Farmland Escape
This Carmel Valley home is known to locals as the Egg Farm, and also has over 200 fruit and olive trees and seasonal row crops. It produces artisanal olive oil, heirloom peaches, apples, pears, avocados, and even watermelons. "We built a manageable place that feeds our family and friends but doesn't fall prey to the economics of farming,” says the owner, Peterson Conway. “The secret is having a resident caretaker. Fresh milk, cheese, butter, and eggs all arrive every day on your doorstep. Baskets of corn, berries, and tomatoes pile up. We keep two small vegetable beds at the main house to harvest lettuce in, but it's a few hours a month rather than a full-time job. With a caretaker, it's like locking the door and leaving on vacation—no stress." The property, located just 10 minutes outside of Carmel, runs to the Carmel River and famed "Steinbeck Hole," and has boundaries alongside a rose farm and a winery, affording plenty of privacy. The multiple structures add up to 3,432 square feet of living space. And that includes the solar panels and permitted irrigation well that make the property totally self-sufficient and off the grid. Tour the property below.
Front Door
A picture-perfect entry to the main house. The property had four old buildings when Conway purchased it, and he was able to salvage the main house with some remodeling.
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Kitchen
The light-filled, remodeled kitchen boasts beautiful beamwork, a farmhouse sink, and an adorable breakfast table in the center of the spacious room.
Vintage Stove
While the kitchen has a modern range and hood, we love that they kept the vintage stove in the kitchen to balance the contemporary feel.
Living Room
Enjoy views of the property from all angles on your couch, whether through the picture window or the glass panes. Just out of the frame is a door leading outside, making it an easy entry point into the farmland.
Dining Room
The farmhouse vibe gets a touch of glam with a chandelier hanging over the dining table.
Master Bath
Enjoy a bath in the classic standalone tub with a view, or rinse off from a day on the farm in the subway-tiled shower.
Master Bedroom
White shiplap walls and a dark, beamed ceiling make for a classic farmhouse look in the master bedroom.
Guesthouse
A guesthouse so cute, your guests might not want to leave. This building was one that had to be completely rebuilt by Conway when he remodeled the property.
Guest Bedroom
The guest house makes for a cozy little getaway, while still feeling full of light with white shiplap walls.
Auxiliary Building
The farm’s auxiliary building has a classic farm exterior, but it’s not stables on the inside. Fun fact: This building used to be the egg sorting facility that inspired the farm’s nickname.
Auxiliary Interior
“Our favorite part of the restoration was (no surprise) the one building we touched the least, the egg sorting facility,” says Conway. “This we turned into an open space with a fireplace and a giant wood table. We used it for Thanksgiving dinners and parties. It also makes a great office.”
Orchards
“There is an upper orchard and a lower orchard; both are really nice to stroll through,” says Conway. “Our favorite spot, without question, is the river. We put in a seasonal dock for swimming and often take our wine down there to listen to the birds. It's a completely different microclimate on the river, which birds, fish, and game treat as their ‘highway’ up and down the valley. It's magical."
