Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week: Gambrel Cottage

October 20, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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.

House of the Week: Chesapeake Landing Contemporary

October 13, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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.

House of the Week: Bungalow Bliss

September 15, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

For more information about this property, contact Lisa Raffetto with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-0174 (c) or lisar@cbchesapeake.com. For more photographs and pricing visit www.lisaraffetto.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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

Habitat House of the Week: On Gratitude

September 8, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 2 Comments

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: “Kimbolton”

September 1, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: Bay View Estates Beauty

August 18, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: Mill Street

August 11, 2020 by Jennifer Martella 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: Coventry Farms Colonial

August 4, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: Cacaway Farm

July 28, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week: At Home with Peter Newlin and Gale Tucker

July 21, 2020 by Jennifer Martella Leave a Comment

Over the past three and a half years of writing articles celebrating the houses of the Eastern Shore, many of the most interesting houses in Kent County have been designed by the architect Peter Newlin, FAIA. Being elected to the AIA’s College of Fellows is the highest honor my profession can bestow and of the current 90,000 AIA active members, there are only 1,250 active FAIA architects and 500 emeritus architects in the US. Only a gifted architect like Peter would tackle a project like the house he and his wife Gale Tucker discovered during their search for a waterfront property which ended with their purchase of a dilapidated house that was advertised “as is”. The previous owner had gutted the house with the intention of a total renovation but it soon became a “money pit” and he abandoned the project. Peter had the vision to realize that the hodgepodge of disparate architectural styles had potential but what closed the deal was the site on a high hill above the Chester River with pastoral views on the opposite shore.

Peter is a master of geometry and daylight and soon his sketches began to transform the grandfathered hodgepodge’s footprint into a house with an easy flow from room to room with expansive views of the water from French doors and multiple windows. He added a steep roof to create a second floor that contains the master suite and office. From the front, the house appears to be a simple rectangular shape articulated with a large center gable dormer, bay window, skylights and a porch with a curved metal roof. The rear elevation opens up to the river with two shed dormers at the second floor, one on top of a first floor gable, main floor French doors set back slightly to create a full height box bay of windows across the living room. The rear porch with its curved metal roof spans the full length of the living room and is a delightful space for watching the sunsets over the river.

When I stepped up to the front porch, the vista from the French front door is aligned with the rear French door and the river view beyond for total transparency. As I walked through the entrance hall, it is was clear that fellow arts and crafts lovers lived here (along with four cats). I loved the flow of the living and dining rooms and the furniture, accessories, art and decorative touches made me linger to savor the delights. I realized when I sat down that Peter had designed the large rear windows’ narrow muntins so they did not interfere with sightlines whether I was standing or sitting down. Peter’s signature curved wall free-standing chimney has corbeled sides that become ledges for artisan treasures. The offset dining area with the table custom designed by Peter centered with the rear and side windows offers a panoramic view of the water. The large kitchen completed the open plan of the living areas.

On the other side of the entrance hall are two rooms and a full bath. The front room is another sitting room and much appreciated by one contented cat. The rear room next to the full bath could easily be a main floor master suite with the adjacent full bath in the hall. I was struck by the view to the water through the trio of windows and the hazy light reminded me of a Plein Air painting.

Another of Peter’s signature designs is a curved stair and this one is daylit by a square shaft that pierces through the roof above to a skylight inset into the roof slope for an ingenious layered effect. The master bedroom at one end of the house has a pitched ceiling with a skylight and a trio of windows on the gable side wall. The center unit is slightly higher than the end units and the accent window above completes the composition. The rear shed dormer between walk-in closets creates a cozy inglenook- all it needs is a gas fireplace and bookcases to complete this restful retreat. Next to the master bedroom is Peter’s home office with a pitched ceiling from the shed dormer and exposed wood collar beams. When he is seated at his desk the vista through the window is water, water, everywhere.

Since the Second Annual Spy Tour of Houses Designed by Architects cannot occur this year due to Covid, I am grateful to Peter and Gale for sharing their home with me. Bravo for another great design!

Architecture by Peter Newlin of Chesapeake Architects, 410-778-4899, peter@chesarch.com, www.chesarch.com. Contractor: Patrick Jones, Allen/Jones Inc.

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