Home tour: A cosy weekend retreat by coastal Devon, England for a family of five

As a new build, the house initially lacked character, presenting both a challenge and an opportunity to add needed architectural detailing throughout the two-storey residence.

“Some of my favourite features of the home are the architectural elements we designed, such as the main staircase [in the hallway],” Lind explains. “As the client aspired to have a floating staircase, we set about creating steps that would resemble whole timber logs that compliment the overall interior direction and sense of context.”

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However, some structural constraints posed a challenge for the team: the height difference between the ground and first floors caused the staircase to extend beyond the adjacent wall that supported the cantilevered steps.

Through close collaboration with the project engineer and stair fabricator, they incorporated monolithic stone steps at the base of the staircase, corresponding to the chequerboard patterned flooring made up of two different limestones and a glazed zellige tile border.

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“Designed to stand independently without relying on wall support, this unique solution, born from structural and physical limitations, has resulted in a design that not only stands out but also adds a distinct character to the home, which I found incredibly rewarding,” quips Lind.

Other architectural elements that the studio custom designed for the home were bespoke wooden oak doors and architraves that added a warm layer to the otherwise modern and clean spaces.

“The repetition of materials evoke a natural sense of calm and coherence across spaces that foster both social interaction and relaxation,” explains Lind. “Furthermore, by varying the tone of the oak wood—from medium-dark to natural light—we introduced subtle differentiation between the rooms.”

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The panoramic sea views that span across the front of the property dictated the interior architecture of the largely open-plan main living area. Besides incorporating sandy sepia tones and dusty fabrics that complement the surrounding landscape, Lind’s studio also designed floor-to-ceiling glazing with off-white powder-coated metal frames.

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The glass partitions and doors not only maximised the views and allowed light to flow through, but they also sectioned the living area from the kitchen and dining areas to create a cosier and more intimate space. 

Here, the transparency helped maintain unobstructed views while also keeping the interior airy alongside the limestone fireplace, where a beautiful, repurposed chandelier that belongs to the homeowners hangs above the space.

The kitchen at the heart of the property features a bespoke three-metre limestone island with a waterfall edge–an imposing yet soft focal point reminiscent of the rocky coastline nearby; whereas shaker-style oak framed cabinetry with a dark stain and metal inserts adds depth and contrast to an otherwise neutral palette.

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Lind drew inspiration from the homeowners’ main residence to add strategic splashes of colour, instilling playful touches that reflect the family’s personalities.

“One of the most striking narratives we drew from our client’s home in London was the use of bolder colours in smaller spaces, particularly in the cloakrooms,” the interior designer mentions. “This inspired us to inject rich vibrant hues into our design, resulting in choices such as Farrow & Ball’s India Yellow and Brinjal for two of the powder rooms.”

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Such vibrancy is also translated in the family bathroom, where a green zellige tile-clad accent wall behind a bespoke curved bath screen correlates with the Swedish green marble floor tiles.

The bedrooms also showcase different colours through a play of textures and designs: from soothing wallpapers in the attic and children’s bedrooms, to fabric headboards in the guest annexe and the main bedroom.

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