Issuu cornish gems holiday highlife brochure edition 2 2018 19

2018/19 EDITION

Holiday Highlife L U X U RY H O L I DAY L I F E

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luxury

WIN

VIP BREAK WORTH OVER £500 see page 3

Our 2018 Charity Q&A with the RNLI

Beach Safety: know your flags

Events - what’s on Our guide to the very best events & holiday inspiration

Boutiquefor-Two

Interior inspiration

Our luxury Gems are so much more than just a holiday home

Plastic-free St Ives

#plasticfreestives

Gems Recipe: Luscious Lemon and mascarpone layer cake

CONTENTS A warm welcome to our second edition of Holiday Highlife. Our love for all things Cornwall continues as we share with you our unique Gems collections, shine a light on #plasticfreestives, tempt you with our lip-smacking lemon cake recipe and talk to the RNLI, our 2018 charity.

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Our Gems competition Win a VIP break to coastal penthouse Fistral Loft

GEMS PEOPLE

GEMS CHARITY

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Coffee, cake and conscience Our Coffee Lounge shines a light on #plasticfreestives

Our charity of the year Supporting the work of the RNLI

Q&A with Fowey Lifeboat We talk to Kathy Ogg, RNLI volunteer

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The winning formula Find out about the Gems team behind your holiday door

GEMS COLLECTIONS

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What’s On - Cultural Cornwall Our guide to annual Cornish events not to be missed

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The Cornish Gems collections Open the door to our private homes and find your Gem

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Top catch - award-winning chef, Ben Tunnicliffe Private dining experiences exclusive to Gems guests

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Cornish Cribs Truly exceptional homes

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Our Gems recipe Lemon and mascarpone naked lemon layer cake by Lisa

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On the beach Luxury Gems, just a skip to the sand

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Dog friendly Out and about with your four-legged coastal companion

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Interior inspiration From country chic to retro revival, choose your style

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Country collection It’s not all sea and sand, discover our rural Gems

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A Gems journey - River House Creating a waterside idyll

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Celebratory stays Pop the cork in style

Boutique-for-two Luxury hideaways made-for-two

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A Gems journey - Kerensa Upgrading to first-class luxury

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Gem in the spotlight - Carn Cobba Author Amanda Jennings’ literary inspiration for The Cliff House

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GEMS CORNWALL

GEMS HOMES

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luxury

WIN

VIP BREAK WORTH OVER £500 see page 3

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4 Sign up to our newsletter and keep in touch with our very latest news from the Cornish coast.

Email: enquiries@cornishgems.com | Tel. 01872 241 241 | Website. www.cornishgems.com Holiday Highlife, published by Cornish Gems Ltd, Carne House, Truro, TR4 9LD Cornish Gems Holiday Highlife, Edition 2 Editors: Philippa Snell and Julianne Shelton Copywriter: Jen Morgan Photography credits: Elliott White Photography, Chetwode Ram Associates Designer: Paul Sutton Models: The Pike family (Jo, Jon, Meghan and Ollie) The contents of HOLIDAY HIGHLIFE are fully protected by copyright and may not be reproduced without permission ©.

SOCIAL @cornish.gems @cornishgemsholidays @Cornish_Gems

We’d love to hear about your time in Cornwall.

Please share your photos with us and don’t forget to tag us and use the following hashtags - we’ll pick our favourite photos to share on our social media and in next year’s Holiday Highlife #holidayhighlife #mycornishgem

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CORNISH GEMS

Living the holiday highlife in Cornwall

It’s long been thought that time out in Cornwall is time well spent, and we couldn’t agree more. Whether you are visiting familiar favourites, creating a life-long love affair for all things coastal, or soaking up the welcome tonic of vitamin sea and salty air, we invite you to create your Holiday Highlife with Cornish Gems.

It’s been a busy, but very exciting year for us. We’ve welcomed several stunning new Gems and Cornish Cribs to our collection and many of our guests’ favourite homes have had beautiful refurbishments and interior design upgrades. We’re proud of our hand-picked portfolio of 180 luxury houses, cottages and apartments, which showcase the very best holiday style and unrivalled locations in Cornwall.

Our team at Cornish Gems continues to grow as we invest in strengthening all of our departments from our experienced local travel advisors to our first-class customer service and property management teams. We were particularly proud to be a finalist for Company of the Year at the renowned Venus Awards 2018 which recognise women in business.

We loved hearing your positive feedback following our first issue of Holiday Highlife and enjoyed hearing how you’ve been rolling them up and popping them in your beach bags or having a read whilst sipping your morning coffee. In this year’s issue we shine a light on our Coffee Lounge in St Ives and the team’s inspiring efforts to support a Plastic Free St Ives, as well as giving you a flavour of our different collections including On The Beach Gems and Celebratory Stay houses. We also talk to our charity of the year RNLI about their vital service and our very own Gems quality assessor swaps clipboard for cooking bowl to share her lip-smacking lemon cake recipe.

We hope you enjoy your copy of Holiday Highlife and please do share with us any feedback or ideas for next year!

Co-Managing Directors, Julianne Shelton and Nadia Macer-Wright

HAVE YOUR SAY

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We love to hear from you, our guests, about your holiday highlife spent in our luxury properties. We will email you after your stay inviting your feedback. As a thank you for sharing feedback, we enter you into our monthly prize draw to win a luxury hamper worth over £100 or runner up prizes including Cornish Gems gift vouchers.

BLOG

We are delighted to launch Gems Journal, our Cornish travel blog packed with holiday inspiration, the coolest of Cornish locations, exclusive competitions, interior style secrets, guest bloggers and much more. Follow our stories online and find out how you can get involved.

WIN a luxury VIP break at

Fistral Loft, Newquay, worth over ÂŁ500 Enter our exclusive competition and one lucky winner will enjoy a luxury holiday on the north Cornish coast for up to 4 guests.

Stay for 3 nights and enjoy V IP treatment with an early check in, late check out and luxury hamper packed with Cornish fare.

Fistral Loft is located in a plum position overlooking the rolling surf and golden sands of Fistral beach, Newquay. With a cool coastal loft style, this Gem has been magically transformed with flair and salvaged creativity to offer the very best of Cornish luxury for your holiday days. The roof terrace captures the ever changing seascapes perfectly as you enjoy a birds eye view from your very own elevated vantage point.

To enter this competition visit www.cornishgems.com/win/holidayhighlife Closing date: 31st January 2019

Good luck!

Terms and conditions apply, visit cornishgems.com for details

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Gems| Charity Credit: RNLI/Simon Culliford

Our Charity of The Year

Cornish Gems welcomes over 25,000 visitors to Cornwall each year, so it was an obvious choice to choose the RNLI as our 2018 charity. Throughout the year we are running a number of initiatives to show our support for this vital charity and are inviting our guests to support us too.

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We are fortunate that we are based in such a beautiful county, surrounded by golden sand beaches and clear blue sea. Two out of three people in the UK will head to the seaside at least once this year. In Cornwall, visitors and locals spend a significant amount of time on the beach and while most beachgoers will have an enjoyable and relaxing time, some get into serious difficulties. And when something goes wrong, the RNLI is there to help.

With so many visitors coming to Cornwall with Cornish Gems each year we feel compelled to drive awareness of the dangers of the coastline and are raising funds for a vital charity that helps keep people safe in the water.

We encourage our guests to support this lifesaving charity alongside us, by donating when making a reservation through our website or over the phone. If you decide to donate you can choose to make a £2, £5, £10 or £25 donation. We do hope that this is a cause that you will choose to support with us.

Gems| Charity Credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard

WHY THE RNLI IS SO IMPORTANT...

The RNLI has a number of volunteer lifeboat crew and lifeguard units around Cornwall, and we value the amazing work they do to keep our communities and visitors safe.

BEACH SAFET Y Know Your Flags

RNLI lifeboat volunteers, or search and rescue helicopter crews, can respond to a situation within minutes and often save lives close to the shore. And, at the beach, every second also counts. For the best chance of survival, you need someone on the beach who can see the dangers develop: someone who can prevent accidents before they happen and respond instantly if they occur.

RED AND YELLOW FLAGS

RNLI lifeguards are qualified in lifesaving and casualty care, highly trained, strong and fit.

Surprisingly, 95% of a lifeguard’s work is preventative. RNLI lifeguards monitor sea conditions and set up the appropriate flags, watch the people on the beach and offer safety advice both on the beach and in classrooms through the RNLI’s education programmes.

BLACK AND WHITE CHEQUERED FLAGS

Lifeguarded area. Safest place to swim, bodyboard and use inflatables.

For surfboards, kayaks and other non-powered craft.

Never swim or bodyboard here.

ORANGE WINDSOCK Indicates offshore or strong wind conditions - never use an inflatable when the sock is flying.

RED FLAG Danger! Never go in the water when the red flag is up, under any circumstances.

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We talk to RNLI Deputy Launch Authority, Katherine Ogg from one of Cornwall’s oldest lifeboat stations about what it’s like to be part of a volunteer lifesaving team.

Katherine Ogg RNLI Fowey Lifeboat Station

What do you do for the RNLI? I am Deputy Launch Authority (DLA) at the Fowey Lifeboat Station for its two lifeboats which operate 24/7, 365 days a year. As one of four volunteer DLAs, I am on call every four weeks for seven days.

As DLA it is my role to support the crew and manage the resources. When the coast guard request lifeboat assistance the DLA is the first point of contact.

I will get the details on the nature and location of the incident so I can identify what resources are required and brief the senior crew member. Our crew will respond and launch a lifeboat every time - it’s what we are trained to do - so it is vital that I am constantly aware of the changing weather and sea conditions and all decisions need to be made quickly, decisively and be communicated accurately.

Fowey’s average launch time is less than eight minutes. Once the boat is launched I monitor the situation from the station, keeping in touch with the crew at sea and dealing with any other resources needed such as ambulance arrival, mooring space, police, press calls and replacement crew if it’s going to be a long search.

Once the crew have returned, I am responsible for completing the paperwork and I will be there to support the team. In addition, I attend monthly meetings and training and ensure I am up to date with crew issues so I can help make decisions when under time pressure.

The Fowey lifeboat station has been an integral south west division for over 150 years. What made you want to become part of the team?

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I was approached to join the team by our coxswain. The opportunity arose just at the right time as I was ready for a new challenge: my small business in Fowey was doing well and I wanted to build on my experience and the volunteer work I do with the St Austell H M Coastguard. I also really wanted to see women take a role within the station. I am now in my second year as DLA and have never looked back.

You’re a keen and experienced sailor, how has your passion for the sea helped you?

I have lived in Fowey for over 17 years and have been sailing for 30 years.

Whilst it would still be possible to do this job without this experience, it is of great advantage. The RNLI offer full training for every new DLA but in-depth knowledge of the local area from the sea and the different situations that can happen at sea and on the coastal paths, really helps. I also have eight years’ experience with the HM Coastguard as a volunteer working on the coast and with the helicopter rescue so that has been a huge help.

Credit: RNLI/Alban Roinard

Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Gems| Charity Credit: RNLI/Nathan Williams

Credit: RNLI/Nigel Millard

Can you detail the challenges you face, the highs and the lows?

For me, the ultimate high is of course the work in which we do which results in a life, or multiple lives, being saved.

But being part of RNLI I have also made a network of friends, both locally and nationally, and I receive superb training from the RNLI giving me many skills that are transferable to my business.

The lows are of course unsuccessful rescues which is incredibly hard on the whole crew. It can also be the abandoned dinners - especially as there are two RNLI volunteers in our family - but that’s all part of it, in fact it’s a family joke! You just have to be very organised, be nearby and be ready to drop everything should the pager go!

How can our readers get involved?

If you go to the RNLI website, find a local station near where you’re staying and pop along for a chat, or attend an open day. Crew training and opening hours vary but usually you will find people happy to answer your questions. It takes a huge amount of dedicated people to support the crew and the stations: from administration support and manning the shop to education and fundraising.

Credit: RNLI/Amy Smith

Don’t think that within the RNLI the only jobs are going to sea - we need a huge amount of people behind the crew to make it function. If you can’t give time then get your kids signed up to be members (www.rnli.org) and get them thinking about sea safety - the RNLI will send them a pack of fun stuff to do. Or of course donate, every penny helps to run the lifeboat and lifeguard services.

When you are not on duty, how do you spend your valuable free time?

When I am not on call for the Fowey lifeboat or training with the HM Coastguard I am never more at home than amongst the Cornish elements, walking the cliff paths or sailing. My favourite Cornish walk has to be from my own front door in Fowey, across on the passenger ferry to Polruan and up and over the headland towards Lantic Bay, the views are simply stunning.

Yoga and cooking for friends also helps me to switch off!

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Create your own luxury Cornish Gem If you already own, or you are looking to buy a property that can offer something special, we are here to offer a professional, supportive and consultative service. In return you can entrust our personable, award-winning team to generate excellent returns via integrated marketing campaigns and receive the benefits of our complete property management solution. Contact our Portfolio Management team and make your dream a reality.

www.cornishgems.com | 01872 241 241 8

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Gems| Collections

The Cornish Gems

Collections

There’s something rather special about the anticipation of arriving at your holiday destination as your sat-nav announces that ‘you have reached your destination’. As you sweep down the driveway, rural and coastal landscapes unfurl inviting you to sink straight into holiday mode.

However you like to spend your valuable time away, our unique collections help you find your dream Cornish Gem for those all important beach days, adventure days and ‘anything goes’ holiday days. If you’re looking for a luxury house for that special occasion, or an idyllic coastal

penthouse right on the beach then our collections make it even easier to browse our exclusive portfolio.

Over the next ten pages we take you through some of our collections - to view all of our collections please visit cornishgems.com.

COR NIS H C R IBS

ON THE BE ACH GEM S

D O G F R IENDLY G EMS

COUN TRY GE M S

C E LEBR ATORY GEMS

BOUTIQUE - FOR-T WO GEM S

Visit our website cornishgems.com to discover even more of our unique collections including Bubbling Bliss where luxurious hot tubs perch high above the sea, our Latest Cottages showcasing holiday luxury and Large Family Houses where everyone can spread out. With over 180 luxury Gems to choose from, we help you create your holiday highlife.

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C O R N I S H

C R I B S

T R U LY H O M E S What does luxury mean to you?

A shoreline location?

Inspired interior design?

The latest mod cons?

Or, simply gathering your nearest and dearest together in extra special surroundings?

Our Cornish Cribs collection showcases exceptional holiday homes which not only have the wow-factor but offer everything you’d expect of a first-class luxury holiday.

We’ve over 20 of Cornwall’s finest postcodes in our Cornish Cribs collection. These are so much more than just holiday homes - they tick all the wish-list boxes for the dream holiday.

Be prepared for expectations to be surpassed. Enviable interior design complements jaw-dropping architecture with bespoke furnishings and state-of-the-art technology, presenting the perfect place to escape.

Behind these doors you’ll find indoor pools housed within wooden beamed barns, bubbling hot tubs nestled in cliff-top locations and spacious basements transformed into surroundsound cinemas. Not only do our Cribs epitomise luxury, there is room for the whole family. Typically larger in size, these outstanding houses can welcome from 6 - 20 guests within stylish bedrooms, glamorous dining rooms, creative kitchen spaces and spacious living areas.

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Gems| Collections 2

What Our Guests Say… “Belvedere House is a beautiful property. All my family felt relaxed and comfortable there. After one night we felt it was our home. We had so many memorable times there; in the pool, kitchen, dining, living room and the fabulous games room in the loft! The saddest day was when we left - but we’ll be back!”

An Extra Warm Welcome Arrive to luxury bath robes, linen and towels and a luxury welcome hamper packed full with the best Cornish produce including Cornish cheeses & biscuits, freshly ground coffee, artisan bread, eggs, scones, jam, Cornish clotted cream, chocolate and more.

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Tanzarra, Mawgan Porth

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Elynglas, nr Holywell Bay

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Herodshead Farm, Looe Valley

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Pednolver, St Ives

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Admiral House, Fowey

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Belvedere House, Charlestown

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INTR O DUC IN G

ROSILIAN HALL Set on the banks of the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, Rosilian Hall is a breathtakingly beautiful, waterfront residence created with optimum luxury and grandeur in mind. Guests to this magnificent home can arrive by land or sea as Rosilian Hall boasts its own private mooring, slipway and beach.

Originally built in 1908, the Dutch-Cape style house offers ten superior bedrooms for up to 20 guests, whilst spacious entertaining rooms bring friends and family together in style against the unrivalled coastal backdrop. This substantial home set in 1.6 acres of established grounds, is located in the much sought-after location of Flushing, just moments from the cosmopolitan maritime town of Falmouth.

Views from Rosilian stretch across the sailing waters of Carrick Roads and away down the river.

WATERF RONT • SLEEPS 2 0 • S P E CIAL E VE N TS • P RIVATE BE ACH ROSILIAN HALL IS AVAILABLE FOR WEEK-LONG STAYS THROUGHOUT JULY AND AUGUST.

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Gems| Collections

On The Beach 1

If you love the coastal lifestyle then our collection of Gems, just a hop from the beach, will have you reaching for your flip-flops and sunhat. It is one of life’s great pleasures to awake to the sounds of the sea and connect with the natural elements, so we’ve searched from coast to coast to hand-pick the very best apartments, houses and cottages quite literally a stone’s throw from golden sands and oh-so-blue seas.

Dip in and out of surf all day long, run barefooted along the sand and relax as your cares are washed away with the incoming tide - Cornwall is calling.

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Blue Waters, St Ives

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Compass House, St Ives

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Waters Edge, St Ives

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Shoreline, St Ives

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Fitzroy, Hayle Towans

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Ocean Cliffs, Porthtowan Holiday Highlife

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Dog

f r i e n d ly

COLLECTION Cornwall has all the right ingredients for a dog’s day out The very footprint of Cornwall makes you more aware of the great outdoors and who better to share your Cornish adventures with than your coastal canine companion.

Dive headlong into any south west map or guide book and you are never far from a dog friendly cafe, pub and of course, sandy beach.

We offer over 90 dog-friendly Gems that have been thoughtfully kitted out for those sandy paws and salty coats, some even offer dog baths in the garden for the ultimate hound hose-down. Enclosed gardens, practical slated boot rooms and even homemade dog treats ensure your dog will be as content as you are.

The winds may blow and rain clouds gather but when it’s time for winter walkies in Cornwall, the postcard perfect scenery makes wrapping up and stepping out that much more joyful. Of course when it comes to spring and summer stomps then you’ll no doubt be the first out the door with your dog leading the way.

So we invite you and your dog to join us in Cornwall and map out your days amidst the sights and sounds of our petfriendly county. As dog owners ourselves, our team are never short of a recommendation or two when it comes to planning your days. Over the page we share our top picks for enjoying a dog’s holiday highlife in the county.

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Gems| Collections

Buddylove

DOG TREATS We’ve teamed up with local Cornish producer Buddylove Dog Treats to add a little lip-smacking taste of the county for your canine companion. Arrive to a hearty bag of home-made treats and useful roll of dog-poop bags.

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Long Rock to Perranuthnoe/3 miles Strike out on this easy-going walk from Longrock Beach, where evidence of a pre-historic forest has been found buried beneath the sand. Follow the coast past St Michael’s Mount and the old mine workings at Trenow Cove before rounding Basore Point towards the surfing haven of Perranuthnoe.

Harlyn and Trevose Head/6 miles Starting from the surf-lashed Harlyn Beach, skirt the coast path past the divine Mother Ivey’s Bay and the lifeboat station, all the way to iconic lighthouse at Trevose Head. Pause for a picnic on Dinas Head, peer down at the ocean through the Round Hole and paddle along the shoreline of Constantine Bay before cutting back along the lanes to Harlyn.

Cafés / Restaurants Bintwo, Padstow Not just an independent wine merchant with a nose for world-class vintages, BinTwo is also one of the most scenic places to sip boutique wines beside the water. By all means pop in and geek-speak about wines with the experts, or just pull up a seat for a tranquil tipple by the harbour.

Gylly Beach Café, Falmouth This stylish seaside café is Falmouth’s hottest hangout for cocktails on the beach. Lounge under a heater on the decking and watch the waves, or lap up the views from the glasswalled interior where you can often catch live music sessions.

Woods Café, Cardinham Woods, Bodmin If you go down to the woods today... you don’t have to pack a picnic. Squirrelled away in the heart of Cardinham Woods you’ll find this cosy, family-run café serving lashings of Cornish fare to keep you fuelled up for outdoor adventures. Think wedges of homemade cake, hearty soups and seasonal specials.

#gemsd ogs

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Walks Flushing to Mylor/4 miles Hop on the ferry from Falmouth to Flushing and hug the coastline for a two-hour trot to Mylor. As you round Trefusis Head soak up stupendous views of the Carrick Roads and spot the smugglers’ cave that marks the entrance of an old tunnel to the cellars of an estate on the hill. After a pit stop at Mylor Harbour you can hop back to Flushing on the water taxi.

We’d love to meet your holiday hounds, share your photos with us

Attractions Lost Gardens of Heligan, Mevagissey Follow bamboo tunnels and palm-lined avenues down a steep-sided valley to a world of tree ferns, banana palms and gigantic rhubarb. Explore the ancient woodlands and water meadows of The Lost Valley, spy on wildlife from the secret hides and spot farm animals in the poultry orchard.

Isles of Scilly Day Trip Hop on the Scillonian ferry from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly. Stepping onto this subtropical archipelago is like stepping back in time, and in just a few hours you can sink into the relaxing pace of island life, take wild walks and board boat trips to uninhabited islands.

St Michael’s Mount, Marazion Step in the footsteps of pilgrims and a legendary giant as you cross the causeway from Marazion to this sea-bound fortress that was once at the forefront of many bloody battles. Climb to the castle turrets, explore sub-tropical gardens, dine in the Sail Loft and ferry-hop back from the ancient harbour where tin miners used to moor their boats. A great place to explore with the whole family, for a great day out. A magical place with every vista a postcard view.

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High Tide, Porthtowan

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Stonesthrow Cottage, Sennen

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Country Collection Far From The Madding Crowds

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Leave the bustle of the coast and travel a short distance inland to the beautiful sights and sounds of the Cornish countryside, it’s not all sea and sand in Cornwall.

Our collection of beautiful country houses open their doors and welcome family life as children explore an oasis of established gardens, spread out amongst multiple living spaces and immerse themselves in a haven of peace and calm.

With all the majesty of a country hotel, our country Gems provide the added appeal of privacy far from the madding crowds of the coast.

Thoughtful renovations cleverly combine original features with more modern order whilst inspiring interior design showcases country house chic. Whether you prefer the natural textures of wood and stone in a farmhouse setting, or a more stripped back style combined with fun playful elements and simple calm colours, there’s a country Gem, complete with a crackling log fire, waiting to welcome you.

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Great for...

• Countryside walks • Cosy pub suppers • Adventures with your dog • Private celebrations 1

Beech Tree Barn, Fowey

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Carkeen, Port Isaac

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Elynglas, Nr Holywell Bay

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Tregonce Farmhouse, Padstow

Gems| Collections

Celebratory Stays

POP THE CORK IN STYLE Unlock the door to your weekend wonderland

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Perhaps a big birthday is on the horizon or you have reached an admirable milestone of marriage? Is it time to celebrate success at work or simply time to get together with good friends? We’ve got the keys to the most perfect celebratory houses for you.

Upgrade your family and friend gatherings to first class and tailor make your perfect weekend to mark any occasion. Our collection of luxury homes have been handpicked as the perfect backdrop be it festive fun, lavish birthday dinners, new year buffets or anniversary lunches. Our travel advisors will confidently match you with the right property to suit the whole party.

Once you have pinpointed your favourite Gem then it’s time to start planning the most perfect of occasions to celebrate in serious style. If the thought of a private chef sounds just heaven-sent then dip into our directory of talented chefs just waiting to serve up the finest Cornish fare in your very own Gem. Our concierge service can also help with recommending event planners, childminders, experiences, dinner reservations and more!

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Treetops, Porthtowan

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River House, Newquay

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Herodshead Farm, Looe Valley

A Cracking Christmas Fireworks over the harbour, Christmas lunch with a sea view backdrop and a bracing Boxing Day walk - the scene is set for a magical festive escape.

Whether you invite the whole family or prefer a celebration for two, our festive Gems offer the luxury of choice.

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PACK UP AND GO

Late offers - save up to 20% off last minute breaks Early check-ins Short breaks year-round Luxury extras Chilled prosecco

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They say a change is as good as a rest and we couldn’t agree more. Mini-moons, baby-moons, honeymoons and now buddy-moons, whatever drives your desire to escape, we invite all weekend wanderers to unplug from everyday life and join us in Cornwall.

Our Boutique-for-Two collection is perfect for couples escaping the city and taking time-out in a gorgeous and private setting. They come with all the luxury of a boutique hotel stay including bathrobes, chilled-bubbles in the fridge, Cornish chocolates and more

Set that ‘out-of-office’ Time-out intentions can so often fall by the wayside so picture the scene as you flick your ‘out-of-office’ switch, wave goodbye to work colleagues and head into the Cornish landscape. Whatever the occasion and whatever the season, time out in the Duchy provides that perfect switch-off setting to relax and unwind. Dip into our boutique portfolio of luxury hideaways across Cornwall that have been created just for two and create a short break itinerary.

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Scilly Stack, Sennen

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The Round House, Padstow

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Little Boseglos, Lostwithiel

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Little Trevone, Padstow

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Gems| People

Coffee , cake and conscience Our Cornish Gem Coffee Lounge flies the flag for a plastic-free St Ives

With her finger firmly on the pulse of all things sustainable, The Coffee Lounge manager Emma Fashokun talks to us about her passion for good coffee, conversation and creating an environmentallyconscious business.

Reduce , Reuse , Recycle

“The Cornish Gems Coffee Lounge opened in St Ives in 2013 and we have always taken our environmental responsibilities seriously. As a community and a business we benefit so much from the natural beauty of Cornwall and it has always been important to us to play our part in protecting that for future generations. Our committed team also work with The Green Earth Appeal to reduce the coffee shop’s carbon footprint and have an ongoing policy of

working towards a plastic-free sustainable business that makes strong connections within St Ives. The use of compostable and biodegradable alternatives to plastic for cups, straws and packaging have been a huge success with our customers. In addition to our plastic-free replacements we launched a branded 100% compostable takeaway cup and we offer a 20 pence discount on takeaway hot drinks for customers who bring a re-usable cup.”

“We are always trying to improve our company’s sustainability, with this in mind we contacted Green Tourism for a green health check and advice” In March 2018, The Coffee Lounge St Ives was awarded bronze by Green Tourism in recognition of commitment to sustainable tourism and environmentally-friendly practices

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Visiting St Ives ?

Swap your coastal blues to an eco green holiday highlife, here’s our top tips for a sustainable stay in St Ives: Keep in touch with The Coffee Lounge and find out how you can go-green in St Ives @thecoffeeloungestives @thecoffeeloungestives @gemcoffeelounge

Here’s how you can get involved with #plasticfreestives

• Join in our beach cleans organised by The Coffee Lounge.

• By purchasing a #plasticfreestives tote bag you are donating £1 to the Surfers Against Sewage campaign.

• Hop on the park and ride into St Ives, enjoy the beautiful branch line that hugs the coastline.

• Bring along your own re-usable cup and receive a 20 pence discount.

• Shop locally in the many artisan bakeries, cafés & grocery shops.

• Leave the car behind and head out on foot across the south west coast paths from your holiday door.

• Recycle your holiday waste in the bins provided by Cornish Gems, turn off the taps and lights as you come and go.

Coffee, cake and conversation in the heart of St Ives

Savour freshly prepared sandwiches, bagels, paninis, our beautiful cakes and patisserie delights.

Not forgetting our delicious coffee, locally roasted by Olfactory and served by our expert baristas. Sit in or takeaway.

The Coffee Lounge is brought to you by holiday letting specialists Pop in and meet the Cornish Gems St Ives team who are available to assist with your property enquiries.

Find us at 4 Tregenna Hill, St Ives, TR26 1SE | Open 7 days a week 01736 793836 20 Holiday Highlife

Gems| People

THE CORNISH GEMS WINNING FORMULA

Open the door to any of our hand-picked holiday homes across Cornwall and it’s easy to see why we are highly regarded as the number one choice for luxury holiday letting in Cornwall.

With over 10 years of experience and a local team of over 100, we are dedicated to ensuring our guests receive a first-class experience from booking your holiday with us right through to checking out.

The Gems team includes our travel advisors who are on hand to share their expert knowledge on our properties and the local area; our experienced customer service team who help you get the most out of your stay and our property management team that work meticulously to present each Cornish Gem to the highest standard for your arrival.

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Above: Cornish Gems MDs Julianne and Nadia at the Venus Awards 2018 Right: Some of the Cornish Gems team

Gems Approved We have strict criteria for all homes that join our exclusive portfolio. Whichever beautiful Gem you choose to holiday in with us you can rest assured you are receiving the highest of standards for everything from facilities and appliances to cleanliness and safety compliance.

We’re immensely proud of our hard working team and strive to always achieve excellence. Our guest satisfaction levels are over 95% and this year we were recognised at the Venus Awards for Women in Business as a finalist for Company of the Year 2018.

“In a market crowded with choice, for us it’s about creating a stand-out luxury self-catering holiday experience by delivering the highest standards our guests have grown to expect. Our all-encompassing service means the passionate Cornish Gems team collaborate to create dream holidays all year round for a variety of customers seeking luxury their way” Julianne, co-managing director

Local travel experts: experienced travel advisors based in Cornwall offering in-depth property knowledge and a wealth of local area information.

Holiday Highlife: whether you are holidaying as a large group, as a family, with your dog or escaping for a romantic retreat, we have homes to suit everyone, year-round.

Exacting standards: all of our Gems must meet high standards of furnishing, interiors and cleanliness. We inspect all our Gems regularly and review all guest feedback.

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Everything at your fingertips: a private guest login section for reservations, digital area guide, property welcome information, exclusive offers and online payment options.

Gems| Cornwall

Discover

Your corner of Cornwall

NORTH CORNWALL

SOUTH CORNWALL

WEST CORNWALL

EAST CORNWALL

Trevone

Sennen

Mevagissey

Portwrinkle

Dig out your map and lose yourself in the wonderland and natural beauty of Cornwall. Follow the contours of the coast and discover secret sandy coves, postcard-perfect villages and iconic Cornish landmarks.

From the wild and rugged landscapes of the north to the calmer seas and breathtaking headlands of the south: find your favourite corner of Cornwall and enjoy those alfresco dining, sunset gazing, wave watching, flip flop days.

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CULTURAL CORNWALL OUR GUIDE TO THE VERY BEST EVENTS AND HOLIDAY INSPIRATION

Royal Cornwall Show Wadebridge 7 - 9 June 18

Falmouth Oyster Festival, Falmouth 11 - 14 October 18 Plucked and shucked fresh from the Cornish seas, this indulgent food festival welcomes oyster lovers.

Marking the start of the season, celebrate with demonstrations, feasts and all things foodie.

For a true taste of Cornish country life, pull on your wellies and experience the fine food, farming and fun of the UK’s largest agricultural show.

Port Eliott Festival nr Plymouth 26 - 29 July 18

A celebration of words, food, music, arts and fashion. Set in the grounds of Port Eliot estate, visit for the day and soak up the festival vibe.

Ice skating at The Eden Project, St Austell November 18 The outstanding backdrop of Eden offers the perfect setting for a magical ice rink decked in glittering lights and festive flair. This family-friendly day out is not to be missed.

Royal Fowey Regatta Fowey 19 - 25 August 18 A spectacular week of nautical energy as this postcard-perfect harbour town welcomes global yachts for an action packed itinerary. Rub shoulders with the salty sailors and join in the shanty singing, carnival and maritime fun.

Padstow Christmas Festival, Padstow 6 - 9 December 18

St Ives September Festival, St Ives 9 - 23 September 18

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Immerse yourself in the music and arts culture of coastal St Ives. From street performances to theatre shows, sand art to waterside exhibitions, there is so much to enjoy at this 2 week celebration.

More than 50,000 people are expected at this wonderful foodie festival.

Padstow comes alive with celebrity chefs and plays host to more than 100 food, drink, and craft producers from across the West Country. The event also features live music, a lantern parade, and a huge fireworks display.

Gems| Cornwall

New year, new you January 19

Trevithick Day Camborne April 19

If your new year resolutions are filled with time for ‘you’ intentions then start the year off with a healthy dose of vitamin sea. Cornwall offers an indulgent collection of luxury spas, first class restaurants and miles and miles of windswept beaches.

In true Cornish style, local engineering genius and inventor Richard Trevithick (1771-1833) gets the recognition he deserves and Camborne celebrates its importance as a major player in Cornwall’s former mining industry.

Expect lots of spluttering steam engines, singing, dancing and parades.

Food experiences February 19

Glorious Gardens March 19

If fine food and drink sounds just heaven sent then make the most of a quieter Cornwall and book a culinary itinerary of seafood restaurants, gastropubs, cool bars and artisan cafes. Experience a taste of the county in style.

Calling all budding botanists! Cornwall is home to some of the county’s finest gardens. The milder climate encourages a wealth of rare and beautiful plants and botanicals. Step into a Cornish spring and explore the blooming gardens.

Padstow May Day Padstow May 19 Join in the merriment of one of Cornwall’s oldest celebrations and mark the start of summer. The town is decorated with flags and flowers whilst the red and blue Oss dances amongst the streets in a tradition dating back to the 1800s.

Short on time but long for luxury?

Clear your weekend diary and check-in to your Cornish Gem.

Seasonal 3, 4 or 5 night options | Boutique-for-Two short breaks year-round Priority check-in | Last minute offers | Honeymoons and mini-moons

cornishgems.com | 01872 241241 Holiday Highlife 25

TOP CATCH Cornish Gems teams up with award-winning chef, Ben Tunnicliffe We are delighted to team up with renowned and multi award-winning Cornish chef and restaurateur Ben Tunnicliffe to offer our guests an exclusive opportunity of creating a private dining experience in your very own luxury Gem, what could be better than that? Whether you are looking to celebrate with friends or enjoy a memorable evening with the family, we invite you to tailor-make your holiday and to try something new during your next escape.

Our portfolio of stylish homes set the scene offering modern kitchens and beautiful dining rooms for guests to gather in.

Fillet of red mullet, Fille& t ofmussel broth red mul pesto let, wild garlic wild garlic pesto & mussel broth turbot, cornish earlies, asparagus, Fillet of Fille t of turbot, cor daise shrimp earhollan & smoked nish lies, asp lemon ved preserpre aragus, serv ed lemon & smoked shrimp hollandaise millefeuille, rhubarb & ginger sorbet rbbar Rhuba Rhu b millefeuille, rhu barb & ginger sorb et

ren’s menu Child Child ren’s menu ade fish fingers, peas & lettuce Homem Homema de fish fingers, pea s & lettuce ade vanilla ice cream Homem Homemadeate s van chip illa cookie ice and chocol and chocolate chip cream cookies

sample menu

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Gems| Cornwall

Meet Ben Having made a name for himself at the helm of The Abbey in Penzance, which received the coveted Michelin Star in 2003, Ben is famous for cooking the freshest seafood in Cornwall at The Tolcarne Inn – his pub which is just a short distance from Newlyn Fish Market.

Ben is an adventurous soul with a handson approach to food, his family and fish!

The Gems private-dining experience Ben and his chef brigade will offer a very bespoke service with every menu designed in consultation with you. If your party are budding chefs and foodie aficionados themselves then how about a demonstration to start off the evening? Roll up the sleeves and learn to shuck Cornish oysters or fillet fish flipped straight from the quay in Newlyn.

If you’d rather leave the culinary skills to Ben then that’s fine too, simply watch the master at work as you pick up top chef tips and enjoy pre-dinner chit chat. Enjoy the theatre of a world-class chef in your kitchen before sitting down to a delicious three course dinner complete with sommeliermatched wines, if you choose!.

Nadia Macer-Wright, co-MD at Cornish Gems, says: “I’m a pescatarian and enjoy sampling the very best seafood that Cornwall has on offer. I was totally out of my comfort zone when Ben passed me the knife and offered up an enormous turbot to fillet. I took up his challenge - what an experience! Ben inspires you to try new culinary experiences and we are very proud to be working with him!”

Our Gems tested the Ben Tunnicliffe private dinning experience for you and we give it our highest recommendation. Gathering at Pednolver (sleeps 10) in St Ives it wasn’t long before the team were head down in filleting turbot, whisking the hollandaise sauce and assembling the rhubarb mille-feuille as Ben’s infectious charm and fuss-free approach led to smiles and helping hands. The food was thoroughly enjoyed by all too - a fantastic evening all round!

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Le m on a nd mascarpo ne n a k e d l ay e r c a k e

It’s no secret that our team at Cornish Gems love good food so when we asked for willing volunteers to present their bakes for this year’s Holiday Highlife it was smiles all round at the office.

Our very own quality assessor Lisa, swapped her clipboard for cooking bowl and came up trumps with her very own light and lemony layer cake, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients For the cake

For the lemon curd

250g soft unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing 300g caster sugar 4 large free range eggs, beaten 300g self raising flour (I always sift mine) 2 tbsp of homemade or good quality lemon curd (see recipe below)

Good quality shop bought is fine, but if you can make your own then this will make enough for your cake and some leftover.

For the syrup (optional but great if making for a celebration) 100g sifted icing sugar Juice of 2 large unwaxed lemons (To make the syrup, gently heat together the icing sugar and lemon juice in a medium saucepan until a syrup forms)

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175g unsalted butter, cut into small pieces 270g granulated sugar 4 large eggs, lightly beaten

For the filling and covering 500g mascarpone 200ml double cream 250g sifted icing sugar 4-5 tablespoons of the lemon curd

Gems| Cornwall

Method Preheat the oven to 180C, fan 160C, gas 4. Lightly grease 2 x 20cm loose-bottomed sandwich tins and line the bases with baking paper.

Cream the butter and caster sugar together until pale, light and fluffy.

Gradually add the beaten eggs, mixing well between each addition.

This is the most important part of the cake if you want a light sponge.

Sift in the flour and mix to combine. Add the lemon curd and mix again until smooth. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tins and level using a palette knife. Bake on the middle shelf of the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until well risen and springs back to touch.

Remove the cakes from the oven.

If you’re using the syrup prick the cakes all over with a fork and spoon the syrup over the warm cakes and leave to cool completely.

Now make the lemon curd Add the lemon juice, zest, butter and sugar to a heatproof bowl and place the bowl over a pan of gently simmering water (make sure the water does not touch the bowl). Stir until the sugar has dissolved and the butter has melted.

Add the beaten eggs to the bowl and whisk well with a whisk. Heat gently, whisking frequently and cook for 20 minutes. Make sure the curd doesn’t boil otherwise it may curdle (if this happens, remove from the heat and whisk vigorously until smooth).

The mixture should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Reserve enough curd for the cake and pour the rest into two hot sterilised jars and cover with sterilised lids. Allow to cool.

To make the mascarpone cream Whisk the mascarpone, double cream, icing sugar and 4-5 tablespoons of the cooled lemon curd (to taste), until thick and smooth.

When cakes are cool, wrap in clingfilm and place in the freezer for 10 minutes (this will make them easier to cut). Using a cake divider or bread knife level the tops of the cakes if necessary and cut each cake in half evenly. Place the base of one of the cakes on a plate or cake stand and spread with a thin layer of lemon curd and then a thick layer of mascarpone icing. Add the next layer cut side down.

Repeat with remaining layers, ensuring that the top layer is placed cut side down. If you like the ‘naked’ look thinly spread the rest of the icing on sides of the cake and then add on the top making a thicker layer. Decorate with the zest from the lemons and if for a celebration, any edible or non-toxic flowers. This cake is best enjoyed within 3 days - keep it cool and in an air-tight container to keep it at its best.

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

SCOTS CRAIG

The interior design team at Camellia & Co has transformed this luxury coastal holiday home overlooking beautiful St Ives bay.

Arguably one of the best-located properties in St Ives, Scots Craig is a stunning three-storey building perched high above the bay, which successfully sold through Rohrs and Rowe last summer. With panoramic views of the sandy beaches and pretty harbour below, it offers a unique opportunity to soak up the ever-changing coastal views, immersing oneself in the wonderful sense of light and space that St Ives is so well known for.

It turns out the team at Cornwall-based interior design studio Camellia & Co has a history with Scots Craig; “we almost worked on the property when the original owner first approached us to redesign it from a chapel into a residential home”, explains Elaine Skinner, Creative Director and owner of Camellia. “Alas, it wasn’t to be and the property went to a developer instead.”

The team at Camellia & Co. was delighted then to get the opportunity to work on Scots Craig when the current owners snapped it up as a holiday home investment and a blank canvas.

A brief for all seasons The new owners of Scots Craig asked Camellia & Co. to work their magic on the property, introducing style and personality into the décor befitting a luxury coastal holiday home.

The design team were asked to decorate the key areas and fully furnish the property, ready to holiday let. They were also tasked with sourcing all the accessories and artworks, as well as specifying, making and installing the window treatments throughout, to perfectly frame those jackpot sea views.

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The clients wanted to hand over the interior design to a team that they could trust to get the best possible solution to give it the ‘Edge’ with letting through Cornish Gems. They chose Camellia because of their proven track record and their knowledge on high-end holiday lets. Elaine Skinner of Camellia says “The clients wanted to let via Cornish Gems, we understand what Cornish Gems want and kept the clients involved all throughout the design and installation process. We are thrilled with the end result, as is the client, it meets the brief perfectly by ticking all the boxes that Cornish Gems expects for its holiday guests and yet still making it a home for when the clients use it and at a cost that allows for revenue to be maximised and returned. At the end of the day our clients want to feel involved, know what it’s going to cost, get it on time and know that during the whole process we are acting in their best interests! This is what we do and we do it well as our reputation is built on this.

Scots Craig now feels like a beautiful coastal home worthy of its view over Porthminster and St Ives harbour.” affirms Elaine.

Scots Craig is available to let through Cornish Gems as a luxury selfcatering property that sleeps eight.

For more information about this project or to speak to a designer please call 01872 248592 or email hello@camelliainteriors.co.uk www.camelliainteriors.co.uk

Gems| Homes

INTERIORS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR home

Our luxury gems are so much more than just a holiday home, when it comes to style they are filled with inspiration be it cool and coastal, countryside chic, sharp and contemporary or scaled back scandinavian.

We’ve put together a mood board of just some of our enviable interiors that make our beautiful homes, beautiful gems.

1.

1. Scandinavian serenity Blue Waters, St Ives

Professionally interior-designed to showcase a pure, scaled back Scandinavian style oozing simplicity and understated elegance.

2. Beautiful barn

Beech Tree Barn, nr Fowey

2.

With a sharp eye for luxurious and thoughtful design, the wonderful living room offers serious style with chunky exposed beams and roaring log fire.

3.

3. Grand opulence

Rosilian Hall, nr Falmouth Bringing together iconic character and elegance of space with practical luxury.

Unique French antiques dominate the interior style complemented with fine art and original period features.

4. Penthouse perfection St Ives Bay Penthouse, St Ives

4.

A stylish fusion of lofty apartment style with bespoke coastal influences. Light and space complement the elevated position and jackpot views.

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6.

5.

5. Retro revival

6. Period Elegance

A retro modern mix-match approach with white washed walls with splashes of bold colours for the ultimate stand out and fun, family-friendly home. A house designed for relaxing, playing and entertaining.

A flawless fusion of original features, including grand staircases and inglenook fireplaces, combined with more modern order.

Tanzarra, Mawgan Porth

Porthminster Townhouse, St Ives

7. Coastal cool

Hawkes View, Carbis Bay A beautiful haven of fresh whites and nautical blues complement the coastal backdrop for the perfect beside-thesea ambiance.

8. Romantic retreat

7.

Cob Barn, nr Wadebridge

Soft pastel shades, cosy furnishings, luxury linens and free-standing bath within the room creates a dreamy romantic hideaway.

9. Country chic

Elynglas, nr Holywell Bay 8.

Offering a unique sense of calm amidst opulent fabrics and a beguiling colour palette of samphire blues, cool greys and mustard yellows, these interiors perfectly complete this listed country home.

10. Salvaged style Jacob’s View, Falmouth

9.

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With a passion for restoration and reclamation, this thoughtful home comes from the heart of the owner who cleverly combines salvaged finds with more modern order. Expect to find vintage haberdashery cabinets, chunky butchers blocks and colonial style furniture.

10.

Gems| Homes

A Gems Journey

River House

1. What first attracted you to River House The elevated position and amazing views over The Gannel Estuary and Crantock Beach, immediately captured our hearts.

2. Describe how you transformed River House into a luxury holiday home River House was a very dated property in need of complete renovation. In order to create the five bedrooms we wanted, we completely redesigned the internal layout and added a sizable master bedroom suite upstairs. We remodelled all the balconies, new electrics, plumbing and roof, along with a new kitchen, bathrooms and an all important woodburning stove for the colder months.

3. How would you describe your interior style, and what was your inspiration?

Contemporary/Scandi style probably best describes the interior. The views and exterior colour pallet was our inspiration and we didn’t want anything we did internally to detract from the amazing views which are the main feature. We wanted to create a calm, harmonious and tranquil space for us to be able to truly relax from the stresses and strains of daily life.

4. What was the most challenging part of your project?

The most challenging part of this project was managing the contractor and other trades from a distance of 260 miles and working to a tight budget and tight deadlines. We were keen to hand the property over to Cornish Gems as quickly as possible.

5. What advice or tips would you give to other property owners embarking on their own renovation project?

I would definitely recommend appointing a project manager to deal with all the day to day issues which arise.

6. Which room or space do you think Cornish Gems’ guests will enjoy the most, and why?

Without hesitation, the ‘Crows Nest’, which is an area just off the kitchen, and come rain or shine it provides uninterrupted views of the beach. Just sitting there in the morning watching the sun rise and the tide ebb and flow, is the best way to start the day.

New for 2018, we were delighted to chat to Amanda and Graham Inglis about their transformation project from forgotten home to luxury waterside Cornish Crib.

“Both of us grew up by the sea; Graham in Devon and myself on the Isle of Wight, so buying a coastal home was an aspiration, both to enjoy now as a family, but also to potentially retire to. We have been holidaying in the Crantock area for the last 10 years and have enjoyed many wonderful holidays on Pentire Headland” Amanda Inglis

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A Gems Journey

Kerensa

We speak to Denise Airlie about her time with Cornish Gems and her recent investment into her luxury home-fromhome near St Ives.

1. How long have you been a customer with Cornish Gems? A founder of Cornish Gems, Julianne, originally sold the house to us just before setting up Cornish Gems in 2007 and we were one of the first customers who signed up with Cornish Gems.

I remember we had a vacation that year before I returned to work from maternity leave after giving birth to my son Sam, and bought the biggest impulse purchase of our lives, Kerensa! I wanted my children to have the same idyllic summers that my husband had as a child.

2. Describe where you’ve reinvested into your Cornish Gem and why it was needed? After 10 seasons successfully letting with Cornish Gems, investment was needed to update the property and meet the evolving expectations of Cornish Gems’ guests. We invested in the bathrooms, flooring, soft furnishings and full redecoration throughout to refresh the look. We also invested in an interior designer, so that we would have a fully curated look of high quality.

3. How would you describe your interior style, and what was your inspiration? Kerensa is the central meeting point of our diaspora of family members who are spread across the world. It was important to keep a home away from home vibe with emphasis on family, giving the feeling of a luxury edge to remind us we are on holiday whilst staying aligned with the high-quality ethos of Cornish Gems. Our inspiration was the surroundings of the estuary and beaches, with a modern scandi touch, giving a peaceful, laid-back luxury feel.

4. What has been the most challenging part of renting your home out for luxury holidays over the years? Graham and I live with our two children in Dublin and have UK family (and Kerensa) connecting us to Cornwall. It is challenging to be involved in the day to day running of the property remotely, so this is where Cornish Gems is invaluable in offering a full turnkey service for us.

5. What advice or tips would you give to other property owners embarking on a project to enhance their holiday let?

Enlist the help of a company like Cornish Gems to manage the daily unforeseen needs and wants of customers; and consider using an interior design specialist to optimise the use of space, light and function. Set aside a contingency fund to deal with ad-hoc expenses. It is useful to read the Visit England guidelines on inventory required for self-catering properties.

Don’t try to squeeze too much in if it detracts from the feeling of the space. Think of return on investment when you are setting a refurbishment budget, such as the optimum rental for that type of property.

6. What do you love most about your holiday home?

It gives us a permanent link to Cornwall and our UK family. We can relax and have the freedom of a family home whilst feeling like we are on holiday. We also have possibly the best café and wine bar in Cornwall, Scarlet Wines, at the bottom of our road, and stunning beaches!

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Cornwall-based friends and designers behind the well-loved Cream Cornwall brand, Rebecca and Allison, met in 2012 whilst living in the picturesque waterside Cornish village of Flushing. With a shared background in textiles and design, and a mutual love of Cornwall, they decided to create a unique lifestyle brand that represents life in this very special place.

Inspired by the colours of sunny sheltered bays, harbours and windswept moors, the rich history and distinctive identity of the county is harnessed in each individual piece. Cream Cornwall design all of their products at their studio above their flagship store in Falmouth, and still manufacture the lampshades in house. They are passionate about great design and quality, and manufacturing in the UK. They have struck up some great relationships with manufacturers in the UK. Their fabric is digitally printed in the North West, their tableware is manufactured in Lincolnshire and their beautiful bone china is hand decorated in Stoke on Trent and all their soft furnishings are sewn locally.

They are constantly adding new designs and products to their range as they have many customers who collect their products and want to keep adding to their collections. They have a beautiful shop in the centre of Falmouth, where their unique products are displayed against a backdrop of their signature paint colour, Star Gazey, a rich, deep and dark blue that is the perfect way to display their wide variety of products. Alongside their own products they have a handful of other carefully curated items from other manufacturers whose products complement theirs.

They are always on hand to offer advice on interior design schemes and can be commissioned to create the Cream Cornwall look for your home.

If you can’t make it to the shop, visit our online store at www.creamcornwall.co.uk T: 01326 317253 E: info@creamcornwall.co.uk

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Following her bestselling book, In Her Wake, Amanda draws on her time spent amidst the beauty of Carn Cobba and has recently published The Cliff House, telling a haunting tale of obsession, loss and longing, set against the brooding north Cornish coastline.

Y

ou sit and watch them from the same place you always do.

I spy. With my little eye.

The grass is flattened where your weight rests. A patch of earth revealed where your feet have kicked back and forth to pass the time. The purple foil of a chocolate bar you ate a week ago glints from where it nestles amid the sandy thatch of vegetation beside you. Seagulls cry mournfully, wheeling high in the sky above you, above the breaking waves and the reach of their salty spray, no more than specks.

GEM IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Carn Cobba As daughter of the owners of Carn Cobba, author Amanda Jennings has soaked up a lifetime of literary inspiration during her visits to this magical family home, perched high above the cliff tops at Zennor, west Cornwall.

The house rises up from the windswept cliffs like a chalk monolith. You imagine somebody, God perhaps, has carved it from a giant block of marble, smooth and white with bold lines and straight edges and sheets of expansive glass that reflect the sea and sky like cinema screens. It stands proud and defiant, alien in this coastal place, a place of weathered cottages, ruined mine shafts and precarious birds’ nests made of dried seaweed and discarded fishing twine. Its heart beats rhythmically.

Drums your ears. Deafens you as you watch them shift like wraiths from one room to another, then outside on to the terrace, their clothes and hair ruffled by a playful onshore breeze.

He sits at the iron table. You hold your breath as you watch him swill his drink around a squat glass with facets cut into it which flash as they catch the light.

You are certain you can hear the clink of ice cubes even though you know it’s not possible. Your mind is playing tricks. You aren’t close enough to hear ice on glass. Though, of course, you wish you were.

She adjusts her sunglasses and angles her face towards the sun. Her eyes close like a cat as she luxuriates in the heat. You watch her lower herself backwards on to the sun lounger. She stretches her leg out to kiss the edge of the black-tiled swimming pool. Her skin is tanned and silky. It reminds you of toffee and you briefly imagine touching it with the tip of your tongue to taste its creamy sweetness. You feel the chill as she dips her toe into the water. Gentle ripples spread out through the inky darkness which matches the time-blackened rocks that fringe the coast of Cornwall.

You scan the house. The binoculars press hard against your face. You raise your gaze to the top floor windows.

Up to the slate roof patched with a yellow mist of lichen. Down to the huge Gunnera leaves which loom over a garden awash with vibrant colours, an oasis on the rugged, salt-spritzed clifftop.

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The Cliff House by Amanda Jennings is Published by HQ, 21st May 2018 in Hardback £12.99| Ebook £5.99 | Audiobook £12.99

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