Welcome to Atalaya.
(Which, btw, is a Spanish word for “watchtower.”)
This 3o room dwelling was the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband Archer Huntington.
I stopped here while on a recent mini beach escape to the South Carolina coast.
This place reminded me of two places at once—the little rustic stone house I lived in for 3 months while on an island in Greece, and the Alhambra, that I visited with my lil sis while on a short backpacking trip through Spain.
I could have called this post “LIGHT & DOORWAYS” for that recurring theme in these photos, but decided instead to highlight the fact that yes, there really was a fireplace in every bathroom, and in nearly every other room in the entire house.
Surely it was lovely on a brisk winter day (though with the temperature near 100 degrees fahrenheit the day I was there, it was hard to imagine there ever could be such a day that chill by the beach), but I wondered how much work was involved in keeping them all constantly burning.
Walking through the empty house, I was fascinated with the geometric angles of the Moorish style architecture, its long skinny hallways and the way the sunlight shone through it so beautifully.
I loved the fact that there was an open air (ceiling-less) studio in which to create art- as well as an indoor one with a huge skylight for days of rain- a large green courtyard and so many palms, and the beach just a short walk away.
I’m sure it was a good place to write poetry in, indeed.
Tell me, how would you like for your bedroom windows to command an unobstructed view of the Atlantic ocean? (as the lucky owners of Atalaya’s did).
Looks and sounds like a heavenly place! After just coming home from vacation reading your blog and looking at the pictures stirred something from within to plan my next.
Hi Jim! that’s awesome. Where did you go on vacation? I’m always ready for another adventure as well : )
Oh, i apologize for not getting back here to see your question! I was visiting my daughter and her family in Bristol,VA. after flying to D.C. then driving to New York City and Boston .I happened to be in Asheville with my Daughter when i was able to purchase your wonderful soap:) In September driving to visit my son in Montana close to Yellowstone!Been to long since i have been to Big Sky country and where i like to call home.
Sounds like a fun roadtrip! glad you got to stop by Asheville and that you’re enjoying the soap!
I visited DC for the first time a few years ago, in fact, here are some pics 🙂
https://stelladeer.com/washington-d-c-pictures/
oh wow I loove Montana. Soo beautiful. I’ve been a few times on various road trips. always amazing. hope you have a great time!
Wow! What a gorgeous place! It totally made me think of the Alhambra too, before I saw your comment– I was like what the?! Is she in Spain? Or maybe St Augustine FL? I didn’t imagine there would be architecture like this in SC. Very cool! Is it a public museum or privately owned?
yeah! I wouldn’t have pictured such a place there either! The house is located in Huntington Beach State Park. the primary purpose of my trip was the beach (of course!) but stopping here was a nice morning detour! That’s cool it made you think of the Alhambra too!
Beautiful. You have a talent for prose and photography. Is there anything you can’t do?
Aw thanks Gabriel! Plenty I can’t do : ) : )
Really beautiful & you DEFINITELY have an eye for photography! Still think you should put together a “coffee table” book w/all your awesome pics & descriptions!
well thanks! I love taking pics! I would love to do a fun book of photos at some point – just don’t know where I’d start though, I have soo many!!
YoYo, what a beautiful place. Who would think it exists(ed) in South Carolina.??!! You certainly have the knack of finding different and unusual spots to check out. Gorgeous photos along with fantastic descriptions. You are a very talented young lady!
I know! you never know the things that exist out there sometimes till you’re there! so fun.
Well thanks LP : )