Habitat

House of the Week: Queen Size Matters

January 26, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

When I made a site visit to a property on Byford Court that was a recent House of the Week, I drove past this house on Queen St. that caught my eye for several reasons. It is easy to be charmed by a diminutive scale, and I was intrigued by this house’s two rooms on the first floor and three rooms on the second floor. The long driveway is between houses on Queen St so I surmised this house must have begun its life as a carriage house. The street side of the house projects a pleasing façade of vertical board and batten blue-gray siding that adds texture and shed dormers that break the wood shake roof over the second floor windows above the two windows below. I especially liked the “Carpenter Gothic” touch of the decorative edging of the eave fascias and how the same blue gray paint is used on the walls and trim of the house to give it greater massing.

A gate in the fence along the driveway leads you along a gravel path to the entry porch that has a very low slope red metal roof below the main gable roof above. The porch spans the full length of the two-bay house and is supported by simple double columns at the corners and a center column with diagonal bracing from the sides of each column to the beam above. Above the front porch is the gable side of the house with an arched vent at the attic level and two windows at the second floor that are aligned with the entry door and window below.

When you open the front door into the living room, the contemporary interiors are immediately apparent. White walls and trim, a ceiling of white exposed decking over light brown tile floors laid on a diagonal stretches the space. The eye-catching detailing of the stairs that are fully open at the living room side with an ogee edged trim under each tread and matchstick inside-mount blinds over the windows completes the contemporary look. Accents of the simple round stained wood handrail at the wall behind the stairs and the black stovepipe open fireplace become sculptural elements.

The vista from the front door ends at the dining area that is open to the kitchen. The table and chairs are placed in the alcove created by the stairs along the side wall and the double unit window behind the table and contemporary chairs creates a pleasant dining area. The “U” shaped kitchen has a window at the street side of the house and the cabinetry cleverly accommodates the low window sill by adding a window seat with storage below at the break between the base cabinets. The tones of gray of the stainless steel appliances, cabinetry and countertops blend seamlessly together and the mirrored backsplash is a deft touch. The continuation of the tile flooring into the kitchen-dining area ties the main floor together with the benefit of easy maintenance.

At the top of the stairs is a delightful office area with a pitched ceiling, wood flooring and two windows for diversion from office work. Behind the office area is a pocket door that leads to the spacious bathroom and a closet for the stack washer/dryer. Another pocket door leads to the large bedroom at the entry side of the house and the stovepipe from the fireplace below penetrates the space. All of the second floor rooms have ceiling planes that follow the shed roof framing over the windows.

Move-in charming cottage architecture with wonderful contemporary updates and a full basement for storage- enjoy the view of the landscape from the private entry porch or “park” yourself on the bench at the corner of the yard while you envision your garden design to create your own urban oasis!

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.dougashleyrrealtors.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, Thru the Lens Photography, 845-744-2758

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.

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

House of the Week: Cottage Charm

January 19, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

I have featured several homes on Mt. Vernon Ave and they have great appeal from their mix of architectural styles and their location between Washington College and the amenities of downtown Chestertown. This story and a half house reminds me of the cottages built shortly after WWII with its Georgian Colonial architectural style. The house has a deep lot and the gravel drive at the side of the property leads to a detached single-car garage. At the rear of the house is a two-level spacious deck off the mud room and kitchen. Tall crape myrtles at the back of the deck provide shade and seasonal color and other mature trees, a row of evergreens at the rear, the partially fenced driveway and other planted evergreens add privacy.

The house has the classic front elevation of a center front door flanked by double unit windows on either side with single window dormers centered above each pair of windows below. The front 6 panel pale yellow wood door surround is detailed with fluted pilasters and molding and the top panels are glazed to bring additional sunlight into the interior. At the driveway side of the house is a one story cozy space with an exterior door and triple side windows that is currently being used as a home office but would also be a great sunroom. The exterior door to the office has the same six panel light yellow door as the main entry door and the triple windows provide ample sunlight for work. White siding, white trim and blue shutters completes the curb appeal.

The front door opens into the living room with the stairs to the basement and the second floor in between the living and adjacent dining room. The living room has the front double windows and two other windows flanking the side wall fireplace. This room and the dining room was artfully staged by the listing agent and one could easily imagine sitting on the living room sofa opposite the fireplace or the loveseat under the front windows and relaxing by the fire. The paneled walls have been painted white to reflect the sunlight and I liked how they add texture to the room. The wide wall opening to the dining room has a vista to the wood corner hutch containing a dry sink under the glass fronted upper cabinet for displaying serving pieces.

The “L” shaped kitchen has a side window over the sink and is connected to the dining room, center hall in the middle of the floor plan and the rear mudroom/laundry. I would enjoy doing laundry there since the room has wrap around windows and a door plus a pet door to the rear deck. In between the two bedrooms at the rear of the house is the bath off a hall with built-in storage Both bedrooms have a window on the rear and side walls for sunlight throughout the day. The bathroom has pink tile flooring and pink tile wainscot below wallpaper but to viewers of HGTV, the tile could be covered with painted beadboard and cap trim, paint could replace the wallpaper and a new light fixture would be a quick upgrade.

The open plan second floor is divided by the center stairs and the single dormer windows at the front and back and a side gable window provide ample daylight. The cedar lined walk-in closet is a plus and the large bath with its corner shower with glass doors and the blue and white striped wallpaper is scaled well for the room. Readers are well aware of my love of second floor spaces tucked under knee walls and sloped ceilings-this space that spans over the living and dining room below sets the stage for a very appealing master bedroom with sleeping and sitting areas or a bonus room.

Great location on a one-way street, deep lot with outdoor areas and privacy, well maintained very popular Colonial architecture style, compact and flexible floor plan with bedrooms and baths on both floors as well as a large basement for storage-great opportunity!

For more information about this property contact Krystina Hyland with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Company at 410-778-0220 (o), 410- 725-9225 (c). For more pictures and pricing, visit www.khylandhomes.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com, (410) 441-4719

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

House of the Week: The Blake-Bryan-Willis House

January 12, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

I am always fascinated by the provenance of our area’s historic houses. The original part of this house was built about 1697 at the time of the marriage of Charles Blake to Henrietta Lloyd. That same year, Blake inherited over 1300 acres, named “Sayer’s Forest”. In 1803, the house and 323 acres of Sayer’s Forest was sold by Blake’s great grandson to William Bryan. The property later became known as “Old Bryan Farm” and in 1947, the house was moved to its current location.

The aerial of this approximately 11.3 acres property shows how private it is within its wooded setting and broad water views. Double gates between brick piers topped with the symbol of hospitality, the pineapple, define the approach of the gravel drive between the dense landscaping. As the house becomes visible, the drive curves past to the detached garage. Brick sidewalks lead to both the front door of the main house and to the guest house.

Two trees tower over the front of the house behind a low white fence broken by the brick walkway to the front brick stoop detailed with double columns and a gable roof. The two-story main wing of the house is clad in white lap siding with a center door and brick chimneys at each end wall. The linear plan of the house steps back and telescopes down to a one and a half story brick wing containing a front porch, second entry, pantry and dining room. The last part of the telescope form ends in a brick gable with shed roof extensions at the front and rear of the house clad in white lap siding that contains the kitchen. The effect of the white massing, deep green shutters with touches of red brick against its background of mature trees is very striking.

All of the rooms on the first floor are one-room deep for views of the landscape and water. The front door opens into the living room with beautiful paneled side walls probably crafted by a ship’s carpenter and windows at the front, rear and of the room. The end wall is detailed with a deep alcove and window above, the fireplace and a short run of wood stairs leading to a partial height door in the wall that leads to another run of steps up to the master bedroom. Next to the living room is a library with floor to ceiling millwork and a fireplace. Not surprisingly, my favorite room is once again this splendid sunroom spanning across the living room and library. Sitting and dining areas at each end are surrounded by floor to ceiling wrap-around glass from long windows and French doors with transoms above under the wood slat ceiling above the Mexican tile floor. The French doors lead to a stone patio with benches at the end for contemplating the landscape and the water.

The open doorway next to the library fireplace leads to the dining room with its light colored paneling and accents of white in the trim and chair rail. The table and Windsor chairs are centered under the hurricane lamp style pendant and the two rear windows offer views of the landscape and water. Off the dining room is the pantry area that leads to the kitchen. I loved the kitchen with its bow-shaped ceiling clad in wood, Mexican tile floor, light colored cabinets and stainless steel cabinets. It would be very easy for this cook to be inspired by the windows on three sides of the room for sunlight throughout the day, water views from the triple windows over the kitchen sink and the box bay window above the range overlooking the garden.

The second floor of the two-story wing has two bedrooms between the bathroom and each spacious bedroom has a fireplace. Serene wall colors, white trim and chair rail and beautiful wood floors create restful retreats. The delightful third bedroom is tucked under the roof with both a side window and a dormer window. The separate guest house has two other bedrooms as well as a game room for billiards and a sunroom with sliding doors.

After a career in agricultural horticulture, the current owner planted and maintained hundreds of trees to enhance the landscape that includes a kitchen garden with lattice fencing and brick walks emanating from the water feature, a stone waterside terrace under the shade of a majestic tree with teak table and chairs for six and a waterside pool. I especially liked the brick walkway between the house and the pool that passes under an arbor with a curved center portion. Flanking the walkway are dense shrubbery to focus your view on the pool beyond.

Wonderful waterfront site enhanced with hardscape, landscape and pier; Colonial architecture nestled under the mature trees on a point of land offering total privacy yet close to Town-an idyllic setting. Bravo to the owner for his endeavors to enhance this remarkable property with his landscape design!

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, For more pictures and pricing, visit https://show.tours/DiqLGCFMYfqYuatGqkfu, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

House of the Week: Four Square Plus

January 5, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Last year as I drove through Rock Hall on my trips to meet with an architectural client outside of town this house always caught my eye. I admired the stately American Four-Square style house with its distinguishing characteristics of symmetry, center door surrounded by windows aligned horizontally and horizontally on both floors, hipped roof with a center two-window unit dormer and articulated cornice with eave brackets. At some time, the house was added on at the rear to create its current “L” shape footprint. Another addition was the one-story sunroom that wraps around the rear addition. The masonry façade of rose red brick laid in a running bond pattern, white stone window headers and sills and the front porch with its pitched roof creates great curb appeal. You can see shadows of former shutters at the sides of the windows and adding them back would add even more architectural character.

The side driveway leads to a garage behind the house. The depth of this outbuilding creates room for a range of uses including a home office, studio, apartment or storage. The lot can be accessed both from Main Street and from an easement off Liberty Street at the rear of the property. Although on the day I visited the landscape was dormant, the mature Magnolia, other mature trees and crape myrtles holds “promise of flowers that bloom in the spring-tra la”! The hedgerow at the front sidewalk is broken by an arbor with a gate leading to the brick edged sidewalk to the steps at the front porch.

The front door opens to a hall by the stairs with its original stained wood balustrade leading up to the unique double winder landing to each side of the second floor. To the left of the entry is a parlor and to the right is a double parlor divided by a wide elliptical arched doorway on axis with the fireplace at the rear wall. The original fireplace is detailed with corbeled brick that steps up to the mantel for a delightful focal point from both rooms. The front parlor is furnished as a sitting room and the rear parlor as the dining room. The other front parlor is currently used as a bedroom.

The original center hall plan now ends at a full bath opposite the front door. The bath had been added in a previous renovation but there are options to restore the original circulation pattern. One option is to modify the laundry/utility room behind the kitchen to include a full bath. Between the dining room and the laundry is the kitchen with another original winder stair leading to the second floor rear bedroom. Across the kitchen is the sunroom with wonderful diagonal views of the landscape from the wall of windows that wraps around the corner and sliding doors that open onto the brick terrace.

The “L” shaped second floor contains three bedrooms and one bath. In the middle of the bedrooms at each front corner of the house is a smaller room that could be a second bath or walk-in closet. The existing bath off the rear hall is centrally located to the bedrooms and has been renovated and detailed with a tile wainscot and top border that repeats above the shower wall. The wood floors and wood lavatory cabinet are a pleasant contrast to the white fixtures with sunlight from the large window. The third bedroom is located at the rear of the addition so its three exterior walls have a window on each side wall for sunlight throughout the day. This could also be a great master bedroom since the adjacent hall bath and walk-in closet would create a master suite with the second stair next to this room providing easy access to the kitchen for popcorn or other snacks! Bird’s eye views of the landscaping below would make this a delightful space.

Great opportunity to live in Town and work from home that could enhanced by more landscaping to create a private oasis in the heart of Rock Hall! The possibility of renovating the outbuilding to become a seasonal rental is a plus.

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”.

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

House of the Week: Chesmar-velous

December 29, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

The aerial view of this double-lot in the well-established community of Chesmar, located on the north side of the Chester River, shows how close the house is to the water as if it were located on its own narrow peninsula. The dead-end street is single loaded with the houses facing the river and the inland water on the other side creates a very pleasant approach and gives the houses privacy. This story and a half house was built in the mid-sixties and is centered in its double lot for additional privacy. There are just enough mature trees to provide the balance between shade when needed and unobstructed views of the water from the house. The front elevation has great appeal with its length and massing broken up by a side gable projection and a slight projection on the garage side with dormer windows, a bay window and the entry porch carved out of the gable wing.

The rear elevation opens up to the water with indoor-outdoor spaces of a large screened porch balanced by a sunroom on the other side. Above the sunroom is a deck off the second floor family room for panoramic water views. One can also follow the brick walk from the house that widens to form a terrace for al-fresco grilling and dining before the path narrows again and continues to the dock. The house is zoned very well with the front door opening to an entry hall that divides the bedroom suite from the rest of the house. Opposite the front door is the stairway to the second floor and a doorway to the spacious living room. At one end of the room is a fireplace and double sliding doors flanked by full height windows to the sunroom connects the adjacent spaces to create a great space for entertaining. Between the side windows of the sunroom is a French door opposite the door to the screened porch for easy flow between these rooms during the warm months. I would be tempted to replace the sunroom’s stacked horizontal windows with a mix of picture and operable windows to maximize the views of the water.

The dining room spans the full depth of the house with the table and chairs at the water side below a triple window for water views and a seating area at the front side under the bow window. The “U” shaped kitchen has stained wood cabinets with the upper cabinets to the ceiling with molding, solid surface countertops in a darker color, tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. I especially liked the inserts of lighthouse images in the backsplash and the scalloped wood trim above the window that does double duty by hiding the lighting above the kitchen sink and providing storage for bottles of wine above. Next to the dining room is a large mud room/laundry area that leads to the garage.

The upper floor bedrooms have great interior architecture from the dormer windows, knee walls and sloped ceilings. One bedroom has a triple unit window overlooking the water and a blue and white color scheme. Off this bedroom is a cozy space with a twin bed below a window seat that makes a delightful sleeping space for a young child. Another bedroom is larger and contains two sets of bunk beds for slumber parties. The second floor spacious family room is set up for recreation with seating and a table and chairs for snacks or board games. The triple window and sliding doors to the deck over the sunroom below extends the living space. The handrail around the deck has thin horizontal cables between the posts to maximize the views of the landscape and water.

The addition of the entire second floor and garage along with renovations and upgrades to the first floor were completed in 2008. Great private location with water views from all the main rooms and one-level living with guest rooms above. Easy flow between rooms and a variety of outdoor rooms from the sunroom, screened porch with hot-tub, brick terrace and pier for warm weather enjoyment.

Since this is my last post for 2020, I would like to thank the owners and sellers who graciously gave me tours of their homes, the realtors and their assistants for their coordination and my fellow architects for their stunning designs.

For more information about this property, contact Ashton Kelley with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-275-2118 (o), 410-708-8144 (c) or akelleyre@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.gunthermcclary.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

House of the Week: “Woodlawn Farm”

December 22, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

This classic house, circa late 19th century, is included in the Maryland Historic Trust’s Inventory of Historic Properties. Their preliminary research found many of the characteristics of the house’s late Federal Period architectural style-two story five-bay wide main wing with hipped roof, a side one-story two-bay wide wing, brick façade and wood cornice articulated with modillions. The front porch spans across the full length of the house and the hipped shed roof is supported by Doric columns with piers below and lattice infill between the piers. Brick steps lead up to the front door.

The windows are 4/4 and the first floor windows that open to the porch become full French doors with transoms. The windows and French doors have beautifully paneled wood shutters in a dark color that completes the classic color palette trio of red brick, white window headers, sills and white moldings. The center hall main floor plan has a front entry pair of wood paneled doors with sidelights that open to a clear vista to the two paneled doors at the rear wall leading to a screened porch overlooking the gently sloping lawn to the pond, gazebo and lawn below.

The magnificent drawing room that spans the depth of the house has a pair of fireplaces on the side wall between two windows with wood panels below. The arrangement of a single side window on the opposite of side of each fireplace combined with the two front and two rear windows opposite each other completes the symmetry. Even though the room is unfurnished, I appreciated the opportunity to admire the beauty of the interior architecture surrounding the wood floors without the distraction of furnishings. I also appreciated the dining room’s details with the three paneled door design of pairs of rectangular middle panels between the square top and bottom panels and the built-in corner cabinets. The spacious room with its wood flooring and crystal chandelier would set the scene for elegant dinner parties.

The original stair leads to the second floor hall that is lined with built-in millwork to become a library with sunlight from the window above the stairwell. The two bedrooms above the corners of the drawing room below have fireplaces and windows for abundant sunlight and views of the pastoral landscape below.

The 306 acre property includes 200 tillable acres with 30 acres in hay and pasture and two three-bedroom tenant houses. For the outdoor enthusiast, the grounds offer 100 wooded acres for hiking and scenic riding trails. For the hunter or fisherman, there are excellent hunting and fishing opportunities including a three acre stocked pond. The outbuildings include a six stall stable with Run-In shed, hay barn, loafing shed, shop and equipment shed. This property is fortunately surrounded by preserved farmland to further preserve its privacy. What a wonderful opportunity to own a historic house!

When I first saw the site aerial of this house with its red metal roof, I knew I had found my “Christmas Card” to wish all my Chestertown Spy Habitat readers the happiest of holidays! Thank you all for your support for the past four years and in the immortal words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us everyone!”

For more information about this property, contact Francis “Joe” Hickman with Cross Street Realtors, at 410-778-3779 (o), 410 -708-0536 (c) or joe@csrealtors.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit https://csrealtors.com/listings/exclusive, :Equal Pricing Opportunity”.
Photography by Janelle Stroup, Thru the Len Photography, 845-744-2758, janelle@thruthelensphotos.com

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

A Chat with Architect/Town Planner Jay Corvan on Denton’s Tragedy and Trappe’s Promise

December 20, 2020 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

Not so long ago, the town of Denton had given tentative approval for a significant housing development that would have permitted 2,500 new homes to be constructed. The community leaders showed minimal hesitation in giving the go-ahead since it doubled the town’s size, increased the tax base, and presumably added significantly to its economic development.

But on closer inspection, the planned community showed significant flaws. Denton’s doubling in less than two years would have caused major stresses on the town’s infrastructure, contrasted significantly to the community’s historic rural aesthetic, and highlighted fundamental weaknesses in how small municipalities can control this form of aggressive development.

As the town began to push back on the developer’s plans, investors lost interest in Denton, and in the end, the project was scrapped entirely.

According to Jay Corvan, who has practiced architecture and town planning for decades from his office in Trappe, the Denton case perfectly outlined what can happen when developers are on their own in determining the scope and design of housing projects on the Eastern Shore.

Jay’s solution, supported by many of his colleagues, is creating a “pattern book” that can be applied to an entire region like the Mid-Shore to provide clear and straightforward guidelines for developers to avoid what took place in Denton.

The pattern book approach would give towns like Trappe, the location of another major housing development on the other side of Route 50, the tools needed to appropriate scale these new communities with far more precision than existing zoning and planning regulations. The result being a better build project, a more intact community, and far less risk for the developer and their investors.

This video is approximately twelve minutes in length. For more information about town development pattern book approaches please go here.

Spy House of the Week: Delightful Victorian

December 15, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Chestertown has many captivating Victorians such as this house with its simple and appealing symmetry. The three-bay front elevation with its blue and white color scheme has a side entry door and two windows on the first floor, three windows aligned above and a double unit window dormer for the third floor. The eave bracket extensions and the brackets on either side of the front porch’s turned columns become frames for the 2/2 long windows and the door with its transom above. I especially liked the third floor dormer with the double windows and 9/2 muntin pattern. The white lap siding is accented by the blue accents in the stair treads, porch flooring and the shutters and the exposed red brick foundation piers infilled with white lattice.

The front door opens to a spacious hall with a “U” shaped stair. The hall has daylight from the half-French door and transom, the side window and the window at the stairs on the landing above that filters sunlight below. Tucked into the corner of the stair with its stained wood treads, newel posts, trim and corner board is a comfortable upholstered chair and floor lamp that transforms the space into a mini-library with hardwood floors, Oriental rug and period pendant lighting fixture.

The beautiful hardwood floors also flow throughout the main rooms. A French door on axis with the foyer’s side window leads to the living room with its two front and one side window. The wide opening with pocket doors in the rear wall leads to the adjacent dining room with its side and rear windows. The space could easily accommodate dinner for two or a large dinner party. The dining room door to the rear screened porch has a storm door with glass that becomes another window with a vista to the deep rear yard. The screened porch is a cozy space to relax with your favorite beverage before moving inside for dinner or for that last cup of coffee in the morning before the start of your workday.

As an important part of the recent and extensive renovations, the kitchen now shines with its new flooring, white cabinets, dark countertops, gray subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances. I admired how the center island is finished in dark wood with a light butcher block top as a counterpoint to the white and gray palette and how the two side windows bring sunlight into the space.

The three bedrooms are located on the second floor. The master bedroom is located at the front corner and has two front windows and a side window for sunlight throughout the day. The full bath has been renovated with beadboard wainscot and cap trim, European style dark stained cabinet and white porcelain top and the side window above the tub brings sunlight within. Of course, my favorite room was the renovated third floor with all the architectural elements I love-knee walls, sloped ceilings that intersect the side gable roofs and sunlight from the front dormer and the side single windows flanking the chimneys. What a great space that is ready for whatever use you envision with bird’s eye views of the town below.

The restoration and renovation of this house was very well done-the hardwood floors, moldings, original four-panel wood doors and the pale gray walls with white ceilings create a serene background for your own interior design. The rear deep yard is also ready for a gardener to add their personal touch of hardscape and landscape areas to complement the mature trees and the decorative crape myrtle. The only thing I would do is remove the metal awning over the screened porch since it blocks the view of the rear yard from this delightful space. I would rather install matchstick blinds that could be lowered when the sun is low for a quick and easy fix.

Great renovation, off street parking back to the rear of the house, rear yard potential-great opportunity to live in Chestertown’s Historic District close to Washington College.

For more information about this property, contact Grace Crocker with Doug Ashley Realtors, LLC at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-5615 (c) or crockettgm@ymail.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Janelle Stroup, Thru the Len Photography, 845-744-2758, janelle@thruthelensphotos.com

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

Mid-Shore Housing: Easton’s Daly Gardens

December 9, 2020 by Dave Wheelan Leave a Comment

For years now in Talbot County, the mantra heard most often has been the critical need for workforce housing. While affordable houses are also in need, the demand to find reasonable rents for teachers, medical technicians, and other professionals, particularly those of color, has reached a crisis level as these valuable workers must live farther and farther from where they work.

Derick Daly, the co-founder of BAAM in Easton, along with his sons, has come up with a novel idea to accomplish this goal and extend the BAAM community in Easton to both sides of Jowite Street. To do so, the Dalys have formed NAIMA Ventures and have commissioned RAUCH iInc., Inc. to design a new approach that will double the number of residents over ten years.

A few days ago, the Spy talked to the principal designers of the project, Paul Rogers and Virginia Richardson, as well as Derick, to understand the plans and the primary goals of ensuring that current residents are not “outplaced” while expanding the housing options for a new generation of Talbot County’s workforce.

This video is approximately five minutes in length. For more information about RAUCH, Inc. please go here. For BAAM please go here.

House of the Week: Byford Court

December 8, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

The area between Washington Ave., E. Campus Ave. and the Chester River was once Byford Farm and the original Victorian style farmhouse was located between this property and the Chester River. When the farm was sold and divided into lots, the streets were named Byford Court for the farm and Richard Drive, David Drive and Waldo Drive for the family’s three sons. This one level house was built in 1969 and the front elevation’s pleasing massing is due to the center wing being set back from both the rear entry garage at the right side and the bedroom wing at the left side. The front porch spans from the garage wing to the bedroom wing with an exterior door to the porch. The setting of mature trees, a rear yard that is a private verdant oasis surrounded by mature shrubbery and other landscaping, a large stone terrace and a screened porch that is open to the both the living room and breakfast area create indoor-outdoor rooms for relaxation.

The pair of half-glass, half paneled entry doors lead to a foyer open to the cross hall that connects the two wings and becomes a gallery for art. To the right of the foyer is the living room that spans the full depth of the house. The triple windows at the front offer glimpses of the Chester River and French doors at the rear open to the screened porch. Comfortable traditional upholstered chairs are grouped around the fireplace and the mix of wood and upholstered furnishings including a Regency style sofa under the front triple windows create a lovely room for entertaining.

The dining room has a double window to the screened porch and landscape beyond. On both sides of the window are corner cabinets with closed doors at the wainscot height and open shelves above. The rose colored upper cabinet walls are the perfect backdrop for china display and the Hepplewhite dining set anchored by the Oriental rug with the chandelier above completes the elegant look. The kitchen has a color palette of honey colored cabinets, wood floors in a lighter stain, light colored solid countertops and white appliances.

My favorite room was the breakfast area with its five-unit bow window offering panoramic views of the rear landscape and French doors to the adjacent screened porch. The family room has a fireplace with full height millwork on either side for books and family photographs and the triple window at the side wall has views to the landscape.

The bedroom wing is zoned for privacy with the guest rooms at the front of the house. Each room has windows on two walls for sunlight throughout the day. The master suite is located at the rear of the house with a triple window overlooking the landscape.

Relax on the front porch after dinner and enjoy the views of the Chester River or have dinner al-fresco on the private screened porch surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. Great floor plan with wood burning fireplaces in both the living and family rooms, windows placed for views and sunlight augmented by skylights, hardwood floors and one level living close to the heart of Town- great family home!

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

Please support the Spy’s House of the Week project by making a donation here.

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