Duvall Farm comprises 30 recorded parcels that total 524.9 acres, 151 of which are protected by the Maryland CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). This state and federally funded program enables landowners to improve their property by controlling soil erosion, establishing and enhancing a wildlife habitat and improving water quality by taking agricultural land out of production for ten to fifteen years. Conservation practices include forested riparian buffers adjacent to streams and restoration of wetlands. Having had the privilege of touring this very special place, I am very grateful for the CREP.

On the day of my visit, I left the Oxford corridor and drove along a one-way gravel driveway through woods of evergreen and deciduous trees and I began to relax in the peaceful silence. After glimpsing a pond through the trees, I arrived at a clearing and discovered a trio of structures, the Main Lodge, Guest Cabin and Wood Shed. 

Being a native Tennessean and an architect who has worked on several historic log structures, I was totally captivated by these buildings.  The Main Lodge is sited at a point of the pond in front of the Guest Cabin that is hidden in the trees. I admired the simple massing of the Main Lodge with its story and a half gable form, enveloped on two sides by a screened porch. Steps on one side of the porch lead to the lawn and a ramp on the other side begins the path from the Main Lodge to the pier.

As I walked around the Lodge, I especially liked how the natural wood rough- hewn siding, window and door trim have been allowed to weather since its completion in 2006.  Now its patina blends into the bark of the sheltering trees and the texture of both the siding and the metal roof creates a very pleasing composition of simple rustic shapes.

The rear elevation of the Main Lodge with the wrap-around porch reaches out to the pond with its wide “grandstand” steps that are perfect for watching children or grandchildren at play. I especially appreciated how the architect sized the bays of the screened panels with a low horizontal railing to maximize the view of the landscape and the pond. Multiple screen doors create an easy indoor-outdoor flow. 

Looking back from the pier, I appreciated how the Main Lodge is sited perpendicular to the Guest Cabin and the Woodshed is sited further back from both structures to create a harmonious grouping. 

Before my tour of the Main Lodge’s interior rooms, I could not resist exploring the exquisite wrap-around porch with one side containing seating areas that offer serene views of the pond. I especially admired the exposed structural members of hand hewn tree trunks that have new lives as porch columns and the round branches have become roof rafters and collar beams.

The other side of the wrap-around porch is furnished as a dining space and I admired the wide plank flooring, the wood chairs, the bench and the colorful accent of the cushions. Behind the table and chairs I discovered two twig rockers sized for wee ones that were a delightful surprise. 

I began my tour of the Main Lodge through the custom wood door that opened into this spacious hall between the kitchen on the right.  Opposite the kitchen is a laundry and full bath. The beauty of the wood surfaces, from the wide plank flooring, walls of horizontal planking, custom doors with incised rails to the narrow ceiling planks create a warm welcome. The vista ends at  the focal point of the house, the brick chimney between the foyer hall and the great room.  The chimney was carefully detailed with grapevine joints around the perimeter and a different colored brick creates a “frame “ for the wild boar taxidermy against its background of smooth joints.  Beautiful Oriental rugs add color and pattern as accents to the wood surfaces. 

I loved the kitchen’s interior design with the beautiful historic warm red Shaker style cabinetry,  granite countertops,  oversize custom door and the fabric window treatments. The beadboard backsplash, ceiling and walls continue the rustic chic look and the white of the ceiling reflects the light from the pendant lighting fixtures. Another Oriental rug is the finishing touch. Opposite the kitchen sink wall is bespoke millwork framing an opening  to the great room.

The full bath’s beadboard walls and ceiling continue the interior design scheme and I admired the juxtaposition of the lavatory cabinet with the antique washstand and the antique towel rack. I love rag rugs and this oval one is scaled perfectly for the size of the space. The window treatments of wood slat window blinds and fabric valances provide both decoration and privacy if needed. 

One former client of mine wanted a story and a half great room that would make guests say “wow” when they entered the room. I silently said “WOW” when I came around the chimney to see this dramatic room’s interior architecture. Walls of wood logs and elastomeric chinking, the exposed wood decking, roof rafters and the majestic hand hewn trusses with acorn finials below the vertical members of the trusses create a stunning space.  The finial design choice was spot-on; acorns from oak trees symbolize strength and longevity and live oaks are one of the heaviest American woods- their grain creates strength for supporting weight and pressure. I admired the harmonious blend of rustic interior architecture with the upholstered furnishings, Oriental rugs and fabric window treatments that add color. Several “wagon wheel” pendant light fixtures float in the room to provide ambient light.

Off the great room is a large mud room with an exterior door. The easy care brick flooring in a herringbone pattern with a boarder of the same brick is a textured background for the Oriental rug. The mix of cabinetry with the sink unit matching the kitchen’s cabinets next to an antique hutch provide ample storage. 

The great room’s fireplace is detailed with reddish brick framing both the firebox and the chimney’s recess infilled with a wood bas-relief celebrating several species of birds both at rest and in flight. From the great room and mud room, the “L” shaped wood stair with simple detailing leads to the loft area. At the stair landing, a fox taxidermy stands guard. 

I paused on the stair landing to savor the multiple textures and colors of the materials from the log/chinking wall, exposed roof framing, simple handrail, brick chimney and the rows of the massive roof trusses-what a celebration of natural materials of wood and brick! 

The stair leads to a large bedroom and half bath, tucked under the gable roof. I admired the brass bed’s blue and white bed linen and how the fabric canopy gently hangs behind and over the headboard. The door next to the bed leads to a long closet that has a small window for daylight. On the opposite wall of the bedroom is a small window overlooking the great room below, with a raccoon taxidermy resting on the window sill. The bedroom’s rugs and furnishings create a soothing haven for restful sleep. 

Next to the sleigh styled chaise is a half bath with a toile hinged screen for privacy. I admired how the HVAC vent was custom made to fit seamlessly into the wood flooring.

Having explored the Main Lodge, I walked across to the charming Guest Cabin with a breezeway centered between two rooms.( It reminded me of my childhood Lincoln Log set that probably planted a seed of my future calling!) One room is a cozy bedroom with a half bath and the other is a storage room. Nearby is an outdoor shower and wash station.

The porch that spans the full length of the space becomes an outdoor sitting room for watching wildlife or simply enjoying the view of the pond. I noted the detailing of the short eaves and the brick piers resting on gravel that is also the drainage area for rainfall.

If I were lucky enough to be a guest, I would happily stretch out on one of the Adirondack Chaise Lounges for an afternoon of napping/reading. I admired the hand hewn marks on the roof beam and the supports and how the one support that is slightly bowed is still strong.

My compliments to the photographer for this “magazine cover” shot through the Guest Cabin to the entry porch of the Main Lodge that begins the entry sequence from the parking area. The breezeway is a great spot to catch cross breezes to cool off on hot days.

Even the woodshed is as carefully detailed as the Main Lodge and the Guest Cabin. Behind the porch area is a room with an enormous emergency generator.

To end my tour, I strolled along the shoreline of the pond where a flock of ducks were enjoying their daily exercise as a heron took flight from the edge of the berm that is a dam for this pond. Sitting on the wood bench and listening to the gentle background sound of the fountain was a soothing respite from my workday.

Closer to the parking area is this grouping of Adirondack chairs surrounding the firepit.  With our fall weather, I imagine this is a popular spot for relaxing and watching the parade of wildlife that call this very special place home.

In the nine years I have been writing to celebrate the best of our area’s architecture and design, this is the first time, as a native Tennessean, that a property spoke so clearly to me. Since my past project experience includes restoration of historic log structures, it was a very special pleasure to see how well this Dream Team of Owner-Architect-Contractor created a grouping of buildings that belies its nineteen years old construction.

Simple geometric forms seamlessly blend into the color palette of the surroundings woods, combining log construction with modern comfort. Outdoor rooms of the Main Lodge’s exquisite wrap-around porch and the Guest Cabin’s front porch that blends into the breezeway offer views of the pond and the abundant wildlife that also appreciate this peaceful haven. The mantra of this special place must be “host, gather and reconnect with each other and nature”-Bravissimo!!

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For information about this property contact Coard Benson, Associate Broker with Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410-770-9255 (o), 410-310-4909 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit https://www.coardbenson.com/duvall

 

Photography by Jim McKee, BroadView Interactive LLC. 703-593-4392,  [email protected]

Architecture by Johnson and Berman, Baltimore, MD. 410-752-2030 

Contraction by: Ilex, www.ilexconstruction.com, 410-519-1900

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.

This aerial shot illustrates how the house’s octagonal shaped entry gable pays homage to the architectural element of the distinctive “wharf” houses of Tilghman Island that have an eye-catching “W” shape. This house’s octagonal shaped entry is set against the house’s rectangular shape with a full front porch.  The house is sited on a deep 0.42 acre lot and is nestled in a clearing surrounded by mature trees and professionally landscaped grounds.  The dead-end street provides privacy and views of Dogwood Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay. 

The property has great curb appeal beginning with the white fence along the road  that frames the view of the lush landscaping and mature gardens. As I walked up the paved path to the house, I admired the crape myrtle, a magnificent magnolia and fig trees in the front garden. The partial view of the house is both private and welcoming.

The focal point of the charming front elevation is the prominent two-story bay shaped gable with its arched top attic window and the slanted header trim of the windows. The light yellow lap siding and white trim stands out against the green enclosure of tall trees. The full screened porch beckoned me within but the vine covered arbor at the side yard encouraged me to continue my exploration of the grounds. 

The arbor introduces the path along the side elevation that ends at a pea gravel terrace next to this delightful deck, shaded from the midday sun by giant trees. Sliding doors from the sloped roofed living room provide for easy indoor-outdoor flow between the living room and the deck.

As I strolled along the meandering gravel path between the grassed areas, I  passed two outbuildings painted in a deeper yellow hue than the house’s yellow color. The blue trim is the perfect choice as blue and yellow are complimentary and the red accent of the umbrella at the deck dining area is another accent.

 

One outbuilding is completely finished and I admired the gambrel shaped ceiling and the white wainscot with its top aligned with the top of the mantel’s trim. The light gray walls above the wainscot balances the white of the flooring, wainscot and ceiling and the French door and window offer views of the landscape. The contemporary wood wing chairs were a delightful surprise and harbingers of what the house’s interiors might be. 

This space would be an elegant setting for a home office-I could easily imagine writing my Spy House of the Week column here, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.  

The other outbuilding is a blank canvas for the next owner. Myriad options could include a potting barn, workshop, playroom, yoga studio, etc. The sloped ceiling due to the different heights of the side walls creates terrific spatial volume.

Having explored the professionally landscaped grounds, I went back to the front door to begin my tour of the interiors. The screened porch’s bay projection that encroaches onto the porch creates a short passageway to access cozy sitting areas at each corner of the screened porch. I loved the blue accents of both the floor and the ceiling and how the wood flooring is perpendicular to the exterior wall of the house and the ceiling’s slats are parallel. The colorful parrot is a great accent.

I love porch swings and this one suspended above the floor also makes cleaning easy. Both the diagonal latticed wall and the matchstick blinds offer partial or total privacy from the neighbor’s house.  As the Weekend Wine Woman at Piazza Italian Market, I noticed the arrangement of wine glasses in the accent pillow’s design on the swing’s cushion.

The Listing Agent greeted me at the foyer and I realized the octagonal shape of the foyer is broken by the hall, stair and the door to the kitchen. I was delighted to see the interior design’s stylish blend of old and new; the flooring is a mix of original and new and the recessed down lights provide ambient lighting. The diagonal wall opening of the bay projection leading to the dining room, the clear vista from the foyer to the rear wall and the original stair competed for my attention but I chose to explore the dining room first.

Across the stair hall from the dining room is the original paneled exterior door with both inlaid glass and stained glass. I liked how the side stringers for the stair drop down below the ceiling to frame the nook under the stairs that contains the stack W/D. The spacious dining room with the period chandelier, ceiling rosette above the contemporary wood trestle table and the mix of chairs creates an elegant setting for memorable meals.

At some point, the rear shed addition was renovated to become a living room and the wall between the dining and living room was opened wide with a center column for support. The long vista from dining room- living room-deck-landscaping ends at the towering bamboo “fence” at the rear of the property.

I loved the interior design of the living room that spans the full length of the addition. The stylish composition of the modern furnishings grouped on the large muted rug, around the square steel/glass topped coffee table and the rich deep blue of the sofa flanked by tall reading lamps could be a magazine cover!

At the opposite corner of the living room is a more intimate seating  area with deep wood framed, upholstered cushioned chairs and a round ottoman with the propane cast iron stove/fireplace in the corner to radiate heat into the room. The exterior door leads to the side path through the landscaping and the sliding French doors and full sidelight lead to the deck.

The kitchen has multiple access points from the corner doorway to the opposite dining room and living room and a front doorway to the foyer. I loved the painted exposed beams and the checkerboard flooring. There is ample space for both an island (perhaps a reclaimed wood chopping block?) and a breakfast area by the front wall to the screened porch. The painting of the antique Welsh Dresser could be a subliminal message that this spot would be perfect for that timeless storage unit. Built-in corner cabinets provide more storage.

The stair to the second floor ends at a spacious landing that blends into the hall connecting the primary bedroom, full bath, guest bedroom and the snug. 

The octagonal shape of the foyer below is broken by the stair, hall and door to the kitchen but this snug above enjoys the full octagonal shape with walls that wrap around the seating area.  The neutral wall and furnishing colors with a hint of blue makes this cozy space seem larger than it is. 

As a bibliophile, if I were lucky to be a guest, you would find me in this delightful space reading my current Book Club book! The wall opening that contains a second door to the guest bedroom could be infilled to add floor to ceiling bespoke millwork at the Snug’s interior angled walls to create a mini-library. Then the guest bedroom bed could be placed against the diagonal wall to free up more floor space in that room.

White is the classic color of cleanliness and it also sets a background for another owner to personalize the space with colorful towels or accessories.  The paneled walls add texture and the flooring is the perfect scale for the space. Changing the shower curtain to a glass door would expand the space even more. 

The primary bedroom is located at the rear corner of the house and the large room shares the angled wall of the adjacent snug. With windows on all three exterior walls for sun throughout the day, this primary bedroom is a haven of peace and privacy. 

I always enjoy seeing an Owner’s motto for their house and their American Primitive artwork perfectly conveys how I felt about this charming country place! Historic architecture in perfect harmony with contemporary interiors; outdoor rooms of the front screened porch and rear deck for great indoor-outdoor flow; mature trees enhanced by professionally landscaped grounds; spaces filled with sunlight, upgrades and freshly painted; move-in ready-hard to resist!

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For more information about this property, contact Angela Simonelli with Compass Real Estate at 410-429-7425 (o), 410-200-0414 (c) or [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.AngelaSimonelli.com Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Brandon Manchion, [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.

This 0.49 acre property is located along the tranquil water of San Domingo Creek and is only two miles from St. Michaels. The property includes a one-story cottage built in 1968 and a two-car garage with a guest suite above that was built at a later date.  

The property is also associated with a well-known American author, Gilbert Valliant Byron, who is sometimes referred to as the “Chesapeake Thoreau” because both writers had the same birthday. He is believed to be the most prolific single author of works about the Chesapeake Bay from his authorship of 14 books and over 70 articles detailing Eastern Shore Life. There is a stone memorial to the author on the property and his original log cabin is preserved at Pickering Creek.

Between the cottage and the garage/ guest suite above is a large brick terrace with a wood pergola that connects the two structures. At this side, decorative fretwork are attached to each side of the posts that support the framing. Lattice panels at each end of the pergola are transitions from the structures’ solid walls to open space.

The waterside terrace faces N/NE so one can enjoy the view of the water in late morning through the afternoon without glare. Replacing the wood pergola with a conditioned structure would be an option if one needed more living space. 

The waterside elevation shows the difference in massing between the cottage and the two-car garage/guest suite. Each structure has its own outdoor room with the cottage’s screened porch that spans across the width of the cottage and the guest suite’s deck with access from the exterior stairs.  Towering trees shade the structures and the unique 50 foot rear setback is a bonus since new waterfront construction now requires a 100 foot setback.

The depth of the two buildings creates a very private outdoor space for relaxation.  If the total lot coverage could accommodate a pool in this area, the terrace could become part of the pool surround. 

The foyer’s half glass/half paneled entry door opens into a welcoming foyer with easy care quarry tile that blends into brick steps. I realized the window on the side wall indicated this space was probably an addition and now the window provides indirect sunlight and natural ventilation for the adjacent kitchen. 

The foyer blends into the hall from the primary ensuite at the front of the cottage to the kitchen and the open-plan dining-living room and another bedroom ensuite. The hall’s white doors, walls and ceiling reflects the sunlight and the white louvered blinds become part of the wall.

The compact kitchen’s “U” shape is efficient and the cabinets’ color blends into the wall to make the space seem larger than it is. The other side wall of the ”U” contains a large laundry with extra space for pantry storage. Removing the wall between the kitchen and the adjacent dining room above the countertop would create an open plan kitchen-dining-living room. The kitchen’s countertop could then extend over the base cabinets for a breakfast bar.

The open plan dining-living area’s beautiful wood floors are highlighted by the white walls.  At the rear wall, the French door to the adjacent screened porch and the rear and side windows offer panoramic views of the water. The dining room area easily accommodates six chairs but an extra table and chairs could be added for family celebrations.

The rear corner of the open plan space is furnished with a table desk and an ergonomic chair for computer work or children’s homework. Taking a break from the computer to focus on the peaceful view of the water would be refreshing.

The spacious living area easily accommodates two full size sofas and the neutral upholstery is accented with colorful pillows and throws for evenings by the fire. I prefer round coffee tables with full size sofas for easier flow and this rattan one also adds texture. The matching half glass/half paneled corner cabinets provide ample display of family photographs, games, books, etc.  Sitting on the sofa opposite the double window to the screened porch, one enjoys a long vista across the water.

My fave room is usually a screened porch and this porch is a delightful outdoor room to enjoy daily meals or relaxing with family or friends. As an architect, I give this space high marks for the careful detailing of the horizontal framing that maximizes the middle panel’s view of the water that is so close to the house. At the side wall, a wide matchstick blind provides privacy from the neighbor’s house. 

The sitting area of the porch enjoys the long and broad view of San Domingo Creek that was tranquil on the day of my visit. Steps lead down to the rear yard with its riprapped shoreline to both the pier and to the ramp for launching kayaks.

Behind the living room, a short hall leads to this bath that also serves to make the adjacent bedroom an ensuite. The layout works well with the door opening against the wall opposite a linen closet. As a Hitchcock fan, last week I plugged one of his movies and this week I will plug another, “Psycho”. Since seeing that movie many years ago, I have always purchased clear plastic shower curtains! They are also a good way to visually expand the spatial volume since a solid color shower curtain acts like a wall that would give the bathroom a confining tunnel effect.

The guest bedroom’s red, white and blue scheme is cheerful and the chest of drawers and the luggage rack is ready for company.

The primary ensuite is located off the foyer that maximizes its privacy. Opposite the door to the bedroom is a large closet, a walk-in cedar closet  and the primary bath. The king size bed fits easily in between the side windows and another window at the front of the ensuite provides daylight throughout the day. 

I coveted the large cedar lined closet with its closet modular system to keep everything organized and easily accessible. 

The guest suite over the two-car garage is quite spacious with areas for relaxing and watching TV.  The triple unit glass door and full height windows opens up the space to the deck and water views. The mini-bar and a full R/F in another part of the space is convenient for early morning coffee or a late night snack. Behind the mini-bar is the bathroom and the other door leads to a large closet/storage room.

If I were a guest, I would definitely claim this ensuite for its long deck overlooking the water-the perfect spot for a cup of coffee to begin the day or for star gazing at night. In winter when the deciduous trees have dropped their leaves, the view must be even more spectacular.

I ended my tour at the end of the pier on one of the Adirondack chairs with the panoramic and peaceful view of the tranquil San Domingo Creek. 

The well-known real estate mantra is “Location, Location, Location”. I always advise my architectural or real estate clients to choose the property – I can modify the house to suit their needs and wants. This waterfront location with both a cottage and a garage with a workshop, laundry space, ample storage and a guest suite above would be hard to beat. The bonus is its site along the tranquil shores of San Domingo Creek with the buildings’ 50 foot setback that is now 100 foot for new construction. Peace and tranquility from a dead end street but only two miles away are St. Michaels’ shops, restaurants and other attractions. Tall trees offer shade and privacy and outdoor rooms of the terrace with a pergola and the waterside screened porch bring you close to nature and closer to the water than current codes allow. Low maintenance landscaping allows more time for an afternoon on the water from the private pier or kayak launch. Connecting the cottage and the two-car garage/guest suite above with new construction would create a three bedroom, three bath house. The arrival of public sewer provides further expansion possibilities.

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For more photographs and pricing, contact Cornelia C. Heckenbach, Associate Broker at Long and Foster Real Estate, 410-310-1229 (c),  [email protected]  or visit www.stmichaelsmdwaterfront.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Aerial Photography by the Maryland Drone Guy, www.marylanddroneguy.com , 443-583-8944

Interior and Exterior Photography by HomeVisit, www.homevisit.com,  833-643-0445

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.

“Lexon”, also known as the Burris-Brockmeyer Farm, in located in Queen Anne County on the outskirts of Centreville. “Lexon” is listed in both the Maryland Heritage Trust and the US National Register of Historic Places for its being an excellent example of a “single pile” (rectangular floor plan, one-room deep) house. The original part of the house is the two-story brick structure that was painted white at some point in its long life. Lexon personifies the range of the county’s colonial residential styles from the Georgian manor houses to the story and a half houses of successful farmers. As befitting a blend of styles, the original  house was simply detailed with window headers of a rowlock row below a jack arch and a square section water table. 

This photograph was taken in 1989 and shows how “Lexon” changed through the centuries with additions of a wood framed wing and the hipped roof porch. The house’s orientation changed too- in the late 18th century, there was no bridge over the Corsica River so the long approach to the house was by land. In the early 1800’s, the house’s orientation changed to the street approach.

My visit was in the early afternoon when the massive trees cast wide areas of shade onto the lawn. As I drove around the house, the side elevation came into view, showing its simple gable roof massing and one-room deep floor plan. The back door stoop’s steps lead to the lawn facing the road. The blend of the original reddish brick and the later paint layer adds texture and character to the facades. The small structure attached to the house is the exterior access to the basement. 

After I parked my car, I paused under the overhanging branches of a massive oak tree to study the juxtaposition of the original brick structure of Flemish bond brick and the addition that was built in 2000. The addition is connected to the house by a short passage and the new wing’s perpendicular orientation is set back in homage to the original house. The addition’s one room deep plan and gable roof echoes the original house’s massing  but its exterior color palette and materials of brick, siding and a red metal roof clearly identify it as a 21st century addition. 

The side wall of the addition overlooks the large pool that is surrounded by fencing and mature trees. The pool area is connected to the addition by the shed roofed screened porch.

How can one resist the charm of a diminutive scale? Strolling around the cleared grounds of this 10 acre haven of peace and privacy, I soon discovered several birdhouses and this charming playhouse tucked into the enclosure of the woods along the lawn. No doubt the next owners’ children or grandchildren will enjoy this cozy hide-a-way!

I began my tour of the house at the foyer. The paneled slate blue entry door is the mirror image of the entry door at the opposite wall and I admired the elegant simplicity of the “U”-shaped stair that rises to the attic level.  The trim and moldings introduce the classic Federal and Greek Revival interior detailing and the beautiful pine flooring in this original wing of the house.  The foyer’s wide wall opening frames the view of the living room.

The elegant room’s white upholstered furnishings stand out against the deep slate blue walls. I admired how the 9/6 windows with their picture frame molding rest on the top of the chair rail so it becomes a continuous band around the room and the transparency of the coffee table’s glass top over the Oriental rug.

The dining room’s color palette echoes the living room’s slate blue walls with white trim. An arched opening is cleverly tucked under the stair landing to access  the foyer. I admired the mix of antiques and the table’s contemporary glass top that maintains the room’s spatial volume and highlights the Oriental rug. The period chandelier is the perfect finishing touch.

From the original part of the house, a wide doorway from the dining room leads to a single loaded hall that connects the original wing to the addition. Off the hall is the laundry and full bath and then the hall ends at this delightful family room that is part of the open plan family-porch-kitchen open plan. I loved the deep olive walls, the white bespoke millwork and the eclectic mix of antiques, especially the chopping block that is now an end table and the breakfast table. The latter has metal ends and two circular metal recesses with a metal strap, placed at diagonal corners that I surmised must have become ashtrays during card games.

The family room’s black stove pipe fireplace becomes a sculptural element and  I admired how the large vintage poster is aligned with the windows that surround it. The open French doors beckoned me into the adjacent screened porch.

Not surprisingly, the screened porch was my fave room for its wide screened panels, the stained wood slat ceiling that follows the angle of the sloped rafters and the random bluestone flooring, perfectly scaled for the size of the room. I especially admired how the horizontal  trim was coordinated with the height of the sleek contemporary furnishings so there are unobstructed panoramic views of the pool. The porch’s close proximity to the pool makes is a convenient spot for respite from too much sun. In the evening, the carriage lamps must cast a soft glow to encourage relaxation.

The open plan layout gives the kitchen a long vista to the Family Room. The width of the kitchen accommodates cabinets on both exterior walls plus an island with bar stools with ample room for circulation. The kitchen is this cook’s dream with its warm wood Craftsman style cabinets, granite countertops, farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances. 

I could well imagine sitting at the built-in desk area to write my House of the Week columns. The countertop could also be a great surface for crafts or a buffet for entertaining. Next to the kitchen are two storage rooms for pantry items or general storage. Recessed French doors open onto the sidewalk that leads to the parking area for convenient unloading of groceries from one’s car. 

Behind the Family Room’s millwork is a staircase to the Primary Ensuite that spans the length of the family room and kitchen below. At the top of the stair is this cozy space that is furnished as an office. With its wrap-around windows that offer panoramic bird’s eye views of the landscape, it could also be a sitting room for the Primary Ensuite. 

The wall of bespoke millwork with a mix of cabinet doors with vintage wrought-iron hardware and open shelving offers ample storage for office needs. The sofa and chest of drawers could also provide extra sleeping space for guests.

The Primary bedroom has spatial volume from its tray ceiling and the white ceiling and walls reflect the sunlight from the windows in the gable wall. The wood pencil post bedframe and the other wood furnishings add warmth to the space. I especially liked how the bedframe’s posts fit perfectly against the high knee wall. The blue accent pillows pick up the blue from the large rug over the beautiful curly maple flooring in this serene space for relaxation and rest.

The short hall off the stair passes the spacious Primary Bath and a walk-in closet and two other walk-in closets.  The bathroom’s white pitched ceiling and white walls make the space feel even larger than it is and the blue diamond tiles are colorful accents. Opposite the tub are cabinetry with dual lavatories and space for a dressing table.    

To explore the second floor, I circled back to the foyer and went up the stair that ends at an enlarged landing connecting the two guest bedrooms. The stair continues up to the attic level. The vertical paneling, table and lamp and the window at the landing enhances the space to make it more than just a landing. The vista to the adjacent bedroom’s fireplace enticed me to tour that room first.

This spacious guest bedroom is located over the dining room so it has windows at all exterior walls. The door divides the spacious room into sleeping and sitting areas. The gorgeous wide plank wood floors and the original paneling surround of the fireplace adds a special character to this charming room.

The hall bath’s compact arrangement serves both guest rooms. The vintage style pedestal lavatory, tiled walls, wainscot and floors, and the window creates a very appealing space. I especially admired the deep blue color of the tile flooring.  

The other guest bedroom is located over the living room and its light blue walls and Oriental rugs create a serene space for rest and relaxation.  Like the other guest bedroom, there are windows on all three exterior walls and a fireplace. I especially liked the iron bedframe that I believe is a Charles P. Rogers design.

It is always a special pleasure to feature one of the Eastern Shore’s historic houses, especially a US National Register of Historic Places property. Past and present coexist in this rare jewel dating from the 18th century. The house and grounds have been lovingly cared for by the owners who appreciate their being stewards of a historic house.  Classic Federal and Greek Revival interior details, preserved pine flooring, mantels, moldings, original partitioning and paneled walls and the beautiful staircase that rises to three levels are design elements not often found today. The addition provides an open plan family-screened porch-kitchen layout for today’s lifestyle. The fenced pool, luscious gardens and open expanse of lawn for outdoor enjoyment are surrounded by dense trees that stretch to the boundary of the 10 acre property to provide privacy. The property also has a large barn/garage with a partial second floor, as well as an attic and basement for storage.  “Lexon” offers the best of historic context and modern conveniences-what a treasure!

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For more information about this property, contact Biana Arentz at Coldwell Banker Realty, (410) 263-8686 (o), 410-490-0332 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.bianaarentz.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by HomeVisit, Craig Westerman, www.homevisit.com , 833-643-0445

Historic Photo by Ronald L. Andrews, courtesy of the Department of Planning, Maryland Historic Trust, Maryland’s National Register Properties.

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.

The original meaning of the adjective “high” meant importance or superior rank. The term “high street” first appeared in use in the 12th century as the name given to an urban street that became the main retail corridor of a town. It was also the widest street in order to make it easier for farmers to move livestock to market. It was important for retail establishments with a High Street address to have distinctive architecture to entice shoppers within. 

In 1889, S. Frank Smith, retained  Walter Pippin, a second generation builder, to design and build a distinctive three-story building on Chestertown’s High Street. The brick building’s first floor would contain a store with large and tall windows  for product display. The angled sides of the windows would draw shoppers to the entrance door, protected from the weather by both its recessed location and a shallow shed roof supported by brackets.   

The top two floors would be Mr. Smith’s residence. As befitting the residential architecture of that late Victorian/Second Empire period, the upper floors were highly detailed. The second floor center windows’  featured solid panels below stained glass panels, flanked by single windows with an upper stained glass panel and a slender vertical muntin below. Below the windows, a  shallow balcony spanned across the front façade with a thin black metal handrail. The balcony was not only decorative- one could open one of the windows and climb over the bottom panel to sit on the balcony. The gambrel roof was clad in slate with finials and at the third floor a pair of conjoined gable windows capped with a conical gable and the single triangular dormer windows were also capped with finials. 

This 1910 photograph dates from the time the building was the Brambles Harness Shop, with the original façade as it was built in 1889.  

 

Regrettably, in the mid-1960s, the building had to endure a complete front façade change. The center door was relocated and the main floor-to-ceiling bay display windows were replaced with an angled wall of glass beneath an oversized Chippendale-style portal.  The original second-floor windows were removed and replaced with 6/6 windows, and the third-floor dormer windows’ finials were removed. As a preservationist, I am glad that at least the third-floor gables and windows were left intact!

Luckily, this distinctive building has been transformed back to its 1889 origin by Architect John Hutchison of Chestertown. He graciously shared his design concept to convey the building’s journey from demolition to transformation. The only change of material from the original building is the gambrel roof that is now replaced with rows of architectural asphalt shingles whose color and pattern pay homage to the original slate.

Fortunately, this building was built next to a wide alley, so the residential upper floors had windows and daylight on all sides of the building. This was important to enable cross ventilation in an era without HVAC but the left side windows were blocked when the adjacent building was constructed. The exterior color palette gives this building great curb appeal-this exquisite gem has long been one of my fave buildings in this part of Chestertown’s Historic District streetscape.

The alley elevation shows the partial third floor defined by the gambrel roof shape. This side of the building has been carefully enhanced by restoring the brick façade, refurbishing or and replacing windows and installing a rhythm of stylish period surface mounted carriage lights. I especially admired the color range of the brick and the double arched brick headers above the windows. The improvements have created a very pleasant pedestrian thoroughfare from the building to parking areas at Cannon Street. 

Having designed the building’s exteriors,  John Hutchison focused upon the interiors. This floor plan and perspectives illustrate his imaginative design to attract a commercial tenant for the main floor of the building. The space could easily accommodate food related businesses such as an Artisan Bakery, Chef’s Table Experience, Culinary Collective, Culinary Studio, Farm to Fork Bistro, Food Incubator, Morning Latte & Loaf Bar, Pop-Up Restaurant Space, Seasonal Tasting Room, or Shared Commercial Kitchen. Other uses could include a Custom Cobbler Boutique, Elevated Apothecary Boutique, Holistic Herb and Remedy Studio, Private Practice (with living quarters above) or Tech-Media Studio. What a great opportunity to live downtown and to have a tenant on the main floor!

 

The new concept for the building retains the original two bedroom, two bath apartment that spans the depth of the second floor and the partial third floor bedroom ensuite. At the alley side of the building is a stair to the apartment that opens into a large foyer. From the foyer, a hall along the side wall of the apartment connects the guest bedroom, primary ensuite, kitchen-dining room and the living room. Behind the foyer is a full bath for the guest bedroom.   

The focal point of the living room at the corner of the building facing High Street are the front wall’s windows, now in their original locations as described in John Hutchison’s design concept drawings. Along with the side windows facing the alley, daylight spills into the room over the beautifully refinished wood floors. The color palette of the baseboard, window trim and off-white walls are a serene blank slate for the next resident to add their own touches.  

The spacious living room has the original fireplace’s mantel. Since the chimney is still intact, perhaps the chimney could be outfitted with a gas fireplace. The door at the rear of the living room leads to the stairs to the third floor and behind the stair wall is the kitchen-dining area.

Mr. Smith would not recognize his kitchen with this stylish renovation, featuring an “L” and island layout, white cabinets, a railroaded tile backsplash, and accents of stainless steel/black glass appliances, as well as countertops of white quartz with subtle gray veining. The island is an extra workspace, and its overhang accommodates bar stools. The tall upper cabinetry, designed for maximum storage, floats just below the underside of the ceiling. The wide 2/2 window at the side wall brings daylight into the space. One has the option to add a dining table and chairs here or in the adjacent living room. 

Next to the Kitchen-Dining is a laundry room off the hall and the Primary Ensuite’s bathroom.  The hall’s original window was left intact and the window panes were changed to frosted glass since the side wall is now against another building. The spacious Primary Bedroom has a large walk-in closet in the wall opposite the bath. 

The four-piece Primary Bath features a double lavatory cabinet with storage drawers between the sink doors. The neutral deep blue gray cabinetry, stylish lighted mirror, sleek lavatory fittings, cabinetry and glass-walled shower place this bathroom clearly in the 21st century instead of the bath’s original late 19th century! 

Behind the Primary Ensuite is a guest bedroom across the hall from this bathroom with its soaking tub and hand-held shower fitting. The lightly frosted lower panes of the window provide filtered daylight and privacy and I admired the floor tile that is scaled perfectly for this space. 

The third-floor bedroom ensuite would be my choice if I were lucky to be a guest. Windows on three sides provide sunlight throughout the day. The spacious room that spans the full width and depth of this floor can accommodate both sleeping and sitting areas. 

The third-floor ensuite’s exquisite front wall with the center double window between two triangular dormers is not your usual bedroom wall but it adds immeasurable character to this delightful space. The side door leads to a full bath with a shower and a linen closet. Another closet opens against the wall opposite the corner triangular dormer. This private and quiet ensuite offers fab bird’s eye views of the buildings and treetops of Chestertown’s Historic District.  

My architectural thesis project was the revitalization of a block in my hometown’s downtown in the mid 70’s. So many of the storefronts were empty and I designed apartments on the second floor to encourage downtown living and urban revitalization still remains one of my fave design projects. It was a special treat for me to feature this one-of-a kind building that is an outstanding example of how a mixed-use renovated building can be a catalyst for further renovations. The building’s exquisite front façade has been carefully preserved and has recaptured its pride of place in the heart of Chestertown’s Historic District by the careful and creative talent of architect John Hutchison.

This project had a remarkable team, who all felt that the work “was a four-year labor of love to bring this magnificent building back to its original glory.”  Owner/Builder Mark Newman located the original building plans at the Kent County Historical Society, who were also generous with their time and effort. Mark also worked closely with preservationist Elizabeth Beckley to maintain the standards of historical restoration according to the Maryland Historic Trust and the United States Park Service. Mark also praised both architect John Hutchison for being “an amazing partner in this project,” and also Mat Warrington for his skills as a Master Carpenter for the project’s success. 

I hope a tenant for the main floor comes forward soon-Bravissimo to the design team and to the preservation consultant for an outstanding job!

 

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For more information about this property, contact Stacy Kendall, Owner/Broker at Cross Street Realtors, 410-778-3779 (o), 301-443-480-3453(c) or [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.csrealtors.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Architect:  John Hutchison Architecture, www.johnhutcharch.com , 410-449-0466
Preservation Consultant: Elizabeth Beckle, 410-708-9573
Contractor: Property Owner with Project Foreman and Lead Carpenter Mat Warrington
Steve Buchanan Photography, www.buchananphotography.com, 301-996-7295 

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.

Today is the 9th anniversary of the debut of my House of the Week Column and since this is the beginning of another new year of columns, it seemed appropriate to feature a new house. This 4.5 acre property with 320 linear feet of shoreline along Peachblossom Creek is located in the newest section of the Cooke’s Hope neighborhood.  On the day of my visit, I drove along the street past large lots and turned on this house’s driveway that meandered through the deep front yard edged with towering evergreens that provide privacy from the adjacent properties. 

The house’s design pays homage to the Eastern Shore rural vernacular of telescoping wings on each side of the main wing. Gables, porches, shed and hipped roofs enliven the façade and I especially liked the detailing of the main gable with vertical battens that end slightly below the window headers. Modern design elements include the thin profile 2/2 windows with very thin vertical muntins, the two-story vertical arrangement of windows and the mix of both vertical and horizontal Hardie plank siding. The hipped front porch metal roof defines the main entrance to the house. 

 

The rear elevation has a  deep and spacious porch that creates a charming outdoor room for relaxing with family or friends. Steps lead down to the back yard (now grassed) that slopes down to Peachblossom Creek. The topography from the house to the Creek reminded me of a house I once rented that had a fairly steep topography. The owner’s landscape architect designed a series of switchback paths and at each turn was a water feature, sculpture, or simply a bench to relax amidst the sights and sounds of nature. This sloped portion of this  yard could be similarly transformed to create a path that would end at the water’s edge below. 

As I walked up the concrete steps to the front porch, I admired the texture of the columns’ stone bases and the easy care concrete porch floor. The setback at the front of the porch creates this cozy sitting area for one to relax at the end of the day or to await visitors. 

As I opened the front door, I admired the spatial variety of the two-story foyer, the high wall opening that frames the vista through the living room to the landscape and the dropped beam that frames the dining room at the side. The white ceilings and walls highlight the beautiful 7-1/2” wide light oak flooring that flows through the house. The stair detailing with wood posts and treads and the thin black spindles as an accent also stands out against the backdrop of white walls. The Craftsman detailing of vertical battens at the stair front wall and the door next to the stair whose header projects slightly past the side jamb add character.

The dropped beam that defines the edge of the dining room is part of the open plan dining-living-kitchen-morning room area. Since the house is brand-new, it has been very tastefully staged so one can see how well their own furnishings would fit. This dining room’s size could easily accommodate a longer table and more chairs for entertaining or family celebrations.  Along the front wall, horizontal and vertical trim creates a subtle wainscot, with the top trim aligned with the center rail of the windows. The door past the stair leads to an office.

Opposite the Dining Room and across the Foyer is a large “corner” office at the  quietest part of the house. The accent wall of trim adds texture and creates a grid that evokes paneling. 

Another wide wall opening visually connects the Dining Room to the adjacent Living Room. In the Living Room, sofas and chairs  in neutral tones are grouped around the fireplace with its surround of quartz with subtle veining. 

Walking into the kitchen, I admired the open plan’s wall offsets with wrap-around windows and doors at the rear wall for panoramic views of the landscape. The gourmet galley kitchen with an island and a farmhouse sink is the hub of the house and places the cook in the center of the action.

The kitchen is fully equipped with a 48” dual fuel range below a built-in artisan hood, beverage center, stainless steel appliances, quartz countertops and a stylish mix of white and stained cabinetry. I especially liked the trapezoid shape of the pendant lights over the island and the mix of closed upper cabinets and open shelves. 

The doorway on the range wall leads to the mud room, powder room and the three-car garage. 

I was so envious of this spacious Mud Room with an oversize closet for coats, a bench with open cubbies for boots, a desk for computer work, and the laundry at the end of the room. The large artwork with its perspective of marshes and water is a “window” for this interior room. The door next to the cubbies leads to the three-car garage.

I walked back into the kitchen to the “Morning Room” that benefits from its corner position for sunlight to penetrate deep into the room throughout the day. If one doesn’t need another dining space, this room with walls infilled with large windows would make a charming Snug or Sunroom.

From the Morning Room, a pair of French doors leads to the large covered porch that overlooks the rear yard. The dense wall of mature trees at the side yard  provide privacy from the adjacent property . This charming outdoor room with low maintenance finishes offers ample space for both sitting and dining.

The sumptuous Primary Ensuite spans the depth of the house behind the living room. Both a rear triple window and a side single window provide daylight and views of the landscape. This restful retreat detailed with a wainscot of trim and the fireplace with its quartz surround should please anyone.  I especially liked how the height of the wainscot easily accommodates a high headboard for a seamless look and the Craftsman detail of the three panel door’s header that is found throughout the house.

The Primary Bath’s gets high marks for its layout of the soaking tub in front of the glass walled shower next to the toilet compartment across from the dual lavatories and storage towers. The warmth of the wood cabinetry stands out against the white tones of the room. 

The large Primary Walk-In Closet has two equal compartments with a window in each area for daylight. The wall between the compartments would be a great spot for artwork or a full length mirror.  

Having explored the main floor, I walked up the stair to the second floor and enjoyed how the vertical arrangement of windows changes one’s view of the landscape with each step. The wall plane above the Dining Room cries out for a large colorful abstract painting or wall hanging!

Only the first floor was staged but I explored the second floor’s layout of three bedroom ensuites and a loft area that could be a sitting room for the bedrooms. This spacious bedroom has a center picture window between single operable units that overlook the rear landscape to Peachblossom Creek.

Each bathroom has neutral finishes so one can add colorful towels and accessories to suit one’s taste.

This 5002 gsf house includes a lower level with a wide exterior stair at one side of the house. This huge multi-purpose room offers myriad uses and this level also includes a bedroom, full bath and storage rooms. 

New construction with low maintenance exterior materials in the highly desirable Cooke’s Hope neighborhood along Peachblossom Creek;  main level’s amenities include front and rear porches for outdoor enjoyment; open plan living-dining-kitchen-morning room for indoor-outdoor flow and a luxurious main level Primary Suite with a spa shower. The second floor ensuite bedrooms share a sitting room and the walk up basement has a finished recreation room, bedroom and full bathroom along with storage areas. High end flooring, custom cabinetry, trim and lighting fixtures enhance this move-in ready family home. The builder’s inclusion of both batt and blown-in insulation, concrete foundation, 2 x 6 framing, fire suppression system and passive radon mitigation are highlights of the extensive list of high-end materials and products  that make this house an exceptional home.  Bravo!

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For more information about this property, contact agent Michael Muren at the Premier Group of Long & Foster Real Estate Inc., 301-945-9010 (o), 301-524-4471 (c) or  [email protected].  For more photographs and pricing, visit, https://buildersnationalcooperative.com/ , “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Construction by Laine Street Homes

Photography by  Doug Via, www.dvmedia.com , 240-409-9398 

My heartfelt thanks to the Owners who graciously gave me tours of their exceptional houses, the real estate agents who assisted me and the photographers whose work enhanced my narrative; but most of all to you readers whom I greatly appreciate-here’s to another new year of House of the Week-Jenn Martella 

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.

Finding a contemporary house to feature in our area is usually a challenge for me to offer readers a mix of different architectural or interior design styles from week to week. Today’s featured property is all about the coastal interiors by designer Hollace Kutay, who transformed the interiors of another contemporary house that was featured last month. Even though the two room deep, one-level house was parallel to the shoreline of the Northwest Branch of Harris Creek, the Owners wanted to take better advantage of the water views during their weekend and summer trips from their home in Pennsylvania.

This one-level contemporary was enhanced by an addition behind the garage that added a fourth bedroom and a stunning screened space that is an outdoor kitchen-dining-living space with panoramic views of the water. At the other end of the house is a long deck that connects the living room, veranda and primary ensuite. Between these outdoor rooms is a terrace at the grade level with deep blue Adirondack chairs grouped around the firepit.  There is easy flow among the outdoor rooms and the house’s sliding doors create easy indoor-outdoor flow.

 

The spacious deck varies in depth for relaxing in the warmth of the afternoon sun from these chaise lounges with an umbrella for shade, the circular cushioned chair or Adirondack chairs lined up in a row. 

From the terrace with Adirondack chairs grouping around the firepit, the view of lawn, marshes, and the water of the Northwest Branch of Harris Creek is unobstructed. Smores anyone?

Luckily, Ms. Kutay’s did not have to contend with flat ceilings throughout the house; the original sloped ceilings and tall offset walls create spatial volume for expansive views. The entry door’s blue rails introduce the color scheme’s primary color for the house and the translucent panels are juxtaposed with a wide and long full sidelight. Applying trim is a great way to create a wainscot look; here, a wainscot of light blue and the blue shade of the subtle pattern of the wallpaper adds texture below the ceiling plane of pine planks above.  The closet with five panel doors directed my eye to two door openings for further exploration. 

One of the doors leads to this room that is furnished as an office. It could easily be converted to a bedroom since the doors in the middle of the bespoke millwork open to reveal a Murphy Bed. The white walls and ceiling both accentuate the beautiful wood floors and reflect the sunlight to make this room seem larger than it is. I especially liked how the colorful collectibles in the millwork and the framed art hanging stand out against the white walls. 

At the end of the  short hall past the office/bedroom at the front corner of the house is a spacious guest  bedroom. The blue theme continues in the rug, bedframe, pillows and accessories. The box bay’s window seat does double duty with a hinged top to access storage underneath. I noticed how the texture of the headboard’s infill complements the textured window treatments.

The Primary Ensuite is located at the rear corner of the house for views of the landscape and water. The warmth of the wood from the flooring, ceiling and furnishings enhances the room and I admired how the artwork infills the space above the contemporary pencil post bedframe’s headboard. The pair of sliding doors leads to the waterside deck. 

The spacious five-piece Primary Bath has daylight from two windows and the skylight above the tub. I admired the detailing of the tile wall that flows from the tub surround to the full tiled wall of the shower. The custom plaster oyster shaped vessel sinks that float above the lavatory top were created by a ceramic artisan and Ms. Kutay crafted the two mirror frames. The multiple shades of blue from the ceiling, tiled wall, tiled floor with interlocking polygonal shapes, wallpaper and the vessel sinks create a delightful space.

 

To continue my tour, I returned to the foyer to explore the open plan living-dining-kitchen area in the center of the house. I noticed how the wide window and the skylight’s position above aligns with the center of the dining room’s wood table for views of starry nights during winter dinner parties. The eclectic look of the wood table, the mix of white captain’s chairs and the rattan chairs works well for this weekend house’s casual, yet sophisticated, look.

The rear wall of the dining room, infilled with a wide window and a pair of sliding doors, leads to the veranda, a perfect place for cocktails before dinner or post dinner nightcaps. The sideboard and lamps were crafted by Ms. Kutay and the wood sculpture is the creation of artist Larry Ringgold. 

A deep step from the Dining Room to the Veranda and a pair of floor to ceiling sliding doors to the sunken Living Room creates easy flow among the rooms and to the waterside deck. I admired the geometric design of the veranda’s floor that was perfectly scaled for the room’s size. The veranda’s exterior walls are infilled with wide sliding doors so the deep blue wall color does not make this charming space feel dark. I could easily imagine stretching out on a chaise to relax at the end of the day.

The wrap-around sliding doors open up the veranda to the deck for enjoyment of  the sights and sounds of nature. The horizontal cable railing disappears into the landscape for panoramic, unobstructed views of the lawn and water.

The focal point of the Living Room is the massive brick chimney that rises to the underside of the ceiling. I admired how the Living Room’s exterior triangular shaped wall was carefully detailed with both fixed and operable windows and a high transom at the side wall. The neutral furnishings create a serene look for relaxing by the fire. The aboriginal painting of a heron above the sofa was crafted by Ms. Kutay. 

The galley kitchen also has a triangular wall of fixed and operable windows for a great view of the landscape that makes clean-up a bearable chore. I admired how Ms. Kutay revised the former bay window by adding a wall to hide the range vent. Above the range is a full fixed glass panel for landscape views and the custom ceramic mosaic mural by Ms. Kutay above the window continues the horizontal line of the triangular window’s horizontal mullion. Since the Living Room’s floor is lower than the Kitchen and Dining Room, the 10 foot long peninsula between the kitchen and the living room has a lower countertop for chairs instead of bar stools for comfortable informal dining and the upper countertop is a natural buffet for entertaining. I especially admired Ms. Kutay’s clever arrangement of wood cutting boards and the banded texture of the pendant light fixtures. 

The Laundry Room is adjacent to the Kitchen and the play of the blues in the ceiling, lively wallpaper and the brick wall gives this room great style. From the Laundry Room, I admired the telescoping view through the series of framed openings to the Primary Bedroom wall.

Doors at the end of the Laundry lead to both the two-car garage and this “Snug” that has all the features of a well-designed snug. This cozy room with a sloped ceiling to expand the volume, windows and sliding doors to the deck, TV and an electric fireplace is a perfect Snug. Windows at the waterside corners of the room bring sunlight within and sliding doors at the other corner lead to the screened porch. I especially liked the rug’s design, the blue accent wall that highlights the artwork and the subtle banding of the TV wall.

Sliding doors off the Snug lead to the “Bonus Room”-who could resist an outdoor kitchen, dining area and seating area with wrap-around windows overlooking the landscape and water? The sloped ceiling gives this very large room the spatial volume its size requires. I especially admired the clever design of the game table for ping pong and pool that does double duty as a dining table for a crab feast. One pair of sliding doors at the interior wall leads to a guest bed-sit suite for a very lucky guest! 

This charming Guest Bedroom-Sitting Room spans the depth of this addition and has a box bay window with a seat and storage below that matches the other Guest Room on the opposite side of the house. The white walls and sloped ceiling  reflect the light and emphasizes the blues of the bedding and furnishings. The wood accents of the contemporary pencil post bed with a high headboard and the oval table at the sitting area add the warmth of wood to the space. The mini-split HVAC ensures guests can modify the room’s temperature for their own comfort.

In the Guest Bathroom, Ms. Kutay’s stylish design of oyster shell wallpaper, sleek blue tiles with vertical ridges in the shower, wood cabinetry with a diagonal design, the mirror’s oyster shell frame and the tile flooring in small polygonal shapes creates a fun bath for a lucky guest.

Once again, this talented designer created a contemporary, eclectic coastal vibe design through her selection of antiques mixed with modern furniture, custom artwork, finishes, accessories, etc. to transform the rooms with color, pattern and texture. The additions of the large screened porch, deck and terrace are wonderful waterside outdoor rooms for the Owners who are weekenders to enjoy. Brava! 

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This is a private residence, not a property  for sale. For more information about Hollace Kutay’s design services, “Homes by Hollace”,  visit www.hollacekutay.com property or email her at [email protected].  to learn how Hollace can transform your home or rental property.

Photography by  Krista Valliant LLC, www.kristavalliant.com ,410-973-7325

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, this aerial caught my eye and I was hooked. This historic house  dates from 1890 with 11.59 acres that offer peace and privacy on Oak Creek. I could tell from the picture that the original Victorian house tucked into its surroundings of mature trees had undergone several additions and its proximity to the water that is less than currently allowed is a bonus. The property also includes a detached two-car garage and an artist’s studio.  After turning off Royal Oak Rd. onto the long gravel driveway between tall pines, I soon reached a clearing where the drive became circular around the house’s front elevation surrounded by many majestic trees.

The previous owners had added a one-story addition of a primary suite and an exquisite screened wrap-around screened porch to the two and a half story original part of the house. I appreciated how the addition is set back so the massing of the original house can be fully appreciated. I also admired the exterior color palette that complemented the trees and landscaping.  

Before I began my tour of the grounds and to view the other elevations, I paused to admire the three-bay front porch’s Victorian details of turned columns and fretwork. The gable over the front door bay has rectangular fretwork but the two other bays have angled edges. I soon learned that triangles are vital components of this unique house’s interior design. 

The rear elevation overlooks the pool area and the landscaping with a mix of plantings and potted plants.  I later learned that one of the Owners had master planned the landscaping areas so each season would offer accents of color and texture. The large pool surround and the very deep wrap-around screened porch are great options for outdoor rooms in which to relax with family and friends. The playful mix of long and wide windows, polygonal transoms and the wide bays of the screened porch open up the house to the water views. 

From the pool surround, I strolled down the brick path that changed at Oak Creek’s bank to a wood walkway which led me to the pier. On my way back, I admired the view of the house with its eclectic massing that gives the house its charm. 

Having explored the grounds, I went back to the front porch in anticipation of exploring the interiors. Both the Listing Agent and the Owner welcomed me and I was not surprised to learn the Owner was an artist as I could see glimpses of colorful walls from the foyer. I admired how beautifully the original stair balustrade had been preserved, as well as the trim, moldings and the beautiful heart pine wood floors. The antique table and rug, the vase of flowers and art set a gracious tone of welcome. Readers know vistas are very important to me and this vista from the front door through the family room’s yellow walls to the kitchen window at the rear wall was the first of many vistas I discovered in this unique house.

I have written before how much I enjoy writing about the homes of artists for they are not timid about color. The foyer’s pair of French doors opened into the living room and I loved the deep raspberry walls. Bespoke millwork infilled the wall next to the fireplace with its stylish mantel by artisan woodworker Russell Smith. He also embellished the wide wall opening to the adjacent family room with fluted pilasters, scaled to complement the room’s 10-foot height that rose to the underside of the crown molding at the ceiling. I loved how the detailing included a stained glass transom, in homage to the original transoms of 19th century houses that were opened to continue the flow of breezes from the exterior windows for natural cooling. The wide wall opening frames another vista from the living room that unfolds like a telescope through other wall openings with triangular headers in the family room and the dining room at the rear of the house.  

The beam that divides the family room into two areas is a remnant of the original wall between two rooms with a fireplace in each room. I loved how the wall’s removal fully exposed the triangular shape of the joined fireplaces that is the focal point of the spacious family room. I especially liked the texture and color of the fireplaces’ brick that is a deeper hue than the light yellow walls and makes the fireplaces and shared chimney a sculptural element. The side wall’s pair of French doors and another stained glass transom leads to the sitting room of the one-story primary ensuite.

The other vista from the family room ends at what was once an exterior wall that might have been a double window above a window seat. It is now  a recessed area with another wall opening with a triangular header leading to my fave room, the “Snug”.

As I learned from binge-watching the BBC Home & Garden Network, “Snugs” are cozy spaces in houses that beckon one to relax and be enveloped by the room’s walls. This Snug has colorful walls and flooring in a random pattern of black and gray that beckoned me to linger.  Wrap-around windows, including an angled corner window, provide panoramic views of the landscaping. I could easily imagine selecting a book from the antique bookcase and settling into the antique wood chair after dinner for a long read. The stained glass panel at the side wall allows daylight to filter into the adjacent room.

After passing through the family room, I arrived at the stunning dining room whose ceiling rises to 16 ft. The current owners removed the flat ceiling framing and opened up the room to the underside of the roof’s rafters that are painted green to emphasize the triangular motif. The two stained glass windows have a new life as colorful and transparent accents. This exquisite room has windows on three sides and its size enables it to set the scene for memorable dinner parties or family celebrations. The current Owners probably removed another side window to create a triangular topped entrance to their addition that contains an office, laundry, full bath and an exterior door for easy access to the pool area.

Another wide wall opening connects the dining room to the kitchen. The artisan woodworker crafted the cabinetry, including triangular motifs on some upper cabinet doors.  The large windows overlook the pool area and the accent of the green window sashes matches the dining room’s green rafters. At the side of this photograph is the partial underside of the original circular stair that rises from the basement to the third floor loft and was rebuilt by the artisan woodworker.

I went back to the family room to explore the primary ensuite that begins at this sitting room that spans the depth of the addition by the previous owners. I stood in the center of the room and savored the two diagonal vistas. One vista through the pair of open French doors with a stained glass transom above frames the long view through the adjacent Family Room to the Snug. The other vista through the adjacent screened porch disappears into the landscape. The Sitting Room has a private entrance at the front wall of the house. Past the Sitting Room is a short hall to the primary bedroom.

The primary bedroom also spans the depth of the primary ensuite and is separated from the sitting room by the primary bath and a large closet. Windows on two of the exterior walls and the pair of sliding doors to the screened porch connects this restful space to the sights and sounds of nature.

When I entered the fab screened porch surrounded by majestic trees, I felt I was in a tree house as I listened to the chorus of birds. When I reached the screened bay projection, a panoramic view of Oak Creek unfolded and I noticed a doe nibbling along the leave of branches overhanging the water. Of all the screened porches I have featured, none of them compare to the depth and length of this exquisite geometric space. The deep green color of the roof rafters stands out against the light gray bead board ceiling.

I reluctantly left the screened porch to circle back to the foyer to explore the second floor that contains another primary ensuite, a guest bedroom, hall bath and multi-purpose room at the rear of the house. The primary ensuite spans the depth of the house with the bedroom located at the front corner. The primary bedroom’s light blue walls, muted tones of the bed linens and the rug create a restful retreat. The Shaker style rocker and the other wood furnishings add warmth and the large windows on its two exterior walls cast sunlight into the room throughout the day. The original details of the fireplace mantel and the transoms over the door are charming reminders of this house’s history.

From the primary bedroom, I walked down a hall between closets opposite a double window unit with a seat between two other closets. There is also a walk-in closet at the other side of the primary bedroom. This spacious five piece primary bath has a dual lavatory cabinet, tub and a shower with glass block walls next to the toilet. The wrap-around windows surrounding the tub offer a bird’s-eye view of the landscape and provide sunlight all day. 

After exploring the primary ensuite, I walked back into the hall and discovered the hall had original curved walls. The guest bedroom has both part of the curved wall and the original transom above the door, with the original hardware that opened the transom for ventilation. This room has a wide double unit window overlooking the landscape and a large walk-in closet for long visits!

This multi-purpose room projects beyond the second floor’s rear wall with windows on all three exterior walls for panoramic bird’s eye views. This delightful space was first runner up to my fave room for its myriad uses-office, studio, playroom, teen-hangout, conservatory, etc. Whatever its use, the interior architecture and the circular stair create an irresistible space. 

The partial third floor is tucked under the roof’s framing that creates wonderful interior architecture. The white walls and ceiling reflect the sunlight from both the skylights and the gable dormer infilled with glass from the middle unit’s Gothic arched top between two fixed windows.  The Owner-Artist is also a musician and this studio would certainly encourage any other creative endeavor! The loft also has a guest bedroom, full bath and cedar walk-in closet. 

The “bonus room” for this property is the charming cabin tucked into the woods that the current Owners designed as an art and music studio for their dual passions of art and music. The cabin is unfinished except for electricity so it offers  myriad uses for the next owner to make it their own. 

The combinations of peace and privacy from 11.59 acres along Oak Creek; close proximity to both Easton and St. Michaels; 1890’s charm with 2000’s additions and updates created this one-of-a kind home. The lovingly maintained historic details of heart pine wood floors, 10 ft. high ceilings, original and restored original staircase, transoms of both clear and stained glass, French doors and three fireplaces evoke an earlier era of gracious living that is timeless. Outdoor rooms of the waterside deep wrap-around screened porch and the deck overlooking the pool area beckon one to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. 

Great family house with primary suites on both floors for aging in place; updated kitchen and baths with cabinetry by an artisan woodworker who also constructed the triangular doorway headers; multiple vistas through the house for delightful wayfinding; large windows for abundant sunlight; three levels of living space that offer increasingly expansive views of Oak Creek; all this and a detached cabin that offers myriad uses, a detached two-car garage and an encapsulated basement/crawl space-simply irresistible! 

For more information about this property, contact Kate Koeppen with Chesapeake Bay Real Estate Plus, LLC,  at 410-745-6702 (o), 410-829-0705 (c) or [email protected].  For more photographs and pricing visit www.cbreplus.com/,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by  TruPlace, Inc., www.truplace.com, 301-972-3201

Artisan Woodwork by Russell Smith

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.