From Non-Starter to No-Brainer

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Featured Homes

THE PROJECT: This three-story traditional home, built in the mid-1990s was typical of many from the late-20th century era, with some rooms lacking 21st century relevancy or sense of purpose. For a waterfront property it also lacked the full embrace of its location resulting in underwhelming views to the waterfront. Location-wise, its critical area siting created existing foundation restrictions that would require the most thoughtful workarounds.

THE PLACE: The couple, who are now empty nesters, purchased the property several years ago while still residing in the D.C. area with the intent of it being a summer home that they could possibly transition to once their three kids had left the nest. This idyllic Annapolis location on Cherrytree Cove at the mouth of the South River turned that possibility into a reality, as they now reside there full-time.

EXECUTING THE PLAN: Since only the most exceptional construction expertise would be required to turn this home from the outdated and compromised structure that it was into the dream dwelling that it is, the couple leaned into a pre-existing connection they had with Annapolis-based Bayview Builders President, David Carlisle. 

For many in the market for a new address, the prospect of a whole-home renovation is a non-starter. This endeavor, fraught with stress and anxiety, generally keeps prospective home buyers in the market in the hopes of avoiding the possibility all together. 

This month’s feature homeowners had a different take on this scenario, however, when presented with an opportunity that offered two significant upsides: an exceptional waterfront location and an ideal neighborhood. 

“The lot was fantastic [and the home had] a big, walkout lower level that looked right out on the water—and I didn’t really even want to go in at first, but my wife really liked it, and she’s got better vision than I do on those things,” the homeowner explains.

Carlisle, they said, once lived in that neighborhood and Bayview had also worked on some friends’ homes, so the homeowners had a preview of the quality the company was capable of providing. Bayview also brought the other essential element to the drafting table for the project, the architectural expertise of Purple Cherry Architects, (PCA) of Annapolis.

What Stays, What Goes

With upwards of 10,000 square-feet of living space and an abundance of exterior upgrades that needed to happen, the team had its work cut out for them. Beyond the high-profile aesthetics this home would receive, its 1995 infrastructure would require a complete re-work. 

“The house had some pretty major infiltration issues as far as rotted wood and other challenges that the house was fighting,” Carlisle says. 

“It was a 25- or 30-year-old house, so all the mechanical systems were dated. With the exception of some of the foundation and framing components, we essentially rebuilt the house. We gave the house a new starting point, all new HVAC systems, all new electrical systems, and modern-day insulation. ” 

Outside, the home suffered from some substantial curb appeal issues, namely a front-facing garage, a dated roof line, and an underwhelming and less-than-welcoming entry.

This is where the team at PCA stepped in to create an entirely new vision for the home’s façade, and where Cathy Purple Cherry’s knowledge of the critical area and the value of smart design played a key role in the transformation. 

While the footprint of the home was agreeable to the homeowners, the presentation and age of the forward-facing garages was mission-critical from an exterior aesthetic standpoint. Purple Cherry explained the first thought to turn them to the side and build them out a bit was quickly tabled due to critical area restrictions.

A more suitable garage door upgrade was then chosen and paired with the elegance of an overhead-framing pergola that played into the gracious new look of an entry enhanced with a front porch. The layout of the front yard in general was then reconfigured to accommodate the status of the new front porch and the removal of an outdated prominent front window with three character-building casement windows. A stylish, arched double door from Wellborn + Wright with handsome black metal inserts was then chosen for its notable first impression and is indicative of the home’s renewed pride of place. 

Stellar Upgrades

Undoubtedly, in a home with so many improvements, it would be difficult to choose one single aspect that exemplified the level to which the home has changed, but with this project there is no doubt that aspect is the total re-imagining of the back of the home facing the water. 

While the “before” iteration of the main level living area did offer a sliding glass door and some window views out to the cove, there was an obvious intrinsic break in the design that made the space visually drop out when you reached the slider, despite the deck outside. That does not happen now. 

In fact, when looking at the before and after photos of the back of this home, the difference is remarkably clear. Improvements in materials associated with outdoor living spaces and fresh approaches to what outdoor living means here along the Chesapeake, have not only provided upgrades in square footage, but in the quality of life for the family.

Replacing an outdated drip-through deck with Ipe flooring, installing Marvin Ultimate Multi-Slide Doors, and mirroring the outdoor entertainment area with the indoor area using materials like the feature wall stone, expanded the utility of the space while keeping the feel homey and convivial. 

The Way They Live Now

For the homeowners, life on their quiet cove has been great since their renovations wrapped, with expanded opportunities to entertain, feel safe about where they are on the water, and even look toward the future with their family in new ways.  

“We have a 27-year-old, a 25-year-old, and a 19-year-old—so, when they visit, I really want them to have their own space so that they feel comfortable coming,” the wife explains. 

“Our 25-year-old, our son, he’s in the basement, his bedroom’s down there—and he loves being down there. We have one daughter on the main floor, one daughter upstairs. They all have their own little space…and that was really important for us.”

Other highlights of this amazing home renovation include the expansion of the main kitchen to include a pantry and a stylish and substantive back kitchen by utilizing space at the front of the residence that was once home to a formal dining room and grand, but most likely underused formal living room. The combined living space of the enhanced kitchen, great room, and the screened-in outdoor living area now, says Carlisle, is approximately 40 by 40 feet, truly outstanding for a residential structure.

Topping off the interior transformation is a complete re-location and re-design of this home’s staircase. It was previously an unremarkable utility but is now a highlight providing a chance to enhance the flow of the floorplan and create a standout element of architecture that will perpetually propel the look and feel of the home into the 21st century—and beyond.