Located in a peaceful seaside area in Devon, this recently built 620 sq.m property features seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, two powder rooms, a boot room, a spacious kitchen and larder, a snug, and two living rooms. In need of a full renovation, the home also required an increased footprint to cater to a sociable family of five, whose main residence is in London. The aim was to create a contemporary seaside retreat incorporating Scandinavian design aesthetics.

Appointed in late 2021, our brief was to curate an enchanting and functional interior scheme for a family seeking a holiday sanctuary. Nestled amidst the stunning Devon landscape, the house was to be meticulously designed as a warm, modern seaside retreat that would serve as a social hub for long weekends and summer holidays.

With ties to Devon through family and friends, the client wanted to blend coastal tranquility with the comforts of their Georgian townhouse in North London. The interior scheme was tailored to evoke warmth and calm, using a palette of rich hues and natural textures. The design balanced a grown-up, considered interior with spaces for family fun, including bursts of colour in the WCs and kids’ bedrooms that reflect the family’s personalities.

Natural materials were used in the main bathrooms to mirror the surrounding nature and seascape, while iconic mid-century modern furniture throughout the home created an environment suited for a calm seaside lifestyle. The house includes spaces and amenities to match the family’s seaside pursuits, such as a spacious boot room for wetsuits, an outdoor shower for post-sea dips, and a kids playroom.

The kitchen, positioned at the heart of the home, is the main feature on the ground floor. We considered the contemporary architecture along with the client’s needs, introducing a shaker-style oak frame with a slim profile, stained to match the joinery elsewhere in the house. Patinated steel inserts added a modern touch, while a limestone island served as a monolithic centrepiece—imposing in size yet subtle in materiality, reflecting the locality of the house.

In addition to the main living areas, the design included an inviting guest annexe. This was purposefully designed to offer visitors a private haven, comprising a cozy bedroom, en-suite bathroom, living and dining areas, and a well-equipped kitchenette with sea views.

The architectural vision, brought to life by a local Exeter-based architect, focused on enhancing the panoramic sea views with expansive glazing. This was supported through our interior choices, where we designed glazing partitions and doors that would not obstruct the views while dividing spaces. Powder-coated off-white frames and bespoke oak doors and architraves maintained an airy, light flow between spaces. Oak and natural stone flooring throughout the home added further architectural character and reinforced the serene coastal ambiance of the property.

Team:

Interior Designer: Pernille Lind Studio

Contractor: Goulden & Sons Ltd.

Photographer: Joachim Wichmann

Materials Used:

Hallway

Flooring, Chequerboard pattern made up of two different limestones and a glazed zellige tile border

Walls painted in Clunch by Farrow & Ball

Pendants, Mulberry globe, Jamb

Foxley Wall Light, Felix Lighting

Snug

Small Moreau armchair, Pinch, upholstered in Paolo Moschino ‘de La Tour - Plum/Brown on Ecru

Footstool, Rowen & Wren

Rug, Rowen & Wren

Kitchen

Bespoke three metre long island with a waterfall edge, designed by Pernille Lind Studio

Bespoke cabinetry designed by Pernille Lind Studio and made by End Grain with metal panel inserts by Novocastrian.

Bath Stone pendant lights, Anton & K

Carter wall lights, Felix Lighting

Oak flooring, Solid Floor

Curtains, olive green linen, made by Danesbridge with hardware from Tilly’s

Sitting room

Limestone fire surround, Jamb

Bespoke metal door partition, designed by Pernille Lind Studio

Cabinet, made by Arcadia Antiques

Moreau Sofa, Pinch. Upholstered in Racing Stripe fabric in Lovat fabric Mulberry Home

Table lamp, Vaughan Designs

Artwork, ‘Green Wave’ by Joe Gamble, from Wondering People

Curtains, olive green linen, made by Danesbridge. With hardware from Tilly’s

Sirocco armchair, Norell

Rug, Peter Page

Vintage chandelier, client’s own

Family bathroom

Bespoke curved bath screen, clad with green zellige tiles

Bath from Clearwater

Paola pendant, Hector Finch

Blinds, Tillys

Swedish green marble floor tiles, Östersjösten

Main ensuite

Bespoke washstand designed by Pernille Lind Studio in dark stained oak with a

Moleanos limestone top, made by End Grain.

Gascogne S wall lights, Eichholtz

Sofie mirror, Lind + Almond

Swedish green marble floor tiles, Östersjösten

Main bedroom

Bespoke bed designed by Pernille Lind Studio and made by Violet & George in

Pomona Tobacco fabric by Lisa Fine

Bedlinen, Bedfolk

York pendant light, Felix Lighting

Walls, painted in Clay-Mid, Little Greene

Rug, Soho Home

Ivor console table, Andrew Dominic

Stool, Six the Residence

Guest bedroom

Walls painted in Farrow & Ball Cord

Bed Soho Home

Wall light Felix Lighting

Sea Lark Rug, 16TEN

Throw, Toast

Curtain fabric Kirkby Chelsea Cream

Bedside table, &Tradition

Annexe bedroom

Headboard fabric, Napa Stripe Ebony, by Classic Cloth

Bespoke joinery designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by End Grain, and painted in Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball

Attic bedroom

Gustavian Sleigh Bed by Scumble Goosie, painted in Sage Green by Little Greene

Poppy wallpaper, Morris & Co by Sanderson

Stool, Sika-Design

Old School Bulkhead wall lights, Holloways of Ludlow

Children's bedroom

Bespoke beds designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by Andrew Dominic Canopies, John Lewis & Partners

Bedlinen, Bedfolk

Lollipop Globe pendant, Hector Finch

Wallpaper, District Silt, Kelly Wearstler through GP&J Baker