Originally built in 1851, this two-story structure south of Deale, Maryland, was a ticket office for the Fairhaven stop on the Weems Steamboat Line, which once plied the Chesapeake Bay. A tea room was added to its south side in the 1930s; later, a two-story extension was tacked onto the north side and a screened porch along its west façade. By the time the current owners bought it in 2022, the house was in need of a comprehensive renovation. They called Charles Almonte to modernize it and capitalize on the bay-facing vistas.

“We wanted each space to have a view of the water from every angle,” notes the architect/interior designer.

To start, he preserved the original structure’s pine flooring and the main level’s ceiling beams. Redesigning the kitchen maximized storage; increasing the opening between the kitchen and living area created better flow. The once-screened porch is now enclosed with energy-efficient windows for year-round enjoyment. The former tea room has become an office and gallery space for the homeowners’ art collection. The second floor was reconfigured for a primary suite and two guest bedrooms. New and vintage furnishings lend a contemporary vibe while an interior palette of white and warm wood with pops of blue reflects the waterfront setting. A wallpaper featuring exotic monkeys in Victorian finery enlivens the powder room off the foyer, offering a whimsical welcome to all who enter.

Architecture, Interior & Kitchen Design: Charles C. Almonte, AIA, ASID, Charles C. Almonte Architecture/Interior Design, Silver Spring, Maryland. Builder: Accent General Contracting, Gaithersburg, Maryland.