The aerial shot of this house illustrates its “L” shape that is the perfect solution to break down a linear plan that also fully maximizes panoramic views from its site on a waterfront point. The exterior materials of the house were carefully selected for minimum maintenance; walls of zinc and Ipe wood are scratch, abrasion and weather resistant and the juxtaposition of their different textures of vertical vs. horizontal panels is a wonderful play of materials and shapes. The massing with its interlocking offset rectangular forms seamlessly fit together like pieces of a 3-D puzzle that step up from the entry level, increasing in height to the main living areas with transoms above walls of windows for greater ceiling height and finally to the two-story wing. At night, the transparency of the backlit walls of windows along the water takes center stage and moonlight spills onto the recessed entry terrace courtyard set back from the front exterior wall with a pitched glass roof that becomes a skylight over the door.
The front door opens onto a hall with a vista to the landscape and water beyond with cross vistas to a window at one end and a wall with art on the other end. The floor plan is zoned extremely well for function and privacy with the master suite next to the entry and the open plan living, dining, study, breakfast area and screened porch defined by a perimeter wall of windows and unobtrusive interior wall planes. The kitchen is open to the living areas and as cook, I loved this space with its two story ceiling capped with skylights, water views through the informal dining/family room and the white cabinets accentuated by bright red walls. Behind the kitchen are the stairs with an artisan stainless steel sinuous handrail, laundry and garage. Above the kitchen wing are five en-suite bedrooms.
The open plan living areas are quite conducive to entertaining or relaxing with family. The informal dining area is across the main hall from the kitchen and next to the family room with a wall for the TV. On the other side of the informal dining area is a study with a raised fireplace set into the wall, built-in millwork and wrap-around windows for views of the landscape and water. At the end of this wing is the formal dining area surrounded by full height windows on three sides and the screened porch near the pool terrace.
The master bedroom also has full height wrap-around windows and sliding doors for panoramic water views and perimeter soffits below a higher ceiling plane. The master bath is simply sumptuous with a free-standing tub nestled into a niche surrounded by partial walls with windows above, dual lavatories opposite each other whose mirrors visually expand the space, a large shower with a pebble style floor, glass door and window and a French door to access the landscape and pool.
The second floor bedroom suites share the same interior architectural details such as minimal trim, large picture windows above lower window units and some rooms have an additional accent window. Discreet shades disappear above the window header for unimpeded views to the landscape. All the baths have white cabinetry but different wall colors with art and accessories selected to complement the wall color.
The design team of award-winning Philadelphia Architect David Amburn and Oehme van Sweden of the internationally known landscape firm of OvS of Washington, DC, are both known for their harmonious blend of architecture and landscape. I loved the exterior interlocking gray forms, the serene white and gray interior palette enhanced by accents of color in the furnishings, rugs, accessories and art and the beautiful hardwood floors that flowed like water to connect the spaces. The floor plan is quite adaptable to any lifestyle-one level living with the master suite located on the main floor, guest suites for children and grandchildren or a houseful of guests zoned for quiet above the service areas of kitchen, laundry and garage.
Sophisticated Modernist Magic built with extraordinary materials to the highest standards of commercial construction, interior fixtures selected from an array of international designers for their elegance, exquisite craftsmanship and function-all this in sought after Royal Oak!
For more information about this property, contact Adam Light with the Light/Ruppert List Residential Group of Monument Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-525-5435 (o), 410-829-3127 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit https://youtu.be/tL5sttxjzKo “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
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.
Barbara Watters says
Love the tub!
The whole house, amazing!