STONE COTTAGE BY THE SEA

The Story
Previously a surf shack, this now-elegant stone cottage in Carmel called their names and drew them away from their former home in San Francisco. Perfectly situated a short walk from her studio and a mere two blocks from the beach, they are living their next chapter in life. A new town and a new focus. They brought many loved pieces from their previous life with them while letting other beloved pieces go to a new home.

The Design
“I would like a dining room that is distinctive and warm, not just a pass-through from the kitchen to the living room,” wished my client, who loves to entertain. Finding a stunning Edward Wormley burl wood dining table set the tone, unlocking a sense of genteel elegance and re-imagining the entire space.

The project grew from that point on, mixing new pieces, fabrics, and textures with beautiful collected antiques and cherished family heirlooms. Not leaving a stone unturned, the home radiates their new life in Carmel.

The Result
Working with beloved pieces is always a jumping-off point for making something new, collected, and cherished. Creating a new life in a new town did not mean having to leave the past behind; instead, mixing the old and the new created a sanctuary that honors their history while seamlessly incorporating the family's new coastal setting.

Photography by Rick Pharaoh