DAISY’S PLACE – THE DAISY BOSTICK HOUSE

I walk by this cottage every trip we make to  Carmel. 

I am so taken by the picket fence, roses and arbor. I photograph it often and post the photos on flickr ( a photo sharing site).

Many people are quite taken with it including author Debbie Macomber. She loves it so much , she has one of her artists contact me about using the image for one of her book covers. Of course, I am thrilled and contact the owner who gives her permission. In the end , Mrs Macomber uses this image for the cover

– but I think I see that the cottage was the inspiration. 

This trip when I walk by, the No Parking sign is gone.  I walk down the path past the kissing rabbits

The inquisitive turtle

And the resident “guard” bird

The white bench by the door informs me that this is Daisy’s Place

I tack a note on the door for the owner

And make my way around the yard

Within a few days, I find that the house is for sale. I also find out that it is on Carmel’s Historic Register of Homes and was the first home of Daisy Bostick.

Daisy was a San Jose high school teacher who first came to Carmel in 1910, living for a time with the Perry Newberry family. She was an early manager of the Pine Inn, one of the dance directors of the forest Theater and sold the first advertising for the Pine Cone newspaper in 1915.

 After a trip to Europe, she returned to Carmel in 1918 and sold real estate while working as a writer. She purchased the garage that occupied this site and converted it into her first Carmel home in 1920-21. Bostick continued to purchase real estate and design or remodel residential housing units.

 She is best remembered for her writing and publication of “ Carmel at Work and Play”, w/ Dorthea Castelhun in 1925. Carmelites owe her much, for she was either at the scene of or a part of much of what was going on, and took the time to make notes about it all.

 Bostick’s characterization of Carmel residential housing in 1925 could be a description of her Lincoln St. Home. “…most of the houses look as if they had grown as naturally as the pines. Little low redwood cottages snuggle in among the silver trunks of oaks, they hide back of masses of wild lilac or peep out over the tops of quaint, moss flecked wooden palings.”

The second owner added the east wing in 1925 and yet another owner added the south wing in 1931, all in keeping with the original cottage character of the building.

 

Carmel builders, Don McBride and Frank Bruno  remodel and restore the the historic house that sits on two lots.. The restoration inclueds high ceilings, a great room, two stone fireplaces, library, three bedrooms and 2.5 baths. 

When I learn the house is being held open, of course I make time to visit.

I love the simple, cushioned bench in the entry.

From there it is one step up to the great room 

with its vaulted ceiling 

and window seat

As I turn toward the library

A pillow announces “one can never have too many DOGS”. 

I love the cozy feeling in this 

Book lined room.

A bowl of shells is on the table.

Back out to the dining part of the Great Room 

Open to the kitchen with its smashing turquoise blue cabinets

From here one has a lovely view of this entire space.

A hallway passes by one side of the kitchen

And another hallway leads

to the Master bedroom

The french door lead to the front patio I like so much 

Blueware perches on a ledge over the window.

The master bath is quite elegant

Love the sink and faucets.

Back out down the hall

Past display shelves in the hall

And more shells

Now down a short flight of stairs to two small guest rooms

One of which opens to the side yard.

They share a bath

I love the way the owner has repeated her seashells around the house.

She has her copy of Daisy’s book ( newly reissued) proudly displayed on her coffee table.

She has collected many pieces of art by Suzannne Etienne  and I am so taken with it I include the link for us. The Art of Suzanne Etienne

What a treat to have visited “Daisy’s Place”.