House Tour: Chesapeake Bay Modern Retreat

This beautiful home nestled in the Eastern Shore of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland is the weekend retreat of James Woodyard and his girlfriend, Khadeja Salley. Just two hours from Washington D.C., the triple gables of the contemporary home shelter a space divided into three sections...

The 2,800 square feet interior is paired with 4,000 square feet of deck. A Weekend Home That’s Straight Out of a Dream, was the HGTV Dream Home for 2002. Mr. Woodyard bought it from the winner, furnishings and all...

Our favorite elements are the contemporary concrete counter tops and tiles combined with the uniquely colored stained pine floor planks (one can see faint hints of reds and blues in the floorboards). Despite the modern architecture, the HGTV furnishings are very traditional and the owner hopes to someday replace the furnishings that came with the house. The only major change Mr. Woodyard has made is the addition of the pool. For the complete collection of images from The New York Times see the slideshow.

Here are images of the home as it appeared from the Dream Home competition, before Mr. Woodyard owned the property:

(Pics: Andrew Councill, HGTV)

Comments (9)

this is so pretty! I have been going down to the chesapeake every summer to hang out on my grandparents boat since I was a tiny baby. Its such a gorgeous area. There is nothing better than waking early up to watch a sunrise on the water.

posted by suziegoombs on January 18th 2008 at 11:36am
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I think it's a beautiful house...what a peaceful lovely setting. I will say that while the architecture is interesting and a great take on traditional forms, the interior shows the typical lack of imagination that HGTV displays with every dream home. it's always the same quasi-country traditional with random stuff and metal stars thrown in...not that I should expect a whole lot out of those folks over there...

posted by dougdavis on January 18th 2008 at 12:10pm
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I agree that the setting is spectacular but the interior looks a bit dated and uninspired. But then again, as a beachy weekend retreat, they probably wanted it to look like the random detritus of life's journey.

posted by hejiranyc on January 18th 2008 at 1:00pm
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God, do y'all have to piss on EVERYTHING?

There is NOTHING wrong with those "uninspired" interiors. Sour grapes, much?

posted by patrick (the other one) on January 18th 2008 at 1:30pm
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I'll have such an uninspired weekend retreat any day, thank you. Setting is amazing.

posted by Jippo on January 19th 2008 at 4:44am
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I have a second home just outside of St. Michaels (Easton) and the Times pretty much nails what the area is like. This is a major modern home for this area, yet it picks up the essence of the Eastern Shore's historic architecture (telescoping homes).

Insofar as the decorating it's not my cup of tea, but I would thoroughly enjoy kicking back and enjoying a nice evening with these enlightened homeowners in their extremely nice home.

posted by Chris - Annapolis on January 19th 2008 at 6:25am
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I'd have to sell all my organs for something like this, which would really preclude my weekend enjoyment, but it's lovely!

posted by Christine (the one in DC) on January 21st 2008 at 7:37am
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It is funny seeing the difference between the HGTV idealized version, and the real life version- like under the stairs is where you stash the Brawny, and a fireplace needs a screen, and a white couch at a beach house needs a blanket over the seat area!

I am kind of surprised that the Adirondack chairs are still lined up though!

posted by JG on January 21st 2008 at 8:54am
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my new best friends. living in and being from DC i really appreciate this.

posted by SD913 on January 22nd 2008 at 3:56am
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