Tracy Mitchell Griggs is a Maryland-based writer. Photographer Gwin Hunt is based in Annapolis.

When Patti and Bill Utz went in search of land on which to build their dream home, they knew they weren’t going to move far from their house in Wroxeter on the Severn near Annapolis, Maryland. Patti grew up in nearby Severna Park, where she maintains strong family ties, and Bill’s construction business is also located in the area. “Although we loved our house, we wanted more space for entertaining and additional play areas for our children,” says Bill Utz. “Our previous home had great water views, but the waterfront was not easily accessible for recreation.” Within a few months of searching the Internet, Patti Utz found a site that perfectly fit their criteria.

What made it so appealing were the more than 40 acres of gently rolling Maryland farmland spread out along nearly 900 feet of waterfront on Whitehall Creek, a tributary of the Chesapeake Bay. Moreover, the site is located within Anne Arundel County’s first European Colonial settlement, founded by Virginia Puritans in 1650. The property, known as Homewood’s Lot, has been the focus of intensive archaeological surveys and investigations for more than a decade and is part of the county’s Lost Towns archaeology project. 

“A Cape Cod built in the 1970s, remains of a brick carriage house dating to the 1600s and a few outbuildings were the only structures on the site,” explains Patti Utz. “Our former home sold quickly, so we decided to move into the existing [Cape Cod] house. Bill and I knew this would be a multi-year project, so living on the site also allowed us to more closely supervise construction.” While waiting for building permits to be issued, Bill Utz collaborated with area architect Charles Karmosky on the design for the new home while archaeological digs continued for another year, turning up artifacts dating from the original settlement through the 19th century. “Both Patti and I wanted a plantation-style house. We’re both fans of the antebellum period and felt the property warranted a house that reflected a more historic style,” explains Bill Utz.  

The new home was sited to take advantage of water views and be set back 100 feet from the creek as required by local zoning ordinances. In keeping with the Greek Revival style, its front door is set between four imposing Doric columns that support a pediment and a second-floor balcony, which is repeated on the rear façade. Careful planning with master craftsmen who worked on the couple’s previous homes led to the architecture’s historically accurate details. Cabinetmaker Greg Wheet spent hundreds of hours researching period architecture, according to Patti Utz, in order to replicate moldings and wainscoting that help unify the home’s eclectically furnished interiors.

In the dramatic, two-story entrance hall, a gracefully curved, floating staircase leads to an overlook topped by a 12-foot-diameter plaster dome with a hidden channel that conceals soft lighting. This traditional look extends to the parlor and dining room flanking the foyer. “Bill and I enjoy entertaining, and we use these spaces for more formal and intimate gatherings,” says Patti Utz.

In both rooms, elaborately carved marble fireplace mantels, which were crafted in Spain, are exact replicas of designs in well-known plantations in Natchez, Mississippi. A mix of smaller scale reproduction furniture fits the mantels’ smaller dimensions and custom built-in cabinets display china and glassware once belonging to Patti Utz’s grandmother. “Patti wanted a fresh color palette for the parlor, so we chose a rich coral color for the walls, and coral and butter hues carried over to furnishings and window treatments,” says Baltimore-based designer Karen Aumen. 

The biggest design challenge facing Aumen, who has worked with the Utzes on other projects, was honoring the period flavor while creating a home for a modern family.  “With this much square footage, it was important to create rooms that were comfortable in scale,” the designer says. “We looked to the period for inspiration, but our final design decisions were always based on comfort and livability.” Aumen utilized interior details like curved arched bulkheads and widened entrances between the rooms and interior columns that define functional zones. Flooring of salvaged red heart pine, abundant in the South during the 19th century, adds more period flavor.

At the rear of the house, an open kitchen, large family room and sunroom are furnished in a more casual, comfortable style. “This is where we tend to congregate,” says Patti. In the kitchen, painted cabinets, a wood-burning brick fireplace and a farm-style sink lend a country feel.

A furniture-styled center island topped with a butcher block separates the appliance wall from an adjacent dining table. “I refinished a vintage desk and placed it next to the island—my son uses it to do homework while I cook,” says Patti Utz. Cheerful red accents, including  chandelier shades, a large wall clock, striped dining chair upholstery and glass goblets are tucked away in glass-fronted built-ins above the kitchen counters.   

Conveniently open to the kitchen, the family room features more custom millwork by Wheet, including wall paneling and a coffered ceiling of cherry, to provide a rich backdrop for a five-foot-wide fireplace with a carved mantel and dark marble surround. A large sectional sofa upholstered in chenille brocade provides a comfortable place for television-viewing and conversation.

The adjacent glassed-in sunroom between the kitchen and family room offers spectacular views of Whitehall Creek, a deep water dock, a swimming pool and a pool house, all visible through a wall of French doors. “This room was originally designed to be a screened-in space, but we decided to enclose it so that we could use it year-round,” explains Patti Utz.

A long hallway between the front rooms and family area is anchored at one end by a catering kitchen and, at the other, the master suite, which is elegantly appointed in whites, cream and golds. “While looking for materials for the bath, I discovered a translucent marble called honey onyx,” says Utz. “Marble can be cold and I wanted a softer feeling.” The onyx surrounds a whirlpool tub and fireplace, and extends to the countertops.

Bedrooms for the couple’s 12-year-old son and college-age daughter are located on the second floor along with a game room, a small family room and guest suite to augment the property’s 1970s Cape Cod, which now serves as a guest house. Reflecting on the four years it took to complete their dream home, the Utzes say it was worth the wait, but more importantly, they are happy to be the current stewards of this historic Chesapeake Bay property.