I don’t know if it’s the thought of summer coming (please make it soon) and the inevitable holiday dreams that start to filter through at this time of year but this two bedroom cottage really has got me rummaging down the back of the sofa for, erm, £750,000….
It’s on the market with Stags, and is located near Mousehole, in Cornwall. And the other thing that’s worth pointing out is that it made £70,000 in holiday rentals in its first year and it has now been re-appointed and refurbished so it could do even better this year. It’s on with Unique Home Stays if you want to see more – they took these gorgeously styled pictures.
It has two bedrooms and a snug, which could double up as a third, as you can see below, is situated right on the sea front. Personally I’m sold by the notion of a palm tree in the front garden never mind all the rest.
The white-washed stone walls are perfect for the rustic nature of the building and the white wood-burning stove means this would be a treat even in the depths of winter. In many ways I prefer walking along deserted British beaches in winter and coming home to a roaring fire and a scone laden with clotted cream and jam.
The grey and white decor is warmed up by the natural wood and texture on the walls – tongue and groove, natural patined stone and exposed brick. It’s a masterclass in comfortable neutrals.
According to the agent it has also featured in Conde Nast Traveller magazine (presumably why there’s a copy left artlessly on the coffee table in the picture above) as their Digs of the Week, which would make taking it over as a holiday let would be even easier.
Mind you even if I could afford it, I might not want to share it with anyone else.
Sticking with the waterside theme but this time moving inland to freshwater we shall head to Somerset, to this converted waterworks on the banks of the River Severn, which is on the market with The Modern House also for £750,000.
See – fancy a bit of that at the bottom of the garden? It has private access from the aforementioned large garden as you can see in the images. It runs round three sides of the house and there is a public footpath although apparently rarely used, beyond which is an area of private lawn and access to the jetty.
The building itself has been kept as far as possible as it was with the sitting room as the centrepiece with its double height ceilings. Behind that room is another currently used as a home office with storage on a mezzanine level.
Here is the view back from the arched window (name that programme) and you can see how the space is perfectly zoned into two by the sofa placed across the middle of the room. It doesn’t block the light but does give this large open plan space two separate functions, which is a better use of the room.
The kitchen is arranged around this free-standing island but the peninsula at the end does the same trick as the sofa above. It separates cooking from dining without the need for a wall which would block the light and the view. This is the definition of broken plan living which is becoming the new buzzword in interiors. You will probably start to hear a lot more about it and this, in essence, is what it means.
Here’s the dining study area at the back of the sitting room. Is that a feature wall I hear you cry? Well it’s more a case of when is a feature wall not a feature wall and the answer (perhaps) is when it’s created in a natural feature of the building. So, in this case, in the alcove by the bookshelves. It has a job – to make the books stand out and to create interest in that part of the room. A feature wall often seems to be just a wall that someone has painted in a different colour which is why they get such a bad wrap. If you are highlighting an architectural feature or making a deliberate statement then, somehow, it’s different. Don’t ask me why – I’m just trying to explain.
Talking of using paint to create an effect, this is a great idea. Firstly – note the deep burgundy/brown wall colour – that’s also going to be a thing soon. But mostly look how taking the paint up behind the bed and over the ceiling creates a sort of canopy effect over the bed and, again, zones it from the dressing room at the far end.
So there you have it. One two bedroom seaside cottage and one four bedroom waterside conversion. Both for the same price. Whose having which?
I love so many of the interiors on the Unique Home Stays site! Hours of inspiration!
It’s the Mousehole cottage for me – I’m not over grey by a long shot and this is perfect.
Both gorgeous however Mousehole just wins for me because of the cosiness factor. They have a different vibe so hard to compare and actually I prefer the lounge and kitchen and bedroom of the second property. And even tho it would be difficult sadly the thought of the 70k income for Mousehole would prompt me to share it! Great post.
I know of that beautiful Mousehole house….annnd I can say, yesss…… spectacular in summer, and also in winter, with waves and high winds lashing up against the windows. A fair trek from car to house, methinks, if you’ve got stuff to schlepp……especially in High season ;))
Mousehole please … that lovely outside space overlooking the Severn sold it to me. Happy to share it too for £70k income.
I agree with Nicola, the styling is great in the cottage, and, I think, less than great in the waterworks, which is a fabulous building not yet up to its potential. It’s a bit of a blank canvas to my idea (which actually makes it more appealing to me – nothing to do in the cottage except dust! And wipe the salt spray off the windows.)
I’m in love with the Mousehole house. It’s perfect 🙂
The Cornwall house is stunning both inside and out…if only!
The Cornwall house is just stunning both inside and out…if only!
Cornwall. As long as they throw in every stick of furniture because the styling is gorgeous. I particularly like the kitchen, and the bedroom, and the sitting room…. sigh.