An inviting property nestled in the heart of Rock Hall, where waterfront charm meets vibrant village life.
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.
The bold Victorian façade features stacked box bays, angled porch details, and intricate “Painted Lady” trim to elevate its architectural appeal.
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!
This second-floor screened porch feels like a secluded perch, offering serene views of the private yard below.
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!
Mature trees and a handy storage shed frame the sunny and private backyard oasis with plenty of potential.
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.
A graceful transition from the foyer through French doors offers sightlines to stained woodwork and bright spaces beyond.
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.
A Gothic arched opening and thoughtfully curated antiques add both architectural and personal character to this inviting living space.
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.
The box bay nook is designed for quiet mornings, natural light streaming through original fluted trim windows.
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.
Exposed brick, layered textures, and antique accents lend warmth and depth to an already light-filled corner room.
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.
A multi-functional family space made cozy by exposed brick, repurposed furnishings, and a charming bay snug.
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 dining area’s warm mix of antique woods and a modern light fixture illustrates an effortless blend of old and new.
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.
Vaulted wood ceilings and natural textures make this bright kitchen expansion a stand-out architectural feature.
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.
Practical design meets style with expansive workspace, clean lines, and French doors for easy outdoor access.
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.
This vintage oven-range adds whimsy and history, proving every kitchen benefits from a playful design moment.
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.
An antique dresser-turned-vanity pairs effortlessly with sleek modern details for a charming powder room contrast.
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 spacious primary bedroom is flooded with light from a double window and features direct access to the screened porch.
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.
A potential summer sleeping porch, this airy second-floor retreat balances privacy with openness to the outdoors.
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.
Earth-tone finishes and curved cabinetry soften the space, pairing function with timeless design elements.
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.
A serene guest room with dual-aspect bay windows, soft colors, and a cozy mix of quilted textures.
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.
Sliding barn doors and an oversized layout make this guest suite ideal for both relaxation and practicality.
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!
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.
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