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 [email protected] .
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.

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.

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

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

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

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

[email protected] . 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/

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

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

 

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 [email protected]. 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.

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

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

Once again, I find myself in the very appealing Wymont Park neighborhood of NW Kent County, whose water boundaries are Jacks Cove and Still Pond Creek leading to the Chesapeake Bay. The water oriented community neighborhood has both waterfront lots and inland lots including today’s feature. This custom built contemporary style house was built in 2004 with the use of structurally integrated panels. What caught my eye was its setting, nestled in a clearing of woods, surrounded by dense foliage of tall trees and mature landscaping. The light colored exterior color palette and the geometry of the house with its many gables, bay projections and angled walls reach out to the landscape against this verdant oasis’ backdrop of green. 

The massing defines the one-level part of the house with guest rooms above in a two-story wing that offers one-level living with the option to “age in place.” From the parking area, a path of aggregate concrete meanders between the house and the tall trees along one side of the path with plantings of hostas, hydrangeas, and other low shrubbery around the house. The path widens just before reaching the front porch for a clearing with two Adirondack chairs in the shade of trees that is a pleasant spot for relaxing and enjoying the sights and sounds of nature. The front door is recessed beyond the brick stoop to provide just enough space for a wicker chair for another seating option. At the rear elevation there is a spacious deck off the great room with a table and benches under an umbrella for al-fresco dining and other Adirondack chairs. Steps lead down to a large terrace with a texture change of oversize random stone pavers set into gravel with a firepit and Adirondack chairs in red with blue cushions. Bird lovers will appreciate the feeders and a bird bath to encourage visits from avian companions. 

The floor plan is zoned very well for family relaxation and entertaining large family celebrations with the front door opening into a recessed foyer opposite the stairs between the front den with built-in millwork with a space for the TV, across from the primary suite on one side of the house. One side of the stairs are open to the spacious open plan family-sitting -office nook that is the hub of the house. The service areas of garage, mudroom and laundry are located at the other end of the house. The contemporary style large casement windows without muntins, sliding doors and arched transoms provide multiple ways for sunlight to keep the interiors sunny and bright and provide views of the mature landscaping against the continuous backdrop of trees. 

Offsets in plan and the vaulted ceilings with exposed stained beams create a dramatic great room of living-dining-sitting area-office area-kitchen-breakfast area that spans the full depth of the house. The beautiful wood floors range from natural plank hickory, cherry and oak with an inlaid star pattern in the foyer. The living room seating is arranged around the gas fireplace to provide cozy warmth on chilly nights. The dining area is centered on the large four-unit window with a half-moon transom over the center windows. Angled offsets in plan next to the dining area create spaces for extra seating, home office, crafts, etc. leading to the kitchen.

The kitchen design features solid cherry cabinets with updated hardware and granite counters. The angled “L” arrangement is opposite a wall of cabinetry containing the  R/F hidden behind cabinet panels and a generous pantry cabinet with pull out shelves that provides easily accessible storage. Next to the R/F are base cabinets with open shelves above for display that create a lovely vista from the dining area. The center island seats three and another option for breakfast is the bay window area with a triangular transom above the middle window in the bay. Between the kitchen and the garage is a mud room and powder room. The garage is generously sized to accommodate two cars,  a tool bench and storage. The second floor has two additional bedrooms, one bath and two attic areas for storage.

Custom built home in a secluded wooded setting in a tranquil water oriented community, with the Chesapeake Bay just a short boat ride from Still Pond Creek, deck and terrace that spill out into the mature landscaping, dramatic great room with vaulted ceilings outlined in stained timber framing, gourmet kitchen, and one-level living with guest rooms on the second floor-great property!

For more information about this property, contact Grace Crockett with Doug Ashley Realtors, LLC at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-5615  (c) or [email protected] , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroup, Thru the Len Photography, 410-301-6838, [email protected].

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

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

I always enjoy returning to S. Kent Street that is one block long between Cannon and High Street. The rows of narrow urban lots infilled with houses remind me of my past work in urban revitalization projects. This street is close to the center of Chestertown’s Historic District amenities and near Washington College. I am always drawn to the diminutive scale, perhaps because I am beginning to think about downsizing, so this house caught my eye for how it stands out with its hipped roof between the larger houses on either side with their side gable roofs. The full front porch has a very low sloped hipped roof  and with the entry door at the side, the porch area is maximized for seating to interact with neighbors on their daily strolls. The white turned columns and the railing enclose the space and the wide step at the entry door bay invites one to sit and catch up with neighbors. 

The architectural roofing shingles, window shutters and lap siding add texture to the asymmetrical arrangement of the single entry door next to a double unit window below the second floor’s two single windows. The pale green siding and the slate blue shutters complete the look. When I saw the interior of the front porch with the wood flooring painted red, the blue front door mat and the white storm door at the front entry, it seemed very fitting in honor of the month we celebrate the July 4th holiday. 

The front door opens into a charming living room with one side wall infilled with built-in full height bookcases that have a blind corner at each end to define the area with a window seat centered below the side window opposite the single window at the other side exterior wall. With the double window unit at the front of the house, the room is sunny all day and the inviting interior design is perfectly scaled for the space; I especially coveted the Windsor settee! The creamy white walls, crisp white trim and the white plantation shutters for the windows accentuate the beautiful wide plank wood floors. 

A wide cased opening leads to the dining room with two built-in corner cabinets to showcase the collection of ceramics and crystal, linked by a wood wainscot of alternating wide and narrow panels. The exposed brick chimney is behind a wood stove and the beautiful wood table with its distinctive sinuous candle holder below the pendant lighting over the table sets the scene for memorable meals. At the side wall facing the stairs, the bottom tread is below a window and the area under the stairs has increasingly higher doors detailed with side rails and vertical planks to access the storage area. 

I absolutely loved the kitchen-breakfast area that spans across the width of the house. Vintage touches of the white porcelain farmhouse sink and period fitting, the free-standing wood butcher block against the exposed brick chimney, the mix of the wood plate rack above the dishwasher, open shelves, minimum upper cabinets, most with glass fronts, white base cabinetry, white tile backsplash with a racing stripe in an accent color, wood countertops and the beautiful pine flooring gives this kitchen its unique personality. The breakfast area has a wood wainscot and the wood table under the side window with colorful Windsor chairs is a perfect spot for a quick meal or for keeping the cook company while meals are prepared. I especially liked the clever detail of the stained glass window as a valance over the actual window over the kitchen sink.

Behind the kitchen-breakfast area is the utility room with a stack washer/dryer and a full bath. The exterior door leads to the fenced back yard that is primarily hardscape with a border for plants and flowers that creates a quiet urban oasis.

The stairs to the second floor end at a hall connecting the two bedrooms with the full bath in between. The built-in linen cupboard in the hall conveniently stores extra towels, bed linens and seasonal blankets, etc. and a pull-down stair leads to the attic for storage. 

The primary bedroom at the front of the house has two windows and one side window for sunlight throughout the day. The bedroom at the rear of the house is furnished as a “bed-sit” with a comfortable wide upholstered chair and ottoman for reading before turning in for the night. The full bath has both a free-standing soaking tub and a shower with a glass door. I loved the interior design of the bathroom with the floor’s small polygonal white tiles inlaid with black tiles inset at regular intervals to create a pattern. The white beadboard wainscot detailed with baseboard and molding below light sage green walls are a soothing background for the fixtures including a dual white lavatory cabinet with center drawers, the white marble countertop with a white backsplash topped with small black tiles that are repeated in the shower’s white tile walls and the individual mirrored medicine cabinets that create an elegant design. 

This charming home has undergone a thoughtful renovation including all the essentials one dislikes having to do- new plumbing, wiring, framing, HVAC, and roofing. Move-in ready as the realtors say!

For more information about this property, contact Miles Norris at Select Land and Homes Inc., 410-810-3900 (o), 410-708-5423 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.selectlandandhomes.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

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

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

When I first saw a picture of the long side of this building, I did not realize at first that it was a residence. The rectangular building has a sloped upper roof with a row of clerestory windows above the greenhouse’s single sloped roof below. When I saw the earth berm against the rear high concrete wall, I realized this was a unique house that was carefully sited to incorporate earth sheltered design principles. I have been interested in earth sheltered design since my post-graduation tour with college friends. One of our most memorable stops was Mesa Verde Park in Colorado where we saw the famous cliff dwellers housing tucked under the massive overhanging rocks. The ancient Anasazi people who built their dwellings understood the basic principle of earth sheltered design of using the earth for thermal control. A structure built into the earth with its steady 55-65 degree year round temperature needs less cooling in the warm months and less heating in the cold months for significant energy savings. 

In addition to the concrete retaining wall against the sloped grassed berm at the north side of the house, other energy saving features include active solar panels on the sloped south side one story roof. The solar panels are owned and contribute more to the local energy grid than is consumed by this house with reimbursements and credits greater than the $13 monthly distribution charge. The south-facing continuous windows at the one-story greenhouse and the upper continuous clerestory windows provide passive solar energy. Radiant floor heating, the on-demand hot water heater and the greenhouse’s smart-opening skylights are other energy saving features.

The double entry doors open into the hall between the studio of the Owner, who is a quilt artisan, and the two-car garage. I lingered in the studio since both of the bedrooms in my home have quilts from great-grandmothers on both sides of my family. I was fascinated by the beautiful quilts in various stages of progress and how this spacious room is filled with light from the tall windows and transoms and the clerestory windows high above that bounce sunlight off the walls below. 

As I continued my tour, I noticed that the “service” areas of kitchen, pantry, laundry, utility room and a hall bathroom are logically located against the rear berm wall. The kitchen has a contemporary look with light wood cabinets, sleek hardware, granite countertops, stainless steel Bosch appliances and an induction stovetop. The kitchen’s sloped ceiling rises to meet the clerestory wall  across the hall and is open to the living-dining area that is flooded with sunlight from the clerestory windows and the pair of French doors with transoms between pairs of long windows overlooking the greenhouse. The side wall of the living area has a fireplace with its drywall chimney next to built-in millwork that matches the color of the wood kitchen cabinets. The sloped ceiling adds the perfect amount of volume to the space. 

Walking along the hall, I was very envious of both the large pantry and laundry room, both of which were larger than my guest room! The three bedrooms are located along the hall and are filled with sunlight from their exterior walls that are the rear wall of the south-facing greenhouse. One guest bedroom currently  functions as an office with a wall of closets and pair of French doors to the greenhouse. The two Owners’ en-suites are larger and both have a pair of French doors and a double unit long window with transoms to the greenhouse. The enclosure of the white walls and sloped ceiling to reflect the light creates serene retreats for connecting to nature. Since the bathrooms for each Owner suite are located at the interior hall, I would be tempted to add a high window in one of the bathroom walls facing the bedrooms for indirect sunlight. 

My favorite room in the homes I feature is usually the sunroom with wrap-around windows. This house’s greenhouse is literally a sunroom filled with light from its ceiling of smart opening skylights and casement windows that wrap around three sides of the room for panoramic views of the countryside. The greenhouse’s concrete floor and a spigot for watering makes taking care of plants an easy chore that also is handy for pet care!

This unique Green house was built in 2016 with many energy features for year round comfort and energy cost savings. The interior layout is zoned well with the open plan living-dining-kitchen area balanced by the private bedroom suites. The ‘bonus” room is the spacious 432 sf studio/office/family room that could also be converted to a studio apartment since the space has its own exterior entrance and has been plumbed for a full bath. Very intriguing property!

 

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

Photography by TruPlace, (301) 972-3201, https://truplace.com/

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

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