Hot House: 106 St. Albans Way, Baltimore, 21212

Stone house with slate roof, farmhouse/cottage style, designed by architects Palmer, Willis & Lamdin, circa 1920.  Five bedrooms, three full, two half baths, 3,515 sq. ft. over three stories, with stone patio, landscaped gardens and separate garage on .37 acres: $935,000 Read More →

We have to admit, this bit of creative vandalism made us snicker. (One question: Shouldn’t the E go, too?)

Historic illegal edits include Roland Park transformed to Rolaids Park and, more famously, a highway sign on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway reading “Welcome to Baltimore” extended by one word Hon – the “Hon Man” refreshed his lettering for 10 years’ time, serving as the inspiration for the publication, Welcome to Baltimore, Hon. What’s your favorite example of doctored signage about town? Let us hear.

On a cold, rainy Monday in April Jim Childs and Jack Coyier  flew in from Iowa where they work for Garden Gate magazine. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com They came to Baltimore to photograph gardens. Monday afternoon we toured Roland Park,  Guilford  and Homeland.  I introduced them to a handful of the areas’ finest private gardens, as well as to Sherwood Gardens. Read More →

Are you in market for a new home? Are you thinking of selling your house and need some price comparisons? Are you a house obsessed lookey-loo? Well, grab a Starbucks and power up the GPS. We have your Sunday afternoon covered with our picks of the best open houses this week.

7506 L’Hirondelle Club Road

$5,475,000

5br/6 ba

I find that unless there is substantial acreage involved, Baltimore real estate tends to peter out above $3 million. So, what kind of home justifies a $5.5 million price tag on only three acres? Well, put on your pearls and head to Ruxton to see for yourself. Some clues to the home’s fabulousness are in the listing: “a spectacular gourmet/family room/breakfast room complex” (did they say complex?), “custom walnut bookcases from trees milled on site” (never knew I wanted that, but now I do), “crafts room with full bath” (rigorous scrap booking followed by a shower?). How could you not want to see this place just out of curiosity? Now if you’re a single man looking because you can actually afford it, please let me know…I have a single sister. Visualize: Being rich.

I was always hoping I’d get invited over for afternoon tea or a Justin Bieber-themed dinner party, but I’ll settle for Rookie Mag’s photo tour of John Waters’s Baltimore home.

True to form, there are plenty of kitschy books (I’m Fifteen… And I Don’t Want to Die!), art objects (a Yoshitomo Nara ashtray), photos of ladies with big hair, fake cats, and… plastic food. Why not?

One perfect touch: Waters’s “idea board” is topped with the classic BELIEVE bumper sticker, rearranged to read BE EVIL. Also appreciated:  the subtle shout-out to Baltimore superstars Wye Oak. John Waters has good taste!

I can think of nothing more Waters-esque than these action figures of famous pop-culture accidents (Britney flashing the paparazzi; Michael Jackson dangling his baby off a balcony).

Check out the rest of the photos here.

HOT HOUSE: 5215 Springlake Way, Baltimore, 21212

Stucco house with stone walls, overlooking the lakes in Homeland plus an additional side lot: $899,000

What: A north Baltimore classic – 1930 center hall Colonial, beautifully landscaped and solidly built.  One of Homeland’s top tier homes, with an old-world feeling that comes from the hillside setting and stonework. Formal, good sized living and dining rooms, one on each side of the center hall, with wood floors and crown molding.  Pretty sunroom with terrazzo floor and French doors leading out to the gardens. Kitchen at the back is unusually small, but well-designed and appointed with Bosch dishwasher and Wolf range. Breakfast room and butler’s pantry could all be combined and extended into a large kitchen, but as the realtor points out, you would lose the view of a charming, sunny stone patio. Upstairs is a good size master bedroom suite, and the nicely finished third floor would be a great area for kids, with storage and office space. Five bedrooms, three full and two half baths. Grounds are worth a spot on the garden tour, especially a terraced vegetable garden. Two car garage with automatic opener and an attractive cottage-y garden shed. The additional side lot lends privacy as well a luxurious feeling of space. Views of Homelands famous “lakes.”   

Where: The heart of Homeland, the neighborhood designed by the Olmstead Brothers in 1924, after Guilford and Roland Park. Homeland is north of Coldspring Land, bordered by Charles Street on the west and York Road on the east. 

Why: Nice city living, very much a neighborhood. Tree-lined streets, a short drive to private schools, Belvedere Square, Charles Street and Roland Park shops.  

Why Not:  Homeland has strict neighborhood standards. If you’re thinking about growing a meadow or owning large numbers of dogs/cats, this is not the place for you. 

Would Suit: law-abiding executive family, gardeners, Europeans.