Fairytale Cottages by the Sea

The Studio | Photo © Linda Hartong

Hugh Comstock was an architect and builder, best known for his unique and fabulous cottages in Carmel, California.

It all started when Hugh’s wife Mayotta, who made rag dolls, asked Hugh to build a doll house where she could exhibit her dolls. And so grew the first house “Hansel”. This cottage was only the beginning of a series of fairytale houses in the Carmel area.

In 1925, when he built the first house, Comstock did not even dream of one day becoming recognized as the architectural character of the design for Carmel by the Sea. Back in the twenties these constructions were very special but due to their uniqueness they are a big attraction even today.

The charming cottages are even more graceful with all the fairytale details around the houses

Besides the lovely architecture, wicker chairs, little tables, decorative birdhouses and swings hanging from trees create an even more enchanting appeal.

Many elements in and around the houses were made with great detail, such as the shutters and hand-carved gates and fences. It is clear that a lot of effort and particularly love was invested in these cottages.

More about the cottages on Linda Hartong’s blog.