It’s not often that you hear of a person buying a classic cottage only to find out later that it was built by the grandfather of a longtime friend. That was the experience of Greg Linder when he purchased his 1929 cottage in Carmel-by-the-Sea a few years ago. Always inquisitive, Greg traced the chain of title through city records. A further scan of local reference books, particularly Linda Leigh Paul’s Cottages by the Sea, revealed that the original builder, George Whitcomb, was considered a master builder in what was then a very small and newly emerging town. Though an addition may have been made to the structure in the 1940s, it remains pretty much as one would have found it in the late 1920s—small, simple and comfortable.
The recently trellised front door will one day welcome visitors into this intimate seaside cottage with stands of climbing roses. The original sixteen-inch redwood shingles, now painted sea-foam blue, give the home a strong New England sensibility. Greg notes, “Many visitors have asked whether it has an East Coast connection and comment how extraordinarily comfortable it is. They claim it feels as if they’ve stayed here in a past life.” It wouldn’t be surprising if guests turned on the vintage radio kept on an antique bed stand and heard Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller. Surreal and comfortable—now that’s cottage living!
Good use of french doors through the cottage has turned a small home into a large and livable space—a complete outdoor-indoor solution. The brick patio, accessible from the living room and a bedroom, is surrounded by trees and coastal shrub and, when combined with the salt air of nearby Carmel Bay, makes for a potent scent that keeps guests glued to the property. Positioned around the patio are restored garden chairs from the 1930s and two original canvas beach umbrellas prevalent in the 1920s. One of the umbrellas sports an advertisement for a turn-of-the-century hardware store. The oranges and greens of the chairs add a powerful dose of color and excitement to the patio. “I enjoy reading and spending long hours out here with Gus, my Jack Russell terrier. Every once and a while I pause and imagine the likes of John Steinbeck and Jack London walking by the house,” says Greg. Not a far-fetched idea as both writers frequented the young town during its earlier Bohemian days.
Parked nearby is a small classic Airstream trailer that Greg uses on vacation trips from time to time. It was completely stocked and ready to go the day Tom Lamb and I visited. Greg was busy during our visit loading armfuls of classic 1930 game boards. Greg noted, “The wonderful thing about Airstream ownership is the camaraderie amongst owners. We’ll drive all day and land a spot in a park around late afternoon. After breaking out the lawn chairs, table, board games, beverages and snacks, and lighting a campfire, it won’t be long before fellow “Airstreamers” gather for an evening of great conversation around the campfire.” Happy trails, Greg and Gus!
Just steps from the beach, the cottage entrance captures the feel of the sea with vintage tackle and buoys.
One view of the guest bedroom highlights a collection of antique paddles. A primitive seascape looks down on a 1940s radio next to the colorful guest bed cover.
It wouldn’t be surprising if guests turned on the vintage radio kept on an antique bed stand and heard Tommy Dorsey or Glenn Miller.
An oil painting by noted Santa Fe artist Jean Jack tops the guest bed.
Vintage tackle adorns several outside walls and the surrounding fence.
A 1940s multicolored Erector Ferris wheel works perfectly as a folk art piece within the cottage.
A colorful and perfect patio setting accented by a hard-to-find 1920 canvas umbrella.
Inside a classic Airstream trailer, 1930s board games are readied for an upcoming trip.
The salt air of nearby Carmel Bay makes for a potent scent that keeps guests glued to the property.