Blink and you’ll pass the entry. The simple metal gate leading to this extraordinary Talbot County retreat is surprisingly ordinary. On reflection, the understated first impression is the appropriate entrée to this discreet hideaway. While there is no welcome sign out front, if there were one, it might say, “Enter and enjoy this natural refuge from the chaos of city life and worldly pursuits. Proceed with an open heart and respect for our planet.”
The owners, who are active environmentalists, wanted to create an intimate, secluded oasis where every visitor—from a distant cousin to a high-profile international friend—would feel welcome and at ease while always respecting the land and its creatures.
Once inside the gate, the two-mile drive to the lodge rambles through fields of wheat, corn, and marsh grasses, presenting a palette of earthy colors and textures. Other than the sound of tires crunching gravel, the conversations of chattering birds and geese are the only interruptions to blissful silence.
While the lodge is new, it appears old, as if it had been nestled along the tranquil pond for a century or two. That’s because, in a way, it is old. “Whenever possible we reused old building materials,” says Baltimore designer Henry Johnson. “The exterior wood, interior walls and floors are antique chestnut instead of new wood. Interior walls are real chinked logs.
The wood ceiling is constructed of antique beams.”
Finding such high-quality recycled materials was a collaborative effort between the clients, the firm of Johnson-Berman and ILEX Builders. Conservation efforts continued throughout the entire project.
“The owners believe we should stop throwing things away, so we repaired and repainted furniture and reupholstered what we could. Everything didn’t have to be new,” says Johnson.
Thanks to a talented team assembled by Johnson, the lodge was completed in 18 months. Consultants included Matthew Mosca, an architectural historian and expert on historic colors. (His projects include the U.S. Capitol, Mount Vernon, and the Maryland State House.) He assisted with replicating authentic paint selections in the kitchen and on selected furniture.
There isn’t one word that sums up the architectural style here. “It’s really history unfolding in a gentle, progressive way. It reflects how a 200-year-old cabin would have evolved over a period of time,” adds Johnson. “We began in the 17th century and created a timeline that combines the charm and graciousness of the past with the comfort and efficiency of modern times.”
Doors and frames were hand-worked to reflect the woodwork of the early 18th century. Soft, subtle lighting was achieved by using contemporary wrought-iron fixtures with large cylinders that bounce light off the ceiling.
Furnishings are not of the “hands-off” variety. Quite the opposite. Everything here says, “Touch me, make yourself at home.” Collectibles from the owners’ travels and family treasures inhabit each room like old friends. “You don’t put beautiful things away as if your home is a museum, you put them out and use them. That’s the owners’ mantra,” says Johnson.
Fabrics mix styles and textures. Red velvet draperies may seem an odd choice for a log cabin, but the rich color and sumptuousness add warmth to the open space. Red mohair fireside chairs are strategically placed for building new friendships or rekindling old ones.
Since there is only one bedroom in an upstairs loft overlooking the two-story Great Hall and just one full bath, the lodge is primarily used as a cozy overnight or weekend retreat.
The Great Hall and the adjoining wraparound porch are ideal spaces for entertaining guests before or after a hunt or a hike.
Naturalness and a lack of pretense are the heart of this environmentally responsible retreat. There is no need for an official welcome sign. Once inside the simple entry gate, every aspect of the place says, “Welcome.”
Mary Ann Treger writes from a historic home in Annapolis.
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