On the Market: 120 Churchwardens Road

It seems that 120 Churchwarden's Road is on the market... again.

It sold in 2019 for $1.285 million, and was listed in May of 2023 for $1.75 million. It recently sold for $1.546 million. It doesn't look like much changed in the house over the last few years. Here's the current listing. 

Here are a few more photos from the last time it was on the market. 

Palmer's own home was at the very end of Churchwarden's Road.

A Talk on Homeland

Over the weekend, I was asked to give a talk at the Homeland Community Foundation's Annual Garden Party about Palmer & Lamdin and particularly the house at 100 Upnor Road. I was joined by Guy Williams, a DC-based landscape architect who is working on restoring the gardens. Thanks to J. Everett Schramm who invited me and some of whose photos I am using here.

Palmer & Lamdin in Homeland

As you may know, Homeland was the third of the Roland Park Company’s projects after Roland Park and Guilford and was originally the country estate of the Perine family. While the majority of the firm’s work was in the Baltimore area, they also designed houses in York, PA, on Gibson Island and in North Carolina.

Homeland’s planning began in 1925 and it was laid out by the Olmsted Brothers firm, which took advantage of the topography of the former estate. The curved streets, man-made lakes and “back-turning” courts, like Middleton and Paddington, were typical of the early twentieth century “garden city” movement that originated in England. Garden cities attempted to capture the primary benefits of both the countryside and the city, while avoiding their disadvantages.

Both Edward Palmer and William Lamdin spent time in England and France learning about the garden cities movement and the architecture of both areas. This is reflected in the homes they designed which often have certain tell-tale signature characteristics:

1. P&L used mixed materials with alacrity. We can see that here in the combination of brick- and stone-work. There is a lot of texture in their work including patterns within the brickwork.

2. P&L’s façades advance and recede. If you think of a standard colonial house, it has a flat façade, while a Palmer & Lamdin house has projecting sections or a set-back entrance. Entrances with standing-seam copper roofs are tucked into corners.

3. Roofs on Palmer & Lamdin’s houses vary with a number of rooflines which work in harmony, sometimes with a flare at the edge, adding a note of elegance, sometimes the unusual jerkin-head roof, and sometimes with steeply pitched roofs that nearly meet the ground.

4. It’s the small touches that Palmer & Lamdin added to their houses that made an aesthetic difference. Dovecotes, turrets, double-height windows, bulls eye windows, eyebrow dormers, and more help define a P&L house.

5. Casement windows were another signature of P&L houses, with many of the original metal windows still in place, some as dormers and sometimes in pairs.

6. Distinctive chimneys are also a hallmark of P&L houses. You will see them in Jacobean- or diamond stack-style. If you’re undecided about whether it’s P&L, check the chimney!

7. Elegant details elevate Palmer & Landin’s designs. Whether it’s a graceful door surround, the layout of the rain gutters, or an unusual mail slot, the charming details help catch your eye and make their houses distinctive.

Palmer and Lamdin’s designs are often characterized as looking like they came out of a fairy-tale. While the houses are not small, their designs convey a coziness, a welcoming appearance, and an elegant warmth.

This house has an interesting history. It is first mentioned in 1931, in Roland Park Homes, Gardens & People magazine. The original owners were probably Mr. & Mrs. J. Murdoch Dennis. In 1916, he purchased a lot in Guilford but said he wasn't going to build right away and was deciding on an architect. In 1917, they are living at 1226 St. Paul Street. But in 1919 the couple seems to have rented a house at 4102 Greenway for a "period of years."

In 1920, they'd purchased property on "Charles Street Extended aka Charles Street Avenue" and were living there into 1923. By 1924, he'd purchased a house at 13 (or 17 depending on the publication) E. Eagar Street. In 1926, he buys a house at University Parkway and 39^th Street, only to sell it a year or so later. 

By June of 1929, they have acquired a lot at the corner of Upnor and Charles Street and the house at 100 Upnor Road was built. It was first mentioned and published in 1931. By 1936, they’d leased the house and took an apartment at 100 W. University Parkway. Oddly, the couple who rented the house moved from their apartment at 100 West.

The house doesn’t come back on the market until 1948 (it may still have been owned by Murdock Dennis). There’s no more mention of the house until 1977 when a significant estate sale is held there, featuring loads of silver, antique English furniture, oriental rugs and much, much more! The house was sold in 1978 and again in 1984. Obviously, it has sold since 1984, but there are no transfers recorded in the newspapers.

We can see many P&L signatures here in the courtyard. The front entrance features a mix of stone and decorative brick, with a Juliet balcony. The courtyard is loaded with details including a possible entrance to the garage, which echoes the main entrance.

Above the fountain niche is another Juliet balcony and above that, one of the signature dovecotes. On the patio, there are niches on either side of the arched and shuttered French doors.

Again, you can see some of the decorative brickwork and above the niches, another pair of bulls-eye window. All of these elements together give the house a sense of great sophistication and elegance, but also of warmth and welcoming.

Meg Fairfax Fielding and Guy Williams, Landscape Architect

I’ve put together a list of Palmer and Lamdin houses in Homeland and there are copies available for a neighborhood hunt. If you’d like more information on Palmer & Lamdin, as well as their catalogue raisonné, please visit palmerandlamdin.com.

  

Meg Fairfax Fielding

June 10, 2023

 

On the Market: 7 Stratford Road

In off moments, mostly during boring Zoom calls, I've been re-working the catalogue raisonné of Palmer & Lamdin's works. As I do more research, I am finding more information. One issue that I am having is that a lot of their early work in Guilford is assigned a lot number and then a block number, and I am trying to break the code. It involves a lot of cross-referencing, tracking the name of the original owner and then checking early city directories for a home address.

However, we're talking about 7 Stratford Road, so let's get a move on it!

From the listing:

Welcome to 7 Stratford Road, a meticulously restored gem that showcases timeless elegance and modern luxury. Painstakingly rehabbed from top to bottom, this expansive residence spans over 5600 square feet with 6 bedrooms, 4 full bathrooms, and 1 half bath, offering a truly remarkable living experience giving ample room for family and guests.

Upon pulling up to the property you'll immediately notice the beautiful Palmer & Lamdin architecture, featuring a stunning quarry stone facade that sets the tone for the exquisite craftsmanship found throughout. Entering, you'll be captivated by the endless original character that seamlessly blends with upgrades you'll notice right away in the custom paintwork in the foyer and throughout the home. Prepare to be impressed by the Trish Houck designed kitchen, boasting exquisite custom inset cabinetry, top-of-the-line Wolf and Sub-Zero appliances, and custom granite countertops and marble backsplash that will be sure to impress. Whether you're a culinary enthusiast or simply enjoy hosting gatherings, this kitchen is a dream come true.

The home also features two living spaces on the main floor, both complete with beautiful fireplaces, custom millwork and French doors leading out to the patio, perfect for cozy evenings and creating a warm ambiance.

The primary bedroom is a sanctuary, complete with a fully updated bathroom complete with custom vanity and walk in shower with a custom marble shower. There's also a separate dedicated office space and a spacious walk-in closet. Continuing on the second floor you'll find another 2 fully updated bathrooms, 3 more bedrooms, and a third-floor bedroom complete with a full laundry room.

The fully waterproofed and usable basement is a versatile space that offers endless possibilities with a fun living space/rec room, a full bathroom, gym area, and a custom sauna that presents the perfect opportunity for relaxation and wellness. In the utility room you'll also find that the home has been outfitted with a top-of-the-line dual zoned central air system. Outside, the property features expansive mature landscape and hardscape with a sunken stone patio, a full outdoor irrigation system, ensuring a lush and vibrant landscape, and an updated driveway leading to the two-car garage and electric charging station. 

 All images are from the listing.

3803 St. Paul Street: The Interior

The delightful and charming new owner of 3803 St. Paul Street very kindly invited me to see the interior of the house before she moved in. And I was delighted to accept her invitation!

Even better, the original plans and elevations have stayed with the house for nearly 100 years. You can see that the house was built for C.W. Snyder who was a local developer in the area, and hired P&L to design no fewer than five properties in Guilford, Homeland and Garrison. Now the trick is finding which houses were eventually built, aside from this one!

When I see these, I realize that the owners of the houses understand that they are not only the owners of the houses, but also the caretakers and stewards of a very special and unique place. 

As I mentioned in the original post, the house was been described as either Charleston- or New Orleans-style. Most interesting to me is that the original ironwork specified in the plans is still intact! This makes sense when you think of New Orleans and its myriad iron balconies!

In the drawing above, you can also see the curved half wall. 

Additionally, on the original blueprints, the entry hallway shows a terrazzo floor with a number of "compass roses" embedded with the colors separated by brass. Sadly, the floor has suffered some damage and will need to be replaced. 

Here are some of the other details that I loved:

One of the many fireplaces, this in the main bedroom.

This ceiling has a very Norman influence to it, which makes sense, as the architect was Lamdin, who had spent WWI in France. There are roses, thistles and daffodils around the perimeter, indicitive of England, Scotland and Wales. 

Beautiful sconces with mercury glass fittings.

Unbelievably gorgeous hand-painted silk wallpaper and fabulous silk curtains.

Detail from a library, including door surround with a shelf and roped trim.

Again, all of my thanks to the new homeowner for taking time and showing me around the house! 

On the Market: 7110 Bellona Avenue

Another P&L on this spring market.  One of Palmer & Lamdin's later houses, just before WWII when a lot of private commissions had dried up. 

Here's the listing:

Nestled into a private and scenic Ruxton/Woodbrook site, 7110 Bellona Avenue, offers updated spaces for charmed living.

Over 4,700 square feet on this nearly one acre cherished location make this Palmer Lambdin (!!!) design a prized find. Tradtional living and dining rooms and a well appointed kitchen are complimented by a family room with wet bar.

Flow from the living room to the bricked floor screened porch and take in the tranquil vibe of the expansive rear garden.

Five bedrooms and five full baths are so accommodating.

The detached Amish barn-style garage is finished with ceramic tile, and easily evolves into an all purpose room for entertaining -

think ping pong matches and long table dinners with no worries about the rain. A rare opportunity. 

Fun fact: my prom date and long-time friend, the architect Paul Gorman, designed the front gate, the detatched garage, and the two-story addition to the left of that. Paul is the reason I became interested in architecture, specifically Palmer & Lamdin. There was a P&L house around the corner from the house where he grew up and I was always facinated by it. 

Of course, it looks completely different today!

On the Market: 5110 Springlake Way

WOW!  There are a bunch of P&Ls on the market this spring!

From the listing:

A charming, all stone, Palmer & Lamdin design situated at the southwest corner of Springlake Way and Tunbridge Road is quintessential Homeland.

The house has many architectural features common to these homes with stone fireplace (decorative, maintained by seller), step down to living room, bay window, breakfast room, front and rear staircases,

front and rear entries to lower level, bonus room, sunroom, freshly painted lower level with a rainy day playroom for children or adults as well as the distinctive oeil-de-boeuf or ox-eye small elliptical or circular window on the second floor front of the house. 

This home boasts four bedrooms and a bonus room on the second floor and three full baths. The first floor consists of a gracious living room with stone fireplace and built-in bookshelf, as well as a bay window. There is a bright sunroom off the living room, powder room, kitchen and breakfast room, as well as an oversized welcoming dining room with wainscotting under the chair rail. 

There is a breezeway that connects to an attached garage from the kitchen as well as an outside entrance to the rear patio with a lovely landscaped rear yard. The home also has its own generator as well as all copper gutters, slate roof, many freshly painted rooms and outside shutters and trim. 

You just missed the front cherry blossom but the front and rear landscaping is lovely and low maintenance. The lower level has a laundry room, what was a maid's room, storage areas and a playroom or adult hangout. Homeland is a charming neighborhood of diverse architectural style, with walkability to colleges, access to major roadways to downtown or the County.

On the Market: 200 Tunbridge Road

From the listing:  

One of a kind Palmer Lamdin Stone Colonial. Newly Updated Kitchen with High End Stainless Steel Appliances and Custom Cabinetry.

Updated Bluestone Patio with Fenced Yard.

Four Bedrooms and Three Full bathrooms on Second floor.

Plus Half Bathroom on Main floor. Many original details beautifully preserved. Dual Zone Forced AC system. Large Living Room with Wood-Burning Fireplace. Dining Room with Period Fixtures and French Doors to Patio.

Updated Butler Pantry off Kitchen. Den off Kitchen that leads to Patio. Two Car Detached Stone garage with updated Garage door. A Beautiful home with many original details and many new updates that maintain the Character, Details and Charm of the original home.

Is is me, or could a lot of these realtors do with basic grammar and punctuation classes?

And don't you love it when a real estate listing has a floorplan!!!