Cornish cottage interiors - renovating a gem

Dreaming of a cottage by the sea

Why  Porthleven

But, a cottage by the sea was not the only thing on my wish list.  I wanted the antidote to rural living, I wanted a little community, with life all year round, because I knew that our holiday cottage would need to be full all year.  Because empty houses just aren't our style. I wanted to provide all year round work and visitors to the village.

I drove down the coast of Cornwall, from Polzeath, through Padstow, Perranporth, St Ives, Sennen, Mousehole and finally down to Porthleven. On the day of viewing I parked up in town and sat and enjoyed a morning coffee and cake in Nauti but Ice, whilst watching the sea and bustle of the harbour.

I wandered around little gift shops and bought a few basics from the Deli and Pengelly's shop. What struck me was just how alive this village was, from visitors, to locals, The brilliant Ship Inn, where you'll get chatting to anyone whilst supping a pint. At the time there was no Shipyard market and in the three years we have been in Porthleven so many more businesses have started and flourished which is great to see.

Porthleven is all about the sea, from swimmers, to a fleet of gigs, surfers, and fishing boats, and centre stage is the Atlantic, full of rage and big waves attracting photographers and artists hoping to capture the perfect wave. Storm watchers flock there, drawn to the drama and magnificence of the sea.

This feisty little fishing village faces the Atlantic head on, and it shows in the people who live there, entrepreneurial, inventive and determined to have fun, despite what nature is throwing at them.

Porthleven, got into my bones, now I had to see if Anchor cottage would do the same!

Creating holiday cottage interiors

Anchor cottage is one of the originals of Porthleven. It came up for sale in June of 2019, I viewed it in November of the same year. It had been a holiday let for over 20 years, and  whilst the owners had done some some lovely work, it needed some new life put into it.

The decor was bland - a common trait of holiday accommodations, the furniture tired and the bathroom rather pokey. The outside dull, and rather uninviting.We discovered the roof needed replacing, in addition to a new bathroom, a new boiler and wood-burner. But, what didn't need any work was the view.  A the show goes, Location is everything, and Anchor cottage had it all.

seaside cottage renovation challenges

As it turns out, renovating a granite cottage which is first line to a rather lively Atlantic, can be challenging.  It took 3 months to get the roof done - we used the winter months, so as not to disturb our neighbours view - which was also a holiday let.

As layers of the cottage were revealed so uncovered the issues, a few rotten beams, chimney caps that needed replacing, lead work and party walls all added to the complexity.

The bathroom was the biggest headache. It was a tricky space; a low ceilinged wooden constructed extension on the back of the cottage. With a very low doorway and step down into the space. When we bought it, it had a small bath and quadrant shower squeezed in the corner and it all felt rather outdated and un lux.

We made the big decision to go for a luxuriously large walk in shower, and lose the bath, feeling that one great bathing experience was better than two compromised ones.

However once we started it was discovered that the wooden fabric of the bathroom extension was totally rotten, so the whole thing had to be rebuilt. Quite a scary prospect in February during lock-down. To futurre proof the exterior, we then used a fibre cement cladding, to make it easy to keep clean, and provide much needed insulation.

We also improved the height of the doorway.  This meant squaring up the landing, and back bedroom, and cutting away the ceiling. A lot of work for small benefit, but it really did make a difference.  It also helped to make the landing more spacious.

All this whilst we were in lockdown, and unable to travel, so buying fittings and managing the project was very tricky, we thank our wonderful local contractors for making it all happen.

Design for the bathroom interiors was kept clean and simple with natural material and texture adding interest to the space. We wanted a light and airy space, so we used a pale grey tile with a hint of violet, with some stone marbling through it. We added interest by laying a herringbone pattern in the shower and floor alongside larger format tiles. A teak cabinet with large ceramic sink, large pale oak mirror, gave it a scandi feel,  with the luxury of underfloor heating, walk in shower.

Over all the project was a great success and worth all the headaches.

Cornish cottage interiors

Small low ceilinged granite cottages can be pretty dark, having designed interiors for many black and white beamed cottages this was not dissimilar.

The biggest influence on our decor was to use the light of Cornwall, harnessing the reflection from the water with hues of blues and greens from the water and the big sky. We put together a pallet of palest of greys, soft blues and greens, pinks and sandy yellows to reflect the landscape with seascapes, beach and sunsets.

Texture was equally as important as the colours. We introduced soft wools, brushed cottons, bare wood panelling in the kitchen.  In the soft furnishings we used velvet on bed throws, feather, willow and woven metal shades, sisal carpet and sheepskins draped on benches.

We swapped dark heavy large furniture for paler, low level and ligther in style Furniture to create a feeling of space. We added a rustic dining table with wishbone chairs and textured benches for a more relaxed dining experience.

Natural linens hung at the windows layered with roller blinds and window seats using different patterns to add interest but all in the same tonal colours.

We used reclaimed and sourced original fishing items to hint at the cottage past, and add interest without cluttering her.

Fishing cottage look book

Small low ceilinged granite cottages can be pretty dark, having designed interiors for many black and white beamed cottages this was not dissimilar.

The panelling up the stairs and in the back bedroom added texture and also served to reduce the issues with peeling paint caused by salts in the granite seeping through.

Outside the wooden sash windows needed a repaint. Knowing the seafront position would be challenging, so we did our research, and chose a linseed paing - by Brouns. It meant removing all hte paint back to bare wood, and then using the a pigmented linseed to give the cottage a bit of a moody feel in a deep blue gray. We also painted the granite exterior walls in a soft grey, along with the turreted porch, less stark than the traditional white. We added a pop of blue on the gate and front door to make the cottage stand out a little without screaming.

Here are a few tips from my look book

• Loaf sofas - Jonesy
• Farrow and Ball - Ammonite and Dimpse, Blackened and All White.
• La Redoute - Cupboard and table
• The Barn - Bench
• Nordic House - Dining chairs
• The fabrics were from Ada and Ida,
• Rug Vista - rugs in lounge and bedroom
• Graeme and Greene - Lamps, cushions, washable rugs
• Baileys Home - little teak benches
• Wall lights in main and rear bedrooms sourced from Etsy and Umage.
• Bedding and throws from Dusk, and Christy.
• Outside the Firepit is a smokeless design from Solo Stove. The BBQ is a marine grade Magma,

Many thanks to the many people who helped to create Anchor cottage. Richard Hichen at R&R Fascias, Pete and Liam Wade from South West Heating, R&T stoves, Michael at RCC roofing, Paul at Timber build structures and Wendy - Lou Lou shine, our incredible housekeeper.