Chesapeake Bay Residence

The House is located on the Wye Inlet on the banks of the legendary Chesapeake Bay. Its size was more than doubled in 2001 with a 5,400 square foot addition totaling 9,400 square foot. This addition provided ample room for a new Master Bedroom Suite, Study, Children’s’ Bedroom, Playroom, and Guest Suite. In 2009 the original house’s public areas were renovated to capture views to the inlet and make for a more comfortable entertainment space for lounging, conversation and dining. Rooms that were updated and or created were an Entry, Living Room, Dining Room, Entertaining Kitchen, Breakfast Kitchen, Staircase and Halls.

The latest renovation was inspired by the client’s recent vacation to the famous Hotel du Cap Eden Roc in the French Antibes. The design intention was to adopt the hotel’s warm Mediterranean causal but elegant lifestyle and combine that with a southern gentile hospitality. A nautical design theme transforms this once cookie cutter traditionally detailed home adding a higher level of warmth and sophistication.

Relating the site to this interior experience, existing walls were torn down. New site lines to the water and other public areas were established. In opposition to the open spaces and horizontal views is a vertical two-story hearth of stacked stone acting as a centralizing interior element and incorporating a Planika fireplace and flat screen TV. All the exterior windows and doors were trimmed with new custom casing utilizing a rope motif. At the Stair and the second story, new guardrails of painted steel with wood caps were installed.

In the Entertaining Kitchen custom Millwork trim was placed around the cabinets to create doorways and frames. An Eat-at Bar with sitting for four defines the Kitchen. All the Kitchen cabinetry was provided by Wood-Mode. Green River fossil stone placed at the walls of the Dining Room further emphasizes an aquatic theme. The choice of light colored floors made of limestone contributes to the generally light and airy feeling of the home. A new custom wood entry door was specially designed to match the finish of the high-end Millwork and Trim.