When I first moved to the Eastern Shore, I worked part time for another architect in Wilmington until I could establish my own practice. One of my colleagues had a weekend cottage in Rock Hall and encouraged me to discover this charming village that is known as the “Pearl of the Chesapeake”. After that first visit,  I have returned many times to enjoy window shopping in the retail area, setting up my beach chair on the sandy beach to enjoy the parade of boats on the Bay or to hear live music at The Mainstay. Today’s feature is located in the heart of town, so Rock Hall’s attractions are just a few blocks away. 

When I saw this house’s front elevation during my online search for today’s feature, I was hooked by the massing and symmetry of what I surmised had once been a simple three-bay Victorian with a full front porch. 

The façade was enlivened by the exuberant symmetry of the stacked box bays crowned with articulated gable roofs that penetrate the “T” shape massing of the house and the porch’s angled bay projection.  The roof over the new part of the porch wraps around the angled foyer and creates a welcoming entry.

When I walked up the stone path to the porch, I admired the vibrant colors of this “Painted Lady” included light blue siding and light purple trim around the box bays, darker purple trim around the box bay windows on both floors, the purple cap rail of both the porch’s balustrade and around the corners of the columns. Scallop Hardiplank siding infills the attic gables for texture and contrasts with lap siding below. 

I was also impressed with the mature landscaping around the porch; even though they are dormant now, I could well imagine how colorful the hydrangeas, butterfly bush, viburnum and a rhododendron must be in the spring!    

 

When I walked around the house, I discovered this fab screened porch at the second floor overlooking the rear yard-what a great open air bonus room for bird’s eye views of the lawn and landscaping!

The large storage shed in the rear yard would contain all the lawn and garden maintenance items the next gardener would need. On this sunny day, the mature trees filtered shade onto the lawn. The rear wall of the building behind the house provides privacy for this property’s yard.

My tour of the interiors began at the angled foyer that ends at a pair of stained wood French doors. The doors  open flat against the side walls for a wide view of the stair with its original stained wood balustrade. The hall by the stair offers a vista through the adjacent dining room to the kitchen at the rear of the house. Another pair of painted French doors leads to the living room opposite the wide wall opening that leads to the family room. I admired the simple palette of light wood engineered floors, gray walls, white trim and white ceilings. 

The living room’s focal points are both the box bay and the Gothic arched top wall opening to the stair hall. I admired the eclectic look of the furnishings of antiques, upholstered sofa, trunk coffee table and the bookcase. The listing agent told me the stylish Adirondack style chairs were two of the many repurposed items in the house that give this space an appealing eclectic look.

I love cozy snugs and this one in the box bay would be the perfect spot to relax in the stylish rocker and read a book by the light of the ornate crystal light fixture that was the perfect size for this diminutive space. I also noted the original trim of both the windows’ and doors’ fluted jambs with rosettes on the corners, crown molding and baseboard.  

The living room’s windows at the corner of the room and the Gothic arched opening give this space transparency that makes the room seem larger than it is. I have used antique iceboxes several times in designing a sitting room for clients since they are great storage units for myriad uses. I also liked the color and texture  of the exposed brick chimney with uneven mortar joints that is a great accent.  

On the other side of the hall stair is the family room with another exposed brick chimney and a box bay snug. The snug is a perfect spot for breakfast, puzzles or board games. I also admired other repurposed pieces of the long bench that has a new life as a stylish coffee table and the slanted wood piece below the TV opposite the sofa that could hold books or magazines. At the rear wall opposite the snug is another repurposed piece, a wood mantel that had been mostly stripped of its white paint. Adding a gas fireplace would be the perfect finishing touch for this space. 

The stair hall blends into the open plan dining-kitchen. The antique wood table and chairs are a stylish counterpoint to the contemporary translucent pendant light fixture. The column is another repurposed quirky accent with its texture of residual white paint and bare wood. 

The kitchen’s neutral color scheme of the white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, variegated granite countertop, travertine stone flooring, stained wood slat ceiling that blends into the exposed roof rafters and decking of the kitchen expansion. Adding to the  appealing eclectic look is the clever table of pipe supports, wood top, wood stools for a breakfast or informal dining area.

The long side wall of the kitchen provides ample work surfaces and I liked how the railroaded tile backsplash goes around the window over the sink to the underside of the wood ceiling. The pair of French doors leads to the driveway for off-street parking.

I have written before that every house should have a touch of whimsey like this vintage oven-range combo; or, as William Morris so wisely said “Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” 

Behind the side interior wall of the kitchen is a short hall, past a full bath and a laundry, that leads to an exterior door to the rear yard. 

Dressers or small chests are great ways to repurpose them as lavatories. I admired the juxtaposition of the chest with its antique look and the sleek porcelain vessel, sconces and mirror.   

The second floor contains three bedroom ensuites. This spacious primary ensuite’s bedroom and bath spans across the full width of the house.  The double unit window and the half glass, half paneled door to the adjacent screened porch provides ample daylight.

The screened porch that spans across the full width of the house could be a fab summer sleeping porch for the primary bedroom since the solid wall provides seated or sleeping privacy. All this delightful space needs is paint for the exposed rafters and decking and beadboard on the wall. 

The primary bath’ earth tones are very pleasing and I liked the bowfront of both the wood lavatory cabinet and the shower curtain. Replacing the solid color shower curtain with a clear shower curtain would be an inexpensive way to visually expand the space. 

The guest bedrooms are quite spacious since they are located over the living and dining rooms so each bedroom has a box bay. The bay depth easily accommodates a chest like this space has or you could add drawers below a window seat with a cushion for the family pet. Dual aspect rooms like this one  are so much better since they provide more daylight. I loved the serenity of this room with the pale aqua wall color and the quilt of several colors that takes its cue from the wall color and the accent of the exposed brick of the chimney. 

The other guest bedroom also accommodate both sleeping and sitting areas. Barn doors like this one for the closet are great space savers.

This property is zoned for either residential or commercial uses; since each bedroom has a dedicated bathroom, one use could be a B&B. The property also includes a side parcel so there is space for a circular drive for easier access to the street. This spacious house dating from 1910 has been lovingly maintained over the years and its current Owner’s new roof  and low maintenance exterior materials, kitchen and bath upgrades, materials of engineered hardwood flooring, etc. make it move-in ready. The Owner’s interior design including curated antiques and clever use of repurposed pieces showcases this house’ interior architecture. The front porch and the second floor screened porch are delightful outdoor rooms.  Great location in the heart of downtown Rock Hall with walking distance to its restaurants, shops, marina and Rock Hall beach along the Chesapeake Bay-Bravo!

 

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For more information about this property, contact Lynn Hilfiker at Gunther McClary Real Estate, Rock Hall, 410-639-2118 (o), 443-480-1163 (c), or [email protected]. For more pictures and pricing, visit     www.rockhallrealestate.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.

Since today is the first House of the Week for the new year, it is fitting that a new house rings in this new year. As an architect who has designed houses for several urban design projects, I know how important it is to infill older neighborhoods’ vacant lots with new housing that blends seamlessly with the architectural style of the older housing. Vacant lots at corners are especially vexing for they begin to erode two streetscapes; this stylish duplex infills its corner site by using the same floor plan for both units by flipping the original plan for the other unit. 

 

At each end of the duplex, gable roofs with deep eaves take their cue from the neighboring historic houses and a center gable breaks up the long side elevation facing another street. Shed roofs offer protection for the entry doors and a sidewalk wraps around the duplex to the streets at each end of the property. The combination of the luxury vinyl shake siding, parged concrete block foundations with an exterior color palette of the yellow siding white trim and the blue accent of the entry doors create great curb appeal. Instead of concrete pads for parking, both units have parking areas of individual interlocked pavers. Each parking area is outfitted with an electric car charger.   

One side yard has been transformed into private outdoor rooms for both units enclosed by high fences. I especially liked how the wood fence was detailed with bays of both lower solid panels for seated privacy, topped with lattice panels to soften the enclosure.  The grass stops short of the fence so future plantings can add color and texture. Along with the same hardscape pavers used for the parking areas, the demising fence wall defines the terrace area for each unit. 

The entry door opens into an open plan living-kitchen-dining area. The stair has a balustrade on one side to expand the spatial volume of the living area. The white ceilings and off-white walls makes the space seem even larger than it is and accentuates the beautiful high-end luxury vinyl plank flooring.

The sitting area of the open plan layout easily accommodates a full size sofa and loveseat that are positioned across from both the TV and also the two front windows and one side window for views of the neighborhood. 

The “U” shaped kitchen’s quartz countertop’s overhang accommodates four bar stools for breakfast, informal meals or a surface for homework. The custom large pendant lights with their transparent globes adds task lighting and texture.

The kitchen with white cabinets, appliances of stainless steel with black accents and the wide window for views would please any cook. 

The stair’s location creates an offset in the floor plan to define the dining area’s  ample space for a table and six chairs.

The length of the dining area has space for an armoire for storage of china and glassware, serving pieces, placemats, napkins, etc. The pair of sliding doors expands the space for al-fresco dining on the adjacent terrace with its privacy fence.

The dining area blends into a short hall leading to this powder room and the laundry. The window, custom cabinet with the white farmhouse sink, the earth tones of the cabinetry and the large round mirror create a stylish powder room. 

The laundry’s stack washer dryer is next to a counter for folding clothes.  Hampers on the open shelves below are handy for sorting clothes and storage of supplies.

The stair leads to the second floor landing and hall with space for a shallow table. The second floor contains the primary ensuite, two other bedrooms and a hall bath. 

The spacious primary bedroom is located at one corner of each unit. The bedroom’s shape creates space for a chest of drawers next to the walk-in closet and a high chest next to the window for ample storage of clothes. The upholstered chair on the other side of  the window creates a cozy spot for reading. 

The primary bath’s white interior design with accents of black hardware is a pleasing backdrop for one’s color accents of towels, accessories or art.

The primary bath’s large shower has easy-care wall to wall solid surfaces with a recessed space for shampoo, etc. The shower’s glass front panel and door expands the space. 

The middle guest bedroom is a flexible space that could also be an office with a daybed for guests. 

Another guest bedroom is located at a corner of the unit so it has three windows on two walls for abundant daylight. All of the bedrooms are carpeted for quiet. 

The compact hall bath’s interior design of white cabinets, warm bronze hardware and fittings creates an inviting space. The combination tub/shower has sliding glass doors with a deeper bronze frame to complete the sleek look. 

This custom built duplex is brand new and move-in ready for either investors seeking turn-key rental property or homeowners who would live in one unit and rent the other unit; it is also available as a furnished rental. The architecture blends very well with the surrounding houses in the  heart of Easton’s Historic District and close by the property is the Rails to Trails. The first floor plan layout combines the open plan living-dining-kitchen that today’s homeowners seek with the second floor’s primary ensuite, two other bedrooms and a hall bath. Contemporary materials and finishes give this duplex great style and I look forward to the Olde School Builders next project-Bravo!

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For more information about this property, contact Jana Meredith, Associate Broker with Meredith Fine Properties at 410-522-4663 (o), 443-235-3404 (c), [email protected], “Equal Housing Opportunity”.  

Design and Construction by Olde School Builders LLC, 410-690-3221,  [email protected]. 

Photography by TruPlace, www.truplace.com , (301) 972-3201

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.

Design with Jenn Martella: A Christmas Card: “The Snuggery” 

Each year, I enjoy being a volunteer for the Christmas in St. Michaels Tour of Homes. The event is always sold out, so today I offer a Christmas Card to all of you who were not able to join the tour. I am delighted to feature “The Snuggery Inn and Suites”, one of St. Michaels’ most beloved houses, that was part of this year’s tour. The Snuggery Inn and Suites began its life as a two room log cabin on St. Michaels’ harbor and was built by Edward Elliott, builder and his apprentice, Darby Coghorn. In 1870, the house was acquired by Senator Henry Dodson who relocated the log cabin to its present location. As befitting a State Senator, the cabin was enlarged and remodeled but its charming Victorian exterior remains intact.  

Remarkably, Dodson kept detailed documentation that has been an invaluable resource that has been passed down to subsequent owners and is now preserved by the current owners. 

The dead-end street has much more available parking and privacy now that the number of  bed and breakfast establishments on this street has decreased from five to two, The Snuggery Inn & Suites and the Victoriana Inn next door. As I walked up the Town’s brick sidewalk, I admired this view of The Snuggery Inn & Suites with its very appealing massing of the full front porch, shed dormer with the middle bay projecting forward for added interest and the bay windows at the side elevation. I especially admired the unusual zig-zag siding pattern that gives the facades of the shed dormer great character.

 

The deep property extends to the next street and includes two other buildings. A narrow brick walkway along the other side elevation leads to a courtyard between the Snuggery Inn & Suites and a separate two-story guest house that is being renovated.  This elevation is equally appealing in plan offsets and massing with the two-story expanded original cottage and subsequent additions including a pitched dormer. 

As I neared the corner of The Snuggery, I admired the juxtaposition of the shiplap siding with the sawtooth siding and the view of the two-story guest house beyond that frames the courtyard. I also admired how beautifully maintained the paint finish on the shiplap siding was and the Corten steel kinetic sculpture is a great accent. 

The other two “walls” of the courtyard are tall cedars for privacy. The stone circular terrace with a firepit in the middle and the grouping of Adirondack chairs create a delightful outdoor room. I admired the clever seasonal decoration of the urns since their plantings are now dormant.

Some people deck the hall but this porch is decked out to celebrate the holiday season. The porch’s turned columns are turned into candy canes by the wide red ribbons that wind around the columns. The center front door creates cozy areas on each side of the porch. One side has a table and chairs for dining with red drapes and white snowflakes for privacy; the other side has a settee with white cushions and pillows in black, white and red against a backdrop of additional curtains. The metal red drum tables have woven sides so the sunlight can filter through them. 

One of the Owners greeted me at the front door that opened into the original part of the house, with the beautiful log and chinking walls. Wreaths, greenery over the angled fireplace, pine cones in a tray on the coffee table, the Merry Christmas pillow and the decorated tree create a festive look for B&B guests.  The stair leads to the second floor guest ensuite and the half paneled, half glass doors are closed when the Inn has guests as the room beyond is part of the Owners’ Suite.

The room’s corner contains the tall tree perfectly proportioned for the space and behind it is a gingerbread cottage surrounded by a field of “snow”. For guests who are architectural history buffs, the Owners kindly created a board with information about the house’s transformation over two centuries. 

The other side of the original log structure is now a spacious guest ensuite beginning with this sitting area with its accent wall of the original log and chinking exterior wall. The double half paneled, half patterned glass doors provide privacy when the suite is occupied. The corner tree between two settees, Santa pillow and another Santa standing in a wire tray above an antique metal bus that is now a festive end table would make any guest want to linger.  

The cozy nook created by the double unit window between two closets is enhanced by the creche arrangement and wreaths over the windows. I admired the original doors, fluted trim and corner rosettes.

The bonus to the ensuite is its own fireplace, now decorated for the season. The lighted candelabra, the nutcrackers, the gnome resting on the hearth and the swag of greenery creates a festive arrangement. As an architect, I especially liked the display of lighted architectural miniatures on shelves above the mantel. The ensuite’s bedroom and bath are located at the quiet rear of the house.

To continue my tour of the first floor, I walked through the front parlor to the first room in the addition, the Owners’ coffee and cocktails bar. Doors similar in style to the doors that separate the front parlor from the first floor guest ensuite provide privacy when needed. Both the silver tree and the ceramic one on the sideboard, the ceramic Santa head filled with red ornaments and the wreaths over the windows celebrate Christmas.

What would Christmas be without stockings? I loved the Owners’  trio of colorful stockings over their lockers.

The Owners’ coffee and cocktails bar is next to the Owners’  kitchen and sitting room. The clear “bubble” ornaments in the farmhouse sink and the bicycle that is now a TV stand are delightful touches of whimsy  The deep countertop provides room for bar high chairs, now adorned with their furry winter throws. I enjoyed the vista through the room’s bay window projection and across the courtyard to the two-story guest house. 

The kitchen’s color palette of cream colored cabinets, black appliances and earth toned quartz countertops are classic choices, with accents of holiday towels and accessories.

The fireplace is flanked by two high windows that combine daylight with privacy. Family stockings await being filled with goodies on Christmas. The tall Christmas tree in the corner is another focal point and by this time I wondered how many years the Owners have been collecting ornaments! 

Pillows are great seasonal accents and I especially liked both of these-so many cars have been festooned with their choice of trees on their way home and the elegant llama has been enlisted by Santa to help deliver presents.

My fave part of the Owners’ Great Room is this cozy bay wall projection infilled with windows now adorned with wreaths. The Noguchi coffee table is adorned with one of the entries in the St. Michaels’ Gingerbread Contest. The Owners were the winning bidders and now the three bears with their basket spilling out with candy have a permanent home. 

The Owners’ primary ensuite is located over this area and is reached by its own circular stair. 

Having explored the first floor, I went back to the “U” shaped stair with its landing’s “window” of a huge mirror on the wall  that creates an unusual effect of walking up the stair and being able to see someone else starting down the stair!

If I were a guest, I would gladly settle into this charming room at the front corner of the house. I loved the high ceiling plane created by the attic being opened up and leaving the original collar beam to float in the space. Another higher collar beam creates a flat area for great spatial volume. The row of windows at the front shed dormer and the double unit window in the gable wall flood the space with daylight and the soft muted tones are conducive to a restful sleep. I especially liked the radiator cover that has a dual use as a nightstand. 

Each Guest Suite is equipped with a mini fridge that is stocked daily with fresh orange juice, bottled water, half and half and high quality yogurt.

The second floor guest bath is compact but the long lavatory counter can easily accommodate a couple’s toiletries and the window makes the room seem larger than it is.  I especially liked the whimsical touch of more glass “bubbles” in the lavatory.

When the current owners purchased the property, there was a one-story studio that they transformed by added a second floor suite. The stair that connects the two floors can either accommodate a family for the entire cottage or each floor can be used separately. 

In addition, the Owners purchased the rear property that has access to the street at the rear so off-street parking, rare in the Historic District, can be provided to guests. The rear property also has an existing building that will become another Guest House to complete the complex.  

Several years ago, I had featured The Snuggery when it was for sale. This important part of St. Michaels Historic District is so fortunate to have found Owners that improved the property without compromising its historic details. Their master plan for the property includes completing the two-story Guest House and the other structure at the rear of the property-stay tuned for a future article!

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The Snuggery Inn & Suites is located at 203 Cherry St., St. Michaels, MD. For further information, visit their website, www.snuggerysm.holidayfuture.com, or email [email protected].

Photography by the Author

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.