Houzz Tour: Cool Blues and Natural Surfaces in a Beautiful Coastal Home
The Cornish coastline takes centre stage in this cosy yet stylish seaside cottage
Amanda Pollard
19 March 2022
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
The owner of this cottage in Cornwall had used it as a holiday home for 20 years, but it had become a little tired. She was keen to spend more time in her seaside retreat, so she contacted designer Nicola O’Mara to help her make the space more liveable.
Nicola took inspiration from the stunning Cornish landscape to revitalise the property with a new kitchen, two bathrooms and a fresh new decorating scheme.
Nicola took inspiration from the stunning Cornish landscape to revitalise the property with a new kitchen, two bathrooms and a fresh new decorating scheme.
House at a Glance
Who lives here? A woman who uses the cottage as her holiday retreat
Location Tintagel, Cornwall
Property An old coastguard’s cottage
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Nicola O’Mara of Nicola O’Mara Interior Design
Nicola’s main aim for the design of this cottage was to create a calm, relaxing space for her client. She also wanted the home’s original features to stand out, as well as the stunning sea views that can be seen from the rear windows. The key to success was simplicity, seen here in this minimal, streamlined kitchen.
She hired local kitchen company Duchy Designs to install a plain painted wood kitchen. The discreet matt design allows the original kitchen door, which leads to the front entrance, to take centre stage.
Who lives here? A woman who uses the cottage as her holiday retreat
Location Tintagel, Cornwall
Property An old coastguard’s cottage
Size Two bedrooms and two bathrooms
Designer Nicola O’Mara of Nicola O’Mara Interior Design
Nicola’s main aim for the design of this cottage was to create a calm, relaxing space for her client. She also wanted the home’s original features to stand out, as well as the stunning sea views that can be seen from the rear windows. The key to success was simplicity, seen here in this minimal, streamlined kitchen.
She hired local kitchen company Duchy Designs to install a plain painted wood kitchen. The discreet matt design allows the original kitchen door, which leads to the front entrance, to take centre stage.
The very pale grey cabinets contrast with a matt black granite worktop textured with fossilised pieces.
There’s plenty of storage in the kitchen, with drawer units either side of the oven for plates, and ample cupboard space. Integrated appliances and a plain glass splashback add to the clean, streamlined look.
Kitchen, Duchy Designs.
There’s plenty of storage in the kitchen, with drawer units either side of the oven for plates, and ample cupboard space. Integrated appliances and a plain glass splashback add to the clean, streamlined look.
Kitchen, Duchy Designs.
The dining area at the rear of the kitchen looks out to sea. Nicola chose blue patterned curtains to frame the view and tone with the colours outside.
Furniture and accessories in weathered wood and rattan add to the cosy, natural feel of the room.
Santiago curtain fabric in Indigo, GP & J Baker. Wall lights, Mullan Lighting. Dining table, House Doctor. Dining chairs; pendant light, all Light & Living.
Furniture and accessories in weathered wood and rattan add to the cosy, natural feel of the room.
Santiago curtain fabric in Indigo, GP & J Baker. Wall lights, Mullan Lighting. Dining table, House Doctor. Dining chairs; pendant light, all Light & Living.
An aged mirror with the same grid design as the window reflects the view and helps to bounce light around the room.
In this photo, you can glimpse the back door, which leads out to the patio. “We put some little shelves up for gloves, hats and other outside gear,” Nicola says.
The flooring throughout the ground floor is luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which is super-practical when the owner comes home from a sandy walk with her dog.
Flooring, Karndean.
In this photo, you can glimpse the back door, which leads out to the patio. “We put some little shelves up for gloves, hats and other outside gear,” Nicola says.
The flooring throughout the ground floor is luxury vinyl tiles (LVT), which is super-practical when the owner comes home from a sandy walk with her dog.
Flooring, Karndean.
“We had the original wood-burning stove refurbished,” Nicola says. “It’s at an angle and separates the two zones. It’s a cosy space to hang out.”
Plywood laid in a weatherboard pattern adds a subtle feature to the wall behind the console table. “I chose ply rather than MDF as the woodgrain adds texture,” Nicola says.
Walls throughout painted in Strong White; woodwork painted in Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Plywood laid in a weatherboard pattern adds a subtle feature to the wall behind the console table. “I chose ply rather than MDF as the woodgrain adds texture,” Nicola says.
Walls throughout painted in Strong White; woodwork painted in Pavilion Gray, Farrow & Ball.
At the other side of the home’s central staircase is a living room.
In need of a little advice? Find local interior designers on Houzz, see photos of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
In need of a little advice? Find local interior designers on Houzz, see photos of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
Nicola replaced the tile flooring in the living room with the same wood-effect LVT as in the dining room for a cosier feel.
The leather sofas were swapped for two comfy fabric ones and an armchair. Layered textures in subtle blues and neutrals give the room a snug feel.
“We had all the windows refurbished and these are dressed with beautiful, embroidered curtains,” Nicola says. The central pendant made by a local designer from curved wood adds another organic element to the room.
Toledo curtain fabric in Indigo, GP & J Baker. Pendant light shade, Tom Raffield. Rug, Heal’s. Jonesy sofas, Loaf. Armchair; coffee table, both Gallery Direct. Cushions, Lene Bjerre and Madam Stoltz.
“We had all the windows refurbished and these are dressed with beautiful, embroidered curtains,” Nicola says. The central pendant made by a local designer from curved wood adds another organic element to the room.
Toledo curtain fabric in Indigo, GP & J Baker. Pendant light shade, Tom Raffield. Rug, Heal’s. Jonesy sofas, Loaf. Armchair; coffee table, both Gallery Direct. Cushions, Lene Bjerre and Madam Stoltz.
“We had a new wood-burner installed in here,” Nicola says. “The hearth was a piece of local Delabole slate, which has worn, gnarly, silvery-grey tones.”
Wood-burning stove, Kernow Fires.
Wood-burning stove, Kernow Fires.
The main bedroom benefits from views out to the back and side of the house. To create a calm backdrop to the beautiful vista, Nicola kept the palette soft, with grey linen curtains, a dark grey throw and blue-toned cushions. Good-quality white bed linen with a high thread count adds a luxurious feel to the room.
Bed linen, The White Company. Bed, Gallery Direct. Wool carpet, The Carpet Trader. Chest of drawers, Tikamoon.
Bed linen, The White Company. Bed, Gallery Direct. Wool carpet, The Carpet Trader. Chest of drawers, Tikamoon.
As there’s limited space in the room, Nicola had small bedside shelves made from old scaffold boards. Hanging pendant lights allow the surfaces to be used for a cup and book. “We chose glass, as it’s softer and doesn’t dominate the room,” Nicola says.
Cushions, Lene Bjerre. Throw, House Doctor. Glass pendant lights, Light & Living.
Cushions, Lene Bjerre. Throw, House Doctor. Glass pendant lights, Light & Living.
The house originally had three bedrooms, but it made sense to turn one of these into a shower room. The spacious shower is partially enclosed by a glass pivot door, which keeps the water contained but gives it a wetroom feel.
Nicola kept the space quite minimal and light, contrasting a black composite shower tray and fittings with white herringbone-patterned tiles. Shutters at the window let in light while ensuring privacy.
Nicola kept the space quite minimal and light, contrasting a black composite shower tray and fittings with white herringbone-patterned tiles. Shutters at the window let in light while ensuring privacy.
The elegant, simple design continues on the wall-hung vanity unit, with its glass splashback and round mirror above.
Vanity unit and basin, Lusso Stone. Tap, Soak. Distressed oak-effect LVT flooring, Karndean. Wall lights, Industville.
Vanity unit and basin, Lusso Stone. Tap, Soak. Distressed oak-effect LVT flooring, Karndean. Wall lights, Industville.
Nicola layered textures in the second bedroom to make it cosy and luxurious. Tassels, velvets, worn wood and hammered metal all contribute to the interesting mix of materials.
Bed, Gallery Direct. Cushions, Lene Bjerre. Pendant lights, Light & Living.
Bed, Gallery Direct. Cushions, Lene Bjerre. Pendant lights, Light & Living.
An armchair upholstered in linen sits next to a shallow console table, which fits neatly in the space and can be used as a dressing table. And the chair provides another perfect spot in this cosy home to enjoy those gorgeous ocean views.
Armchair, Gallery Direct. Console table, Garden Trading. Pink-toned rug, Lene Bjerre. Linen curtains, Romo.
Tell us…
What do you think of the subtly textured design in this comfy cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Armchair, Gallery Direct. Console table, Garden Trading. Pink-toned rug, Lene Bjerre. Linen curtains, Romo.
Tell us…
What do you think of the subtly textured design in this comfy cottage? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Related Stories
House Tours
Houzz Tour: Warm Tones and Luxurious Surfaces in a City Townhouse
An earthy colour palette, hidden storage and well-placed texture add character and practicality to this London home
Full Story
Room Tours
Kitchen Tour: A Gorgeous Extension With a Leafy Glasshouse Feel
By Kate Burt
When the owners of this terraced house extended, they were keen to retain its period feel and highlight the garden
Full Story
Gardens
Garden Tour: A Bare Roof Terrace Becomes a Pretty, Sociable Space
By Kate Burt
A retired couple got help transforming their large rooftop into a gorgeous, welcoming, multi-functional retreat
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Smart Layout and Genius Storage in a Victorian Home
Flipping the standard layout and carving out excellent storage have turned this tired house into a brilliant family home
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Victorian House Brought Impressively Up to Date
By Jo Simmons
A cohesive layout and warm colours combined with energy-efficiency measures thoroughly modernise this terraced home
Full Story
Kitchen Tours
Kitchen Tour: An Open, Airy Space Made for Entertaining
Combining two separate rooms has improved flow and created a sociable open-plan kitchen, dining and seating space
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A Family Home Inspired by its Seaside Location
Coastal colours and practical design combine to create a house that will adapt as the family grows
Full Story
Kitchens
5 Inspiring Before and After Kitchen Transformations
Whether you want to boost storage, incorporate original features or maximise your space, take ideas from these designs
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: An Airy, Scandi Finish for a Tall Victorian House
By Kate Burt
From a tricky inherited bath to a sticky-out staircase, on-site problem-solving led to a seamless update for an old home
Full Story
House Tours
Houzz Tour: A 17th Century Cottage Gains Warmth and Character
The clever use of colour and pattern has revived this old building while creating a 21st century family home
Full Story
It's beautiful. I would love to live there.
Love the chairs in the dining area. Where were they sourced?
Thank you, the chairs are from House Doctor.