GENTHE HOUSE

From the moment you open the rustic garden gate, the Genthe House invites you into a storied chapter of Carmel history. Built in 1905 by renowned photographer Arnold Genthe, celebrated for his images of old San Francisco and the 1906 earthquake, this remarkable home was once a gathering place for the writers and artists of Carmel's early Bohemian colony, including George Sterling, Mary Austin, Sinclair Lewis, and Robinson Jeffers. Thoughtfully restored in partnership with a historical architecture firm, the home preserves the spirit of Genthe's original design while offering every comfort of a modern retreat. A flagstone path winds through lush gardens and towering tree ferns to a wide covered porch, where redwood trunk columns with the bark still intact frame the entry, just as Genthe designed them. Inside, a sunlit garden room lined with windows welcomes you home. The great room, once Genthe's own studio, is a true showpiece. Soaring redwood ceilings, exposed beams, a skylight, and decorative crossed trusswork rise above comfortable conversational seating gathered around the original brick wood-burning fireplace, flanked by built-in bookshelves, cozy window seats, and a television. Look closely and you'll find a painted peacock door beneath the staircase, preserved in honor of the creative spirits who have called this house home. The dining area seats six, with French doors opening to the backyard patio. The bright kitchen features custom white cabinetry, granite countertops, a professional gas range, built-in refrigerator, wine refrigerator, and an island with seating, along with French doors leading outdoors for effortless alfresco dining. A laundry room adds convenience for longer stays. Upstairs, the loft primary suite overlooks the great room through sliding glass panels and features exposed redwood beams, a wall of windows framing the treetops, a King size bed, television, and closet. The ensuite bathroom offers a soaking tub and shower. On the main level, two guest bedrooms (Q,K) feature vaulted ceilings and garden views. The Queen bedroom offers its own ensuite bathroom and the other bedroom offers a King bed and opens through a glass door to a private garden nook, while being served by a full bathroom just across the hall. Across the patio, the charming garden cottage serves as the fourth bedroom (King), as well as a daybed that opens into two twin beds. The guest cottage also offered a peloton bike, TV, its own private entrance, and a full bathroom. The private backyard is made for gathering, with a stone patio, wood-burning outdoor fireplace, BBQ grill, patio heater, dining for six, and lounge chairs, all beneath string lights and the canopy of oak and cypress trees. With its rich history, artful restoration, inviting gardens, and location just moments from Carmel Beach and downtown Carmel-by-the-Sea, the Genthe House offers a rare chance to live, for a while, inside a piece of California history.