Annie & Tom’s Bit of Baltimore History

Name: Annie and Tom Molloy
Location: Roland Park; Baltimore, Maryland
Size: 2,400 square feet
Years lived in: 2 years; Owned

On a muggy, overcast day in Baltimore, Annie and Tom Molloy’s home feels like an island of respite from the heat: an ice cold glass of water sweats on the kitchen counter and Tour de France cyclists zip across the flat screen in the living room. Annie, a realtor with Prudential Homesale YWGC Realty, and Tom, a physician’s assistant at the Franklin Square Hospital ER, have lived here for two years with Brisbane, their 3-year-old St. Bernard/Lab rescue.

The house sits among some of the oldest in Baltimore, in Roland Park — the first-ever planned suburban community in the US. And the house itself is, indeed, old. It had been sitting vacant for several years before it went on the market and Annie, with a flair for the historic, saw potential. Tom, with a self-proclaimed flair for the practical, saw (and how can you blame him?) a lot of work, so they decided not to pull the trigger.  When, several months and some regret later, the house went back on the market, the Molloys pounced.

And so began their journey of updates and restoration: first they tackled the  floors, moldings and plaster, and then they gutted the kitchen. They’ve re-decorated the guest room, and, at the moment, the parents-to-be are focused on turning Annie’s home office in to a nursery. And if the order of the rooms they’re addressing is any indication, this is a couple who puts others first. With a baby on the way, the master bedroom — “a real work in progress,” Annie said laughing — is just going to have to wait. 

My Style: We would probably say it’s a mix of traditional, eclectic and comfy. We want things to be fun, but still functional and comfortable. We also love bringing in elements and colors from the outdoors. When we purchased the house it was in complete disrepair — it had been sitting vacant for years and needed everything. We wanted to keep the historical integrity of the house and keep as much original detail as possible. Restoring all the floors, moldings, plaster, etc. was a true labor of love but we are so happy we did it. 

Inspiration: Our biggest inspiration is living on the coast. I (Annie) lived in Charleston, South Carolina for awhile and that really had a large influence on my decorating style. We also love to travel outside of the US and experience new cultures — that has played a large part in our home’s look.

Favorite Element: The house is filled with natural light all day long. It’s wonderful not to have to turn on the lights if you don’t want to. We also love the open floor plan we created with the kitchen, and that the original hardwood floors cover all three levels. 

Biggest Challenge: Finding the time to complete a project once I start it.

What Friends Say: Our friends always say they don’t know how such random things can fit so seamlessly together. They also love seeing the before and after transformation it has taken.

Biggest Embarrassment: Briz’s dog hair is always a bit of an embarrassment; the basement is also a disaster at the moment.

Proudest DIY: The photo wall and end tables.

Biggest Indulgence: The plantation shutters — they were 100% worth every penny and we love the way they look and function.

Best Advice: When you love an idea and it’s in your gut, go with it. Don’t hesitate or worry what others may think. Be the trendsetter.

• Living room and master bedroom: Silver Drop by Behr
• Kitchen: Grayish by Behr
• Guest bedroom: Pure White by Sherwin Williams

• Sofa: Sam’s Club
• Chairs: Jennifer Convertibles
  
• Throw pillows: Su Casa
• Ottoman: Walmart
• Stump side table: West Elm
• Driftwood with lights: Found while hiking, lights from Target
• Round mirror beside window: Home Goods
• Chest under mirror: Reclaimed wood piece from India

• Cabinets: Wolf Cabinets
• Tile backsplash: Moroccan trellis tile from Daltile
• Table: Reclaimed barn wood table from an Amish market
• Chairs: Yard sale — $1 each!

• Bedding: Target
• Pillows: Ikea and Home Goods
• Curtains: Made by Annie out of leftover fabric from wedding
• Etagere: Goodwill, painted by Annie
• Rug: Antique Persian rug found in South Africa on our honeymoon
• Mirror (sunburst): Found at neighborhood yard sale
• Mirror (over side table): Hand-me-down that Annie’s mom found at thrift shop
• Lamp: Goodwill, Annie painted it and added the rope detail
• Bedside tables: Gardiners Furniture
• Surfboard: Annie’s surfboard she picked up in Australia, “Jacks” fun shape
• White deer head on wall: Home Goods

• Bed: Sleigh bed from Gardiners Furniture
  
• Bedside tables: Yard sale finds that Annie painted
• Bedding: Home Goods
• Lamps: Su Casa

• Day bed: Antique hand-me-down from one of Annie’s clients
• Throw pillows: Home Depot, Ikea, Home Goods, Marshall’s
• Rug: Ikea
• Lamp on Annie’s desk: Home Goods
• Whale on wall: Home Goods

• Table and chairs: Given to Annie by a client
• Umbrella: Home Depot
• Pallet bench: Discarded pallets found in the neighborhood for trash; Annie built the bench.

Thanks, Annie and Tom!

(Images: Natalie Grasso)

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