Dramatic Transformations 2024

Meadow on the Magothy

by Clinton+Ries Landscape Architects

What would you do with a barren backyard that sloped to a cove along the Magothy River?

This was the question landscape architect Kate Ries confronted when tasked with a total redesign of a waterfront property near Gibson Island.

Ries’ answer was surprising. Rather than fight the slope, she embraced it designing a spectacular four-season native meadow that compliments the serene setting as well as stabilizes the steep embankment. Several large Sweetgum trees ground the space. Native plants from a custom-designed seed mix blend with hardy perennials and shrubs in a riot of color and texture. In the midst of the plantings, Ries designed a lawn “sunset terrace” large enough for multiple Adirondack chairs. Lawn steps, cut into the bank, follow the curve of the slope to the pier.

For the homeowners and everyone passing by on the water, Ries’ design is a non-stop feast for the eyes!

clintonriesla.com | 301.699.5600

Eastern Shore Waterfront

by Focus Construction

Perched on 33 acres with 1,200 feet of waterfront along the Chester River, this property had everything its new owners desired. The home, dating from the 1890s, was another story.

Easton-based Focus Construction specializes in waterfront construction on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Working closely with the homeowners and Purple Cherry Architects, Focus delivered an artful reinterpretation of a classic colonial-era manor. Stunning materials and exterior details such as cedar shake roofing, copper gutters and downspouts, Chippendale railings, and columns create a welcoming façade. Generous interior spaces seamlessly blend traditional details with modern elements.

Though the new home presents itself as a rambling historic home, its open, light-filled spaces maximize water views, luxurious details, and modern conveniences.

focus-construction.net | 410.690.4900

Architecture & Interior Design: Purple Cherry Architects | Photography: Durston Saylor | Styling: Helen Crowther

Every Detail Matters

by Jonathan Rivera Architecture

Owners of this 1980s prefabricated home initially contacted Jonathan Rivera to design a new shingle-style house on a new piece of property after their current home suffered storm damage. When Rivera saw the expansive acreage, mature trees, swimming pool, and tennis court, he convinced his clients to stay put.

Timeless details such as a generous front porch sporting an eyebrow roofline, cedar shake siding, and white timber-framed gables on a new second story are a luxurious nod to classic Hamptons-style architecture. Inside, Rivera relocated the kitchen and living spaces to the rear of the home to maximize pool views. Banks of new windows ensure plenty of natural light throughout.

Elegant details and a modern floor plan underscore this transformation!

jonathanrivera.com | 443.226.5745