Sims Hilditch have created the perfect coastal cottage in Cornwall for an active family
Enjoying a spectacular position above Mylor Creek near Falmouth in Cornwall, this four-bedroom, slate-hung coastal cottage has been transformed to work for family life and make the most of the ever-changing waterside views.
Working collaboratively with the client’s architects, the project involved substantial groundwork to extend the property, create a spacious outside dining terrace, improve access to the creek and design a new boatshed that acts as a home office.
The house was originally built in the 1980s with a configuration of separate rooms on the ground floor. One of most important aims was to rationalise the floorplan and remove many of the divisions. The result is a light and airy open-plan living area constantly connected to one of the finest sailing waters in the country. This room was designed as a comfortable and informal space for the family, who have two sons in their late teens and early 20s, to come together. It has deep sofas, carefully considered lighting and lots of board games to hand (a TV is hidden behind a mirror so that it doesn’t become a focal point).
To make the most of the remarkable setting, the windows were painted internally in a striking anthracite grey. The result introduces a more contemporary edge to the house but also acts as a picture frame to highlight the scenes of the creek and open sky beyond.
As space planning was essential to the smooth running of this house, every inch of room was examined. A dual-purpose utility and boot room was a priority, given the amount of time the family spends outside. An outdoor shower leads into this room, meaning that everyone can come off the creek and clean up before entering the main house.
Sims Hilditch chose a colour scheme throughout the house which uses warm tones but is also deliberately calm and pared back. Not only was this more appropriate to the clean architectural finish of the renovated house but it doesn’t fight with the views beyond. To counter the inscrutable blue of the water on winter days, however, warm tones of ochre and olive were introduced. Artworks throughout add additional pops of colour and interest.
The first floor is home to the principal bedroom which is covered in an elegant and textural paper-backed grass cloth in a rich cardamom brown. This warmth is carried through to an ensuite bathroom with a vanity painted in terracotta against walls and woodwork in a creamy off-white. A set of plantation shutters helps to balance an off-centre window. In lieu of re-positioning this, Sims Hilditch introduced a mirror as a counter allowing the vanity to sit squarely underneath.
A guest room with a dual aspect over the creek has been designed with hotel-like details, including a small entrance lobby. Colours here are soothing and muted pinks and pale heather with some vintage blue tiles adding an accent in the bathroom.
Two further twin bedrooms and a snug on the top floor share a family bathroom. Tongue-and-groove panelling on the walls brings character to the bedrooms, each of which have Juliet balconies with views down the estuary. The bedrooms have been decorated in a timeless way so as not to age as the boys grow older. As a further practical detail, hooks have been placed over the radiators to help dry any damp clothes.
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(photographer: Chris Horwood)
