It is late morning on a Thursday. The slight rain has passed and the sun is streaming through moist oak leaves into the small living room of perhaps the most beautiful cottage in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Built by legendary Mike Murphy in 1905 and virtually untouched through 113 years, this Lincoln Street art object is the home of Linda and Jackson Smith. We’re here to talk about beauty and history, and in this case, they are one in the same. Entering the house. the first words that come to mind are—it smells like Carmel!

You and your husband are fortunate people to live in this jewel, Linda. The house seems intact. It’s mostly original 1905?