7311 Bellona Ave, Baltimore, MD 21212

An unassuming driveway, marked only by a collection of mailboxes atop a stacked-stone planter of posies, winds up a rolling hill of perfectly scaped lawn, along a log fence shaded by a mature tree-line. Passing several of the five homes in cherished Martin’s Choice, just beyond the shared tennis court, a subtle turn leads under a canopy of fir branches and curves up to 7311 Bellona and its meticulous presentation of late 70’s mid-century modernism, giant rectangles and triangles, interconnected with symmetry, balance and the geometry of perfectly placed windows interrupting the vertical grid of its plankings’ parallel infinity. Perfect geometry continues up the flag stone steps to the pair of monolithic front doors that mirror the proportions of the plate glass above them. The 70’s were a time of open floor-plans and this foyer immediately demonstrates with sight lines to the living room, the dining room and the kitchen-adjacent den. To the left, a step down into the living room. Built-in shelves cover the rear wall, the free-standing chimney partially hides them creating a mini-library that enjoys its own sky light. A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the back deck, the opposite corners each offer the same floor-to-ceiling glass; light pours in with the trees forming backdrop of green that fill all of the frames. Back to the foyer, a 2013 addition has added a breakfast nook just beneath another wall of windows with a view of the rear patio and yard back to the wooded part of the property. A den with wood fireplace shares its space with the kitchen, a 2013 remodel with a timeless aesthetic. A laundry room (with 2nd Floor laundry chute) leads to a mud room that opens to the front walk, the back yard and the two-car garage. Off the kitchen, a separate, formal dining room has obvious potential for entertaining. The stairs, rounded by the turret, lead to the second floor’s sun-filled landing, the giant front window, the skylights, the linear intersections of railings, doorframes and rooflines continue the mathematical flawlessness. A primary suite enjoys the natural light poured from a third-level clearstory on the left.. and the four giant plate glass windows overlooking the pool on the right. A private bath, with tiled shower and soaking tub, accesses the walk-in closet. On the other side of the landing, three ample sized bedrooms line the east side of the main house. Down the hall, next to the second bedroom, is a shared full bath. Between Bedrooms Three and Four, a Jack-and-Jill joins the two. A Fifth Bedroom and Private Full Bath, created by the addition sits at the top of the stairs. Down the stairs, to the lower level, one finds a utility room to the right with storage and mechanics. To the left, past a fifth Full Bath, one finds the Walkout Family Room. With windows overlooking the side yard and the pool, this space can be a gym, a guest room, perfect for pool guests with access to the bathroom. Stepping outside, one is reminded that these grounds are more than just scenery for huge windows. A large rolling hill creates a sweeping tree-topped view from the front while the left yard feels like a shaded meadow. The right yard gets perfect exposure as it winds around the garage to the fenced back yard. Abutted by private woods, this backyard is perfect for all those backyard things: maybe a lacrosse goal or a jungle gym, a garden, or a tented party. Off the Family Room, a covered patio is ready for the grill. Off the main foyer, the cedar deck offers plenty of space for dining and entertaining. Finally, to complete the bucolic experience after a morning stroll in the rear woods, take a swim in the saltwater heated pool. With the shroud of the woods behind and acreage in front, it’s not very often that one finds a home, so well placed on a piece of land, that the comfort of seclusion comes without any of the inconvenience of distance. It feels like the middle of nowhere but in the middle of it all.