Design with Jenn Martella: Small Changes Make a Big Impact
Five years ago, I featured this distinctive property in St. Michaels’ Historic District. The property now has a new Owner whom I met recently and she told me about her changes to the landscape and interiors. I was quite intrigued as her style differed from the previous Owners. Since many of you take advantage of […]
Wine of the Week: Umbria IGT Grechetto from Argillae Winery
Ciao Tutti! This weekend we will taste a new Grechetto, the Umbria IGT Grechetto ($22.25, 12.5 % ABV) from the Argillae winery near the town of Allerona in the hills northwest of the famous city of Orvieto. The name “Argillae” is derived from Latin “argilla” for clay, since the area in this part of Umbria […]
Design with Jenn Martella: Old and New in Rock Hall
When I first moved to the Eastern Shore, I worked part time for another architect in Wilmington until I could establish my own practice. One of my colleagues had a weekend cottage in Rock Hall and encouraged me to discover this charming village that is known as the “Pearl of the Chesapeake”. After that first […]
Wine of the Week: Vino Rosso Gaio Gaio 2022 from Calabretta Azienda Vinicola
Ciao Tutti! I hope everyone had a very happy holiday season and Happy New Year! For our first wine tasting in 2026, our selection is the Vino Rosso Gaio Gaio 2022 ($21.50, 15.5% ABV) from the Calabretta Azienda Vinicola in Randazzo, Catania, Sicily. The vineyard lies in the shadow of Mt. Etna, the largest and […]
Design with Jenn Martella: New Year-New Duplex
Since today is the first House of the Week for the new year, it is fitting that a new house rings in this new year. As an architect who has designed houses for several urban design projects, I know how important it is to infill older neighborhoods’ vacant lots with new housing that blends seamlessly […]
Design with Jenn Martella: A Christmas Card: “The Snuggery”
Design with Jenn Martella: A Christmas Card: “The Snuggery” Each year, I enjoy being a volunteer for the Christmas in St. Michaels Tour of Homes. The event is always sold out, so today I offer a Christmas Card to all of you who were not able to join the tour. I am delighted to feature […]
Wine of the Week: Holiday 2025 Trio
Ciao Tutti! As the holiday song says, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”, for at Piazza Italian Market this weekend, we will be offering three tastings for your consideration to accompany your holiday feasts. For a bubbly, we offer the Bosco Di Gica Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Sparkling Wine Brut DOCG 2025 ($27.75, ABV […]
Design with Jenn Martella: Royal Oak Mid-Century Modern
Since last week’s feature was an exquisite historic house, I was thrilled to find this equally exquisite mid-century modern house in Royal Oak for today’s feature. The house is surrounded by tall Loblolly pines with their “feather duster” canopies that provide unobstructed views of Irish Creek. As I walked around the house, I admired how […]
Wine of the Week: Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG from the Cieck Winery
Ciao Tutti! This weekend at Piazza Italian Market, we will taste the Erbaluce di Caluso DOCG ($19.50, 12.5% ABV) from the Cieck winery in San Giorgio Canavese, near Turin in Piemonte. “Erbaluce” translates as “dawn light” for the grape’s pale yellow-green color that resembles dawn’s early light. “Cieck” was the name of an old farmhouse […]
House of the Week: Treasure in Trappe
Several of my friends who wanted to purchase historic houses and found Easton’s Historic District too costly have discovered Trappe. Being a history buff, I am always curious to know the origin of a town’s name. I learned Trappe was incorporated in 1827 and its name may have been inspired by either wolf traps or […]