The architecture of Ashby, circa 1855, is dominated by the beautifully detailed Classical two-story front porch supported by Doric columns resting on a brick foundation with full width steps to the lawn below. The front gable over the porch includes a decorative window set into the pediment. The approach to the estate ends with a very pleasing vista of the white color palette of the main house set against colorful mature landscaping and green expanse of lawn. A perfect backdrop for a Plein Air painter.
The spacious entrance hall had a “U” shaped stair and wide doorways led to the main rooms on either side and to the family room at the rear of the house. Sitting rooms with fireplaces, one with a bay window, a formal dining room, period moldings and fireplace surrounds all evoked an era of gracious living.
The family room had a fireplace and a wall full of French doors with Palladian transoms for views to the pool, the landscape and the Miles River beyond. The same window arrangement was repeated on the master bedroom above and wrapped around the seating area at the rear of the suite. My favorite room was the second- floor screened porch complete with a swing for relaxing summer afternoons suspended above the landscape below.
The grounds of this magnificent property included a large swimming pool, raised bed gardens, tennis court, a three-car garage with a one-bedroom guest apartment, a two-bedroom guest cottage and a deep water dock.
For more information about this property, contact Meredith Fine Properties agents Cliff Meredith at 410-822-6272 (o), 410-924-9982 (c), [email protected], or Amy Berry at 410-822-2001 (o), 410-310-0441 (c) or [email protected], “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.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.