Design with Jenn Marella

Design with Jenn Martella: The New Welcome Center at CBMM

December 21, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

My first introduction to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum was during a visit to my sister over the July 4th weekend in 2003. We joined the throng of people passing through CBMM’s entrance gate and found a spot to enjoy our picnic before the Fireworks Display began. As twilight became night, the lights on the masts of the boats in the harbor were soon joined by the spectacular light show in the sky. After I moved to Talbot County in 2004, I have returned many times to enjoy the exhibitions and events held throughout the year that celebrate our unique area’s history and culture from the Eastern Shore Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival, the Antique & Classic Boat Festival & The Arts at Navy Point, Big Band Night & Fireworks, Watermen’s Appreciation Day, Charity Boat Auction, Boating Party Fundraising Gala, Mid-Atlantic Small Craft Festival and Oysterfest.

From its beginning on Navy Point fifty-seven years ago, the CBMM has grown to an eighteen acre complex along the Miles River leading to Chesapeake Bay. The historic Hooper Strait Lighthouse resting on its foundation of screw pilings is my favorite building. I was surprised to learn that the lighthouse’s original site was sixty miles south and that the US Government had condemned the deteriorated building. The Lighthouse’s fate appeared to be demolition but through the efforts of the one year-old CBMM, the building serenely traveled by barge to its new home and was lovingly restored. The Lighthouse now overlooks a campus of thirty-five other buildings. Twelve buildings contain exhibits that are open to the public and during my first visit, my favorite display was a row of blocks of wood showing the evolution from the initial block to a finished waterfowl.

The expanded mission of CBMM and the steady increase in yearly visitors resulted in the beginning of a planning process and fundraising that culminated in the CBMM’s retaining the firm of Annum Architects to guide the visionary and strategic planning process. The firm is based in Boston and has special expertise in master planning and design of academic, civic and cultural buildings. For the CBMM, the Annum Architects analyzed and explored the location of proposed new buildings, parking areas, infrastructure upgrades, wetlands revitalization, boardwalks and docks. Arrival, wayfinding, and pedestrian flow have been reimagined to create a welcoming, accessible, and logical walking sequence.

Creating a cohesive master plan of the eighteen acre site and thirty five buildings has been a unique challenge. The most important component of the plan is the new Welcome Center, which broke ground this summer. When I reviewed the Master Site Plan, I admired how the front wall of the new building was sited parallel to the existing parking lot off Talbot St. that created a diagonal vista through the site to the Lighthouse. The front façade with its giant CBMM letters will be a wayfinding beacon for visitors as they move through the site. The new Welcome Center is sited on the highest point of the campus to protect it from tidal surges and hurricanes. Visitors will enjoy direct accessible access from the parking lot for a one-stop entry and exit from the campus.

The shape and red roof of the new building pays homage to the rural vernacular forms of barns and sheds of the existing buildings, interpreted with a contemporary flair. The building’s massing is created by the juxtaposition of two single sloped forms of different heights that creates a clerestory for the higher form. The building’s structure is a combination of pre-engineered building components, customized for the Welcome Center’s needs. The cladding for the building is a combination of insulated metal panels, translucent polycarbonate panels and glazing with a color palette of white, light gray and dark gray walls.

The one-level building will be fully ADA-accessible and will contain a reception/orientation/ticketing area, restrooms, Museum Store, coffee station and two exhibition spaces. The architects’ clever interiors included the map of the Chesapeake Bay into the concrete floor.

The high-ceiling gallery will showcase the Museum’s collection of historic watercraft, many of which have never been on display. The lower-ceiling gallery will provide a more intimate and climate-controlled setting for the Museum’s “Stories from the Shoreline” exhibit.

At the side elevation facing the water, there will be a terrace that spans the full width of the building. This outdoor room will be covered by tensile fabric sail canopies for shade and rain cover as needed for visitors. The deck then shortens to become another ADA ramp and a walkway around to the exit door at the exhibit area.

Designed to fulfill the needs of greater CBMM community, the new Welcome Center will be the next step in the implementation of the Master Plan. Funding for continued Master Plan improvements come from individual donations and naming opportunities, grants, and operations.

The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, https://cbmm.org/, 410-745-2916 Annum Architects, annumarchitects.com , 617-226-1612

Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.

Design with Jenn Martella: A Visit to Wings and Whitetail Farm

September 28, 2022 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

This distinctive house is one of the few in Kent County that is dated in an unusual way. One side gable brick wall has the notation “C P 1757” painted in black across the background of white brick. The letters “C” and “P” stand for the original owners, Charles and Phoebe Hynson, who married in 1739. Their house was built on 191 acres along Bungay Creek, which leads to the West Fork Langford Creek. The creek and house were probably named for the small town of Bungay in Norfolk County, England.

The original part of the house is a one room deep, center hall two and a half story, three bay wing. Later mid-20th century, two bay, one-story and a half additions were built on both sides of the house. The west addition extended past the front of the house and the east addition telescoped down further with a final one bay, one story wing. Single dormer windows pierce the roof and are aligned above the first floor’s single windows and doors. Four chimneys are placed at each end of the original center wing and at each end of the side wings. The exterior color palette of painted white brick, white shutters and dark roofing creates a harmonious composition.

Like many 18th century houses, the elevation with the main entry door originally faced the river. The beautiful pair of three-paneled French doors with arched tops were set into Flemish bond brick with a both a belt and stepped water table courses. The entry doors open into a center-hall offset plan with the stairs to one side and the living room and dining room on either side of the hall. The original pine wood of both the flooring and the staircase contrasts beautifully with the white walls and trim. The interior elevation of the wall around the living room’s fireplace is fully covered with pine raised panels separated by shallow pilasters and two doors discreetly leading to a closet and to the family room addition. Pine crown molding, paneled wainscot and window trim contrasts with the white walls to reflect the sunlight. The family room addition begins with a short hall between a powder room and a built-in bar. The focal point of the family room is the massive fireplace’s chimney framed with hand-hewn stained wood and infilled with both running bond and herringboned patterned brick. The chimney is set inside the room which creates a nook at one side with a double window overlooking the grounds-the perfect office nook. Windows on three sides and one exterior door bring sunlight throughout the day.

Like the living room, the dining room spans the full depth of the center wing with its fireplace wall between built-in butler pantry shelving, one with an exterior door and the other beside the short hall to the kitchen. I admired the serene color palette of the pine floors and the historic light olive colored walls separated by a white chair rail. The wood table and chairs rest on a subtly pattern rug and two antique pieces, one an exquisite sideboard I coveted, flank the wide cased opening to the stair hall.

The spacious kitchen has a long table for informal meals island centered on the fireplace surrounded by light olive cabinetry, contrasting with dark countertops and stainless steel appliances, including the farmhouse sink. Two windows overlook the front yard and a triple unit of windows and a paneled door with glazing at the top overlooks the screened porch with doors to the terraces around the pool and tennis court for a rest after laps or on the court. The laundry with an exterior door, a half bath and a stairway to what must have once been a servant’s room above complete the first floor.

The stairs to the second floor open onto a hall connecting the primary suite over the living room and a guest room over the dining room with access to the bath off the hall. Over the kitchen is the former servant’s ensuite and since it has its own stairs down to the kitchen below, it must be a popular suite with guests who crave a midnight snack. The primary bedroom’s furnishings include a king-sized dark blue bed frame with its stylish design of a concave footboard paired with a convex headboard against an accent of painted vertical paneling, centered on the fireplace with a settee along one wall. The sumptuous primary bath with a free-standing soaking tub, large glass walled shower, lavatory with its mirror against the exposed red brick of the chimney was simply stylish. Storage varies from drawers below the single dormers, closet doors tucked under the roof eaves, and open shelves under the eaves opposite closet rods on the higher walls.

The stairs to the third floor wind up around the lower staircase to end at another hall and bath between two bedrooms. Both bedrooms are tucked under the roof’s framing and the chimneys at each side wall are delightfully slanted for a touch of whimsey. Furnishings of combinations of twin beds next to high knee walls or a double bed next to platform twins end to end can accommodate family for holidays. Both bedrooms have windows on three sides for bird’s eye views of the landscape. All three floors of this magnificent house have been upgraded to the highest level of design and construction, without compromising the original layout or finishes.

This one-of-a -kind property includes fifty acres of woods, three impoundments with wells and water control structures, and three ponds, one of which is stocked. Outbuildings include equipment sheds, a horse stall barn with additional storage, kennels, a pole barn and even a WWII torpedo building. The farm has over ninety tillable acres that could increase to 100 acres. The most intriguing building is the original planked-log meat house with dovetailed corners near the house. This building is probably original to the property but it might have been moved from another location. The side foundation was replaced with brick to maintain its historic status. The 1700 sq. ft., one level caretaker house was built in 2013. The waterfront has a boathouse, 10K boat lift, new 8K boat lift, and boat ramp.

Bungay House, now christened “Wings and Whitetail Farm” for its abundant wildlife, offers the perfect combination of a multi-generational, waterfront estate farm and ideal hunting grounds.

For more information about this property contact Courtney Chipouras with Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410-770-92555 (o), 410-200-1224 (c) or courtney@mychesapeakehome.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.mychesapeake.com or www.bensonandmangold.com “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by Steve Buchanan, Buchanan Studios, (410) 212-8753, https://www.buchanan-studios.com/

Jennifer Martella has pursued her dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. Her award winning work has ranged from revitalization projects to a collaboration with the Maya Lin Studio for the Children’s Defense Fund’s corporate retreat in her home state of Tennessee.

Design with Jenn Martella: A Classic Cape Cod Cottage in Chestertown

September 21, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Kingstown is a “census designated place” across from Chestertown and outlined by highway 213 and the Chester River. The best part of Kingstown for me is the popular Bohemia retail establishment that is hard to resist whenever I am scouting for potential House of the Week properties around Chestertown and Kent County. This charming Cape Cod style cottage was built the year WWII ended and has a large lot with both a house and a detached building for a “She Shed” or “Man Cave.”

The front elevation has most of the features of the Cape Cod style including a symmetrical appearance, front entry in the center, steep roof with side gables, gabled window dormers, double hung windows with shutters and simple exterior ornamentation. The exterior color palette of white lap siding and light blue shutters is classic and the original house has been expanded with both a low sloped roofed family room addition at one side and a sunroom overlooking the deep rear yard.

Towering trees around the house and mature landscaping accentuate the white massing of the house. Along the front elevation, a low border of stacked stone defines a planting bed on each side of the brick stoop with its brick steps to concrete sidewalks to both the side driveway and to the sidewalk along the street. The driveway ends at the detached shed set further back into the rear yard than the sunroom so the latter’s views are not blocked. Exterior access to the sunroom is from either two sets of brick steps or a wooden ramp. The exterior rear elevation opens up to the landscaping with the full height windows and doors of the sunroom that spans across most of the main house, the dining room’s single window and the double windows of the family room.

The front door opens to reveal a space plan with easy flow among the rooms. Between the front door and the single-run stairs is a cased opening to a room currently used as an office but the space could have myriad uses. The living room has sunlight from the front and side walls’ 8/8 windows and the storm door at the entry. The honey colored hardwood floors flow into the office and through a wide cased opening into the dining room. Sunlight from both the side and rear windows make this a pleasant spot for meals. The table and chairs are set perpendicular to the rear window so everyone has a view of the landscaping and the side wall has space for a wide hutch for display of china and glassware.

Between the dining room and the kitchen is a full bath. Switching the “office” room and the dining room would make a quiet primary suite at the rear corner of the house and there is already a door between the office and the kitchen for flow from the living room, dining room and kitchen.

The large kitchen has a pair of French doors to the sunroom and a wide cased opening to the family room. I am not a fan of knotty pine since the house in which I grew up was full of it. If it were my kitchen, I would paint the cabinets a color, tile over the brick backsplash and leave the white island as an accent. The washer/dryer closet in the short hall between the kitchen, office and family room has a barn sliding door that is faced with the same knotty pine so it disappears against the wall when the unit is not in use. The sunroom with its windows/doors wrapping around three sides for panoramic views of the deep yard and mature landscaping is a delightful space. The French door at the rear wall leads to a landing leading to steps down to the yard and to a ramp along the rear of the house to the brick sidewalk to the driveway. Another French door at the side also has steps down to the driveway. The spacious family room with windows on its three exterior walls, including a double window overlooking the rear yard, is a great spot to relax by the fire and watch TV.

The upstairs rooms have a range of interior architecture from the front bedrooms with single dormer windows between sloped ceilings on either side meeting the underside of the ceiling rafter above, windows in the side gable walls and the flat ceiling under the rear shed dormer. Instead of chests, recessed drawers are cleverly tucked into the eaves beside the single window dormers. I would paint the knotty pine on the sloped portion of the front bedrooms’ walls/ceilings to make the sloped portion part of the ceiling and not the wall. The bedroom in the corner of the rear shed dormer has painted vertical paneling, a double unit window on the rear wall and a single window at the side wall for panoramic views of the landscape.

Whether you need a “She Shed” or “Man Cave,” the detached shed is a finished space with a gambrel shaped ceiling and sunlight from the pair of French doors at the front and the side single French door and two windows at the side wall overlooking the yard. The white walls and ceilings reflect the light, the beadboard walls add texture and the gray floor tiles are easy care which would be the perfect interior for any creative endeavor. This would also be a great space for teens to hang out with friends.

Large and deep lot with mature trees and landscaping, easy potential for a main floor primary bedroom, compact floor plan with minimal halls and great flow among the rooms, sunroom overlooking the rear yard’s landscaping, and the detached building for your “She Shed,” “Man Cave” or teen party space!

For more information about this property contact Mary Fielding with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-4852 (c) , or mfielding@cbchesapeake.co. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.cbchesapeake.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”

Design with Jenn Martella: 105 Cannon St. After the Work is Done

September 14, 2022 by Jennifer Martella 2 Comments

In February of this year, I featured a house in its “Before” state that was being restored/renovated by the brother-sister duo of Patrick and Kathleen Jones of Jones and Jones LLC. Their passion and focus is restoration of Chestertown’s older properties so these houses can once again proudly take their place in the Town’s streetscapes. When they contacted me that the construction work was complete, I eagerly made an appointment with Kathleen to tour the house. When I parked my car across the street, I admired how well this gem now fits in so well as the last puzzle piece of the renovated houses on this block in the Historic District.

The house has a one room wide, four rooms deep floor plan. The front elevation’s simplified Victorian style with its 2/2 wood windows, lap siding, corner boards, fascia board, main metal roof and a low sloped metal roof over the full front porch are now fully restored with new finishes. I thought the pressed metal roofing in a warm red color was new but Kathleen told me all the roof needed was a thorough cleaning and new paint. Gone are the square, skinny square posts that masqueraded as columns to support the porch roof. In keeping with the Victorian style, new turned columns are better proportioned for the porch’s ceiling height. The design team cleverly designed the column’s tall base square section to incorporate a railing, should a buyer want to do so.

The open porch offers a better view of the colorful plantings between the hardscape and the Town sidewalk and the opportunity to interact with neighbors passing by. The metal “papers and packages” slot remains for the postman and the beautiful carved front door with its distinctive diamond shaped window has been cleaned, restored and painted a deep blue gray. The only change was to replace the clear glass with etched glass for privacy. After a fresh coat of light blue gray on the floor, light gray on the lap siding and crisp white for the trim, exposed rafters and decking of the ceiling, all this porch lacks are chairs for new owners!

Before I went inside, I explored the side and rear yards. The side yard is fully hardscaped and was a shady respite from the sun and is ready for a block party! The rear yard has a small brick terrace off the door to the kitchen, which leaves the rest of the yard for a gardener to plan their own landscaping and to use the shed at the rear property line for garden maintenance. The rear yard has new wood fencing for privacy and the neighbor’s tall crape myrtle on one side overhangs the fence for a splash of color.

The front door opens into the living room with the fireplace’s brick surround and the curvature of the corbelled side of the brick chimney is a delightful form that was uncovered during demolition. The wood mantel on either side of the chimney is wide and deep for display. The restored wood floors are simply beautiful and the tall 2/2 windows in two exterior walls create a sunny living room. If I were a buyer, I would install wood shutters or translucent shades only on the bottom half of the windows so one could enjoy both privacy and sunlight. I especially liked the window and door trim with its distinctive detail of a single twisted rope with other molding.

The rear corner of the living room has a restored stained glass window that overlooks the stair landing leading to the second floor. The stair’s balustrade is open to the dining room behind the living room. Like the front porch base square section, the bottom of the staircase’s newel post is tall and the bottom two treads wrap around the wall with stained treads and painted risers. The dining room has sunlight from two windows and a half paneled, half French door to the side yard hardscape.

The last time I saw the main floor bathroom/future laundry, it was gutted for installation of the vapor barrier onto the crawl space underneath the main floor. The space has been tastefully transformed with a floor design that of small white polygonal tiles inlaid with light gray accents to create a diagonal pattern. The white “European” style lavatory cabinet and the corner shower complete the look and the side window separates the bath area from the washer and dryer.

It is hard to match this exquisite kitchen with the “before” pictures. The exposed ceiling rafters and decking are now crisp white above the refinished wood floors. The white upper cabinets and light gray base cabinets are divided by a backsplash of multi-sized and multi-textured horizontal tiles ranging from dark to light gray with splashes of white above the white quartz countertop. The cased wall opening to the kitchen is aligned with the stained glass panel above the stair landing for both a great vista and easy flow through the house. The rear wall of the kitchen has a half French door and a window overlooking the rear yard for ease of serving al fresco meals.

The stairs to the second floor open onto a sunlit hall at the side wall that connects the front and rear bedrooms with another bedroom and bathroom in between. The front bedroom has a large closet with two doors at one side wall tucked under the stairs to the attic storage and two front windows and a side window for abundant sunlight. The middle bedroom could also be an office or a nursery and another stained glass window filters sunlight in from the windows along the hall and from the bedroom’s exterior window. The rear bedroom also has windows on both the side and rear walls and a large closet with two doors that backs up to the bathroom off the hall. The bathroom has the original white polygonal tile and a new lavatory cabinet with sunlight from a side wall window.

Inspiring “Before and After” story and I look forward to keeping up with this talented duo who are dedicated to preserving Chestertown’s historic streetscapes one house at a time. Bravo and Brava! This is a great opportunity to purchase an in Town property that is move-in ready!

16-First Floor Plan
17-second Floor Plan

For more information about this property, contact Patrick Jones or Kathleen Jones at 410-708-2534 or jonesandjonespropertiesllc@gmail.com.

If you would like to see the “before” pictures, visit https://chestertownspy.org/2022/02/16/house-of-the-week-105-cannon-st-before/

Design with Jenn Martella: A Study in Scarlet

September 7, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Last month, this Catholic Spy infiltrated the wonderful Sunday morning Episcopal service at Rock Hall Beach. After the service, I drove around the streets nearby and stopped my car in front of this captivating cottage-no cookie cutter house here! This cottage is nestled in a wooded double lot in the heart of Rock Hall and just a short walk to the beach. The property includes a three bedroom, two bath house and decks leading to a three seasons polygonal shaped gazebo resting above the ground on stilts for views of the Chesapeake Bay. The path to the gazebo begins at the deck outside the kitchen with a short run of steps down to the parking area and another short run of steps up to a larger deck with a table and chairs under an umbrella for shade. The last run of steps lead to the gazebo for your reward of 360 degree views of the water. The interior architecture of the gazebo has wood floors and a sloped wood slat ceiling sections that intersect the low cupola at the top of the roof. The room is an ideal gathering space with all the essentials-futon for seating, table and chairs, compact refrigerator, microwave and coffee pot!

The front elevation of the cottage has great appeal from its story and a half massing and its three room wide, two room deep floor plan. The exterior color palette is “a study in scarlet” with the deep red vertical siding with white trim and lighter predominantly red architectural roofing. The front porch’s roof begins as a shed roof extending from the main roof’s eave and ends in a low sloped metal roof accented in pale gray. White posts support the porch roof and the two white rocking chairs on either side of the aqua blue front door create a perfect spot to welcome visitors. The variety of window sizes and shapes add to the cottage’s charm from the two high square windows on either side of the front door, the long windows around the sunroom, the gable end walls’ windows on the second floor and the dormer windows that punctuate the second floor roof.

I love eclectic interiors and this house’s delightful interior design begins when you open the door to the living room with its pitched ceiling, exposed white trusses and stained wood decking. The white walls are a background for a collection of antique pieces and a comfortable sofa and Bergère chair arranged around the wood stove below a large still life. The beautiful wood floors in the living room flow into the dining-kitchen area. The staircase to the second floor overlooks the dining area below with its antique oval wood table and chairs that match the ones I have in my kitchen sitting area. The vista from the table to the side wall of the stairs shows a carefully planned arrangement of art and other visual delights including the antique sideboard with and inlaid edge and white marble top.

The “L” shaped kitchen with a low sloped ceiling is a mix of stained wood cabinets, granite countertop and stainless steel appliances paired with a white furniture pieces of an island and a free-standing armoire. The island has a center cabinet between shelves with turned posts supporting the wood countertop and the free-standing white armoire has glass doors to pull-out shelves below open shelving. Two windows over the sink and another window at the rear bring sunlight into the space and the side door leads to the deck. Across from the kitchen is the corner sunroom with a rhythm of single and double windows that wrap around the two exterior walls. The colorful and playful rug, ottoman and low chest are great accents to the wood sideboard under the TV and the brown sofa. I especially liked the personal touch of the screen divider with panels inserted with family photos.

The primary suite at the other end of the house is reached by a short hall off the living room. The primary bedroom has double windows at the front wall and a single window at the rear wall for sunlight throughout the day. The pale aqua walls are soothing and I admired the paisley patterned coverlet over the carved wood bedframe. The spacious primary bath/laundry completes the main floor.

It is no surprise that my favorite rooms are on the second floor for its cozy interior architecture created by the gambrel shaped roof and dormers. The stairs end at one dormer with a low window above a seat any the family pet would covet. Another primary bedroom is located next to the stairs and has another dormer low window above a seat and a double unit window at the opposite wall. A sliding pair of doors leads to my favorite room, a screened porch with pitched ceilings, particleboard ceiling panels and triangular transoms on the side wall. All this space needs is a hammock for sleeping on warm summer nights.

The other two bedrooms and large full bath are along the hall on the other side of the stairs. Both guest bedrooms are charmingly furnished but if I were lucky to be a guest, I would choose the bedroom at the end of the hall with its gambrel shaped ceiling that follows the roof line to the underside of the collar beam. A wide dormer with two windows perfectly sized above the bed’s headboard. The beautiful antique furnishings include the carved wooden bed, curvaceous chest beside the bed, washstand, bench, armoire and hunt table in a new role as TV base. The soothing colors of rose and sage green and the pillows with colorful bold flowers create a restful retreat.

The property also includes a studio furnished with a pottery kiln, a shed for lawn and grounds maintenance and a carport to contain any combination of a vehicle, small boat, kayaks, paddleboards or boat. The two room studio echoes the main house’s red and white exterior palette. The interior has dressed plywood stained floor panels, a sloped ceiling with stained collar beams and the end wall with two high windows and a transom directly under the ceiling’s ridge. The studio’s mix of the bold red Mid-Century Modern sofa with antiques is as sophisticated a look as the main house. The working part of the studio has a kiln but any artist would welcome this space for their creative endeavor.

Wonderful property near Rock Hall’s beach, cozy cottage with sophisticated eclectic interiors that give this house a great personality. Outdoor rooms of the second floor screened porch and the unique screened gazebo connected to the house by a series of decks for views of the landscape and water-great weekend retreat or full time home!

For information about this property listed by RE/MAX Executive, contact Crystal Smith – Team Leader with Smith & Co. at RE/MAX Executive at 443-274-1101 (o), 410-490-6346 (c) or crystal@smithhomes.com .
For more pictures and pricing, visit www.smithcohomes.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by Nima Mohammadi of Nima Mohammadi Photography.

Spy House of the Week is an ongoing series that selects a different home each week. The Spy’s Habitat editor Jennifer Martella makes these selections based exclusively on her experience as a architect.

Design with Jenn Martella: Modern Meets Rancher

August 31, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

This 1.9 acre property in Great Oak Estates contains two houses, one a rancher that has been modified with front gable wings and the other is an intriguing guest house cantilevered over the waters of Fairlee Creek. The guest house is sited above the tip of the point that juts out into the water and is reached by both steps from the top of the embankment and a “catwalk” leading to a deck at the front door. When I first saw this side of the house, being a Hitchcock fan, it reminded me of the modern house in “North by Northwest”. Like that house (which was actually a pre-digital matte painting) this house’s main floor and deck are cantilevered. No huge wooden timber beams here for a modern day Cary Grant to climb up-just massive concrete cantilevered supports for the house and deck projection over the water. At the corner of the deck, you are suspended over water with 270 degree views of Fairlee Creek.

The walkway wraps around one waterside corner of the house and enlarges to create a deck. The compact three-room wide, two room deep floor plan is arranged with the dining room, kitchen, bedroom and bath at one end of the house and the primary suite at the other end with the living room and laundry in between. The deck leads to two entry doors, one between the dining room and the kitchen and the other between the dining and living rooms.

The living room’s ceiling is articulated with stained exposed wood beams and the dramatic rear wall opens up to the water with a tall five-unit bow window spanning from cushioned window seats to the soffit above. I imagine the cushions are coveted front row seats for enjoying the vista of water ending at the opposite shoreline or watching sunsets! Other seating is grouped around the wall of built-in millwork on the side wall of the living room. Two doors at the end of the living room lead to the guest bedroom and to a full bath. Behind the end wall of the living room is the laundry with an exterior door to a small walkway that ends at the waterside corner with a circular stair to the shoreline and pier.

The living room, dining room and kitchen create an open plan for easy flow for entertaining. The corner dining room has sunlight from the “porthole” window, glass door at one side and a large picture window at the other side. The rattan and cushioned furnishings with a glass tabletop create a cozy space for dining. The “U” shaped kitchen has its original finishes but the arrangement works well; it is relatively easy to change out cabinet doors and countertops for an updated look to suit one’s taste.

The primary suite spans the side of the house facing the water with the bedroom at one corner. Double-unit windows and another “porthole” window bring sunlight throughout the day. The decorative accent of the Captain’s wheel was a fitting decorative touch for this waterside house!

The main house must have once been a rancher that was enlarged with gable roofed additions with unequal sides flanking the front door. Box bays project from each gable, one for a closet and one for a nook with floor to ceiling windows and a half moon transom. To the left of the front door is the open plan living-dining-kitchen that spans the full depth of the house. Off the living room is a screened porch leading to a terrace for easy indoor-outdoor flow. The dining room’s mix of picture and awning units opens it up to the landscape and the kitchen’s interior stained Craftsman style cabinets and darker countertops are very appealing.

At the other side of the front door is the nook infilled with windows and an arched transom that leads to the bedroom wings. The hall bookcase creates a mini library with Scandinavian styled rocking chairs in the nook. The primary bedroom interior design was charming in its earth colors, artwork and a skylight. Other Scandinavian touches of the hall’s wooden hutch and a chair in a guest bedroom and the wood ceilings add warmth to the spaces. The front bedroom’s interior architecture was created by the three-unit window in the front gable wall and the side low window created by the unequal roof slopes. The low window is set at the perfect height for viewing from the bed.

Unique property on sheltered deep-water Fairlee Creek offering a westerly, southwesterly exposure with uncompromised sunsets, two homes, conveniently located between Chestertown and Rock Hall, a deep water dock with 5-6′ depth, an outdoor barbeque patio overlooking Fairlee Creek, and 575+/- feet of secure shoreline. The amenities of Great Oak Marina and Resort including a beach, pool, restaurant, and 9-hole golf course are close by

For more information about this property, contact Select Land and Homes Inc. agent William “Billy” Norris at 410-810-3900 (o), 410-708-0956 (c) or bnorrisselect@gmail.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.selectlandandhomes.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”

Design with Jenn Martella: Haven on High Street

August 24, 2022 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

The derivation of the name “High Street” began in medieval Great Britain when towns or villages grew along main routes to provide inns, taverns, markets and shops to travelers and residents. The thoroughfare soon became known as High Street for being the main commercial and retail center. The Queen’s English translates to Main Street but Chestertown’s High Street retains its original name. High Street begins at the Chester River and its residential areas vary from the grand houses at Water Street to the more affordable 3-bay houses like today’s feature.

This property has the very desirable advantage of a corner lot, offering off street parking in a one car garage off the side street, The wide yard at the side street offers additional sunlight and privacy. As I walked up to the front of the three bay house, I admired the weathered wood fence with an arbor to frame the sidewalk to the full front porch. The backdrop of tall trees at the rear yard and the exterior color palette of two-toned light lap siding and darker trim with the accent of the olive green door was quite pleasing. The symmetry of the three bay house with the door at the left side next to two single windows, three windows above and a single gable dormer at the attic level with an arched top window creates charming curb appeal.

The house is one room wide and four rooms deep with the front door surround of a full transom and half glass/half paneled sidelights enhanced with rosette trim blocks. The front door opens into the living room with the staircase to one side, detailed with a stained newel post and treads with decorative stair tread brackets. This room’s architectural charm includes a fireplace on the interior wall, two front windows, a side bay window wall projection and the ceiling’s tin pattern is painted white to reflect the sunlight. Blinds provide privacy and sheers filter sunlight throughout the day. The wood floors are original and could be refinished to suit one’s taste. The fireplace mantel is probably original also and the high back that usually framed a mirror is the perfect place for artwork as it is here.

The light gray walls, wood floors and rosette trim of the living room continues into the spacious dining room with additional trim creating a wainscot that is painted an accent color. Windows at each side wall provide cross ventilation and views to the yards. I was pleased to see the radiator for heating as that is my favorite type since you can also have metal radiator covers made that are the perfect height for extra tables. The table could accommodate family dinners or holiday celebrations and the period light fixture is the perfect touch. At the side of the dining room is a room with a window that would make a perfect office/homework space with a window for views of the landscape. Another cased opening leads to the “L” shaped kitchen with a vista of bar stools behind the kitchen sink cabinetry. Since the kitchen is adjacent to the large laundry/mud room, the kitchen could be opened up by moving the sink cabinetry to the side wall and adding a breakfast area next to the laundry with a new wall between them. There is also a deck for dining al-fresco.

The laundry/mudroom has a single slope roof facing the eave of the one-car garage. Changing the single sloped roof to a pitched roof that would hip into the garage roof would create a short breezeway for ease of getting into the house during inclement weather. This would also allow the ceiling in the laundry/breakfast area to be the same height as the kitchen.

The second floor contains three bedrooms, one bath and a deck stacked above the kitchen deck below. The primary bedroom is located at the front corner of the house and has two front windows and one double unit window at the side wall that keeps the room sunny throughout the day. The bedroom has two closets, which is unusual for an older home. I especially liked one of the other bedrooms for its quilt in a lovely variation of the “Triangle Showcase” pattern.

If I were a teenager, I would claim the third floor space as my bedroom for its privacy, bird’s eye views of High Streets’ rooftops and the sunlight from the front wall dormer and windows at each side gable walls. The steep steps could perhaps be rebuilt to make this delightful space with the sloped ceilings more accessible.

Corner lot with a single car garage off the side street, compact floor plan with many original features such as wood floors, trim, fireplace mantel, dining room pendant fixture and upgrades to the kitchen and baths. This charming house has been a well maintained rental and is ready for you to make changes to suit your own tastes. Only four blocks to the Historic District, close to Chestertown’s Rail for Trails and Washington College.

For more information about this property, contact Retha Arrabal with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-2172 (c) or retha@dougashleyrealtors.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.dougashleyrealtors.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 410-310-6838, Janelle@Thruthelensphotos.com

Design with Jenn Martella: Historic Charm on Calvert

August 17, 2022 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

This charming historic house’s desirable location on Calvert Street is near the H.H. Garnett Elementary School, Sacred Heart Church, First United Methodist Church, the Kent County Library, and the US Post Office. The heart of Chestertown’s shopping and entertainment district is only a short walk away. Before I went in for my tour, I admired the two and a half story house’s front elevation with its exterior color palette of light green German shiplap siding that on this sunny day casts shadows over the facade. I also liked how the trim on the front façade was painted a dark green blue which accentuated the window frames’ creamy white color. The three-bay house has the entry door at the right side, protected by a gable roof supported by turned columns. Two single windows next to the door, three windows above and a single dormer that breaks through the roof create a delightful composition for great curb appeal.

As I walked down the gravel alley beside the house, I realized the house’s massing had originally been an “L” that became a “U” with an addition at the rear. Between the original house and the addition is a screened porch overlooking the side yard with trees for shade. Between the hedge along the alley is a gate leading to a brick walk up to the screened porch’s door. The rear elevation is equally charming with a side door next to two single windows, three windows aligned above and the pergola that extends beyond the rear wall. The side wall of the pergola facing the alley is infilled with lattice and two of the supports and the roof framing are intertwined with greenery. At the side of the house is a wooden fence with a gate trimmed with a circular top leading to the Town sidewalk.

The sitting area under the pergola leads to a gravel area blending into the parking area off the alley extending to the wooden fence at the property line. I walked past the fence to the end of the alley and was mesmerized by another property’s panoramic vista of a landscape surrounded by towering trees and mature landscaping accented by a “Giverny” inspired bridge. How peaceful it would be to live in this house and walk to the end of the gravel drive to savor the beauty of their landscape.

Walking back to the front door. I admired its etched glass on both the door and the transom above for privacy. The front door opens into an interior of visual delights-art adorning the walls, antique furnishings including upholstered pieces in warm tones of coral and apricot resting on rugs, seating grouped around the side exterior wall with the original carved mantel surrounding the firebox flanked by floor to ceiling millwork filled with books. The original stairway to the second floor is open to the living room for views of the art along the walls seen through the stained wood balustrade. The stained wood shutters over the front windows provide both light and privacy.

A pair of half etched glass, half wood bifold doors lead to the kitchen-dining-family room with the table and chairs centered between the cabinetry and the beautiful painted wood settee for guests to keep the cook company. It is always refreshing to see someone who uses color and materials to give style like this kitchen does with the mix of painted and stained wood, joined together by the granite countertop with a butcher block insert. The farmhouse sink is perfect for an historic house and the contrast of the white subway tile backsplash and appliances accentuate the cabinetry colors. I especially liked the mix of glass fronted upper cabinets and the open plate rack unit.

The sitting area’s windows overlooking the terrace and pergola and the large Oriental rug set up a comfortable seating area. The hutch is filled with cookbooks and I recognized many of mine and the antique drinks cart is ready for cocktails before dinner. A half etched glass/wood door leads to the screened porch for easy flow when entertaining.

The second floor contains two bedrooms, one at the front and the other at the rear. In between are a large bath and walk-in closet. Neither the bath nor walk-in closet had a window at the exterior wall but that would be an easy addition for sunlight into the spaces; the panes could be frosted for privacy if the new windows were opposite the neighbor’s windows. The front bedroom is furnished as a bed-sit and I loved the stylish range of furnishings from the curvaceous antique settee with golden yellow upholstery, the deep rose Bergère chair like my own, the glass topped table for work and the daybed with a splash of a purple duvet over the white wood frame. Between the front windows with stained wood shutters are several art posters for galleries that are well known to me and brought back happy memories of my past visits. A set of stairs lead up to the attic area over the original part of the house for storage.

The bathroom’s white and black theme has small white polygonal floor tiles with black insets forming a floral border and the same tile is repeated in the shower. I liked the clever “ribbon” of black and white tiles that are centered in the walls at each side of the opening to the shower. The artwork at the exterior wall picks up the soft peach wall color.

The rear bedroom is the domain of the Owner and is beautifully furnished with antiques including the brass bed frame, wood chest and nightstand with white marble tops, a chaise for relaxing by the rear windows overlooking the pergola and gardens, and the piece de resistance, the French armoire. One set of stairs leads down to the family room and another set leads to the attic area above for storage with climate control.

Historic house one block from the heart of Chestertown, quiet street with a gravel alley for access to the parking area behind the house and also the park beyond the rear yard’s fence, updated kitchen, bath and powder room, wonderful great room of kitchen-dining-sitting room-secluded screened porch, great curb appeal! My compliments to the Owner for her stylish interiors!

For more information about this property, contact Lisa Raffetto with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-0174 (c) or

lisar@cbchesapeake.com . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.cbchesapeake.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Photography by Patty Hill, 410-441-4719, www.pattyhillphotography.com. For online booking, visit https://pattyhillphotography.simplybook.me/v2/

Design with Jenn Martella: Bella Belleau

August 10, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

The community of Montebello Hills in Kent County has a pastoral setting in central Kent County near Chestertown and Rock Hall. For boating and/or fishing enthusiasts, the Still Pond Creek Public Landing is nearby. The Owners of this house selected a floor plan from Southern Living and a local builder. So many facades of magazine plans are overloaded with architectural elements not representative of any particular style, but this house’s facades were done well. My only comment is that the front porch’s arched pediment seems too top heavy and lacks a column at the other end of the arch. The massing is quite pleasing with a front wing that gables back to the main roof then telescopes down to the next smaller gable that projects forward and the final box bay window projects further with a sloped shed dark brown metal roof.

The wrap-around front porch begins at the double entry doors and ends at the story and a half front gable garage/laundry wing. A single glass and paneled door opens into a short hall next to the garage and opposite the laundry, making clean-up easy after a day in pool or doing landscape maintenance. The exterior color palette of beige siding, the red brick of the exposed foundation, front porch steps, flooring and the front gable wing with the charcoal architectural roofing create great curb appeal. The rear elevation is quite attractive beginning with the garage wing’s gable to the laundry ‘s hyphen connection to the main wing’s symmetry with two, one-story gables at each end flanking a recessed screened porch below a shed dormer with triple windows at the upper part of the main roof.

The front door opens into a spacious foyer with beautiful yellow pine flooring that continues throughout the main floor and a vista to the living room and the screened porch beyond. To the left of the foyer is the dining area at the corner of the main wing with two wide and tall windows on each exterior wall. Between the windows is a chair rail and below are moldings to define panels and the trim and molding are a lighter color than the wall color for a pleasant contrast. Between the dining area and the kitchen is the stairwell that is open to both the dining room and kitchen opposite the living room.

The living room seating is grouped around the interior wall of built-in millwork flanking the pellet stove and space for a large screen TV. Cabinetry below open shelving provides space for games, books and collectibles. Pairs of sliding doors lead to the screened porch overlooking the pool for great indoor-outdoor flow. The recessed screened porch creates a delightful breakfast nook with a trio of windows overlooking the rear landscape. The chair rail frames a portion of the wall with a collection of various sizes of mirrors and one plaque proclaiming “You Are My Sunshine” – a lovely way to start the day! The kitchen has Bertch white cabinetry, 42” high upper cabinets, period hardware, quartz countertops with a farmhouse style sink, white subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a custom island top fabricated from English walnut that overhangs the island creating space for four stools. I liked how the transom over the interior doors or openings pays homage to the transoms of older houses in the days before HVAC.

The primary suite has its own wing next to the living room and spans from the study in the front of the house to the bedroom at the rear. The study has a triple window box bay creating a ledge for the family pet to keep one company while working. The primary bedroom has both triple windows at the rear and two side windows overlooking the landscape. To complete the suite, there is a large walk-in closet and a sumptuous spa bath with both a tiled shower equipped with four heads, a partial height wall below glass panels and subway tiles. I coveted the free-standing soaking tub below a double unit window with frosted glass panes for privacy and the thought of stepping out from the tub onto heated tile floors would be heavenly!

The second floor has four guest bedrooms spaced across the floor layout for privacy with a large full bath in the center of the plan. Each bedroom has either walk-in or large closets. Above the garage is a storage area with windows at each gable end wall, insulated side knee walls and gypsum board ready for your preferred wall finish.

The property also includes the large in-ground pool with its wide paved surround that provides ample space for chaises for sunbathing after a dip in the pool and a 30×40 insulated two-bay pole barn with a porch facing the pool for entertaining. The barn has its own driveway for parking to accommodate guests for large parties.

Floor plan that is zoned well, exterior color palette of pleasing materials and colors, outdoor rooms of a wrap-around front porch, rear screened porch, pool area and open porch at the pole barn, spacious main floor primary suite and four additional bedrooms on the second floor; the perfect family home that enables a couple to age in place!

For more information about this property, contact Lacey Sutton with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-3580(c) or lacey@cbchesapeake.com. For more photographs and pricing visit
https://suttonteamhomes.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity.” For a virtual tour, visit
https://www.homesnap.com/MD/Worton/24964-Belleau-Wood-Road?a=330023806

Photography by TruPlace, www.truplace.com, 301-972-3201
Builder: Ray Strong of Canvasback Construction, 410-708-8893.
Architect: Mitch Guinn, Southern Living House Plan “Stone Creek,” 770-502-1423.

Design with Jenn Martella: Shorewood

August 3, 2022 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Although the exact date of the construction of this historic house remains a mystery, several clues include the Maryland Historic Trust’s date of approximately mid-19th century, and “Historic Houses of Kent County” date of around 1850. The last word may be a brief mention in the “Middletown Transcript” which noted construction had begun on a “handsome new dwelling house” on a certain Alexander Wilson’s property known as Wilson Point. The County’s 1877 map shows a building on the Sassafras River with a house dating from 1868. Whatever its date, the original façade was inspired by the Italianate style with Victorian flourishes.

The property and its name changed hands several times until the 1920’s when Clayton C. Ingraham and his wife bought 240 acres of Wilson’s property and christened the house “Shorewood”. They sold it to Alice P. Martin who was inspired by the Italianate architecture to create an Italian style garden on the east side of the house. Under the care of the next Owners, Giuseppe and Dorothy Ballanca, Shorewood’s beautiful garden flourished and drew nationwide fame. The property passed to their son, who subdivided most of the property into small lots and the garden was lost. 1993, the current owners purchased the house surrounded by approximately fifty acres of land and began extensive renovations.

The property includes the main house, boat house, cottage, guest house/garage, tavern/workshop/hall, pool, pool house and boat dock. Connecting the buildings is a paved drive that meanders through wooded areas of both evergreen and deciduous trees past the buildings before it loops back onto the main part of the drive. The original front façade is now a symmetrical arrangement with the center four-paneled arched tops door, tall transom and full sidelights surrounded by tall 4/6 windows on the main floor, 4/4 windows on the second floor and 2/2 windows on the third floor. The entire façade is white, from the eave brackets, siding, windows, shutters, front door and iron filigreed porch railing, accented by the cheerful green and white awnings for the upper floors’ windows and the green edging at the perimeter of the cupola with its 360 degree views.

The original main floor plan is a historic Maryland center hall layout with the front floor opening into a foyer with a rear door to the wrap-around porch and a graceful staircase that curves upward at one side. On either side of the foyer are the living and dining rooms. The living room is beautifully proportioned with the tall windows that stretch from the baseboards to the crown molding at the ceiling. Single windows flank the fireplace on the side exterior wall and two windows on the both the front and rear walls keep this room sunny throughout the day. The dining room also has front and rear windows and is enhanced by a shallow niche infilled with a mirror to showcase an antique settee. Like the living room, ceiling medallions with crystal chandeliers over the stylish furnishings set the stage for elegant entertaining.

The story and a half addition is offset from the original house to respect its prominence. At the main level, there is a secondary entry off the porte-cochere, powder room, kitchen/sitting room that spans the depth of the addition, a family room with a delightful nook for quiet time, and another family room/breakfast area that wraps around the other family room. The second and third floors contains guest rooms.

The kitchen is a cook’s dream with a large center island containing an AGA stove and a side wall of additional cabinetry and appliances ending at the front wall in glass upper cabinets and an office area below. A partial height wall encloses the stairs to the basement that includes an impressive wine cellar that this oenophile coveted. The front wall of the kitchen has three pairs of French doors protected by awnings and the rear space is a waterside sunroom with French doors at the side wall leading to the wrap-around porch.

Beyond the secondary stair to the second floor guest rooms, a wide cased opening leads to the spacious family room. Its interior design has a rustic feel due to its ceiling grid of exposed stained beams, the clever wall treatment of drywall overlaid with thin horizontal stained wood planks to simulate log cabin walls and the stone fireplace. I especially admired the beautiful Navaho rugs that adorn the tile flooring that extended from the kitchen. The other family room has the same flooring, but here the stained wood slats are the ceiling with dropped rafters painted white. Seating around the corner TV and the oval table for informal meals create a casual area for relaxation.

The second floor bedrooms are divided between the original house and the offset addition. The original stair leads to the primary suite over the living room and another bedroom over the dining room. The primary suite has a trio of windows at the rear wall overlooking the river and the bed is positioned to enjoy the view. Like the living room, side windows flank the fireplace and the beautifully appointed room is prelude to the other bedrooms’ lovely interiors, each with its own personality. The bedroom over the dining room also has a waterside trio of windows at the rear wall for a sitting area and I admired the exquisitely carved wood bedframe. Steps lead to the area over the addition containing two full baths, another bedroom, a bonus room and the secondary stair down to the kitchen, so convenient for a midnight snack!

The third floor contains three more bedrooms and two baths above the original part of the house. One bedroom, with an unusual metal bedframe with a Gothic style arched headboard, has a trio of windows at the rear wall overlooking the river. Like Goldilocks, I would enjoy testing all the beds on each floor but I would claim the third floor’s bedroom that spans the depth of the house for its ship’s ladder’s stairs leading to the cupola above for stargazing!

Entertaining guests would be easy with options from the outdoor pool surrounded by stuccoed walls with large openings for views of the landscape, pool house with its loggia at the pool level for shade from the sun and the spacious family room above with French doors opening onto a terrace sized for dancing under the stars, the cavernous timber framed barn for large gatherings with its terrace shaded by a pergola, and the pier and boathouse-this is truly a one of a kind property!

For more information about this property, contact John Burke with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-275-2118 (o), 443-206-3727 (c) or jburke57@gmail.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit https://gunthermcclary.com/, “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

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