Hot House: 1337 Blue Mount Road, Monkton, MD. 21111
Barn-style contemporary, circa 1988, updated Walter Ramberg design, cedar shake exterior with metal standing-seam roof. Seven bedrooms, 5 full, 1 half bath over three levels and 7,956 sq. ft. Gallery foyer, vaulted great room with 2 fireplaces, gourmet custom kitchen, en suite master with spa bath, separate shower, walk-in closets, and screened porch. Hardwood floors throughout, central a/c, stand-by generator. 125’ bluestone patio, Lothorian pool, fish pond, 3+5 car garage with lifts and loft. 27+ private acres with views: $2,195,000
What: There are garages, and there are garages. This house, desirable for lots of reasons, is especially so because of a custom-built five-car garage, designed by its owner, a software engineer and car fancier. Hydraulic lifts bring the cars down to you, and there’s a loft office upstairs, where you can negotiate with car dealers while admiring the latest acquisition. Inside the house, ceilings are high, and there’s an open floor plan. Wood beams and railings soften the austere lines. Everything is oriented toward the back, with sliding glass doors overlooking redwood decks, sleek swimming pool and views over the hills. A long, narrow fish pod runs parallel to the pool and you can race the giant koi to the other side. The kitchen is expensive and comfortable, with cherry cabinets, polished granite counters, Wolf range and a copper range hood imported from Italy. Oh, and built-in expresso machine. Upstairs, a guest suite, several bedrooms and a luxurious master suite with an enclosed porch overlooking the hillside. Downstairs, a family room with fireplace, media room, workout room and a huge, sunny mudroom with bluestone floors and laundry. It’s a practical, informal set up that’s modern without being intimidating.
Where: A couple miles down the road from the little town of Hereford, complete with Graul’s Market, at exit 27 off I-83, north. There’s still a rural feeling out here, although it’s just about 10 minutes north of Hunt Valley. A big draw are the schools –Hereford High School, Hereford Middle and Sparks Elementary are all top ranked and serviced by nearby school bus stops, if signs are to be believed. The house is very private — there are a few nice houses nearby, though out of sight. The 27+ acres slope down to the Gunpowder River, which you can see from the house in wintertime and fish on in the summertime. Across the river is the NCR trail, and there are pretty woodland views all around.
Would Suit: Nature loving car fancier
Why: Quiet setting, casual luxury, lots of land
Why Not: Obligation to fill garage with vintage Lamborghini’s.
NB: There are an unusual number of sliding doors.
A car elevator. Sure it’s not Mitt Romney’s house?