A few weeks ago we celebrated our anniversary by taking a trip over to the coast to our favorite destination, Carmel, California. We took the dogs to the beach and then decided to drive
into Carmel Valley. As we were driving down the Carmel Valley highway, I spied a sign that said, "Camps & Cottages" with an arrow pointing down a side street.
Could it be The Camps & Cottages?
My dear husband, being the patient person that he is, made a sharp 45 degree turn and whipped the car down that road!! And to my amazement, what did we see? Well, you guessed it, Molly Hyde English's adorable shop, Camps & Cottages. And who was there? You bet, Molly herself! This was just the icing on the cake! We visited as I shopped and Molly was gracious to allow me to snap some photos of her wonderful and inspirational store.
If you recall, I posted about her books here and here, so when I actually set foot into her shop, it was like walking in the pages of her beautiful books.
I only had an hour to mill around the three buildings - each one decorated beautifully with gorgeous antiques, pillows, indian art, furniture....well, you will see...
I only had an hour to mill around the three buildings - each one decorated beautifully with gorgeous antiques, pillows, indian art, furniture....well, you will see...
...just take a stroll with me.
Camps and Cottages is located at:
24000 Robinson Canyon Road
Carmel, California 93923
phone number: 831.622.0198
Off a small and winding coastal mountain road,
...you will find the old redwood sided buildings that are tucked back under gigantic old shade trees. Being there in person just felt good - like being in a secret little hideaway and surrounded by all things beautiful. Flower beds were filled with white and yellow daisies - just as cheerful as can be!
A retired - and very shabby - vintage truck greets you as you enter the yard.
Camps and Cottages is located at:
24000 Robinson Canyon Road
Carmel, California 93923
phone number: 831.622.0198
Off a small and winding coastal mountain road,
...you will find the old redwood sided buildings that are tucked back under gigantic old shade trees. Being there in person just felt good - like being in a secret little hideaway and surrounded by all things beautiful. Flower beds were filled with white and yellow daisies - just as cheerful as can be!
A retired - and very shabby - vintage truck greets you as you enter the yard.
or to the front door. Lets go to the front door, shall we?
Beautiful warm colors are everywhere - on the walls and in the decor - including these old hand dyed indigo pillows. The fabric came from old kimonos.
Now I did not go away without purchasing a few things...like a 1935 trophy that is in one of the photos.
Meeting Molly was the perfect touch to a wonderful weekend. Like any of us, we don't particularly care to have our photo taken, but you can see the corner of her arm in the first photo...snicker. If you EVER have a chance to go there, do so. Molly is so kind and so much fun and you may even find a vintage cottage or cabin piece to take home, too. :)
You can visit Molly's website at http://www.camps-cottages.com/
46 comments:
You are so LUCKY! I have been a fan of hers too. My guest room is a mini homage to Camps & Cottages and I just had no idea her shop was in Carmel. I really hope to visit there soon.
What a fun day. Such a treat to find such a cute shop. I would have a great time there. I would love to visit the Carmel Coast some day. Great post.
Debbie
absolutely love your pictures and so happy you got to meet 'Molly' and see her great things...they are beautiful!
thank you for sharing it with us!
I love southern California...one day I'll make it to Carmel :D
What a lovely place to happen upon! And it was special to you to boot! I took one look at that vintage truck and thought, I would have it filled to the brim with containers of colorful flowers! So glad you had a good time!
Brenda
Oh, I'm going to have to visit this place...so cool. Love the Indian blankets and furnishings. Thanks for sharing. Yvonne
Thanks for the tour and what a GREAT little store! So glad you found it! I live and breathe for this kind of shopping experience.
Di
The Blue Ridge Gal
Hi Becky
What a wonderful shop! You are lucky to live near enough to Carmel to drive there.
Hugs, Rhondi
Oh what a nice surprise, the store and the property look amazing!! I don't think 1 hr would be nearly enough time to take it all in, it looks like one of those places where you could spend the day just browsing (;
Hugs~Kelly
Becky.....this destination is true to my heart. Lucky you for stumbling upon it!! Another place to visit when I get to California. Charming post.
I haven't been to Carmel since before I was married, I went with an old boyfriend LOL (about 27 years ago).
I loved Carmel, but not the boyfriend! Beautiful place. I really like the Indian pillow. I would have bought that if it wasn't too expensive!
Thanks for bringing back the memories and showing us the pictures! It still looks beautiful!
Oh, how wonderful for you to meet Molly! Carmel is just so charming, as I've only driven down the streets and didn't have the time to get out of the car. Bad bad! These shops look so great! Thanks for sharing!
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
Oh what gorgeous pictures. You're so lucky to live close enough to Carmel to go there for a drive. Isn't it beautiful? How nice to get to meet Molly.
Blessings,
Marci
Oh, I know a certain somebody (that would be me) who has a certain sister (that would be Miss Janice) that would love that green framed poppy print. What a wonderful store. I love all that "campy" stuff.
Missing my friends.
Oh, what a fun adventure you won't soon forget. Camps adn Cottages is packed full of fun and a shoppers dream corner for sure. This is really what it means to enjoy life, the spur of the moment, brakes to the pavement and hubby makes a U-Turn for his wife...awesome, what a guy and Molly, what a gal! Thanks for the heads up! California, here I come!
Well, that was quite a wonderful visit! The little noteholder with the oak leaf on it is very nice and I love all the pillows. But Mr Squirrel at the end was my favorite!
Oh yes, I enjoyed Fiona's song very much!
What a delightful way to celebrate your anniversary!so glad you finally got to meet Molly in person..thanks for taking us along for the ride and tour!!what fun!
hugs and smiles..
Loui♥
Oooooo! How fun! I'll have to add it to my list of places to visit the next time we're in Carmel!
Oh Miss Becky I thought that the little squirrel was the trophy!!!
What a wonderful trip the two of you had ~ so glad that we finally got to talk ~ Love you bunches angel!
NEBS & the Gussy Dog, who longs for sweet Fiona's paws!!!
Happy Anniversary To you and your sweetie:>) This sounds like a wonderful trip, your husband is a sweetie to turn around and indulge your shopping curiosity! What a cool place!
What an awesome shop! I love the burlap pillows! So happy for you that you got to visit and meet Molly. Also, belated Happy Anniversary!
Good Morning Becky,
Thank you for taking us along. Those pillows are fabulous! I sure miss the west coast. :o) Carmel is so charming!
My grandparents honeymooned there. :o)
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
Oh, what gorgeous pics! My hubby took me to Carmel, and it is stunning. Came over from Kim's, your blog is so pretty.
We were in Carmel just over a year ago and I missed that shop!
I have one of those books and have always loved her style. Thanks so much for sharing your photos of this wonderful shop!
Fabulous tour and once again, I am missing California. What a wonderful surprise to come across in your travels. Happy Anniversary. :-)
Great!
I LOVE Carmel. That's where we spent our Honeymoon over 30 yrs ago! We try to go back every couple of years. I am always so inspired when I come home. The beach, the homes, the ocean, the adorable shops, the Galleries, the food, mmmm...love it! Glad you had a great trip and got to meet 'Molly'!! Thanks for sharing so much with us!
What a gorgeous post Becky! Carmel California has been on our "travel wish list" for many years :-) Being a huge Doris Day fan, I hope to stay at her Inn in Carmel & stroll the beaches of Southern California... Thanks for the link & beautiful photos ♥
Oh how fun. I miss weekends like that. I would have wanted to take everything home including the shop. It looks like so much fun.
Thanks for sharing. btw I should have told you last Wed. Daisy was in my post. You'll have to stop over and see it.
Have a great Thursday,
Sherry
Seriously, you found it by accident? What a thrill! You've got such a good hubby to take the side road!
Hugs,
Dawn
What fun!! Isn't it nice to have such a cool hubby.
BTW - just read about your birthday outing in Great Scots.
Have a wonderful evening.
Lynn
What a neat shop! I love the indian items...my brother collects these and has a pretty cool display.
Peggy
http://pegslifeinthebuttonjar.blogspot.com
http://www.thevintagebuttonjar.etsy.com
If I ever get back to Calif. I will go there...... What a treat for you...
Oh, I feel like I got to go there!
Thak you for the trip!
Misha
Great!
What a fun trip! Happy Anniversary!
Can't wait to see what you do with the big prize! :) I have never been to Carmel but sure would love to. I feel like I have seen so much of it now from your beautiful pictures.
~Liz
So lucky, when we went out there it was closed. I had been to the store when it was in Berkeley, and it was wonderful. xop
WOW! What a wonderful place to go. The area looks so cute. My husband and I love Carmel and have been often but have never seen that sign. I will have to look closer next time, and of couse take address with me. I off to visit her web page.
Blessings,
Ginger
Becky, When you were driving on Canyon Road did you see a cute nursery? We stopped at one ( I don't remember the name) It was so cute, they had a growing area where you could go and cut your own flowers from there garden,(except roses she cut the roses)It was great, so we had the fresh flowers in our room during our stay.
Ginger
Hi Becky..
I loved this post and going shopping with you - what a wonderful and lucky find! I'm so glad she was open and how sweet of her to let you share her shop with all of us. It is awesome!
Love you much,
Kim
Happy anniversary to you both... a bit late! Looks like you had great little side adventure. I love the shop and all the fun photos you took! I like that "campy style"... it's just so fun!
Oh Becky,
How awesome is all that!!! I was in Carmel on vacation last June and didn't know about Molly's shop. I feel sick! Maybe next time. I've never seen the Camps & Cottages book, I'll have to head over to amazon. Thanks for the tour. Lisa
Becky,
What a treat! Thanks for sharing! I love the Indian cups too. My Cherokee ancestry is calling me. lol
I know you must have been thrilled meeting Molly. Great pictures!
Blessing's
Sheila
That is so cool Becky!!
I have Vintage Cottages on my coffee table right now.
How lucky for you.
Rosemary
Well, how exciting, and how nice of your husband to whip the car around. You lucky girl! Thanks for sharing the store with us. What a fun post. laurie
Love her book. We carry those (the vintage cottage one) where I work. I am a fan as well, had no idea she had a shop. I love the camp look, so wonderful, now, if only I had a lake house! :D
-c
yapping cat
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