The concept of a summer getaway is beautifully captured in this painting entitled, “ Seaside Serenade” by Linda Roberts. Courtesy of the McBride Gallery

Three's a Charm

Summer Estates on the Eastern Shore

By Renee Houston Zemanski

A summer home evokes all types of images, but mostly we think of the water and a casual, laid-back lifestyle, where you can sit back with your feet up and enjoy a good book. If you are lucky enough to have a summer getaway, it may be decorated with the summer spirit in mind. For those of us who don't own a summer place, the Eastern Shore is beckoning and there are plenty of rentals available. Here are three beauties with stories of their own.

Un Eté à la Maison: The River House at Royal Oak

Reminiscent of a French countryside cottage, the River House at Royal Oak features plenty of windows through which to take in the picturesque view.

From its lovely sage-green exterior to the simple and welcoming decor, this charming Royal Oak , Maryland , getaway clearly shows its French influences . The cottage is only 1½ hours away from the Baltimore home of owners Nancy and Larry Wertheimer , but with its secluded setting and French allure it could well be on the other side of the Atlantic . Most of the furniture, accessories, materials, and linens were purchased in France , where the Wertheimers have another home, or ordered from a French manufacturer. When the family is not using the enchanting cottage the Wertheimers rent it out on a weekly basis.

They purchased the summer retreat 3 years ago—it was love at first sight. “We didn't even want to look at anything else,” says Nancy, who describes the house as a typical teardown on a beautiful setting.

However, the Wertheimers didn't tear it down; they wanted to preserve what was left of the 100-year-old cottage and they set about to transform it. Wertheimer, whose business is real estate development and historic renovation, took special care to open up the house to the water view. Replacing all the downstairs windows and leaving them without any curtains or other window treatments brought the outdoors into the home. “It's all about the view,” she says.

And view they have—complete with the river and blue heron and osprey sightings. To help take in the scenery, the couple also built two decks off the house. Wertheimer explains that the decks are unusually shaped because of the many variances they had to abide by, but the decks only add to the charm.

Inside, the couple opened up the first floor by tearing down walls. They added a full bath to the first floor and renovated the fireplace to bring it up to code. They also installed the tile floors in the sunroom and the first floor bath and designed cabinetry for the first floor bath, kitchen, and living room. The wood floors were refinished and matching pine floors were added in the kitchen. On the second level, they opened up the bedroom to the attic, giving it an open and airy ambiance. They also added a master suite bathroom.

The French influence is very apparent in the bright and cheery kitchen, which has no upper cabinets but does have marble countertops, a pale color palette, basket accessories, and a center island with a butcher-block top—all reminiscent of a French countryside cottage. A typical Provençal farm table bordered with iron chairs sits in the adjacent sunroom to take advantage of the river view. On the other side of the sunroom, a handmade pink chandelier shines down on two wicker chairs that welcome you to relax and enjoy the vista.

In addition to the French inspiration, the home blends New York City loft and 1920s styles, with open rooms, mullion windows, mosaic and subway tiles, and wainscoting throughout.

The cottage is in a quiet waterside area, but at the same time strategically located near St. Michaels and Easton , renowned for their eclectic blend of antique stores, art galleries, and boutique shopping. There's also a private pier from which to crab or even hop into a kayak to tour the tributaries. “We love spending time there,” says Wertheimer. “Every morning there's a sunrise with different colors. It's quite lovely.”

Bullen's Chance Estate: A True Manor Home

When Billy Bryan, owner of J. Marion Bryan and Sons, Inc., decides to renovate, he doesn't hold back. Bryan, who has 38 years of site contracting, home building, estate restoration, and land development experience, surprised even himself when he set out to revamp and decorate Bullen's Chance, a circa 1780's estate house in Trappe, Maryland.

“I did all the decorating myself, from choosing the furniture, pictures, knick-knacks, fireplace sets, and everything,” says Bryan . “I am really pleased with my results, especially with my being a true Eastern Shore redneck man.”   

Bryan, who lives nearby with his wife, Donna, on a farm in Trappe, purchased the gracious summer estate about 4 years ago. The property was originally part of a massive land tract (about 2000 acres), and was once owned by Lord Baltimore, who granted it to the Bullen family in 1662. The Bullen family built the existing home in the late 1700s. As one of the first egg farms on the Eastern Shore , the place has plenty of history. One of the outbuildings on the property extends into the ground about 6 feet, leading Bryan to believe that it was used for storing eggs.

Bryan left no stone unturned—literally. He completely stripped the house, raising and replacing the roof so the house could have 9-foot-high ceilings upstairs and 10-foot-high ceilings downstairs. But, even though he added modern amenities, Bryan was careful to preserve the historic character of a true manor house. For example, when he pulled out all the original old-growth pine floors, he sent them to a millwork shop and had them re-milled into tongue-and-groove flooring. The siding on the home was replicated down to the beveled and beaded clear aye redwood siding.

Bryan also replaced the heating and electrical systems and all the plumbing. He lined the four fireplaces in the home with stainless steel. He used top-of-the-line fixtures, hardware, and appliances throughout. All the granite countertops were custom made, as were the marble fireplace surrounds and hearths. Bryan completely renovated the house and expanded the existing structure by 1000 square feet to include a master bedroom and bathroom suite and a two-car garage with a bedroom on top. Bryan thought of everything: he even added a wine cellar in the basement.

The fully restored and newly furnished main residence, which sits at the water's edge in Chamberlain Cove, off Island Creek, now has three spacious master suites, a sunny and bright day loft, a two-story library overlooking the water, a gourmet kitchen, and a second-floor porch with fantastic views of Island Creek.

The surrounding 5-acre grounds include a swimming pool and pool house, a deep-water pier, and a boathouse to complete this unforgettable Eastern Shore vacation home.

Hampden: An Artistic Retreat

The kitchen at Hampden features modern amenities as well as historical character, such as the stunning copper backsplashes.

Located on LaTrappe Creek, Hampden is the oldest existing brick house in Talbot County . The summerhouse has been in the Firth family for more than 100 years and was originally part of a large tract of land owned by Lord Hampden of England . Built in 1663, it was one of the original manor homes in Talbot County . Only three families have owned it since then.

The house has a story, according to its most recent owner Alden Firth. She says that the brick in the home was actually from the ballast stones on a ship.

“This was typical of the old days, when they would bring in the supplies and then use the ballast to build the houses,” says Firth.

The original supports of the house, the foundation, and the beautiful pine floors remain in place in the oldest part of the house. Firth's favorite room in the house is the den, which is the original room of the house. At only 12 by 14 feet, this is where the first owner resided. There are even brackets on the beam where the bed was lowered at night and pulled back up during the day.

“The room is cozy and warm and the fireplace in there is on an angle,” says Firth. “It is charming and full of history. If there's a ghost in the house, I'm sure she's a very happy person because the room has such a wonderful feel to it.”

As the years went by and the owners grew more affluent, other sections of the house were added. The living room and dining room were added in the 1800s and the kitchen after that. When Tom Firth, the last resident of the home, passed away, the Firth family decided to renovate the estate and rent it as a vacation home. They replaced all of the electrical system and most of the plumbing and added central heating and air conditioning.

With a fireplace in every room, the house certainly doesn't lack charm. The kitchen boasts copper backsplashes that are at least 30 years old and take a lot of upkeep, but the look is well worth it, says Firth. The kitchen also features beautiful granite countertops and rich wood cabinets. There's a sitting room right off the kitchen so guests can chat with the cook as he or she prepares a meal.

The current owners' artwork accessorizes the house. Firth and her sister-in-law, Nancy, own Hampden Designs, a company that produces decoupage lamps and painted floorcloths. Their studio is on the grounds, in what used to be the old pole barn. Their creations originate from the same era as Hampden itself. The lamps, like their floorcloths, reflect a centuries-old art form.

“An inexpensive way to cover the floors back then was to paint the old sails from ships,” explains Firth. “We are just keeping the tradition alive. We are re-creating the art of making rugs out of canvas.”

Firth and her family keep many traditions alive in the old home and its unique beauty and charm tell a happy story of days gone by. Situated near the water, its serene environment welcomes you to sit back, relax, and take in the surrounding beauty.