I’m finally writing my blog again! Thank you for being so patient, I know I’ve not written anything for months but life has been really hectic, and I’ve been somewhat pre-occupied with some big life events. Firstly we’ve been busy building a house in Carmel-by-the-Sea. Not something for the faint hearted but thanks to our wonderful contractor, Matt Gourley, the building was the relatively easy part, the planning process however not so much fun.

In addition and far more importantly, my other ‘distraction’ was that this June, our son got married and we have a wonderful new daughter in our family.

But back to our house. As many of you know, for the last three, almost four years we have been living a somewhat nomadic life. In our ‘wisdom’, at the end of 2020 we parted with our much loved family home of 21 years and bought a lot in Carmel-by-the-Sea, a place in California we love and one that I’ve written about many times.

The beach at Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, USA

We purchased the lot on February 21st 2021. It had never been built on and there were many challenges a head of us but somehow we managed to prevail! Several planners, architects, builders and many headaches later, on April 23 2023 we were finally granted our building permit and on May 1st 2023 work began.

Clearing the lot for our Carmel home

Once Matt’s crew started they didn’t hold back! Progress was rapid and by May 5th our lot was a real work site. By July 4th, barely eight weeks later there were foundation walls. And lots of busy builders!

July 9 2023 Carmel-by-the Sea new house build

On July 24th, three weeks later the floor plan was laid out.

July 24 2023 Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

And a couple of days after that the framing had begun.

On August 7th we went off to source old timbers for the interior vaulted ceilings and struck gold at American Barn & Wood in Paso Robles. We found the required 40ft long timbers, rescued from a mid 19th century barn in Ilinois and two beams for our fireplace and kitchen range chimney.

Buying Timbers from American Barn and Wood, Paso Robles, California, USA

By August 12th we had house walls and by August 26 the roof was on, our kitchen and living room was beginning to take shape!

August 26 2023 Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

On September 5th with the windows installed, it felt like we had the outline of our new home.

September 5th Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

On September 16 the cladding was started in preparation for the stucco.

Meanwhile in Provence, on September 22nd, some treasured pieces from our home in Lourmarin were taken for shipment along with several antique light fixtures and old provençal doors we’d found for our new Carmel closets.

September 22 furniture being collected from Lourmarin, Provence, France

On November 5th, at the Carmel house, the exterior stucco was half completed and the wall tiles were piled up ready to be laid. By November 27th the reclaimed terracotta roof tiles we’d sourced from Provence were slowly covering the roof. Our Mediterranean house in Carmel was becoming a reality!

November 28th 2023 Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

On December 13th our shipment arrived from France.

December 13 furniture arrived from France for the new Carmel-by-the-Sea house

And on December 21, just before Christmas, the interior painting was complete, the under floor heating in, the hardwood flooring had been laid and with the old beams in place we almost had our English style kitchen finished!

December 21 2023 Kitchen in Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

By January 17th 2024 the new front door had been delivered and was being stained.

January 17 2024 new front door being stained at Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

A busy month followed installing light fixtures, appliances, countertops and a myriad of other details including hanging the old Provençal doors, shown here since we moved here.

Provençal Doors at Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

By February 25th we were ready for the final building inspection, our new home in Carmel-by-the- Sea was almost complete. The outside landscaping was the final part, the mud and outside mess from early January

January 11 2024 exterior at Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

had been transformed.

February 25 2024 exterior at Carmel-by-the Sea, California, USA, new house build

So yes, I’ve been busy! A big thank you to Matt, just the very best, not just a great contractor but also now our friend. Who says that after such a mammoth project?!

But what about our beloved village home, Maison des Cerises in Lourmarin? I’ll be posting an update soon I promise, it’s where I’m currently writing from, still trying to decide where I really belong…..

Follow Shutters & Sunflowers