Catherine Comstock Seidenick’s Stunning Home in Carmel Valley, CA
Catherine Comstock Seidenick is known for her exquisite interior design work on luxury homes across California. One of her most impressive projects is her own home nestled in the hills of Carmel Valley, CA. This sprawling property shows Catherine’s skill in creating spaces that are both beautiful and highly functional for everyday living.
About Catherine Comstock Seidenick’s Stunning Home in Carmel Valley
Catherine Comstock Seidenick founded the interior design firm Catherine Comstock Interiors in 1988. She quickly earned a reputation in Monterey County and beyond for her artistic eye and ability to perfectly match her clients’ lifestyles and preferences.
Catherine works on residential projects of all sizes. Her portfolio includes small cottages, family homes, luxury estates, and even yachts. Some of her notable clients include celebrities like Leonardo DiCaprio.
While based in Carmel, CA, Catherine travels worldwide for design inspiration. She is known for blending classical elements with contemporary details to create timeless, livable spaces. Her work has been featured in various design publications like Architectural Digest.
The Carmel Valley Property
Catherine Comstock Seidenick purchased this 3-acre property in Carmel Valley, CA in 1997. She then spent several years fully customizing the home to suit her taste and lifestyle.
Carmel Valley is located on the Monterey Peninsula just inland from the coastal towns of Carmel and Pebble Beach. Known for its natural beauty and vineyards, it provides a peaceful setting just minutes from the ocean.
The lot features panoramic views of the surrounding valley and mountains. Mature oak trees dot the landscape and provide privacy. The home’s exterior combines stone, wood shingle, stucco, and ironwork elements for rustic elegance.
Grand Entryway
Guests get the first glimpse of Catherine’s design prowess right from the home’s entrance. The front door opens to a grand two-story foyer topped by a rotunda with intricate ironwork. Travertine floors laid in a Versailles pattern immediately make a statement.
The foyer leads directly into the spacious great room. This creates an inviting flow and beautiful sightlines throughout the home. Catherine chose a neutral color palette of creams, taupes, and browns to allow the architecture itself to shine.
Great Room
The expansive great room exemplifies Catherine’s skill in designing for both aesthetics and daily use. Windows on three sides flood the space with natural light and connections to the outdoors. French doors open directly onto the back patio.
The layout includes various zones for living, dining, and entertaining. Painted timber ceilings soar over 20 feet high. An impressive locally-sourced boulder fireplace anchors one end of the room. Custom ironwork and lighting add visual interest.
Catherine selected durable yet elegant furnishings that suit her coastal lifestyle. These include neutral upholstered sofas, oak tables, and leather armchairs. Pops of color come from accessories like striped pillows and floral arrangements.
Kitchen
As an avid cook, Catherine paid special attention to the kitchen design. She describes it as “the soul of the home.”
The kitchen lies just off the great room and evokes French country styling. It features a massive Calacatta gold marble-topped island perfect for casual meals. Top-of-the-line appliances and fixtures lend functionality. Arched alcoves with glass-front cabinets display beautiful china.
A sitting area by a trio of French doors makes an ideal breakfast nook. Catherine added thoughtful details like outlets inside cabinets to keep the counter surfaces clutter-free.
Dining Room
While the great room includes an informal dining area, a separate dining room offers an elegant space for entertaining. Walking into this room truly feels like entering a European manor home.
The design centers around a hand-carved 18th century French limestone fireplace mantel sourced from a castle. Beautifully veined marble on the hearth and floor complement the mantel. Built-in cabinetry provides storage for Catherine’s extensive collection of servingware.
A circular iron and antique glass chandelier hangs above the dining table, refracting light. Catherine incorporated custom touches like hand-painted murals on the walls and ceiling for the wow factor.
Primary Suite
Catherine’s primary bedroom and bathroom suite provides a luxurious oasis with its neutral color palette. She described her vision as creating a “quiet Zen retreat.”
The bedroom features a sitting area with plush chairs beside a small gas fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling draperies frame glass doors leading to a private patio.
The spa-like bathroom boasts heated travertine floors, a soaking tub, oversized shower, and dual vanities. Walk-in closets offer ample storage. Catherine also added special touches like a TV hidden behind an antique mirror.
Guest Bedrooms
In keeping with the home’s grand scale, it contains several well-appointed guest bedrooms. Each has unique details that make them warm and inviting.
One guest room has bold striped upholstered walls and antique furnishings. Another features vibrant floral wallpaper and vivid green shutters. The bunk room is perfect for kids with its whimsical seaside mural.
Outside every bedroom, Catherine placed comfortable seating nooks overlooking the valley. This allows guests to enjoy the views and natural light even when their doors are closed.
Screened Porch
One of the home’s most used spaces is the large screened porch accessed via French doors from the great room. As an avid gardener, Catherine added special touches to fully immerse you in the outdoors even while inside.
The stone floor is softened by natural fiber rugs. Vines climb up the walls and ceiling to provide greenery from all angles. Catherine placed inviting furniture like cushioned wicker sofas and chairs to create a living room vibe.
With its picturesque views, the screened porch provides the ideal spot for relaxing or entertaining. It can be used year-round thanks to the protection from insects and elements.
Back Patio
Off the great room, expansive rear patios seamlessly integrate indoors and out. Various covered seating areas, pergolas, fire pits, and fountains provide plenty of options for taking in the views.
Landscaping is an important element that Catherine carefully curated. Flowers, succulents, citrus trees, and vines thrive in the beds flanking the patios. Gravel pathways meander through lawn areas.
The overall effect is an inviting, colorful outdoor oasis. Whether dining al fresco or cozying up by the fire pit, the patios get year-round use. They provide an ideal setting for entertaining large groups.
Attention to Detail
While stunning in their overall effect, Catherine Comstock Seidenick’s spaces truly shine thanks to her meticulous attention to detail. This discerning eye elevates every element.
Some examples include the custom upholstered window seats throughout her home. Catherine also hand selects every furnishing, fabric, finish, and accessory in her designs. She personally painted the trompe l’oeil murals adorning walls and ceilings herself.
Catherine travels globally to antique shows searching for special pieces with character. She refinishes and repurposes many vintage items. Her keen eye pulls together each interior with creativity and care.
Seamless Blend of Classic and Contemporary
Many designers stick to a single style like strictly traditional or modern. Catherine Comstock Seidenick stands out for her ability to seamlessly blend classical and contemporary elements.
She often mixes antique furnishings with more streamlined silhouettes. Traditional architectural details get enhanced with clean-lined fabrics and accessories. This prevents her homes from feeling too fussy or theme-like.
The overall effect is luxurious, livable spaces that provide the best of both worlds. They have enduring character that still feels fresh and current. Catherine’s portfolio demonstrates how she executes this blend across varying styles and budgets.
Inspiring Spaces for Entertaining
A self-professed “party girl at heart,” Catherine designed her home with many spaces conducive to entertaining. From cozy study nooks to expansive patios, the home provides intimate and grand gathering areas.
The open kitchen lies adjacent to the dining and living spaces to facilitate cooking for and mingling with guests. Catherine included ample storage for tableware as well as sinks and counterspace for prep work.
Outdoor areas like the screened porch easily accommodate dinner parties. Catherine ensured good lighting and audio visual integration for evenings spent conversing fireside. No detail was overlooked in creating an ideal setting for hospitality.
Reflecting the Beautiful Surroundings
Catherine Comstock Seidenick’s interiors always pay homage to their location and surroundings. Her Carmel Valley home exemplifies this with its rich use of organic textures and connection to nature.
The color scheme takes inspiration from the neutral coastal landscape. Natural materials like stone floors and wood beam ceilings bring the outdoors in. Vines and garden plants soften the living spaces.
Catherine purposefully oriented rooms and windows to highlight the best views. Seating nooks, patios and porches provide front-row seats to admire the valley. Her careful design choices honor the rustic ranch setting.
This home embodies Catherine Comstock Seidenick’s design brilliance. Her refined yet relaxed spaces work in harmony with the beautiful natural setting. Every detail was meticulously curated to create a luxurious but welcoming ambiance suited to coastal California living. It’s no wonder publications like Architectural Digest consistently laud her ability to blend elegance, functionality and location into award-worthy interiors.
About the Author
Sarah Lee is a design writer who follows the luxury interiors industry closely. She previously worked for a major architecture firm helping stage luxury homes for marketing. Sarah has a keen interest in functional high-end design and new trends emerging from top designers like Catherine Comstock Seidenick. When not writing about beautiful homes, Sarah enjoys home improvement projects, gardening, and traveling.
