Habitat House of the Week

House of the Week: “The Thomas Cuff House”

June 30, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

The “Thomas Cuff House”, circa mid 1700’s, has not only historic charm that was impeccably restored in 1987 to the highest standards but also two substantial additions/upgrades that give a new definition to “turnkey”. All the modern conveniences and comforts one seeks for today’s lifestyle are here-only one block off High Street in Chestertown. The deep site contains the main house and a verdant oasis with hardscape, mature trees for shade and colorful plantings between the main house and the two-car garage off the alley. Exterior stairs lead from the brick walk at the garage to the one bedroom loft apartment above.

Extensive archeological exploration including siding, roofing and stair remnants guided the restoration of the original house with its simple frame, two-story structure with a central doorway flanked on each side by 6/6 windows. Two similar windows are on the second story front and three on each gable, one on each floor. The door and window frames have a simple ovolo backhand molding. The original interior plan of the front four rooms on both floors remains with two rooms on each floor, each with a fireplace served by the large central chimney. Many of the original materials and finishes of the rooms on one side of the house had been lost to a fire but the other side’s rooms’ vertical beadboard paneling, exposed beaded corner posts and the simple moldings of the windows and the four-panel doors were saved.

The original rear addition was unstable and after stabilization it was expanded into a new addition that is invisible from the street and fits seamlessly to the original part of the house in its form, materials, similar windows, siding and color palette. The main floor contains an entrance/stair hall, powder room, galley kitchen, living room and sunroom. The original portion of the house contain the family room and dining rooms, with the original fireplaces and massive brick chimney.

A brick sidewalk leads from the front of the house to the side entrance hall with a graceful stairwell that rises three floors with wide landings and windows to filter sunlight down through each level. A wide wall opening leads to the exquisitely appointed living room with a soft yellow and white color palette of finishes and furnishings with its focal point of an early Federal style fireplace (rescued from a demolished late 18th century Delaware house), with built-in keystone arched millwork on either side. Jib doors lead to a screened/glassed-in porch that continues the living room’s color palette with the addition of red accents. Wrap-around windows and transoms create the perfect transition to the secluded fenced rear garden with hardscape for relaxing or outdoor dining.

The original rooms at the front of the second floor is now one room that is used as a spectacular office that is bisected by built-in millwork around the massive chimney with a fireplace on one side and windows on three sides for sunlight throughout the day. A guest bedroom, hall bath and storage are off the stairwell and the rear of the house is the master suite overlooking the garden below. Instead of serene yellow, the explosion of red on the walls of both the master bedroom and master bath was an unexpected and delightful surprise. The white cabinets and bath fixtures are center stage against the red walls but I especially liked the master bedroom’s interior architecture. Pitched side walls of red meet the flat ceiling plane of white. Peaked ceilings over the dormer windows were painted white instead of red that cleverly accentuated the dormer form and the portion of red wall above the window.

I love urban gardens that provide much needed privacy and this garden is an irresistible “outdoor room”. The high stained wood fence adds texture and privacy. Low brick walls not only support planting beds but also provide extra seating for large parties. The hardscape area next to the sunroom is sized for both relaxing and dining. The low curved brick wall that defines the end of the hardscape is a backdrop for the round table and chairs for al-fresco dining. A tall reddish crape myrtle’s branches spread out like a fan to partially hide the rear garage and the hardscape narrows to become a brick walkway to the entrance of the garage that has access to the alley and exterior wood stairs to access the loft apartment.

Impeccable “before and after” turnkey renovation that preserves the best of the past, beautiful interior design, water views from the front porch and a peaceful rear garden private oasis-Bravo to the owner for her vision!

For more information about this property, contact Coard Benson with Benson and Mangold Real Estate at 410-770-9255 (o), 410-310-4909 (c) or coard@bensondulingroup.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.coardbenson.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.

House of the Week: Gambrel Glory

June 16, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

In the days before the Bay Bridge, when the ferries transported vacationers to the Eastern Shore beaches to escape the urban heat of Baltimore, this building was a popular boarding house named ‘Price Cottage”. A vintage postcard from 1906 shows an open hipped roof front porch and columns with Victorian fretwork. The message read ” Very Nice Place” and it certainly retains its charm today. The upper floor of the huge three-bay barn behind the house was used as a dormitory for the female workers who worked during the summer season. In the early 1920’s the third floor of the house was raised to create more rooms. The “T” shaped house has a one-story shed roofed addition at the leg of the “T” and it is easy to imagine how a weary traveler would have been immediately charmed by the gambrel roofs and wrap-around porch to catch the summer breezes.

A few years before the opening of the Bay Bridge, “Price Cottage” ceased its operations and the property was listed for sale. The current owner’s parents bought the property that has been a welcoming place for family gatherings ever since. Part of the second floor became a one-bedroom apartment with its own private entry off an exterior spiral stair. The third floor interior was gutted and renovated to contain three bedrooms, one spacious bath with the original claw foot tub, laundry and an open space great room. The delightful interior architecture created by the steep pitch of the gambrel roof joists and dormer windows make these delightful spaces up in the treetops. This floor also has access to the exterior spiral stair for fire safety.

The main floor retains its original charm with the entrance hall and original wood staircase, parlor, dining room with a fireplace wood surround detailed with a center mirror flanked by oval mirrors on either side, and an updated eat-in kitchen with direct access to the wrap-around porch. Beautiful wood floors throughout, four-panel doors, period moldings and trim contribute to the house’s charm.

I loved how each of the bedrooms has their own wall color-pale pink, mint green, bright apricot (my favorite), deep salmon and the purple of one third floor gambrel shaped room. The spacious bath has both a claw foot tub and shower with bead board wainscot painted a bright periwinkle blue with period wallpaper above. As charming as the apricot bedroom is, I could easily linger in the screened porch to catch the summer breezes after an afternoon at the nearby beach on the Bay. The shed roof is open to the decking above and stained to contrast with the white porch supports. Matchstick blinds provide privacy if needed.

The lower floor of the barn could be renovated for a multi-car garage with room left over for a workshop. The former dormitory could have myriad uses limited only by your imagination-offices?-studio for any creative endeavor? This house with a history of happiness is ready for its next family to make it their home.

For more information about this property, contact Paula Reeder, GRI, Associate Broker, Long and Foster Real Estate at 410-643-2244 (o), 410-708-4947 (c) or paulareeder1@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.longandfoster.com/paulareeder “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Contemporary “Into the Woods”

June 9, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Nestled in a clearing with a large front lawn, surrounded by nine acres of woods along the banks of Southeast Creek, this house has the vernacular forms of the rural landscape with its simple gable massing resembling a large barn but the light blue siding and red standing seam roof hint of a contemporary flair. The site enhanced with extensive native landscaping is a haven for nature lovers to enjoy being outdoors with two decks, the row of Adirondack chairs at the top of the creek bank or the enticing hammock between two trees.

The front elevation has a short shed roofed extension from the main wing that contains the entry and the mudroom/laundry. The vista from the front door to the rear wall of windows of the great room passes between the master suite and the kitchen. The one-story gourmet kitchen is also open to the two-story great room that spans the full rear of the house with its post and beam construction and a bay extension that extends the living area. Two decks, one shared by both the living room and master suite and the other at the rear of the house beckon one outdoors.

I loved the interior design and was not surprised to find that one of the owners is a photographer who clearly has a keen eye for color and composition. The warm tone of the deep apricot accent wall at the rear gable extension with its stacked window arrangement of triple window, triple transom and single transom is a dramatic focal point. The window seat adds extra seating for parties and has open shelves below for storage and the seat extends to the side wall with closed cabinets below. The walls with multiple windows, French doors, transoms and the ceiling that soars to the underside of the roof decking articulated by the shapes of the intersecting gable roofs creates wonderful interior architecture. The ceiling’s stained wood slats and hardwood floors add warmth and the accent of the black stovepipe of the free-standing fireplace that also rises to the underside of the ceiling becomes a piece of sculpture. The dining room at the corner of the great room has windows on both sides and its interior wall is open to the kitchen.

The main floor master suite has access to the side deck off the great room and the warm butter yellow walls, the beautiful quilt and wood furnishings create a peaceful retreat. The stairs lead to an enlarged landing on the second floor sized for a TV area overlooking the great room below. I loved the neutral upholstered furnishings with accent pillows and the deft touch of hanging the colorful still life on the short knee wall. The bedrooms on this floor have knee walls on one side and pitched ceilings to the full height wall for displays of art.

Great contemporary style rooted in rural vernacular forms, wonderful interior volumes, nine acres of privacy with woods and water, full and partially finished basement for storage and a two-car detached garage with workshop space-the perfect rural retreat!

For more information about this property, contact Sarah Dean with Cross Street Realtors at 410-778-3779 (o),410-708-2528 (c) or sarah@csrealtors.com.com. . For more photographs and pricing visit, https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=SiF7NdmGimT~ “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Cannon-ball Shotgun

June 2, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

One of the six houses I have called home was an American Four-Square so this house immediately caught my attention. The three-bay two-story house has a classic and appealing color palette of white siding, black shutters and red brick foundation piers infilled with white vents. Five wood steps with gray treads and white risers lead down to meet the Town’s brick sidewalk and give the front porch seated privacy from the street for relaxing with family or friends. A stacked stone wall below the porch adds texture and a backdrop for the plantings and curved planting area for low shrubs and rose bushes for color. The front porch’s cushioned rattan furnishings make it a very comfortable outdoor room for six.

The front door opens in front of the “L” shaped stair that creates an entry alcove for the two-panel half glass entry door with a transom. The interior cross walls had been removed to create an open vista through the house from the front to the rear walls like the “shotgun” floor plan feature. The ceiling beams and the partial height wall between the living and kitchen remain and define the living, kitchen and dining areas. The side wall of the living room has built-in storage, a window seat below the side window and a gas fireplace surrounded by a brick chimney. The fireplace mantel extends over the firebox to the former log storage niche and creates a ledge for the owner’s delightful collection of ceramics, miniature pillows and other collectibles. The deep raised hearth adds additional seating and the bead board clad partial height wall adds more texture.

I loved the gourmet kitchen’s personality-hardwood floors, white cabinets, warm butcher block countertops accented by the island with bar stools on one side and the range with base cabinets that wrapped around the wood free-standing chopping block. The soffits that matched the height of the dropped beams are accented by the owner’s colorful scalloped edged ceramics and artwork. Stainless steel appliances and built-ins with open shelves for cookbooks and collectibles complete this eclectic and very appealing space that would inspire any cook. The exquisite Amish antique wood dining table that the owner discovered became the focal point for the dining area and is anchored by the Oriental rug. The large American flag that is a wall hanging fills the side wall and the wide rear windows with transoms overlook the rear yard.

The original stained wood stair and balustrade leads to the second floor and creates a cozy spot by the front window for a home office complete with a wall of built-in millwork. The three bedrooms and two baths’ long windows add sunlight throughout the day. One bath has been fitted with period fixtures including a pedestal sink and the tile flooring laid on the diagonal stretches the space.

Wood fencing surrounds the rear yard that has a mix of hardscape and low maintenance ground cover for relaxing outdoors. Great location between Water and Queen streets with a view of the Chester River, mix of historic details and open plan living, open and covered outdoor rooms for relaxing, a full basement for storage with both exterior and interior access- even the charming furnishings are negotiable!

For more information about this property, please contact Tracy Stone of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-0610 (c), or tstone@cbchesapeake.com , For more photographs and pricing, visit www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/md/chestertown/102-cannon-st/pid_35929664/ , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Urban Living

May 12, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Chestertown’s Historic District’s range of architectural styles is so appealing and I have found myself returning once again to the charm of Kent Street. This street was the northernmost boundary of a plat of Chestertown, circa 1706, illustrated in my primary reference book, “Chestertown, Maryland: An Inventory of Historic Sites” published by the Town. S. Kent Street has a special charm since the houses are detached but similar in scale to attached townhouses which gives the pedestrian scale of the streetscape great appeal.

This house is a classic three bay Colonial style with two dormer windows centered above the second floor windows. The light colored lap siding, white trim, corner boards, cornice articulated with eave joist extensions, window boxes under the first floor windows and the transom above the front door give the house curb appeal. A brick sidewalk at one side of the house beckons one to discover the delightful fenced back yard with its mix of hardscape and planting areas.

Once inside, the extent of an extensive and tasteful renovation is evident from the spacious open plan extending the full depth of the house from the front living room, through the dining area to the kitchen. The flooring defines the function; hardwood for the living and dining areas and tile for the kitchen that leads to the rear covered porch. I liked how the front windows have window coverings for only the lower portion of the double-hung windows so one has privacy from the street without blocking the sunlight. A stained wood beam separates the entry and stairs from the sitting area and the stairs are beautifully detailed with stained treads, balustrade and white risers. Some of the original four-panel doors are painted, some are stained but all have stained trim at the header for an accent. The dining area is also defined on each side by stained pine paneling whose pattern contrasts nicely with the wood flooring.

The galley kitchen is wide enough for an island and a single French door to the side brick walkway and a wall of French doors at the rear to the porch and yard makes this a sunny space. The second floor has two bedrooms and one bath. One bedroom has painted hardwood floors and chair rail while the other bedroom has carpet and both bedrooms have windows on two walls for sunlight throughout the day. The third floor has another bedroom with carpet and another bath tucked under the roofline and the bedroom’s front dormer windows have bird’s eye views of the urban landscape. The southeast facing dormer windows make this space sunny and bright and it would also be a great office or studio.

Charming urban house on a quiet street yet close to downtown amenities with preserved original historic details enhanced with a full-scale renovation-the perfect combination!

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: Classy Contemporary

May 5, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

It is always a pleasure to feature a house designed by another architect and this contemporary house is a special pleasure since traditional architecture is the predominant style in our area. This house’s aerial first caught my eye for its being nestled in the woods above Fairlee Creek. The architect graciously shared his site sketch that illustrated his thinking about the sequential approach to the house. After pulling up to the gravel parking area, one passes under a trellis between the carport and garden sheds. The raised wood walkway then shifts 45 degrees and passes by the bluestone central courtyard patio and the house becomes visible. Its playful varied geometry of shed roofs against gable roofs and gray vertical siding casts shadows and enlivens the walls that blend into the natural surroundings. Lush native and ornamental plant gardens watered with an automated in-ground irrigation system surround the house and point the way to steps leading down to the dock with electric service. Accents of a bright blue front door and a reddish-orange tower element hint of further artistry within from this owner/architect and his equally talented wife who is a ceramics artist.

The house is zoned very well with the front door opening into a wide hall gallery of art with pitched ceilings covered in stained bead board, tile radiant floors and a clear vista to the rear wall of windows and doors to the terrace, landscape and water beyond. Halfway along the hall a dropped beam is a perfect perch for a family of waterfowl gymnasts and the beam defines the hall area that widens to create a home office space. Above the dropped soffit at the rear wall are transom windows whose headers follow the slope of the ceiling opposite the transoms over the front door to brighten the space with sunlight. The white walls are the perfect background for the owners’ collections and I especially liked the grouping of baskets and ceramics over ledges in the living room and the masks on the wall to the dining room.

One side of the gallery hall is the entertaining area with the open plan living-dining area, kitchen, pantry, den and screened porch connecting to the waterside terrace. The dining room has delightful varied wall heights-the wall at the gallery hall stops below the header that supports the transom windows at the front of the house and a pair of windows at the front wall for additional light. The wall at the kitchen side extends to the underside of the sloped ceiling and a perpendicular wall creates a niche for the fireplace with an exposed chimney pipe that is open to the kitchen.

The tile floors and stained wood beadboard ceiling extends into the kitchen. I love corner windows for their diagonal panoramic views and the pair at the rear of the kitchen offer views of the landscape. Under Cabinet and above cabinet accent lighting further enhance the space. The living area at the rear of the house has a brick wood-burning fireplace and the walls at the gallery hall have “cut outs” for light and openness and windows and a French door lead to the waterside screened porch. The cozy den at the front of the house has a sloped stained wood beadboard ceiling, corner windows and a niche for the TV with a ledge above for display.

On the other side of the gallery hall is a shorter hall between the front guest suite with its Murphy bed and the Master suite at the rear. At the end of the hall is the great room with its own exterior entrance, terrace and loft studio/bedroom. The master bedroom has windows at each waterside corner between a “bump-out” for a closet and a recessed niche for a wide wardrobe unit that does not protrude into the circulation area.

The vista from the short hall ends at the great room with its dramatic architecture. One corner has stacked windows at both the first and loft levels since the loft handrail is set back on one side for an overlook from the loft. The one-story corner has a window and a door to the private terrace. Built-ins for books and space for a large screen TV would make it easy to linger here over a lazy Sunday afternoon of reading or binge watching TV. The loft wall opposite the overlook railing has double stacked windows below a sloped ceiling and a ships ladder stair leads from the loft up into a delightful tower space that offers birds-eye views of Fairlee Creek or star-gazing at night. This wing of the house can be closed off to create a very private guest space.

The other option for guests is the detached guest house that is located next to the carport. The space is currently furnished as the owner-architect’s office and has its own full bath, kitchenette and sleeping loft. Between the guest house and the main house is a heated workshop/storage shed.

Private wooded waterfront site on Fairlee Creek, one nautical mile off the Chesapeake Bay, captivating contemporary architecture, imaginative interior architecture, stylish interiors and a building complex of approximately 3,500 sf-who could resist?

House of the Week: Bungalow Bliss

April 21, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Once again a charming bungalow caught my eye not just for the architectural characteristics of this style (side gables with shed roofs, dormers, etc.,) but also for its wooded private setting close to the Tolchester Marina and its stylish and imaginative interiors. The front and rear rooms under the shed roofs might originally been porches since their floors are lower than the main house. Their exterior walls are clad in lightly colored concrete block, laid with sloped faces to resemble siding that contrast with the rest of the house’s deep slate blue Hardiplank siding. Whatever the reason, the effect breaks up the massing and adds to its charm.

The French door opens to an entry that does dual duty as a mud room next to the laundry with tile flooring and built-in seats with hinged tops for storage. Sunlight streams in from two windows on opposite sides of the room and the French door is on axis with the living room’s pocket door. Instead of a mantel, three bricks corbel out in a diagonal pattern from the living room’s chimney and provide ledges for display. The beautiful hardwood floors, mix of neutral traditional and modern style furnishings anchored by the large Oriental rug, vertical paneling for more texture, the gambrel shaped ceiling that adds height and the large sliding barn door creates a cozy space for gathering around the fire or the TV.

From the living room, a short hall between the full bath opposite two bedrooms leads to the open plan kitchen-dining-family room with another exterior French door. The “U” shaped kitchen has a deeper counter at the dining area for bar stools below. The slate blue accent color continues with the cabinets and the light upgraded countertops with veining add contrast. I liked how many of the rooms had mint green accent pieces and a long mint green metal filigreed etagere opposite the “U” shaped layout is an imaginative way to have the cook’s essentials close by.

The dining and family room area feels like a sunroom since it is surrounded by two pairs of triple windows along the rear wall, a double window unit at one end and a single window next to the French door for sunlight throughout the day. I especially liked the eclectic dining room area with the mix of chairs in modern wood, painted slats and thin metal around a wood table over a colorful patterned rug. The seating in the corner of the family area enables the cook to be part of the pre-dinner conversation.

The wood stairs that lead to the second floor have stained wood treads and deep blue risers for another deft design touch. The knee walls and sloped ceilings create wonderful interior architecture for the bedrooms. Both the bathrooms in the house have deep blue walls, white fixtures and tile floors and large white tile surrounds for the tub and the shower. I loved the detailing of the master bath shower with its multicolored “pebble” style floor, deep blue wall accent band, glass door and side panel.

This private wooded setting is a great spot for relaxing with family and friends with the interior/exterior home stereo system and horseshoe pit. The outdoor shower is perfect after a day boating on the Bay. The property also includes three adjacent lots for additional privacy. Marvelous interiors with the light gray walls of the main rooms, blue walls of the baths, and accents of mint green in the accessories-the perfect weekend or summer retreat or full time home.

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

House of the Week: Chester River Landing

April 14, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

This popular development is bounded by Quaker Neck Rd., a side row of mature trees and the Chester River on the other two sides. Although there are only forty-nine residences there is wide a range of amenities usually found in larger developments. The residential units are located in buildings grouped from one or more that breaks down the massing to a pedestrian scale. The buildings are linked by sidewalks that also lead to the waterfront park, private deep water floating dock marina, pier for crabbing or fishing, waterside fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs and outdoor dining areas with BBQ grilles. The private sandy beaches are perfect for an al-fresco picnic after a day spent sunbathing by the pool or on the river on your boat, paddle board or kayak.

This unit is located in one of the buildings that has only two units per floor, separated by the entrance hall. The building’s upscale interior halls have a blue and beige theme with blue raised panel wainscot and white trim outlining the wall panels. At the end of the upper floor halls is a seating area with rattan chairs, ottomans and a side table with a lamp for visiting with neighbors and the elevator provides easy access.

This 2nd floor unit has a waterfront deck that is shaded by the underside of the upper unit’s deck. Large windows on three sides bring in an abundance of natural light to the interior. The entry door opens to a hall that leads to the open plan living, dining and kitchen. The living area spans the width of the unit with a fireplace at one end with built-ins. The rear wall is all glass and water views with a center pair of French doors flanked by long windows.

The unit’s interior design continues the building’s blue and white interior design scheme and I especially liked the blue pendant lights over the bar island in the kitchen. Hardwood floors, high white wainscot walls, white kitchen cabinets, silestone countertops and stainless steel appliances give this unit a fresh, crisp look. This 1600 sf unit has three bedrooms off the main hall and the master bedroom also has a fireplace. The bedrooms have plush carpeting and ceramic tile baths. This unit also has a detached garage close by with overhead storage.

After 24 days of quarantine and seeing all the home maintenance items I need to address here in my own home, living here would be a welcome change!

For more information about this property, please contact Richard Keaveney at Cross Street Realtors, 410-778-3779 (o), 410-708-6470 (c). For more photographs and pricing, visit www.csrealtors.com, “An Equal Housing Opportunity”.

House of the Week: Classic Bungalow

April 7, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

This classic bungalow has all the very appealing elements of that architectural style-the main roof extending to shed roofs that create front and back porches, center front door with double windows on each side, a center gable dormer above, and side bay window. The full front porch was beautifully detailed with low elliptical headers at the front and sides and half brick/half wood tapered columns with white wood railing infill and white lattice to cover the crawl space. I especially liked how the underside of the elliptical header was painted white to contrast with the light gray of the fascias and that the porch ceiling was supported by pilasters opposite the columns. Brick steps lead up to the front door with piers on either side and I could picture relaxing with a neighbor on the two lower piers for an evening chat with fragrant scents from pots of colorful flowers on the top piers.

The living room spans the full front of the house and is filled with sunlight throughout the day from the two pairs of double windows flanking the front door and double windows at each side wall. The stairs are located at one side of the house and are open to the living room. Their “U” shape is articulated with stained newel posts, treads and risers and white spindles.

A wide doorway connects the living room to the dining room and a diagonal wall with a beautiful armoire points the way. Another armoire in the living room opposite the front door adds more storage. The interior design was quite charming and I wasn’t surprised to learn from the listing agent that the owner was an artist and the art collection that adorn her walls included her own art as well as other artists. I loved the dining room’s interiors with the circular table, blue and white tablecloth, rattan chairs, the low chest in the alcove under the bay window and the armoire with glass doors that showcases a collection of blue and white ceramic pieces. The diagonal wall next to the wide doorway has another antique hutch with glass doors for more display. Open doorways lead both to the rear enclosed porch and to the adjacent kitchen.

The “U” shaped kitchen cabinet arrangement of cabinets encloses a kitchen table and chairs for informal meals. Triple windows above the sink add sunlight and the French door to the rear enclosed porch adds filtered light. The stained wood slat ceiling contrasts well with the white of the cabinets. The wood bookcase with glass doors and the rattan etagere filled with cookbooks indicate a serious cook lives here.

I liked how the original five-panel interior doors in this room and throughout the house have been stripped and stained for a wonderful accent to the white trim and light colored walls. One door from the kitchen leads to the laundry/half bath, conveniently located by the rear yard and another to the sunroom. I would be tempted to add two comfortable chairs for a cozy TV spot.

One of the three bedrooms is furnished as a study/studio with light from the shed dormer triple window. The master bedroom with white iron bed and white linens reminded me of my own bedroom and the stained wood armoire provides storage. The third bedroom has a slight chamfer in its ceiling and a double window for a cozy sleeping space.

The large rear yard has an expanse of lawn with mature trees at the rear property line and there is a storage shed that could also be a playhouse for children. One of my favorite architectural styles, great flow among rooms, lovingly maintained with open and closed porches to extend your living space. Kudos to the owner for her interior design flair and support of our area’s talented artists!

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

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