The development of the architectural style that became known as American Folk underwent a sea change as railroads expanded America to the West during the last four decades of the late 19th century. Lumberyards became a fixture of new towns that sprung up along the rail lines and changed the methods and materials of building to balloon framing covered by wood sheathing. The forms and shapes of National Folk architecture with the linear hall and parlor plan and gable fronts for narrow lots became the dominant style in our area for many decades. It is ironic that the Owner of this charming National Folk house discovered in his research that his house arrived by rail in two separate buildings that were later joined together. The property was originally one parcel but at some time the large rectangular lot was subdivided which resulted in this house’s having the deepest front yard along this section of the street.
On the day I visited, I walked around the house and admired the “L” shape of the two-story portion fitting together with a one-story “L” porch like interlocking puzzle pieces. At the rear, a later story and a half addition created a kitchen with sleeping quarters above for live-in help. The house’s geometry is accentuated by its exterior monochromatic palette of white without any window trim. Corner boards, a cornice board topped with crown molding and the German shiplap siding along the street elevation add shadow lines across the facade. The four paneled wood door with arched top panels is surrounded by a full transom and half glass/half paneled sidelights. I especially liked the detail between the door and sidelights with a narrow top bracket, half-round pilaster and plinth block.
Only one of the houses I have called home had a foyer and this house’s foyer is welcoming with its view of the staircase that rises in three runs with two landings. The stair treads, cap rail and paneled newel posts match the stained hardwood floors and each newel post pierces through the deep layers of molding below the white pickets. Sunlight streams through the window at the lower landing and the diagonal line of the foyer ceiling at the stairs indicates the upper railing that connects the second floor rooms. The wood furnishings of a grandfather clock and a high-back bench complete the simple yet elegant look.
The foyer connects the living room to a smaller parlor. The latter has a Chesterfield sofa and a wall of built-in millwork for a library/office opposite the two front windows and one side window for abundant daylight. The living room’s wide cased opening to the foyer is detailed with a short half wall/half column perpendicular to the foyer’s front wall with moldings simulating raised panels. The living room has a pair of reclaimed French doors to access the porch on axis with the fireplace’s wood burning stove and single windows at each side wall provide views and sunlight. To the left of the fireplace is a storage wall of two doors with two shorter doors above. During the renovation, the Owner discovered original wallpaper in the closet’s interior wall embellished with cursive penmanship proudly proclaiming the carpenter’s name.
My favorite room is the charming dining room with its focal point being a deep box bay with a gambrel ceiling and two side and one front windows. The room is quite spacious so I would be tempted to add a banquette with cushions and accent pillows to the box bay for a cozy spot for cocktails before dinner so the table could be moved further into the room to be aligned with the wide cased opening to the kitchen. The wood furnishings complement each other well and I was especially drawn to the antique pie safe that reminded me of the one in my childhood home.
Another wide cased opening leads to the kitchen with original details of the secondary stair to the former attic and the pine floors that set the stage for the imaginative layout and design to tempt a serious cook. The door carved into the wall below the stair has strap hinges to access storage beneath the stairs for infrequently used items. I just recently watched the “Julia” series on Netflix and the pegboard wall for hanging frequently used pots and pans is a homage to Julia Child’s kitchen. The pegboard wall is just a step away from the range, complete with an instant hot water fitting that also saves steps to fill pots. I loved this kitchen’s personality from its eclectic look with these and other details including the diagonal planks that clad the bar to define the work area, the mix of pendant lighting, stainless steel hutch next to open shelving and the “bar” wall with its wine fridge, wine rack and white ceramic vessel bar sink. The dark slate countertops were reclaimed from a science classroom and the slate’s high resistance to chemicals, heat, microbes and water is great for kitchens too!
The two ensuites on the second floor are zoned well for privacy with one bedroom at the front of the house and the other opposite the stairs with windows overlooking the deep yard. The front ensuite includes two rooms with the smaller room located over the dining room with the same box bay detail. One could easily add a window at the side rear wall to complete the wrap-around effect. This peaceful alcove now is the location for the Owner’s wood sleigh bed. The adjoining bath has great appeal for Anglophiles like me with the Union Jack design painted onto the sides of the clawfoot tub positioned beneath the double window. The white pedestal lavatory over the small octagonal tiles are also appropriate historical touches. Shower lovers have the option of the other ensuite’s bath with an oversized tiled shower, dual shower heads, recessed seat and glass doors. The mirror over the dual lavatory cabinetry infills the high knee wall and is a clever way to expand the space. Since the room’s only window is located inside the toilet closet, I would add a high interior window at the wall facing the side of the lavatory cabinet so daylight could filter into the other part of the bathroom.
Prime corner lot within walking distance of Easton’s shopping and dining district, quiet setting back from the road with the potential for a carriage house and/or garden, rear fenced yard for pets and young children’s play, an outbuilding with utilities and water; an outdoor shower, easy flow among the rooms, thoughtful and imaginative interiors with a blend of old and new from the 2017 renovation, plus a kitchen for serious cooks. I understand the Owner has his next project in mind so I look forward to seeing what this talented entrepreneur does with another historic house-stay tuned!
For more information about this property, contact Murphy O’Neill with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-4275 or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.cbchesapeake.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity.”
Photography by TruPlace, Ted Mueller, (301) 972-3201, https://truplace.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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