The fairytale cottages featured here are "proof positive" that fairy tales ARE real. Carefully chosen for their irresistible charm from the English countryside, the hamlets of France, and the Pacific seacoast of the United States, a more romantic, picturesque, and quaint cottage collection can- not be found anywhere!
We begin our trip in the Lower Normandy region of northwestern France. The
storybook
structure pictured above, left, is a mill located in Cour- seulles-sur-Mer. It features a stone base with stucco and
half-timbering on the upper level. Crowning this architectural gem is a thatch roof.
Heading in a southeasterly direction to Versailles, just outside of Paris, brings us to the fairytale cottages
pictured at left and below. Built as part of a rustic retreat for Marie Antoinette on the vast park-like grounds of the
Pal- ace of Versailles, they are among twelve cottages erected at her
Ham- eau de la Reine
(The Queen's Hamlet) between 1785 and 1792.
Heading north, across the Channel to England, brings us to the enchanting English cottage pictured below. A prominent
bay window, multiple decora- tive chimneys, and a varying roof line covered with thatch contribute to the irresistible
charm of this picture book cottage!
The fairytale cottage that follows is located in Selworthy, a small village in Somerset, England. It features a
picturesque "stepped" or "tiered" roof line covered with thatch, and light stucco walls. An oversized front-facing
chimney adds to the charm of this exquisite architectural jewel!
Photo Credit: Dave Law
The charming English cottage pictured below also features a beautiful thatched roof and light stucco walls. Diamond-
paned windows and a large, decorative brick chimney further enhance its storybook appeal.
The tiny fairytale cottages that follow are neatly tucked in the English countryside. Each boasts a charming thatched
roof and stucco walls -- one of which includes half-timbering (below right). The cottage pictured below, left, also
sports a pair of brick chimneys with elaborate clay chim- ney pots, as well as Gothic style windows with pointed
arches.
The romantic cottage that follows is similar in design to some of the fairy- tale cottages found at Blaise Hamlet in
northwest Bristol, England. Peeking out from under a heavy thatch roof and ivy-draped walls are little windows with
diamond panes.
The tiny cottage pictured below looks as if it jumped off the page of a children's storybook! Meticulously
handcrafted from bricks, tree branches and twigs, this little gem also boasts a thatched roof. Just to the right of the
entry is a charming leaded glass window framed by twigs. Also note the window boxes made of twigs.
Our final stop in the English countryside brings us to the enchanting stone cottage in the woods pictured below.
Oozing with charm, this is Little Red Riding Hood, Goldilocks, Hansel and Gretel,ANDSnow
White and the Seven Dwarfs . . . . . all rolled into one! In addition to its idyllic wooded setting, everything from
the irregular stonework on the walls and chimney, to the varying roof lines with clipped gables, to the tiny diamond-pane
windows and clay chimney pots, screams FAIRYTALE COTTAGE!
Hopping across the pond to North America, then heading cross-country to the western United States, brings us to the
charming little architectural jewel pictured at right. Nestled along the shoreline of the McCloud River in northern
California, it is one of sever- al storybook structures designed by architect Julia Morgan (1872 - 1957) for publishing
magnate, William Ran- dolph Hearst (1863 - 1951), at
Wyn- toon
-- his private rural retreat. Built in the early 1930s, its picturesque de- sign was inspired by the medieval
ar- chitecture of Bavarian and Alpine vil- lages in Germany and Austria.
Heading south along California's Pacific coastline brings us to the charming cottage community of Carmel-by-the-Sea,
our final destination. Well know for its fairytale cottages, Carmel's "cottage industry" began in the 1920s when
Hugh Comstock, a local resident, built a tiny cottage for his wife's doll collection. Another storybook cottage soon
followed. They were such a hit that other local residents asked him to design and build a storybook cottage for them,
as well . . . and so on . . . and so on. Today there are 21 of Hugh Comstock's legendary cottages remaining in Carmel-by-the- Sea.
Pictured below is one such cottage. Needless to say, it is little wonder that his work was in such high demand!
This English-inspired design fea- tures a stucco exterior and a shingled roof with rolled eaves to simulate thatch, as
well as wavy or "crooked" ridge lines to simulate age. Multi- pane windows and a large stone chimney add to the
fairytale charm of this delightful cottage!
