Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: Historic Charm Restored to a Dilapidated Coastal Home
Along the waterfront in Annapolis, Maryland, a couple gain space but preserve their 1800s home’s period looks
Historic preservation and restoration can be an unpredictable ride. This 1800s home is in a historic district in Annapolis, Maryland, and adding a charming front porch was at first deemed a no-go. But the architects found old photos of the home that proved that its original porch had been removed, and today a replication adds historic charm to the facade. Because the home was in a state of disrepair, the renovations were major. Still, the exterior of the home maintains the style and charm of the original. Inside, the homeowners helped guide the gut renovation in a way that suited their lifestyle and lends a sense of age.
BEFORE: It also had foundation issues; the entire home had to be lifted up to pour a new one. The lot is just 27 feet wide and the house 22 feet wide. To make more room, the builders went up and down — the remodel made good use of the hill to create living space in the basement. They also went up into the attic to create two cozy offices for the couple. We’ll get back here to see the “after” shots in a bit.
One of the great discoveries during renovations was the original German siding underneath the asphalt shingles. They saved the siding, re-milled it and also were able to copy the style for new boards where needed.
The roofs on the new porch and the house are standing-seam metal. The builders tried to preserve the existing front door, but it was drafty, broken and had old lead paint on it, so they had it replicated. Era-appropriate porch columns, a lantern with antique style and wrought iron handrails all respect the history of the home and neighborhood.
The roofs on the new porch and the house are standing-seam metal. The builders tried to preserve the existing front door, but it was drafty, broken and had old lead paint on it, so they had it replicated. Era-appropriate porch columns, a lantern with antique style and wrought iron handrails all respect the history of the home and neighborhood.
Because the house is narrow (18 feet at the narrowest part), Brock opted for an open floor plan. “The first floor design was very difficult to design because it’s all one space — all of the rooms are open to one another,” Brock says. She used several strategies to make the space feel more expansive — the direction and 10-inch width of the whitewashed walnut floorboards, the spacing and scale of the ceiling beams, the placement and angle of this staircase, and the wall of windows next to the stairs.
The advantage of the open floor plan is the wide-open view through the home and out to the Chesapeake Bay. “I wanted the color outside to be the color story, so inside I kept the colors more muted and neutral,” Brock says.
The wall of windows extends next to the staircase all the way up three floors and so do the window treatments, which provide privacy from the house next door. The handrail is wood painted to resemble aged brass, and the railings are hand-hammered metal. The reclaimed ceiling beams are 200 years old and add a sense of age to the home throughout the first floor.
Flooring: Burchette and Burchette; drapery fabric: Nancy Corzine
The advantage of the open floor plan is the wide-open view through the home and out to the Chesapeake Bay. “I wanted the color outside to be the color story, so inside I kept the colors more muted and neutral,” Brock says.
The wall of windows extends next to the staircase all the way up three floors and so do the window treatments, which provide privacy from the house next door. The handrail is wood painted to resemble aged brass, and the railings are hand-hammered metal. The reclaimed ceiling beams are 200 years old and add a sense of age to the home throughout the first floor.
Flooring: Burchette and Burchette; drapery fabric: Nancy Corzine
The open plan on the first floor has a more modern feel that takes advantage of the bay views. The dining area is just visible on the left and the living room is at the right. Brock chose low-profile chairs for the deck to keep the views to the bay clear.
“We really wanted to do a screened-in porch across the back of the house and went back and forth on it,” Brock says. “We ultimately decided against it, but our architect Scarlett Breeding was able make it function as a screened-in porch anyway — there is a big motorized screen housed in the header over the doors that covers the large opening.”
Doors: Jeld-Wen; sofa (left), wicker chairs and hide: Ralph Lauren; outdoor dining furniture: Janus et Cie
“We really wanted to do a screened-in porch across the back of the house and went back and forth on it,” Brock says. “We ultimately decided against it, but our architect Scarlett Breeding was able make it function as a screened-in porch anyway — there is a big motorized screen housed in the header over the doors that covers the large opening.”
Doors: Jeld-Wen; sofa (left), wicker chairs and hide: Ralph Lauren; outdoor dining furniture: Janus et Cie
A variety of techniques define spaces within the open plan. An antique carved Chinese screen provides a sense of separation for the more formal living area in the foreground, while wraparound windows maintain the porch feel on the other side.
“One of the biggest design fights couples have is where to put the TV,” Brock says. To settle the matter, the couple had the TV installed beneath the floor to the left of the fireplace. When they want to watch, it comes up from below.
“One of the biggest design fights couples have is where to put the TV,” Brock says. To settle the matter, the couple had the TV installed beneath the floor to the left of the fireplace. When they want to watch, it comes up from below.
The fireplace surround is Venetian plaster. A nautical painting ties the interior to the views outside.
Across from the fireplace a built-in banquette, recessed 12 inches into the wall and lit by sconces, defines a dining area. Because the banquette was tucked to the side and didn’t distract from the view, it was one of the few spots where she brought in color — a lovely lavender. “I originally brought in the Ghost Chairs as placeholders while I looked for something else, but I loved the way they took on the lavender from the banquette and now they are permanent,” she says.
They were not allowed to place any windows along this side of the house due to fire codes, so Brock mirrored it. This brightens the space and makes it feel more expansive.
They were not allowed to place any windows along this side of the house due to fire codes, so Brock mirrored it. This brightens the space and makes it feel more expansive.
The kitchen serves as Brock’s design laboratory, where she tests ideas for custom elements before making them available to clients. One of her tricks is placing the oil and vinegar bottles next to the range in a speed rail, a built-in sunken bin more often utilized by bartenders to hold well liquors.
It took her months to find the perfect cabinet hardware, so they lived with blue tape substituting for handles until she found these special French brass ring pulls. “They are so beautiful — they were worth the wait,” she says. “You see this kitchen from all around the first floor, so the these details matter.”
Brock’s idea for the stone wall was for it to look like it had been unearthed as part of the original home. It’s a natural stone veneer, and it extends all the way along this wall on the first floor and up on the second floor to keep the illusion going. A Lacanche range continues the traditional look. Concrete countertops add a contemporary contrast.
Cabinet hardware: Waterworks
It took her months to find the perfect cabinet hardware, so they lived with blue tape substituting for handles until she found these special French brass ring pulls. “They are so beautiful — they were worth the wait,” she says. “You see this kitchen from all around the first floor, so the these details matter.”
Brock’s idea for the stone wall was for it to look like it had been unearthed as part of the original home. It’s a natural stone veneer, and it extends all the way along this wall on the first floor and up on the second floor to keep the illusion going. A Lacanche range continues the traditional look. Concrete countertops add a contemporary contrast.
Cabinet hardware: Waterworks
Brock sacrificed some collections to keep the relatively compact first floor neat, but keeping her copper cookware was non-negotiable. She and her husband have picked up these pieces from around the world over many years.
The island doubles as a workstation on this living-room facing side. A screen that functions as a TV and computer screen rises from the concrete countertop. The top drawer conceals a charging station with built-in USB ports. The drawers house a bluetooth keyboard, printer and other work necessities. The other side of the island contains the microwave, trash, recycling bins and deep storage drawers.
The island doubles as a workstation on this living-room facing side. A screen that functions as a TV and computer screen rises from the concrete countertop. The top drawer conceals a charging station with built-in USB ports. The drawers house a bluetooth keyboard, printer and other work necessities. The other side of the island contains the microwave, trash, recycling bins and deep storage drawers.
Here we get a peek into the adjacent butler’s pantry, which is tucked away but announces itself with cheerful turquoise paint.
The bar is adjacent to the kitchen and the front entry. “It’s great for parties because you can have a bartender offering drinks to guests as soon as they walk in,” Brock says. She custom designed the cabinets and they were fabricated by Crown Point Cabinetry. The design on the uppers was inspired by an armoire at The Inn at Perry Cabin. The finish on the hardware and the sink is antique brass.
The glossy turquoise extends across the ceiling of the pantry, which has its own festive bar ambience. The stone veneer continues here.
Sink: Gullo; cabinet hardware: Waterworks
The glossy turquoise extends across the ceiling of the pantry, which has its own festive bar ambience. The stone veneer continues here.
Sink: Gullo; cabinet hardware: Waterworks
The stone wall also continues into the powder room; a substantial white marble counter provides a smooth contrast. The large mirror is set a few inches out from the wall so that backlighting can highlight the stone.
The idea for the two table lamps was inspired by an image Brock saw on Houzz. “I am doing this more and more lately,” she says. “It’s a nice change from wall-mounted sconces in a bathroom.” They are wired directly through the counter to avoid unsightly cords.
Counter: Mystery White marble
The idea for the two table lamps was inspired by an image Brock saw on Houzz. “I am doing this more and more lately,” she says. “It’s a nice change from wall-mounted sconces in a bathroom.” They are wired directly through the counter to avoid unsightly cords.
Counter: Mystery White marble
The back of the home boasts impressive views. “The water you see in the photo is basically where Back Creek, the Severn River and the Chesapeake Bay merge,” Carlisle says. The casual round table is great for meals with a view and for playing cards or board games. Large doors open out to an upper deck that’s mostly used for dining.
Doors: Jeld-Wen
Doors: Jeld-Wen
Another table on the back deck is just the spot for alfresco meals.
The back of the home is scaled and massed to fit in along the coastline. Rather than having one overwhelming boxy facade, the back of the home is stepped back with pediments, overhangs, a balcony and other architectural details. Note the windows on the second story; they are mitered windows where glass meets glass at the corners. The owners brought in the house by four inches at this level to allow the use of on the side where the fire codes were an issue. The windows were worth sacrificing a few inches of width here. “It makes you feel like you’re in a treehouse,” Brock says.
The pool is between the seating you see here and the house. Three spouts splash water into it. Around to the right and down a half story, a set of stairs accesses the pool bathroom in the basement. The basement also contains a caterer’s kitchen, exercise room and the mechanical space.
The pool is between the seating you see here and the house. Three spouts splash water into it. Around to the right and down a half story, a set of stairs accesses the pool bathroom in the basement. The basement also contains a caterer’s kitchen, exercise room and the mechanical space.
A larger lounge seating area is on a deck that’s flush with the pool coping. All of the decking is ipe wood.
On the second floor, the master bedroom has a prime view.
The sloped roof we saw on the exterior provides an airy vaulted ceiling, which is covered in coastal-style tongue and groove paneling.
The Juliet balcony extends only a few inches from the doors but allows for the room to be opened up to the views and the breezes.
The Juliet balcony extends only a few inches from the doors but allows for the room to be opened up to the views and the breezes.
A reeded vanity in the master bathroom adds an interesting texture. The counter is white glass, a material that was new to her but became a favorite, as it’s inexpensive, doesn’t scratch and doesn’t stain, she says. Large mirrors make the space feel bigger. In the reflection you can see the continuation of the stone wall from downstairs.
Ceiling light: Restoration Hardware
Ceiling light: Restoration Hardware
The stone also continues in this guest room, which features the home’s original roofline and restored floors. The bed is a pair of antique French twin beds pushed together.
The busy couple separated their work spaces from the rest of the living space by tucking them into the attic level. Though with views like this and a cozy window seat that beckons for naps, it must be hard to buckle down.
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Browse more homes by style: Apartments | Barn Homes | Colorful Homes | Contemporary Homes | Eclectic Homes | Farmhouses | Floating Homes | Guesthouses | Homes Around the World | Lofts | Midcentury Homes | Modern Homes | Ranch Homes | Small Homes | Townhouses | Traditional Homes | Transitional Homes | Vacation Homes
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Interior designer Sandy Brock and her husband split their time between here and West Palm Beach, Florida
Location: Annapolis, Maryland
Size: 4,500 square feet (418 square meters); two bedrooms (plus two offices), 4½ bathrooms
Interior Design: Sandy Brock, Sandy Mitchell Designs
Architecture: Scarlett Breeding, Alt Breeding Schwarz
Building/Contracting: Bayview Builders
BEFORE: As you can see here, the home was in bad shape.