House of the Week

House of the Week: “Victorian Charmer”

June 16, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The best of both worlds for me is a house in a downtown historic district that has been completely updated and renovated as this charming Victorian house has been by its owners over the past eighteen years. To take maximum advantage of their corner lot, the owners expanded the house to the rear which extended the wrap-around porch with its stunning tongue and groove mahogany flooring and added space for an eat-in kitchen on the main floor. The second floor master bedroom then had space for a walk-in closet and master bath to create a full en-suite. The exterior color palette of red brick foundation piers with dark colored lattice infill, white siding, 2/2 white windows with white trim, dark blue shutters and the accent of light blue shake siding in two different patterns of the front gable is crisp and inviting.

The addition added more daylight and created even better flow through the house on both floors. The front door opens into an entry hall with a “L” shaped staircase at the front corner. Both the beautiful hardwood floors and the wood stair balustrade and treads are stained the same color and the switch plate for the lighting is cleverly placed horizontally next to the chair rail so it is not a distraction against the lovely two-toned wall colors. The vista is open from the entry through the living room to the kitchen-breakfast room at the rear.

The front room is furnished as a TV room and has two front windows and one side window for sunlight that is absorbed by the warm sage green walls. The large Oriental rug, plush upholstered furnishings, wood tables and accents of art makes it easy to relax and enjoy favorite TV programs. An open doorway leads to the living room that spans the full width of the house with one wall being a full bay-shape with windows flanking the fireplace. The other wall encloses the dining area. Between the living room and kitchen is a short hall separating the laundry and powder rooms. The spacious gourmet kitchen has beautiful maple cabinets (my favorite cabinet species for its fine, uniform texture with generally straight grain) that is lovely against the hardwood floors, granite countertop in a darker color and high end stainless steel appliances. The adjacent breakfast area feels more like a sunroom with its double windows, French doors to the porch and a single window at the rear for a charming space to linger over breakfast warmed by the morning sunlight. The French doors create an indoor/outdoor continuous flow through the house and porch for family enjoyment and easy entertaining.

On the second floor, the room over the living room bay shaped wall below is a study and its interior wall echoes the bay shape creating interesting angles in the hall with daylight filtering into the hall from the two windows in the stairwell. The short hall passes the two large guest bedrooms, each with generously sized closets and the linen closet in the hall services the guest bathroom. At the end of the hall is the master suite and I loved the master bedroom’s warm yellow walls, wood furnishings including the sleigh bed with its beautiful quilt and the side window tucked against one leg of the angle wall of the office to provide more daylight. Both the master bath and the guest bath are exquisitely finished with full tile shower surrounds, glass doors and wood lavatory cabinetry. The master bath has a full width mirror above the granite countertop and the guest bath has a European style lavatory with white porcelain lavatory and surface mounted mirror/medicine cabinet.

The architecture and the floor plan complement each other so well but I especially admired the owners’ tasteful interiors with their wall color choices, minimal window treatments, furnishings, art and artisan accents that make this house a home with great personality. Their careful preservation of the house’s details such as the extra wide moldings, chair rail and staircase give this “nearly new” turn of the last century home a new life for the next century-Bravo!

For more information about this property, contact Martha Suss with Long and Foster Real Estate at 410-770-3600 (o), 410-310-4856 (c), or martha.suss@lnf.com. For more photographs and pricing visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svaxL4Tz_M4, “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.

House of the Week: “Goose Neck Pointe”

June 9, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The aerial photograph of this unique site shaped by the shoreline that surrounds it does indeed resemble the thin neck of a goose. To describe this site where Plaindealing Creek and Tar Creek flow into the Tred Avon River as a waterfront property is a vast understatement. When I walked the site prior to my tour of the house, I was mesmerized by the more than 270 degrees views of water and I imagined how its solar orientation bathes the site from sunrise to sunset.

The property contains the main house, built in 1984, which is sited at the point where the “neck” widens, the original guest house behind it on Tar Creek and a boathouse/guest suite on Plaindealing Creek. The traditional styled main house and breezeway to the attached garage have steeply pitched roofs with dormers with an exterior color palette of light gray lap siding, creamy yellow trim, slate blue shutters and gray roofing is very appealing. The main house alone could be a tranquil family retreat but with the variety of accommodations from the apartment over the three-car garage, the guest cottage and pool house/one-bedroom suite, the property becomes a family compound with privacy for all.

The front door opens into a two-story entrance hall with wainscoting, beautiful heart pine flooring that flows into both the living room and dining rooms framed by deep alcoves with arched tops. The vista from the front door ends at the living room’s floor to ceiling sliding doors with arched transoms that give limitless views of the Tred Avon as a backdrop. To the left of the entry is the gracious formal dining room with a fireplace, wainscoting, wallpaper and an Oriental rug that anchors the table and chairs that could easily accommodate a large dinner party or family celebrations.

A short hall off the living room leads to the master suite that has a spacious bedroom with built-in bookcases and a wide bay window for water views. A small adjacent sitting area has sliding doors to the brick terrace along the rear of the house. Beyond the sitting area is a large library with surprising interior architecture-the steep pitch of the ceiling accented by stained wood joists and collar beams, daylight from the octagonal window at the side gable wall, dormer windows and the wide bay window at the water side; a second floor gallery beautifully detailed in stained wood with brackets to pilasters at the wall and a wall of built-in millwork ready for the next collection of books, family photographs and memorabilia. A spiral stair at the master suite sitting room accesses the loft.

On the other side of the living room is the kitchen open to the breakfast area with a fireplace and sliding doors to the brick terrace. The wide bay window over the kitchen sink gives the cook panoramic views of the water. Beyond the breakfast area is a large sunroom with brick floors and wrap-around sliding windows to catch the warm weather breezes. The niche recessed into the brick chimney of the breakfast room fireplace creates an area for a grille. A French door leads to the brick terrace and the wood deck that wraps around the corner of the sunroom for al-fresco entertaining.

The second floor has three bedrooms and two baths with charming interior architecture from single dormer windows with high knee walls to a wide shed dormer. The billiard/fitness room leads to a deck over the sunroom for bird’s eye views of the water.

The trio of pool house, pool and pier creates the perfect spot for summer fun and the pool house’s full kitchen is ready to supply refreshments after an afternoon on the water and/or the pool. There is also another cottage on the property that is used for boat storage.

Spectacular waterfront site with 2000 ft of shoreline, the main house, original guest house and pool house closer to the water that is no longer allowed by Critical Area requirements, pier with large slips, boat lift and 6” MLW, spacious rooms, exterior windows and doors with transoms for maximum sunlight and stunning water views, extensive hardscape in brick terraces and wood decks, mature landscaping with exterior lighting and irrigation, and did I mention your own mini-vineyard? An irresistible opportunity to make this unique property your own.

For more information about this property, contact Laura Carney with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-280-5600 (o), 410-310-3307-(c) or laurahcarney@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit https://lauracarney.ttrsir.com/eng “Equal Housing Opportunity”

House of the Week: “Shotgun” Style

May 19, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The one-room wide gable front houses that were nicknamed “shotgun” houses were the predominant architectural style in many Southern urban neighborhoods from the late 18th century to the early 20th century. The style’s nickname came from the observation that a bullet fired through the front door would go right out the back door without hitting a wall. The form was a perfect fit for narrow urban lots; but this shotgun house is unusual in its Historic District setting for the wide fully fenced side and rear yards perfect for children and pets at play. Guest parking and a garage are conveniently located off the rear alley.

The two-bay wide house is separated from the sidewalk by a planting area and the inviting full-front porch keeps one in touch with neighbors out for a stroll. The gable front façade with its symmetrical arrangement of windows, side front door with half-glass sidelights and a full transom above, white trim, earth toned lap siding, shutters and fencing all contribute to this well maintained house’s curb appeal.

The vista from the front door opens into the living room, dining room, kitchen and mud room/laundry. Only the width of the fireplace chimney separates the living and dining rooms and a two-sided gas fireplace could be installed for both rooms for additional charm. The spacious dining room easily accommodates seating for a family meal to larger gatherings or holiday celebrations. The open railing at the stair and the front and side windows of the living and dining rooms make these spaces sunny throughout the day.

The kitchen has extra room for bar seating and a breakfast area and the exterior door provides easy access to the brick terrace for outdoor meals. The rear mudroom/laundry also has a door to the rear yard for easy clean up after an afternoon of gardening or play. A side addition to the kitchen could easily create an open plan kitchen-family/sunroom set into the landscape.

The second floor also flows well from a spacious front bedroom, middle bedroom that is currently used as an office and the hall bath and master bedroom at the rear. One could also build over the main floor mudroom/laundry to expand the master bedroom into a spacious master suite with its own bath.

Quiet and charming one-way street just steps away from the Rails to Trails and close to Easton’s shops, galleries and restaurants. Oversized lot with side and rear fenced yards, historic charm with room for expansion with minimal impact to the generous open space. Outdoor rooms of the front porch and brick terrace in the year yard to expand your living space- all combine to create this property’s great appeal!

For more information about this property, contact Meg Moran, GRI, with Long and Foster Real Estate-Christies International Real Estate at 410-770-3600 (o), 410-310-2209 (c), or megmoran007@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing visit here “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Majestic Modernism

May 12, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The aerial shot of this house illustrates its “L” shape that is the perfect solution to break down a linear plan that also fully maximizes panoramic views from its site on a waterfront point. The exterior materials of the house were carefully selected for minimum maintenance; walls of zinc and Ipe wood are scratch, abrasion and weather resistant and the juxtaposition of their different textures of vertical vs. horizontal panels is a wonderful play of materials and shapes. The massing with its interlocking offset rectangular forms seamlessly fit together like pieces of a 3-D puzzle that step up from the entry level, increasing in height to the main living areas with transoms above walls of windows for greater ceiling height and finally to the two-story wing. At night, the transparency of the backlit walls of windows along the water takes center stage and moonlight spills onto the recessed entry terrace courtyard set back from the front exterior wall with a pitched glass roof that becomes a skylight over the door.

The front door opens onto a hall with a vista to the landscape and water beyond with cross vistas to a window at one end and a wall with art on the other end. The floor plan is zoned extremely well for function and privacy with the master suite next to the entry and the open plan living, dining, study, breakfast area and screened porch defined by a perimeter wall of windows and unobtrusive interior wall planes. The kitchen is open to the living areas and as cook, I loved this space with its two story ceiling capped with skylights, water views through the informal dining/family room and the white cabinets accentuated by bright red walls. Behind the kitchen are the stairs with an artisan stainless steel sinuous handrail, laundry and garage. Above the kitchen wing are five en-suite bedrooms.

The open plan living areas are quite conducive to entertaining or relaxing with family. The informal dining area is across the main hall from the kitchen and next to the family room with a wall for the TV. On the other side of the informal dining area is a study with a raised fireplace set into the wall, built-in millwork and wrap-around windows for views of the landscape and water. At the end of this wing is the formal dining area surrounded by full height windows on three sides and the screened porch near the pool terrace.

The master bedroom also has full height wrap-around windows and sliding doors for panoramic water views and perimeter soffits below a higher ceiling plane. The master bath is simply sumptuous with a free-standing tub nestled into a niche surrounded by partial walls with windows above, dual lavatories opposite each other whose mirrors visually expand the space, a large shower with a pebble style floor, glass door and window and a French door to access the landscape and pool.

The second floor bedroom suites share the same interior architectural details such as minimal trim, large picture windows above lower window units and some rooms have an additional accent window. Discreet shades disappear above the window header for unimpeded views to the landscape. All the baths have white cabinetry but different wall colors with art and accessories selected to complement the wall color.

The design team of award-winning Philadelphia Architect David Amburn and Oehme van Sweden of the internationally known landscape firm of OvS of Washington, DC, are both known for their harmonious blend of architecture and landscape. I loved the exterior interlocking gray forms, the serene white and gray interior palette enhanced by accents of color in the furnishings, rugs, accessories and art and the beautiful hardwood floors that flowed like water to connect the spaces. The floor plan is quite adaptable to any lifestyle-one level living with the master suite located on the main floor, guest suites for children and grandchildren or a houseful of guests zoned for quiet above the service areas of kitchen, laundry and garage.

Sophisticated Modernist Magic built with extraordinary materials to the highest standards of commercial construction, interior fixtures selected from an array of international designers for their elegance, exquisite craftsmanship and function-all this in sought after Royal Oak!

For more information about this property, contact Adam Light with the Light/Ruppert List Residential Group of Monument Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-525-5435 (o), 410-829-3127 (c) or adam.light@monumentsothebysreealty.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit https://youtu.be/tL5sttxjzKo “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: The William Mason Shehan House

May 5, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

This majestic house is one of the finest examples of the Colonial Revival style of residential architecture in Easton and one of my favorite houses in Easton’s Historic District. Constructed in 1909-1910, the house is listed on the Maryland Historical Trust Registry as the William Mason Sheehan House in honor of its first owner, William Mason Shehan, who served as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Talbot County and lived in the house until 1941. The two-and a half story house is set back deep from the street in order for one to savor and fully appreciate the magnificence of its monumental symmetrical three-bay front façade above a six-course full American brick foundation. The brick sidewalk leads to brick steps to the front porch that spans the length of the house.

The imposing front portico is one-bay wide and formed by the cross gable roof’s projecting pediment, supported by twin pairs of Corinthian full height columns whose width is perfectly proportioned to their height. Further ornamentation includes single pilasters opposite the columns, denticulated boxed cornice with returns over the columns and a beautiful Palladian window centered in the pediment. On either side of the front portico are wide windows with shutters at both the first and second floors. At the main level of the house, a wide recessed segmental-arch resting on Tuscan pilasters creates an exquisite entry bay, sheathed in wood panels with the six-panel entry door centered between single windows and built-in wooden seats below. Above the elliptical arched recess is a triple window at the second floor. The side elevations are bisected by brick chimneys and on one side, the former screened porch is now a delightful sunroom with steps leading to the garden, pool and guest house. The color palette of red brick, white siding and black shutters is timeless in its beauty.

The front door opens onto a wide entrance hall with pristine white walls, white wainscot, hardwood floors and sunny vistas to the dining room, living room and to the rear addition that is now a family room. The curvature of the recessed entry creates concave corners at the front walls of both the living and dining rooms. Additional curved walls at the base of the “U” shaped stairs to the second floor and the living room echoes this design element.

Wide wall openings with pocket doors lead from the entry to the living and dining rooms. The magnificent living room extends the full depth of the house and its interior architecture is enhanced by the full rear bay of windows, white wainscot, the fireplace centered between French doors to the sunroom and the wide front window for sunlight throughout the day. The focal point of the dining room is the bay window extending the full width of the side wall with a clear vista through the house to the sunroom.

Behind the dining room is the spacious kitchen that I dearly coveted for its serene color palette of light gray stone floors, white cabinets, dark countertops, white tile backsplash and unique details. Some of the cabinets above the upper cabinets are glass faced, lit for display and the exquisite high window above the range with its filigree muntins echo the design of the windows in the portico’s pediment. An arched top French door with the same muntin design and a side window bring additional sunlight into the space and access to a rear deck that leads to off-street parking at the alley.

The architecture of the sunroom is beautifully detailed with wrap-around windows and French doors with transoms. The textures of the exposed brick chimney, hardwood floors, painted slat ceiling, rattan furnishings and bright blue cushions create great interior architectural character and make the sunroom the perfect spot to relax after a dip in the pool. Another room for relaxation is the den, centrally located at the rear of the house with windows on three sides and built-in millwork with the TV.

Above this space on the landing to the second floor is an exquisite pair of French doors, full sidelights and fan light transom that lead to a spacious office whose location gives it sound isolation from both floors of the house.

In 2016, Charles Goebel Architects designed upgrades/alterations to the second and third floors for a previous owner and I especially admired the master bath layout. The door from the master bedroom opens between separate lavatory cabinets and the vista is centered on the free-standing tub below a window. Half-height walls separate the toilet area and the glass-walled shower from the tub. The scale of the tile floor is perfect for the space and in keeping with the historic character. The sunny corner master bedroom and the angled fireplace at the opposite corner, white wainscot below light blue walls and white bedlinens create a peaceful retreat.

The secondary stair off the kitchen has a skylight discreetly located at the rear roof and leads to the delightful third floor tucked under the cross gable roof. The end wall room with bunk beds would be popular with children of all ages and the center storage room is daylit by the exquisite Palladian window in the portico’s pediment.

The guest apartment/cabana was also designed by Charles Goebel Architects and its architecture, especially the stepped triple window in its front gable, pays homage to the main house. The trellises visually anchor and connect the buildings to the professionally landscaped garden between the two buildings and next to the pool.

One of Easton’s most distinguished and treasured houses, upgraded and renovated with the highest standard of care to preserve the original period details that were the finest in its day and tasteful interior design that makes this grand house a home. Bravissimo to the current owners whose love of historic architecture has preserved this gem and other houses for the next generation!

For more information about this property, contact Chuck Mangold with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-822-6665 (o), 410-924-8832 (c) or mangold@bensonandmangold.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit the house’s website www.213southharrisonstreet.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Charles Goebel Architects, www.cpgoebel.com, 410-820-9176

House of the Week: Historic District Delight

April 28, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

Tree lined W. Chestnut Street is ideally situated between two of St. Michaels gems, The Village Shoppe, purveyor of fine foods, and the park at San Domingo Creek that is bisected by the Rails to Trails. This charming house with off-street parking from the rear alley is located on the quieter end of the street, just one house away from the park. The house’s great curb appeal is due to the break in the roofline that breaks down the massing, the light gray shake siding with white trim and shutters, darker gray roofing, red brick stoop and steps covered by a gable with an elliptical header and the accent bright blue front door. I admired the perfectly proportioned shutters, especially the single shutters on either side of two closely spaced windows. Window boxes beneath the ground floor windows are ready for the next gardener to add their favorite flowers. The landscaped area on both sides of the stoop and steps to the brick sidewalk that is bordered by a filigreed black edging is a graceful finishing touch.

When I passed through the gate in the white picket fence that encloses the side and rear yards, I envied the expanse of immaculate green lawn with nary a weed in sight. The meandering brick path that led to the rear screened porch, the rear terrace and the gate to the rear parking area passes by trees and plantings that create a verdant oasis.

I entered through the screened porch that is sized for seating and dining and would be the perfect spot to unwind at the end of the day with the breeze from the ceiling fan/light. The wood slat ceiling has a slight gambrel form that adds height to the space. Directly behind it is a sunroom/dining area and laundry/storage space. The galley kitchen beyond has views of the side yard from the double windows over the sink and the Oriental rug over the floor sets the elegant tone that is completed with white cabinets, my favorite granite countertop color/pattern and stainless steel appliances.

The two original parlors both have fireplaces and the one next to the kitchen also has the original stair to access one of the second floor bedroom suites. The second parlor is on the other side of the central main stair and its original fireplace, deep built-ins for books and family photographs and front and rear windows create a charming room for reading or visiting with family and friends. Opposite the main stair is a lovely powder room with a side window for daylight, white fixtures between the Oriental rug over the hardwood floor and a wood storage cabinet with a delightful trio of pitchers that have the same design but descending sizes for a fun design touch. Artwork of a St. Michaels scene completes the vista from the door.

The two bedroom suites have their own personality and appeal. One has a wall of closets and the other a beautiful armoire for storage. One has an exquisite French style bed with high headboard and footboard and the other has a painted wood frame. Both of the bedrooms have lovely bed linens, painted wood floors and generously sized baths.

This house and its property has been lovingly cared for and its historic characteristics, including the rear garden shed, have been carefully maintained. Great floor plan flow with views of San Domingo Creek on a quiet tree-lined street-an ideal house for historic architecture buffs!

For more information about this property, contact Debbie Meredith, Associate Broker with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0415 (o), 410-310-8922 (c) or debbie.meredith@gmail.com . For more photographs and pricing, visit https://bensonandmangold.com/agents/debbie-meredith/, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroup, Though the Lens Photos, 845-744-2758, janelleathruthelensphotos.com

House of the Week: Labor of Love

April 21, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The design of this charming house was a labor of love between the husband and wife. Working in sync, the husband’s focus was the floor plan layout and architectural style while the wife, a very talented artist, turned her creative eye to the interiors. The site is surrounded by mature trees and plantings for privacy and there are water views between the houses across the road. The center wing of the house has a deep front porch that spans the full length of the house and the arrangement of doors and windows is quite pleasing. The front French door is balanced by a dormer window above, the middle five-unit French sliding doors is balanced by a triple window dormer above and at the other end the main floor’s single window has a dormer window above. Two one-story wings step down on each side of the center wing for a very appealing composition.

The floor plan works very well with an offset center hall that has entry doors at the front and the rear. The front French door has full sidelights and a transom that opens into the two-story entrance hall. The rear door is accessed from a small porch and leads to the mud room and kitchen. To the left of the front entrance hall is a spacious living room with tall 6/9 windows at the front and side and a fireplace. I loved the taupe wall color that is the perfect backdrop for the collection of her art as well as that of her fellow artists.

A wide wall opening leads to the dining room with its tall windows covered by plantation shutters. A colorful Oriental rug anchors the beautiful wood dining table and chairs and above the side table is a collection of blue and white ceramics in a shallow plate rack that creates a colorful vista from the living room. Between the dining room and the mud room is a short hall for pantry with closets. I truly craved the kitchen with my favorite “L” shape and island arrangement with the island’s high counter for bar stools open to the family room. I especially liked the full height built-in breakfront at one end of the room with drawers below and glass fronted upper cabinets that displayed more beautiful ceramics. The white cabinets have period hardware and dark countertops that contrast with the wood floors. Clearly the kitchen that is open to the informal dining area and a seating area in front of another fireplace and bookcases is the hub of the house, with sliding French doors to access the front porch. Another French door leads to the screened porch that is sized for sitting and dining.

My favorite room is the cozy space next to the great room. How could one resist a daybed with comfortable pillows for stretching out with a good book selected from the bookcases between the tall window? The mocha walls, white built-ins and colorful accessories would make a great backdrop for a languid afternoon. The remainder of the ground floor contains two bedrooms and two baths, one of which has an exterior door to the deck and screened porch.

The master suite covers the entire second floor and at the top of the stair landing is a sitting area with a TV. Direct sunlight from two dormer windows and indirect light from the two-story entry’s window create an inviting space; however, I was immediately distracted by the five-story Edwardian style dollhouse in the corner of the room. During their stay in London for her husband’s business, the owner became interested in dollhouses. This was another labor of love-her husband built the shell and installed electricity. The wife spent three years accumulating the initial furnishings and accessories in keeping with the Edwardian era theme. I was most impressed when she told me she had painted the exterior brick façade, complete with its Flemish bond pattern-keep in mind dollhouses are built 1”=1-0’ and a brick is nominally 4” x 8”!

Off the sitting area is the master bedroom with a water view from the triple-unit windows under the shed dormer. The splendid master bathroom spans the full depth of the house next to the large dressing room. The center door to the master bedroom separates the room into two areas with windows at each end. On the opposite wall, a storage tower separates the two lavatory areas, one with a lower counter for a make-up area.

The large artist’s studio over the living and dining rooms has a triple north-facing window on the gable side and two other windows for daylight. This could easily become a playroom or separated into two offices.

I always love featuring homes of artists-they understand color and texture and have an innate talent for interior design. The artist owner’s selection of wall colors, rugs, furnishings and accessories, enhanced by her own art and works by fellow artists, has created a home with an air of timeless elegance. Brava!

For more information about this property, contact Joan Wetmore with Meredith Fine Properties at 410-822-6702 (o), 410-924-2432 (c) or JoanWetmore@msn.com. For more photographs and pricing visit www.meredithfineproperties.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroup, Though the Lens Photos, 845-744-2758, janelleathruthelensphotos.comItalian ceramics are available locally at Simpatico, Italy’s Finest, 106 Railroad Ave., St. Michaels, 410-745-0345.

House of the Week: “Shipshead”

April 14, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

I love learning about the origins of property names for houses I have featured because there is always an interesting story behind it. This property’s original name of “Sheep’s Head” was listed on the 1660 ’s land grant from Lord Baltimore. The unusual name was inspired by the geographic shape of the property that resembles a sheep’s head, with the sheep’s curved horns formed by a large sand bar. Over the years, “Sheep’s Head” evolved into “Shipshead”.

This peaceful five-plus acre site has a parklike setting dotted with tall trees including several towering Magnolias. The rear of the house has a waterside pool and a broad expanse of lawn that slopes gently down to the end of the lawn high above the riprap bank of the river. In the evening one could take an early evening stroll along the 1000 feet of shoreline to enjoy sunsets over the river.

The house is hidden by the winding approach gravel drive that turns into a loop at the house. The historic photograph of the house shows a classic five bay traditional style story and a half house with a center door detailed with pilasters and triangular pediment, lap siding, 6/6 windows with shutters on the first and second floors and dormer windows above. The original one story wing at the NW side was originally a screened porch but is now a delightful three-season room with windows on three sides for panoramic water views. The other one story wing was probably a suite for household staff. French doors at the rear of the ground floor lead to the terrace and the pool.

The spacious entrance hall has a side “U” shaped stair to access the upper two floors with a graceful detail of a curved handrail transition from the lower to the upper stair runs. Off the entrance hall is a small parlor at the front of the house and a larger parlor at the rear. Both parlors have doors to the sunroom that create a wonderful flow for entertaining. The larger parlor is at the corner of the house and the fireplace chimney at the interior creates a deep nook for a window at the side of the fireplace. The dining room has the same fireplace detail but instead of the parlor’s French doors there is a full height built-in millwork ready for serving pieces.

On the other side of the entrance hall is the kitchen open to a family room that spans the full depth of the house, the small staff suite and a glass enclosed potting room with an exterior door just waiting for the next gardener. The kitchen could easily be expanded into the family room and the former staff room could become a breakfast area to create an open plan kitchen-family-breakfast area.

At the top of the stairs at the second floor is an enlarged landing that makes a cozy sitting area for the bedrooms. Deep arched openings in the walls of the landing’s walls lead to the master suite and the other bedrooms. All of the bedrooms are very spacious in size. I especially liked the corner master bedroom with its fireplace and another deep arched opening leading to what was originally a nursery but would be a large walk-in closet/dressing room with a window for daylight. The third floor has high knee walls and dormer windows on the front and rear of the house and windows in the end gable walls fill the rooms with sunlight and offer myriad possibilities-studio, office, playroom, crafts room?

“Shipshead” was built in 1927 and the architects were Mottu and White of Baltimore for the original owners, T. Highlett Henry and Mary Wrightson Henry. The floor plan is timeless and works very well. The beautifully proportioned rooms, high ceilings, built-in millwork, paneling, French doors and hardwood floors are design elements to treasure and appreciate.

Ideally situated between Easton and St. Michaels, this property also has a separate three acre lot with approximately 300 feet of shoreline-truly a unique opportunity.

For more information about this property, contact Bob Shanahan with Shoreline Realty, Inc, at 410-822-7556 (o) 410-310-5745 (c) or bob@shorelinerealty.biz. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.shorelinerealty.biz , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Broad Creek Cabin

April 7, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

My childhood home’s street in East Tennessee followed the ridgeline of a high hill named Chestnut Ridge that overlooked my hometown in the valley below. At the end of the street was a large log cabin-style house whose black painted logs and white chinking fascinated me as most of the other houses were ranchers. When I saw this house, it reminded me of that log styled structure but this stunning site is completely different with its very private location on a narrow peninsula. The house is positioned parallel to the water on an east-west axis that takes maximum advantage of the water views in both directions. You can watch the sunrise from one side of the house then move to the other side as the sun sets!

The two-story house is zoned very well with a main wing with hyphens on either side that connect to the master suite wing on one end and to the kitchen and breakfast room wing on the other end. The deck off the latter wing leads to the free-standing screened gazebo next to the lap style pool at the water’s edge. The simple geometry of the elevations is enhanced by gable dormers at the second floor and other gables with triangular transoms over the front door that is aligned with the triangular bay with French doors on the other side. The gables for the second floor bedrooms have French doors on one side and four-unit windows on the other side for water views. The house blends into its surrounding landscape due to the color palette of deep russet colored logs fitted tightly together without chinking and green roofing shingles. The signature detailing of the stacked logs at the notched corners accentuates the corners.

The interior materials maintain the lodge look with oak or pine hardwood floors, knotty pine shiplap walls laid horizontally and exposed pine beams in the dining room for a variety of textures, all stained in a warm honey brown finish. The great room that spans one side of the main wing has seating grouped around the stone fireplace and TV above at one end and the pool table at the other end of the room. On either side of the French doors, two window units consisting of a large picture window side operable units provide water views.

One of the owners is Finnish so I wasn’t surprised to discover a sauna in the master suite. I was delighted to recognize the poster on the wall of the adjacent exercise area as “The Doors of Ireland” that I had chosen for my college dormitory room. The main floor master suite contains a spacious bedroom, master bath, exercise room next to the sauna and office. As tempting as this suite was, I preferred the second floor bedrooms tucked under the roof structure. The mix of shiplap siding surrounding the French door dormers with exposed roof joists and decking that extends to the point where the gable dormer meets the end wall finished in drywall is beautifully detailed.

Spectacular 6.2 acres of a private peninsula located near the confluence of Broad, Edge and San Domingo Creeks, deep water dock, narrow house site for maximum relationship of house to water, a lodge-styled house with all the modern conveniences, two-bedroom guest house, detached garage, screened gazebo for relaxation after a dip in the pool or an afternoon on the water-what a list for halcyon bliss!

For more information about this property, contact Tom Crouch with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-745-0720 (o), 410-310-8916 (c) or tcrouch@bensonandmangold.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit http://bensonandmangold.com/agents/tom-crouch/, “Equal Housing Opportunity”’

House of the Week: Southern Living Style in Cooke’s Hope

March 31, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

The front elevation of this one and a half story house looks like an advertisement for Southern Living Magazine with its Colonial style architecture, full front porch and muted colors of the brick foundation and lap siding. The massing is very appealing with the garage wing’s wide front gable, the main five-bay wing’s front gable roof dormer centered over the front door with the windows at each side and a smaller wing that telescopes down at the side. The house offers several opportunities to enjoy the outdoors with the front porch and decks overlooking the rear yard that ends at a road instead of an adjacent property. Part of the rear deck is covered by the attic roof overhang with a partial roof for shade.

The front door with its graceful elliptical fanlight opens onto an open plan entry, dining and living areas defined by dropped beams that mark the boundaries for architectural interest. The dining room’s two windows overlooking the porch bring filtered light into the space and the chandelier and the large rug anchor the Queen Anne style furnishings. The living room’s wide wall opening brings light into the hall and the fireplace flanked by built-in millwork with arched tops echoes the arched transoms above the tall windows overlooking the deck. An angled doorway at the corner of the living room gives a diagonal view of the family room with its rear bay-shaped wall of tall windows that wrap around to sliding doors with transoms to the deck. Opposite the family room is the kitchen whose base cabinets’ footprint echo the angles of the family room. The breakfast area was especially charming with a side bay window and sliding doors to another deck. Behind the kitchen is the mud room/laundry connected to the two-car garage.

The master bedroom suite and guest room suites are located next to the main living areas. The master bedroom’s rear wall is also bay-shaped and infilled with double window units for views of the rear landscape. Two guest rooms with a Jack and Jill arrangement complete the bedroom wing. Upstairs is another bedroom suite and the rest of the floor is open to the wall and roof framing. Endless possibilities for storage, studio, office, playroom…

I love Cooke’s Hope setting and the amenities of this development are outstanding. I always enjoy driving through the tree lined streets of this neighborhood when I am researching houses-the brick sidewalks, walking trails, waterside picnic pavilion and ponds that are sanctuaries for wildlife are a few of the outdoor amenities. This traditional style house on a quiet dead-end street has curb appeal, a great floor plan with easy flow among the entry, dining, living, family, kitchen and breakfast areas, a variety of outdoor spaces, one level living and expansion possibilities for the attic floor.

For more information about this property, contact Cornelia Heckenbach at Long and Foster Real Estate Inc., 410-745-0283 (v), 410-310-1229 (c) or info@corneliaheckenbach.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. For more photographs and pricing visit www.stmichaelsmdwaterfront.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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