Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1182230
throughout the two-stor y home. She is a mas- ter at using design and color, filling a space with light, and that makes what in other hands might have felt closed in and small into a bright, air y environment, and the 1,700- square-foot structure seem much more spa- cious. And speaking of space, another of the designer's signature skills is a knack for creating huge amounts of storage in surprising and unobtrusive places. "I love everything to look beautiful, but it must also be functional," she says. The family's Bay Area home was nearly triple the footage of their new digs, but that's proven to be a plus. "We've simplified, and it's brought our family closer together and given us a better connec- tion with nature." John remarks. Just about every aspect of the house was addressed. "We touched every surface," Noelle says. "A key concept was honoring the area." For instance, Carmel stone replaced other stonework. "We wanted to honor the area by using local materials whenever possible." This home is eminently livable, from the aforementioned deck to the expansive living room to the well-appointed and efficient kitchen to the private, upstairs master suite. "This home makes us feel like we're on vaca- tion every day," John says. "Everyone loves it." Micek is a master at finding clever ways to incorporate unobtrusive storage areas in her designs. Though relatively small, the kitchen is packed with ample storage options. 118 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • H O L I D A Y 2 0 1 9 John and Noelle Micek's newly constructed and eminently livable north-of-Ocean Carmel remodel perfectly suits the family's active, coastal California lifestyle.