English by Angela Feng
Photography by Matthew Millman
Carmel-by-the-Sea, a small beach town on California’s Monterey Peninsula, is one of America’s most beautiful places to live. Despite being only 1 square mile, it offers residents both a European-style village and a white-sand island experience. With its fairytale-like cottages, bustling artistic scene, and stunning natural landscapes, there is no better place to grow up.
The town sits adjacent to Carmel Bay, an idyllic retreat known for its peaceful beach and crystal blue waters. The homeowners purchased this 4,019-square-foot home after falling in love with its spectacular views of the bay. The spaciousness of the residence also made it the perfect fit for their large family.
Natural Elegance
The family wanted the home to have a feeling of casual comfort and to foster a stronger connection with the surrounding scenery. Mary Ann Schicketanz, founder and principal architect at Studio Schicketanz, led the renovation process. The original house was full of mismatched architectural elements, which presented a challenge for the designers. While it would have been easier to tear down the old structures and rebuild from scratch, Schicketanz wanted to avoid this approach, as her firm is committed to sustainability and waste-reduction.
The team was able to successfully modernize and open up the home without making too many changes to the structure. In fact, Schicketanz managed to rebuild the entire ocean frontage without changing an inch of square footage. The biggest modification was the removal of the cone-shaped roofs, which had blocked much of the seascape from the second floor. This was replaced with a terraced green roof that overlooked the bay—a sophisticated and eco-friendly addition.
Further adjustments were made to comfortably accommodate all of the owners’ children, including an additional bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. The dining and living rooms were rebuilt into square shapes that were more consistent with other elements of the house, and glazed openings were enlarged to maximize natural light and ocean views.
Casual Comfort
The designer chose a soft, neutral color palette to create a pleasant and welcoming ambiance. This is reflected in the practical yet elegant white oak floors throughout the home. In the living room, the large tan sectional from Harbinger is accessorized with chic accent pillows by Marilet Pretorius Designs. A bright-red decorative bowl sits on the dark oak coffee table, adding a lively pop of color.
The kitchen is the owners’ favorite room. As a close-knit Italian family, their love involves sharing food with one another. A custom Mugnaini pizza oven made from locally sourced stone is the centerpiece. The striking piece not only ties the room together, but also provides the perfect family-bonding activity.
Gray oak cabinetry by Christopher Peacock and a marble sink by Hunt Studios further elevate the space. The kitchen is connected to an adjoining patio, which is furnished with woven chairs by Summit that give off a bohemian vibe. It is the perfect spot for the family to unwind after a long day—enjoying their meals with a view of the picturesque ocean.
The master bedroom embodies the family’s vision of casual comfort, with cozy off-white bedding from Rudy Romero. The deep-gray bed frame and coffee-colored armchair adds deeper tones to the room’s creamy color scheme. Through broad windows, one has plentiful views of the surrounding greenery—a breathtaking sight to wake up to.
This Carmel-by-the-Sea home perfectly reflects the homeowners’ personalities, and has an emphasis on livability. Schicketanz seamlessly blends the property’s indoor and outdoor spaces, successfully creating a stunning contemporary home that offers residents a profound connection with nature.
