THE TEN WINKEL HOUSE- ON CARMEL’S HISTORIC REGISTER

When I first spot this cottage in 2010, It is love at first sight. When I dream of a “Happily Ever After” house, it looks just like this. 

Carmel Master-builder M.J. Murphy builds this house in 1925 for Carmel businessman Frederick Ten Winkel. Mr Ten Winkel operates a furniture and hardware store on Ocean Ave. It is likely that he sees Murphy’ office and asks for a home quite like it. 

“It is a one-and one-half story Tudor style building. Murphy’s Tudor cottages were less whimsical than the work of his chief competitor, Hugh Comstock, but easier to live in.”- Kent Seavey

Every time we come to Carmel, I wander by and ring the bell but my only greeter is a tiny , barking rat terrier who will guard this home with her life. I slip cards under the door each time to no avail.

I finally ask Mrs. Condry, who also lives in a Murphy cottage if she know who owns the house. Of course she does.

It is no wonder I have not been able to find the owners at home. Wayne and Phyllis Kelley have lived in the house since 1970.

They are very busy people.  “Wayne served for seven years on Carmel’s Forest and Beach Commission and remains active in Friends of Carmel Forest as a volunteer, planting and caring for city trees. A member of the first docent class at Point Lobos State Park, he has conducted tours and given school presentations for 27 years.

A former board member of the Carmel Residents Association, Kelley has participated for 18 years in the group’s monthly beach cleanup, for which he has designed and made most of the unique tools used by volunteers to pick up trash and sift out the sand. This active man also enjoys wood carving at the Carmel Foundation.

Wayne and his wife Phyllis participated in the Carmel Fire Department’s Neighborhood Emergency Response Program, which prepares citizens to stand ready to assist neighbors and the community in time of need. For ten years he volunteered for Hospice and he still routinely visits shut-ins on behalf of his church.

Supports the Carmel Mission and the Carmel Heritage society.”- taken from “Wayne Kelley named 2007 Citizen of the Year”

I admire the house from outside the gate

The bells jingle when I enter

And walk up the path

This really does look a lot like M.J. Murphy’s office. 

To my right is a formal boxwood garden

To my left is a sign announcing An Neadin. I later find that Mr. Kelley is Irish ( how surprising) and that An Nead is in the highlands of the U.K.

Small stepping-stones lead to a bench,

And this small dog house with its marker. Clearly dogs are greatly loved in this house.

I admire the geranium planted window box and shutters.

Even a second story window sports pink geraniums.

I climb the steps to the front door

So Carmel

Evidence of their deep faith is everywhere.

It is here that I am “barked at” so furiously. Let me tell you there is no greater deterrent to trespassers than a barking dog.

I abandon the porch and walk around the north side of the house 

And out the back gate

More bells jingling.

I love the sign on the garage door. It would seem that Mr. Kelley is a “‘car guy”.

One more glance at my dream house and I head up the street.

Even in the parking in front of the house, the Kelley’s have created a small bed of roses, hydrangea and foxglove blooming away.