Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Seaside cottages

Since I'm away at the beach, I figured it was a good time to show some seaside cottages. Not the Newport variety, but actual cottages. The book 'Cottages by the Sea' by Linda Leigh Paul features a number of amazing cottages in Carmel, California. I had 2 favorites that I want to share with you.
The house seen at the top images of the post is called 'Hansel' -aptly named, don't you think? The street side is a quiet, almost fairy-tale cottage. The handmade quality of the finishes just adds to the charm. The designer, Hugh Comstock, designed the place in a folk tudor style to showcase his wive's 'Otsy-Totsy' dolls in 1924 to show to potential buyers as they had overflowed their own home. The interior is small at 300 SF but adorable. Efficient little beach cottage perfect for 1 or 2! I love the soaring ceiling. Thats a guest loft up the ladder from the living room.
Less of a cottage than a small house, the second project is more my speed to actually live in. I love this house!
The Hasenyager House was built in 1931 by MJ Murphy in a French Tudor style and was restored in 1987.The house, typical of the time period, features forest-green painted steel windows. You know I love those! I especially love this large rounded bay window in the living room seen above and below.
The garden is divided into 'rooms' and features a treasure trove of plants - roses, lupine, forget-me-nots, wisteria, iris, rhododendrons, lilacs, lavendar and rare trees. A perfect cottage garden!
The interiors are still cozy but not as tiny as the hansel house. I love the wood floors and beams.
The kitchen is obviously from the 1987 remodel but I don't mind it -the white cabinets and appliances are very beachy and I love the addition of the beautiful rugs and blue cabinet.
This is a book that is definitely worth checking out!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Le Bois des Moutiers

Le Bois des Moutiers is an arts & crafts house in Varengeville-Sur-Mer, France by the well known english architect Edwin Lutyens. The house sits in a remarkable garden designed by Gertrude Jekyll. Because of the dry rocky soil, the garden lacks the lushness of its' British counterparts and has a distinct look to it.
Visit the website

Monday, August 10, 2009

St Marys, Wellingborough

Wellingborough is a town in Northamptonshire, England, which houses a spectacular cathedral, St. Marys.
Designed by Sir Ninian Comper starting at the turn of the 20th century (1906), the church was finally completed in the late 1930s. He designed the building, furnishings and beautiful windows.
Comper was a Scottish architect, known as one of the last Gothic Revival practitioners. He was knighted in 1950 by king George VI before his death in 1960 at the age of 96. Comper's greatest achievement many say, was this church of St. Marys: his masterpiece.The work was paid for by 3 unmarried sisters who lived nearby. Can you imagine how proud they must have been?
Church website
Unpublished article about Comper written by his great-nephew
Photos courtesy of my Australian friend who visited last month.