This property has it all-a site on a premier point of land along the shoreline of St. Michaels harbor, a combination of an original house, circa 1800, with an addition that telescopes down to complement the original house and a renovation that carefully preserved the original details and design features.
The aerial view shows how the house reaches out to its waterfront with a rear elevation with large windows and a brick patio, screened porch and second floor deck that are wonderful outdoor rooms to enjoy the harbor views. The close proximity to the water can’t be built today given the current Critical Area standards. Multiple boat slips, one of which can accommodate a 70-foot yacht, await guests who wish to arrive in style.
The interiors of the rooms were as stunning as the site and the exterior traditional architecture. The front door opens to an entry hall that is dominated by a large maritime painting above an antique settee resting on beautiful wide plank hardwood floors. Arched openings led to the dining room whose focal point was a brick fireplace centered on an antique table surrounded by upholstered chairs.
The sitting rooms were located at the rear of the house and flooded with light from French doors and tall windows for harbor views. One could easily sink into the comfortable furnishings and enjoy privacy from the street and the ever- changing harbor activity.
I loved the kitchen with its warm palette of light woods and tile floor and the blend of the older island cabinetry contrasted with the newer cabinets. The pitched ceiling was broken by two exposed wood beams that created space above the upper wall cabinets for the owners collection of ceramics.
My favorite room was the screened porch with its stained wood framing and wide screened panels for unobstructed views of the harbor. A rug with a bold geometric border anchored the comfortable seating group and close by outside were a hammock and a Lutyens bench for more relaxation options.
The stair landing led to an alcove lined with bookshelves and seating for a cozy reading nook. The master bedroom suite had a flat ceiling that defines the sitting and dressing area and a pitched ceiling that defined the sleeping area. Two high accent windows over the bed and a dormer window provided daylight and views to the harbor and created a restful retreat.
Privacy on a quiet dead-end street in the heart of St. Michaels’ Historic District, a stunning site and magnificent architectural style- how could one resist?
For more information about this property, please contact Tom Crouch with Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0720 (o), 410-310-8916 (c), or [email protected], “Equal Housing Authority”.
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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