Several of my friends who live and work in Wilmington or Philadelphia have second homes or weekend get-a-ways in Kent County. They appreciate the short time on I-95 and then the leisurely drive across the peninsula to the coves and rivers of Kent County.  This cottage has great appeal as a weekend retreat or full time home. “Knot Now Boat House” is framed by trees and a shady trail leads to the lawn at the water’s edge to access the pier and the beach along Fairlee Creek.

The light green siding and the white trim of the one-story house blends into its wooded setting with the deck and terrace creating outdoor rooms for enjoying the outdoors. The large living room has a pitched ceiling that meets the flat collar beam and the wood material and exposed part of the roof trusses creates interesting ceiling geometry. Sliding doors between windows access the terrace. The boat shaped bookcase angled in the corner next to the brick fireplace was a hint of the delightful nautical interior design scheme and the colorful full-size sofas arranged around the fireplace and TV create a great space to unwind.  

The dining room is connected to the kitchen by  a wide wall opening and at the other end of the room sliding doors lead to the deck. The table with its red frame and stained wood top, light aqua wood chairs, fun art and accessories add warmth and charm.  The kitchen has white cabinets and countertops, stainless steel appliances and wide farnhouse sink and the black, gray and white zig-zag pattern of the tile backsplash is a whimsical touch along with the geometrical pattern of the two rugs.

The “Anchor” bedroom has sliding doors to the deck and a red, white and blue nautical interior design theme.  I loved the lavatory cabinet of this suite with the tile backsplash continuing up the wall to the ceiling. The “Starfish” bedroom is next to the living room and has the same ceiling treatment to give the room volume.  Five windows ganged together open the room to the landscape. The “Sailboat” bedroom has a daybed, a painted wainscot and nautical accessories. The furnishings make the house a fun retreat and can be negotiated so you can move right in.

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

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.

 

 

As you approach this house nestled high in the tree–tops above Churn Creek, you drive along a winding lane through old growth trees, mountain laurel and myriad flora and fauna. It easy to imagine this thirty acre property is a nature preserve instead of someone’s home. The house at the apex of the property with its sleek contemporary style, stained siding that disappears into its background of woods, and large expanses of sliding doors with transoms above that follow the angle of the roofs open the house to the surrounding landscape. The original part of the house was an “Acorn” design with that signature style of post and beam structural supports to open up the interior space planning. A wrap-around deck, partially covered with exposed beams to create a pergola and a screened porch offer panoramic views of the wooded site.

The living room is divided by the brick fireplace chimney to create two sitting areas, one with a sloped ceiling leading to the deck and the other to the screened porch. The wood floors, stained trim and the wood slat ceiling in the main sitting room complement the outdoors. The sitting rooms, dining area, kitchen and breakfast area flow seamlessly together, allowing views of the woods from every room.  I especially liked the kitchen and breakfast space with the triple windows in the kitchen and the sloped wood ceiling that changes to skylights ganged together over the breakfast table to create al-fresco dining indoors. The live-edge wood counter with bar stools defines the boundary between kitchen and the main living room.  The stylish furnishings take their cue from the contemporary architecture with accents of  paintings throughout the house by the owner artist.

The master suite is located at the end of the main floor for maximum privacy. The large bedroom-sitting room has a wood sloped ceiling and the sitting area has an exposed stove pipe wood burning fireplace for relaxing by the fire. Sliding doors to a private deck allows easy access after a twilight stroll along the many walking paths including the road down to the dock.

The open stairwell leads to the lower level which contains an office with a climate controlled valuables closet, utility closet and the large two room artist’s studio. The space’ s natural and artificial light offers myriad other uses including a family room. The remainder of the lower level is a large two car garage with a shop that has an inside entrance through the artist’s studio.

Views of the water through the woods from inside the house and the outdoor areas of decks and screened porch make this a perfect retreat for the nature lover. Water lovers would also appreciate the dock with slips for three small craft for an afternoon of paddling along Churn Creek, accompanied by the sight and chorus of the many birds that call this special place home 

For more information about this property, contact Dough Megargee with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-3152 (c) or dmegargee@cbchesapeake.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.

The 1730 plan for Chestertown consisted of 100 acres divided into 100 lots and the lots bounded by Water, Queen, Maple and High Streets were the first to be developed. Whenever I visit Chestertown, I usually turn down Queen Street after I cross the bridge and enjoy driving under the shade of trees past the historic houses.  This house caught my eye since it reminds me of my own house with its symmetrical arrangement of the center entry door flanked by windows aligned with the second floor windows and roof dormer windows above. The front porch spans across most of the house and the hipped roof is a pleasant contrast to the pitched roof of the house. 

The living room is separated from the dining room by a partial height wall with Craftsman detailing in the trim and short columns above the wall that defines the open space. The front and side windows bring sunlight throughout the day and the fireplace is a plus. 

The vista continues through the wide wall opening between the living and dining rooms to the large kitchen at the rear wall of the house.  I especially liked the kitchen arrangement with the angled peninsula of base cabinets and bar stools, the built-in hutch with glass-fronted and backed upper cabinets for access from both the kitchen and dining room and the corner windows with a workspace area below. Behind the living room is the stairway and I was charmed by the framed silhouettes of the family’s children, including the profile of their four-legged family member.

This house has a bedroom and bath on the main floor, three other bedrooms on the second floor and an accessible attic for more possibilities. The master bedroom with its blue and white patterned padded headboard and white linens, the wood armoire, night tables and the front and rear windows create a restful retreat. I was also charmed by one of the children’s bedroom  with drawers below the bed for storage. I also liked the detail of the headboard with a built-in shelf for bedtime story books.

The rear fenced yard with raised beds for gardening and the grille and terrace for al-fresco dining has plenty of space for entertaining and highly desirable off street/driveway parking.  

This charming house in the heart of the Historic District with its recent upgrades, wood floors, large kitchen, ground floor bedroom suite and Craftsman detailing is only a block away from the Chester River, the Marina and very close to the First Friday venues and other Town events and festivals.  

For more information about this property, contact Liddy Campbell with Cross Street Realtors at 410-778-3779 (o), 410-708-5433 (c) or liddy@csrealtors.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.

It is always easy for a bungalow to capture my interest as one of the houses I called home was a brick bungalow with Craftsman details like this charming house with front and rear porches.  The house was built by a craftsman and his hand is evident in the details. Wide brick piers with sloped half columns above are slightly offset from the front porch brick wall with windows above and the handrails for the steps to the front porch have graceful curved concrete caps. The brick siding, deep eaves with exposed brackets, roof dormers with triple windows all evoke the Craftsman style. The house has been lovingly maintained by its first and only owner. The two acre site also contains a two-car brick garage and large storage shed.

The spacious front porch with its swing and other furnishings extends the living space as a four seasons room with its wrap-around windows. The Craftsman-styled front door opens to the living room and the side stair allows maximum seating space across the length of the house.  Windows on three sides of the room bring sunlight throughout the day and the fireplace flanked by higher windows just needs low bookcases to make this a cozy spot to relax with a favorite book by the fire.

A pair of French doors leads from the living room to the dining room and the gleaming wood floors further connect the two spaces. The spacious dining room with its wide wall opening to the living room and its bay window would make it easy to dim the chandelier lights and linger over a dinner party. Behind the dining room is a bedroom or office with a full bath. To the side of the dining room is the kitchen and the triple windows over the sink offer views of the landscape. Behind the kitchen is the mud room/laundry and I was quite envious of the spacious size of this room and the windows on two sides for views to the side and rear yards.

The second floor bedrooms are brightly lit from their triple or double windows and the hardwood floors, wood trim and Craftsman styled doors have been beautifully maintained to create a pleasant backdrop for the next owner’s furnishings. The full basement is an added plus with its own side entrance and ample room for storage.

Over two acres, a charming brick house and garage with its original Craftsman details, lovingly maintained by its one and only owner-a unique opportunity! 

For more information about this property, contact Doug Ashley with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-0408 (c) or doug@dougashleyrealtors.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.

It was a  pleasure to find this property that has all four features I seek in a House of the Week: site, architecture, interiors and landscape.  The 1.3 acre site has many pastoral vistas including a view of the pond beyond a tall willow tree and flowering shrubbery, the view of the Chester River framed by mature trees, a hardscaped terrace with an umbrella table for al-fresco dining with colorful beds of flowers and the view of the farm property across the road that is protected from development. The house’s exterior massing breaks up the linear plan with an upper level containing the bedrooms and baths and the lower level below the bedroom wing containing laundry and storage. The main level contains the entrance hall, living, library, kitchen, dining and screened porch. The surrounding green of the landscape is the perfect backdrop for the warm blue color of the exterior siding and crisp white trim. 

I loved the interiors of all the rooms with their Scandinavian accents.  The spacious entrance hall with its wooden floor, antique wooden table, framed art reflected in the mirror on the opposite wall and the vista toward the living room is a gracious introduction to the interiors.  I loved the living room with the rear wall anchored by the fireplace flanked by bay windows with views of the landscape. Millwork “bookends” were on opposite ends of the room. The colors in the art above the fireplace inspired the color scheme for the mantel accent pieces and the entire room.  A comfortable blue chair under one wall of books is the perfect spot for reading by the bay window. Both the beautiful wood slat-back settee and the upholstered loveseat have neutral cushions accented by colorful pillows. A small round table surrounded by wood chairs painted lime green finishes this simple but sophisticated look.

The focal point of the dining room is the stunning large round inlaid wood antique table with wood chairs and the hutch between the front windows displays serving pieces. The pale salmon wall color is broken by a white chair rail and double wood doors that lead to the living room. The dining room is separated from the kitchen by a half height wall and a French door on the other side wall leads to the screened porch. The corner location of the screened porch has expansive vistas of the farm across the road and the river.

Being a bibliophile, my favorite room is the library at the rear corner of the house. Daylight comes from the two exterior walls and the windows in the front wall to the screened porch. The rear wall is a window wall of French doors and sidelights against an accent wall of light pumpkin. The side wall is lined with full-height bookshelves punctuated with windows on either side of the fireplace and a TV is discreetly tucked into the millwork. Colorful accent pillows against the blue upholstered loveseats and an artisan coffee table form a cozy seating area in front of the fireplace. 

The hallway that leads to the upper level bedrooms ends in a vista of an antique chest on top of an Oriental runner with a lamp and circular mirror above.  Each bedroom has “bird’s eye” views of the serene landscape. I especially liked one bedroom since it reminded me of my own bedroom with the white coverlet, the mix of solid and patterned pillows, the translucent lampshades by the bed and the dark patterned rug.    

Wonderful site enhanced by landscaping, a house in harmony with its setting, beautifully designed interiors inspired by Scandinavian design principles of clean lines, functionality and simplicity- utterly charming!

For more information about this property, contact Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company agent Richard Budden at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-1181 (c) or rbudden@easternshoremdre.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.

 

The setting of this house, built in 1900, with its blend of the best details of the Victorian and Queen Anne styles caught my eye. The house’s massing with hipped roofs broken by gables and dormers, the wrap-around front porch with fretwork, and the bay wings is very pleasing.  The color palette of white siding with accents including the third floor gable with a contrasting peach color siding, the blue accents of porch columns, fretwork and window shutters and the exposed foundation of red brick with white lattice infill are picture perfect. Several large trees shade the house and the low hedge that borders the porch with accents of plantings amid the lawn areas creates a lovely setting for this charming historic house.

The bay window that protrudes into the front porch creates several seating areas for relaxing. Two white rocking chairs in the nook next to the front door and a row of white Adirondack chairs facing the street are great spots for enjoying a summer evening’s breeze and catching up with neighbors passing by. The front door with its transom and sidelights next to an accent window of stained glass opens onto a spacious entrance hall’s “L” shaped stair with the original balustrade and panels below that have been carefully preserved.  

I love bay windows for the extra light they bring into a room and both the living and dining rooms had bay windows. The original wood fireplace in the living room with its inlaid mirror and shelf for display of collectibles is the focal point of the room and the front windows, side bay window and beautiful hardwood floor add more charm. The bay window in the dining room is a cozy spot for cocktails before dinner and the large Oriental rug, the Queen Anne antique table and chairs and the hutch filled with china evokes dinner parties from another era.

The smooth flow from the “formal” rooms to the kitchen, family room and sunroom makes this a great house for entertaining.  A wide wall opening between the breakfast area in the large kitchen and the sunroom at the rear of the house connects these spaces and the family room next to the breakfast area completes the informal areas.  In the heat of the summer, a dip in the pool in the rear yard would be hard to resist.  

The second floor contains the bedrooms and the third floor attic could be a quiet studio for an artist or writer.  Great historic charm that has been carefully preserved and all the modern conveniences you need to make this house your home.

For more information about this property, contact Jody Baker with Cross Street Realtors at 410-778-3779 (o),410-708-3536  (c) or jody@csrealtors.com.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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

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

 

This Maryland Historical Trust property, circa 1735, is listed as the “James Marshall Farm” but the property address on Granny Branch Road Farm inspired its current owners to rename their picturesque country property. One of the owners, a talented interior designer, told me it was “love at first site” when she and her husband first drove up the gravel driveway.  Five outbuildings, including original creameries and a 19th century smokehouse are interspersed throughout the three acre property.  At the entrance to the driveway is a basswood tree whose six foot girth would set its age as approximately 200 years.  A lone majestic Dutch Elm, the only survivor of many others that formed a graceful line along the gravel drive, is behind the house. Across from the driveway entrance is an ancient statuesque holly that offers shelter for cardinals and red winged blackbirds, along with winter color. It is impossible to miss the native 100 foot tall Bald Cypress tree in its prime position on the front yard with its 30 foot limb spread providing shade in the summer months. The vistas throughout the beautifully landscaped grounds with its springtime bursts of color including iris, peonies, hydrangeas and lilies would inspire any Plein Air painter.  Being a native Tennessean, I especially love the blue bearded Iris bed and the ivy colored small shed beyond a bed of larkspur is picture perfect.

The original two and a half story Flemish bond brick structure is faced with a water table encircling all sides of the main wing. The south-facing front porch is now a four-seasons room with lap siding. The frame addition with cedar shake siding, dating from 1880, adds another layer of texture and color to the massing.  On the day I visited, after savoring the exquisite landscape, I eagerly looked forward to touring the interiors since they were the work of one of the owners, the talented interior designer Jane Keller.

We began our tour in the kitchen, with its galley layout and large kitchen island, the perfect spot for one of her husband’s Scandinavian smorgasbords. Exposed wood collar beams, original wood floors, granite counters and stainless steel appliances, comfortable upholstered seating by the wood stove and barstools for keeping the cook company creates an inviting space. A gallery hall leads to the entrance hall with its original wood stair balustrade and a unique Gothic arched wood wainscot.  The front door leads to the four-seasons sunroom with pairs of large windows on three sides to bathe the room in sunlight throughout the day. Both the dining room and living room are enhanced by their original and reconditioned fireplaces and beautifully restored wood floors. The neutral upholstered pieces are accented by Jane’s bold splashes of accent wall colors, art and Oriental rugs.

The entire second floor of the brick main wing is the master suite. I loved the master bedroom as much as I did the sunroom.  A beautiful patterned rug in shades of blue, crisp white bed linens with colorful pillows, antiques and art created a serene space.  The master bath clawfoot tub with shower fitting with the antique chest lavatory and the high wood glossy white wainscot against the darker wall color above creates a sophisticated look for the bath.  On the third floor are two guest bedrooms and above the kitchen wing is a space currently used as an office.

Throughout the house all of the original details including the hardwood floors, Eastlake doors with period hardware, wood trim, moldings, etc., have been preserved with care and pride of place. “Trunnels” (tapered wood nails) were found in the Granary along with a plaque signed in 1835 by the builders and carpenters the day the house was finished: “This building was finished 12 cck July 16th, 1845 JW Hamington & Joel Pippin Builders. Charles McCollister & Rich a G. Duckett present”.

This exquisite property has everything a historic preservationist would treasure-a beautiful site with very old trees, pastoral vistas through lawns and planting beds, a house whose original wing dates from Colonial days, restoration and  renovation executed with care and skill under the watchful and discriminating eye of a gifted interior designer. If you are seeking old world charm and modern upgrades, it would be hard to resist this house and its grounds.

 

For more information about this property, contact Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company agent Richard Budden at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-1181 (c) or rbudden@easternshoremdre.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity/” Interior design by Jane Keller, 443-994-2934

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.

 

My favorite houses that I have called home were craftsman cottages so I was immediately captivated by this charming cottage. I loved the lushly landscaped setting, the terrific mix of texture and materials with light colored river rock porch railing and chimney with the green lap siding and the door and window accents in deep red. The side of the house, however, with its atypical window arrangement hinted of a more contemporary interior.

The front door opened to a vista of a majestic Oriental wood chair with a colorful woven pillow. A pair of French doors with frosted glass led to a truly “great” room containing the kitchen, dining and living room areas. The ceiling plane stepped up from the galley kitchen to soar to the roof above the two-story living room. A large sectional and an Oriental rug anchored the space and the rear wall full of windows and the high windows on the side wall flooded the space with light. The stairs wrapped around the full height fireplace chimney for another dramatic vista.

An open front storage unit serves double duty to define the dining area and is topped with reading lamps for the sofa. The up-mount translucent blinds gives seated privacy below and views above to the landscape. A deck spans the length of the rear elevation and stairs lead to the side driveway.

The master bedroom white palette with warm hardwood floors contrasts with the periwinkle blue palette of the second bedroom that is currently used as an office.  The walk-out basement is a blank canvas that could become another bedroom suite or recreation room with French doors to the rear garden.

The front access to the garden is via a gate marked by a trellis above in the fence between the house and the edge of the gravel driveway.  Large stones mark the meandering path through the lush garden with a center lawn area surrounded by planting beds, canopy trees and mature trees.

Great curb appeal, stunning interior architecture and an in-town verdant oasis- what more would one need?

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, “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.