“Friendship House” is aptly named, for its original owners were members of the Society of Friends, or Quakers. In the mid-17th century, Quakers were encouraged to leave Pennsylvania and claim this part of Maryland for William Penn. in 1695, Pearce Lamb answered the call and built his house, “Lambs Meadow” in the Georgian Colonial style of that time.  

Native Americans sold him their finest farmland because Quakers had a reputation of religious tolerance and were also abolitionists. In 1858, one of Pearce Lamb’s descendants, James Lamb Bowers, paid a heavy price for his anti-slavery stance. He and the Free Black Preacher Harriet Tillison had been helping enslaved people escape via a network of other Quakers’ stations along the Underground Railroad. A pro slavery mob tricked James out of his house and tar and feathered him. Then they went to Chestertown and Harriet Tillison suffered the same treatment. The mob ordered the Lambs to leave Maryland and they relocated to  Camden, DE, until the end of the Civil War. James’ and Harriet’s valor is illustrated on a tile mural at the Harriet Tubman Museum and Education Center in Cambridge, MD. 

The Lamb Family also co-founded and constructed the Cecil Meeting House that was built next door to “Friendship House”. At that time, this area was part of Cecil County. The Pearce Lamb family later subdivided their farmland and several homes were built by their descendants, including this house that was built in 1782 by Daniel Lamb and his wife Harriet Bowers. Historians consider “Friendship House” to be one of the finest example of 18th century Quaker vernacular architecture on the Eastern shore, if not all of Maryland.  This north façade was originally the back of the house; the south façade faced a colonial road and that was the main access to the house.  

“Friendship House” began its life as a two story, one-bay kitchen with a dirt floor next to a two-story, one bay living room; each room had a fireplace on the west facing walls. The vertical line on this north side marks the 1792 expansion of the house that added a foyer and living room to create a four-bay, center hall floor plan. The bricks for the house were probably fabricated by brick makers who traveled the countryside seeking work during the time this house was built. 

Daniel and Harriet Bowers Lamb left clues about their house’s timeline. The initials “DL” on a date brick was salvaged when the original chimney in the kitchen was reconstructed in 1985. Between two windows in the attic, another brick inscribed with “H DL 1792” for Harriet Bowers and Daniel Lamb was discovered. The last clue was the discovery of “Harriet” signed on one of the ceiling beams of the second floor middle bedroom, by a young daughter named for her ancestor.

“Friendship House” endured an 1830 renovation when the next generations of Lambs preferred the Federal architectural style. Dormers were added in the attic to augment the side windows flanking each chimney; the house was whitewashed; layers of lathe and plaster were applied to the ceilings; doors were upgraded from plank to paneled styles; the windows were made taller and shutters were added; fireplace mantels were also updated to the current style.

I prefer the house’s look as it is today because it is in keeping with the earlier Lamb family members wish for their house to embody simplicity, domestic equality and function. I also like how remnants of the whitewashed period remain as they are both part of the house’s life and the facades are more interesting than a monochrome colored brick facade. 

In the mid 1950’s, the house acquired modern necessities, including electricity and indoor bathrooms. The kitchen’s fireplace and chimney breast were removed for the kitchen’s redesign and a mud room was added at the south facing exterior door. The house entered a new phase of being a rental property for much of the rest of the century. 

In 1985, “Friendship House” was fortunate to have new owners, Reverend David LaMotte and his wife Liz, who oversaw the house’s restoration. They enlisted the knowledge, expertise and workmanship of artisans, architectural historians, and experts in restoration to restore “Friendship House to its 18th century appearance; an effort that lasted for many years and the house’s interiors today are the result of their herculean efforts. 

As an architect, I especially admired how the massing of the frame additions of the kitchen and the sunroom respect the existing house and the “Chestertown Buff’ color, chosen by the current owners is simply perfect. Prior to selling “Friendship House” in 2007,  the LaMottes renovated the kitchen. Unfortunately, the buyer was unable to keep the house up and the house was shuttered for almost ten years. The current owners came to the rescue of “Friendship House” when it was a short sale due to the sorry state of both the grounds and the house. The current owners slightly modified the kitchen but the majority of their focus was to save and update the house for the next steward of this exceptional house.

On the day of my tour with the Listing Agent, one of the Owners graciously joined us; due to his being an architectural historian, I could not have asked for a better guide. I am indebted to his passion about “Friendship House” and for sharing his research material with me. I admired the beautiful wood floors that I learned were yellow pine, sometimes referred to as “pumpkin pine ” because of the lovely color it turns into as it ages. I also discovered he and I share a passion for the Arts & Crafts movement, when I saw the exquisite umbrella stand in the corner of the stair hall. 

Both the front and rear doors align with each other for symmetry, ventilation and for vistas to the landscape from each door. Wide doorways lead from the stair hall to both the living and dining rooms. I admired the black walnut stair and its simple design in keeping with the simplicity of Quaker interiors.

Before exploring the living and dining rooms, I walked past the wide doorways to both rooms to admire the simple geometry of the stair as it winds its way to the second floor as the Owner pointed out the pegs at the top of the stair’s newel post. I also admired the texture of the wood paneled walls and ceiling that is so much more interesting than an expanse of drywall. 

Like other Tidewater houses of the late 18th century, a thin wood wall separates the stair hall from the living room. The Owner pointed out the ceiling/second floor joists that were hand hewn from Linden wood, a species known for its long and clear grain. The Quakers added their signature beaded edge to the side edges of each joist as the joists were never expected to be covered. I coveted the Owner’s  Stickley settee, which he discovered at the Crumpton auction near Chestertown.

Bespoke millwork flanks the working fireplace and the rhythm of the exposed ceiling’s stained beams creates charming interior architecture for one to read by the fire or listen to someone playing the grand piano.  

As I passed through the wide doorway into the dining room, the Listing Agent pointed out another historic clue, the patch in the SE corner of the room. This patch covered up the stair to the original second floor. Unlike most houses of this period that had a clear distinction between the dining room and the kitchen, the wide doorway to the kitchen reflected the Quakers’ belief in everyone participating in daily domestic tasks that was key to their integrated and egalitarian lifestyle. The simple interior design of the paneled mantel and adjacent cupboard were installed during the 1985 restoration by the LaMottes, after much research to find the best example for “Friendship House”. Custom tin sconces by John Ramsey’s Deep Landing Workshop in Chestertown are the finishing touches.  

Steps leading down from the dining room to the former kitchen give the family room extra ceiling height. The kitchen probably had a dirt floor and the owners did not find any evidence to the contrary in the 1985 renovation/restoration of this room. Its historic focal points are the fireplace, chimney and steep stair that are all conjectured reconstructions. Amazingly, the original bricks that had been discarded during the 1955 renovation were found in the wooded dell at the rear of the property, including the 1782 date brick, which now has a pride of place in the side of the chimney next to the bespoke millwork. A black walnut tree that was removed during the 1985 restoration and the construction of the kitchen and sunroom additions, now lives on as the fireplace’s mantel, proudly showing her hand hewn marks. I could easily be quite content sitting on the simple rocker by the fire in this exquisite room so filled with history!

 

The addition of the spacious kitchen was designed for today’s lifestyle with an “L” and island arrangement. The exposed brick and window in the original exterior wall of the house grounds it to the history of “Friendship House”. The flooring of wide pine planks could easily be thought of as original to the house. I am quite partial to the simplicity of Craftsman style cabinets and they are befitting for a Quaker house too. The warmth of the wood cabinetry and the granite countertops that complement the color of the cabinet doors make the kitchen the hub of the house where everyone wants to be.

The current owners modified the kitchen layout slightly and one of their changes was to relocate the sink and dishwasher to the island. Now the cook is in center of the action and the island is a great buffet for entertaining or for perching on the bar stools to catch up on emails. 

The corner of the kitchen is a delightful dining space for breakfast or informal meals. Daylight steams in from the south and west windows for panoramic views of the landscape and the potted plants look very happy in this charming location. I admired the simple table design with its slightly tapered legs that match the color of the Windsor chairs and the table top that matches the floor color. Opposite the informal dining area, a discrete powder room is tucked against the side wall of the sunroom with a window to allow light to filter into the space from one of the sunroom’s skylights.  

 

 

The open French door in the informal dining area beckoned me into this exquisite  sunroom that spans across the stair hall and the dining room. I admired the space’s interior architecture with its sloped ceiling with skylights to augment the daylight/moonlight from the five pairs of sliding doors that embrace the space. The brick floor is the perfect transition from outdoors to indoors. The mix of brick sizes and colors on the wall was fascinating as it told the history of the house’s construction periods. 

The low windows whose sills are just above the floor look into the basement below that is accessed by steps from the family room. In the early days, the space was also used for cold storage and for a respite from the warm weather. The bases of the two chimneys end at the basement floor. Arched openings inside the chimneys both distribute the structural load and provide space for shelving to keep items cool since the enclosure of the thick brick walls maintained an even temperature (also worked well for wine storage too!)

 

To begin my tour of the second floor, I went up the second set of steps in the sunroom that led me back to the stair hall. My hand glided over the walnut cap rail of the banister as I went upward to the expanded landing that blended into a short hall connecting the two guest bedrooms. Opposite the hall is a large bathroom serving both guest bedrooms. Closets with period hardware and paneling that replace historic armoires have been carefully inserted into the hall and both bedrooms. 

 

 

If I were a lucky guest, I would choose this charming room over the living room at the corner of the house.  The interior architecture of the exposed beams, accent wall of vertical paneling, and the beautiful wood floors and the quilt by Helen Maenner-Clark in the give and take pattern would be hard to resist!

 

Across the hall from the corner guest bedroom is this spacious guest bedroom with its own fireplace. I was astounded to find this loom that is the size of a canopy bed and I learned it is very much a working loom for one of the owners. This room is accessed from both the stair hall and steps down to the primary bedroom, so it could have myriad uses. 

This room was once divided into two bedrooms. Near the door into the adjacent primary bedroom is another historic clue. Past the exposed beam near the door is an early cursive signature “Harriet Lamb” on another beam.  The architectural historian owner explained that is was common for children in the 18th and 19th centuries to mischievously add their signatures on walls and furniture; some homes show initials scratched onto the windowpanes!

The sumptuous primary suite is located at the other corner of the house and spans over the family room and the kitchen. During the 1985 restoration, the La Mottes left the exterior masonry walls exposed so the thickness of the wall can be appreciated at its depth creates a ledge when the  first floor wall transitions to the reduced wall thickness of the second floor’s wall due to the latter’s  lighter structural load. 

The room is bathed in sunlight from the rear south facing window and the two small windows flanking the chimney at the east wall. The textures of the exposed wood beams below the ceiling’s wide white decking and the colors of the rug, bedspread and the red enclosure for the stair to the family room below create a restful haven for sleep.

 

Between the primary bedroom and the primary bath is this spacious dressing room that also contains the laundry area and closets and storage under the eaves. The wood chest is located at the spot where Reverend LaMotte would sit at his desk to write his Sunday sermon.

Off the dressing room is a large bath with high knee walls and a ceiling plane that follows the outline of the gable roof rafters above to meet the bottom of the collar beam above. The yellow wall accentuates the fixtures and cabinetry. 

 

The property’s 6.8 acres offer peace and privacy with mature boxwood hedges, mature evergreen and deciduous trees, perennials that return in the spring  and wildflowers that bloom in the summer to add color to fallow pastures. Enjoy a daily stroll on the paths that meander throughout the grounds or sit and relax to savor the quiet, broken only by the songs of birds. 

The property also has a studio barn that is accessed by its own gravel drive and parking pad. The barn contains a two-bay garage next to a workshop that has its own access and has been updated with insulation and finished in drywall. It also has its high voltage electric, fiber optic internet lines, its own water system and a pellet stove for heat in the winter.

“Friendship House” mid 1898’s restoration that included installation of handcrafted oak windows and mahogany doors with period hardware has been lovingly maintained with materials and preservation sensitive practices by its current owners. They also installed new HVAC units, preservation sensitive insulation, professionally restored windows and two new wood stoves for a turn-key home that offers low maintenance for the next very lucky steward of this remarkable piece of Maryland’s historic residential architecture. As we celebrate Thanksgiving today, I thought it was fitting to feature a house that was built less than 100 years since the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock that has been so magnificently restored-Bravissimmo!! 

---

For more information about this property, contact Liddy Campbell at TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, 410-673-3344 (o), 410-708-5433 (c) or [email protected]. For more photographs or pricing, visit  

[email protected] ,  “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

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

The Author is indebted to both the Listing Agent and the Owners for sharing their treasure trove of historic documents and photos of the renovations of this property that certainly shows “Friendship” belongs on the National Register of Historic Places!

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.

The picturesque unincorporated village of Sherwood between Tilghman Island Road and Waterhole Cove to Harris Creek was established in 1928 by developer William F. Cochran. He named the community for the legendary Sherwood Forest of Robin Hood and his Merry Men. The community’s Methodist Church is still active and is surrounded by charming cottages and larger houses of diverse architectural styles that, along with the mature trees, give the community its charm. I have featured several houses in Sherwood and it is always a pleasure for me to revisit this special place.

Today’s featured property sits on a corner lot with off street parking at the side street.  The house was sited as close as possible to the setback from the side street to create a larger yard on the other side of the house. The front façade’s stoop is covered by a pitched roof that adds both shelter and character to the house’s farmhouse vernacular architecture and the low slope metal roof over the side porch adds a splash of color.  

The house enjoys privacy from the dense grouping of tall trees and shrubbery along the side street. As I walked around the grounds, another dense row of viburnum becomes a natural fence along the curve of Sherwood’s main street for total privacy. I was quite impressed to see that the original wood siding has been both meticulously scraped and freshly painted as part of the owner’s meticulous restoration. In colonial and post-colonial architecture, window pediments were scaled down to become low-pitched headers for windows like these that are found throughout the Eastern Shore.  

The house’s massing steps down from the front two-story wing to the rear one-story wing. The side elevation facing the grounds opens up to the landscaping with a porch that is half open, half screened for great indoor-outdoor flow from both the kitchen door and the dining room’s pair of French doors. The soft neutral palette of the siding and trim makes the house seem larger than it is.  

The side driveway ends at the open porch to the one-story wing of the kitchen. Beyond the lawn is an outbuilding that is currently used as a workshop for the house’s restoration; other myriad uses could be an office, studio, etc.  I admired the detail of the panels beneath the kitchen window-much more stylish than extending the lap siding below the window and both the corner and skirt boards are the perfect finishing touches.

I opened the front door to a foyer opposite the stair that is partially open to the living room. The large closet next to the stair defines the edge of the foyer. Beautiful wood floors and moldings that span across the ceiling and the accents of shiplap walls adds texture. The floor plan is compact so rooms flow into each other without halls. 

 

On the day of my visit, the sky was slightly overcast but the living room’s tall windows that rise to the ceiling flooded the space with daylight. In front of the chimney breast, a gas stove stands ready to take the chill off our fall nights.

A wide wall opening connects the living room to the dining room. The living room’s shiplap and ceiling molding continues around the chimney’s projection into the dining room and the wall of the full bath. Two long windows make window treatments unnecessary since the side yard’s dense evergreen and aucuba shrubbery provide privacy. I admired the artisanal wood table and the wood chairs that reminded me of Shaker simplicity.

From the dining table, there is a long and serene vista through the screened porch to the private garden. Since the dining room is spacious, one could orient the table perpendicular to the French doors so all diners could have a garden view.

The kitchen’s cherry cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances pleased this cook and the wood floors add warmth. The double window unit over the sink has a view of the side yard’s dense foliage.

The closet in the kitchen corner contains the washer and dryer which leaves space under the rear window for a small seating area to keep the cook company or a breakfast area. I admired the antique wall hung cabinet and the lovely antique table with angular sides under the side window. The wood square shape with a ring inset into the floor is the access to the encapsulated crawl space below. The exterior door leads to the open portion of the porch for al-fresco dining.

The porch is a delightful outdoor room with a wall separating the screened part at the dining room from the open part at the exterior door to the kitchen. The sloped ceiling is open to the roof rafters above and the rhythm of the sloped rafters and the horizontal beams creates a lively ceiling pattern. I especially liked the notched details of the porch’s columns. 

 

After exploring the main floor, I climbed the stair to the second floor whose layout includes a short hall connecting two large bedrooms with the hall bath. At the top of the stair, I looked back to the stair’s opposite wall that had an opening to the wall of the bath. This clever detail brings filtered daylight from the bath’s window into the stairwell. 

The primary bedroom is located above the dining room with windows on each side wall and the bedroom’s detailing of shiplap on the window wall, the exposed stained beams and the wood floors give the space character. 

 

The primary bedroom has ample storage from the two closets and the freestanding wood storage units in the alcoves. I especially liked how the marks on the underside of the original exposed rafters were not sanded down but left alone to show the hand hewn workmanship. 

The hall bath has both a shower and a clawfoot tub and the wood dresser now has a new life as a lavatory cabinet. The vertical four-panel style wood door is typical for the doors that are original to the house. 

The bonus of living in Sherwood is the community dock with multiple slips, a floating dock and a kayak landing. The dock has become a neighborhood gathering space, especially in the late afternoon when neighbors gather to savor the expansive views as the sun sets over Harris Creek. 

Location, location, location-this charming Eastern Shore vernacular house on a corner lot in one of Talbot County’s most picturesque unincorporated communities is close to the both Tilghman Island’s and St. Michaels’ restaurants and attractions. The Community Dock is both for launching boats and kayaks, but it is also a neighborhood gathering space for “Merry Men and Maid Marians” to  watch the sun set over the wide expanse of Harris Creek. The house has been meticulously restored and lovingly maintained including updated kitchen and baths as well as an encapsulated crawl space, septic system with a new BAT system, new well, new Renai hot water heater and new HVAC.    The compact floor plan with minimal halls maximizing room sizes for furnishings. The outdoor room of the porch with both open and screened areas overlook the private back yard outlined by a dense viburnum “fence”. This move-in ready house would be a perfect weekend/summer home, first time home or retirement home. My compliments to the Owner for his design and construction work!

---

For more information about this property, contact Cornelia C. Heckenbach, Associate Broker at Long and Foster Real Estate, 410-310-1229 (c) or [email protected] . For more pictures and pricing, visit www.StMichaelsMdWaterfront.com,  “Equal Housing Opportunity.”

Aerial Photography by Robert Thayer, www.thayerfilm.com , 443-253-1716

 Interior and Exterior Photography by HomeVisit, www.homevisit.com ,703-953-3866

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.

This exquisite four parcel, sixty-five acre property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is located on one of Kent County’s highest points, at the intersection of two state routes near Chestertown. The two-story, five-bay wide, two bays deep, center hall plan was built in 1858, during the transition from Greek Revival to Italianate architectural styles. From its high vantage point, the house sits in a well maintained landscape of lawn, mature shade trees, woods, wild flowers, native prairie grasses and a large pond. The house’s shallow hipped roof is topped by a belvedere that offers stunning 360 degree vistas of the surrounding area.  

The original post and beam wooden clapboard house has a foundation of local fieldstone and brick. The cornice, porch beam and the belvedere are all embellished with “cyma recta” (S-shaped brackets with a concave upper curve and convex lower curve). I admired how the color of the brackets accentuated their form and echoed the color of the window trim, the front entry doors and the pilasters at each corner. 

The existing porch is a reconstruction that faithfully followed the original design by means of historic photographs and on-site archeological evidence. The Doric columns rest on copper capped brick piers and the center bay of the porch is wider than the other four bays to accentuate the entry doors, sidelights and full transom. The soft colors of the exterior walls and trim, with the accents of the blue trim and the compact massing creates great appeal.  

In 1996, the porch’s full wooden handrail was replaced by a simple top and bottom rail for greater transparency. I lingered at the front porch to admire the details of the acorn finials atop the two newel posts at the end of the stair run and the sly and clever acorn cap shape that was carved at the bottom of each column’s base. (Every house should have a touch of whimsy for pure delight!).

I also admired how the doors and the long windows rise to the underside of the ceiling. The finishing touch is the light blue beadboard ceiling whose color the Gullah people of South Carolina believed could ward off evil spirits; it also had a practical reason since lime in the paint was a natural insect repellent.  

When I entered the foyer, the interior design clearly evoked the influence of the house’ original historic period. The characteristic deeply embossed surface of the “Lincrusta” wall covering was invented in 1877 and this technique is still found in historic houses and restoration projects. The graceful “U” shaped stair’s design features thick balusters, decorative brackets and the flair at the bottom tread that meets the heavily articulated newel post. The ivory button atop the newel post signifies that the owners have no mortgage, a tradition that began in the 1930’s. I admired the eleven foot ceiling and the beautiful pine floors that flow throughout the original part of the house and the finishing touches of the period medallion and pendant fixture. Amazingly, the original part of the house still has plaster walls and ceilings.  From the front entry door, there is a clear vista through the original part of the house to the rear of the addition.  

To the right of the foyer is the dining room, where the owners discovered the original mahogany faux painting on both the dining room’s window and door trim. They researched the 19th century formulas and reproduced this graining throughout the original part of the house. I also learned that the owners added the chandelier medallions and crown moldings that are period appropriate. The crown living room’s crown molding was the work of artisans from DC’s Monumental Plaster Moulding. The current owners carefully duplicated their profile of the crown molding for the dining room’s molding and crafted it themselves; clearly, this restoration/renovation was a labor of love for them. 

To the left of the foyer is the living room; as in most restoration projects, the owners removed the exterior siding to add insulation and electrical wiring so the original plaster walls could be preserved. 

My fave childhood toy was a dollhouse so I was drawn to the firebox infilled with what I thought was a dollhouse, but I discovered it is actually a paper mache replica of the house that has its pride of place during the warm months in the firebox. The spacious living room accommodates a baby grand piano and ample seating space. French doors lead to the adjacent library for continuous circulation  through the house. 

The library’s interior finishes include Saltillo tile flooring from Mexico, bespoke black walnut millwork by a local artisan woodworker and a paneled ceiling whose finish matches the millwork. The pair of wide doors and full transom offers a pastoral view of the landscape when one needs a respite from computer work. 

In contrast to the original house’s historic finishes, the main floor of the addition at the rear of the house has light colored finishes and an open plan kitchen-informal dining and family room. The kitchen is the hub of the house and is accessed from both the foyer and the library. The light gray wood ceiling floats over the gray and white checkboard floor with a diagonal pattern to visually stretch the space. The stainless steel island and pot rack adds an industrial touch and is surrounded by white cabinetry whose upper cabinets rise to the underside of the molding. 

As I walked through the kitchen, the truncated “L” shaped open plan kitchen-informal dining and family room came increasingly into view. The dramatic informal dining area is open to the addition’s second floor “bridge” that connects the original part of the house to the addition. Above the bridge, a skylight filters daylight and moonlight below. (Skylights are a great way to get direct sun into rooms; rule of thumb is to calculate your floor area and then take 5% of the floor area for rooms with many windows and 15% for rooms with few windows). 

Centered in the space, the bridge also cleverly hides conduit for the pendant fixture over the table. The family room’s geometry is offset to create a cozy sitting area grouped around the fireplace with corner windows for panoramic landscape views.

The larger area of the family room is designed for TV viewing. Two pairs of hinged French doors when folded back  to the screened porch create a warm weather indoor-outdoor-room for great flow between the rooms. This part of the addition has 8’-6” ceilings to create cozy spaces for relaxing with family and friends..

The offset spaces of the screened porch create two sitting areas and the horizontal framing is positioned to maximize clear views of the landscape. The cushioned rattan settee with upholstered cushions in this corner area of the screened porch beckons one to relax, surrounded by pastoral views of the landscape and the pond beyond.  A pair of French doors leads to steps to the pool area.

The screened porch area adjacent to the informal dining area has two strategically placed chairs and a side table ( for morning coffee or an aperitivo, perhaps?) -a perfect spot to relax at the beginning or end of the day while enjoying panoramic views of the landscape.

To begin my tour of the second floor, I retraced my steps to the foyer stair. The second floor contains the primary ensuite, one guest ensuite, four other guest bedrooms, baths and the stair to the rooftop belvedere. The finishes of this spacious guest ensuite at one of the front corners of the house echo the historic colors of the original main floor rooms. The beautiful antique wood bed is positioned for views from the windows on each corner wall; the other corner wall’s windows flank a fireplace to create a welcoming sitting area. 

My fave guest bedroom is this charming room with a bay window projecting from the exterior wall. The window seat is flanked by two closets with extra storage above and the mirrors on the closet doors and the neutral color palette expand the space. The finishing touches of blue accents, the contemporary Chevron pattern rug and the furnishings create an serene retreat for any guest.

This office/guest bedroom is located at the offset in the rear of the addition that steps back to the primary ensuite that creates corner windows for this room. From both the workspace area and the cushioned Craftsman style chairs, the panoramic views of the landscape unfold.   

This guest bath was my fave one for both its wood lavatory and vessel bowl that float over the tile floor and the glass walled shower that maintains the spatial volume. The polygonal dark tile flooring balances the white walls and ceiling and the rug runner with its subtle geometric pattern is the perfect accent. 

The second floor hall blends into the bridge that overlooks the informal dining room below and ends at the primary ensuite. The natural light from the rectangular pitched skylight above and the  contemporary uplights around the perimeter of the space create a dramatic space, especially when the uplights are turned on in the evening.  

 

The primary ensuite’s bedroom is located at the rear of the addition and its interior architecture features a tray ceiling that rises to 10 feet. I admired how the perimeter molding defines the spring line of the tray ceiling’s sloped sides that are painted the same soothing aqua of the walls below. The tray meets the flat portion of the ceiling and is finished with the same light gray wood of the kitchen. The large bathroom with a corner jacuzzi tub and closets complete the ensuite.  A pair of French doors lead to the private screened porch. 

This cozy space is a warm weather snug for the primary bedroom with its bird’s eye views from the wrap-around windows overlooking the landscape and pond through the mature trees that surround the room. 

I saved the best view for last and climbed the stair to the belvedere and slowly turned around to savor the 360 degree view. Historically, small cupolas penetrated roofs to provide both natural light and ventilation; belvederes were larger and were used to provide views or to watch over one’s property.

As an architect, I was fascinated by the complexity of the roof’s plan with seven intersecting roof planes of hipped, valley and ridge forms. Rainwater is carried away by a built-in gutter system. The current owners of this unique house realized that the best long term roofing solution would be a hand turned copper batten system. This ambitious project began in 1999 and ended in 2025. This solution, traditionally used for monumental public buildings for its lifetime of over 200 years, was a very generous one for the current owners who have been exceptional stewards. 

As I took my leave of this historic gem, I stood on the front porch and once again savored the fall colors and textures of the landscape and hardscape that surround Gobbler Hill. The seamless addition not only respects the original structure’s massing, color palette and details but also creates an updated family home that reflects today’s family lifestyle. 

The property’s sixty-five acres offer expansive vistas through mature trees of fields, native prairie grasses, wild flowers, woods, gardens and a large pond.  Outdoor rooms of the full front porch , wrap-around screened porch on the first floor, the primary suite’s private screened porch and the poured concrete in-ground pool inlaid with tile enable one to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature.

Gobbler Hill is a wonderful example of preservation/restoration of a National Registry of Historic Places property. Bravissimo!! and Bravissima!! to the owners whose meticulous care of this important piece of Kent County’s architectural history will enable them to pass on “Gobbler Hill” to the next very lucky owners to continue its preservation and protection for years to come.  

---

For more information about this property, contact Tracy Stone of Coldwell Banker Chesapeake Real Estate Company at 410-778-0330 (o), 443-480-0610 (c), or [email protected] , For more photographs and pricing, visit

www.tracystonehomes.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Aerial Photography by Dylan Wayne, Shore Studios, www.shorestudiosdrone.com

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

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.

Before I visited this property, I checked my primary reference book, “Where Land and Water Intertwine” but I found no home named “Westland”; I had assumed today’s featured house, built in 2005, had been built on the site of a home that had been demolished long ago since I drove down a straight gravel drive lined with old, majestic oak trees. I soon glimpsed a view of a stone façade and as I drew nearer, the house soon revealed its full magnificent front facade of timeless architecture and the highest quality of construction and craftmanship.  

The house enjoys total privacy from its being sited on 5.44 acres, surrounded by Haskins Cove and Trippe Creek to the Tred Avon River. The width of the SE/SW facing shoreline inspired the gifted architects Hammond and Wilson of Annapolis to place the house parallel to the shoreline so all the main rooms of the house can enjoy panoramic water views and sunsets. 

After parking my car on the gravel motor court, I slowly savored the beauty of the front façade’s massing and textures. The roof’s slate shingles glide down to the eaves with a Gallic flair, supported by large scrolled brackets against a backdrop of vertical siding above the stone. Multiple gables outlined in white trim, bay window projections with copper roofing and multi-paned windows create very appealing massing that enhance the rectangular geometry to create a harmonious composition.  

As I walked around the house, every elevation was beautifully detailed.  This partial rear elevation with the mix of gable and shed dormers carefully placed  against the steep roof the gable projection of the screened porch and breakfast area adds great architectural character. Outdoor rooms of the stone terrace between the lanai off the family room opposite the screened porch have direct access to the pool area. One side of the pool surround expands in width to easily accommodate chaise lounges with umbrellas for shade.  I especially admired how the architects added a covered walkway with columns  not only connected the screened porch to the lanai but it was also a clever way to cover the solid wall of the garage. 

The long rear elevation is carefully detailed with multiple gables, chimneys, shed roofs over doors, bay windows with deep copper colored shed roofs and the stunning two-story bay wall projection at the center of the house break up the length of the façade.

After being totally captivated by the sheer perfection of the exteriors, I was  prepared for the interior architecture and interior design to exceed my expectations and indeed they did. The front door opens into a spacious foyer on axis with the two-story living room. The foyer’s tile flooring laid on the diagonal visually expands the space even more and the walls’ finish resembling stucco, the wide arched topped wall openings and the graceful double curvature of the stair with its thin iron spindles accented by filigree motifs create a grand entrance. The niches in the walls have painted scenes of various areas of the property.  

The dramatic two-story living room has a sloped chimney breast that rises to meet the cornice of the coffered ceiling that is articulated with molding. The window wall surrounding the pair of French doors leading to steps down to the lawn offers views of the landscape from both floors of the house. I admired the pair of mirrors on either side of the chimney breast that are ‘windows” to reflect the movement through the room and the serene and the sophisticated neutral palette of the furnishings.

As I stood in the middle of this exquisite room, I looked back to admire the “musicians’ balcony” at the second floor that must be a very pleasant sitting area for the second floor bedrooms. The subtle curvature of the balcony above the arched wall defines the boundary between the foyer and the living room.

I walked back through the foyer to the dining room to discover its interior design of subtle wallpaper, moldings framing the bay wall projection and the arched wall opening framing the view of the stair. The elegant furnishings, especially the inlaid wood table, set the scene for memorable dinner parties and family celebrations. No detail was overlooked by the architects-even the high grille is decorative!

Off the dining room is this wine storage room with bespoke cabinetry and the angled wall of the wine racks is due to its adjacency to the hall from the foyer to the family room.  Next to the wine storage is a wet bar with a wall opening to the adjacent family room. 

The kitchen is clearly the hub of the house with its connections to the family room, breakfast room and the screened porch for easy flow among the rooms and outdoors.  The window over the sink has a view to the adjacent screened porch. The earth tones of the floor tiles highlights the white of the bespoke cabinets and the backsplashes and the countertops add subtle textures.  I admired how the upper cabinets rise to the underside of the ceiling and how the top upper cabinets are backlit.

The family room’s chimney balances the living room’s chimney in the roofscape and the coffered ceiling echoes the ceiling treatment of the living room. The kitchen’s flooring flows into the family room and bespoke millwork surrounds the TV above the fireplace. The rear wall is infilled with three pairs of French doors  with transoms above that lead to the extension of the terrace off the living room for easy indoor-outdoor flow. 

Another elliptical arch over a wide wall opening connects the family room to the breakfast room/informal dining area. The graceful oval recessed fresco ceiling was inspired by trees found on the property. The wrap-around windows of the room offer panoramic views of the lawn and the water.

The  cozy screened porch with wrap-around window panes for the cooler months meets my definition of a Snug-an intimate space for sitting or dining. I especially liked the rug with its pattern mimicking brick laid in a herringbone pattern and how the flat part of the ceiling contains discreet downlights, leaving the sloped portion for exposed beams and decking finished in bead board. The accent of the side stone wall illustrates the beauty of the stone’s color variation.

A service hall behind the kitchen and screened porch leads to a secondary stair to the upper level next to the pantry,  bath, office/work out area, laundry and mudroom. The latter has a bench for taking off wellies and hanging up jackets with closed storage above. Two other closets contain ample storage for family coats.

At the end of the service hall  are steps leading down to the two-car garage. A half flight of steps lead down to this room that is at ground level. I loved the dramatic interior architecture from the white massive trusses with subtle curved bottom chords and the sleek white gypsum board ceiling that reflect the sunlight.  The exterior walls are infilled with windows and doors for panoramic views of the lawn and water and the French doors lead to the lanai overlooking the pool area.

The lanai is on axis with the centerline of the pool and is a perfect spot for respite from the sun after a swim or a day on the water. I especially liked the detail of the brackets at each exterior corner of the porch’s columns, the subtle colors of the stone flooring and the stepping stones set into the grass that separates the openness of the pool and the semi-enclosure of the lanai.   

To complete my tour of the main floor, I went back through the foyer to the primary bedroom ensuite. This room that was beautifully detailed with moldings and pilasters to give texture to the walls and the bespoke millwork has dual uses as an office and a sitting room for the primary suite. I especially liked the detailing of the rear wall with its corner pilasters framing the pair of French doors flanked by full sidelights. Moldings instead of transoms above the French doors match the moldings  on the side wall to unify the room’s interior architecture. The table desk and chair are perfect for catching up on emails. Instead of a sundial inlaid in the floor, this sundial is painted onto the ceiling for a clever decorative touch.

The corner primary bedroom has panoramic views of the lawn and water from the rear wall’s pair of French doors and full height sidelights and the side wall’s bay projection infilled with windows.  The bay window is a cozy spot for two chairs and an ottoman for relaxing at the end of the day to enjoy the views of the sunset. I especially liked how the shallow tray ceiling was outlined in the same color of the walls that accentuates its geometry and how the wood pencil post bedframe maintains the spatial volume.

The primary bath with heated stone floors also has a bay wall projection that creates the alcove for the jacuzzi tub. The angled corner wall separates the two dropped ceiling areas over the tub and the dressing table. Opposite the tub is the shower enclosed in angled glass walls and a side door. The ensuite is completed by two large walk-in closets with bespoke millwork. One closet has a window seat beneath a wide window for daylight. 

The second floor has another primary suite to allow parents with young children to be near them until the children are older. The parents can then move to the first floor primary suite when they are empty nesters to age in place. This second floor primary ensuite’s bedroom offers panoramic bird’s eye views of the water from its location at the waterside corner of the house. A large bathroom and walk-in closet complete the ensuite.

The second floor is laid out well for privacy with large closets and bathrooms or other spaces between the bedrooms. At the opposite waterside corner of the house from the primary bedroom is this spacious guest suite. It has a large walk-in closet and shares a bath with the front corner bedroom. The triple unit window provides broad views of the water. If I were lucky to be a guest, I would hope to claim this charming ensuite with its blue and white interior design that continues into the shared bath. 

I admired the blue and white wallpaper that is perfectly sized for the room’s dimensions and spatial volume. Having both a shower and a tub is a plus and the plantation shutters can be adjusted as needed. As I stood in front of the marble dual lavatory below the mirror that infills the entire wall, I enjoyed the view of the water that is reflected through the window over the tub. 

The remainder of the second floor has two other guest bedrooms, a large recreation room and a media room so there is plenty of rainy day options for both family and guests!

One of my fave quotes about architecture is by the architect Le Corbusier: “Space and Light and Order. Those are the things that men need just as much as they need bread or a place to sleep”. I could not resist having this exquisite nocturnal photograph as the coda to my article. The forms of the architecture come alive with the house’s total illumination! 

 Walking through the spaces of this exquisite house, I felt like Goldilocks since the rooms all felt “right” – each space was perfectly sized for the furnishings that I forgot the house contained more than 12,600 gsf that is not only impressive to guests but it is also at its heart, a family home.  

The house was carefully sited along the serene waters of Trippe Creek leading to the Tred Avon River, with deep water access from the private pier with  8’ MLW, full utilities, lifts for both boats or jet skis. Outdoor rooms of the stone terrace between the screened porch and the lanai and the heated waterfront pool area create easy indoor-outdoor flow for al-fresco living. 

Interior architectural elements of the foyer’s graceful double curvature stair, the stone chimney breast whose sloped sides rises to the underside of the living room’s coffered ceiling, other coffered and tray ceilings, floor to ceiling doors and windows for panoramic views of the landscape and water, match the beauty of the timeless architecture.  The property also contains a detached garage with a guest suite above for extended stays. This stately home reflects highest level of achievement in design, materials, uncompromising attentiveness to details and craftsmanship that the dream team of Owner, Architect, Contractor and Craftspeople achieved-Bravissimo!

---

For details about this property, contact Chuck Mangold, Jr., at 410-822-6665 (o), 410-924-8833 (c), or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.6068westlandroad.com , “Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Jennifer Madino
Aerials by Suzanne Silverstein
Architecture by Hammond Wilson, www.hammondwilson.com, (410) 267-6041
Construction by Pyramid Builders, www.pyramid-builders.com, (410) 571-7707

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.

Several years ago, one of my friends suggested I become acquainted with the work of William Draper Brinckloe, who lived to Easton from 1911 until his death in 1933. He was also an author of two books, “The Small Home” and “The Volunteer Firemen”. In his book “The Small Home” he mentions that he is designing a small bungalow for his family which became known as “Dutch Cottage” that became his “City Home”. Today’s feature, which Brinckloe christened “Edgemar”, was his “Country Home” and he wrote an article “The Barn Rebuilt” about his design process. 

Prior to their move to Maryland, the Brinkloes lived in Delaware and after a visit to California, they were enchanted by the haciendas and old mission buildings they found throughout the state.  After living in Talbot County for thirteen years, the Brinkloes decided to sell their house on Peachblossom Creek and to retain 4.5 acres of the property and its old barns. They incorporated the barns into their  new 4,000 sf country home. 

Whenever I feature a house that was designed by another architect, I ask about their design concept since each project is unique. I was thrilled to discover an article by William Draper Brinckloe in which he describes his design process and  was illustrated by his floor plans. 

The Brinckloes reconfigured two barns perpendicular to each other, added a garage and unified the three buildings with low walls enclosing a south facing cloistered courtyard to create a harmonious whole. A new sunroom spanned across the former smaller barn with doors to the courtyard. The floor plan worked very well with easy flow among the main rooms and the outdoor rooms of the front courtyard and the side porch overlooking Peachblossom Creek. 

The house has endured many changes by later owners including closing off the door from the living room to the sunroom and the courtyard; removing the wall between the sunroom and the kitchen and dining room to create a great room and relocating the kitchen to the former garage. The last change was an addition of a main floor primary ensuite behind the kitchen.  

 

On the day of my visit, I first explored the courtyard with its hexagonal shaped paving stones that the Brinckloes found piled in a backyard. The walk to the courtyard were repurposed “ old flagstones form abandoned pavements and partly broken bits from the old stable”. The Brinckloes were way ahead of current LEED and Shop Local endeavors by their commitment to incorporate materials from as many local sources as possible. Among many finds were “huge hand wrought hinges, great wooden and iron locks, brass knockers, quaint brass and tin lanterns, delicate wrought iron thumb latches and shutter fasteners”. Their most treasured find was an old brass fog-bell that once tolled across the Chesapeake Bay to warn ships. 

 

As befitting a Spanish style house, the original exterior walls were stucco and the current Owner also chose a stucco finish for the majority of the interior walls. Past owners replaced the windows with insulated glazing units. I noted the shed dormer at the side of the house that sheltered the second floor’s “sleeping room” I had admired in the historic photograph and I looked forward to exploring it during my tour.

The rear elevation’s asymmetrical massing from the two gables of differing widths and the mix of window sizes and shapes creates a lively façade. The broad expanse of lawn slopes down to Peachblossom Creek.

I began my tour in the foyer that leads to the spacious living room with a fireplace on the opposite side wall.  The Brinckloes selected red, blue or green tile flooring for the first floor rooms and I especially liked this shade of green. Most of the rooms on the main floor have the same color of walls and ceiling but here the ceiling is painted white. The open glass doors beckoned me to the adjacent porch.

The corner porch has the reddish tiles the Brinckloes selected and the wood beams that they recycled from the barn. The original openings between the wide columns were infilled when this room became a conditioned space.

This room was the Brinckloes’ library and he designed a window seat under windows that infilled the rear walls for better views of the water. Later owners reduced the wall to wall windows with insulated units. (Adding a bay window projection for panoramic views of Peachblossom Creek would restore this exquisite room). I loved the circular chimney for the arched top fireplace that backed up to the fireplace in the adjacent living room and its stylish details of the ledge above the firebox and the sloped chimney walls above. This corner fireplace not only allows the heat to radiate into a larger portion of the room and reach more distant areas but it also frees up more wall space for windows and art.

The wide wall opening between the library and the porch connects the two spaces and provides a view of the landscaping for the library. I especially admired the fire screen. 

Past the library and the stair to the second floor is a huge great room that was created by removing the wall between the original sunroom and the former kitchen and dining room. The different flooring act like giant rugs to define each space’s function and the low pitched ceiling in the dining area adds spatial volume to the long room.

The spacious family room’s focal point is the stepped design of the arched top fireplace in a wide niche in the side wall. The wood plantation shutters on both  sides of the great room provide privacy when needed. 

I was drawn to the breakfront at the end of the dining area with its collection of Mackenzie-Childs ceramics. I have a few pieces and I was delighted to learn from the owner that she literally wrote the book “Celebrating Mackenzie-Childs” about these talented artisans who are based in Aurora, NY, once the hub of other artisans including Stickley. Mackenzie-Childs is known for their iconic ceramics and home décor including its signature black and white courtly check pattern.  

Behind the kitchen is a bar area convenient to the great room and the courtyard with an antique copper sink and undercounter refrigerator. The paneled wall conceals a sliding “secret door” to the adjacent main floor primary bedroom. 

I prefer an eclectic interior design look, so I appreciated the beautiful Welsh dresser whose open shelves display more of the owner’s Mackenzie-Childs’ ceramics. The wood piece is a welcome counterpoint to the built-in cabinetry.

The current owner renovated the large kitchen with a “U” layout  that provides ample room for the custom island of concrete inlaid with a Chesapeake Bay fossil. The island’s size and overhangs accommodates bar stools and its center location is perfect for daily use or weekend entertaining. The two windows provide panoramic views of the landscape and keep the kitchen sunny all day. The large imported Italian ceramic tile flooring pays homage to the Brinckloes’ original flooring material. 

Behind the kitchen and bar area is the main floor primary ensuite. The double bed shows how the spacious room could easily accommodate any bed size. Both the walls and the tray ceiling’s geometry are light blue to create a serene retreat with views of the lawn to the water from the canopy bed. 

The primary bath walls and ceiling continue the primary bedroom’s light blue color scheme. The jacuzzi tub is perfectly placed under the skylight for star gazing and the arched top windows with plantation shutters provide views of the landscape.  

The second floor original plan contained the Brinckloes’ bedrooms, baths, a sleeping porch across from the family bedrooms and guest bedrooms at the other end of the “L” shaped layout. The exposed beams and decking add extra height to the spaces and painting the beams white accentuates the rhythm of the beams’ spacing. From the landing, the arched top window and the lower stair landing offers a long view of the lawn and Peachblossom Creek.

My fave room on the second floor was this sleeping porch that is now separated into two equal spaces. Since the wall is constructed of 2 x 4’s and paneling, it would be easy to liberate this charming room for teen slumber parties!

The current owners removed the interior walls of the two adjacent guest bedrooms to create a large multipurpose room that now spans from the front to the rear of the house. The space offers myriad uses- playroom, studio, second floor sitting room, home theater, etc. The high knee walls add character to the spatial volume and the wide and long arched top windows at each gable wall keep the space sunny throughout the day.  

The aerial view of the 4.5 acre property shows how well the house was originally sited to balance the enclosure of mature trees to assure privacy with views of Peachblossom Creek. Site amenities include the dock and the highly coveted boathouse, (the latter being no longer allowed) and the natural shoreline. Lush landscaping includes both an oak tree and boxwoods that are 100 years old, flowering magnolias, hydrangeas and open lawn space for play for children of all ages and family pets. William Draper Brinckloe’s original vision and his period details and materials including original heart pine floors survived as subsequent owners added modern amenities to the historic framework. 

I don’t know if the Brinckloes were gourmet cooks but the updated kitchen would please this cook with its Miele steam oven, cooktop with a barbeque grille and two Fischer Paykal dishwashers for easy clean up after entertaining. The property also includes a detached two-bay garage with a John Deere lawnmower and a storage shed with electricity. 

Having written about the Brinckloes’ “City House”, I was delighted to feature their “Country House” that has been lovingly maintained and appreciated by its current Owner who considers herself a steward of this important part of Talbot County’s architectural heritage.  This admirer of Brinckloe will continue to find other houses designed by one of Talbot County’s best early 20th century architects, so stay tuned!

---

For more information about this property, contact Cliff Meredith, Broker, with Meredith Fine Properties at 410-822-6272 (o), 410-924-0082 (c), or [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.MeredithFineProperties.com ,“Equal Housing Opportunity.” 

Photography by Atlantic Exposure LLC, www.atlanticexposure.com. 

Historic photographs and quotes are from “The Barn Rebuilt”, an article by William Draper Brinckloe for Country Living Magazine, November 1926   

“Celebrating Mackenzie- Childs” by Jo Anne P. Welsh, Schiffer Publishing  

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.