- © 2026 Annapolis Home Magazine
- All Rights Reserved
by Charles Green
Photography by Keyanna Bowman, East & Lane
“If I am going to work from home, I want to work on the water.” – Chris Olsen
2020 is a year the world will never forget: COVID-19 infiltrated our lives, casting its net of death. As the disease worsened, Chris and Christie Olsen, then living in Chevy Chase, decided to purchase a second home on the Eastern Shore, where Chris planned to work remotely. “If I am going to work from home, I want to work on the water,” he said.
The couple was part of a pandemic-driven exodus, when many professionals in cities across America moved to the country, hoping to evade the airborne virus. In our region, according to a Coastal Association of Realtors Report, the Eastern Shore became one of the hottest real estate markets in the country, particularly for waterfront properties. Long and Foster realtor Barb Bohan notes that during the pandemic, buyers were especially drawn to towns where they felt less confined: towns where they could walk and avoid crowds and public transportation. “Easton and St. Michaels have always seemed to be smaller versions of Annapolis in that they are vibrant communities. Most importantly, they are extremely walkable.”
The couple is enjoying small-town life from their perch on the Miles River, where crabbers in classic deadrise workboats still ply the waters before dawn. One day, after crossing the bridge, the feeling of peace was so powerful that Christie turned to Chris and said, “I have no desire to ever go back on that bridge again,” she recalls. The decision was made on the spot to live on the Shore full-time, at least for one year.
They found a picturesque waterfront property near St. Michaels and tore down the existing home. The property was so unattractive, “the realtor wouldn’t even get out of the car,” reflects Christie. In its place, they built an Eastern Shore waterfront home, characterized by long porches, sunrooms, and large windows to capture water views and breezes. The builder, Bob Gearhart, founder of Focus Construction, comments that “the level of detail in this house is significant, but it is balanced and doesn’t feel overdone. It is designed in an historic southern traditional style with modern amenities, yet it is very comfortable.”
During the construction process, Laura Butler of Butler Interior Design helped the couple discover their own personal style. She presented them with a “concept package” with colors, fabrics, furnishings, finishes, and more. Feeling a bit overwhelmed after five hours, Chris excused himself and said, jokingly: “It was so nice to meet you, I don’t ever want to see you again.” However, Butler and Christie “clicked.” The result? A serene interior, with the fresh whites Chris prefers and the moodier dramatic shades that Christie likes, conducive to both contemplation and entertaining. Much of the trim is classical, like many historic southern homes in Charlestown, where Chris grew up. In fact, Butler spent quite a bit of time ensuring that the elaborate trim work in the architectural drawings by The Rowe Company was executed in real life. The ceilings are different heights, to give the impression of a home lovingly added on to over time.
Every room seems to speak to another, sharing a calm and confident design language. Often rooms are saturated with one single yet subtle shifting color, such as Boothbay Gray in the scullery room. “Boothbay Gray was a chameleon paint that changed with the light throughout the day,” says Butler. Concentrated doses of pure color may be the key to this home’s allure. “I think when you are color-saturating a room, it is nice when you don’t have a different material interrupting, like a tile that has a sheen; I think that’s what makes it harmonious,”
she shares.
Equipped with an extra-large marble island in the center, the spacious kitchen doubles as an informal dance hall during parties. According to Butler, when selecting marble, especially, she educates her clients on how it ages, sustains scratches, and becomes porous, while still retaining its beauty. The effect is a kitchen that looks “homey and lived in,” says Christie, “like an Italian kitchen.”
One issue the homeowners had to contend with was the near-constant wind from the Miles. They cannot have furniture on their long, second-floor balcony, for fear it will fly into the window. On the other hand, they can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about the elements on the side porch, which feels cozy and intimate, with its comfortable chairs and a brick floor.
To encourage interaction, the home has very few doors. Butler had to ensure that guests could move freely in the great room, so he created six entry points for the living room.
In her design scheme, Butler had to consider the Olsens’ dog, Nogi. The custom sectionals in the family and sitting rooms are relaxed, comfortable, and upholstered with pet-friendly materials. In addition to the durable living room furniture, she came up with custom brass mesh gates that confine Nogi within the utility area when necessary. She also made the front door a Dutch door so the top portion can stay open for airflow while keeping Nogi safely inside. Even so, Nogi travels freely throughout the house, keeping a close watch on her territory.
Situated in its own wing, the first-floor master bedroom affords privacy even when the house is full of guests. With a four-poster bed against the far wall, the room feels just the right size for two people. Additional ensuite bedrooms are on the second floor of this 7,000 square-foot home.
The house exudes a graceful, casual feeling and an unusual sense of repose. It may be the equipoise of the generous sectionals that invite lounging, or the way the western light lingers in the living room, as if resting after time-traveling from the center of the solar system. Or it could be the way the furnishings all perform together, like a philharmonic; even the light fixtures play their part. There is a sense that all the “heavy lifting” has been done. Perhaps this is the true work of an interior designer. With issues big and small taken care of in their home’s physical realm, Chris and Christie can devote more time to the things that bring them joy.
ARCHITECTURE: The Rowe Company
CUSTOM BUILDING: Focus Construction
INTERIOR DESIGN: Laura Butler, Butler Interior Design
LANDSCAPE: Solidago Landscapes
POOL: Costal Pools
Cabinetry – Richwood, Ltd.
Fireplace – François & Co.
Flooring – Tuckahoe Hardwoods
Staircase – Warren’s Woodworks
Tile – Chesapeake Tile & Marble
Windows and Doors – Marvin Windows and Doors
© Annapolis Home Magazine
Vol. 17, No. 3 2026