If I were to pinpoint one house that truly made me a Lookiloo, it would be this Carmel hideaway. I first went through it in 2003 when it was on the market, and now, as I gasp for breath, it is for sale again. I saw it last weekend and have been obsessing about it ever since. It doesn’t look like much from the front — a brick wall spans across  — but it hides a midcentury modern masterpiece inside.  Enter through a gate, wander down a brick path and step inside the front door. Stand on the elevated landing and you look across a sunken living room to a wall of windows. Outside is a courtyard with three live oaks and a stone fireplace.

 This house actually has a Lookiloos provenance: I wrote about it in June 2003 in an essay about my open house obsession for the San Jose Mercury News. I wrote about Lookiloos like me — and this was some five years before I co-founded this website. (I’m true blue!)  In it, I wrote this: “A wall of windows overlooking a courtyard of a Carmel open house makes me imagine myself a famous novelist with a salon of literay friends who drive down to Nepenthe for inspiration.”  I called myself the “Walter Mitty of real estate.” Is it so hard to believe, I wrote, “that living in a great space can be inspiring and life-transforming?” I still believe that.

The house has an open staircase with one end attached to the wall and the other suspended by cables.  The whole house is less than 1,400 square feet, with one bedroom and a loft, plus a studio guest house. But with the open, airy feeling and 18-foot ceilings in the living room, it feels huge.

The house was designed by John Gamble, who designed a number of modern homes on the Monterey Peninsula.  And now it’s for sale again, for $1.29 million. If you buy it, please let me know. Maybe you can invite me over.

For more information about the house, contact Merritt  Ringer at Alain Pinel Realtors at mringer@apr.com.

And I’d love to know, if this house were yours, how would you decorate the living room?

You can also look at a couple of my other favorite Carmel and Big Sur house stories:

Big Sur’s Nepenthe Turns 60, But Log Cabin is still home

Dreaming of this Carmel Cottage Compound

Here’s the complete slideshow:

There were so many features I absolutely fell in love with. To start with the light fixtures over the casual dining table.  The homeowner told me she got them from flea market sale and that they had come from a See’s candy factory.  The shape is perfect, but the price was spectacular– $15 each!

Now of course another favorite was the artist studio.  My family might never see me again!  The rustic stone walls and the skylights just make you want to stop, stay and create.

The master suite was truly an escape with a large window seat and views of the city.  The master bath had all the bells and whistles from the marble counters to the elaborate dual sinks–nothing was left behind.

And, lastly one of my favorites had to be the guest bath The mirror over the vanity matched the plaster cut-out over the shower and toilet.  This remodeled home had so much thought put into the details. And,  I’m so glad they did!

This home is currently for sale. You can check out the Realtor’s virtual tour here. And if you’re in the neighborhood you should see it in person because it is one fabulous home.

Here’s the complete slideshow:

2 Bedrooms + Loft

2.5 Bathrooms

Asking  $1,895,000

2 Bedrooms

2 Bathrooms

Asking  $459,000

Do you love to entertain?  Wish you had the space to entertain effortlessly? Well, this is the place for you. From the front courtyard,  to the gorgeous living room, to the FABULOUS (did I make myself clear–fabulous) kitchen–you will be the hostess with the mostess! The kitchen and family rooms are open to each other and spill out to the wonderful backyard.  Check out the rest of the photos here.

4 Bedrooms

3.5 Bathrooms

Asking  $1,395,000

2 Bedrooms + Den

1 Bath

Asking $719,000

This is an adorable home. You will receive immediate gratification pulling up out in front and then it continues as you cross the threshold. The floor plan is great. I love how the home office is on the opposite side of the home to where the bedrooms are located. The kitchen has a wonderful tumbled marble back splash and granite counters and opens to the family room. Perfect for watching kids while cooking dinner. As a mom–I’m always thinking how a home would work for me and this one works beautifully! Check out the virtual tour here.

Bedrooms–4
Bathrooms–3

6 Bedrooms

3 Bathrooms

3225 Sq Feet

Asking $1,399,000

Check out the rest of the virtual tour here.

This House reminds me of my grandmother’s. She lived in the Cambrian Neighborhood as well.  What I loved about this house was the huge wrap around counter in the kitchen. Perfect for a buffet! And,  I also loved the screened porch with fireplace.  I can imagine that would extend the California outdoor living season to pretty much year round. I can tell you I met one neighbor who flagged me down because there was something under my car. I pulled over and she climbed under to pull it out! So thumbs up to the neighborhood.

Bedrooms: 3

Baths: 2

Square Footage: 1639

See the full tour here.