Design with Jenn Martella: “The House of Six Gables”

1 Aerial of House and Choptank River — A quintessential Eastern Shore farmhouse with six lively gables and waterfront views.

If you are searching for the “just right” waterfront property with enough acreage for you to indulge your passion for boating or gardening, look no further than this two-acre property off the beaten path along the Choptank River. The current owners demolished the property’s former dilapidated structure down to its foundation and retained architect Greg Wiedemann, FAIA, to design their new retreat. Wiedemann’s exquisite design of a quintessential Eastern Shore farmhouse incorporates six gables that create lively facades and massing.

On the day of my visit, I walked past a row of trimmed shrubbery dotted along the white fence facing the street. Behind the fence were two mature Crape myrtles whose color stood out from the majestic trees on the property, including a Magnolia and a Weeping Willow.

2 Front Elevation, cropped — The front elevation features turned columns, fretwork, and subtle gable detailing.

Walking up the gravel drive lined with granite edging, I admired the front porch that is the first of many outdoor rooms I would discover. The house’s simple massing is enhanced with subtle details including the gable soffits with the eave return resting on a short curvilinear piece of trim below the fascia and the porch’s turned columns with fretwork at each side.

3 Side Elevation with Choptank background — A beautifully proportioned elevation with a screened upper porch and graceful gable design.

As I walked around the house, I greatly admired how each elevation was carefully crafted by the architect. This side elevation facing the garden is beautifully detailed with a gable centered in the wall over the balcony above the utility shed below. I especially admired the gable roof’s mix of arched horizontal and vertical framing and the transparency of the second floor’s screened porch overlooking the Choptank River. The exterior color palette of warm white siding with soft green accents of the shutters and doors is very pleasing.

4 Pergola to Landscape — A white pergola frames the lush landscape, leading to a charming firepit area.

The white pergola beckoned me to explore the exquisite landscape against its background of mature trees for privacy. Beyond the pergola was a circle of shrubbery and as I drew nearer, I discovered two circles of stones set into the earth like a mini amphitheater that created seating around a firepit.

5 Rear Elevation, cropped resized — Gabled bay windows and symmetrical doors open the home to stunning river views.

At the waterside rear elevation, the two gable projections containing pairs of bay windows at the first floor flank a shed roofed area with a wide picture window between two doors to the terrace, that opens up the house to the water views. At the second floor, the architect infilled one gable area with screened panels and added two single windows to the other gable.

The flagstone terrace behind the house blends into a circular path of paved stones between grass areas to end at a lower sitting area closer to the water. The curves are a pleasing counterpoint to the right angles of the house.

6 Terrace to Water — The terrace blends architecture with curved stonework, framing serene water vistas.

The upper terrace’s landscaping at the sides and the overhanging tree branch frames a view of the Choptank River’s distant shore. Another path leads to the private beach front with a dock.

7 Side Elevation toward lawn — This side captures Eastern Shore vernacular with vertically aligned windows and attic arches.

The other side elevation pays homage to the quintessential Eastern Shore vernacular of a main floor center door between single windows, the second floor windows aligned vertically above and the signature detail of the arched top attic windows in the center gable that interrupts the roofline. The massive trees on this part of the property shade the full porch.

8 Side Porch view to Choptank — A cozy side porch with river views invites quiet relaxation on a swing or rocker.

How could one resist this cozy porch, complete with both a rocker and a swing to enjoy relaxing on a summer afternoon, against the backdrop of the wide Choptank River.

9 Garden Shed — A diminutive barn-style shed echoes the home’s design, nestled in the verdant garden.

Before going in to explore the house’s interiors, I could not resist taking a final walk through the delightful landscape. I soon discovered this charming diminutive building that architect carefully detailed with the same design elements and materials of the house. Dual barn doors slide back to reveal an interior open to the underside of the roof with a partial loft above the main level. I loved how the photographer caught the perfect view of this charming building nestled into its verdant setting; to me, it looks like a cover for a Country Life magazine!

10 Living Room to Stair — Thoughtfully scaled spaces lead from the foyer to the living room and upstairs.

To begin my tour of the interiors, I returned to the full porch whose door opens into a small foyer with the stair to the second floor and a closet. The architect sized the rooms “just right”, as Goldilocks would say; neither too small or too large. I admired the living room’s warm cream wall color and the paintings that introduced the owners’ art collection whose subjects are mostly peaceful rural scenes to encourage relaxation.

11 Side and Rear Living Room — The bay window provides panoramic water views, anchored by wood floors and rattan seating.

The focal point of the living room is the wide bay window that provides panoramic views of the river for the grouping of upholstered and rattan seating. The wood of the beautiful floors and accents of the chest and coffee table add warmth to the space.

12 Living Room to Kitchen — A large opening creates an easy flow between the living and kitchen-dining areas.

A wide wall opening connects the living room with the adjacent open plan kitchen-dining area. I loved the delicate design of the filigreed chandelier that is transparent to maintain the spatial volume.

13 Kitchen to Front Porch — Vintage-inspired design details blend warmth and functionality throughout the kitchen.

From the antique painted cabinet in the living room to the kitchen’s reproduction oven evoking early 20th century appliances, vintage touches make this house a cozy home. The kitchen’s design incorporates a mix of cabinetry with the warmth of the wood island and hutch. Minimal upper cabinets, some glass fronted and vintage light fixtures complete the look.

The door and window overlook the front porch and the door at the corner of the kitchen leads to the adjacent laundry/ mudroom. This room also has a door to the porch that must be convenient for the garden enthusiast to clean up after digging up weeds.

14 Dining Aea toward Choptank — Turned columns and beadboard give the dining area character and frame water views.

The dining area’s rear wall is infilled with doors and a large picture window to maximize views of the landscape and the Choptank River. The architect cleverly separated the center window from the doors with turned columns on both sides of the doors as if the room had once been an open porch and the high beadboard wainscot adds character. It would so easy to linger over meals at the wood table with its mix of chair styles to enjoy the panoramic water views.

15 Family Room — A gabled bay window floods this flexible den space with light and tranquility.

Next to the kitchen-dining area is this room whose gable projection and bay window matches the living room’s design. The room is currently furnished as a den, but with closets at each corner of the spacious room, this flexible space could also become a main floor primary suite. The soothing pale blue walls would create a restful room for sleep.

16 Bath off Family Room, cropped — A vintage-inspired bath with beadboard details connects seamlessly to other spaces.

The full bath off the den would become the final part of a main floor primary suite. Yellow is my fave color and the white beadboard wainscot with trim and molding adds a vintage touch. The wall opposite the lavatory also opens into the adjacent laundry/mudroom room for quick access on washing day.

17 Main Floor Bedroom, cropped — Windows on three sides fill this guest bedroom with natural light and outdoor views.

I finished my tour of the main floor by walking back to the foyer to discover this room that is furnished as a guest bedroom. The room has windows on all three of its exterior walls for sunlight throughout the day. I loved the vintage spindle post bed frame that gives this room great charm. If one desired to have their primary bedroom at the location of the main floor’s current den, this room would make a great den; the TV’s sound would be minimal since three of the walls are exterior walls.

Going up the stair in the foyer, I discovered two other guest rooms with windows on all three exterior walls that match this bedroom’s layout. Between the bedrooms is a half bath to supplement the shared full bath along the hall leading to the primary suite.

18 Second Flr Primary Bedroom, cropped — French doors lead to a private balcony, extending the primary suite’s tranquil retreat.

At the second floor, the connection between the two gable wings of the house is a wide hall with windows overlooking the landscape and water that could become a cozy snug for the guest bedrooms. Opposite the hall is a full bath for the primary bedroom.

This sumptuous bedroom retreat has built-in closets between the single windows with a seat and storage below. A pair of French doors leads to the private balcony on the side of the house overlooking the landscape and gardens.

19 Primary Bedroom toward bed, cropped — A serene color palette pairs with built-ins for a sense of comfort and order.

I loved the primary bedroom’s serene yellow tones of the geometric design of the rug, bedside table, bed coverlet, pillows and window treatments with the white tones of the bedding.

20 Primary Bedroom Vista to Screened Porch overlooking the Choptank — The screened balcony offers a peaceful outdoor escape with sweeping views.

The primary bedroom’s pair of French doors open up to the suite’s bonus room of a screened porch overlooking the water. I have always wanted a house with a sleeping porch like this one. What a delightful space for having a nightcap while star gazing before turning in for the night!

21 Primary Bedroom Close up of Balcony railing, cropped — A perfect spot for stargazing or summer night breezes above the waterfront.

I attended a public open house for my tour of the house so I could not linger too long in this exquisite space but it was definitely my fave room in this enchanting house. All it needs is a hammock for sleeping on summer nights!

22 Primary Bath — Filled with light, the hall bath features beadboard detailing and modern amenities.

The spacious hall bathroom that serves the primary bedroom is flooded with light from the two windows overlooking the shed roof of the front porch. The beadboard wainscot continues the farmhouse chic. The large shower also has a seat and the toilet is enclosed by side walls for privacy.

23 Nocturnal Shot of House and Choptank River resized — Even at night, the glow from the home’s many windows enhances its welcoming design.

This nocturnal photo shows how the house glows from within with the multiple windows and French doors. What a wonderful house to come home to after a day at work!

On a quiet street that ends at the Choptank River, this unique two acre property patiently awaits you to discover its peace and privacy. Meticulously designed and maintained landscape and gardens surround the house that celebrates its quintessential Eastern Shore vernacular farmhouse style.

Architect Greg Wiedemann, FAIA, thoughtfully designed the house so the main rooms not only face the river but also open up to direct or panoramic views of the river through wide bay windows, picture windows or French doors.

Outdoor rooms of both open and screened porches, balconies and a flagstone terrace were carefully placed to encourage interaction with the landscape, gardens and the water views. The site’s bonus outdoor room is the pier and the 1000 foot private beach along the river.

The house’s layout offers flexibility with bedrooms on each floor that could become primary ensuites for aging in place. Each primary bedroom is spacious to accommodate both sleeping and sitting areas. The other bedrooms have privacy from their locations at the corners of the house and each room’s three exterior walls have windows for sunlight throughout the day and panoramic views of the property.

The other rooms’ sizes are “just right” for their use The kitchen-dining area is the hub of the home with its waterside wall infilled with a picture window between single French doors to the flagstone terrace for al-fresco dining.

Bravissimi to the owners for their vision and to their architect for creating a truly quintessential Eastern Shore vernacular retreat!

For more information about this property, contact Christine McGuiness, GRI, SRES, ABR, with Weichert Realtors at (301-656-2500, (o), 301-404-3145 (c) or cmcguinness100@aol.com, “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Peter Evans, www.peterevansphotography.com, 301-326-7188

Architecture by Wiedemann Architects, Gregory Wiedemann, FAIA, 301-652-4022, www.wiedemannarchitects.com

Open House: Sunday, August 23rd, from 2:00-4:00.

AI Disclosure: The Spy and its writers may use artificial intelligence tools to support accuracy and clarity in our reporting.

Contributor Jennifer Martella has pursued dual careers in architecture and real estate since she moved to the Eastern Shore in 2004. She has reestablished her architectural practice for residential and commercial projects and is a real estate agent for Meredith Fine Properties. She especially enjoys using her architectural expertise to help buyers envision how they could modify a potential property. Her Italian heritage led her to Piazza Italian Market, where she hosts wine tastings every Friday and Saturday afternoons.