Despite continually overcast skies and rainy weather, our family of five (ages 28-60+) and 2 dogs enjoyed welcoming 2022 (and ushering out 2021!) during our post-Christmas stay at Cranford on the Miles. We had stayed at another (1980s) house nearby, last December. Cranford was much more charming and interesting! Lisa has put a lot of effort into highlighting examples of furnishings and decor of the mid-nineteenth century period, when the house was first built. These were essentially out of reach for small children, although I did manage to break a more day-to-day wine glass that fell from a counter top.
The layout allows for a lot of privacy and quiet spaces, as well as very functional areas for group gatherings. A 15-step staircase with a carved, period railing leads from the living room and dining room side of the original house to the master bedroom. The mbr is large with a comfortable king-size bed, a balcony/porch (above part of the first floor wrap around porch) with an outstanding view overlooking the Miles, and more built-in storage than we could ever use! A laundry and linen storage space (with doors on both sides) separates the master from a second cozy and well appointed bedroom with a high, full-size bed. One step down from that bedroom's door is a full bathroom and the third bedroom with 2 artfully decorated twin beds. Going back up a step there is a large landing/sitting area with a chair and trundle daybed opening on to a second balcony/porch. The landing is at the top of what may have been the location of the back kitchen staircase to the second level, which is reached from the large family/TV room that opens to the kitchen.
Like any nearly 200-year old house, there are some quirks that I found charming, and maintenance is always an ongoing thing. Lisa has taken the time, clearly, to address things as they might come up. She was very accessible by phone and very easy to talk with. Cranford has a mix of casual, child-friendly furnishings and some more “adult-friendly”, but still comfortable pieces. The views are lovely — although we had a lot of wet weather, the morning mist on the water was beautiful. The kitchen was equipped with an abundance of cookware and tableware (especially anything necessary for eating crab!), a large Kitchenaid cooktop, a new-looking dishwasher, and soapstone counters. The washer & dryer also looked new. The house is in a terrific location between Easton and St. Michaels, both with excellent restaurant