintained. Great floor plan flow with views of San Domingo Creek on a quiet tree-lined street-an ideal house for historic architecture buffs!
For more information about this property, contact Debbie Meredith, Associate Broker with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0415 (o), 410-310-8922 (c) or [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit https://bensonandmangold.com/agents/debbie-meredith/, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
Photography by Janelle Stroup, Though the Lens Photos, 845-744-2758, janelleathruthelensphotos.com
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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