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March 20, 2023

The Chestertown Spy

An Educational News Source for Chestertown Maryland

  • Home
  • About
    • The Chestertown Spy
    • Contact Us
    • Advertising & Underwriting
      • Advertising Terms & Conditions
    • Editors & Writers
    • Dedication & Acknowledgements
    • Code of Ethics
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Arts Design with Jenn Marella Habitat Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week: Cottage Charm

January 19, 2021 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

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

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

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

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

 

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal House of the Week

Spy House of the Week: Delightful Victorian

December 15, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week: Byford Court

December 8, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

For more information about this property, contact Lisa Raffetto with Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 410-708-0174 (c) or lisar@cbchesapeake.com. For more photographs and pricing visit www.lisaraffetto.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. Photography by Patty Hill, www.pattyhillphotography.com, (410) 441-4719

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

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal House of the Week

Habitat House of the Week: Church Alley Charm

December 1, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week:  “Honest Point Farm”

November 17, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week, House of the Week

House of the Week: Peninsula Perfect

November 10, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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


For more information about this property contact  Lynn Hilfiker with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-639-2118 (o), 443-480-1163 (c)  or lynnhilfiker@gmail.com. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.rockhallrealestate.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week

House of the Week: Gambrel Cottage

October 20, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat House of the Week, Habitat Portal House of the Week, House of the Week

House of the Week: Chesapeake Landing Contemporary 

October 13, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House of the Week:  Bungalow Bliss

September 15, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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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

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal House of the Week

Habitat House of the Week: On Gratitude

September 8, 2020 by Jennifer Martella

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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

 

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

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

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal House of the Week

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