The home sits among mature trees, nestled within a historic neighborhood by the Chester River.

Whenever I drove to Queen Anne County to tour a House of the Week, I always enjoyed stopping to shop at The Bohemian Trading Company across from Kingstown Park. Along the other side of the park was a row of houses that date from the early part of the 20th century. The architectural styles range from bungalows to today’s feature, a charming American Four Square house. The street ends at the Chester River where one can look across to Chestertown and admire the row of postcard perfect historic houses that always remind me of Charleston, South Carolina.

spacious corner lot with a full front porch overlooking Kingstown Park and surrounded by lush greenery.

This one-half acre property is surrounded by mature trees and its full front porch overlooks Kingstown Park that is a wonderful neighborhood asset. Since the street ends at the Chester River, there is only neighborhood traffic making it safe for walking one’s dog or riding a bike to the riverbank. 

The square hipped roof, dormer, and full porch proudly display the classic American Four-Square style.

I was quite pleased that the photographer included this aerial view illustrating the square roof shape, full porch and attic dormer that clearly identifies this house’s  architectural style as American Four Square. I have written before that one of the former houses I called home was this style and it remains one of my favorites. The aerial also shows the property’s corner location for extra privacy, an outbuilding fronting the driveway, the deep rear yard and how the house is nestled in a clearing of mature trees. 

Rusticated stone piers and tapered columns highlight the elegance of the screened porch and symmetrical facade.

The street side elevation is classic American Four Square. The screened porch is detailed with rusticated stone piers, tapered columns and hipped roof.  The main square hipped roof is topped by a wide dormer with a double unit window. The asymmetry of the window arrangement at the second floor is due to the location of the stairs to the second floor that just adds to the house’s charm.  

A functional side entry brings convenient access from the gravel driveway, complemented by a covered deck.

One side elevation faces the gravel driveway with the screened porch’s second door and steps leading down to the gravel driveway for convenient access by guests since there are no town sidewalks along the street. The one-story shed roofed part of the house was probably an open porch that has been infilled to contain a short hall next to a full bath and the laundry. The laundry’s exterior door leads to a covered deck.

Expansive backyard framed by mature trees, perfect for play and gardening with outdoor dining options.

The deep yard offers plenty of space for play and gardening, with the clever re-use of a former grille as a greenhouse. The grille next to the deck and covered porch stands ready for al-fresco dining.

A peaceful retreat with towering trees for shade—ideal for family gatherings or moments of quiet relaxation.

The rear yard offers privacy from its border of mature trees; all it needs is a hammock under the majestic trees that shades the yard.

This inviting outdoor room features wood slat ceilings, tapered columns, and a design perfect for dining or lounging.

The full front porch is a delightful outdoor room with its interior architecture of painted wood slat ceiling, yellow lap siding and slightly tapered columns resting on rusticated block piers and the stained wood flooring. The front door’s center position divides the porch into sitting and dining areas. 

Large windows and frosted accents enhance daylight, while the hardwood floors and vintage details add warmth.

The front door defines the two room wide floor plan. The large windows with blinds for privacy bring both indirect daylight from the front porch and direct daylight from the side wall. I especially liked the front door’s clever detail of alternating clear and frosted glass, which is a great way to have daylight without sacrificing privacy. The light wall color accentuates the beautiful hardwood flooring.  

Zigzag staircase blends function and style, opening up and accentuating the living room’s space.

I admired the zigzag look of the stair that overlooks the living room with its outline of the stained treads and the white skirt board. The openness of the stair visually expands the living room.

Angled corner fireplace maximizes radiant heat while preserving wall space for windows and furnishings.

A wide wall opening connects the living room to the dining room. Like many houses of the early part of the 20th century, the fireplace is angled instead of being placed squarely on the wall. 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. With the sofa against the stair, the side chairs complete the seating arrangement around the fireplace.

Wide openings enhance flow between rooms, with trim extending beyond frames for added character.

The spacious dining room could easily accommodate a larger table and chairs for family celebrations. Like last week’s  featured house, I wondered if the wide wall opening once had pocket paneled or French doors but I did not see any clues it did. I admired the detailing of the  trim around the baseboard, windows and doorway and how both the window’s header and sill trim extend beyond the jamb trim.

Neutral finishes and stainless steel details create a versatile space with a sunny view of the side yard.

The kitchen is located in the middle of the floor plan and is connected to the dining room, laundry and family room. The easy care flooring extends into the adjacent laundry and the wide window over the sink gives the cook a view of the side yard. The neutral finishes and stainless steel appliances await the next owner’s accessories.

Spacious laundry room with cabinetry and deck access doubles as a pantry for added functionality.

I always envy houses with actual laundry rooms since I have only a stack W/D in a hall alcove. This laundry also can do double duty as a pantry with its upper cabinets and a microwave. The window and door overlook the roofed deck leading to the rear yard.

Ample daylight and cozy design make this room ideal for relaxing, reading, or hosting movie nights.

This cozy room off the kitchen and opposite the stair could be a great snug with a sofa against the stairs for views through the front and side windows providing  ample daylight. Adding a wall mounted TV and more shelving for books would be great finishing touches. The corner door leads to the basement with windows at each end for daylight and ample storage space.

Rear corner placement provides tranquility, with windows on two sides that fill the room with light.

The stairs to the second floor end at a short hall surrounded by three bedrooms and a family bath. Two bedrooms are located at the front of the house with this primary bedroom located at a quiet rear corner. The front bedrooms have single windows on each exterior wall but this primary bedroom has two windows overlooking the rear yard and another side window.  

Vintage-inspired finishes, wainscoting, and soft blue tones create an airy, timeless family bathroom.

The spacious family bath has easy care vinyl flooring that evokes the polygonal tiles usually found in houses dating from the 1920’s. The soaking tub outfitted with a hand held shower, the wide pedestal sink  and the wall mounted mirror/medicine cabinet are also vintage pieces. The white paneled wainscot and the light blue wall above, punctuated by the two windows for daylight, create a charming family bath. 

There is a second door to the adjacent primary bedroom. If a main primary bedroom ensuite were desired, the main floor’s bathroom and hall could perhaps be extended for a one-story primary ensuite that could wrap around the deck. 

This charming house has great appeal from both its neighborhood location along the Chester River and its highly desirable corner lot opposite Kingstown Park. The house’s American Four-Square architectural style creates a compact floor plan with minimal halls to maximize room sizes, enhanced by neutral wall finishes and beautiful hardwood floors with abundant daylight from large windows. Outdoor rooms of the front screened porch and rear deck expand your warm weather living space and the deep rear yard surrounded by mature trees creates a play space for children or family sports. Great property!

For more information about this property, Courtney Chipouras, Vice President, TTR  Sotheby’s International Realty and MBA | RSPS: Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist at 410-410-3344 (o), 410-200-1224 (c) or [email protected] .For more photographs and pricing, visit www.mychesapeakehome.com . Equal Housing Opportunity”. 

Photography by Steve Buchanan Photography, 301-996-7295, http://www.buchananphotography.com .

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.

Duvall Farm comprises 30 recorded parcels that total 524.9 acres, 151 of which are protected by the Maryland CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program). This state and federally funded program enables landowners to improve their property by controlling soil erosion, establishing and enhancing a wildlife habitat and improving water quality by taking agricultural land out of production for ten to fifteen years. Conservation practices include forested riparian buffers adjacent to streams and restoration of wetlands. Having had the privilege of touring this very special place, I am very grateful for the CREP.

On the day of my visit, I left the Oxford corridor and drove along a one-way gravel driveway through woods of evergreen and deciduous trees and I began to relax in the peaceful silence. After glimpsing a pond through the trees, I arrived at a clearing and discovered a trio of structures, the Main Lodge, Guest Cabin and Wood Shed. 

Being a native Tennessean and an architect who has worked on several historic log structures, I was totally captivated by these buildings.  The Main Lodge is sited at a point of the pond in front of the Guest Cabin that is hidden in the trees. I admired the simple massing of the Main Lodge with its story and a half gable form, enveloped on two sides by a screened porch. Steps on one side of the porch lead to the lawn and a ramp on the other side begins the path from the Main Lodge to the pier.

As I walked around the Lodge, I especially liked how the natural wood rough- hewn siding, window and door trim have been allowed to weather since its completion in 2006.  Now its patina blends into the bark of the sheltering trees and the texture of both the siding and the metal roof creates a very pleasing composition of simple rustic shapes.

The rear elevation of the Main Lodge with the wrap-around porch reaches out to the pond with its wide “grandstand” steps that are perfect for watching children or grandchildren at play. I especially appreciated how the architect sized the bays of the screened panels with a low horizontal railing to maximize the view of the landscape and the pond. Multiple screen doors create an easy indoor-outdoor flow. 

Looking back from the pier, I appreciated how the Main Lodge is sited perpendicular to the Guest Cabin and the Woodshed is sited further back from both structures to create a harmonious grouping. 

Before my tour of the Main Lodge’s interior rooms, I could not resist exploring the exquisite wrap-around porch with one side containing seating areas that offer serene views of the pond. I especially admired the exposed structural members of hand hewn tree trunks that have new lives as porch columns and the round branches have become roof rafters and collar beams.

The other side of the wrap-around porch is furnished as a dining space and I admired the wide plank flooring, the wood chairs, the bench and the colorful accent of the cushions. Behind the table and chairs I discovered two twig rockers sized for wee ones that were a delightful surprise. 

I began my tour of the Main Lodge through the custom wood door that opened into this spacious hall between the kitchen on the right.  Opposite the kitchen is a laundry and full bath. The beauty of the wood surfaces, from the wide plank flooring, walls of horizontal planking, custom doors with incised rails to the narrow ceiling planks create a warm welcome. The vista ends at  the focal point of the house, the brick chimney between the foyer hall and the great room.  The chimney was carefully detailed with grapevine joints around the perimeter and a different colored brick creates a “frame “ for the wild boar taxidermy against its background of smooth joints.  Beautiful Oriental rugs add color and pattern as accents to the wood surfaces. 

I loved the kitchen’s interior design with the beautiful historic warm red Shaker style cabinetry,  granite countertops,  oversize custom door and the fabric window treatments. The beadboard backsplash, ceiling and walls continue the rustic chic look and the white of the ceiling reflects the light from the pendant lighting fixtures. Another Oriental rug is the finishing touch. Opposite the kitchen sink wall is bespoke millwork framing an opening  to the great room.

The full bath’s beadboard walls and ceiling continue the interior design scheme and I admired the juxtaposition of the lavatory cabinet with the antique washstand and the antique towel rack. I love rag rugs and this oval one is scaled perfectly for the size of the space. The window treatments of wood slat window blinds and fabric valances provide both decoration and privacy if needed. 

One former client of mine wanted a story and a half great room that would make guests say “wow” when they entered the room. I silently said “WOW” when I came around the chimney to see this dramatic room’s interior architecture. Walls of wood logs and elastomeric chinking, the exposed wood decking, roof rafters and the majestic hand hewn trusses with acorn finials below the vertical members of the trusses create a stunning space.  The finial design choice was spot-on; acorns from oak trees symbolize strength and longevity and live oaks are one of the heaviest American woods- their grain creates strength for supporting weight and pressure. I admired the harmonious blend of rustic interior architecture with the upholstered furnishings, Oriental rugs and fabric window treatments that add color. Several “wagon wheel” pendant light fixtures float in the room to provide ambient light.

Off the great room is a large mud room with an exterior door. The easy care brick flooring in a herringbone pattern with a boarder of the same brick is a textured background for the Oriental rug. The mix of cabinetry with the sink unit matching the kitchen’s cabinets next to an antique hutch provide ample storage. 

The great room’s fireplace is detailed with reddish brick framing both the firebox and the chimney’s recess infilled with a wood bas-relief celebrating several species of birds both at rest and in flight. From the great room and mud room, the “L” shaped wood stair with simple detailing leads to the loft area. At the stair landing, a fox taxidermy stands guard. 

I paused on the stair landing to savor the multiple textures and colors of the materials from the log/chinking wall, exposed roof framing, simple handrail, brick chimney and the rows of the massive roof trusses-what a celebration of natural materials of wood and brick! 

The stair leads to a large bedroom and half bath, tucked under the gable roof. I admired the brass bed’s blue and white bed linen and how the fabric canopy gently hangs behind and over the headboard. The door next to the bed leads to a long closet that has a small window for daylight. On the opposite wall of the bedroom is a small window overlooking the great room below, with a raccoon taxidermy resting on the window sill. The bedroom’s rugs and furnishings create a soothing haven for restful sleep. 

Next to the sleigh styled chaise is a half bath with a toile hinged screen for privacy. I admired how the HVAC vent was custom made to fit seamlessly into the wood flooring.

Having explored the Main Lodge, I walked across to the charming Guest Cabin with a breezeway centered between two rooms.( It reminded me of my childhood Lincoln Log set that probably planted a seed of my future calling!) One room is a cozy bedroom with a half bath and the other is a storage room. Nearby is an outdoor shower and wash station.

The porch that spans the full length of the space becomes an outdoor sitting room for watching wildlife or simply enjoying the view of the pond. I noted the detailing of the short eaves and the brick piers resting on gravel that is also the drainage area for rainfall.

If I were lucky enough to be a guest, I would happily stretch out on one of the Adirondack Chaise Lounges for an afternoon of napping/reading. I admired the hand hewn marks on the roof beam and the supports and how the one support that is slightly bowed is still strong.

My compliments to the photographer for this “magazine cover” shot through the Guest Cabin to the entry porch of the Main Lodge that begins the entry sequence from the parking area. The breezeway is a great spot to catch cross breezes to cool off on hot days.

Even the woodshed is as carefully detailed as the Main Lodge and the Guest Cabin. Behind the porch area is a room with an enormous emergency generator.

To end my tour, I strolled along the shoreline of the pond where a flock of ducks were enjoying their daily exercise as a heron took flight from the edge of the berm that is a dam for this pond. Sitting on the wood bench and listening to the gentle background sound of the fountain was a soothing respite from my workday.

Closer to the parking area is this grouping of Adirondack chairs surrounding the firepit.  With our fall weather, I imagine this is a popular spot for relaxing and watching the parade of wildlife that call this very special place home.

In the nine years I have been writing to celebrate the best of our area’s architecture and design, this is the first time, as a native Tennessean, that a property spoke so clearly to me. Since my past project experience includes restoration of historic log structures, it was a very special pleasure to see how well this Dream Team of Owner-Architect-Contractor created a grouping of buildings that belies its nineteen years old construction.

Simple geometric forms seamlessly blend into the color palette of the surroundings woods, combining log construction with modern comfort. Outdoor rooms of the Main Lodge’s exquisite wrap-around porch and the Guest Cabin’s front porch that blends into the breezeway offer views of the pond and the abundant wildlife that also appreciate this peaceful haven. The mantra of this special place must be “host, gather and reconnect with each other and nature”-Bravissimo!!

For information about this property contact Coard Benson, Associate Broker with Benson & Mangold Real Estate at 410-770-9255 (o), 410-310-4909 (c) or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit www.coardbenson.com/duvall

Photography by Jim McKee, BroadView Interactive LLC. 703-593-4392,  [email protected]

Architecture by Johnson and Berman, Baltimore, MD. 410-752-2030 

Contraction by: Ilex, www.ilexconstruction.com, 410-519-1900

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.

Octagonal grables standout, showcasing architectural nods to Tilghman Island’s “wharf” designs.

This aerial shot illustrates how the house’s octagonal shaped entry gable pays homage to the architectural element of the distinctive “wharf” houses of Tilghman Island that have an eye-catching “W” shape. This house’s octagonal shaped entry is set against the house’s rectangular shape with a full front porch.  The house is sited on a deep 0.42 acre lot and is nestled in a clearing surrounded by mature trees and professionally landscaped grounds.  The dead-end street provides privacy and views of Dogwood Harbor to the Chesapeake Bay. 

Lush landscaping framed by a charming white fence as you approach the house.

The property has great curb appeal beginning with the white fence along the road  that frames the view of the lush landscaping and mature gardens. As I walked up the paved path to the house, I admired the crape myrtle, a magnificent magnolia and fig trees in the front garden. The partial view of the house is both private and welcoming.

Prominent bay gable invites exploration with striking design and welcoming porch.

The focal point of the charming front elevation is the prominent two-story bay shaped gable with its arched top attic window and the slanted header trim of the windows. The light yellow lap siding and white trim stands out against the green enclosure of tall trees. The full screened porch beckoned me within but the vine covered arbor at the side yard encouraged me to continue my exploration of the grounds. 

Shaded deck extends the living room into nature with seamless indoor-outdoor flow.

The arbor introduces the path along the side elevation that ends at a pea gravel terrace next to this delightful deck, shaded from the midday sun by giant trees. Sliding doors from the sloped roofed living room provide for easy indoor-outdoor flow between the living room and the deck.

Vibrant outbuildings and lush gardens culminate in a natural fence.

As I strolled along the meandering gravel path between the grassed areas, I  passed two outbuildings painted in a deeper yellow hue than the house’s yellow color. The blue trim is the perfect choice as blue and yellow are complimentary and the red accent of the umbrella at the deck dining area is another accent.

Elegant, light-filled interior offers a versatile space with serene garden views.

One outbuilding is completely finished and I admired the gambrel shaped ceiling and the white wainscot with its top aligned with the top of the mantel’s trim. The light gray walls above the wainscot balances the white of the flooring, wainscot and ceiling and the French door and window offer views of the landscape. The contemporary wood wing chairs were a delightful surprise and harbingers of what the house’s interiors might be. 

This space would be an elegant setting for a home office-I could easily imagine writing my Spy House of the Week column here, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature.  

Outbuilding #2 is an open canvas for endless possibilities, enhanced by expansive spatial volume.

The other outbuilding is a blank canvas for the next owner. Myriad options could include a potting barn, workshop, playroom, yoga studio, etc. The sloped ceiling due to the different heights of the side walls creates terrific spatial volume.

Cozy screened porch with distinctive blue accents offers inviting sectioned seating.

Having explored the professionally landscaped grounds, I went back to the front door to begin my tour of the interiors. The screened porch’s bay projection that encroaches onto the porch creates a short passageway to access cozy sitting areas at each corner of the screened porch. I loved the blue accents of both the floor and the ceiling and how the wood flooring is perpendicular to the exterior wall of the house and the ceiling’s slats are parallel. The colorful parrot is a great accent.

Relaxing porch swing combines privacy and style with thoughtful lattice and blinds.

I love porch swings and this one suspended above the floor also makes cleaning easy. Both the diagonal latticed wall and the matchstick blinds offer partial or total privacy from the neighbor’s house.  As the Weekend Wine Woman at Piazza Italian Market, I noticed the arrangement of wine glasses in the accent pillow’s design on the swing’s cushion.

Octagonal foyer opens into a harmonious blend of original and modern elements.

The Listing Agent greeted me at the foyer and I realized the octagonal shape of the foyer is broken by the hall, stair and the door to the kitchen. I was delighted to see the interior design’s stylish blend of old and new; the flooring is a mix of original and new and the recessed down lights provide ambient lighting. The diagonal wall opening of the bay projection leading to the dining room, the clear vista from the foyer to the rear wall and the original stair competed for my attention but I chose to explore the dining room first.

Sophisticated dining area framed by period details and modern touches.

Across the stair hall from the dining room is the original paneled exterior door with both inlaid glass and stained glass. I liked how the side stringers for the stair drop down below the ceiling to frame the nook under the stairs that contains the stack W/D. The spacious dining room with the period chandelier, ceiling rosette above the contemporary wood trestle table and the mix of chairs creates an elegant setting for memorable meals.

Open concept connects dining to living space with views extending to lush gardens.

At some point, the rear shed addition was renovated to become a living room and the wall between the dining and living room was opened wide with a center column for support. The long vista from dining room- living room-deck-landscaping ends at the towering bamboo “fence” at the rear of the property.

Stylish and spacious living area featuring modern furnishings and a striking blue sofa.

I loved the interior design of the living room that spans the full length of the addition. The stylish composition of the modern furnishings grouped on the large muted rug, around the square steel/glass topped coffee table and the rich deep blue of the sofa flanked by tall reading lamps could be a magazine cover!

Cozy seating by the cast iron stove, perfect for warmth during cooler months.

At the opposite corner of the living room is a more intimate seating  area with deep wood framed, upholstered cushioned chairs and a round ottoman with the propane cast iron stove/fireplace in the corner to radiate heat into the room. The exterior door leads to the side path through the landscaping and the sliding French doors and full sidelight lead to the deck.

Functional and inviting with exposed beams and ample room for island and breakfast area.

The kitchen has multiple access points from the corner doorway to the opposite dining room and living room and a front doorway to the foyer. I loved the painted exposed beams and the checkerboard flooring. There is ample space for both an island (perhaps a reclaimed wood chopping block?) and a breakfast area by the front wall to the screened porch. The painting of the antique Welsh Dresser could be a subliminal message that this spot would be perfect for that timeless storage unit. Built-in corner cabinets provide more storage.

Upper landing blends into hall, seamlessly linking bedrooms and communal snug.

The stair to the second floor ends at a spacious landing that blends into the hall connecting the primary bedroom, full bath, guest bedroom and the snug. 

Intimate, octagonal space ideal for relaxation, reading, or transformation into a mini-library.

The octagonal shape of the foyer below is broken by the stair, hall and door to the kitchen but this snug above enjoys the full octagonal shape with walls that wrap around the seating area.  The neutral wall and furnishing colors with a hint of blue makes this cozy space seem larger than it is. 

As a bibliophile, if I were lucky to be a guest, you would find me in this delightful space reading my current Book Club book! The wall opening that contains a second door to the guest bedroom could be infilled to add floor to ceiling bespoke millwork at the Snug’s interior angled walls to create a mini-library. Then the guest bedroom bed could be placed against the diagonal wall to free up more floor space in that room.

Restroom offers blank slate with textured paneling and tidy tile.

White is the classic color of cleanliness and it also sets a background for another owner to personalize the space with colorful towels or accessories.  The paneled walls add texture and the flooring is the perfect scale for the space. Changing the shower curtain to a glass door would expand the space even more. 

Primary bedroom is a washed in natural light, offering sunlit retreat with windows on three sides.

The primary bedroom is located at the rear corner of the house and the large room shares the angled wall of the adjacent snug. With windows on all three exterior walls for sun throughout the day, this primary bedroom is a haven of peace and privacy. 

A fitting motto encapsulating this home’s historic charm and modern elegance.

I always enjoy seeing an Owner’s motto for their house and their American Primitive artwork perfectly conveys how I felt about this charming country place! Historic architecture in perfect harmony with contemporary interiors; outdoor rooms of the front screened porch and rear deck for great indoor-outdoor flow; mature trees enhanced by professionally landscaped grounds; spaces filled with sunlight, upgrades and freshly painted; move-in ready-hard to resist!

For more information about this property, contact Angela Simonelli with Compass Real Estate at 410-429-7425 (o), 410-200-0414 (c) or [email protected] . For more photographs and pricing, visit www.AngelaSimonelli.com Equal Housing Opportunity”.

Photography by Brandon Manchion, [email protected]

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.