Elegant details enchant in this thoughtfully designed Annapolis farmhouse
Written by Kristen Hampshire
Photography by Peak Visuals
White weathered brick and waterfront views—sophisticated details, but nothing too pretentious. This is an Annapolis family home in Fishing Creek Farm, situated on a peninsula near Thomas Point where the South River meets the Chesapeake Bay.
The owners enlisted the help of Stephanie Cook, a partner at Speight Cook Studio Architects, to realize a vision that moved away from a driftwood-farmhouse aesthetic and toward features that exude elegance.
Exterior details include graceful arches, nickel-gap siding and brick corbeling. Inside, every space has a purpose, yet another departure from an overly open floor plan. There’s a defined dining room, morning room, moody lounge, scullery and butler’s pantry. Let’s not forget the back stairway that cascades from the second floor into the kitchen—the owners might have thought of it as a “secret passageway” while growing up.
Built by Mueller Homes, this is a house designed to nurture stories—those that provoke laughter, those etched in memory. It’s refined but not stuffy, traditional yet clean-lined, and timeless in every way. For Stephanie, the creative lift introduced an often bypassed yet practically ancient medium: brick.
“It’s exciting to develop details and ways of interpreting design with a very traditional material,” she relates, calling attention to the craftsmanship in this roughly 5,000-square-foot home. Every decision, from layout to selections, was grounded in lifestyle and a way of being.
Stephanie says, “Elegant is the description that I turn to with this home because we were always seeking to make it a little elevated without an overuse of finishes. In some places, it’s clean and sparse and nothing is over-gilded.”
Ella Lee Interiors of Sykesville (with a second office opening soon in Annapolis) articulated the homeowner’s vision and provided guidance with an emphasis on quality, timeless design and curated interiors.
INVITING SPACES
Warm white hues echo the home’s white weathered brick exterior and create a refined, welcoming backdrop for gatherings.
ELEVATED ACCENTS
Every detail contributes to the graceful, elegant atmosphere of this Fishing Creek Farm gem, designed by Stephanie Cook.
Breakfast Nook. “How do you eat?” is a question Stephanie asks clients in order to appropriately configure dining spaces. In this case, a nearly all-glass nook jutting from the kitchen is a morning room for casual family meals. It’s not just for morning dining, though they refer to the space as such for its energizing, sunlit feel. A formal dining room was established as a dedicated space for entertaining. And dual islands in the kitchen offer plenty of room for everyday hanging out.
Details, Details. Not one overlooked. On the exterior, recessed downspouts offer a “sharp and crisp” finish, Stephanie says. Gabled edges with stepped-out brick meet the roof overhang and deliver a seamless line. “The white weathered brick is classic and fresh,” she says. A rounded water table, managing runoff, adds visual interest to function.
Mastering Elegance. The owners’ suite features a cathedral board-and-beam ceiling and bump-out bay window in monochromatic warm whites. The ceiling decrescendos in scale and shape toward woodland views. “There is a lot of interest and depth without being flashy,” says Stephanie, reiterating a desire to showcase subtlety.
Hide in the Scullery. Tucking away kitchen prep tasks, storing appliances and staging catering can happen in a scullery—another kind of “back staircase” without the steps. The scullery is combined with a pantry, because, Stephanie says, “You can never have enough storage.” CS
DINING DETAILS
There’s a purpose for every nook and cranny, including a picturesque breakfast nook and a comfortable dining room area dedicated to entertaining guests.
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