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January 19, 2021

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

  • Home
  • Arts
  • Food
  • Ecosystem
  • Education
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  • Health & Recovery
  • Local Life
  • News
  • P.O.V.
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  • About
    • The Chestertown Spy
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising & Underwriting
      • Advertising Terms & Conditions
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Habitat Habitat Homepage Habitat Habitat House of the Week

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

January 12, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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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”.

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.

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week

House of the Week: Four Square Plus

January 5, 2021 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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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”. 

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.

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week

House of the Week: Chesmar-velous

December 29, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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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”.

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.

 

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week, House of the Week

Habitat House of the Week: Church Alley Charm

December 1, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

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I have so many favorite streets in Chestertown’s Historic District to which I have returned many times for inspiration and once again I have revisited Church Alley for several reasons. Its prime location one block off the main intersection of High and Cross Streets, pedestrian scaled buildings along the narrow street, minimal traffic and the zoning flexibility for this property to become a live-work building gives it broad appeal. 

The two-story building has a brick foundation, lap siding and a metal roof for minimal maintenance.  The two-bay front elevation has wood steps up to the half glass/half wood entry door with a transom and stacked box bays on both floors. The rear elevation has stacked angled bay windows and a door at the main level to access the rear yard.  The compact footprint and generous window sizes bring sunlight into the interior throughout the day. All of these features offer myriad possibilities for further development. 

The owners, both professionals in different fields, shared the building as their offices with the main floor front room serving as a reception/office and the rear room serving as a private conference/consultation room.  The original staircase was restored and leads to the second floor plan layout open from the front wall to the rear wall. Beautiful custom cabinetry located to remove glare from the workspaces, track lighting and low partition heights to maintain the views to the windows create a very pleasant work environment. 

If this became a live-work building, the main floor interior architecture would continue to function as-is. The front office area with its custom built-in workstation has room for a two chair-sized reception area and the rear  conference room could be updated with a coffee bar and restroom.  With the conference table and chairs arranged under the bay window, a wall could be built in front of the existing built-in shelving to become a storage/office equipment room 

Upstairs, the half bath at the front of the building could be expanded into a full bath.  The front of the building could be the bedroom with closets separating the rear living-dining area overlooking the rear yard and the nook at the top of the stairs could contain the kitchen.  

The building could also revert to its original residential use and the main floor would be an open plan living-dining-kitchen area with two bedroom suites on the second floor.  Replacing the main floor bay window with French doors to a screened porch addition on the main floor would expand the living space. The roof of the screened porch could become a deck for the second floor bedroom suites. The rear yard under the shade of the mature tree in the corner is ready for a gardener to enhance the space with landscaping and hardscaping. 

Prime location with close access to Chestertown’s amenities, flexible use for live-work, primary residence or investment potential with space for an urban garden-great opportunity!

For more information about this property ,contact Richard Budden with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-1181 (c)   or rbudden@easternshoremdre.com.  For more photographs and pricing, visit www.easternshoreofmarylandrealestate.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.

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

 

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week:  “Honest Point Farm”

November 17, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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This serene setting on twenty-six acres along Horner Cove off the West Fork of Langford Creek contains a main residence and two guest cottages.  All three houses have their own individual setting with water and wooded views that gives all three residences their own private haven.  The Colonial style main house with its classic exterior color palette of pale yellow lap siding, white trim and dark shutters has been lovingly maintained by its current owners.  The brick walk leads up to a brick stoop covered by an elegant portico supported by Ionic columns below the entablature. The front door with its elliptical fanlight transom and half glass, half paneled sidelights opens opposite the “L” shaped stairs detailed with stained wood treads and cap rail with white pickets and risers.

A wide wall opening trimmed in molding leads to the living room which spans the full depth of the house with views of the water.  The walls between the large 6/6 windows on each side of the room are paneled and accented with swags in the Adam style and painted in an accent color. The furniture grouping around the fireplace has two neutral colored sofas linked by a corner piece opposite two red upholstered chairs and decorative pillows.  Art, sculpture and the discrete recessed lighting create a serene space for relaxing by the fire.

The adjacent family room also spans the depth of the house with built-in millwork on each interior wall with the furniture arranged around the fireplace and TV. The rear wall of the family room has a French door flanked by windows overlooking the screened porch. Screened panels on three sides are designed to minimize the framing and to maximize the panoramic views of the landscape and water beyond. The space is sized for both sitting and dining and has a door to the rear terrace off the kitchen for a great indoor-outdoor entertaining space.

On the other side of the living room is the charming dining area centered around the wide bay window and French door to the deck.  The wood table and chairs are anchored by an Oriental rug and paneled doors lead to the kitchen. I especially liked how the crown molding was set slightly below the ceiling to hide the uplights around the perimeter of the room for a magical effect at night.  I loved the spacious galley kitchen with its surprise contemporary look in colors and textures in shades of gray with wood floors.  At either end of the island are seating areas to keep the cook company-a sofa at one end and at the opposite end are benches with cushions to create a banquette below the corner windows.  The wide corner windows and the two wide sliding doors create a window wall that frames the deck, landscape and water beyond.  On the opposite end of the house is a ground floor bedroom suite with a large bath. Leading off this corner of the house is a hyphen linking the service areas with the garage. The hall area has sunlight from the glass doors that slide behind the full height windows on either side.  Steps lead down to a small deck for access to the lawn and gardens.

The second floor master suite has water views from the long window seat below a triple-unit window flanked by built-in millwork for books and family photographs. The contemporary styled master bath has sleek cabinetry and hardware with dual lavatories below mirrors with vertical uplights/downlights on either side.  High windows above the mirrors add sunlight and the large shower with tiled rear walls and front glass wall expand the space. There are also three other bedrooms (the smallest one would make a great home office) on the second floor and two bathrooms.  One large bath has a clawfoot tub against the knee wall between two dormer windows and a wide shower with a glass front underneath the ridge of the ceiling.  

The property also has two cottages, christened the “summer cottage” and “winter cottage”  for myriad uses such as guest house, caretaker residence or rental.  One cottage has a small front screened porch and the other has a  screened porch the full width of the cottage  The interior finishes of wood floors, exposed ceiling joists and cozy rooms maintain the cottage feel.  

Close to the main house deck is a waterside gunite pool with a brick surround that expands to a terrace area with umbrellas over tables and chaises for relaxing after a dip in the pool. One can also stroll through the orchard, gardens and around the pond or enjoy walks through the twenty acres of woods with vistas to the water.  Enjoy sunsets from the pier or relax on the Adirondack chairs at the water’s edge.  There is also a barn, several outbuildings and a pond for other diversions-Honest Point Farm has it all! 

For more information about this property, contact Trey Rider with TTR Sotheby’s International Realty at 410-280-5600  (o),443-786-0235 (c) or trey@treyrider.com.  For more photographs and pricing, visit www.treyrider.com or view the property video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9dW-HSkn6rU,  “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.

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

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week, House of the Week

House of the Week: Peninsula Perfect

November 10, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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This house’s waterfront site is very near the end of a peninsula where Swan Creek empties into the Chesapeake Bay. This Colonial style house was built in 2002 and its very pleasing massing steps down from the main two story wing with a  slight gable projection at one end the depth of the front porch next to the one-story wing that contains the living, family and kitchen areas. The front porch, side deck off the living room and screened porch off the family room/kitchen and the pool area are wonderful outdoor spaces to enjoy panoramic water views.  

The front door opens to a spacious foyer with a cross hall to the master suite on one side and the living, dining, family and kitchen areas on the other side.  The dining room has corner cabinets and both its front windows and the wide wall opening between it and the adjacent living room give it water views. Sunlight from the three windows, the beautiful hardwood floors and the Chippendale furnishings create a lovely setting for family celebrations.  The living room is located at the corner of the house and has side windows, rear sliding doors with transoms flanked by full height windows leading to a deck for water views.  Back to back fireplaces with built-in millwork on either side separate the living room from the family room.  

I imagine the charming open plan family room/kitchen/screened porch is the hub of the house. The family room’s  Craftsman style furnishings grouped around the fireplace and TV are anchored by a multi-colored kilim.  Sunlight from the wide bay window, four-unit windows and French door to the screened porch also filter sunlight to the adjacent kitchen with its  hardwood floors, Craftsman style white cabinets solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances.  The cook has great views from both the island cooktop and sink at the exterior wall. One side of the island ‘s open shelves and several glass fronted upper cabinets artfully display the owners’ collection of colorful ceramics.  An exterior door leading down to the pool area is handy for poolside parties. The gambrel ceiling of the screened porch provides space for a fan high above the screened panels to keep both the sitting and dining areas cool on a humid day.  

The ground floor master suite has a spacious study  at the front corner of the house with a bay front bay window, side window to the front porch and a double-unit window at the other side for sunlight throughout the day.  One wall of the room is lined with built-in millwork and the room is generously sized for both work and relaxation.  I liked how the master bedroom’s windows have bottom mount translucent shades that filter sunlight while maintaining privacy.  The colorful quilt on the bed was a prelude to the other unique quilts in each of the second floor bedrooms.  I was delighted to see one design that was almost a match for the quilt pattern and colors in my guest room that was made by my paternal grandmother.  At the top of the stairs, three oval hooked rugs are arranged over the hardwood floors in the hall that lead to the guest bedrooms. 

Along with the outdoor spaces, the 300 foot pier has five ft MLW at the end along with a 30 x 50 covered boat shed for power boats that parallels the pier opposite multiple slips for guests arriving by boat. You can also launch your boat from the ramp on one end of the property. At the other end of the property is a small beach that is ideal for launching canoes, kayaks, or jet skis. Since I am sports challenged, I would be quite content to relax on the brick terrace surrounding the salt water gunite pool after a swim. Outbuildings at the end of the property opposite the house include a large 4-bay, two-story garage, another shed/workshop and a building that could be used as a pool cabana.

Great waterfront site around the tip of a peninsula from the Chesapeake Bay, appealing Colonial architectural style, easy flow among the main floor rooms for relaxing with family and friends and outdoor rooms of the front porch, side deck and screened porch-irresistible!


For more information about this property contact  Lynn Hilfiker with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-639-2118 (o), 443-480-1163 (c)  or lynnhilfiker@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.rockhallrealestate.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.  Please support her work with a donation here.

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.

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week: Telescope Treasure

October 28, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 2 Comments

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This charming house that was built in the 1920’s telescopes down from two to one stories and is conveniently located in a small village just off 213 in Kent County. The front elevation is detailed with pairs of double articulated brackets at the top of the corner boards, along the wide cornice outlining the front gable wall and as a column “capital” for the posts along the front porch. These details give the two-bay two and half story house clad in light gray siding with crisp white trim a simple elegance. I was immediately drawn to the full front porch with the entry door at the side in an accent color of mint green with multi-colored glass bands above and below the glass pane of the half French door. With a porch swing and a chairs across from the wooden bench, you can expand your living space for relaxing to the sights and sounds of nature.

The front door opens into an alcove created by the stair to the left with a stained wood newel post, balustrade and slate blue treads and risers. The slate blue trim color continues through to the living and dining rooms along with the beautiful cherry floors.. The living room has stained built-in millwork and the chair in the corner by the window creates an inviting spot for reading a good book. The long 2/2 windows on two sides of the room bring sunlight within along with the filtered light from the front door. Two arched openings lead to the dining area with its walls of soft butter yellow with the slate blue trim. The stairs create an alcove with myriad uses below the window at the front of the house and the side wall’s two long windows bring in additional sunlight.

Two stained pocket doors lead to the “L” shaped kitchen with a large wooden butcher block island, lightly stained cabinets, white tile backsplash and the combination of white and stainless steel appliances. The corner wall’s wood wainscot surrounds a cozy breakfast area. The recessed lighting adds ambient light but a high window above the wainscot would be the perfect touch for this space. Behind the breakfast area is a short hall with an exterior door past the laundry.

The end of the telescope is a delightful master bedroom with a fireplace, windows on the three exterior walls including windows enveloped by built-in millwork and a French door flanked by windows to a private deck. It location at the back of the house and the wide plank pine flooring and warm sage green walls make this a restful retreat. The second floor bedroom is a study in white with painted wood flooring, white walls and trim. I appreciated the accent of stained wood window at the window sills, stained wood medallions at the top corner trim and stained wood doors. My favorite room was the unfinished third floor open space with knee walls and sloped ceilings meeting the underside of the collar beam above. Light from the single accent window with arched trim at the front of the house and the single windows on either side of a brick chimney and the open space is a blank canvas for myriad uses-playroom, TV room, office, home schooling in this time of Covid-possibilities limited only by your imagination!

The deep back yard is partially fenced and there is an original small outbuilding for lawn and garden equipment storage with a lean-to area for dry storage. Charming property with the Eastern Shore vernacular style!

For more information about this property, contact John Carroll with Village Real Estate Company LLC at 410-648-6844 (o), 410-708-0247 (c) or john@villageagents.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.villageagents.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

 

For more information about this property, contact Brett Schrader with Taylor Properties at 800-913-4426 (o), 410-490-6075 (c) or brettschrader6@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.easternshorerealestate.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.

 

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week

House of the Week: Gambrel Cottage

October 20, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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The architecture of Dutch settlements in Albany, NY (1614) and New Amsterdam (NYC, 1626) with its distinctive steep gambrel roof shape lasted for fifty years until the English took formal control over the Dutch New World colonies.  Interest in the Dutch Colonial style spread to the other colonies until the 1840’s and resurfaced again in the early twentieth century when “Revival” styles of Colonial, Dutch, English, French, Greek and Spanish became popular. It has always been one of my favorite styles from my many visits to relatives in Albany County, NY.

This front elevation of this Dutch Colonial style house has so many appealing elements-the main gambrel roof has a projecting smaller two-story gambrel roofed bay with the lower floor bay connected to the screened porch that extends over the rest of the front elevation. The second floor double unit windows and the single attic window have elliptical header molding.  The shake siding has weathered to a warm brown and combined with the white trim and red roofing the house has great curb appeal in its setting of mature landscaping. The front porch has an angled side with a door leading to a concrete walk to the French door at the family room for easy flow.

The front porch is detailed with a solid perimeter wall covered in the weathered shake siding with round columns above infilled with screened panels.  The front door opens into the spacious foyer and I was relieved to see that the oak floors, moldings and stair balustrade in this room retained their original stained finish.  To the left of the front door is a wide landing at the base of the stair flanked by newel posts with a “L” shaped stair to the second floor.  The light stain of the flooring paired with the dark stain of the balustrade was very appealing.  The elliptical arched window above the lower stair run brings light into the space. Opposite the landing is a wide trimmed wall opening  leading to the living room with its front bay wrapped with windows and a side window for additional sunlight.  In the corner of the rear wall is a recessed glass fronted cabinet for books.  Throughout the house, pressed tin ceilings add texture and beauty.

A  deep arched opening centered in the living room’s rear wall leads to the dining room with built-in millwork recessed in the wall depth.  Two drawers are below glass fronted cabinets for china storage.  The large dining room’s details of chair rail and a bay with wrap-around windows create a wonderful space to linger over dinner with family or friends. The galley kitchen color scheme has a wood floor, deep blue cabinets, white granite countertops and white subway tile backsplash, black appliances and fittings. The galley width accommodates a round white table and chairs for breakfast.   Across from the kitchen is the spacious laundry/mudroom with a convenient exterior door to the rear yard.

At the side of the house is a large family room with a wood burning stove for watching TV by the fire. Wrap-around windows and the French door to the patio leading to the screened porch create a sunroom effect with sunlight throughout the day.

I loved the interior architecture of second floor bedrooms with the steep gambrel walls of the roofline springing from the floor, the five paneled wood doors and wood floors.  One bedroom has a nook created by the projecting bay with space for a double dresser and the identical nook in the other bedroom has a table and chair.  The pale yellow walls and wood floors create serene retreats. One child’s bedroom has light lavender walls with accents of yellow gold windows shades, a rug with a white checkerboard infilled with yellow and a delightful mural of a tree with birds is painted over the bed.  The attic area is infilled with light from the single windows set into the gambrel roof and at the top of the stairs is a large area that would be a great space for an office with its bird’s eye views.

In addition to the house, at the end of the fenced rear yard is a two story carriage house/shop for myriad possibilities. Great architectural style, wonderful period details of the oak floors, five-panel doors, beautiful stairs, pressed tin ceilings throughout the house and built-in millwork-many details that are not found in new houses today.  Simply charming!

For more information about this property, contact Brett Schrader with Taylor Properties at 800-913-4426 (o), 410-490-6075 (c) or brettschrader6@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.easternshorerealestate.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.

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week, House of the Week

House of the Week: Chesapeake Landing Contemporary 

October 13, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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This classy contemporary nestled in the woods with panoramic views of Mill Creek is located on a quiet cul-de-sac in the Chesapeake Landing neighborhood.  The front elevation is a delightful massing of gables surrounding a recessed entry porch with double doors and sidelights. The gables rise in height from the kitchen to the master bedroom to a wide gable inserted into the roof at the second floor loft to the top gable at a second floor bedroom.  The shake siding in a warm light brown tone, the crisp white window trim and accents of trim boards at the spring line of three of the gables and the fourth gable that pierces the roof with a triangular window below the peak and the playful arrangement of single windows creates an inviting prelude to the interior architecture.  

The front door opens to a spacious hall with a vista to the dramatic living room with its soaring ceiling open to the loft above. The three-sided fireplace at one end of a deep orange wall is a focal point from both the entry and the living room.  Another focal point is the floating stair that overlooks the living room as it climbs to the loft. The living room is beautifully detailed with exterior walls of sliding doors that project into the wrap-around deck.  The stunning rear gable wall below the ceiling of exposed stained heavy timbers and decking has three bays of sliding doors with horizontal beams infilling the upper wall into rectangular and triangular transoms. 

Two of the living room’s sliding doors also access the screened porch for an easy flow to the outdoors. I liked the detailing of the screened porch with its stained lattice ceiling, perimeter of tiny lights and wide bays of screened panels in minimalist frames that creates a truly outdoor room. Behind the screened porch is the dining area that is open to the kitchen with the edge of the kitchen’s island creating a hall area to the bedroom wing. A colorful rug anchors the dining table with its black frame and wood top that is perfectly paired with woven seats and backs with black frames.  The kitchen’s black countertops echo the dining area’s furniture and the honey-colored cabinets add warmth. 

On either end of the house are two master suites.  One suite off the kitchen-dining area has a pitched ceiling with a four-unit row of high windows over the bed. Sliding doors with transoms lead to the rear deck. The light yellow walls,  white trim, the quartet of duck decoys resting on the window sills, art, sheers as window treatment and off white bedlinens with pillows of pale blue patterns create a serene retreat.  The other master suite also has upper windows and sliding doors to the rear deck.  This bedroom’s interior design has tones of white with accents of the red drapes for the sliding doors, the red and white striped rug and the red and blue patterns of the accent pillows.   

At the top of the floating stair is a loft that creates a TV area between the second floor bedrooms. The rear of the loft has views of the water through the upper glass wall of the living room below. The skylight into the pitched ceiling and the four-unit window at the front of the loft offer additional sunlight and moonlight. One bedroom’s end gable wall has a blue patterned accent wall that is a colorful backdrop for the twin beds separated by a chest painted  in mint green. The stiped motifs on the knee walls, the multi-colored striped duvet covers on the beds, blue blankets and rugs create the perfect setting for sweet dreams.  This bedroom also has a door to a deck for water views or star gazing before bedtime. The other bedroom has a pitched ceiling and a double unit window with transoms above.  The caramel colored walls reminded me of my own bedroom and are the perfect background for the white rattan headboard  and nightstands.  

At night, the transparency of the rear of the house with the full gable glass wall of the living room, the screened porch and sliding doors of the main floor bedrooms is simply stunning.  The wrap-around deck is a wonderful outdoor room and is directly accessible from most of the main floor. I especially appreciated how the wrap-around deck incorporated the trunk of a huge tree that also provides shade. 

Great wooded and waterfront setting, great geometry and massing and beautiful interiors.  I was surprised that the house comes completely furnished as the owners are downsizing so I am sure that soon a very lucky buyer can move right in-Bravo!

For more information about this property, contact Christine Burgess with Keller Williams Select Realtors at 410-972-4000 (o), 410-708-3511 (c) or cburg.21905@gmail.com.  For more photographs and pricing, visit www.kwannapolis.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by Stephen Buchanan, www.buchananphotography.com, 410-212-8753.

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.

Filed Under: Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week:  Rural Forms with a Contemporary Flair

October 6, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 2 Comments

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This house was designed by its first owner/architect for his own residence.  I appreciated how he was inspired by the rural vernacular of farmhouses but his contemporary interpretation of exterior forms of gables and simple window openings without shutters give this house great style.  The front of the house is a single gable form with a hipped roof porch over two of the four bays of the façade and a double window at the side of the front door.   The white lap siding accentuates the simple form and the rhythm of the four second floor windows below the single attic window centered in the gable create a simple and elegant white composition surrounded by the green of the mature landscape. 

From the rear, three gable forms step down.  The middle full width gable form slopes down against the full front gable to create a story and a half space at the first floor and the smaller end two-story gable wing at the side creates a dining area below the second floor master bedroom. The deck spans the full width of the house with peaceful views of the lawn framed by mature landscaping with views through the trees to the fields beyond.  A previous owner added a “hyphen” to the original house containing a bar area between the  kitchen and a garage addition with an exterior door and stone steps leading to the terrace and lawn below.

Throughout the main floor, white walls and ceilings and the hardwood floors connect the living spaces in a continuous flow.  The front door opens to a cross vista to the library at the front corner of the house and a long vista to the living room and deck at the rear. On the other side of the entry are the stairs to the second floor, open area kitchen and dining area to the deck. The library with its two walls of floor to ceiling millwork of base cabinets and bookshelves above, the two windows and the wide wall opening to the living room creates a cozy space for reading or watching TV. My favorite space is the living room with its pitched ceiling open to the second floor and the unique detail of transoms that step up in height over the rear wall of French doors and full height windows.  

I also liked the open plan kitchen-dining area with the dining space centered on the rear wrap-around windows to the deck.  Once again, the current owners’  great interior design style offers further appeal with another focal point being a glass fronted hutch on axis with the wide wall opening to the living room.  The kitchen’s upper cabinets extend to the ceiling and the dark green countertops and the green and white checkerboard flooring is quite appealing.  The white cabinets with the upper cabinets extending to the ceiling and white appliances keep the space light and airy. 

The second floor hall overlooks the living room below and the two bedrooms are situated for maximum privacy with the guest bedroom at the front and the master bedroom at the rear corner.  Both bedrooms have windows on two sides for sunlight throughout the day.

Private location at the end of a cul-de-sac, great blend of farmhouse/contemporary style, wonderful interior architecture with a compact floor plan that flows very well.  The mature landscaping and the outdoor “rooms” of deck and terrace offer serene views of the mature landscaping and garden areas.  The owners’ interior design style greatly enhance this house’s appeal-Bravo!

 

For more information about this property, contact  Peter Heller with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-3301 (c) or pheller@cbchesapeake.com. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.coldwellbanker.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com, (410) 441-4719

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.

 

Filed Under: Habitat Homepage, Habitat House of the Week

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