A secluded natural retreat

St Mawgan, a quiet Cornish village with a population of just over 1,300, lies four miles northeast of Newquay, where the local airport is located. The village consists of a few picturesque houses immersed in a rural setting, dominated by a 13th-century parish church. In this idyllic spot, celebrated by 19th-century poet Henry Sewell Stokes, a British family found the perfect property to fulfil their lifelong dream: a home decorated in soft, neutral tones with large windows that connect seamlessly with the outdoors, and spacious, bright rooms where they can raise their children in an unspoiled environment and welcome friends. The home’s style is simple yet contemporary, defined by a harmonious blend of white and soft colours, alongside a well-calibrated contrast of materials: wood, glass, metal, stone and ceramic. This design vision is beautifully expressed in the large living room, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offer a romantic view of St Mawgan’s church, gently peeking through the surrounding greenery.

The star of the home is the Brit Stone Sand floor tile line from COEM, a tribute to natural materials and stones. Its ever-changing appearance and the beauty of its imperfect surface capture light in varying intensities. “Brit Stone Sand worked beautifully with the wood tones in the kitchen and the wooden staircase, creating a neutral, warm and relaxed atmosphere. The clients also chose to use the same tile in the living area, ensuring that any accidents with food or drink could be easily cleaned without issue,” explains Alex Harris, owner of North Coast Tile Company which supplied the materials for the project. A love of nature is reflected not only in the aesthetics and design of this home but also in the lifestyle choices of its inhabitants. People who choose to live in a small, remote village typically make life choices that align with their ethical principles and respect for the environment. This commitment extends to their daily actions and the use of eco-conscious products, ensuring that every aspect of their lives embodies a deep appreciation for nature. This ideology led to the selection of ethically manufactured products, such as these porcelain stoneware tiles, which are LEED® certified and made from recycled materials. The colour beige, used in coordination with various shades of light brown, serves as the common thread running throughout the residence, culminating in the ground-floor kitchen, which offers a stunning view of the surrounding woodland. The colour scheme chosen in this space can best be described as “total sand”, extending from the Brit Stone Sand floors to the wooden cabinetry and from there on up to the countertop and work surface of the large central kitchen island.