Aliza resides in a 1920s Tudor-style rowhouse in Ednor Gardens.

I spent a spring Saturday morning enjoying tea at her dining room table, admiring the gorgeous landscaping surrounding her home, & geeking over her 50’s style bathroom. Aliza’s home is filled with warmth & comfort with hints of surprise—inside & out.

what year did you purchase your home?

2018

What drew you to this neighborhood?

I am in love with the architectural details and the size of the homes which are larger than a typical rowhome (18 ft wide!), but also not too big to manage or maintain. I also really like that this neighborhood is still affordable and hope it stays that way, and that it is one of the few areas in Baltimore with a diversity of people and incomes. There is also fantastic landscaping on the street with lots of seasonally blooming flowers and trees, especially the azaleas and crepe myrtles.

The landscaping is gorgeous. How has it been maintaining it over the past year?

I haven't done much to maintain the landscaping since there are a few perennials that consistently look nice—redbuds, daffodils, azaleas, peonies, an ornamental cherry, and a crepe myrtle provide flowers throughout the year and don't require too much maintenance. I'd like to do more with the area under the trees, but I'm giving myself a few years to work on the yard.

Aliza, in front of her home in Ednor Gardens.

The living room was painted yellow by a previous owner. Aliza decided to keep the cheerful color and accent it with different shades of blue.

A shady yard provided the perfect place for mushroom logs—with potential to yield shiitake mushrooms for the next five years.

You have a few mushroom logs in your front yard, tell me more about that.

Yes, I don't have much space and the yard is very shady, so my first two thoughts were mushrooms, chickens, and compost worms! The chickens are a bit too much work for me right now, but my compost buddies are very happy and the mushroom log project came together this October. I happened to get lucky by finding a freshly fallen white oak tree in Clifton Park, which are perfect for growing shiitake mushrooms. The logs also look nice in the yard, and should hopefully provide mushrooms for the next five years if all goes well!

Do you know anything about the history of your home or neighborhood?

I always point out to visitors the area that used to be Memorial Stadium, before Camden Yards was built! People are always so surprised to think about the stadium being in such a residential area.

A mirror from Aliza’s grandparents fits perfectly between the existing sconces. The side table was a find from Second Chance.

People pick homes for a variety of reasons—What were the deciding factors for purchasing this home?

Definitely the architectural details in the home, the neighbors I already knew, and a combination of affordability and location.

Do you feel a part of the community where you live?

Yes! I moved in and have met so many awesome neighbors, and found out that many friends live here or have lived here in the past. We have monthly potlucks with a group of neighbors, and a neighborhood association that is proactive and engaged without being overly irritating about small issues.

The front room is lined by large windows on two sides, and the credenza is covered with a wide range of plants.

Did you have a moment in your search when you knew this was your home?

Yes! Pretty much as soon as I walked in.

What’s your favorite room in the house?

This is a tough one… I can’t decide between the upstairs bathroom or the front room!

The upstairs bathroom is a mini time capsule to the 1950s, with pastel purple tiles and mint green accents.

The front room features a wall of exposed rock that mimics the rock seen on the lower exterior of the home.

How would you define your decorating style?

The neighborhood was built beginning in the 1920s – I’m definitely inspired by that time period through the early 1940s. I inherited a few pieces of furniture from my grandparents to reinforce that feel. I also love a simple, modern house with lots of houseplants, with a few eclectic pieces mixed in.

What are some projects/renovations that you’ve done for your home?

I didn’t have to do much. I painted the dining room white, and am hoping to install a sliding glass door so that I can go from the dining room onto the porch more easily.

Is there something you wish you knew before you bought your home?

I’ve learned a lot of little things about home repair – the most important one being how to use powdered graphite to fix a sticky keyhole.

Remnants of handpainted wallpaper remain in Aliza’s bedroom closet. She hopes to have an artist replicate it into a print for her home.

Aliza’s bedroom features a gothic style bed alongside a unique lamp created by her aunt.

How long did it take you to be comfortable in your space?

It took me about six months to feel like it was presentable, and I am still improving on details like adding a sitting area to my bedroom.

Did you use any of the Baltimore home-buying incentive programs?

Unfortunately the Live Near Your Work program ran out of money during the one month period between when I put in my offer and when the purchase went through. So no, but I tried.

The back exterior of the home is painted a light pink, and features a private deck with space for entertaining.

What are your favorite neighborhood spots?

The best spots near me are the YMCA, Ace Hardware, and the Waverly Farmers’ Market on Saturdays!

What’s a question you would like to ask the next Home Profile?

What is your favorite way to be a part of the Baltimore community?