By James Houck
Heading northward along a tree-lined driveway past precision landscaping and bucolic greenery leads to a sprawling and youthful manor set amidst the Severn River watershed and tucked within a gated community that whispers “welcome home.”
Though only a hop, skip, or pebble’s toss away from Crownsville’s more storied waterfront communities, such as Arden on the Severn or Herald Harbor, Homestead on the Severn offers its homeowners idyllic and peaceful acreage, which, in the case of this gorgeous example, amounts to almost three and a half acres. The community is a bit of an anomaly among the more condensed developments noted for their 1940s beach cottages-turned-contemporary flips. Homestead boasts fewer and farther between estates.
But this is a story about a house, more so than the community in which is resides, and it has quite a few selling points to keep the read interesting…and its new homeowners (who remain anonymous, but purchased this 2006 build just recently, in August 2016) loving the land of pleasant living.
For starters, the resplendent driveway leads to the property’s own roundabout at the footsteps of the grand porch and an overall exterior that boasts Palladian windows, stone/ ickwork, and aesthetic shingle roofing complemented by red metal accenting that matches the shutter and door palette. A step inside reveals a vaulted foyer with cove lighting that navigates toward a central, open floor plan, which includes a gourmet kitchen with three-story ceiling, butler’s pantry with custom pass-through window, informal and formal dining areas, and the living space with grand fireplace.
A Florida sunroom and expansive office offer retreat space on the main level as well, while downstairs, billiards, air hockey, fooseball, and dancing space are complemented by a full wet bar and back bar, plus an adjacent climate controlled wine room. Additional on point details include crown molding, cherry flooring, and a groined vault—an architectural feature produced by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults.
Entertaining extends to the outdoors, where the built-in bar, grill station, fire pit, and hot tub beckon good times. Set against a wooded backdrop of oaks, poplars, maples, and other native flora, the backyard blooms into a green canvas come summer.
And after a day of enjoying Homestead indoors and out, homeowners and guests alike can seek respite upstairs or down. The third level boasts an array of special design features, including a winding open staircase and li ary landing, two en-suite bedrooms, each with its own ladder loft, and a third en-suite bedroom with a private, attached bath and walk-in closet. The master suite boasts a spa-like jetted tub, mounted media, speakers, and a gas fireplace in the bath suite. A lower level guest bedroom and attached full bath complete the home’s accommodations.
