A Dramatic Makeover on Breton Bay, by Kathy Warren - Southern Maryland

A Dramatic Makeover on Breton Bay

Story by Kathy Warren
Photography by Robert Gerardy

When homeowners Bob and Judy Combs first purchased their property in Leonardtown, they knew that they wanted to make dramatic changes to the property in order to maximize the home's beautiful location.

It would take over seven months to get the necessary permits and another year and a half to complete the project, but the end result was well worth all the effort. Today, the home is no longer a simple brick rambler, but a stunning showpiece, which affords breathtaking water views from every room.

Perched high atop a gently sloping hill that leads to Breton Bay, the home's exterior is a perfect melding of styles. Dormers, brick and dentil molding give a nod to traditional colonial style cape cods, while the arched entryway evokes a cottage feel, giving the house a casual, inviting appearance. Lush landscaping, which includes hosta, boxwood, and ornamental grasses add to the home's charm and curb appeal. "We kept almost all of the trees and planted hundreds more shrubs," says Bob.

The front door features a blue heron etched into the oval glass and welcomes visitors into the foyer. Unobstructed views from the street side of the house to the French doors on the front or waterside of the house, afford the home panoramic views of Breton Bay.

To the left of the entryway is the formal dining room. Columns delineate the space without obstructing the water view, giving the room a sense of airy openness. Nine foot ceilings, large detailed moldings, and a crystal chandelier give the room a grand feeling without being pretentious.

More columns lead from the dining room into the formal living room. Here a vaulted ceiling, wall of windows, and gas fireplace make the room the ideal spot to take in long summer days and stunning sunsets. French doors lead to the home's porch, which overlooks the patio and terraced lawn leading down to the water. Artwork featuring scenes of Southern Maryland, by local artist Mary Ada Candel, add a personal touch to the home.

Just off the living room is the kitchen. Natural cherry cabinets with pewter hardware are complimented by rich dark granite and hardwood flooring. One glass fronted cabinet even features a custom leaded vine pattern to give the room a sense of whimsy. Professional grade appliances in stainless steel give the room a modern feel, while richly stained crown molding and sage green walls keep the space from feeling cold and industrial. A tiered island separates the kitchen from the breakfast area, which boasts yet another wall of windows to take in the spectacular view. An antique red hutch displays a collection of glassware and gives the room a punch of color.

Beyond the kitchen is the home's family room, which is currently used as a home office. Owner of Newtowne Construction, Bob spends a lot of time meeting with clients who are building their own dream homes, so it made sense to have a large office in the home. Deep blue walls, wood blinds, and a copper ceiling fan give the room a nautical feel. A gas fireplace and leather couch give the room a cozy quality, making it the ideal spot for curling up with a good book on a chilly winter's day.

Also on the first floor is the master suite. Fern green walls and large transom topped windows blur the line between indoors and out. A tray ceiling lends a formal air to the space, while antique furnishings and paisley bedding in soft hues of pink, gold and green make the room inviting and comfortable. A gas fireplace and separate seating area provide plenty of space for lounging and relaxing. The master bath is sumptuous with a large corner jetted tub surrounded by windows and a seamless oversized glass shower with body jets. Gold fixtures, cherry cabinetry, and a crystal chandelier all add to the opulence of the soothing space.

A full walkout basement provides the perfect spot for casual entertaining. Built-in bookcases and closet space give the home extra storage space. Upstairs, the home has even more living space with three bedrooms, a bonus room, and two additional full baths. Each of the rooms have windows overlooking the water, and because of the sloping nature of the lot and an abundance of large old growth trees, views from the upstairs bedrooms gives the rooms a tree house effect.

Nestled in Leonardtown, the couple couldn't be happier with their pastoral location. "We love Leonardtown," remarks Bob, adding, "it's just beautiful and peaceful here." With the vision to remodel an older home on an ideal piece of property, Bob and Judy have truly found their own little piece of paradise.