Habitat

House of the Week: Three Chapters in the Life of a Remarkable House

September 22, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

I have been intrigued by the changes that successive owners have incorporated into this exquisite house designed by architect Peter Newlin. The original owner was an ornithologist who had purchased a site and built a small one-room cabin as her weekend get-away, nestled in a wooded area with conifers, mature deciduous trees, native plants, a creek and marsh that attracted birds and other wildlife. She retained Peter to design a three-story addition so she could better observe the birds since different species seek different heights for feeding or nesting areas.

The design challenge was how to join a three-story vertical addition to a one-story small cabin without overwhelming the cabin’s scale and to insert the addition as carefully as possible for minimum invasion of the wildlife’s habitat. Peter rose to the challenge with his masterful addition. The hipped roof of the original cabin inspired the shed roof of the wrap-around porch whose depth varies around the rectangular footprint to create a variety of spaces inside and out. Breaking the tower massing up by stepping it back as it passed through the roof behind and above the one-story original cabin, recladding the entire house and new roofing more than met the challenge. Many windows became “outlooks” for endless birdwatching. Old and new were blended seamlessly and the original cabin became a main level bedroom suite or office.

The budget for this house was tight as it was a weekend retreat so Peter compacted the space planning of the main floor into a great room and connected the three levels of the tower by a spiral stair. He left the second and third floor decking exposed below to eliminate finished ceilings. The main floor was poured concrete to which the owner patiently applied seven coats of varnish to achieve the earthy look she desired. The middle level contained the bedroom and bath with a wrap-around windows and a French door to access the deck for views of the landscape and water beyond. My favorite room was the third floor room whose ceiling was pitched on all four sides that reflected the sunlight throughout the day. Tall, large windows with vented units below and picture windows above wrapped around each corner.

The ornithologist later sold the house and the second chapter of this house began when the new owner added a screened “hyphen” connecting the house to a screened pavilion and a deck that paralleled the creek. Just like the original house, the wood slat ceiling was attached to the underside of the roof rafters to give the space an “airy” feel. They also removed part of the living room’s exterior wall and added a wonderful inglenook with a fireplace to expand the interior living space. These additions were designed and constructed to seamlessly blend in with the original house design.

The third owner invited me and Peter to tour the house and we quickly realized his contribution to the third chapter of this remarkable house’s story was the beautiful interior design that reflected his love for Japanese culture and his collections of books, pottery, artisan crafts and furnishings and art. Comfortable upholstered sofas were mixed with beautiful artisan wood chairs, settees and wood tables with unique shapes and live edges. Accent pillows and the Oriental rugs over the hardwood floors added color. Not surprising, considering that the owner was a photographer, everywhere I looked-on tabletops, the fireplace mantel, windowsills, etc., were tableaus of carefully arranged pieces from his collections.

The original house design was ahead of its time by incorporating many energy saving features. The insulated slab-on-grade acts as a heat sink and the spiral stair provides natural ventilation from the surrounding woods by drawing the cool air off the forest floor and exhausting warm air through a dormer window at the third floor roof.

Now the house is beginning its fourth chapter as the house is for sale and it will be interesting to see what this chapter brings. The realtor cleverly staged the empty house with just enough furnishings to complement the interior architecture so the beauty of the original design can be fully appreciated. As an architect, it is always a pleasure to feature an outstanding house designed by another architect and it is no surprise that this house won a “Citation of Merit” from the Chesapeake Bay Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Good design does indeed matter as the evolution of this remarkable house illustrates from its original design.

For more information about this property, contact Retha Arrabal with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-2172 (c) or rarrabal@hotmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.dougashleyrealtors.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Janelle Stroup, Thru the Lens Photography ,845-744-2758 Architecture by Peter Newlin of Chesapeake Architects, 410-778-4899, peter@chesarch.com, www.chesarch.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.

House of the Week: Bungalow Bliss

September 15, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Having lived in two Craftsman style bungalows, I simply cannot resist their quirky charm and this bungalow caught my eye for its several unique features. The front entry is a pair of French doors that open into a small vestibule to the living room that spans the length of the house. Between the entry French doors are two identical delightful nooks with arched openings into the living room. I wondered if the house once had a full front porch that had been infilled but the nooks are charming. Each nook has a center window between two narrower windows and a side window creating miniature sunrooms, libraries, offices or myriad other uses.

The stairs are located at the side wall of the living room and begin with one tread up to a landing and then to a single run to the second floor. The stairs are open to the living room and finished with stained wood treads and white risers. The living room has sunlight from three sides from the French entry doors, the nooks’ windows, two side windows and another side window above the stair landing. The front door is on axis with the wide wall opening in the opposite wall of the living room leading to the dining room. The spacious room has a pair of windows above a cushioned seat below and the easy flow continues through the house to the kitchen, sunroom and another room that the current owner uses as an office. The main level also contains one bedroom and bath.

This corner “office” with windows at each side overlooks the rear yard and with the adjacent sunroom with its sloped ceiling open to the roof joists and decking and the wrap-around windows would make great family gathering spaces. The eat-in kitchen has a window above the table and chairs and a double unit window above the sink for sunlight. Stairs lead from the sunroom to a terrace and a sidewalk through the fenced yard to the off-street parking off the alley. The yard has mature trees for shade, crape myrtle for color and plenty of lawn for play. Garden tools, lawn maintenance and toys can be stored in the detached outbuilding. Doors on the rear foundation wall lead to the basement for additional storage.

The second floor has great interior architecture with identical long shed roofs with four-unit windows that add character to both the front and rear elevations. Along with knee walls for recessed storage, the two spacious bedrooms tucked under the shed roofs have both sleeping and sitting areas. The knee wall in one bedroom is decorated as an entrance to a child’s size nook that becomes a play house. A mirror mounted on the wall is set at a child’s height and becomes a “window” to the play house.

Prime location in Chestertown’s Historic district and close proximity to shops and restaurants. Great period details including the arched openings, stained five-panel interior doors and a main floor plan that flows to the rear fenced yard gives this charming bungalow great appeal!

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.lisaraffetto.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com, (410) 441-4719

Habitat House of the Week: On Gratitude

September 8, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 2 Comments

In the days before the opening of the Bay Bridge, “Gratitude” was one of the many steamboat ferries that carried passengers from Baltimore seeking the sun and beaches of the Eastern Shore. There is even a book named after her-“Days of Gratitude, A Brief History of a Chesapeake Steamboat and the Town Named After Her ”, written by historian William M. Denny. Gratitude is now a populated place within the Town of Rock Hall. This charming property with its farmhouse style exterior and contemporary interior was designed by the late award-winning architect and first owner, Walcott Etienne, of Washington, DC, as his weekend retreat.

The massing of the house is quite pleasing; between the two wings that are perpendicular to each other is the entry link with a pair of French doors to the landscape the front door with sidelights to the deck. The wrap-around deck creates a delightful entry sequence with its trellis that casts shadow patterns on the Hardie plank siding and floor decking. To the right of the entry link is a TV room with a white framed and stained surface sliding barn doors that can be closed for sound privacy. Double windows on the side wall of the TV room are aligned with the double windows of the opposite wall at the short hall by the stairs leading to the main sitting room. With the full bath on the main level, the TV room can have a dual use as a guest bedroom.

The lower run of the “U” shaped stair is open to the spacious corner room that is the main sitting room with the fireplace centered in the rear wall. Windows on three sides of this charming space bring sunlight throughout the day. The neutral walls, upholstered furnishings anchored by the Oriental rug and accents of wood pieces create a serene space for relaxing. I especially liked how the window frames were stained instead of painted that accentuated the openings against the white trim.

On the other side of the entry link is another sliding barn door that leads to the open plan kitchen and dining area. The gambrel shaped ceiling, radiant heated tile floors laid on a diagonal that stretches the space and the free-standing three-sided fireplace on a raised hearth can be enjoyed by the cook as well as the dining table area. The wrap-around windows and upholstered banquette seating below enclose the dining space and additional chairs defines a very appealing area to linger over a meal.

As a cook I especially liked the kitchen with the honey colored Craftsman style cabinets, dark colored countertops, stainless steel appliances and a table a deux for breakfast. The R/F was framed in white trim with a deep cabinet above with glass doors for a clever way to fully utilize the deep storage space above the R/F.

The second floor contains two bedrooms separated by the stairs and another full bath. The larger bedroom is located over the main sitting room and has the same wrap-around windows for views of the water. The chimney for the fireplace below is the perfect backdrop for the wood armoire and the gambrel-shaped ceiling and light aqua green walls with the floral bedlinens is a serene retreat. The second bedroom is also charming with its two wood pencil-post bedframes centered between the double window, the white painted nightstand with dual lamps, floral sheets, white and blue windowpane checks and aqua green walls. The bathrooms on both levels are designed with a subway tiled wainscot with a molded tile cap, a tile floor with a border of square tile inlaid with period octagonal tile, a recessed medicine cabinet with a shelf below the mirror and porcelain white pedestal lavatories. The shower wall has one partial height tiled wall with glass above to capture the daylight from the window. The second floor also contains a deck for bird’s views of the water.

Wonderful layout for full time or weekend living, creative outdoor rooms of the Bay view decks on both levels and the stone terrace off the dining-kitchen wing with low stone walls facing the garden and rear lawn that sweeps toward Swann Creek.

For more information about this property, contact Cindy Genther with Rock Hall Properties Real Estate at 410-639-4003 (o), 443-480-1953 (c) or cindy@rockhallproperties.com. . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.rockhallproperties.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Construction by D & D Contracting, Dave & Patti Eason, 410-810-0430

House of the Week: “Kimbolton”

September 1, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Last week’s House of the Week was a charming row house in Chestertown. Since I try to keep readers engaged by changing house styles, sizes, etc. each week, this week’s property is something completely different -“Kimbolton”, an estate comprising sixty-six +/- acres with approximately 3/4 mile of water frontage on the West Fork of Langford Creek with panoramic, broadwater views. The approach to the house between an allee of trees passes by the outbuildings on one side and water views through the trees on the other side. The drive ends at the motor court with the building grouping of the garage with guest quarters and the “L” shaped house with the water beyond. The lawns are dotted with mature trees that allow clear views to the water and next to the house is a waterside pool and a terrace with an outdoor grille.

The exterior of the two and a half story main house is simply detailed with gray lap siding and crisp white trim. The entrance is marked by a small brick stoop covered by a low gable roof with handrails on either side and brick steps leading to the drive. The massing of the three-bay main wing of the house is broken down by a slight telescope to another one-bay wing. The addition that created the “L” shape of the house contains the kitchen, family room and service areas. The screened porch that spans the full length of the main wing and the greenhouse shaped sunroom off the kitchen become indoor-outdoor spaces to connect the house to the water.

Many period details have been carefully preserved and I especially admired the built-in millwork in both the living and dining rooms. The glass doors of the dining room full-height millwork is detailed with arched tops ready for the next owners’ china and crystal. The living room millwork flanks the fireplace and has upper cabinets with glass doors over paneled base cabinets below. Both the living and dining rooms have beautiful hardwood floors and the wide plank pine flooring in the dining room must be original to the house. The pair of front doors opens into the spacious living room with a vista through the pair of three-panel wood doors to the screened porch and views to the landscape and water.

The kitchen-family room addition has a sunroom at the rear with greenhouse style windows and roof over a brick base and is open to the kitchen so both rooms have water views. The kitchen is detailed with white cabinets and appliances with exposed stained wood beams, white decking and track lights. The family room has a pitched ceiling with exposed collar beams and a side wall articulated with a four-unit window and transoms, topped with another arched window. I could well imagine having a seating area grouped around the massive fireplace chimney and enjoying the water views.

The master suite is located in the secondary wing on the main floor and the other bedrooms are on the second floor. With the stairs located along the exterior wall, the hall connecting the bedrooms is filled with daylight from several windows. Some bedrooms have wallpaper, others have painted vertical paneling but all have beautiful hardwood floors.

The property also has a multi-slip dock, tennis court, several ancillary buildings and two ponds -truly a Tidewater Treasure ready for the next owner to make their own improvements.

For more information about this property, contact Miles Norris with Select Land & Homes at 410-810-3900 (o), 410-708-5423 (c) or mnorrisselect@gmail.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.selectlandandhomes.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Vicker’s Row

August 25, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

The four adjoining two story, two bay houses at the corner of High Street and S. College Ave. are assumed to date from the late 19th century since they were documented in a late 1800’s deed but are not shown on the 1877 map of Chestertown. The brick facades are laid in common bond and are now painted white with blue trim accents. The cornice is detailed with fascia, eave brackets and deeper eave brackets at each corner of the building. A few brick courses below the cornice is a trim piece also painted blue for an additional decorative effect. Each entry is articulated with a Colonial style six-panel door painted in red and transom above that casts daylight into each foyer and above the door is a sloped roof with brackets.

The building is conveniently located a block from the Kent County Library and an additional block from the center of Town at Spring and High Streets for easy access to shops and galleries. Between the houses and the street is a planting strip with flowering trees, the Town sidewalk and another planting strip in front of each house for additional low maintenance landscaping. The rear lot is quite deep with access to parking off the side street.

This desirable end unit is on the opposite side of the building from the side street and has been updated from fresh paint to the hardwood floors below. The front door opens into the living room and the railing of the bottom stair run overlooks the living room to increase the depth of the room. I was impressed with this owner’s innate understanding of an appropriate scale of furnishings and the use of color to convey a feeling of spaciousness in a townhome layout. The living room seating area around the TV is anchored by a colorful rug and the upholstered pieces pick up the rug’s various colors and the dark wood bench is the perfect coffee table. A short hall leads past a powder room and storage to the dining area with a light green accent wall. The dining area is open to the spacious kitchen at the rear of the house with a half French door to the deck. The table and chairs on the deck a table and chairs for an informal meal Fencing, evergreen trees and shrubs provide privacy and make the rear yard a verdant outdoor room.

The second floor’s two bedrooms are charmingly furnished; one bedroom has pale walls and white linens and the other has light blue walls with a floral bedspread. The unexpected surprise was the spacious bathroom with both a corner tub and a separate shower. The window above the tub is reflected in the mirror over the lavatory that expands the space.

Desirable updated end unit, private back yard that is an outdoor room for relaxation, close to the Farmers Market, Washington College, downtown amenities and the Chester River-move-in ready!

For more information about this property, contact Casey Scattergood with Cross Street Realtors at 410-778-3779 (o), 201-312-1230 (c),or casey@csrealtors.com. For more photographs and pricing visit www.csrealtors.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Bay View Estates Beauty

August 18, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

If you drove down this street, you would think this charming Farmhouse/National Folk style house dated from the 1900’s and has been lovingly maintained. In fact, the owners bought this lot in 2001 and carefully designed the layout of their new house themselves and incorporated elements of this architectural style. The lot is deep and the house is set back from the road with views of the Bay from the front elevation’s windows and wrap around porch. The gable side of the house faces the street and a smaller gable over a two-story bay wing rises out of the hipped roof of the porch. The driveway side elevation has a door leading directly to the mud room, kitchen area and the stairs to the basement. The other side elevation has a box bay shaped wing that forms the end wall of the wrap-around porch. A French door leads to the dining room so there is an easy flow from inside to outside. The rear elevation gables step down to a one-story “L” shaped area surrounding the deck and gazebo.

The front door opens to the stair hall and the spacious living room with the bay window wall and Bay views is a great gathering space. The maple flooring continues through the dining room and the kitchen at the rear of the house and large 2/2 windows create light filled spaces in this open plan arrangement. It would be easy to linger over dinner in the dining room that feels like a sunroom with its windows and French door to the porch. The wood furnishings, antique wood clock and the accent of the white hutch with glass fronted upper doors create a very pleasant space to linger over dinner.

The kitchen was my favorite room and was well designed with its “L” shape anchored by the range at one end and the R/F at the other end. Corner windows over the sink provide expansive views of the deck and landscape. The continuous shelf over the windows is the perfect spot for display. The large island with both creamy white base cabinets is topped by a butcher block top which complements the honey colored cabinets and off white countertop along the rear and side walls. A French door leads to the deck for ease of serving meals and a corner antique hutch adds interest. An interior French door leads to a cozy studio for the owner artist that could also be a home office or breakfast area.

The second floor master suite has a spacious bedroom with the bay window wall above the living room below for views of the Bay. The large bath also has a Bay view from its window centered between two mirrored medicine cabinets above dual lavatory cabinets with ample storage. The other bedroom has front and side windows for sunlight throughout the day and the large bath has an elongated counter with knee space for a hamper or chair space. The staircase to the third floor leads to a space that could be finished as a third bedroom suite with windows at the gable end and skylights.

With plenty of living space, the basement with headroom of nine feet can be devoted to a workshop or storage space. The half French door leads to an exterior stair that is quite convenient for the gardener to store garden maintenance supplies before heading upstairs.

Bay views, deep lot with mature landscaping, familiar architectural style, great floor plan layout for relaxing with the family or entertaining, outdoor rooms of the wonderful wrap-around front porch with Bay views and the rear deck, with a third floor whose use is only limited by your imagination.

For more information about this property, please contact Jennifer Mobley at Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company, 410-778-0330 (o), 443-350-5917 (c), or jmobley@cbchesapeake.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. For more photographs and pricing visit www.jenseasternshorehomes.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

The Master of Wood – Vicco von Voss by Jenn Martella

August 13, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

During a tour of a home in Kent County that would be a Chestertown House of the Week, I admired the graceful stair to the second floor. The 2” diameter cap of curly cherry wood had a 45 degree turn from the upper landing to the straight run to the floor below. As it passed the last stair tread, the wood cap became a semicircle before it came to rest at the newel post. Very thin ½” vertical brass rod spindles reminded me of a string instrument and Goethe’s famous quote “Architecture is Frozen Music” came to my mind as I resisted the urge to gently strum the spindles. The owner proudly told me Vicco von Voss designed the stair hand rail and his first step was to ask her and her husband to cup their hands so he could take their measurements to determine the diameter that would be most comfortable for them. She demonstrated how her hand fit over the handrail like a hand in a glove. I was also awed by the superb craftsmanship of the handrail’s 45 degree turn with its outside mitered corner that was seamless.

Another House of the Week had stunning timber framing with column supports whose sleek forms of tree trunk and branches devoid of bark, sanded and stained once again bore Vicco von Voss’ signature. Clearly, it was time to meet the master. Before my appointment with Vicco von Voss, I visited his website to familiarize myself with his other work and I was fascinated by his creative range, sometimes using ordinary pieces of wood that became, in his talented hands, works of art. His portfolio includes millwork, sculpture, seating, sideboards, shelves and timber framing. One of the illustrations featured on his website is a commission for a shelf that started its life as a piece of curly maple, with a natural hole at one end. How to turn a flat piece of wood into a three-dimensional piece of sculpture? Vicco met the challenge and the knothole led to the evolution of the “L” shaped ribbon design. He cut many individual segments and joined them to form the curve for the transition from the top horizontal element to the falling vertical element. After successfully jointing all the individual pieces, the surfaces and edges were carefully carved and the result is a fluid effect, as if a breeze floated over a piece of fabric.

Vicco’s work is rooted in his belief that relationships are crucial. He has a Zen connection to trees as living things and his keen understanding of the unique inherent design possibilities for each piece of wood’s design flows through his collaboration with his clients. As a designer, his goal for each commission is to exceed his client’s expectations and to create a custom piece that is in harmony with their home environment.

To Vicco, each tree has its own story, just as each book in unique. The grain and color of a finished piece reflects the story of a particular tree that has been subject to the fickleness of weather, proximity of nearby trees, amount of sunlight, pests, etc. These factors all influence the grain patterns that are not apparent until the wood is cut. Vicco is a “Tree Listener” who respects the tree’s past life of its shape and branches as he gives it a new life as a functional object that will be treasured by its new custodians.

Vicco was born in Kiel, Germany and design permeates his DNA. One grandfather was a forester and woodcarver; another was an architect who had worked with Frank Lloyd Wright in post-war Germany. Vicco received a degree in Fine Art from Chestertown’s Washington College in 1991. During his college years, he was the Assistant Waterfront Director for the restoration and conservation of wooden boats. After graduation, Vicco returned to Germany for a three-year apprenticeship in carpentry in Hamburg, Germany, under the tutelage of Heinrich Meyerfeldt. His apprenticeship introduced him to contemporary furniture making that enabled him to combine traditional wood joinery methods with contemporary design as unique as the tree from which each design sprung. At the end of his apprenticeship, he graduated Summa cum Laude in Theoretical and Practical Exams.

In 1995, he returned to Chestertown and set up his own studio, Bolz Shop, for custom work. To date, his designs have been part of twenty-two exhibitions in the US and Germany and the subject of numerous local, regional and national publications. He is also in demand as a speaker to organizations and conferences.

On the day I visited Bolz Shop, I was fascinated to have the opportunity of seeing three commissions in various stages of completion. Each piece was crafted of a different wood that Vicco carefully chose for its function. The first was furniture for a dining room. Vicco chose black walnut with live edges for the undulating thick slabs that will be the benches, end chairs and tabletop. The tabletop will have a poured resin insert to infill the center opening. The second piece was a desk of curly maple with two curved file drawers at each end with the curved ends facing each other and the left one resting against a side panel. My favorite piece was a sensuous curvilinear bench of Osage Orange wood. Vicco selected this wood species for its flexibility of indoor or outdoor use. The elegance of the curvature is stabilized by the end panel of walnut that becomes a head rest just waiting for a modern day Madame Recamier to recline against.

Against one wall of the shop were 15 foot tall thick slabs of walnut that will soon become stair landings for the stacked wood treads awaiting their final position on a floating stair to be installed at a Chestertown restaurant. I was fascinated by the chalk marks on the works in progress so they become full scale models for fine tuning. Vicco also uses transparent tracing paper for making patterns just like a master tailor uses to cut fabric. This master wood artisan tests and refines the tracing paper pattern before he is satisfied he is ready to cut the wood.

Outside the Bolz Shop, stacks of wood await cutting and drying and a pile of waste wood will be used in the winter for fuel so nothing in the production process is wasted. The architecture of the Bolz Shop evokes the rural Eastern Shore vernacular with its center three story bay with clerestories along its long sides above one-story curved burgundy colored metal shed roofs. Vicco gave me a tour of Bolz Shop’s expansion that will contain a drive-through breezeway connecting the existing building to another building for dry storage and wood storage.

As I left the studio, I noticed a charming path with a portal of wood branches forming an arc. Next to the portal was a beehive on top of a tree trunk that had once been the home of the bees and they seemed quite content with their new home. Further along the path I glimpsed the residence that Vicco built for his family that will be a future Spy house of the Week. As an architect I am always fascinated by another creative person’s design process and as I left I reflected upon how lucky our area is to have this innovative and creative Master of Wood.

For more information about Vicco von Voss and Bolz Shop, visit their website www.viccovonvoss.com and prepare to be amazed by their extraordinary portfolio. To schedule an appointment for a custom piece, call 410-708-4698 or email vicco@viccovonvoss.com.

House of the Week: Mill Street

August 11, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

This classic historic Victorian house caught my eye for its being one of the two-story “bookends” of the Mill Street block infilled with one-story Colonial style houses that create a charming streetscape. This house has the bonus of a side buffer of landscape to the rear of the properties along High Street and is close to the Cannon Street shops. The exterior color palette of red brick exposed foundation and white lap siding is enhanced by the teal shutters and front door. The window in the front foundation wall provides daylight to a full basement for storage.

The one-bay house is perpendicular to the street so there is ample sunlight throughout the day from the front, rear and side windows. The front door opens into an alcove next to a parlor with a fireplace. Behind the parlor is a spacious family room that is connected to the kitchen and dining area to create an open plan arrangement clear through the house to the rear French door and window overlooking the covered porch.

The covered porch was my favorite room-how could one resist the eclectic mix of two wrought iron chairs with cushions, an iron ottoman with a cushion that doubles as a coffee table, a rattan chair with cushions and a rattan chaise anchored by a rug that creates an outdoor room for warm weather enjoyment. A meandering path of brick and stone pavers leads to an outbuilding that is equipped with a sink to service outdoor parties. All one needs is a chimenea to extend outdoor enjoyment into the late fall. At the end of the path is a fence to the adjacent parking lot for access to the nearby bike trails.

The family room with its wood burning fireplace, hardwood floors, high ceiling and light gray walls for art is beautifully furnished with a mix of upholstered pieces, a large wooden chest for a coffee table and a Bertoia chair. I loved the kitchen-dining area with corner windows and window seat below with storage, the French door to the landscape, and the storage unit with both open shelves and closed compartments with translucent fronts. The warm honey tones of the cabinets, flooring and dining table top, the darker countertops, stainless steel appliances and the white coffered ceiling create an enjoyable gathering space for family and friends and easy access to the covered porch for al-fresco dining.

The second floor is entirely devoted to the master suite and the laundry. The bedroom is located at the front of the house with two windows and another side window for ample sunlight. A generous closet and bath with hardwood floors, tiled shower floor and a window complete the master suite.

As appealing as the second floor suite is, I would opt for the third floor suite tucked under the eaves with its bird’s eye views of the Historic District. The front dormer window and double side windows above a long cushioned seat add daylight and create a quiet retreat with built-in millwork for books and photographs. The adjacent bath has a high window in the wall next to the bedroom for a clever way to add indirect daylight. There is also an area for a home office.

Classic historic architecture, high ceilings, preserved details including window and door trim, updates including the open plan family-dining-kitchen, generously sized bedrooms and the deep rear yard with the covered porch, outbuilding with sink, and verdant landscape- the perfect oasis with easy access to Town amenities.

Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com, (410) 441-4719

House of the Week: Coventry Farms Colonial

August 4, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

This great family house is located in the original section of Coventry Farms with upgrades to the master bath in 2016 and the kitchen in 2020. The front elevation of the house has a center two-story wing with a secondary two story wing set back slightly to break up the massing and an attached one-story side-opening garage completes the composition. The house’s light gray lap siding, darker gray shutters, white trim and brick steps and stoop stand out against the surrounding green of the shrubbery lining the side walk and the mature trees. The tall white fence at the back of the driveway turns to surround a fully fenced private rear yard with a spacious deck, firepit and play equipment for kids of all ages.

The foyer opens into the stair hall with vistas through the house to the rear windows at the breakfast area. Cross vistas to the dining/music room and a front room set up as a playroom create an easy flow and the 6/6 windows in the front rooms add sunlight. I am an avid scrabble player and I loved the art between the front windows with the family names spelled out in letter squares. Another artful touch was the oversized vertical ruler to measure changes in the children’s height.

The hub of the house is the open plan family room-breakfast area -kitchen that span the full length of the rear of the house. Sliding doors from the family room, double windows over the breakfast table opposite the bar stools at the kitchen and the window over the sink overlook the deck and the fenced yard. The family room sofa has views to the wood-burning fireplace, TV and the sliding doors leading to the deck. The kitchen renovation added light gray cabinets, white countertops, upper cabinets to the underside of the ceiling, a patterned backsplash and stainless steel appliances with the beautiful wood floors.

At the top of the stair landing is an alcove perfectly sized for a home office or homework with shelving and task lighting. The yellow desk with drawers and the red trash create a cheery space for work. The corner spacious master bedroom has two windows overlooking the rear yard and another window at the side for sunlight throughout the day. I was charmed by the interior design of the children’s bedrooms. One has a turquoise, purple and white color scheme and the panda bear perched over the headboard reminded me of my own childhood bear, who now graces my quest room. The other bedroom has a pale green and pink scheme with a colorful quilt, pink pillows and curtains. I love a touch of whimsy and the trio of colorful trees opposite the bed with their green leaves, red buds, yellow birds and turquoise butterflies were the perfect touch.

Wonderful upgraded family home in a neighborhood close to Town amenities with a spacious deck, firepit, gilling area and fenced yard for relaxation.

For more information about this property, contact Retha Arrabal with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-2172 (c) or rarrabal@hotmail.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Thru the Lens Photography, Janelle Stroup

House of the Week: Cacaway Farm

July 28, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

On the East Fork of Langford Creek are five properties that consist of an exclusive farming community named the Cacaway Farm Cooperative Housing Corporation. This waterfront lot has a gently sloping lawn leading to its own private sandy beach where you can sunbathe, picnic, launch canoes or kayaks. You can also launch your sailboat from the community dock slip for a day on the water. The architectural style evokes the simple rural vernacular of barns and outbuildings. The original part of the house was built in 1990 and a later addition created two separate living quarters that are now joined to create a great space for entertaining with duplicate kitchens and sitting rooms. The floor plan works very well with all of the main rooms on both floors having water views .

One cozy sitting room at one corner of the house has triple-unit wrap-around windows for panoramic water views for the informal dining area/sitting area open to the large kitchen. The four-unit window over the kitchen sink gives the cook water views and the angled base cabinets and countertop overhang to accommodate bar stools provide company for the cook. Next to the kitchen is the dining room that spans the full depth of the house for family celebrations or large dinner parties with French doors leading to the waterside deck.

The other two-story sitting room and the second kitchen are located at the addition with a second stair that leads to a loft around the perimeter of the space with bird’s eye views of the water. Windows at the loft level spill light onto the first floor below and French doors at the main level lead to another side deck. The second floor master bedroom is located at the opposite corner of the house and has an offset cozy sitting area with wrap-around windows. The bed is opposite a four-unit window so one wakes up to views of the water.

The detached three-car garage has two heated garage areas with a third area for storage. At the front of the garage, the center bay is set forward slightly from the exterior wall of the other two bays that have column supports at each end to break up the line of garage doors. The center gable bay also provides headroom front to back for the spacious one-bedroom apartment above and the end gable walls provide more headroom and windows for sunlight throughout the day. At the rear of the apartment, two pairs of French doors lead to a large deck that is ideally placed to take maximum advantage of the view to the West Fork.

Great waterfront setting, private beach and community dock, separate spacious one bedroom guest apartment with deck- the perfect family compound!

For more information about this property contact Chris McClary with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-275-2118 (o), 410-708-2614 (c) or mcclary21@hotmail.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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