I always look forward to returning to Oxford-how can one not be enchanted by the waterfront park with endless vistas over water as far as the eye can see, short streets off the main street that dead end at the water’s edge, distinguished residential architecture and the Robert Morris Inn and the Church of the Holy Trinity as landmarks. Whenever I have house guests, Oxford is my first stop and they soon fall under its spell too.
I have featured several houses in Oxford’s Historic District but this is the first opportunity I have had to feature South Street. At times it is challenging to navigate the streets because of the dead end and one way streets but after some backtracking, I was soon rewarded with the charming streetscape of South Street. When I was at Urban Design Associates, we had a charrette for our Easton Village project and several of my colleagues were intrigued by how some Talbot County houses were sited slightly angled to the street, as the two houses across from today’s featured house do.
This property is a highly desirable double lot in the Historic District with several towering trees for shade-one at the front of the house and two at the rear that frame the view to Town Creek. The original part of the house was probably the front wing’s three-bay house. In 1991, the house was greatly expanded and the architecture telescopes down in both plan and elevation in four segments and the main floor of the original part of the house now contains the living room with an addition of foyer and a wrap-around porch.
Brick paving defines the very desirable off-street parking area at the wider side yard. Since the other yard is smaller, the “service” areas of powder room, laundry, full bath, large closet and utility closet are located along that side of the house, giving the main rooms the primary water views. The telescoping side elevation facing the wider side yard and is articulated with pairs of windows with gable tops penetrating the eave at the exterior wall. At the last wing, a brick chimney between two windows rises above the roof’s ridge. My favorite elevation was the rear waterside façade as it is almost transparent from the main floor’s screened porch to the deck above at the second floor, French doors, transoms and windows. I especially liked how the corners of the screened porch are chamfered to give an expansive view of the water. The light mocha shake siding, crisp white trim and the brick accents create a serene curb appeal.
The front entry door opens across the stairs to the living room furnished in one of my favorite styles, mid-century modern, with accents of the candlestick wooden table and the contemporary wood table. One interior wall has built-in millwork for books, games, photographs or collectibles and the original wood floors have been refurbished. On the other side of the stairs is a spacious foyer off the wrap-around porch which is very convenient for welcoming a houseful of guests.
The living room flows into the spacious dining room anchored by a chandelier that reminded me of the work of the Deep Landing Workshop, and a Scandinavian table with black contemporary chairs over a contemporary rug. Two chairs beside the candlestick table at the front of the room can be moved to each end of the table to accommodate large parties.
Two doors lead from the dining room to the open plan kitchen-breakfast area-family room that is clearly the hub of the house. Seating is grouped around the fireplace and TV and at the other end of the room are four deep blue club chairs with white piping surrounding the clever low table made from lengths of carved wood with a chess set ready for play. The options for breakfast include a cozy breakfast table with French bistro chairs or the red bar stools at the kitchen counter.
The color scheme of the kitchen is pristine white, from the cabinets, tile backsplash and granite counter with veins of gray which accentuates the beautiful pine floors and the antique wood chopping block island. The stainless steel appliances are the finishing touch. Everyone’s favorite room must be the screened porch with ample room for large rattan pieces with cushions to sink into and the wood dining table with black contemporary chairs. The expanse of the reddish brick flooring and the white beadboard ceiling ties the room together.
The original stairs lead to the second floor and to a hall with bedrooms on the water side and closets and a bath on the other side. Windows at the top of the stairs and along the hall between the closets filter sunlight within. I especially liked one colorful guest room with its red, white and blue theme from the padded blue headboards, red and white striped pillows and a red metal framed chair next to a French bistro table. The delightful rhythm of the exterior wall is created by the triangular dormer detail above each window and its accent color accentuates the shape.
The sumptuous primary suite occupies the last of the telescoping wings and the rear center gable and the gables at each side create delightful ceiling planes of white with white collar beams spanning across the space. Windows at the rear corner and the side wall offer water views and the pair of French doors with transoms lead to the spacious deck over the screened porch for dancing under the stars. The space easily accommodates areas for sleeping, watching TV, sitting opposite the French doors for water views and working at a desk.
The primary bath’s interior is equally appealing with porcelain tile simulating wood planks and white pine board walls. The stained wood cabinets have dual lavatories below framed mirrors, period fittings, high backsplash that carefully matches the top of the shower’s partial height wall infilled with glass. The shower’s pebbled flooring and tiled walls with an accent band complete the look. A spiral stair at the end of the second floor hall leads to the family room below. Spiral stairs are one of my Architectural Ten Commandments and I think with a little creative space planning a secondary stair could be possible.
Double lot in the heart of Oxford’s Historic District, off street parking, peaceful views to Town Creek, small shed at the water’s edge for storing boating gear, shared boat ramp with the property next door, possible room for a small pool, renovated house with great flow-who could ask for anything more?
For more information about this property, contact Barb Watkins with Benson and Mangold at 410-822-1415 (o), 410-310-2021 (c), or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.easternshorehomes.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity.”
Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 410-310-6838, [email protected]
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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