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September 24, 2025

Chestertown Spy

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Arts Design with Jenn Marella Habitat Habitat Portal House of the Week Habitat Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: 105 Cannon St.: “Before”

February 16, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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In past years whenever I featured one of the houses designed by the Architect Peter Newlin, I also admired the work done by his long time collaborator, the contractor Patrick Jones. Peter has retired but the work of his talented collaborator lives on in the company Patrick has formed with his sister Kathleen, Jones and Jones LLC.  Their passion and focus is restoration of Chestertown’s older properties so these houses can once again proudly take their place in the Town’s streetscapes.  I was very pleased to discover they were Spy House of the Week fans when they contacted me about their current project, the restoration and renovation of 105 Cannon St. 

I have featured several houses both on or near Cannon Street since that part of Chestertown is very appealing to me.  Except for the Cross Street traffic that passes over Cannon Street, it is a quiet street with close proximity to both the main shopping area and the waterfront.  Perhaps the best attraction to me, being a wine and cheese lover, is the house’s location across the alley at the side of the house to the Chester River Wine & Cheese Co.!

When Kathleen and Patrick invited me for a “before” visit, I discovered the house’s layout is a “shotgun” plan, one room wide and four rooms deep. The front elevation has a simplified Victorian style with its 2/2 wood windows, lap siding, corner boards, fascia board, main metal roof and a low sloped metal roof over the full front porch.  One of my architectural pet peeves are skinny square posts masquerading as columns to support a porch roof. This house’s small posts are in the process of being replaced with turned columns in keeping with the Victorian style and are better proportioned for their height. The Town’s brick sidewalk reaches the front of the brick foundation of the porch and I could well imagine a new owner adding a row of ceramic pots full of seasonal color for just enough privacy from the street.  

Before going inside, I walked along the side elevation and saw the offset in the wall that marks the transition from the front pitched roof that meets the gable roof of the three-room long rear wing.  The offset widens the side yard and its brick terrace that extends to the property line creates a shady mews for relaxing with neighbors.  The rear yard perimeter is lined with a wood slat fence detailed at the top with wood lattice that has weathered nicely to create a wonderful urban room awaiting a new owner to transform it with plants and landscaping.

The original front door is a vision of delight with a diamond pattern window at the top outlined with triangular paneled infill to make a square, fretwork sill above three square raised panels and two rectangular panels in a sunburst design over the last row of three vertical raised panels. Next to the door is the original iron “papers and packages” slot. The door opens into the original parlor whose focal point is a red brick fireplace that has been liberated from its former drywall enclosure. The exposed chimney is smaller than the firebox surround with its brick headers which leaves ledges at each side for display. It reminded me of a brick chimney in a recent Talbot Spy house that had been meticulously restored by the masonry artisan Miriam Maynard. I noticed the high window in the back of the parlor and when I went into the next room and saw the stairs I realized it was a clever way to bring filtered light into the stairwell. 

The stairs are open to the dining room with a bottom landing one step above the last tread that wraps around the newel post telescoping up to its cap. The dining room has windows on both side walls and a half French door leading to the bricked side terrace for easy indoor/outdoor access for parties. The next room will be a full bath and laundry with the rear room containing the kitchen overlooking the yard. Throughout the house, original four-panel doors with elongated upper panels and the trim of the windows have been removed to be sanded and patched. Even though it was overcast on the day of my tour, I was impressed with the amount of light from the many windows. 

The meticulous demolition of the first floor was underway showing exposed floor joists above a moisture barrier and insulation being installed in the exterior walls. I liked how they left the second floor joists and decking exposed on the first floor and its white finish will reflect light from the windows. As a cook, I look forward to the new kitchen’s design when I return for my “after” visit. The second floor has a hall along one side that maximizes the size of the bedrooms and bath. On this floor, the window frames and trim are stained and will be beautiful above the original floors that will be refinished.

This talented duo is off to a great start in their new venture and I am looking forward to touring the finished house to report soon on its “after” state. If you are seeking a home in Chestertown, this is a great opportunity to purchase an in Town property that will be fully move-in ready!

For more information about this property, contact Patrick Jones or Kathleen Jones at 410-708-2534 or   [email protected]. 

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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

House of the Week: Little Neck Farms

February 9, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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The neighborhood of Little Neck Farms in Rock Hall offers a unique setting with its 200 acres of open space and a community pier in the private community marina on Swann Creek for quick access to the Chesapeake Bay. The house is sited on a corner lot with a front porch for watching sunsets and a rear terrace for early morning risers to enjoy that second cup of coffee to begin their day. This traditional styled house has a main three-bay story and a half wing with double doors in the center between single windows and three single dormer windows aligned above. The full front porch is covered by a shed roof extending from the main roof’s eave and is the perfect spot for unwinding at the end of the day. 

The one-story hyphen links the main wing with the story and a half two-car garage wing. I especially liked how the garage doors do not face the street so the front wall becomes a full gable with a shorter one story gable box bay for additional architectural interest.   This box bay alcove offers a spot in the garage for trash and recycling bins, one feature I would love for my own garage. 

The floor plan is zoned very well with the entry doors opening into a foyer with the guest bedrooms and bath to the left connected by a short hall. To the right of of the foyer is a sitting room that is currently used as a music room with light from the front single window and the pair of French doors to the foyer. From the front doors there is a clear vista through the house to the rear wall of the family room with its trio of long windows overlooking the landscape and sliding doors to the concrete terrace below. The side wall of the family room has floor to ceiling built-in millwork finished with crown molding and open shelves around the opening for the TV. 

A wide cased opening connects the family room with the dining area and kitchen. The “L” arrangement of the kitchen cabinets and an island with bar stools is opposite the dining area defined by an angled bay window for diagonal views of the landscape. The dining table blends with the wood color of the kitchen’s base cabinets and the vertical pattern of the cabinets’ doors creates a uniform look. The upper cabinets stop below the ceiling to allow for display and I like how the backsplash continues up the wall space between the side of the cabinets and the window to end at the top of the window’s trim and the cabinets. Stainless steel appliances and the subway tile backsplash in earth tones completes the look. 

A smaller wall opening in the kitchen-dining area leads to the gable wing containing the two-car garage, the primary suite, laundry and the “L” shaped stairs to the unfinished attic. I envied the primary suite’s sumptuous bath with a corner tub under a window, separate shower, dual sinks, toilet room with a window and a linen closet and off the bath is a large walk-in closet. The bedroom is located at the terrace side of the house and has two rear windows overlooking the landscaping.  

The bonus room of this house is the entire attic area with framing carefully thought out for maximum headroom for future uses.  The attic area over the garage has daylight from the windows at each gable end and the attic area over the main wing of the house has daylight from the three single window dormers over the front of the house and another window at the gable side wall.  Huge potential for finished space-another bedroom suite, playroom, studio, etc. 

Great location with wide open spaces and sunsets, floor plan with an easy flow and privacy zoning with the guest wing on the opposite side of the house from the primary suite.  Full front porch and rear terrace are outdoor rooms to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature of this pastoral setting, with close proximity to Rock Hall and a short drive to Chestertown.

 

For more information about this property contact  Lynn Hilfiker with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-639-2118 (o), 443-480-1163 (c)  or [email protected]. 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.

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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

House of the Week: “Spring Cove Manor”

February 2, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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I was captivated by this property when I saw the aerial view of a waterside compound of three houses nestled among mature trees.  The main house was clad in shakes with asphalt shingles and the two other houses were clad in white siding with blue metal roofs. I especially liked the front elevation of the main house, circa 1890’s, with its quintessential Eastern Shore farmhouse style. The three bay, two and a half story house has this architectural style’s signature steep gable in the middle of the front elevation penetrating the roof with a 2/2 arched accent window at the attic level.  The wide gable reaches over to the edge of the trim of the second floor windows flanking the center window and at the main level the entry door is centered between two pairs of glass doors that originally might have been single windows.  Light shake siding, crisp white trim and the two red brick chimneys are the finishing touches to this harmonious symmetrical arrangement.  The full front porch and the side bay-shaped sunroom with wrap-around windows are charming spaces for relaxing and enjoying the peace and quiet of this 7.99 acre site.    

The main house has five en-suite bedrooms with separate heating and cooling units.  The sitting room has paneled walls and ceilings with windows that wrap around one corner for views to the landscape.  The spacious dining area has French doors leading to my favorite room, the sunroom,  with its bay-shaped end wall of windows and furnishings of sofas for relaxing and tables and chairs for breakfast or informal dining. I could easily envision adding pots of colorful plants to create a conservatory on the large Mexican tile laid in a diagonal pattern on floor. 

The kitchen with its “L” and island layout, white cabinets, black quartz countertops and wood floors is filled with sunlight from the row of windows above the sink, another longer window and the period pendant light fixtures over the island that is the perfect touch for this historic house. One of the main floor bedroom suites was probably the original parlor with its fireplace and French doors to the front porch. Several of the baths have brightly colored vertical shiplap which is a striking background for the white bathroom fixtures.

The second of the three houses is a spacious two-story, three bedroom, two bath house with a view of what locals affectionately refer to as “the Haven”, a sheltered open water area leading to Swann Creek and then to the Chesapeake Bay.  The house has charming architecture created by a combination of intersecting gable and shed roofs and great outdoor rooms of a main floor screened porch below a deck surrounded by sheltering trees that provide privacy from the other houses.

The third house is an exquisite one bedroom, one bath open plan suite above the garages below.  The suite opens up to the landscape with a continuous row of long windows in the living-dining area under shed dormer roofs that meet the side wall gable roof’s windows.  The gable wall at the living-dining-kitchen area has a pair of French doors with full sidelights opening onto a spacious deck to extend the living space.   The open plan living-dining area has built-ins for books and TV and the efficient “U” shaped kitchen is fully stocked with white cabinets, dark countertops and stainless steel appliances. At the other end of the house, a trio of high windows below the top of the knee wall above the bed and the triple window with an arched top over the center window flood the space with light.  I loved the bath’s claw foot tub with the sides painted bright teal and how the double windows were set low above the tub’s edge so one could lean back and soak while discreetly enjoying the view of the landscape below.

Spring Cove Manor currently operates as a country inn with daily and weekly rentals but believe it would also be an ideal family compound with the main house, the large cottage and the suite over the garage. Acres of privacy, a public landing next to the waterfront of this property for boating or kayaking, lawns for picnics or play and close proximity to the charms of Rock Hall-an idyllic setting! 

For more information about this property, contact Doug Ashley with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-0480 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.dougashleyrealtors.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, 410-310-6838, [email protected].

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week:  “Pond House”: At Home with Gordon Bjorkman and Jane Keller

January 26, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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A few years ago, “Granny Smith Farm” was featured as a House of the Week.  This historic farm had been lovingly restored and brought back to life by its Owners, Gordon Bjorkman and Jane Keller, with interiors by Jane. Her grandfather, who was a painter, taught Jane the basics of design and she learned her lessons well.  When I learned that the she and her husband had returned to our area and purchased another house, I was eager to visit and see Jane’s transformation.  

I learned the house was built in 2005 by Gramps (James) Mosner, who is a builder and restoration specialist, on the foundation of a former house that was uniquely positioned high on a bluff with expansive views of the marshes below. The architecture of the two-story house has great appeal with its light gray shingle siding and white trim  and the front elevation is divided into two parts.  The left part is a full two-story gable wing with three windows on both floors and a round accent window at the attic level tucked under the eave of the gable.  The right part slopes down from the second floor’s roof ridge to the first floor, creating a full front porch with the entry door in a rosy red color and another splash of color in the blue bench between the two windows.  The symmetry, massing and color accents create great curb appeal. The rear elevation is similar in form but a continuous row of windows at the living room wall and a half porch/half nook with wrap-around windows at the kitchen maximizes the water views.

After admiring the front elevation and how well it blends into the streetscape, I walked down the hardscaped driveway that ends at a detached storage shed. The shed overlooks the rear yard with a grouping of iron furniture on a brick terrace beneath a towering tree that provides shade during the warm months. I paused at the edge of the yard and was transfixed by the view of the marsh far below bordered with grasses gently swaying in the breeze. 

Jane greeted me at the rear French door that offers a clear view through the house to the front door. The rear door opens into the kitchen adjoining a delightful nook with wrap-around windows.  If I were helping with dinner, I would volunteer for the meal preparation so I could stand at the diagonal island’s kitchen sink and enjoy the vista to both the living room and the water view from the kitchen’s rear door and nook windows.  I loved the kitchen’s color palette of honey colored wood floors, creamy white cabinets, wood countertops and stainless steel appliances.  When I admired the backsplash of light sage green tiles stamped with outlines of bottles, Jane explained the tiles were actually thin concrete squares stamped with the shape of bottles before the concrete set.  The bottles had been found during the excavation for the foundation and now have a new permanent life.  Jane knows I have a feline companions so she pointed out that the cozy nook’s storage chest with cushions on the top cleverly disguises a cat door at each end to access the litterboxes. Off the kitchen is a room that does dual duty as a pantry with open shelving opposite side by side washer/dryer units under two rows of upper cabinets. 

A wide cased opening leads to the living-dining room with a rear wall of tall windows for bird’s eye water views. The neutral shades of upholstered pieces is mixed with the warm wood of the armoire, antique writing desk, chests and sideboard in a distressed finish for contrast. I especially liked the accent wood chair with what I would call a “handlebar mustache” top. The mirror on the interior wall of the dining room is a clever way to make a “window” that reflects the light from the rear windows and on each side of the mirror are tall cabinets for storage of serving pieces.  

Behind the dining room is the library-study at the front wall of the house. Here the walls are darker and the fireplace has built-in millwork on either side with molding and keystone trim. The fireplace is the only remaining part of the original house and dates to 1892. The “puddle” drapes are a bright splash of color and I coveted the colorful antique Japanese Obi floating in its frame above the fireplace. I ended my main floor tour at the foyer and was charmed by the delightful powder room with its mirror framed in oyster shells and the stained concrete lavatory top by “Kings Grant Old World Surfaces”, who crafted all of the bathroom vanities. Accents of red tulips in a pot below a small artwork were the finishing touches to this cozy space. 

As I ascended the “U” shaped stairs, colorful Rothko prints stepped up as well to the upper floor with an overlook beneath the steep roof with a dormer at the second floor level. The hall to the front study has an interior “window” overlooking the foyer below that catches the light from the dormer. The front room is an office for the busy Owners with back-to-back file cabinets defining each workspace. 

The bedrooms are located at the rear of the house for quiet and water views. 

The primary bedroom has three long rear windows facing the water and the two blue armchairs with a table in the middle creates a cozy space for morning coffee. Antique storage pieces with a touch of Oriental details and in contrasting wood tones add interest. The master bath is elegantly appointed and I loved the animal print of the bench’s seat cushion.  If I were a guest, I would welcome settling into the guest bedroom with two single dormer windows inset into the steep roof. The space behind the knee walls are cleverly detailed with recessed drawers that eliminate the need for chests and the built-in seat below the windows must be favorite spots for the family cats at nap time. The high window in the guest bath brings sunlight into the room without sacrificing privacy and filters through the glass upper wall of the tiled shower next to the lavatory cabinet. Once again, Brava to this extremely talented interior designer for her artful interiors!

Jane Keller is Baltimore bred and was introduced to the world of design by her artist grandfather. Throughout her career in design, she has received over thirty awards for her work in the fields of advertising, graphic design, fashion, home furnishings and interiors.  Her projects have ranged from corporate branding for many Fortune 500 Companies to graphic design for Guy Laroche boutiques.  Legendary fashion designer Mary MCFadden called her ” a master colorist” for Jane’s inventive hand painted silk textiles for the designer’s couture collection. She has created distinctive interiors for many Eastern Shore clients where she and her husband Gordon now live.

For more pictures of Jane’s interior design,  visit www.kellerinteriordesign.com or contact Jane at 443-994-2934 or [email protected] .

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: Contemporary in Shorewood Estates

January 19, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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It is very unusual for me to find two contemporary houses in Kent County to feature in the same month to balance the rich treasure trove of houses in Chestertown’s Historic District. This contemporary in the community of Shorewood Estates caught my eye for several reasons. The neighborhood is a water-oriented community on Swantown Creek off the Sassafras River and the house is surrounded by mature trees, landscaping and outdoor areas of a three-season porch opening onto a large deck. I also liked the curved stairwell wall that projects from the front elevation that reminded me of the first house I designed for a client with glass block rising from the landing of the “U” shaped stair to the ceiling.

The massing of the two-story house has a pitched roof articulated with the main roof sloping down from the second story to the front one-story wall of the living room that projects from the front wall of the house. The entry door is beside the curved projection of the stair tower and is covered by a roof that connects to the side wall of the great room’s chimney. Next to the stair tower the second story’s front wall cantilevers slightly over the two-car garage below. The house with its light vertical siding stands out against its verdant background of the surrounding mature trees and landscaping.

The compact floor plan has an easy flow beginning with the entry hall next to the spacious living room with its dramatic interior architecture from the white planes of walls that soar to the second floor ceiling clad in stained wood slats. The fireplace brick chimney rises to the underside of the wood ceiling and adds texture in contrast to the white walls and next to the chimney wall is an overlook at the second floor hall. Opposite the front fireplace the rear wall opens up to the landscaping with a pair of French doors flanked by single windows and over the doors is a contemporary “Palladian” window. The doors open onto the deck that connects to the three-season room next to the kitchen for great flow for entertaining. The window and door trim is stained to match the ceiling and hardwood floor and the living room floor is tiled for easy care. The living room is open to the dining room at the rear of the house. The dining room’s bay window overlooks the landscaping and the room size can accommodate family meals or larger celebrations.

The “U” shaped kitchen layout has an angled wall that creates space for a countertop overhang to accommodate bar stools. I dislike corner cabinets but here the sink is cleverly located at the corner so the cook has a view of the screened porch and landscaping beyond. The kitchen finishes have been upgraded to a granite countertop and subway tile full backsplash. To me, the storage chest on the side wall blocks the view of the passive leaf of the pair of French doors to the porch that could be a perfect spot for a table a deux for breakfast. Of course, the adjoining three-season room is an even better spot for relaxing over breakfast or sitting in the upholstered rattan furnishings to enjoy a relaxing afternoon. The floor to ceiling windows provide full views of the landscaping and the rear door opens onto steps down to the lawn.

The stairs to the second floor have a wood railing that returns to a cozy nook at the front wall with space for two chairs with sunlight from the triple window unit at the front wall and skylight above that is a great “nightlight” for the hall. At the side of the nook is the wall opening with a stained wood railing that overlooks the living room. The generous width of the hall has space for both circulation as well as furniture. The room at the front corner of the house with the long windows is currently used as an office but it also has a large closet so it could be used as another bedroom or an upstairs TV room. The primary suite is located at the opposite corner with windows on each exterior wall and a walk-in closet and skylight. The remainder of the floor contains the other spacious bedrooms and bath.

Great water oriented community with two water access areas for water enthusiasts to enjoy canoeing, kayaking or boating on Swantown Creek and the Sassafras River. Slips are available at the community pier by an annual lottery selection. The aerial shot showing the dense cover of mature trees provides shade for daily strolls through the neighborhood. Great floor plan with an easy flow among the main floor rooms with outdoor rooms of three-season porch and deck overlooking the professionally landscaped lawn and gardens that significantly enhance the property. There is also a full basement with a cedar closet for storage of seasonal wear and a workshop area.

For more information about this property, contact John Carroll with Village Real Estate Company LLC at 410-648-6844 (o), 410-708-0247 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit www.villageagents.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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: Sassafras River Diamond in the Rough 

January 12, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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Whenever I join my architectural clients for previews of lots or existing properties for potential renovation/addition projects, I always advise them to buy the best site they can find, whether it is a waterfront, wooded or in-town property.  Fixing a site is far less daunting that fixing a house! This property is part of the Gregg Neck Park community that was established in the 1950’s and whose amenities include a private beach, pier and boat ramp. The house is sited above the banks of the Sassafras River and has its own deep water dock where you can launch your boat and meander out to the Chesapeake Bay. Steps lead down from the back yard to a water’s edge deck with benches and areas for spreading out on a chaise for sunbathing after a day on the water. There is also a firepit and areas for picnics and a hammock for reading on a lazy weekend afternoon. 

The house’s one-level floor plan has great renovation potential with the long side  laid out parallel to the water to provide water views from all the main rooms.  The house was originally a “U” shape with the living room at one end; open kitchen-dining area, two bedrooms entry and bath in the center; and the family room, primary suite and bedrooms at the opposite end. At some point in time, the center part of the “U” was filled in to create a delightful screened porch overlooking the water and skylights were added  at the rear of the room to provide sunlight for the kitchen and dining room that originally had exterior windows. The 32 foot long screened porch has access from both the living room and family room for easy flow and with areas for both seating and dining this is clearly the hub of the house during warm weather months.  

The rear of the center portion of the house is an open-plan kitchen-dining area but this cook would want to expand the kitchen into the oversized dining area which is an easy project since I would want to upgrade the cabinets and countertops.   At the front wall of the center portion of the house, the main entry door is located at the corner next to two bedrooms and a full bath behind the existing kitchen. I would eliminate one of the bedrooms and rearrange the remaining space to create a larger kitchen and larger entry foyer to open into the living room with a vista through the house to the screened porch’s water views. The existing bath could be relocated to the bedroom wing to become a dedicated bath for the primary suite.  

The living room is a wonderful space that spans the full depth of the house and has a fireplace centered on the side wall. The rear triple unit windows overlook the water and duplicating this window arrangement at the front of the house would add symmetry to this space and enhance the front elevation. At the wider end of the “U” shape, there is a sitting room at the corner with windows on both exterior walls that could be a perfect primary bedroom connected to the relocated bath to complete the primary suite.  The other three bedrooms could share the existing bath. 

After these minor wall changes, you can then focus on the fun part of selecting finishes and upgrading the kitchen and baths to your taste.  I grew up with knotty pine walls but painting them would reflect more sunlight into the rooms. Removing the lay-in ceiling panels is easy and you then have the option of opening up some rooms with pitched ceilings or at moving ceiling joists up to act as collar beams for greater spatial volume.

Great waterfront site, outdoor rooms of the screened porch and waterside deck, one-level living for aging in place and plenty of room for relaxing with your family or entertaining friends. With the ability to upgrade to your tastes this is a unique opportunity to make this diamond in the rough your own waterfront gem!

 For more information about this property, contact Ashton Kelly with Gunther- McClary Real Estate  at 410-275-2118 (o), 410-708-8114 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing, visit https://gunthermcclary.com/, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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

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

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: Wooded Wonderland 

January 5, 2022 by Jennifer Martella

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I grew up in a one street neighborhood that was located along the ridge of a high hill with the predominant home style being a late 1950’s rancher with a daylight basement. When the new split-level architectural style came into fashion, even at a young age, this budding architect liked how my friend’s new house differed from mine. The stairs were equally divided among the three levels of the house with the garage at the lowest level, the entry, kitchen, dining and living room on the middle level and the bedrooms at the highest level. Today’s house is a variation on the split-level design with the entry halfway between the lower and  upper levels.  

The site was the first one chosen in this neighborhood so the house is now nestled among mature trees and surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature. The driveway meanders through the trees until it reaches the house in its clearing set into the hill. A low brick retaining wall at the upper side of the property meets the motor court and a curved brick retaining wall steps down above the brick steps that lead to the front door located at the middle level.  At the rear edge of the clearing for the house, the natural grade slopes into a peaceful and verdant landscape. 

The house’s simple rectangular shape is articulated by the tall and wide triple windows infilling most of the side wall at both levels of the house facing the driveway. At the lower level, the triple windows are arranged in floor to ceiling window/transom units but at the upper level the pattern is reversed with low awning/full window units. The effect dramatically opens up both levels to the landscape. 

The contemporary detailing includes earth toned brick at the lower level that extends upward in one wall panel to the underside of the roof’s soffit as an accent wall dividing the cream colored vertical lap siding at the living area and entry door from the horizontal lap siding of the bedroom areas. The framing for the full glass front door, sidelights and transom is painted a deeper red as an accent. One of my architectural pet peeves is front loading garage doors that are painted the trim color instead of the wall color.  Here the doors take their hue from the earth toned brick and disappear into the wall for a homogeneous look. 

The entry door opens into the foyer with a “U” shaped stair leading to hallways on both floors.  One foyer wall backs up to the living room’s brick fireplace and is accented in the same brick for texture. The upper floor has an open plan kitchen-dining-living room layout with a screened porch at the rear corner overlooking the landscape below for great flow among the rooms.  The screened porch’s pitched ceiling is open to the underside of the stained wood decking and I admired the long spans of screening without a vertical break for total transparency. 

The side elevation’s triple floor to ceiling triple window units are located in the living and dining room area. At the front corner of the living room, another triple window unit provides diagonal views. The living room also has accent walls of full height brick behind the fireplace and along part of the front wall. In contrast, the kitchen is light and bright from the white cabinets, upper cabinets with glass fronts, patterned blue and white tile backsplash, solid surface countertops and stainless steel appliances. I especially liked the open shelf above the triple window above the sink with an array of primarily blue and white ceramic canisters.  I also admired the dining room’s wood table with its slightly flared edge in a darker wood than the tabletop and the wood slat chairs with slightly bowed backs for greater comfort. Opposite the foyer from the kitchen-dining-living area are the bedrooms and baths. The walls of the primary bedroom are a soothing shade of lilac and another bedroom’s walls are pale apricot.  

The full height triple window units at the side wall of the lower level open into a room with flagstone floors that is used as a plant room. The flagstone floor flows into the adjacent room that spans the full depth of the house. The room is divided into two sitting areas, one seating group around a large screen TV and the other sitting group around the fireplace. If it were my house, I would prefer that the side wall be opened up as much as possible to the exterior full height triple windows to bring more daylight into the space and to provide greater views of the landscape. The remainder of the lower level contains the two-car garage and the laundry.   

Great wooded and private site for nature lovers, water access for swimming and boating, contemporary split-level plan with defined areas that flow well, energy efficiency features, gourmet kitchen, fireplaces, screened porch on upper level and a separate entrance for the lower level-a wooded wonderland!

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 [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.cbchesapeake.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by Patty Hill, 410-441-4719, www.pattyhillphotography.com. For online booking, visit https://pattyhillphotography.simplybook.me/v2/.

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: “Marsh House”

December 29, 2021 by Jennifer Martella

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If you are a nature lover, is doesn’t get much better than this- imagine your house floating above the marsh in total privacy and enjoying the sights and sounds of waterfowl who share this unique site with you.  The house is sited close to the driveway for minimal disruption to the surrounding marsh and its main floor is a story above the ground for flood control.  The house’s footprint is angled from the access road to provide spectacular unobstructed views of Swann Creek and its marina in the foreground against the background of the Chesapeake Bay. Further down the access road is a carriage house with guest quarters above near a long wooden walkway through the marsh to the pier.  The discreet lighting below the edge of the walkway guides your way for a twilight stroll.

From the parking area, a few steps lead up to the main house’s front deck then double doors lead to the entrance hall with a “U” shaped stair to the great room’s three bays defined by the post and bean framing.  The compact floor plan has minimal hallways and multiple floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors with French railings giving the living and dining rooms across the rear and sides of the house panoramic water views. At the bottom of the stairs leading to the second floor, dramatic model sailboats sculptures introduce the marine theme.  As you come closer into the great room, you are mesmerized by the center bay’s wide wall of glass whose height rises above the ceilings of the side bays of glass. Two club chairs are strategically placed to beckon you to sit and savor the stunning vista of marsh and water.  

I loved the Stickley rocker in the corner of the left bay of the sitting area and if one could reluctantly turn one’s back from the view, this reading area with the Craftsman floor lamp and narrow, tall bookcase could be a very pleasant diversion. This bay is the full depth of the house and with the rear sliding door with a French railing and the side wall of sliding doors to the screened porch, these adjoining spaces become an aerie with wrap-around views of the water. The boat shaped coffee table with its glass top was a clever detail and continues the marine theme throughout the house. 

The stairs to the second floor divide the center bay from the other corner bay that is also the full depth of the house with the dining area at the march side and the kitchen at the front. The dining room’s corner location offers panoramic diagonal water views from its matching sliding doors with a French rail and sliding doors to another screened porch and deck. I could well imagine being a dinner guest at the wood table with its lighthouse centerpiece and watching the sun set during dinner. The spacious kitchen can accommodate several cooks and the corner secondary sink facing the dining area has water views from its side window and the corner windows of the dining area. The wood cabinets are stained a lighter color than the exposed timber framing and the beautiful hardwood floors for contrast. 

The steps to the second floor end at a short hallway connecting the three bedrooms and baths. At the center bay, a few steps up lead to the open sitting room with a deck for a bird’s eye views of the marsh and water. The primary suite spans one side of the house with the bedroom’s corner windows for panoramic views and sunlight throughout the day.  The hall bath serves the other two bedrooms, one located at the rear corner overlooking the marshes. I liked how the bath mirror captures the reflection through the house to the windows of the sitting room at the rear wall. 

My favorite room is the third floor’s full length treetop space that is tucked under the center of the house with gable walls at each end. The circular stair divides the long space into a work area and seating area with a half bath at one gable wall.  

Lucky guests would claim the upper level suite of the carriage house between the main house and the walkway over the marsh to the pier. Steps lead up to a cozy porch then to the open plan layout with everything one needs for an extended stay with its sitting room and a kitchen and full bath at each gable end (when may I sign up?). 

One of a kind site set into a serene marsh, simple architectural massing that reminded me of a large bird house, quite fitting for this dramatic site; sound timber frame construction, full height windows and sliding doors with French railings for maximizing sunlight and views, outdoor rooms of screened porches, great flow among the main floor rooms for entertaining,  gorgeous sunsets over Swann Creek, carriage house and pier-who could ask for anything more!

For more information about this property contact  Lynn Hilfiker with Gunther McClary Real Estate at 410-639-2118 (o), 443-480-1163 (c)  or [email protected]. 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.

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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

House of the Week:  Classic Farmhouse in Town

December 22, 2021 by Jennifer Martella

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Several of my friends in Wilmington and Philadelphia have weekend homes in Rock Hall since it is an easy and quick drive with minimal time on the interstate. This property in the heart of Rock Hall would be a great weekend home or full time residence.  Many upgrades have been done including an encapsulated crawl space, vapor barrier, sump pump and insulation, new windows, zoned HVAC, kitchen cabinetry, countertop and appliances so the house is ready for one’s personal touches.  The property is located on a corner lot and the house is set back from the side street next to a large gravel parking area with curb cuts on both the main or side streets for access to the house.  

This quintessential Eastern Shore farmhouse is a classic three bay, two-story  frame structure with the special detail of the steep center gable at the roof inset with an arched top window at the attic level.  The massing is also classic with its two-story “L” shape with a one-story shed roof at the “L”’s inside corner and the color palette of cheerful yellow lap siding, white trim and the accent of blue for the entry doors is very appealing. The full front porch with its low hipped roof provides front row seats to watch the action in downtown Rock Hall. The front entry door with half sidelights and full transom is set to one side to maximize the floor area for seating on the porch.  

The front door opens in front of the stairs to the second floor with the open railing overlooking the living-dining room. Sunlight from the front windows and the side window at the rear dining area and the beautiful hardwood floors create a spacious area for furnishings.  The projection into the room by the former chimney could become a gas fireplace with venting through the side wall. Tucked under the stairs is a powder room convenient to both the living-dining area and kitchen. The bulkhead for the HVAC ductwork was carefully placed for minimal impact into the open plan space.   

A wide cased opening at the dining area leads to the kitchen at the rear of the house with an exterior door at the side wall for access from the parking area. The “U” shaped kitchen layout has a peninsula with a countertop overhang on the side facing the dining area that provides space for the Windsor style bar chairs. The work area is very efficient with the kitchen sink opposite the R/F and range with a side window for views. The peninsula cabinets and countertop provide more work space or buffet space for entertaining.  There is also additional cabinetry with a knee space for office work and a full height wall of pantry cabinets for additional storage. As a cook, I like the openness of the space due to the ample storage with minimal upper cabinets. Next to the kitchen is the laundry/utility room and sunlight from the double window unit makes doing laundry less of a chore. If one is a gardener, the exterior door is convenient for cleaning up after yard work. 

The bedrooms and bath are located on the second floor.  I envied the stairs to the attic from one of the bedrooms since my attic access is a pull down stair.  Both the bedrooms and the bath have a white color palette which becomes a blank canvas for the next owner’s own interior design tastes and accessories. Like the main floor, the rooms’ pristine walls and beautiful hardwood floors are move-in ready. 

Desirable corner lot with room for expansion, lawn area ready for a gardener to enhance with landscaping and hardscaping, house with move-in ready finishes, close proximity to shops, restaurants, marina and beach- a great opportunity to live in Rock Hall!   

For more information about this property, contact Doug Ashley with Doug Ashley Realtors at 410-810-0010 (o), 410-708-0480 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.dougashleyrealtors.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Janelle Stroop, 410-310-6838, [email protected]

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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

Filed Under: Design with Jenn Marella, Habitat Portal Lead

House of the Week: Fit for a Queen

December 15, 2021 by Jennifer Martella

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Queen Street has been the source of several of my Houses of the Week and this charming house has great appeal for many reasons. Closer to Cannon Street than High Street with its traffic, this tree lined block is ideally situated close to the Historic District’s shops and restaurants, the Chester River, the Town Marina and Wilmer Park.  This two-bay house is set perpendicular to the street with a front porch that wraps around one side with two other exterior doors, one to the stair hall and one to the office area off the kitchen. Instead of a planting strip between the porch and the Town’s brick sidewalk, brick hardscape continues from the sidewalk to the front porch steps, creating more space for visiting with neighbors on their daily strolls. 

The fenced rear garden is a serene haven of lawn with a border including crape myrtles, honeysuckle, hydrangeas and on the day I visited, roses were still in bloom. I especially liked the fence’s weathered wood combination of lattice at the top for air flow with vertical boards below for privacy. The 1900’s house’s immediate past life was as a true urban live/work building with a family run business on the main floor and the family’s living quarters above.  A 2009 renovation reverted the use to fully residential with an addition that created a stunning kitchen-study/office -family room at the rear of the house as well as a new roof and HVAC.

When I opened the door for my tour, it was immediately apparent that the foyer’s interior design was a harbinger of many other visual delights. An antique wood chair in one corner opposite an antique dry sink, beautiful hardwood floors, soft butter yellow walls enhanced by posters and original art lit by a pendant light and filtered light from the translucent window treatment provides a warm welcome.  The long vista from the foyer was through a spacious hall with a beautiful Stickley style wood bookcase with glass doors on the wall next to the side stairs.  At the end of the hall, an open doorway leads to the addition containing the kitchen, office/study and family room. 

The short vista to the adjacent living room is framed by columns set back from low walls on axis with the side window of the living room next to the corner fireplace. The cased opening from the living room to the dining room frames a high chest with a mirror above that reflects the living room wall. Unlike the living room’s fireplace, the fireplace in the dining room is set perpendicular to the side wall with its two windows. 

The doorway at the rear wall leads to a short hall with a mini bar/butler pantry at one end and a powder room. The hall opens into the kitchen to complete the continuous flow among the main floor rooms. Here the wall color changes to taupe which complements the kitchen’s stainless steel appliances, creamy white cabinets and granite countertops. The office/study at the side wall with a door to the wrap-around porch has full height millwork between a window and the kitchen’s upper cabinets on the wall facing the office/study have glass fronts on both sides for transparency. 

The family room’s box bay window wall supported by two columns inset from the rear wall extends into the fenced rear lawn and garden to create a relaxing space in which to unwind after a work day.  More visual delights of art and sculpture caught my eye, including one stunning colorful glass piece which I coveted.

The stairs to the second floor are located at the side wall with sunlight from both the frosted panels in the half glass door to the porch and the window at the top landing which makes this a very pleasant connection between the two floors. The primary bedroom is located at the front of the house with window on three walls for sunlight throughout the day.  I loved the large contemporary rug in earth tones, craftsman wood furnishings and white bed linens.  The middle bedroom was charming with lilac walls, wood craftsman pieces and two colorful canvases that becomes a mural above the bed.  Underneath lay an alert but benevolent stuffed tiger holding court.

The rear spacious room was once the living room of the former apartment but would make a great bed-sit for a teen or a shared bedroom with windows on both the side and rear walls and the coffered ceiling with white framing and light blue coffers. Above the fireplace mantel is a mural featuring two of my favorite childhood book characters, Babar and Celeste, in a hot air balloon floating over a scene of beach and sea. Next to this room is the former apartment kitchen which could also become a dedicated bath for a primary suite. The laundry room is located at the rear corner of this floor and with a little creative space planning, the laundry and former kitchen area could be reworked so the laundry could be accessed from the hall.  

Wonderful house and garden with a blend of the original early 1900’s National Folk style house with the contemporary addition of kitchen and family room. My compliments to the Owner for his impressive collections and interior design.  I believe I recognized a large Acoma Pueblo piece that is similar to my own. Bravo!

For more information about this property, contact Nancy McGuire with Maryland Heritage Properties  at 443-480-7342 or [email protected]. For more photographs and pricing visit www.marylandheritageproperties.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 Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.

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

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