MY HOUSES SAGA 3:

211 MUNSON STREET, 
Rehoboth Beach, DE.

I wanted to spend the rest of my life at 211 Munson St. It was a superb home—beautiful, exciting and in a resort beach town. 

Following is a 2001 description of 211 for the RB House Tour:

RECORDS SHOW THE ORGINAL CENTRAL ONE-THIRD OF THE HOUSE WAS BUILT IN I917. IT WAS MOVED TO THIS LOCATION IN THE 194Os AND THE TWO EXTENSIONS ON EITHER SIDE ADDED. THE EARLY STRUCTURE IS VISIBLE ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSE WHERE THE RAFTERS PROTRUDE UNDER THE ROOF, WHILE THE TWO ADDITIONS USE TRUSSES THAT HAVE SHORT TAIL-ENDS. 

THIS WAS CONFIRMED WITH THE 1999 RENOVATION THAT FOUND ‘KNOB & TUBE' WIRING STILL IT USE IN THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE ATTIC. SOME STILL EXTSTS IN THE GARAGE BUT HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED.

IN THE 197Os, A RENOWNED, INTERNATIONALLY FAMOUS DESIGNER FROM WASHINGTON, D.C. (ANTONY CHILDS), RENOVATED HIS HOME-AWAY-FROM-HOME, ADDING THE WONDERFUL FLOOR-TO-CEILING EXTERIOR DOORS & WINDOWS 

AND HAD WALLS REMOVED TO ‘OPEN-UP' THE INTERIOR OF THE HOUSE AND TO BRING IN LOTS OF LIGHT.

WHEN ARCHITECT DON VOTH, THE CURRENT OWNER, BOUGHT THE HOUSE IN 1998, HE SAW MANY POSSIBILITIES FOR A UNIQUE AND EXCITING HOME. (DON IS A RETIRED PRISON ARCHITECT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.) HE MADE AN EXCELLENT BUY, PARTIALLY DUE TO THE MAJOR STRUCTUAL PROBLEMS. HE'S HAD TO SHORE UP THE ENTIRE HOUSE WITH STEEL BEAMS AND COLUMNS IN THE BASEMENT. THE ENTIRE ROOF STRUCTURE WAS QUITE UNSTABLE AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED, DOWN TO THE BEDROOM CEILINGS. 

Drew replacing the roof structure.

ALSO, CENTRAL HEAT AND AIR WERE INSTALLED; AS WELL AS EVERY INCH OF ELECTRIAL WIRING WAS REPLACED. THIS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT THE EXCELLENT CONSTRUCTION KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF DREW NAYLOR OF LEWES.

THE SECOND FLOOR ROOM CALLED 'THE LANDING' NOW HAS A PEAKED CEILING WITH A MOTORIZED SKYLIGHT AND FUTURISTIC FAN. WHEN MR. VOTH SAW THE MURALS IN 'THE PURPLE PARROT’, HE COMMISSIONED THE ARTIST (MATT WILLEY, NYC) TO PAINT THE ENTIRE ROOM AS IF IN THE TREETOPS OF A SOUTH AMERICAN JUNGLE AT SUNRISE. 

THE REST OF THE HOUSE IS PAINTED OFF-WHITE TO COMPLIMENT THE MURAL.

THE BACKYARD REMAINS A PRIVATE OASIS, WITH THE WISTERIA LOGGIA, TWELVE TREES AND A THICK STAND OF BAMBOO.

       IN THE SUMMER — IT'S ON THE SCREENED PORCH RELAXING AFTER THE BEACH; HAVING LUNCH ON A TRAY; UNDER THE WISTERIA HAVING MORNING COFFEE; OPENING UP THE HOUSE FULLY FOR A PARTY OR A COOK-OUT IN THE BACKYARD AND FINALLY... WAITING FOR THE CROWDS TO GO HOME.

      IN THE WINTER — IT'S VERY NICE TOO: SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM FRONT CHAIRS, WATCHING A SNOWFALL; HAVING A WARM FIRE IN THE BIG FIREPLACE; READING A BOOK ON A WINDOW SEAT; OBSERVING THE WINTER WILDLIFE AMONG THE SNOW-LADDEN BAMBOO, ANTICIPATING SUMMER AND FINALLY... WANTING THE CROWDS TO COME BACK AGAIN.

But alas, circumstances beyond my control made me leave my home. My new home in Milton, though, offers great friends in a very friendly town, in a lovely house.

$250,000 - $1,050,000

Next, 919 MASSACHUSETTS AVE, NE, D.C.