6 min readCarmel-by-the-Sea has a storybook coastal village feeling: part European-style hamlet, part California beach town filled with mossy cottages, art galleries, and cypress trees. The area is chic, not flashy, with a bit of old-world charm. As one can guess, the homes in this area all embody this same history and ease, including a 1980s property that interior designer Marea Clark and her team worked on. They did a full gut reno on a rare double lot in Carmel, ultimately constructing a four-bedroom home with sweeping ocean views in partnership with architect Braden Sterling.
“There’s a certain ease to the house that reflects its setting in Carmel-by-the-Sea. It’s a retreat for a family based in Atherton, and that sense of removal allowed us to be a bit more expressive, particularly with color and material,” Clark says. “The guest rooms, in particular, were conceived almost as small, self-contained worlds—the green room, the blue room—each with its own character, yet all part of a larger whole.”
The two shades were used throughout the home, including the bathrooms, to echo coastal living, balanced with other colors like mauve, jewel tones like purple, and natural wood, so the 3,900-square-foot abode didn’t scream “seaside resort.” The house is sophisticated and comfortable, boasting a mix of vintage and contemporary pieces, including a hand-painted mural, an Italian mirror from the 1940s, and custom pieces from Nickey Kehoe.
Perhaps most importantly, the home feels both new and lived-in. “The house needed to feel entirely livable,” adds Clark. “It’s often full of children, extended family, and at times as many as six dogs, so comfort and durability were just as important as atmosphere. We wanted it to feel welcoming to everyone, without ever losing its sense of intention.”
Whether that meant outfitting the Crow’s Nest guest room with storybook-like furniture or flipping the kitchen and dining area layout for better flow, Clark meticulously massaged each part of the process to produce a home filled with charm and a serene sense of refinement.
Fast Facts
Designer: Marea Clark Interiors
Architect: Braden Sterling, Sterling Huddleson Architecture
Styling:Lucy Bamman
Location: Carmel-by-the-Sea, California
The Space: A four-bedroom, four-and-a-half bathroom home across 3,900 square feet.
FAMILY ROOM
Jewel tones bring a sense of depth and moodiness.
On the lower level, the family room leans into comfort without losing its sense of craft. A generous custom sofa, tufted ottoman, and floral chair invite easy lounging, while the room’s tailored details keep the mood polished. Above it all, “a grid of jewel-toned Casa Gusto frames in an avian series anchors the wall, a natural touch that nods to the outdoors beyond,” Clark says.
KITCHEN
A timeless cook space makes for effortless everyday gathering.
It was important for the “heart of the home” to be functional and grounded. “The kitchen was flipped from its original layout to open it up to the living room, a change that transformed the way the main floor functions,” Clark says. “There’s a quiet richness to the material palette—the depth of the soapstone counters, the warmth of the walnut island. The island, in particular, was designed to read almost as a piece of furniture, with gently chamfered corners that soften its presence in the room. This is a kitchen that works hard, but never feels overly worked.”
DINING ROOM
The pièce de résistance is a custom hand-painted mural by James Mobley.
“We collaborated with muralist James Mobley on the dining room, which was a first for us,” Clark says of the mural that envelops the space. “His work featuring sweeping landscape of trees and rolling terrain brought a softness and sense of atmosphere that felt entirely appropriate—something that doesn’t announce itself immediately, but reveals itself over time.”
Meanwhile, a Cox London chandelier adds another defining moment in the room. “It has a sculptural quality that anchors the space without overpowering it,” the designer adds.
LIVING ROOM
A glowing hearth anchors this quietly elegant room.
There’s plenty of seating in the living room, where a roaring fireplace beckons slow conversations or board game nights filled with laughter. The built-in shelves allow the client to display their most precious collectibles and treasures, adding personal details and character to the newly constructed home.
POWDER ROOM
A 1940s Italian antique mirror gives this space a distinctly European soul.
The powder room transports anyone who steps within its bounds to Europe, thanks to an antique Italian mirror hung above the marble vanity, the charming mustard-colored wallpaper from Barneby Gates, and sconces from Ann-Morris Lighting. “Small in scale, this room was designed with the same balance of sophistication and ease as the rest of the home,” Clark adds.
PRIMARY BEDROOM
A serene retreat layered with light, warmth, and quiet refinement.
In the primary bedroom, multiple zones allow the homeowners to lounge and decompress, whether it be on the custom canopy bed, soft upholstered bench, or one of the two accent chairs. Light floods into the room by day; at night, earthy elements like warm woods and blush tones instantly promote rest.
PRIMARY BATHROOM
Relaxing is easy in this serene dusty pink space with icy cool accents.
The primary bath feels sophisticated and open, with a freestanding soaking tub anchoring the scene. “The glass-enclosed shower and marble vanity keep the room feeling relaxed and grounded, while a small floral painting adds a bucolic touch,” says Clark.
GUEST BEDROOM
Verdant green accents tie into the home’s coastal surroundings.
The designer notes this room is where the client’s grown children and other guests stay. “We leaned into layered green tones and subtle patterns to create something that feels fresh but also grounded,” Clark adds. “The soft upholstery, tailored bedding, and gentle mix of textures keep it feeling relaxed and comfortable, while the palette ties beautifully back to the surrounding landscape just outside the windows.”
GUEST BATHROOM
Light woods and green tiles convey a Mediterranean ease.
“The guest bathroom carries the same personality as the bedroom next door,” Clark says. “Zellige green tiles wrap the walls in texture, offset by a fluted wood vanity. The sconces add a quiet charm with their small printed shades.”
SECOND GUEST BEDROOM
A tucked-away guest room with sky-high charm.
Wrapped floor to ceiling in Phillip Jeffries’ wallcovering, this Crow’s Nest guest room feels like a private perch above the main floor. Two areas designed for introspection—the writing desk and reading corner—make this cozy space the perfect retreat from all the noise elsewhere in the home.
SECOND GUEST BATHROOM
Soft blues play up the home’s overall coastal personality.
The bathroom echoes the blue tones found in the guest room through the tiles, vanity, and mirror. Clark adds that the “mosaic tile nods to the Mediterranean-style that is so prominent in Carmel.”
MUDROOM
This streamlined drop-off zone makes utility feel delightful.
Mudrooms need to be functional as well as stylish, as it’s often one of the first areas guests see. This custom built-in unit hides all the coats, shoes, and other items out of sight, while the bench cushion wrapped in Jasper's hibiscus morning print adds a playful touch to an otherwise practical space.
LAUNDRY ROOM
The hardworking space blushes with cottage charm.
Who says laundry rooms need to be stark and sterile? This room doesn’t shy away from color—it's drenched in a beautiful mauve shade and coordinating patterned tile backsplash that brings a sense of fun to an oft-utilitarian room. A floral cafe curtain under the sink adds a cottage-approved touch.
EXTERIOR DECK
A once-overlooked terrace becomes the family’s open-air escape.
Clark helped her clients turn their home's greatest unrealized asset—an upper terrace—into an intimate hangout spot. Situated just off the living room, this outdoor area is connected to the home via a new floor-to-ceiling retractable door, making the outdoors feel like a natural extension of the interior. “Two distinct zones give the space its versatility, a dining area for al fresco meals and a lounge anchored by a fire pit,” the designer adds. “Cypress trees frame the ocean views beyond.”
About the Designer
Marea Clark shapes each project with an eye toward comfort, function, and elegance. Her perspective draws from fine arts, antiques, and contemporary design, resulting in homes that feel both imaginative and deeply considered. Her Kentucky upbringing, where she was surrounded by pastoral scenery and Southern architecture, informs her point of view, now balanced by the ease of her decade-plus spent in California.
