I photographed my parent's Carmel Cottage in chronological order, starting when I first awoke from my erratic jet lagged slumber. The dog you see is named Holly Tamale. She likes to burrow herself under the blankets and when I wake up she is just as you see her here, laying her head on the pillow next to me and ready for her close up.
This is where I eat corn flakes and drink strong coffee. The Rooster and Hen (painted by my Grandmother many years ago) has hung in every home my Dad has lived in since I have been alive. To me the rooster represents my Father; the bold, brave, uncompromising and powerful leader of the family. He stands strong and holds up his head high, despite the existence of us hens, who always out number him and often peck at his feet. I love the placement of the painting in the breakfast room, a bright and inspiring place to start the day.
This is the window sill on the other side of the table.
Kris' affinity for Mexicana is so well placed here. The bright colors and rich
patterns make me feel like every day I wake up here is a celebration, and it
is..The candle holders were once in my Grandparent's house and they look so
right in their new home in Carmel. The little details (like this window sill)
that remain from when this house was first built make it so charming and
different, yet so classically Californian.
Now let's move to the living room. Small and cozy with vaulted
ceilings. A roaring fireplace on one wall and floor to ceiling windows on the
other make for quite a room.
There are built in bookcases displaying family photos from several generations as well as enough interesting reading material to keep me on the couch next to the fire for hours.
As peaceful as it can be in Dad and Kris' living room there are a few welcomed distractions. Pictured above is their dog Levi that likes to play a game with the local crows in the neighborhood. He leaves a small portion of his food in his bowl outside so the crows will come try and eat it, and then he gets to chase them away. This activity is without a doubt his most favorite part of the day. Watching this ritual is more entertaining than most TV programs for sure.
My step mother Kris has wonderful taste and I don't think
she knows what a great job she has done with some of the old things we have had
in our family for years. Because of her talent for decorating I am able to have
a really unique experience when I stay with them. I have feelings of comfort by
being around some of the things we had in our house when I was growing up. They
are displayed in a way that makes me able to have a fresh experience with
familiar things. I am comforted but not weighed down by the memories that have
surrounded them in the past. The mix of her vibrant reds and warm yellows gives
these items of my past new life and importance, as we walk together as a family
to a new stage in life.
This cottage is my parent's first residence they have had
all to themselves. Between them they have had five children living under their
roof at different times. Now that all us kids are out on our own I am so happy
that my parents were able to have a fresh start. I am so lucky that when I stay
with them in their new place I can still feel so at home. When I think of what
home is to me I no longer think of any specific residence, instead I think of
my parents who can make any house feel like home to me.
