This is the second opportunity for me to feature a project by Jones & Jones Properties. For the last four years, this talented brother and sister duo has specialized in the restoration of significant residential properties in Chestertown’s Historic District.  Together they develop a vision for a property; then Patrick as craftsman builder makes the vision a reality, assisted by Kathleen’s eye for design elements and finishes. Their first two ventures were the restoration/renovation of historic houses on Water and Cannon Streets and the latter was a previous House of the Week.

Today’s feature is their most ambitious project to date. As Owners and Builder, their restoration/renovation of “The Tilley House” was a labor of love for them. The house’s distinctive mansard roof identifies it as the “Second Empire” architectural style, with its steep lower roof pitch and low higher pitch. Popular from 1855-1885, the style’s name honors Napoleon III’s Second Empire. He retained Baron Haussman for a massive urban renewal project of Paris that created boulevards lined with apartment blocks with mansard roofs that are highly prized real estate today. 

This property’s prominent site at the corner of High and Water Streets offers vistas to the Chester River  from both the front and side porches and many rooms. This photo shows the original part of the house where the mansard roof ended;  later additions had lower gable roofs. I admired the articulated front elevation with the main floor porch and its metal hipped roof, angled bay wall projections at the corner of both floors and the mansard roof’s dormer containing a double unit window. No detail was too insignificant; even the bars of the vents in the brick foundation wall pay homage to the ones in the historic Custom House across the street!  

The bay wall projects into the front porch to expand the view of the Chester River  from the living room. The rest of the porch floor is deeper to easily accommodate chairs. On the day of my visit, it was easy to linger enjoying both the garden of the property cattycorner to this property and the view of the Chester River. High Street slopes down to the waterfront and combined with the height of the porch floor above the brick sidewalk, this porch becomes a private outdoor room.

I first saw this house before renovation work began and I was amazed to see how splendid the spaces have been transformed.  The beautiful original staircase that rises to the third floor was restored and is now a sculptural element against a background of white. Jones & Jones decided to give buyers the option of selecting one’s choice of finishes so they created a list of allowances for buyers to choose finishes that fit their budget. What was formerly a wall behind the stairs is now an arched doorway to the dining room that also extends the perspective from the front door. Another wide wall opening in the stair hall leads to the front parlor.

The solar orientation of the corner living room casts sunlight deep onto the room’s beautiful wood floors that flow throughout the house. The angled bay is a delightful nook in this spacious room and the gas fireplace’s mantel was crafted to be in keeping with the period of the house. Throughout the house, the original window and door trim with rosette corners have been carefully restored.

Behind the parlor is the kitchen-breakfast area and the kitchen layout was carefully thought out around the long existing windows. The window next to the cabinetry is centered on a space that was sized wide enough to accommodate a breakfast bar at the higher countertop. The sleek cabinetry design with a mix of light gray and deep slate blue island should please any cook and the countertop material is another allowance item to suit a buyer’s own taste. I especially liked the design of the cabinet pulls that echoes the R/F door pulls and how the mix of glass and solid fronts of the upper cabinets rise to the underside of the ceiling to maintain the spatial volume. The  kitchen’s location in the middle of the main floor’s open plan layout makes it the hub of the house. 

To support the wide wall opening between the kitchen and dining room, slender offset columns and a corner post define the dining area. The windows are very close to the adjacent neighbor’s house so a window treatment of plantation shutters would add both texture, daylight and privacy. The beadboard wainscot around the perimeter of the space adds texture and an opportunity to add either an accent paint color or wallpaper.

The doors at the corner of the family room lead to a full bath next to a closet facing the kitchen. The other door at the corner is another closet so this flexible space could be a family room with a sofa bed for guests who prefer a main floor bedroom. Throughout the house, the style of the new four-panel doors look like original period doors. 

The pair of French doors and full sidelights overlooks a deck and the yard that is a blank canvas for a gardener to plan their private dream garden. Fences on either side of the yard provide privacy and creates a safe play space for young children and the family pet. At the end of the yard is a garage that can accommodate a single vehicle. The garage’s loft storage is a bonus. 

Beyond the gorgeous staircase at the second floor landing is another wide wall opening framed by a graceful elliptical arch leading to the laundry room and to the primary ensuite at the rear of the house. 

The sumptuous primary bedroom has a gas fireplace opposite the bed wall and views of the Historic District from the two windows. The door next to the fireplace leads to the primary bath and walk-in closet.

The primary bath is compartmentalized with a walk-in closet at the rear corner opposite the dual lavatories. The door to the toilet compartment backs up to the shower-tub area under the window.

The tiled wainscot defines the location of the tub on axis with the window. I admired the dual recessed niches at the shower wall, the options of both a wall mounted and hand held shower heads and the herringbone pattern of the floor tile.

Lucky is the guest who gets to stay in the second-floor corner bedroom with a view of the roofs and treetops of the surrounding Historic District and the Chester River from the bay window and the single window!

Kathleen Jones has a flair for selection of finishes and I loved the leaf pattern and colors of the second floor bath’s shower wall. The size and color of the floor tile evokes the flooring found in Second Empire houses.  

I love mansard roofs for the full height spaces they provide. The front part of the third floor tucked under the mansard roof is finished with two guest bedrooms/offices with the clever detail of the perimeter HVAC built out to form a ledge. Truly a breathtaking bird’s eye view!

The site aerial shows this corner property’s prominence on two of Chestertown’s Historic District’s earliest streets with the neighboring properties of Widehall and the Custom House, the latter of which was one of the original British Royal Ports of Entry to the Americas. The Tilley House was completely renovated last year, including all systems, kitchen and bathrooms. Original period details including the majestic wood stair that rises up three floors, many doors and molding were carefully preserved. The original layout of rooms connected by doors were creatively modified with graceful arches or wide wall openings supported by columns that opened up vistas between the rooms. Sunlight now penetrates deeply onto the beautiful hardwood floors. Instead of a mix of rooms, the main floor is now an open plan living room, kitchen, dining and family room with easy flow among the rooms. 

The front porch for interacting with neighbors on their daily stroll or simply relaxing to enjoy the tranquil view of the Chester River and the rear fenced yard that awaits your own garden design are semi-private and private outdoor rooms.  Other bonuses include the partially finished basement’s ideal temperature for wine storage and the one-car garage for off street parking. 

You can truly make this exquisite property your own by selecting finishes from the Allowances List. This is a rare opportunity to become the next steward of this unique property that combines both 19th century charm with 21st century conveniences that has been meticulously restored and renovated by one of Kent County’s renowned craftsman builders, Patrick Jones. Jones & Jones have set the bar very high for the Historic District and I eagerly await their next project—Bravissimmo and Bravissimma to this talented duo!   

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For more information about this property, contact Murphy O’Neill at Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company, at 410-778-0330 (o),443-480-4275 (c), or  [email protected] .For more pictures and pricing, visit  www.easternshoreofmarylandrealestate.com “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by JM real estate photos [email protected]

Upcoming Open Houses Dates: 
Saturday, May 17th from 9:30-11:30 
Sunday, May 25th, 11:00-1:00

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.

Several of my friends have very fond memories of growing up in this neighborhood off Goldsborough with its long blocks, wide streets with parking on both sides of the streets and rear alleys. This house on a corner lot has been well maintained and it is now being offered for the first time in forty years. Its Dutch Colonial architectural style with its signature gambrel roof maximizes the sizes of the second floor rooms. The symmetry of the front door and windows, exterior color palette of the charcoal gray architectural roofing shingles, light yellow lap siding and white shutters in a mature landscape creates great curb appeal.

The massive deciduous trees provide shade in the heat of summer but now their bare branches frame the distinctive shape of the side elevation’s gambrel roof. A later addition with a low sloped roof and a wide bow window expanded the living space. The high wood fence surrounds the rear yard for total privacy.  

This view of the house shows the distinctive shape and shallow depth of the roof dormers in the steep pitch of the lower portion of the gambrel roof. The low slope roofed addition of a family room and the pitched roof addition of a sunroom overlook the pool area. From the sunroom, sliding doors open onto a  wrap-around deck. 

The large deck has a picnic table and grille awaiting al-fresco dinners by the pool. Two one-car garages at each corner of the property are accessed from the alley.

Between the two garages is a small shed for lawn and garden maintenance. The large pool will soon provide hours of fun in the sun!

The front door opens into the living room with its serene palette of neutrals accented by the Oriental rug, footstool, pillows and the red splash of the throw over the sofa. The pale color of the window treatments and the valances placed directly below the ceiling blend into the wall so the room feels larger than it is. Tall windows provide ample sunlight. 

The rooms flow easily from one to another since they are connected by doors instead of a hall. This room next to the living room was originally the dining room with the stairs at the rear wall leading to the second floor. Sunlight from the front window is projected deep into the room.

Another door leads to the kitchen at the other corner of the house and the layout is divided into two work areas. This area contains the sink, cooktop and island with a butcher block countertop. The row of cabinetry behind the island contains the R/F that creates a compact work triangle. The white cabinetry with upper cabinets rising to the ceiling blend into the white walls and maintain the spatial volume.

The vista from the former dining room’s door is to the charming breakfast table and pair of Windsor chairs that separates the two areas of the kitchen. The wall behind the table contains the wall ovens. Recessing open shelving into the wall was a clever way to provide extra storage.

The second length of cabinetry also contains a second sink for extra prep space or space for crafts. The easy care vinyl flooring is also easy on the feet!

Between the kitchen and the rear sunroom is a full bath opposite the short hall to the family room. Plantation shutters provide both sunlight and privacy. The white background and the green chamfered corners of the floor pattern are reversed in the green background and white diagonal strips of the wallpaper

The long family room is accessed from both the living room and the hall from the kitchen to the sunroom. The sunlight from the wide bow window and rear window TV area balances the cozy feel of the seating around the fireplace.

Since the sunroom is a one-story space, opening up the ceiling to the underside of the roof’s framing gives it architectural character and the pairs of wide sliding doors around the perimeter give the space total transparency for easy indoor/outdoor flow. The white wicker furnishings with colorful cushions create areas for seating and dining. The track lighting can be adjusted for ambient lighting as needed.

The stairs to the second floor rise against the rear wall to a hall connecting the two corner bedrooms and the third bedroom in between. The front wall high knee wall at the spring line for the  gambrel roof adds charming interior architectural character and a comfortable sense of enclosure. I  admired the color palette of this lovely bedroom with the gold bedspread and plaid bed skirt and the design of roses on the pillows and window treatments. Three windows provide ample sunlight and the wood furnishings of the pencil post bed and other pieces add warmth.

The width of both the stairs and the hall creates space for the bathroom at the end of the hall. The white fixtures stand out against the butter yellow walls and the foot of the tub is set against the high knee wall so the shower head is against the high wall. 

The other corner bedroom mirrors the other corner bedroom’s interior architecture of the high knee walls, dormer window in the front gambrel roof and a side window for ample daylight. Blue and gold are complementary colors and here the color scheme creates a serene space for any guest.

Great in-town corner lot location close to the Rails to Trails and the amenities of Easton’s Historic District. Lovingly maintained by its Owner for forty years, it awaits another Owner’s individuality. Charming Dutch Colonial architecture, main floor with a living room, family room and sunroom for relaxing with family and friends. Both the living room and the family room have fireplaces and the sunroom is aptly named for its exterior walls are infilled with wide sliding doors for easy flow to the deck and in-ground pool and hot tub area. The two separate garages off the alley are a unique plus as well as the large pool and deck with outdoor lighting. For the gardener, there is small shed  to maintain the lovely gardens. Great family home!

For more information about this property, contact Mary Haddaway with Benson and Mangold at 410-745-0415 (o), 410-924-8574 (c), or 

[email protected]. For more photographs and pricing visit  www.bensonandmangold.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Greta Clopper

 

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.

When I began my search for this week’s feature, I looked no further than this Craftsman Bungalow, since I am besotted with bungalows in general and this one in particular! I coveted it when it was on the market before and I enjoyed my tour to reacquaint me with its many charms. This bungalow has the classic design elements of its style: one-and-a-half stories, compact building footprint, gabled roof with overhanging eaves, shed dormers at the front and back, large windows, connecting rooms instead of hallways and natural materials.

The textures of the red brick chimney, the smooth creamy yellow bands that separates the lap siding from the scallop pattern under the eaves and the beams for the porch’s openings, along with the sage green of the façade creates an irresistible curb appeal!

My fave feature of this Craftsman Bungalow is the large, covered front porch with its tapered columns resting on a solid railing. I especially admired the mix of materials and textures used for the house and porch’s  foundation. At the porch, alternating layers of rusticated concrete masonry units to simulate stone, running bond brick, brick laid to create square openings for ventilation at the porch’s railing, and a topping of concrete like icing on a slice of torte wrap around the porch. Finials mark the beginning of the solid railing at the sides of the steps. 

The rear elevation’s deck and steps with a shed roof supported by brackets has the potential to be infilled with walls to become a mud room/laundry. The shed also has potential as an office, studio or a potting shed. The majestic crape myrtle will add color in the summer.

The terrace formed by random stones has grass instead of mortar between the stones and its irregular shape blends into the deep rear yard. Behind the shed are garden beds and at the end of the property is the original garage that would be just right for my Ford Focus!

The porch was originally open but when the porch was screened, solid wood paneling covered the ventilation spaces in the railing’s brickwork at the interior of the porch. The solid railing offers seated privacy and the wood slat ceiling is painted in the traditional pale blue color. This color selection is rooted in the Gullah people’s belief that spirits would not cross over water and painting ceilings blue to resemble water would ward off evil spirits. 

The front porch’s NW orientation provides cooling breezes during the warm months. The entry door is centered in the porch to define spaces for sitting or dining and the Craftsman style light fixture is the perfect touch. I would spend Sunday afternoons on the porch swing reading a book with my cat in my lap!

The front door opens into a foyer and the stairs. The typical Craftsman detail of separating rooms with columns and bases with hinged doors for storage always provided great vistas between adjacent rooms. I imagine at one time the woodwork and stair balustrade were stained wood but the white color does lighten the space. The white risers accentuate the stained wood of the stair treads and the beautiful wood floors flow through the main rooms.

The spacious living room spans two-thirds of the house’s depth and the long windows cast sunlight deep into the room.  The craftsman style window trim is accentuated by rosette corners that project slightly past the top and side of each window for emphasis. 

The green color of the exterior palette becomes lighter green walls in the spacious living room. The side wall’s fireplace between two long windows is simply detailed with deeper green brick and a wood mantel. At the rear wall, a wide wall opening infilled with a pair of French doors leads to the den.

The den at the corner of the house has high wood wainscoting and an exterior door to the covered deck overlooking the rear yard. The short hall past the adjacent full bathroom leads to the kitchen at the other corner of the house.

I admired the bathroom’s black and white color scheme with the checkerboard tile floor and white tiled walls with accents of black. The full bath’s soaking tub could be removed for use in a second floor primary bath. The pedestal lavatory is opposite the lavatory but it could easily be relocated next to the toilet to create more floor space. 

Removing the wall between the kitchen and the dining room created an open plan with windows on the three exterior walls. The current Owners updated the kitchen with craftsman style wood cabinets, granite countertops, tile backsplash, farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances.  The high counter facing the dining room creates a spot for a breakfast bar. The double-unit windows over the sink and the single window at the rear wall add to the ample sunlight from the dining room’s windows. 

The spacious dining room could easily accommodate family dinners or larger celebrations and the period pendant fixture is the perfect touch. I surmised that instead of a single door opening in the wall to the foyer was not original.  That portion of the wall probably matched the Craftsman style opening to the living room. Since the framing probably is hidden in the wall, opening up the foyer wall would create great vistas and easier flow between the rooms. 

The stairs to the second floor lead to a hall with a window for daylight. The side by side washer and dryer are located in the corner but with a little creative space planning, the appliances could be relocated to a closet. The door opposite the stairs opens into the centrally located full bath.

The full bath is tucked under the shed dormer with triple windows for sunlight and privacy. The wood wainscot highlights the white fixtures and lavatory cabinet. Opposite the windows is the tub/shower.

Although this room is not labeled as the primary bedroom, this bedroom in the center of the floor plan would be my choice for its charming interior architecture from the wide shed dormer infilled with triple windows. Since the windows face north, soft daylight with no glare would be a plus.

At each side gable walls are the other two bedrooms with storage rooms at the front and back of the house. Since two closets would not be necessary, making one of the front rooms a bath for the shed dormer bedroom would be my choice for to create a primary ensuite.

At the other gable end of the house is the third bedroom that spans the full depth of the living room below. This bedroom could easily be shared, or could also be a bedroom with a play space for a child. I imagine the square window with its sill at floor level would be claimed by the family pet for his/her sleeping space!Charming Craftsman Bungalow on a desirable and deep corner lot location, only four blocks from the center of St. Michaels’ shops and restaurants along Talbot St. After crossing Talbot St., Railroad Ave. becomes Cherry St., which ends at the pedestrian bridge to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and the harbor restaurants are nearby. At the other end of this street is a park and the entrance to the Rails to Trails. The bungalow’s compact floor plan with minimal halls maximizes the room sizes and creates easy flow among the rooms with abundant sunlight from the long windows. Original Craftsman details, especially the millwork between the foyer and the living room, stair balustrade, moldings and beautiful hardwood floors set the scene for gracious in-town living. The screened porch that spans the full length of the house and the rear stone terrace overlooking the yard are great outdoor rooms for relaxing with family and friends. I am so grateful for having the chance once again to become captivated by this charming bungalow! 

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TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-745-2596 (o), 410- 310-0225 (c), or [email protected] . For more pictures and pricing, visit monicapenwell.sothebysrealty.com “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Eve Fishell, Chesapeake Pro Photo LLC, 443-786-8025, www.chesapeakeprophoto.com, [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.

Two years ago I wrote a special feature about the Sears Roebuck pre-fabricated houses that I illustrated with images of houses I discovered on the Eastern Shore.  From 1908 to 1940, Sears Roebuck offered a complete package of house plans and materials that were shipped throughout the US. There were five series of 447 house designs in architectural styles that included the most popular, the American Four-Square. Today’s feature, “The Dover” cottage design, was built throughout the US, including the brick version in my home town of Kingsport, TN.  

The cottage style design elements of compact floor plan, distinctive one-story steep roofed entry with one long curved side against the story and a half massing, jerkinhead roof pitch at the sides, window boxes and tapered brick chimney give this cottage great curb appeal. 

 

The cottage’s very desirable corner lot and the house’s classic color palette of white siding and green shutters stands out against its background of mature trees for shade. The front brick stoop’s steps lead down to each side of the lawn.  

 

The deep lot is bordered on the side street by a white picket fence that connects the house to the outbuilding at the rear. The Owner added a one-story addition to the original house and added a screened porch to the existing outbuilding. 

 

Connecting the house and addition to the outbuilding and screened porch is a brick terrace with an irregular edge that blends into the planting beds. From the side street, I passed under a white arbor festooned with vines. The majestic tree will provide ample shade during the warm weather months for al-fresco dining. The house’s exterior door leads to the corner sunroom and to the kitchen.

 

The graceful arched wall opening defines the foyer with its coat closet, wood wainscot and the cottage style door of vertical wood planks. The living room’s light colored walls accentuate the beautiful wood floors and the front single window and side double unit window provide ample sunlight. I admired the chimney’s deep mantel and simple detail of soldier bricks (tall side exposed) and header bricks (short side exposed) that breaks up the brick running bond pattern. Above the mantel, the vertical boards add extra texture.

 

The original “Dover” model had a bedroom behind the living room but the Owner opened up the rear wall to create an open plan living-family room. The side wall pairs of windows provide extra sunlight for both areas. I admired the earth tones and subtle patterns of the living room’s upholstered furnishings.

 

The corner windows of the living room creates a sunny space for relaxing. The combination of plantation shutters that cover the lower part of the windows and the translucent pleated shades above are a great solution for both sunlight above and seated privacy below. The exposed radiator could be encased with a lightweight metal cover and cushions for extra seating.  The  wide wall opening with a gentle elliptical arch leads to the dining room and the dropped beam separates the family room from the living room.

 

Converting the former bedroom into a family room created a cozy sitting area for watching TV. I could easily imagine stretching out on the sofa’s ottoman with my cat stretching out over the radiator! The beautiful wood antique pieces add warm accents to the room. 

 

The wide wall opening continues the open plan into the dining room and the room’s corner location with windows on each wall offers panoramic views of St. Michaels. The room’s spacious size can accommodate family dinners or larger celebrations.  The corner cabinet contains shelving and a glass upper door to highlight china and  glassware and the grandfather clock is also angled against the opposite corner. The window treatments continue the look of the living-family room.

 

Two open corner doorways connects the kitchen to both the dining room and to a short hall past the stairs to the family room for a continuous flow throughout the main rooms.  I love checkered patterns and the soft hues of this blue and white floor expand the space.  The original “Dover” kitchen’s layout had free-standing appliances and work areas but this kitchen’s layout saves steps for the cook. I once had an antique oak dresser like the stylish one next to the fridge that I converted to a bathroom lavatory. This piece could be a great bar for parties since it is close to both the dining and family rooms.

 

The kitchen’s mix of craftsman and solid panel cabinetry adds style. The upper cabinets extend to the ceiling and are a mix of solid and glass doors. The double window over the sink and the wide window at the rear wall overlooking the terrace keeps the space sunny and bright. 

 

The kitchen corner blends the addition into a short hall for access to the stairs to the basement, and to the addition’s primary suite and the sunroom. The hall also does dual duty as a mini mudroom. The exterior door leads to steps down to the brick terrace for ease of serving meals from the kitchen. 

 

The hall blends into the corner cozy sunroom overlooking the brick terrace. Its location away from the living and family rooms and the soft hues of the walls and furnishings makes it a quiet haven for rest and relaxation. The soft pleated shades filter the sunlight and provide seated privacy.

 

The primary bedroom is located in the corner of the addition away from the streets for peace and quiet. The light blue and cream interior design creates a setting for a restful sleep and the height of the up/down translucent shades can be adjusted as desired. 

 

The light blue and cream design of the primary bedroom extends into the primary bath. The front glass wall of the shower extends the space visually and I admired how the smaller tiles of the shower floor contrasts with the larger tiles of the floor and shower surround. The vintage style porcelain enamel pedestal lavatory pays homage to the original fixtures of “The Dover”.

 

The “U” shaped stairs to the second floor are sunlit from the side window and the stairs end at a closet between two mirror image bedrooms. Moving one side of the closet wall to align with the side wall of the stairs should create enough space to add a bathroom for this floor.

 

Each bedroom has a double unit window in the side gable walls of the house for sunlight and doors to access the closet storage under the eaves of the roof. 

Desirable corner lot in St. Michaels on the edge of the residential area with close proximity to Town amenities without having to drive through the commercial district; charming English cottage style with many architectural details that give it great curb appeal. Entry vestibule, main floor primary suite, second-floor guest bedrooms, open plan living-family-dining area with graceful arched openings that define the spaces, corner sunroom, partial basement, outdoor rooms of the brick terrace that wraps around the house to the screened porch attached to the single car garage, landscaping with majestic trees for shade; all this in St. Michaels! 

 

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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]

Are you wondering if your house is a Sears House? Several clues might remain, such as stamped lumber exposed in your basement or attic. Framing members were stamped with a number and a letter to expedite the carpenters’ work. Other clues would be a shipping label, found on the back of moldings around doors and windows. In the 1930’s, hardware fixtures often had a small circle around the letters “SR” that would have been cast into the lower corner of a bathtub or the underside of kitchen sinks or bath lavatories.  

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.

As I was searching for this week’s feature, I had just finished watching Season Five of “The Parisian Agency” so France was on my mind and this house spoke to me. The Second Empire style became popular in France during the reign of Napoleon III, France’s “Second Empire”. Its origin was actually in the 17th century designs created by the French architect Francois Mansart, for whom the distinctive roof style is named. The mansard roof with dormers, flared, shallow eaves and the bay window are the most recognized Second Empire design elements that made this style the dominant one in America between 1860 and 1880. 

Some Second Empire houses also had full front porches, but this house’s front porch has been modified and infilled with windows. The  mansard roof with its very low upper pitch and steep lower pitch is both stylish and functional since the steep lower pitch enables the entire third floor level to be fully usable.

Slate was the common roofing material for the steep lower slope of a mansard roof but this house’s horizontal cladding in a contrasting color to the siding accentuates the roof’s form well. I admired the two-story bay wall projection that was probably a later addition and how the upper portion flares out to create a box bay with decorative fretwork. 

The rear addition contains the kitchen and the laundry on the main floor and two bathrooms on the second floor. This clever solution both upgraded the house and also consolidated the plumbing layout for cost savings. I was sorry that my visit was too early to see the majestic Magnolia in bloom! 

The original front porch now has a new life as a four seasons room with easy care brick flooring and the mix of furnishings creates a cozy space for relaxation.

When I opened the front door, the magnificent curved stair reminded me of historic houses in Charleston or Savannah. I especially admired the detailing of the two curved lowest treads, how all the stained wood treads stand out against the white risers and the contrast of the dark and sinuous cap rail. I especially liked how the sunlight from the side window cast its shadow onto the wall and the jamb of the front parlor’s doorway and the window on the second floor cast another shadow that caught the curvature of the cap rail. 

The front entry’s original door, transom and half paneled/half glass sidelights with layers of molding and trim introduces the extensive trimwork found throughout the house. Even though my tour was on an overcast day, the entry had ample daylight from the large window at the side wall and the door surround. The period pendant light fixture was the perfect touch.

Before exploring the house, I walked around the stairs to fully appreciate the curvature of the stair’s molding and the interlocking decorative trim underneath the treads. I especially admired the dual curvature of the stair trim below and the cap rail above.

From the stair hall, a doorway leads to the front parlor with its focal point of the stunning stained oak mantel infilled with a mirror and iron firebox cover. Three windows wrap around the corner of the room and a wide wall opening connects the parlor with the adjacent family room and dining room to create an open plan. The family room and dining room are separated by  a partial wall of storage with a center opening framed by partial height columns and pilasters at each corner. The nine and half foot ceilings make the main floor rooms look larger than they are.

The family room’s focal point is the wide bay wall projection infilled with windows for panoramic views of Trappe’s Historic District. The space is furnished with a tabletop chess board and two chairs but its solar orientation would also make it a charming spot for breakfast. The wall opposite the sofa and coffee table can easily accommodate a wall mounted TV. The beautiful white moldings and cornices tie the room together to complement the wall color. The window and door openings are trimmed in fluted trim with rosette corners throughout the house.

Standing between the columns in the partial height wall, I savored how the family room’s bay wall projection is on axis with the identical bay wall projection in the dining room. The beautiful wood antiques add warmth to the space and the round dining table is the perfect choice to complement the angled wall. The deep open shelves on the side wall can easily accommodate platters or serving pieces.  The console table is tucked into the recessed wall space with accent lamp lighting  and the mirror above becomes another window. 

Passing through a doorway in the family room, I discovered the powder room, kitchen and laundry areas located in the addition to the house. The window next to the sink overlooks the rear yard so the cook can watch children at play and the side exterior door leads to a porch at the side street for ease of unloading groceries from one’s car. The kitchen’s stylish upgrades of stainless steel appliances, white cabinets and black granite countertop and full backsplash that surround the center island appealed to this cook.  The breakfast table and chairs  are next to another stair to the second floor.

The laundry/mud room has an exterior door that leads to a small deck overlooking the rear yard. If one needed counter space, the dryer could replace the sink and a shallow shelf or table could be placed under the high window.

Instead of using the kitchen’s single flight of stairs to the second floor, I returned to the entry hall’s original staircase so I could again admire its geometry of curves and angles.  Another full flight of stairs leads to the third floor.

The second floor of the original part of the house contains a center hall between two back to back large bedrooms and a smaller bedroom across the hall. Both of the large bedrooms have windows on two exterior walls for ample daylight. The nine foot ceilings create very pleasing spatial volumes.

The space on either side of the parlor’s chimney contains closets for each large bedroom and this bedroom at the rear of the house also has a window on each exterior wall for ample daylight.

It is easy to be charmed by diminutive spaces and the small bedroom has a big asset in its box bay infilled with windows for panoramic views of Trappe’s Historic District.  At the left side of the box bay is a recessed area that could accommodate a crib for a nursery or a desk for an office.

The second floor’s two baths are side by side and this large one with its wood wainscot, lavatory cabinet and lower cabinets for storage is a great family bathroom so the smaller bath could be a dedicated primary bath.

The view from the third-floor stair landing highlights the continuous railing that unwinds itself down to the first floor.  The third floor has not been renovated and is a blank canvas awaiting one’s imaginative use-playroom, teen hangout, studio long-term storage…? The views through the windows of the rooftops and treetops is truly a bird’s eye view!

Even though the Lakeside development offers new homes, I much prefer Trappe’s Historic District gems like this Second Empire-style three-story house that offers both historic charm and a newly renovated condition. Its location equidistant to both Oxford and Easton in a quiet town has great appeal. High ceilings, extensive moldings, beautiful wood floors and the stunning staircase with its continuous handrail that rises to the third floor, open plan parlor-family room-dining room and newly renovated kitchen offers a great layout for family living. The deep corner lot also has a detached storage building and the house’s furnishings may be purchased separately from the real estate!

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

“Where Land and Water Intertwine, An Architectural History of Talbot County, Maryland”, by Christopher Weeks, with Contributions by Michael O. Bourne, John Frazier, Jr., Marsha L. Fritz and Geoffrey Henry.

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.