This Queen Anne and Victorian-inspired home, with its wrap-around porch, blends historic charm and modern functionality alongside the garage and guest apartment.
Several of my friends who wanted to purchase historic houses and found Easton’s Historic District too costly have discovered Trappe. Being a history buff, I am always curious to know the origin of a town’s name. I learned Trappe was incorporated in 1827 and its name may have been inspired by either wolf traps or a Trappist Monastery. This charming house caught my eye several years ago when I featured another House of the Week that was located across the street and I am so pleased to feature this house today. The long and deep lot is located in the heart of Trappe’s residential district and the house and landscaped grounds have been lovingly maintained by its current owner who purchased it from the original owner. As I walked up the driveway for my tour, I admired the original lap siding that has been meticulously sanded down and repainted so it looks like new. The two-bay, two room wide, four rooms deep house’s multiple gables, wrap-around porch, 2/2 windows and bay windows identify its blend of Queen Anne and Victorian styles.
The updated gray palette with textured scalloped shakes and mulberry shutters enhances curb appeal while maintaining the home’s historic elegance.
When the current owner bought the house, the exterior color palette was tan siding with green shutters. She chose an exterior color palette of light gray, white trim and deep mulberry shutters was spot on and gives the house a much better curb appeal. The darker gray of the third floor’s scalloped shakes is a great accent of both color and texture. The landscaping along the brick sidewalk is a prelude to the manicured landscaping of the grounds; even in the beginning of winter, there is still color in the plantings.
Generous proportions and classic fluted columns create a welcoming outdoor space with a nod to timeless architectural detail.
The deep wrap-around porch easily accommodates rocking chairs and circulation space. The light blue-gray ceiling and darker blue-gray flooring contrasts with the white fluted columns.
The porch seamlessly connects to the family room, framed by sculptural crape myrtles for privacy and seasonal color.
The porch ends at the door to the family room for great outdoor-indoor flow. The crape myrtles are sculptural elements and await their next season of color that will provide even more privacy.
Layered gables, screened porch transparency, and thoughtful massing elevate the architectural appeal of the home’s rear and side views.
All of the elevations of this charming house are architecturally interesting. The rear elevation’s overlapping gables and the side elevation’s gable enliven the facades. The screened porch is another delightful outdoor room that also adds transparency to the house’s very appealing massing.
This pre-fabricated gazebo, crafted with care by the owner and her children, creates a serene space surrounded by gardens and complemented by wind chimes.
Walking through the gardens along hardscaped paths that varied from gravel to brick to stone pavers led me to this delightful gazebo next to the garage with an apartment above. I especially liked the pendant light fixture so one could dim the light after sunset and savor being surrounded by the sounds of nature to the tune of the wind chimes.
I later learned from the owner that the gazebo was a pre-fab kit that she and her children assembled! It was tempting to linger and listen to the sounds of the wind chimes but I was eager to explore the full extent of the grounds
Formal landscaping breaks into lush greenery, leading to the brick terrace with views of the expansive grounds and discreet garage-apartment.
My walk ended at this brick terrace surrounded by boxwoods. I paused on the bench to appreciate the full depth of this unique property and its landscaping. From the bench, the garage-apartment was visible but the house was totally obscured.
Original oak balustrades and curved stair detailing highlight craftsmanship from the home’s early 20th-century origins.
Having explored the grounds, I was quite eager to begin my tour of the house. The front door opens into a spacious foyer with daylight from two windows above the stair. I admired the stair’s detailing with its stained winders and treads, painted risers that accentuates beauty of the wood and tall oak newel posts whose recessed panels are lined with egg and dart molding . I especially liked how the bottom two treads have curved ends that gracefully spill into the foyer.
The house was built in 1900 and I was so thankful that the beautiful stained oak balustrade had not been painted over the years! I also admired the trim at the stair wall that adds texture and how both the doors and windows are trimmed with fluted jambs and headers with rosette trim at the corners-details from the era of gracious living.
Corner windows frame the wrap-around porch, while the open layout welcomes natural light into this versatile space.
A stained wood French door leads from the foyer into the living room that was probably the formal parlor of the house when it was built. The windows at the corner look out onto the wrap-around porch. The spacious room easily accommodates seating for a gathering of family or friends.
Angled bay windows and built-in cabinetry enhance this central gathering space, featuring vistas to the lush gardens beyond.
My fave room was the large dining room that was probably the family room when the house was built. Currently furnished as a dining room, it is connected to both the foyer and the living room. The subtle bay angled wall of windows, the recessed cabinet with an arched top and glass doors and the fireplace create a wonderful setting for cocktails by the fire and dinner by the windows overlooking the grounds. The light wall and historic trim green color continues throughout the house.
Stained wood accents, corner windows, and access to the wrap-around porch connect this cozy space to the home’s exterior.
Off the dining room is the family room that also has an exterior door to the wrap-around porch. I admired the stained wood of the exterior door and again was thankful that the house’s doors had not been painted over the original wood. Windows at the corner walls offer views of the gardens.
Sunlit windows and a clever mirrored backsplash reflect thoughtful design in this bright, well-planned kitchen.
A short hall off the dining room leads to a powder room, the screened porch, a secondary stair to the second floor and a doorway to the kitchen. The window overlooks the driveway so the distance from this house to the neighbor’s house allows full sunlight into the kitchen. Since the sink is located on an interior wall, the owner cleverly added a mirror detailed like a window. As I stood at the sink, I could see the reflection of the glass in the door at the rear wall of the house overlooking the gardens.
Framed panels maximize sightlines, while hedges create outdoor privacy within this delightful, enclosed retreat.
The cozy screened porch is a perfect Snug for relaxing at the end of the day or for warm weather meals. Hedges provide seated privacy and the framing of the screened panels maximizes one’s view of the landscape and the garden shed beyond. Behind the screened porch at the rear of the house is a full bath and laundry and a mud room with an exterior door to the driveway and gardens.
The landing’s angled walls and full newel post offer elegant detailing, while creating opportunity for functional desk space.
Instead of climbing the secondary stair from the kitchen, I went back to the foyer and climbed the main stair. The stair landing blends into the large hall connecting three spacious bedrooms and the hall bath.
I especially liked how the balustrade detailing included a full newel post against the wall. I also liked how the wall opposite the stair has an angled edge which gives room for a desk on the wall opposite this window. Mounting a mirror above the desk would provide a view of the window for a respite from computer work.
Three large windows illuminate this spacious corner room, showcasing its handsome trim and functional original radiator heating.
The largest bedroom is the primary bedroom located at the front corner of the house with three windows on the two exterior walls for abundant daylight. I noted the radiators for heating which to me is the best source of heat when combined with high velocity AC for thermal comfort.
Windows on three walls provide sun-filled views of the gardens throughout the day, creating a bright and welcoming retreat.
The middle bedroom has windows on each of its three exterior walls for sunlight throughout the day and bird’s eye views of the side and rear gardens.
Dual access via the secondary stair and hall makes this rear corner bedroom a versatile and sunlit space.
The third bedroom is located at the rear of the house and has the secondary stair leading to the first floor hall. The bedroom has windows on all three exterior walls for sunlight throughout the day.
Natural daylight flows in through high windows, and its central layout offers convenient access to all second-floor bedrooms.
The hall bath has doors to both the rear bedroom and to the stair hall. My architect’s imagination kicked in and I believe a second bath could be created next to this one so the new one could be dedicated to the primary bedroom.
Unfinished yet full of potential, this attic’s skylights and gable windows create a foundation for a future office or recreation space.
The house’s bonus room is the unfinished attic space, accessed by stairs off the landing at the second floor. With windows at each gable end and skylights, this space could be renovated into myriad uses; office, recreation room, studio, etc., or simply storage.
The apartment’s entry balances functionality with proximity to the gazebo, offering an inviting connection to its own outdoor room.
I reluctantly ended my tour of this exquisite house to explore the apartment above the garage. Opposite the building’s entry door is the large gazebo which is a wonderful outdoor room for the apartment.
Sloped ceilings and dual gable windows create dynamic architecture within this bright apartment, perfect for extended stays.
The apartment’s front gable wall with the two windows and the mix of flat and sloped ceilings creates delightful interior architecture. With a full bath, stack W/D and mini-kitchen, this bonus room with multiple windows would be hard to beat for extended stays.
This historic gem in the heart of Trappe’s residential district have been meticulously maintained and offers the charm of two appealing architectural styles with modern conveniences. The compact floor plans on both floors maximizes the room sizes and multiple windows provide abundant sunlight. Details including the wood floors, trim and built-ins offer character from an era of gracious living. Garden enthusiasts would enjoy the spacious grounds and add their own finishing touches. The outdoor rooms of the front wrap-around porch, screened porch, terraces in the gardens and the gazebo keep one close to the sights and sounds of nature. The double garage and the apartment above are both a bonus as well as the full third floor attic of the main house. Wonderful property!
For more information about this property contact Judy Moore with Benson and Mangold at 410-822-0415 (o), 410-463-1730 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing visit www.TheMarylandShore.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.
Photography by Janelle Stroop, 845-744-2758, [email protected]. ‘
Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.
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