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!!!

On the Market: 4014 Greenway

From my column, Hot House, in Baltimore Fishbowl

As you know, if there’s a Palmer & Lamdin property on the market, I am probably going to write about it, so here’s the most recent P&L house – a gorgeous stucco home, on a corner lot in the heart of Guilford, complete with a putting green. This is the first time this house has been on the market in nearly 30 years.

This house, which sits on just over a half-acre corner lot, is a very short stroll to the famed Sherwood Gardens. It is on the corner of Greenway and Highfield Road, with the entrance to the house on Greenway and to the garage on Highfield.

One of the main attributes of this house is that nearly all of the windows on the ground floor are floor-to-ceiling arched French doors, which elevates the elegance both inside and out. As you enter the house, you will notice a small, rounded brick terrace with a portico, and an oversized set of double French doors above it.

As typical of homes of this era, you enter through a large center hallway, with the living room and dining room, both with fireplaces, on either side.

The sweeping staircase is above and behind you, and the French doors on the landing provide a lot of morning light.

The kitchen with its terra-cotta floor has been modernized and includes a breakfast room.

The second floor contains the primary suite, which includes a porch off the side, an en-suite bathroom and a walk-in closet. There are four additional bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms. The third floor has a large area which could be used as a playroom, a work-out room or an entertainment space, as well as three additional bedrooms and another bathroom.

The grounds of this property feature a brick patio, outdoor kitchen, old-growth plantings, including specimen trees, mature gardens and a large lawn. One unique feature is the on-site putting green where you can practice for hours on end.

The two-story, jerkin-head garage is entered via Highfield Road with access to the upper level via the back yard.

This house is in the heart of Guilford, just a minute’s walk from Sherwood Gardens, and an easy drive to downtown Baltimore. It’s convenient to the shops and restaurants along St. Paul’s Street, including a Starbucks! It is also a short drive to the schools and shops on Roland Avenue. But it is also a quiet oasis in the city.

If you’re a fan of Palmer & Lamdin or the gracious style of living from the 1920's, this is the perfect house. The unusually large number of arched French doors makes this one of unique good looks. It is a perfect house for entertaining family and friends! The listing for the house is here.

The original plans of the house are still there. Interestingly, the plans have a "children's dining room" where the "seating room" is currently located. 

All photographs from the listing.

  

5504 St. Alban's Way, Homeland

Historic Homes of Baltimore, a great Instagram feed, posted these then-and-now photos of 5504 St. Alban's Way in Homeland yesterday.

Here's what he had to say about this house: 

A Georgian Revival stone home in Homeland, designed by Palmer and Lamdin and built in 1932. The first picture is from a few weeks ago and the second picture was taken by The Roland Park Company (accessed via the JHU archives), likely circa 1940 - it hasn't changed much!

You'll notice, originally the shutters on the first level were white, while the second story shutters were dark and louvered (with the slats). I believe this was because the upstairs shutters would be closed for sleeping (hence the darker color) and the angled slats allowed the breeze to come in (if the windows were open) during the summer months, obviously in a time before air conditioning. Today, they’ve been painted a uniform red color (possibly the original color, it’s hard to tell).