Home Buying

Famed children’s book illustrator Ed Emberley lists Ipswich property

Many historic homes have drawing rooms. This house, which dates to the 1600s, takes it literally.

The Colonial at 6 Water St. in Ipswich sits on 0.34 of an acre across the street from the Ipswich River. BostonREP

April 21, 2023

1 minute to read

Beloved illustrator Ed Emberley’s Ipswich home and studio are nothing short of masterpieces, and now they’re on the market for $1,250,000.

The five-bedroom, four-bath (3 full, 1 half) home at 6 Water St. has served as Emberley’s home and creative space for the past 60 years. Measuring 3,672 square feet, the property sits on 0.336 acres and is officially known as the “Preston-Foster House,” a First-Period home built in the 1600s on the banks of the Ipswich River.

An aerial view of the home, which sits across the street from a river. The trees are March bare. — . – Bret Osswald

“The location in Ipswich can’t be beat — the history and the cache of Ed Emberley,” said Nicole Monahan of the Monahan Barker Team at LandVes t, who has the listing. “I think also the juxtaposition of the old house with the new elements, it’s artistic and functional.”

A detail shot of stairs next to a series of drawers painted sage. — . – Sian Richards

An unfurnished room with wood flooring, white walls, exposed beams, and muntin-less doors to the backyard. — . – Sian Richards

A room with exposed beams, a wood ceiling, coral color walls, and a light-colored couch. — . – Sian Richards

Restored to perfection to fuse the historic qualities with modern amenities, the home features stunning features like oversized beams, natural paneling, and a cedar shake roof.

Step inside, and to the right is the main living area, where you’ll find horizontal feather-edge paneling and a walk-in fireplace surrounded by brick. To the left is the library room, with views of the river, painted wood floors, and a deep brick fireplace.

A room with coral-colored walls and trim, exposed beams, a big brick fireplace, and a small table with Windsor chairs. — . – Sian Richards

A room with a white ceiling, exposed beams painted sage, and a dining table on an oriental rug. — . – Sian Richards

The kitchen and Beverly Jog were added in the 1800s and are adjacent to the dining room, which features another fireplace. A luxurious first-floor bedroom suite, which could also function as a family room, was added in 2014. It features wide-pine floors and sliding glass French doors that open to the courtyard, as well as a spa bathroom with radiant heat, a soaking tub, a shower, and two wall-mounted sinks.

A room with exposed rafters and beams, hardwood flooring, a a blue- and red-square rug, dressers, and a bed with blue bedding. — . – Sian Richards

MOre on spring house hunt

A "wet room" bathroom with gray tile walls, a shower with a seat, and tub clad in wood. — . – Sian Richards

A bathroom with grayish-sage trim and white walls. Two wall-mounted sinks hang above a tile floor, while a corner cabinet holds court in the back right, and a stool is seen under a window in a room in the background. — . – Sian Richards

On the second floor, you’ll find the original bedroom, as well as a second that currently functions as Emberley’s art studio. The space features painted wood floors, exposed ceiling beams, and a fireplace with a brick hearth. There are two mirror-image bedrooms on the second floor as well.