The Historic Fairytale Cottages of Carmel CA

The streets of Carmel CA are lined with some of the most charming historic cottages that I have ever seen. 20 plus story book cottages that were built in the 1920's by Hugh Comstock (1893-1950) who had no previous building experience when he started out.

This charmer must be the most photographed of them all! It's name is Hansel. Via Velvet and Linen.

And then there is Gretel! Located on Torres near 6th. This cottage was inspired by the watercolor illustrations of the British children's book illustrator Arthur Rackham.

The little cottages seemed to grow from the ground they rested on. Hugh purposefully did not use a carpenter's level, so the lines were untrue and the chimneys crooked.

Hugh Comstock's own studio, built in 1927, corner of Santa Fe and 6th, was inspired by an English country house. The exterior walls are stuccoed and trimmed with wood, irregularly carved, at cornices, windows and doors. The roof is steeply pitched with irregularly-cut shakes.
Historic fairytale cottages of Carmel CA are photographed by Linda Hartong and are available as prints via Imagekind. I think she captured them all! And if you visit Carmel, a list with addresses of the cottages can be obtained from the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center.