This Carmel-by-the-Sea Ranch Was Rebuilt to Frame the Pacific—And the Views Are Just the Start
Words by Morgan GoldbergPhotography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
What good are sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean if you can’t see them?
That’s the question Austin Carrier and Alex Mutter-Rottmayer of Hommeboys Interiors asked about an old Carmel-by-the-Sea rambler that was squandering its coastal and mountainside panoramas. “It was kind of crazy—the house didn't take advantage of the views at all,” Austin says of the 4,451-square-foot abode. “We tore up the whole inside area, reformatted the layout, and opened it up for our clients to really use as a family, but also to capture those views.”
The duo added tons of windows that frame the vistas and usher in sunshine, but the entryway’s location meant that it had to remain low-lit, so they doubled down with coconut brown grasscloth wallpaper and rich Wenge millwork. “We wanted to create a dramatic moment walking into the house,” says Alex. “When we’re working with a naturally dark space, we embrace the moodiness.”
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
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Espresso tones continue in the adjacent dining room, where the walls and ceiling are covered in the same Forest Floor Roman Clay from Portola Paints. A pill-shaped Douglas fir table, custom-crafted from a single slab of wood, measures 16 feet long to accommodate large gatherings and dinner parties. “They do a lot of entertaining and have a big family and lots of friends,” explains Austin. “So many clients want a table for 14 people, but don't end up using it. This couple actually does.”
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
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Another essential feature? The inset Calacatta Viola marble bar, which Alex aptly describes as a “stone cubby.” It’s outfitted with a brass counter and fluted glass cabinets filled with the homeowners’ extensive glassware collection. “We knew that a bar was really, really important for them,” he says. “It was a fun moment to work into this subtly dark, beautiful room. It gives a little party vibe and brings the energy up.”
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
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On the other side of the entry, a two-part living room is connected by a 27-foot-long walnut Nordic Knots wool rug. The first sitting area, with its olive velvet sectional and vintage Utrecht chair covered in citron mohair, is oriented around a geometric fireplace made of beige, unglazed bricks from clé’s Foundry Flats collection. “They utilize their fireplace a lot, so they wanted it to be a cozy spot for all to enjoy,” Austin shares. “We imagined a striking offset and angular design, which steps back to a deeper counter and cabinets that house the stereo system, so it’s very three-dimensional.”
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
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The second sitting zone combines a curvaceous denim sofa with a pair of armchairs upholstered in a moss-and-ivory fabric. “We pull a lot of our inspiration from the environment, so a lot of those same greens, yellows, and blues can be spotted out of the window,” says Alex. “The earthy tones ground the whole palette.” Accent pieces from the duo’s own Haus of Hommeboys collection include a black-and-gold pouf, a notched side table, and a faceted planter.
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors
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The real showstopper, though, is the custom white oak kitchen that Hommeboys Interiors built in their cabinetry studio. “We chose a dusted stain that gives a subtle, soft ambery feel,” says Austin. He and Alex then sourced a cool blue-gray stone with graphic iron staining for the counters, which they adorned with a double edge to match the integrated handles on the cupboards. Such thoughtful details, combined with the sheer beauty of the materials, allow the kitchen itself to rival the lush hillside views beyond.
Photography by Adam Potts; Styling by Kaila Chanel Niles; Design by Hommeboys Interiors