Houzz Tour: A Calm, Stylish Home With Incredible Coastal Views
Soft fabrics, organic textures and a nature-inspired scheme give this spacious house a cosy, tranquil feel
When the owners first bought this house in Cornwall, it felt tired and dated, but it had stunning views out to the estuary and beyond. They lived in it for a year before hiring local interior designer Nicola O’Mara to improve the flow of the space and make it feel warm, welcoming and restful.
Nicola used the landscape as her starting point, adding soft blues and neutrals as well as natural surfaces to complement the coastal setting, while strategically configuring the layout to make the most of the waterside vistas.
Nicola used the landscape as her starting point, adding soft blues and neutrals as well as natural surfaces to complement the coastal setting, while strategically configuring the layout to make the most of the waterside vistas.
“We had the existing floor lifted and new tiles put down,” Nicola says. “It’s a ceramic floor that replicates a honed slate look.”
Flooring, North Coast Tile Company.
Flooring, North Coast Tile Company.
The kitchen forms a U-shape, with the sink area tucked behind a stud wall. Nicola made the most of the corridor opposite the stud wall by installing this large unit.
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On the other side of the first floor is a living room, which also has a large window looking out across the estuary.
Nicola positioned a cosy corner sofa along the opposite wall, but needed to find a solution for more seating that didn’t block the view. She chose a curved sofa that slotted into the corner near the window, balancing the room without obstructing the flow.
Curved sofa, Six The Residence. Rug, Designers Guild. Table lamps, Coach House.
Nicola positioned a cosy corner sofa along the opposite wall, but needed to find a solution for more seating that didn’t block the view. She chose a curved sofa that slotted into the corner near the window, balancing the room without obstructing the flow.
Curved sofa, Six The Residence. Rug, Designers Guild. Table lamps, Coach House.
As the room is quite large, acoustics were important, so Nicola installed timber panels with felted backs either side of the fireplace. These bring in some cosy texture and prevent sound echoing around the space.
The fireplace was already there, but Nicola had the slate along the low surface sanded back and oiled.
Coffee table; cushions; L-shaped sofa, all Andrew Martin. Natural wooden wall panels, Acupanel.
The fireplace was already there, but Nicola had the slate along the low surface sanded back and oiled.
Coffee table; cushions; L-shaped sofa, all Andrew Martin. Natural wooden wall panels, Acupanel.
There’s also a snug on the first floor where the kids like to chill out, watch TV and play video games.
“We wanted to make it cosy, so we painted the back wall in a dark colour and added natural linens and wooden surfaces,” Nicola says.
Along the opposite wall [not seen] is some joinery that houses the TV screen and gaming devices.
Sofa, Andrew Martin. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Villa Nova. Wall painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball. Coffee table, Bloomingville.
“We wanted to make it cosy, so we painted the back wall in a dark colour and added natural linens and wooden surfaces,” Nicola says.
Along the opposite wall [not seen] is some joinery that houses the TV screen and gaming devices.
Sofa, Andrew Martin. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Villa Nova. Wall painted in Stiffkey Blue, Farrow & Ball. Coffee table, Bloomingville.
The main bedroom, which is at the top of the house, has its own balcony. The bed faces out to the landscape, while two armchairs are located next to the glazed door. “The house is enclosed by trees, so it’s private,” Nicola says.
Armchairs, Loaf. Bed, Love Your Home. Bed linen, The White Company. Rug, West Elm.
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Armchairs, Loaf. Bed, Love Your Home. Bed linen, The White Company. Rug, West Elm.
Does your professional use HouzzPro? Watch our video to see how communication during your project can be made much easier.
Fitted wardrobes were already in place, but they were dated. Nicola commissioned a joinery team to create new door fronts and added antique bronze handles. “The surface looks a little like linen, which adds some soft character to the room,” she says.
Joinery, Coast Creative. Throw, Toast.
Joinery, Coast Creative. Throw, Toast.
A dark wall behind the bed gives the space a snug feel, while carpet softens the acoustics in the high-ceilinged room.
Cosmic V151 carpet, Kersaint Cobb. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Soho Home. Bedside table, Oka. Bedside lamp, Birdie Fortescue. Back wall painted in Stiffkey Blue. Farrow & Ball.
More: Ditch These 7 Things to Make Your Bedroom Feel Bigger
Cosmic V151 carpet, Kersaint Cobb. Cushions, Andrew Martin and Soho Home. Bedside table, Oka. Bedside lamp, Birdie Fortescue. Back wall painted in Stiffkey Blue. Farrow & Ball.
More: Ditch These 7 Things to Make Your Bedroom Feel Bigger
A children’s bedroom is tucked under the eaves. Nicola had all of the oak beams in the house restored and oiled.
The scheme in this room is neutral for longevity, but Nicola added fun touches such as the crab-shaped shelf.
Crab shelf, Bloomingville. Piper beds, Loaf. Throws, Madam Stoltz. Cushions, Bloomingville and Andrew Martin. Rug, HK Living.
The scheme in this room is neutral for longevity, but Nicola added fun touches such as the crab-shaped shelf.
Crab shelf, Bloomingville. Piper beds, Loaf. Throws, Madam Stoltz. Cushions, Bloomingville and Andrew Martin. Rug, HK Living.
The hallway is on the ground floor and is a large space with a winding staircase up to the main living area.
Nicola positioned a large sideboard in front of the stone wall to provide plenty of storage for the family. A couple of chairs frame the cabinet and add a place to sit while putting on shoes.
Sideboard, Andrew Martin. Armchairs, Loaf. Mirror, Oka.
Nicola positioned a large sideboard in front of the stone wall to provide plenty of storage for the family. A couple of chairs frame the cabinet and add a place to sit while putting on shoes.
Sideboard, Andrew Martin. Armchairs, Loaf. Mirror, Oka.
There are more bedrooms on the ground floor, including this guest room. “We contrasted white panelling with blue walls to add interest and texture,” Nicola says. “The whole house also has a nod to the coastal setting without being too obvious.” She is now working on the home’s bathrooms.
“The owners love the house and found the renovation stress-free, as we project-managed the whole thing,” Nicola says.
Throws, Society of Lifestyle. Cushions, Madam Stoltz. Bedside Table, Kave Home. Lamp, Nordic Nest. Wall painted in Skylight, Farrow & Ball.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite room in this coastal home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
“The owners love the house and found the renovation stress-free, as we project-managed the whole thing,” Nicola says.
Throws, Society of Lifestyle. Cushions, Madam Stoltz. Bedside Table, Kave Home. Lamp, Nordic Nest. Wall painted in Skylight, Farrow & Ball.
Tell us…
What’s your favourite room in this coastal home? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A family of four
Location Rock, Cornwall
Property A 15-year-old oak-framed house
Size Five bedrooms and five bathrooms
Designer Nicola O’Mara of Nicola O’Mara Interior Design
Building works Wood & Tile Construction
Photos by Elliot White Photography
The kitchen-diner, which is on the first floor of this coastal home, is vast, with lots of glazing so the family can enjoy the view. Nicola laid out the space with a closed-in kitchen and a dining area next to the glazed doors.
She commissioned a local company to design the kitchen with in-frame cabinets and handless doors. “We try to use local trades and suppliers wherever possible,” she says.
“It was tricky to find a table big enough for the space,” Nicola adds. This oak table fits perfectly in the area and allows diners to sit and gaze out at the estuary. Nicola made sure she didn’t add any hanging light fixtures that might obscure the view, opting for recessed spotlights instead.
Kitchen, Duchy Kitchens. Dining chairs, Kave Home.