Nordic Aesthetics & City Comforts Blend In This British Seaside Home
Nordic Aesthetics & City Comforts Blend In This British Seaside Home
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Nordic Aesthetics & City Comforts Blend In This British Seaside Home

This seaside project in Devon was all about the location, nature and minimalism. Designer Pernille Lind’s creative approach blends Scandinavian aesthetics with contemporary decorative and material influences, which allowed the owners to embrace the property’s size and aspect, without compromising on elegance or cosiness. Here, Pernille gives us the tour…
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Photography: @WPLUSBPHOTOGRAPHY

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The Property

The property is a recently built contemporary home in a peaceful seaside area in Devon, with seven expansive bedrooms, five bathrooms, two powder rooms, a boot room, spacious kitchen and larder, snug and two living rooms. Owned by an energetic family of five, whose main residence is in London, the house needed a full renovation to become a holiday sanctuary away from bustling city life. Also requiring an increased footprint to better accommodate their sociable lifestyle, the aim was to transform the space into a warm and calming retreat that incorporates Scandinavian design aesthetics, while enhancing the home's functionality for family activities and gatherings. 

We chose to use a lot of wood, as this would add a warm layer to the otherwise modern and clean spaces. Furthermore, we designed bespoke doors and architraves, also using oak, to tie this in with all the wooden floors. Natural stone, such as limestone, was selected for the kitchen joinery and island. Throughout the house and spaces, the change of materiality was kept to a minimum to keep the transitions calm and coherent. 

The Brief

The brief was to curate an enchanting and functional interior scheme that would blend the comforts of the family’s Georgian townhouse in North London with the functionalities of coastal living. The general design direction was evoking warmth and calm, so the aesthetic embodies a blend of modern sophistication with some more playful elements. It was important to create an environment that would act as a social hub for the family – robust enough for them to return to after a long day on the beach yet elegant enough to host dinner parties. 

We used a palette of off-whites and neutrals to complement the bright and airy spaces. The main living areas incorporate sandy sepia tones and dusky fabrics, picking up from the surrounding landscape. There are also rich, inviting hues that instil a sense of comfort and cosiness. And in specific areas such as the bathrooms and the kids’ bedrooms, bursts of colour were thoughtfully injected to reflect the family’s vibrant personalities. 

Our material selection throughout highlights a connection to the surrounding area. Natural stone and marble are prominent in the main bathrooms, while the kitchen features a shaker-style oak frame with patinated metal inserts that is balanced by a central limestone island. Another key aim was to enhance the panoramic sea views, while maintaining a light and airy atmosphere throughout. With this in mind, we incorporated expansive glazing to create seamless transitions between spaces, as well as between the indoors and outdoors. 

The furniture selection focused on a combination of iconic and pared-back, mid-century modern pieces, with the introduction of some more traditional lighting fixtures, such as a large chandelier in the main living room from the client’s London home. Custom details, such as bespoke doors and architraves, added further architectural interest and character throughout. 

The most important aspects, which are always considered in all our projects, are context and the client’s needs. For this project, the context was the locality rather than the architectural history of the building as it is a new build. Then we also analyse the client’s needs and as we also had their main home to take cues from, this helped define some of the more detailed aspects of the interior palette, furnishings and colours. It was important to curate a harmonious blend of both traditional and modern elements, creating spaces that would encourage social interaction and relaxation.


TAKE THE TOUR

The Hallway

In this grand, double-height, space we paid special attention to the materiality, such as the wooden stair treads and the natural sandstone on the floor. We wanted to keep the space light and neutral.

WALLS Clunch by Farrow & Ball  
PENDANTS Mulberry Globe by Jamb 
WALL LIGHT Foxley by Felix Lighting 

The Snug

The snug occupies a smaller corner of the ground floor, which we enhanced with bespoke joinery and seating. We fulfilled our client’s wish for a small bar space, complete with beautiful cocktail glasses. Since completion, this area has become a key entertaining space where they sit with their friends to enjoy drinks whilst watching the sunset.

ARMCHAIR Moreau by Pinch 
UPHOLSTERED in ‘de La Tour’ Plum/Brown by Paolo Moschino 
FOOTSTOOL Rowen & Wren 
RUG Rowen & Wren

The Kitchen

The kitchen – the focal point of the ground floor – combines contemporary design with functionality through a slim-profile, Shaker-style oak frame that matches the joinery elsewhere in the home. Featuring patinated steel inserts, the imposing yet subtly textured limestone island serves as a striking centrepiece.

KITCHEN AND WATERFALL-EDGE ISLAND Designed by Pernille Lind Studio
BESPOKE CABINETRY Made by End Grain
METAL PANEL INSERTS by Novocastrian 
PENDANT LIGHTS Bath Stone by Anton & K 
WALL LIGHTS Carter by Felix Lighting 
OAK FLOORING Solid Floor 
CURTAINS Made by Danesbridge 
HARDWARE Tilly's  

The Living Room

Across from the snug, we created a cosy living space layered with a variety of tactile textures. We designed a new surround for the fireplace, and dressed the room with unique pieces such as a vintage cabinet, bespoke walnut shelving unit and vintage chandelier from the client’s London home. We also incorporated pattern for more of a statement.

LIMESTONE FIRE SURROUND Jamb
BESPOKE EMTAL DOOR PARTITION Designed by Pernille Lind Studio  
CABINET Made by Arcadia Antiques 
SOFA Moreau by Pinch
UPHOLSTERED in ‘Lovat' by Mulberry Home
TABLE LAMP Vaughan Designs 
ARTWORK ‘Green Wave’ by Joe Gamble, from Wondering People 
CURTAINS Made by Danesbridge 
HARDWARE Tilly's  
ARMCHAIR Sirocco by Norell  
RUG Peter Page 
VINTAGE CHANDELIER Client’s own 

The Main Bedroom

We designed a bespoke bed upholstered in a printed botanical fabric by Lisa Fine, which adds pattern and interest to the space. Complemented by soft and neutral bedlinen, and calming tones on the walls, we wanted to create a real retreat. Warmth and depth comes courtesy of wooden panelling behind the bed frame, and a richly hued rug.

BESPOKE BED Designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by Violet & George 
UPHOLSTERED In ‘Pomona Tobacco' by Lisa Fine 
BEDLINEN Bedfolk 
PENDANT LIGHT York by Felix Lighting
WALLS Clay-Mid by Little Greene 
RUG Soho Home 
CONSOLE TABLE Ivor by Andrew Dominic 
STOOL Six the Residence 

The Main En-Suite

For this space, we designed a bespoke washstand crafted from dark stained oak and topped it with Moleanos limestone. To complement this, we selected elegant wall lights from Eichholtz, and a mirror by Lind + Almond – both in brass. The space is then anchored by Swedish green marble floor tiles.

BESPOKE WASHSTAND Designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by End Grain
WALL LIGHTS Gascogne S by Eichholtz 
MIRROR Sofie by Lind + Almond 
FLOOR TILES Swedish green marble by Östersjösten

The Annexe Bedroom

The annexe bedroom is an inviting private space for guests, enhanced by the impressive ocean views. We used a subtle striped fabric on the headboard, and bespoke joinery to offer both a practical storage solution and the opportunity to incorporate some colour. Tucked in the eaves is a compact en suite with a decorative marble sink and shelving. 

HEADBOARD In ‘Napa Stripe Ebony’ by Classic Cloth
JOINERY Designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by End Grain
PAINTED In  Inchyra Blue by Farrow & Ball 

The Guest Bedroom

This inviting bedroom, with its warm-toned walls and cooler accents, has a relaxed and grown-up atmosphere. Comfortably furnished with ambient wall lighting and a soft, dusky-toned rug and throw, the space is like a peaceful retreat.

WALLS Cord by Farrow & Ball 
BED Soho Home
WALL LIGHT Felix Lighting
RUG Sea Lark by 16TEN 
THROW Toast 
CURTAIN Chelsea Cream by Kirkby 
BEDSIDE TABLE &Tradition 

The Attic Bedroom

The attic bedroom is playful and charming, featuring a sleigh bed painted in a soft green to complement a fun wallpaper. We wanted the space to combine comfort with character, creating a space for relaxing and playing games.

BED Gustavian Sleigh Bed by Scumble Goosie 
PAINTED In Sage Green by Little Greene 
WALLPAPER Poppy by Morris & Co by Sanderson
STOOL Sika-Design 
WALL LIGHTS Old School Bulkhead by Holloways of Ludlow 

The Children's Bedroom

Here we designed bespoke beds adorned with playful canopies. It was in these spaces for the children that we were keen to infuse more vibrant pops of colour – reflective of their lively personalities. A whimsical lollipop pendant enhances the space, and the wallpaper adds a joyful and imaginative touch.

BESPOKE BEDS Designed by Pernille Lind Studio, made by Andrew Dominic 
CANOPIES John Lewis 
BEDLINEN Bedfolk
PENDANT Lollipop by Hector Finch 
WALLPAPER District Silt by Kelly Wearstler at GP&J Baker  

The Family Bathroom

We love the beautiful green marble flooring and bespoke curved shower screen in here. The shower is clad in Zellige tiles, which complement the serene textures found in the surrounding Devon landscape. A large bath and pendant light sit in the centre of the space, while neutral blinds offer warmth and privacy.

BATH Clearwater 
PENDANT Paola by Hector Finch 
BLINDS Tilly's  
FLOOR TILES Swedish green marble by Östersjösten 

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