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 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!
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!
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?
I can't believe our trip to Paris is in a few short weeks! There are so many places I'm dying to visit but one of them is definitely 
Little gossipy tidbit - Princess Di had her last meal just around the corner at the ritz and passed here on her infamous way home to london. Obviously not why I want to visit though, the pictures provide the reason! Anyone hungry?
The church has led an important roll in the city through the years. In 1973 the state funeral of Lyndon Johnson was held here. Also, for years the church has had an impact on the musical life of the city both through daily concerts at noon and a weekly radio broadcast of its famous organ.
The shelter is entered from the side through a quiet, gated courtyard.
Even from a distance it is hard not to notice! In fact, it's one of the things that drew me to this neighborhood in the first place.
In the September Issue of 
I love the architectural sofa that Lori designed, 
I always love these vintage magazines! Mostly I like to look at how things have become 'dated' (to see what types of mistakes to avoid in the future) but once in awhile a project comes along that is truly timeless.
The project was a 'white elephant' which had been turned into a duplex in New Orleans. The interiors were done by Ann Holden and Ann Dupuy, of antique store fame, while the remodel was masterminded by the architect 
Also, another thing I loved was that Martha Stewart made the cover! A star even in 1985....
Do you have a favorite house in your neighborhood? Maybe it's one you've never even been in but you always look at it longingly? This townhouse up the street has always intrigued me. I think I can honestly say it's my favorite house in Dupont Circle in this case. A bit quirky, the style doesn't really fit in with the stereotypical red brick Victorian rowhouses nor with the grand beaux arts mansions in this area. Instead -it combines the best features of both!
The plaque near the door says that it was built in the early 20th century for a local architect -HIS dream house: No wonder I have such a connection with it! Grand but not large with a beautiful garden to welcome you, I can only imagine how beautiful the insides is! Sometimes the mystery is the best part -I can conjur up my dream interiors to match the exterior!
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