HUGH COMSTOCK’S FAIRYTALE COTTAGES BY THE SEA
Carmel -by-the Sea has enchanting architecture. But the most enchanting to me are the fairytale cottages built by Hugh Comstock. Hugh’s wife, Mayotta, made and sold rag dolls that she named “Otsy -Totsys”. When her dolls outgrew their home , she asked Hugh to build her a Doll House to use for her sales and as a showroom. And so he built
HANSEL
In 1925, Hugh and Mayotta decided to build a second house on their parcel of land and named it
GRETEL
For more about Hansel click on the following links:
And in that same year, they built still another home of adobe and Carmel stone. I love the hand carved trim on
OBERS
For more about Obers, also known as The Comstock House click on the following links
HUGH COMSTOCK’S-OBERS « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
I AM INVITED TO TOUR HUGH COMSTOCK’S COTTAGE « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
I recently located SNOW WHITE’S SUMMER PLACE. It has been for sale and was looking a little neglected.
The Tuck Box was built in 1927. Because of its unusual location it was built on skids in case the owner wanted to move it. It was first used as a restaurant in the early 1930′s and was named “Sally’s”. The building just to the rear was also built by Comstock in 1929 and was used as a garden shop, and much later as The Tuck Box Gift Shop. The kiosk next to the patio gate was added in 1931.
The Tuck Box and The Garden Shop
For more about the Tuck Box click on this link
HUGH COMSTOCK’S THE TUCK BOX « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
Hugh was beginning to need a studio from which to work. Later it became the residence of Mayotta Comstock.
THE STUDIO
For more about the Studio click on
HUGH COMSTOCK- FLOOR PLAN FOR THE STUDIO « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
In the next year, Hugh really outdid himself. Demand for his cottages was strong and he built.
OUR HOUSE
THE BIRTHDAY HOUSE
HUGH COMSTOCK- FLOOR PLAN FOR THE BIRTHDAY HOUSE « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
THE DOLLS HOUSE
HUGH COMSTOCK’S THE DOLL’S HOUSE « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
HONEYMOON
Hugh Comstock’s Honeymoon Cottage « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
FABLES
Hugh Comstock- Floorplan for Fables Cottage « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
and
MARCHEN HAUS
HUGH COMSTOCK’S MARCHEN HAUS- A FAIRYTALE COTTAGE « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
In 1929, just before the stock market crashed, he built
SUNWISETURN
And Curtain Call
HUGH COMSTOCK’S “CURTAIN CALL” « Once upon a time..Tales from Carmel by the Sea
There are still more Comstock cottages in Carmel, but I have not located and photographed them yet. But I will…..
If you too want to find them all ,The CALIFORNIA VISITORS CENTER on San Carlos between 5th & 6th will give you a list with their locations.
HAPPY HUNTING.
Unless otherwise stated, all photographs are copyright (c) Linda Hartong. All rights reserved.
You may not use any image on this site without my written consent. If you are interested in using a photo from my website for any purpose, please send me a quick message and let me know which photo(s) you are interested in.
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If Snow White’s Summer place is looking neglected, I only wish my place had that look! Serious gardening stock-taking this year!
I don’t know who you are, or how I stumbled upon your site but you made my whole day. I have such a yearning for one of these cottages by the sea……currently living exactly opposite from Carmel (at the furthest point, Outer Banks, NC). Photos such as yours are few and far between and i so want to thank you!
all best, paige
I would like to use two of your photos the front views of Hansel & Snow white in a book ,when I was a small child living in Carmel during ww2 I and other small children would walk with Mrs. Smith through the forest of Carmel and at each of these cottages she would tell us kids the story of snow white or Hansel and Gretel telling ust that this is the home of snow white and the seven duarf’s and then commence with the fairytell. We were young enough and still beleived in Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny so we really beleived these tales and watched closely hoping to get a glimps of snow white or a Dwarf. We lived near sixth and Santa Fe. I am a decendent of the Castro family who once owned the Old Castro Adobe and most all of Santa Cruz county. Please e-mail permission
Barry Kibler /Castro
A dream house, a wish, our hearts make… these are truly wonderful cozy homes that can be considered priceless… The homes that Comstock made are magical. Storybook concepts brought to life in a very artistic and skilled manner. Thank you for sharing the photos, they’re fantastic!
I found your blog through someone’s account on Pinterest (who had pinned several of your photos.) I am in Heaven!! I used to live in Sacramento and would visit Carmel-by-the-Sea several times per year. I moved to the midwest ten years ago and miss the California coast, and especially the Carmel/Big Sur area so much. Your blog is outstanding!! I’m so happy I found it. Now I can look and dream and remember…thank you so much.
Cindy
I found your blog through Pinterest. OMG, you made my day, I think my heart smiled out loud. These are the cutest things I have ever seen. I’ve always wanted to visit Carmel by the Sea, but had no idea there were these incredible cottages there. Thanks for the great photography and history on each. What a great blog.
Blessings,
Diana
I came across these gorgeous homes through Pinterest. I have always loved these style homes and am thankful for the opportunity to daydream about them!
Hi Linda, I was putting a page on about Rackham when I found your photos on Comstock and would love to include some on my blog. Your images are fabulous. Have also just pinned a few on Pinterest from your blog, hope that’s okay. Here is url: http://inspirationgreen.com/arthur-rackham-and-hugh-comstock.html please let me know if you approve. Thank you. Best, Keiren
Hello Linda! These cottages are so precious.I have known about them for a long time as I lived in San Diego in the late 50′s It is uplifting just to look at them. I don’t have a business or blog, but would just like to save some of them in my pictures folder enjoy them again&again. If this is not ok,please let me know. Also, are you going to publish a coffee table style book for folks like me that probably will never get to Carmel to be able to see these enchanting, lovely homes when ever we have time to sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy it? Thank You for all smiles please continue.Kind Regards,Marcia
Hi there, I am fascinated by these fairytale cottages of Hugh Comstock and have chosen them as the main focus areas for my architecture dissertation topic. I am talking about the meaning of fairytale architecture, picking out the key points and finding the reasoning behind why they are not used in everyday construction to enhance peoples lives. I was wondering if it would be possible to use any of the photos, as I am unsure on who to contact in regards to copyright law. Also I have decided to focus my attention on four houses, Hansel, Gretel, The Tuck Box and ideally Fables, but I am struggling to find any reputable sources from which I can quote information on fables. I would very much like to use it in my project as I personally hold it as one of my favourites. Any help at all is much appreciated. Kind Regards Alex Rendall
Alex, We are the recent owners of Fables and have just finished a complete restoration of it. Any help we can offer we would be delighted to do so. I just posted a comment on the “Fables ” section here.
One Day~ a Shall Wright My Story~ One Of Awe & Wonder~~~ Which Began with an Image of a Rooftop & Chimney ~ D’JOY