Carmel-by-the-Sea, California

I went to Carmel-by-the-Sea in August and, while I did bring home memories of the beaches (and dolphins!), I took a million photos of houses. Someone once told me that, when building a house, the door is one of the most important aspects to consider and often one that is neglected. A unique door adds charm and is a welcoming factor that should not be overlooked. In Carmel, houses don't have address numbers. Rather, they have names.

I was so impressed by the immaculate landscaping and the originality of the doors and windows that I felt the need to pause in front of every house, almost as if waiting to be invited for a cup of tea and scones or something. Apparently, the residents are quite used to people peaking into their homes and photographing for future inspiration.

The entire city looks like it is straight out of a fairy tale and you almost expects seven dwarfs or the Smurfs to come out the door to rescue a princess in distress. While I realize that this enchanted feel isn't really suited for the average suburban home, I thought I would share some of the photos just for fun.