DRIFT Abode 2021 Edition

£10.00

2021 Edition

A

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Where the

HEART IS

Designers, makers and curators inspiring a sense of place, within the sanctuaries we call home

THE

PI N NACLE

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L I FESTYL E

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We understand better than any other estate agent how to sell Cornwall’s most exclusive homes If you are planning a more individual development or buying a property to improve, please contact us to discuss our advisory service

rohrsandrowe.co.uk

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01872 306 360

info@rohrsandrowe.co.uk

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THE

PI NNAC LE

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L U X U RY

L IF E STY L E

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CO R N WA L L

rift drift

noun 1. the act of driving something along 2. the flow or the velocity of the current of a river or ocean stream

verb . to become driven or carried along, as by a current of water, wind, or air 2. to move or float smoothly and effortlessly

3

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On the cover Sand Dunes, an exemplary home by the architects, interior designers and property developers at Watershedd. Image taken by Daniel Scott. Turn to page 26 to read more. watershedd.com

CEO Ben ratchett – 0

Editor 2

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ben.pratchett@enginehousemedia.co.uk

Operations Manager

Hannah Tapping

Miguel Belert

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miguel.belert@enginehousemedia.co.uk

Content & Project Manager Dan Warden Managing Director ichard

cEvoy – 0

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Finance & HR Manager

Creative Designers

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Digital Content Creative

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PROUD TO BE PART OF

Drift is published by: Engine House Media LTD Holbrook, The Moors, Porthleven, ornwall www.enginehousemedia.co.uk www.levenmediagroup.co.uk

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ISSN 2632-9891 © All rights reserved. Material may not be re-produced without the permission of Engine House Media Ltd. While Drift will take every care to help readers with reports on properties and features, neither Engine House Media Ltd nor its contributors can accept any liability for reader dissatisfaction arising from editorial features, editorial or advertising featured in these pages. Engine House Media Ltd strongly advises viewing any property prior to purchasing or considerations over any financial decisions. Engine House Media reserves the right to accept or reject any article or material supplied for publication or to edit such material prior to publication. Engine House Media Ltd cannot take responsibility for loss or damage of supplied materials. The opinions expressed or advice given in the publication are the views of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of

Engine House Media Ltd. It is suggested that further advice is taken over any actions resulting from reading any part of this magazine.

Engine House Media Ltd is a multi-platform media business with a passion for everything Cornish. Visit www.enginehousemedia. co.uk to find out more. Our mission is to create EAD-WA E E E E media opportunities marrying together consumers with the fabulous businesses across ornwall. Our publishing and marketing teams are specialists in creating print and online communications, devised to achieve a range of marketing objectives. With over 20 years of marketing, brand management and maga ine experience we develop effective communications that deliver your message in a credible and creative way. We operate across all media channels, including: print, online and video.

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T E A M

Foreword What does ’home’ mean to you? Is it a geographical place where you feel you belong? Is it the comfort and safety of the bricks and mortar that surround you? Is it a minimalist haven you designed for yourself Or one filled with treasured furniture and objets d art that make you feel comfortable? Whether restoring the past, embracing the present or breaking new ground, our homes define us, greeting us as we wake and welcoming us on our return. Being that our abodes are so inherent and personal, taking a unique approach to selling them is what sets estate agency, ohn Bray and Partners apart. Adopting the role of wise advisor, anaging artner, osephine Ashby comments on the current property climate in ornwall ( ). ombing the functional purpose of a home with aesthetic harmony and sustainability is an art form in itself and one that architects, A O2 cite as their purpose

for existence (20). ombining exterior elegance and interior excellence, Woodford Architecture and Interiors’ studio and practice skills create special homes for clients ( ), taking them beyond the ordinary. What we place inside our homes reflects both taste and practicality which is something that furniture makers, o en ( ) have been helping clients to achieve over a period of years of hand-crafting bespoke wooden furniture. lass fusion artist o Downs installations ( 2) offer a lustrous kaleidoscope of colour that brings joy to the beholder, while The Carpet Trader Cornwall looks to the very foundation beneath our feet, creating concept flooring in the heart of the home ( ). Whatever your home means to you, we invite you to cross the threshold and allow our edit of designers, makers and curators inspire a sense of place and space that transcends the ordinary.

Our contributors

Hannah Tapping

Join our team

Rosie Cattrell

Dan Warden

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We have an exceptional and loyal team here at Leven Media Group but as a fast growth business we’re always interested in talking to outstanding individuals. If you’re a superstar of extraordinary talent then we would love to hear from you.

Call Richard McEvoy on 07771 868880 or email richard.mcevoy@enginehousemedia.co.uk Visit drift-cornwall.co.uk to read more about our writers

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We invite you to continue your lifestyle voyage online.

Find inspiring stories and uncover more luxury content on nsta ra driftcorn all oin our e clusive e ournal co unit at drift corn all co uk to receive reci es revie s and insider kno led e of so e of orn all s ost loved lu ur destinations drift corn all co uk T HE

PINNACL E

O F

L U X U RY

driftcorn all LIFEST YLE

IN

CORNWA LL

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C O N T E N T S

At a glance 8

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THE TEST OF TIME Developing a future for the community

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HOMES OF DISTINCTION

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L E D B Y T H E E A RT H

26

THE PURSUIT OF BALANCE

32

THE EDGE OF HOME

38

E XC E P T I O NA L R E F L E C T I O N S

44

WITH THE GRAIN

56

An unrivalled and unique approach

62

Bringing sustainability to the fore

68

Harnessing a passion for Cornwall

74

Creating homes as wild as you dare

80

A holistic approach to home design

86

In conversation with Rozen Furniture

OUTDOOR EPICUREANS A flavour of life al fresco

NOTHING OFF THE SHELF Working at the heart of luxury homes

H E A RT O F G L A S S Glass fusion meets interior installation

F I N D I N G O U R F O U N DAT I O N S Details often overlooked

THE NEXT LEVEL The evolution of Gems Interiors

C O L O U R A N D C O M F O RT Infusing homes with personality

PEOPLE OF THE WOODS Rebuilding our native environment

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The test

of TIME WO R D S B Y DA N WA R D E N

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D E V E LO PE R

Bringing a refreshing combination of luxury, sustainability and community spirit to the fore.

A

of time in ornwall, particularly the north coast.” t was during these visits that ick was beginning to get very excited about the potential for high-end coastal homes.

s we examine what defines luxury homes in ornwall, it would be remiss of us to overlook the influence that the county s long-established architects, designers and developers have had on the landscape here.

A fine example is luxury home developer, egacy roperties, who for more than a decade have been leading the pack in the development of premium seaside homes creating beautiful, modern living spaces in what are, without a doubt, some of the UK s most sought-after locations. n the words of ick ong, egacy s ounder and anaging Director “ t s been an interesting journey to this point ”

“ o, in 20 , we started work on our first project in ew uay. eascape, our first award-winning development, comprised ten apartments and two houses, with stunning views out towards the famous istral beach. With such an overwhelmingly positive response, it uickly became obvious that this is where we should be,” says ick, and the rest, as they say, is history.

o how did it all begin asting his mind back to 200 0, ick recalls splitting his time between ornwall and the capital, developing property renovation opportunities including egacy s very first ornish development, One Eighty in t ves. eaturing four large duplex apartments with breathtaking views of t ves, One Eighty would set the benchmark for the stamp of coveted luxury homes for which egacy has since become renowned.

ince then, egacy has gone on to develop a number of other award-winning coastal developments across the north coast, including its latest luxury development, Woodlands, on the annel Estuary, which won Best esidential Deveopment ornwall at the 202 UK roperty Awards. n fact, the brand was so successful in the years following its launch that, in 20 , ick explains “We decided the time was right to launch a new brand – egacy omes.”

ater, ick recalls “Between 20 0 and 20 , was managing luxury projects in ondon, including work with historic rade listed buildings. At the same time, having been visiting ornwall since childhood, was spending an increasing amount

aunching with alwyn eadows in rantock – a contemporary family home development, which has since sold out with a mix of open market and affordable homes – egacy omes is direct proof of egacy s long-term ambition to remain ahead

LEFT he award-winning development of egacy properties, Woodlands

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shoulder more responsibility for the future of our planet, championing values of sustainability is a sure-fire way of ensuring a future, particularly in a field that relies so much on heavy industry. or egacy, this is more than just a box-ticking exercise it s fundamental to the company ethos. ick explains “We take this very seriously and view our commitment to sustainability in three ways minimising our impact on the environment accommodating the surrounding wildlife and playing our part in supporting sustainable ornish communities by working with local skilled trades and suppliers. of the curve. But not even all of their successes to date, it would seem, are enough to sate the appetite shared by ick and the team, to set the standard within their field.

“Our first development for egacy omes – alwyn eadows in rantock – is a great example. A scheme of more than 0 family homes, all these homes included air source heat pumps instead of mains gas to power more efficient ground-floor underfloor heating. t s interesting, actually, to see the overnment s recent announcement of grants for households to replace gas boilers with air source heat pumps,” ick reflects. “ t s great news, but we ve been including these systems for a number of years already ”

“We always put uality first,” ick explains. “We have exacting high standards, passion and a depth of expertise within the company that enables us to create beautiful, modern living spaces in the most stunning, sought-after locations. We pride ourselves on building properties that are always in-keeping with the local area and where possible, we use local materials and skilled trades.

he build at rantock also incorporated environmental aspects such as bee bricks, bat blocks and even swift blocks from ornish supplier, reen Blue, and ick reveals that all of these were made from waste material from a local ornish china clay works.

“ ince our very first projects in ew uay, we have always strived to be at the forefront of luxury property trends in ornwall,” says ick, pointing us to the multiple apartment developments they ve since completed, overlooking the worldfamous waves of istral beach. haracterised by modern spaces, luxe finishes and bespoke kitchens, with beautifully appointed bathrooms and even integrated audio visual systems, these apartments are classic examples of the egacy stamp of luxury.

But location and great design will only take a company like egacy so far it has to demonstrate care and commitment to the welfare of the world around it. articularly today, where ubi uitous environmental news stories demand that we all

TOP eascape,

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ew uay

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A B OV E ew uay

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TOP uxurious living from egacy roperties

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alwyn

A B OV E eadows, built for families

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D E V E LO PE R

with alwyn eadows, where over half of the project was dedicated to affordable homes for local buyers only. his makes us immensely proud, and we have exciting plans to provide more uality homes for the local community over the coming years.”

t seems, as ick delves into egacy omes flagship development, that local has become something of a mindset for the team, and across the entire egacy brand, too. And when ask what is most important to egacy as a company, ick s answer is really rather refreshing. n an industry that is sometimes, often unfairly, associated with profit over people, egacy once again sets itself apart from the crowd.

As ick puts it “ orth ornwall is my home, and ultimately, we want to be good neighbours. By working with local skilled tradespeople and, where possible, suppliers, we are able to support the local economy. We are also passionate about giving back to those who have been so supportive of us and in recent years, we ve supported a number of local community projects, such as ew uay ommunity Orchard, rantock ife aving lub and the ew uay ornets rugby club.”

ince its inception more than a decade ago, egacy roperties approach has remained steadfast in its desire to innovate and develop aspirational living spaces, and even today – with the current development of ongshore and Ebb ide, offering luxurious two-to-four bed homes in orth, and the latest egacy omes project Applewood, a select development of ten houses in t olumb – ick and co have the same passion that sparked the company s launch all those years ago. “But at the same time, we have come such a long way,” concludes ick, reflecting on their achievement at alwyn eadows. And with the promise of more similar projects on the hori on, egacy looks set to play an integral role in ornwall s future. As ick says “ ornwall is our home, and we are thrilled to play our part in building sustainable futures for our communities.”

As egacy grows, it is ick s hope that the steps they ve already taken with egacy omes will eventually become giant leaps in a direction that s still relatively new to the business. “ his is to essentially maintain the egacy commitment to the highest build standards, while opening up contemporary family living to new home owners.

We have already begun to deliver on this commitment

legacyproperties.co.uk legacyhomes.co.uk

A B OV E lean, contemporary style with an attention to the finer details

LEFT he ocks

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Homes of

DISTINCTION WO R D S B Y H A N N A H TA P P I N G

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P RO P E RT Y

Approaching north Cornwall’s luxury property market with unrivalled expertise and a unique understanding of this special location.

T

How do you view the current property market in Cornwall?

The halt on international travel saw a massive influx of tourists into ornwall, bringing with it fresh, enthusiastic and proceedable buyers and relocators whose priorities had shifted from city to beachside, causing the market to become frenetic. We experienced huge demand versus low stocks that also put a strain on local council searches, professional services, solicitors and surveyors all of which resulted in some significant bottlenecks. As the market has stabilised, we are seeing an easing and the speed of transactions has also slowed now that the stamp duty holidays have passed, but ultimately the market remains buoyant.

here is no doubt that Cornwall, and in particular its coastal enclaves, became one of the most desirable places for relocators, second-home owners and investment buyers during the pandemic. The county’s natural environment was already a huge draw, but add to that its proximity to London via road, rail and air, an atmospheric rise in the quality of its amenities and the endless space on which Covid placed such a premium, and you have a heady combination that is attracting serious buyers from right around the globe.

Estate agency, John Bray and Partners has been selling luxury homes in north Cornwall’s soughtafter golden triangle, that spans the uber-chic locations of Rock, Trebetherick, Polzeath and Port Isaac, for 50 years. Half a century of excellence in service, and the adoption of an innovative and nimble approach to marketing during the pandemic, has enabled the agency to not only weather the storm, but face it head on. In conversation with Managing Partner, Jospehine Ashby I was curious to hear her take on Cornwall’s property market and how their unique approach has secured them recent acclaim at the International Property Awards 2021/22 as the ive tar ingle Office Estate Agent in ornwall.

What learnings came from operating in a pandemic?

We had to become incredibly efficient in the way that sales were managed. Working remotely meant that there was a need to change the way we offered viewings and how the ualification of buyers worked, and we developed a very efficient model. The tumult of the summer rush has now subsided and there is no doubt we have regained a better balance between buyer and seller.

LEFT This striking architectural eco-home in Seaton sold for an undisclosed sum – design by Harrison Sutton

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P RO P E RT Y

prospective buyers that they come and talk to us. Don’t assume everything is online, we have an incredible stock of beautiful properties offmarket that will remain private for the reasons I’ve just outlined.

Is now a good time sell?

I believe it is, as we’re still seeing a positive market and one with a better balance. I would normally be advising sellers to hold off until the spring market, but that’s not the case now, sales in Cornwall are strong year round. There are some locations in the winter months that historically you might not take buyers to view on a stormy, wet winter’s day, but the world has changed and the drama, space and the dramatic views these afford are now much more appealing than before.

The market is now much calmer, and although we are still seeing occasions of competitive interest, it is moving forward like a good positive normal market, with time for reflection.

Do you think prices will continue to rise? t has been a very unpredictable market and consequently hard for buyers, sellers, and agents, to know exactly what something’s worth. Essentially, it comes back to the fact that a property is worth what somebody will pay for it, but I think we’ll see less of that, and a return to a steadier, more rational approach, caveated with the fact that I believe there are still premiums to be achieved for exceptional properties, and the desirability of the south west is not going away. Overall, I think we’ll see a return to normal growth percentages, not the great leaps that we’ve experienced in recent years.

Do you feel that there is sufficient stock coming to market at present?

There is much more coming on to the market now than there was previously, and we continue to reassure buyers to ‘hold tight’. It’s a county where there’s never going to be huge numbers of properties for sale because chimney pots per area is obviously much lower than in a city, but there are fantastic properties available – everything from small cottages to large estates and new build contemporary houses – and it’s all good quality.

And what of those houses that never come to market, the off-market sales?

Approximately 0 of ohn Bray sales are offmarket and this can be for a variety of reasons. The seller might be a high profile, wealthy individual who prefers to keep their affairs private it might be someone wishing to test the waters or not wanting their near neighbours to know and either sits fine with us. We have a very honed and focused buyer list, so it isn’t necessary for us to put every property in front of everyone. We build relationships with owners that can span five to ten years before a property ever comes to market, undertaking informal and formal RCIS valuations during that period. For that reason, we would stress to

A B OV E Prime property with direct coastal and waterfront access commands a premium

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TOP On- and off-market sales achieved in excess of the guide price in Port Isaac

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MIDDLE A luxurious new build farmhouse inland at Hustyn, OIEO £1.85m

A B OV E Organic growth has seen landmark sales achieved in Millook and Mawgan Porth

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P RO P E RT Y

So, what will £1million buy me in Cornwall at the moment?

Actually, £1million still goes a long way – with just a small move in from the prime coastal locations you’ll find some very beautiful properties with plenty of acreage for your money. They might not have the sea vistas you’ll get with waterside homes, but I think that far-reaching, elevated views across the countryside, being part of a community and having a generous amount of space on a plot have become a larger draw than they have been previously.

Looking to the future, where do you see John Bray and Partners positioned over the coming years?

We will continue to offer the very best service for our buyers and sellers within Rock, Trebetherick, Polzeath and Port Isaac as well as embracing the organic growth that has seen us take on instructions further afield. We see this not as a move into a different patch, it s more about the individual properties and how they fit with our portfolio.

Development consultancy on new builds is also something that we will continue to expand and we have some exciting schemes ahead.

In summary, we’ve never seen a market like this. I think a period where we can appreciate a degree of normality would be good. It’s essential that we take what’s been useful from the pandemic and don’t ignore that learning.

We have created an efficient model, we have an incredible team and we will continue to strive to be the best we can be within our sector.

What does John Bray and Partners offer sellers that sets you apart?

Sellers choose us because of our reputation, knowledge, experience and unrivalled care combined with our ability to act in the very best way we can in every single case. aving the confidence that we will manage sales in this way each and every time is something we are very proud of. That said, we’re not a business that rests on its laurels.

As a bouti ue agency, we have the flexibility to be nimble about the way in which we market properties, there s no one-si e-fits-all, prescriptive approach it s much more personal.

johnbraysales.co.uk

A B OV E A striking beachside home in Polzeath sold for £3.5m

LEFT anoramic sea views at this off-market sale overlooking Epphaven beach

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SU STA I N

Led by

the EARTH WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

At ARCO2, sustainable architecture is more than just a building… it’s a way of life.

W

One of the many benefits of using A O2 is that they also work in parallel with their sister construction company, ADD Sustainable Construction (ADDSC), who are able to provide very detailed costings and a detailed programme of works.

ith sustainability, health, comfort and wellbeing at the core of their practice, the team at ARCO2 take inspiration from the Cornish way of life and the beautifully wild landscape that surrounds them, as Co-Director Ian Armstrong explains: “Sustainability is everything to ARCO2 and the reason for our existence. We set up the company in 2003 with a passion for sustainability, and were one of the only practices in the south west with fundamental sustainable architecture principles.” Today, the team’s track record speaks for itself, with numerous sustainable design and practice management awards under their belt.

ADDSC take on two or three select projects each year, priding themselves in taking away the stress and worry of a build, with the aim of a fun and enjoyable build process. Knowing that you are working with the same people from the early concept through to the completion must provide a rare, calming simplicity.

ARCO2 adopt the principles laid down by the ‘passivhaus’ design standard together with a creative modern approach that is in harmony with the landscape. Ian explains: “As part of our commitment to sustainability we now calculate the embodied energy and whole-life environmental load to ensure we have made the appropriate design and ecological decisions, thus minimalising the environmental impact. We really want to make a difference, and truly believe that sustainable architecture and construction is the only way forwards.”

pecialising in one-off bespoke dwellings, the team at ARCO2 certainly don’t take their location for granted.

“We are fortunate that, being located in the centre of Cornwall, we can be working on the north coast, south coast, on the moors, the riverside or within a town or city all within 0 minutes from our office,” explains an.

“The variety of landscape, geography and topography certainly inspires our team at ARCO2, and outside of work we can be found surfing, fishing, running, climbing, paddle boarding and hiking. We have a deep connection with the landscape and environment, and a strong desire to preserve it.”

arco2.co.uk

RIGHT Wayside

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© Chris Hewitt

A B OV E Featherbeds

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© David Curran

© Andy Gulland Yellowdoor Studios Photography © Chris Hewitt

TOP LEFT Edge of liff

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A B OV E Gwithian Towans

TO P R I G H T Furzy

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© Chris Hewitt © Jon Cooney Photography and Rohrs & Rowe

TOP Wayside

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A B OV E Little Tregullas

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© Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

© Unique Homestays © theheadthetail

TOP eflection

A B OV E Mellalue

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The pursuit of BALANCE WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

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D I A LO G U E

Harnessing a passion for Cornwall’s beautiful landscape, rich culture and the energy of the Atlantic coast.

W

weeks discussing how it could all work we decided to register the company and really focus on the business. We knew it would take a lot of time and investment to enter a new market that we were not known or established in, and it did indeed turn out to be a full-time job to get the business off the ground.”

hen the phrase ‘new build’ is brought up in conversation, my mind wanders to little white boxes on a hill, bright and garish against the natural beauty of countryside and coast. But when we’re surrounded by such an astonishing setting, why not incorporate these wild Cornish elements into the design of a dream dwelling that works with the natural shape of the land? At Watershedd, the ever-changing landscape directly informs the team’s entire architectural design process, for a breathtakingly unique result every time.

The team had recognised something in Cornwall that so far had been overlooked, and noticed a shining opportunity for a team of skilled architects and designers to take hold of, as Adam elaborates: “We saw that there was a lot of interest in highquality, contemporary holiday homes in Cornwall but that there was a fairly limited supply of luxury houses available. We also saw that there was a lot of potential with the plots of land available and an opportunity to really make a statement with our design and architecture. It was clear to us that if we were given the opportunity to work on some of these houses in Cornwall that we could make a real impact on the design and quality of the homes being built.”

Established in 2018, Watershedd was born from a love of the Cornish lifestyle, and I can only imagine the excited evenings of animated conversation between founders Adam Casey, Poppy Trevillion and Marzouk Al-Bader as they planned a future for this fascinating company. “From the outset we knew that we were going to focus our attention on Cornwall as we felt there was a real demand for high-end design-led architects there, but we didn’t know how long it would take to get the brand recognised and established in Cornwall,” explains Adam, Founder and RIBA Registered Architect.

With a vision of introducing a fresh approach to architecture and interior design in Cornwall, one which is design-led with an emphasis on providing a first-class service, Watershedd is certainly making waves in the Duchy. “Cornwall is a beautiful place, where many people have very happy memories.

“Between our busy schedules we managed to meet up during lunches or after work to discuss the ambition for the business and whether it was the right time to be starting Watershedd. After many

LEFT Millingworth Mill

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D I A LO G U E

Working closely with each individual client, Watershedd has an undeniable talent in first creating a detailed vision that may have been difficult to imagine without a team of experts, and then bringing it into reality as a tangible, beautiful home. “It can be incredibly stressful and timeconsuming building or refurbishing your own home without the right team and advice behind you. We wanted to take the stress out of construction and allow our clients to really focus on the design and ultimately enjoy their new home.”

“One of the very first things we do on a project is to visit the site and take in the surroundings. The context and landscape inform our design process from the outset. Every site is different and comes with its own set of challenges, which is exciting to us. There is nothing better than visiting a new site, listening to a new client and formulating a brief and an outline design based on our discussions.”

We didn’t want our architecture or design to interrupt this natural beauty, but to work with it. Quite often people think of contemporary architecture as white rendered boxes, or curved buildings, but these really stand out against the landscape and feel out of place.

We wanted to use natural, local materials where possible, with an emphasis on blending the designs with the landscape to respect the Cornish heritage.

We have found that the use of a darker material pallet can really help to blend the building with the local Cornish landscape.”

There is a truly unique lifestyle and culture in Cornwall which attracts people for a whole host of reasons; amazing restaurants, beautiful scenery and some of the best surfing in the UK help to create a really special place. It is no wonder that most of Watershedd’s clients want to be able to spend as much time as possible there. “Whatever it is that draws our clients to Cornwall, we try to design this into the properties we create; family spaces, surfboard rooms, home cinemas – those small luxuries which make a house truly unique.

A complementary aesthetic alongside a functionality that suits a life in Cornwall is a top priority for the Watershedd team, as Adam continues to explain: “We wanted to embody the beach lifestyle into our homes and consider how people use these houses by the coast. It is important to create open-plan living spaces where the whole family can come together and enjoy spending time together. A lot of our clients either surf, cold water swim or enjoy long coastal walks, so we also feel that it is important to provide spaces for these activities.”

“Design should be beautiful but also practical and functional for the way we live. In its detail and use of materials, our architecture reflects nature and the rugged landscape. We aim to use sustainable, local materials, whether it is sustainably sourced timber cladding or locally sourced Cornish stone which can be re-used time and time again. It’s very satisfying to be able to re-use stone from the original house or garden to re-invent the new property.”

TOP St Agnes

A B OV E Dynargh

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A B OV E Dynargh

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TOP Millingworth Mill

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A B OV E Sand Dunes

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D I A LO G U E

considering almost every possible client who may eventually own the house once it was complete. We had to imagine a whole host of different scenarios and settle on a design which we felt would work for our target market.”

The spaces we create express our shared love of the sea and coastal lifestyle. Cornwall is a place for creating lasting memories and there is a sense of nostalgia from past holidays and experiences. We try to create architecture which caters to these nostalgic moments whilst also providing a space for new memories to be made.”

Sensitively designed in an embrace of the natural contours of the land, Dynargh is home to a Cornish magic that is held within the very walls of locally sourced stone and black timber. It is easy to understand why the property sold before it was even complete, but like every other property in Watershedd’s beautifully unique portfolio there is an enchanting sense of synchronicity between the property and its astonishing surroundings, for a bespoke dream home perfectly embedded in the wilds of Cornwall.

“There is no other feeling quite like handing over the keys at the end of a build to realise the months, even years of planning, designing and building have finally come to reality,” admits Adam. “Between us we have designed and built many houses, however in 2020 we completed our first build (Dynargh) which we undertook for ourselves as developers.

This was a very unusual process for us as we had no client to design for or to bounce ideas off of. Whilst the design freedom and flexibility of being your own client was liberating, it also left us

watershedd.com

A B OV E Sand Dunes

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The edge

of HOME WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

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I N SPI R AT I O N

Creating interiors as unique as your experiences, and a home as wild as you dare.

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the seaside town of Bude, Cornwall, both beginning their own companies in 2009 on an almost parallel tangent of kitchens and furniture making. One day an idea sparked that would bring the pair together in business, as Adam explains “We would very often chat about business and joke that we should be doing it together, then one late night after several sherbets, a hand shake happened and YEO was born.”

hen we’re feeling weary and a little worn as the day’s end approaches, there is one thing waiting to welcome us back to a world of rest and familiarity, one thing described by a word with a perfectly uni ue definition for each of us if we don t have it we re always seeking it, and once we find it we’ll protect it forever. Home.

But what is it that truly makes a home, and how can we find it Walls, windows and a sturdy roof make for excellent building blocks for a house, but it’s inside where we find ourselves in true home territory. This is where the experts come in, and the team at YEO Design have a wealth of knowledge, experience and a track record in finding out exactly what their client’s definition of home is.

“It made sense, I was settled in Cornwall, where the workshop is, and James was in London where a lot of our work was and still is. Having teams on the ground in both locations is still key to the business and differentiates us from a lot of other design-based cabinet makers. A lot of our clients for Cornish projects are London based as well, so it works very well that we can have in-person design meetings in our London studio. I oversee the running of everything in Cornwall and Devon, and James oversees the London side of things. Two local lads, with a passion for design, ultra-high-quality furniture and collaboration.”

After going to school together, playing football together and going to the very same furniture college, childhood friends James Yeo and Adam Hodgson went their separate ways to pursue their individual futures. ames headed to ondon, and after a couple of years travelling, Adam found himself anchored in

INSET James Yeo and Adam Hodgson

LEFT A place to lay your head

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I N SPI R AT I O N

design, we don’t want to create the same thing twice and we want the design to have meaning to its owner. Our service goes beyond what you physically see. We manage all of our projects from design conception right through to installation completion and into aftercare. We absolutely pride ourselves on the smooth running of our projects.”

Every company will have a special project that was out of the ordinary, something that will stay with them after completion, and that project for YEO design was The Hide, on which Adam kindly elaborates: “This was a full house of cabinetry that we designed and made, but what makes this project really special is the family using it. Everything was designed around how the place would be lived in.

It’s always cool when the client loves the design side of it, and we worked very closely with them on every element. To see them and their kids enjoying it to this day is what it’s all about, it’s the best part of what we do. We ve recently finished things off by making a skate ramp for the ‘kids’, so Dad says! The smile on their faces was priceless when they saw it, those reactions and feelings are what make me love the design and making world.”

Designing and making bespoke cabinetry and furniture, Adam, James and the rest of the YEO team manage the entire process from start to finish, and have managed to adapt and keep up with the ever-evolving world of luxury interiors. “Cabinet and furniture making is at the heart of what we do and how it all started, but furniture making has evolved majorly and you now have to be clued up on a range of materials. The days of making everything out of wood have long gone, so if you want to make it in the high-end furniture market you have to have good knowledge of different materials and techniques. Most projects will include stone, glass, structural and intricate metal work, veneers, upholstery, specialist finishes, etc and we pride ourselves on sourcing the very latest in new products as well. We love using new materials that we haven t used before.” One penthouse project in Kensington that the team are currently working on includes a sculpture made from perforated metal sheeting, while a project in Harlyn involves a staircase made from 8mm hot rolled steel, which Adam describes as their “most challenging project to date and the best piece of work we’ve done at YEO.” “We love design, and we re very lucky to have our design team headed up by Scott Law. He’s been around the block, he’s award-winning and understated, but this guy designs serious furniture,” continues Adam. “Our design ethos is to try and create something different and personal on every

A B OV E The warm glow of home

TOP A workshop for hand-crafting

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TOP Innovation and creativity

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A B OV E A bespoke sanctuary

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I N SPI R AT I O N

With home looking different to every one of us, I wondered how YEO Design achieves such stunningly one-of-a-kind results every time, and Adam is more than willing to let me in on the secret: “The process starts with how the space will be used.

For instance, in a kitchen we don’t really obsess over the cooking, working triangles and all that rubbish, that s the easy bit. We fuss about how the family will use it socially, where people sit for conversation to be had, how to get the beer out the fridge easily without disturbing the chef, where the cocktails will be made, where the cocktails are served We like to find out as much about our clients that they are happy to tell. If we can include something personal into the design that is special to only them, then they genuinely have something unique, something that nobody else has.

The pandemic has changed the way we live and work, there’s no doubt about it, and homes are being designed to suit the work-life balance, an observation that is reflected in EO Design, with most new projects embracing a nice place to work, sociable family areas and even a place for wellness.

“One thing that the past two years has done is make people realise what’s important, so if you are not working from home then you are wanting to be at home with your nearest and dearest much more,” adds Adam. “The home is a sanctuary now, we’re spending more time than ever there, so our interiors should be well thought out.

“Naturally what we are doing is very personal to the client, most of the time we are creating forever homes for people, so we want the journey to be as enjoyable as possible for them. Our work speaks for itself but we also don’t take ourselves too seriously and like to have fun whilst doing it. We ve been very fortunate to work with really nice people, and most have a genuine want to do something different.”

“Now more than ever, family is at the heart of residential design, so we’re designing spaces to be enjoyed by the whole family, around lifestyle, work, play, and some more play! Obviously, it has to work and look good, but how is it going to be used and how can we encourage fun, conversation and aid the making of memories hese are the uestions we are asking ourselves as designers.” Adam’s insights into how he, James and rest of the team at YEO Design are helping to form blissfully unique interiors for their clients have let us in on the secret of ‘home’, and what it really means live in the house of your dreams. yeodesign.co.uk

A B OV E Beautifully bespoke TOP A tailored functionality

LEFT Working from home

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F O C U S

Exceptional

REFLECTIONS WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

Combining the worlds of architecture and interior design to deliver buildings with character both inside and out.

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arah has worked for the oyal household, the ational allery and the ational ortrait allery as well as various museums and private collectors worldwide. “After studying ine Anti ue estoration and onservation, then worked for Arnold Wiggins and ons, who are historic framers to the oyal household and international art galleries. During my time there worked on the framing of world-famous old masters painting, as well as modern British masters. aving that experience has honed an attention to detail and an appreciation of historical context, particularly when working on older listed buildings.

fter many years working at acclaimed practices, including oster and artners, Anouska empel and Architects, husband and wife team avin and arah decided to combine their expertise into a single studio and practice – Woodford Architecture and nteriors. oday, supported by an expert team of architects, architectural technologists and interior designers, the company has earned itself a reputation for uality service, timeless architecture and beautifully uni ue interiors. “ or many of our clients, our projects in ornwall are particularly about enjoyment with their families and a connection to the outdoors and their surroundings. t s more about relaxation and wellbeing, and a care for the environment and sustainability,” explains avin. “We want to create homes, and as such we don t have an in-house style,” arah adds. “ ogether with our clients, we want to think of every little detail that goes towards making a home as special as it can be.”

“ was invited to work with some leading international interior designers on large-scale renovations of central ondon properties, using my traditional decorative skills in a more contemporary way. t was during this period that decided to combine my talents with avins to create Woodford Architecture and nteriors.” Working closely with each client, arah and the team are able to curate a perfect reflection of an individual s idea of heaven within the walls of their new home, and here we showcase some of the stunning possibilities that avin and arahs combined, holistic approach is capable of bringing to life.

he interiors that accompany the framework of the architectural masterpieces of Woodford are truly awe-inspiring, and it s no wonder. aving graduated from the nchbald chool of Design with distinction and the school pri e for interior design,

woodfordarchitecture.com

RIGHT areful arrangements and elegant touches

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A B OV E A uiet simplicity

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RIGHT Dreaming of private libraries

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TOP LEFT An arrangement with bliss in mind

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A B OV E R I G H T A place for gathering and good conversation

TO P R I G H T aking spaces for families and friends

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TOP Designed for the master of kitchens

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A B OV E lean edges and calming tones

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TOP A cosy farmhouse atmosphere

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A B OV E ast open spaces for light and life

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Working with the GRAIN WO R D S B Y DA N WA R D E N

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I N SPI R AT I O N

reativit colla oration and crafts ans i t e t ree funda ents e ind t e re ions nest and crafted furniture akers

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quickly began to expand and in 2000, found itself in need of a bigger workshop for the multiplying workforce, leading an and Alan to take the decision to move to their current offices and workshop, in the beautiful ornish village of uan inor.

ur homes are the places in which we seek sanctuary and so, naturally, we want them to be as comfortable, and as reflective of ourselves, as possible.

But in reality, if you are thinking about making a change to your home space, it can be difficult knowing where to start. ealising a home style that reflects your own, and achieving the ambience that best helps you to relax and forget about the stresses of life outside your own private haven, is no small undertaking. But these are precisely the things that, over years, the team at o en urniture have become experts in helping clients to realise.

Experts in the world of bespoke furniture commissions and personalised kitchens, the o en team today continue to champion the founding principles of quality and customer service. As an explains: “Those concepts have been uppermost in the company s profile, but now, although we haven t forgotten our roots and still work locally making one-off bespoke pieces, we tend towards larger-scale, complete interior design projects, also working with architects and interior designers, with projects ranging from new builds to renovation works on listed buildings.”

The company was founded in 1986, born through the creative partnership of an ox and Alan earce, both cabinet makers by trade and creatives at heart. rom humble beginnings, the business

INSET The distinct quality of handmade furniture

LEFT Marks of precision

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or those larger scale projects, the process begins with a personal visit to your home, or a workshop meeting with the Design team. ere you can talk through your ideas and get one-to-one advice on functionality, flow and how your ideas can best be facilitated for the perfect result. “Design is one of the most important aspects of any project and one of our greatest strengths,” says an. “A well-designed piece of furniture that pleases aesthetically, enhances a home, complements its environment and brings pleasure to its owner and those who see it. hat is our ultimate aim.” rom here, an and the team will guide you through a series of creative conversations, handdrawn visuals and discussions on material and finish, before getting started in the workshop.

Unlike other companies, the entire process fully involves you as the client, and at any stage you like, you re always welcome to visit and observe your collaborative masterpiece come to life.

Seeing it all take shape before your eyes is a rare opportunity, but it s one that an and Alan believe is fundamental to why clients choose o en.

“We foster a real atmosphere of partnership and understanding,” says an, “and your thoughts and questions are taken on board throughout the entire process. After all, it s your dream project ” n this day and age, it s becoming increasingly important to us that our dream homes are brought to reality in as sustainable a fashion as possible. t s perhaps never been more apparent, the effect that heavy industry and unsustainable building practises are having on our planet, which is why o en is determined to keep its footprint to an absolute minimum. “All of our materials are sustainably sourced and we try to source as local as possible, to minimise mileage. We recycle waste materials, packaging and lacquers where possible, and,” says an, “we even have electrical charging points for staff vehicles.”

What about the team? What skills do they bring to each project learn from that in fact, most of the cabinet makers have been with o en since the start of their apprenticeships, eventually becoming fully time-served employees. “We also have an interior design team, including a AD

A B OV E A creative approach to kitchen design

TOP Built to suit your lifestyle

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TOP Kitchens brought to life on the south ornish coast

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A B OV E pecialists in ama ing spaces

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I N SPI R AT I O N

and view their kitchens for approval, before disassembling them for finishing,” says an. But that s not all. “We take great care ensuring your existing kitchen area is ready to receive your new kitchen, which is why we also provide trade services such as plumbing, electrical works, floor finishing and even decorating.”

draftsman,” says an, which makes arriving at the right decisions for you and your home far easier and much less daunting than going it alone . But it s not just in the workshop that an, Alan and co weave magic. By handling all deliveries in-house, and employing a tried and trusted team of selfemployed fitters who share the o en ethos, your project is always brought to life and delivered to the letter – no miscommunications between the fitters and the showroom, no unexpected delays due to missing parts. he entire process has been perfected over years to ensure that the finished product is fitted into your home, with the same meticulous attention to detail that goes into creating each individual unit.

n truth, however, o en can help with any room. t could be that you ve all but finished your new home interior and are just looking for a bespoke table to fit in an awkward corner. Alternatively, you may need a specialist to fulfil your entire property s furniture and cabinetry. ou might be in search of something that s visually astonishing to really wow your guests, or going back to that awkward corner, practicality could be your top priority. Whatever it is you need, says an “Our approach to home design is to ensure you re left with a product that fits flawlessly with your style, your needs and, most importantly, your home.”

o where in the home can o en help bring to life? What they are perhaps best known for, are bespoke kitchens. tarting its life on the beautiful south coast, a new o en kitchen is created from the artist’s plans all the way through to the doors, drawers and finishing touches, with nothing being bought in. “We also fit each appliance, including sinks, at the workshop, and invite clients to come

ro enfurniture co

LEFT abinetry for the entire home

A B OV E o detail overlooked

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Outdoor

EPICUREANS WO R D S B Y H A N N A H TA P P I N G

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I N SPI R AT I O N

Bringing culinary and design inspiration from travels across the globe to create outdoor kitchens of distinction.

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It’s not just the act of cooking that inspires Zowie and Gareth, it’s the provenance of the food that also comes into play, as Zowie explains: “There is nothing better than visiting a local bakery or market, returning with fresh produce and cooking it in an outdoor environment. Local suppliers are better for the environment, there are less food miles, and you get to know the story behind your produce.”

usband and wife team Zowie and Gareth Rees are gastronomes at heart. Being lucky enough to have travelled widely, they have seen first-hand how outdoor entertaining can differ across countries and cultures and this is something that really excites them. Open cooking offers sensory immersion, filling hearts and bellies with sights, smells and tastes. From the glow of the fire and the heady smell of wood smoke, to that distinct caramelised flavour you get from cooking over flames, you would be forgiven for mistaking this for some kind of culinary alchemy… because it actually is.

owie s first job was in the hospitality industry where she prepared and cooked barbe ues for a large number of guests each week: “I loved the smell, taste and atmosphere and barbe uing became a personal passion – one that I passed on to Gareth. It’s now not uncommon for us to be out in all weathers cooking up something over hot embers. Even on Boxing Day we have had a 2-hour joint smoking on the barbe ue.

Through trial, and sometimes error, we have sampled and enjoyed many dishes. I’ve done plenty of research and am very proud of my own library of over 200 cookery books.” Outdoor cooking can be as simple or as complex as you like, but as Zowie explains: “It’s all about having fun, just enjoying the al fresco dining experience. Now with a young family, we have learned the art of outdoor cooking together and enjoy teaching our son Soal a set of outdoor culinary life skills that will be with him forever.”

What happens when you ‘brown’ food is something called the Maillard reaction; a chemical reaction between amino acids and reducing sugars that gives browned food its distinct flavour. Of course, this can be achieved in a traditional oven or on a hob, but what makes wood-fired or barbe ue cooking different is the addition of the distinctive aroma that is created. Even this smoked smell has a technical name, ‘syringol’, which when combined with the compound guaiacol (produced when the lignin found in wood is burned), creates the heady experience that is responsible for the deliciousness of food cooked over a live, burning fire.

LEFT Vlaze – at once versatile and beautiful

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I N SPI R AT I O N

hospitality market is also a huge growing sector for us, with so many businesses looking at al-fresco dining as well as cooking outside. We are finding that more hotels, pubs and restaurants are taking this direction. ever has it been so important to find a safe way to cater; by adding a bespoke, undercover outdoor area, hospitality businesses are also able to increase their capacity.”

“Ensuring that you have all of the e uipment and space you need can make a real difference to outdoor living. Among other brands, we work closely with leading outdoor kitchen specialist Life Outdoors whose products meet our exacting re uirements. We have also recently started working with Sub Zero and Wolf, for outdoor cooking and refrigeration products.

Launched in the UK last year, the versatility and longevity of these products really impressed us – they are designed to last decades, not years.”

Having built a successful plumbing and heating business over the past 12 years, Zowie and Gareth have combined this expertise with their love of food and cooking to form the luxury outdoor living company, Heart, Smoke and Soal. Taking the barbe ue experience a step further, the company works closely with the UK’s leading brands in order to create their clients outdoor living and eating spaces that surpass expectations on every level – whether that be an elegant firepit or standalone grill to a fully designed, bespoke outdoor kitchen and living space.

So, what of the other manufacturers they work with?

For both Zowie and Gareth it’s vital that the brands they supply align with their own ethos of service, uality, form and function. his is no more apparent than in their relationship with Vlaze who create design-led, British-made vitreous enamel modular furniture, that can be moved freely from indoors to out. Designed specifically for the living environment, and at once sustainably made and fully recyclable, the lustrous colours are created by fusing powdered

For larger scale outdoor kitchens, and with so many ways to cook outside these days, it can be hard to navigate the myriad products on offer, which is where Zowie and Gareth come in. “Our team has a huge understanding about how the fusion of both indoors and outdoors has to work together when creating an outdoor kitchen. The brands that we sell have been hand-selected and chosen by us, based on our own outdoor cooking experiences. When investing in any outdoor cooking e uipment it s essential that it’s durable and a pleasure to use and look at. Therefore, the products that we stock are chosen for their premium craftmanship, uality and beautiful appearance.”

It’s not just domestic outdoor kitchens that the team are experienced in as Zowie explains: “The

TOP & RIGHT Sub Zero and Wolf grills combine form and function

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A B OV E la e units exude effortless style

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A B OV E & FA C I N G

lowbus lowdrops offer new worlds of elemental fire

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products to choose from and enable clients to get up close, compare and contrast and fully appreciate each product’s form and functionality.

glass to steel at temperatures in excess of 800°C in the same factory that manufactures much of the iconic signage for London Underground and the Paris Metro.

The next part of the process, as Zowie explains, is: “Once you have decided on a design and chosen the range of products you would like, all you need to do is sit back and relax and we take care of the rest. Our end-to-end service and little black book of recommended and highly skilled tradesmen mean that we can take care of everything. On completion, we offer a full handover on the use of all of the e uipment so that you can be confident and ready to start your outdoor living journey as soon as we have left site.”

imilarly, lowbus , who create handmade fire pits, take functional fire to a new level, with each piece in the collection adding a design dimension to the elemental. With a belief in sustainable and ecologically responsible products, Glowbus® only works with the most durable materials ensuring the products have the ability to create special moments for a lifetime. owie, areth and their team of experienced fitters offer an end-to-end service when it comes to design.

Once a client has decided on how they want to use their outdoor living space, a site visit is undertaken, which helps to understand the space and visualise which products are best-suited. hey will then talk through the whole gamut of options available, from flooring and kitchen units, to cookers, grills and gazebos, before going away and creating initial concept designs. here is also the added benefit of being able to view a wide range of displays in the Heart, Smoke and Soal showroom; these installations are invaluable for inspiration if you’re unsure which

“We feel that being huge foodies ourselves, with a real passion for cooking outside, sets us apart from other outdoor dining companies. We regularly use the brands we stock ourselves in our own outdoor kitchen. With that in mind, we run a series of open days throughout the year to fulfil this side of our passion, with e uipment fired up outside and guest chefs so that our customers can smell, taste and really live what we are all about.” heartsmokesoal.co.uk

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Nothing off

the SHELF WO R D S B Y DA N WA R D E N

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Family values meet the guiding principles of quality and sustainability.

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But first, m interested to know more about the who, the what and the why . he business was originally founded by husband and wife, Nigel and amantha Dilley around 2 years ago. Beforehand, around two decades ago, says Olivia: “Nigel held a lot of the service engineering contracts for appliances in Cornwall and Devon, having been in the kitchen environment repairing appliances since the start of his career.” his gradually evolved into retailing the appliances, but then along came the internet and with it, the large companies that would quickly start to dominate the retail market, leaving Nigel and Samantha looking for something else again. “ hat s when Kitchen Kit was born, and after searching for the right brand, they eventually found two – Ballerina and obilia – who are still the sole brands we work with today.”

cross the UK, families have had unprecedented opportunities over the last two years to make improvements to the four walls they call home. For many, particularly during the unseasonably warm spring of the first national lockdown, the garden was the priority of choice, a combination of balmy temperatures and unfilled daytime hours giving homeowners the opportunity to finally get around’ to those jobs they had, perhaps for years, been putting off. But as we finished our projects outdoors, and as the days turned into weeks, then into months, and the weather gradually cooled, focus quickly turned indoors, to bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and almost inevitably, the heart of every home: the kitchen.

As with the humble garden, a new kitchen is no small undertaking, so it’s perhaps unsurprising that it s often relegated to the bottom of the priority list. As I speak with Kitchen Kit’s Contract Sales Director, Olivia Harriss, I’m introduced to a recently completed project which saw the final embodiment of one client’s dream space, and as you’ll see in the imagery over the following pages, it’s quite unlike the traditional image that will spring to most of our minds when we think about what a kitchen should be; unlike it, that is, in all of the best ways.

First and foremost, explains Olivia, “we are a family run business”, but as with any successful company, you can only employ so many family members before the pool of candidates runs dry! With Nigel at the helm, and his son Aaron heading up the installation team, the company continues to grow. “Now that we’re getting a little bigger, we’ve naturally got new employees who aren’t family based, however the family ethos is still very much there. or us, it s a bit more about the personal approach to selling , as opposed to churning out designs to a big market.”

LEFT It’s hard to believe that this is not a hand-built kitchen

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kitchens are uality, and the uality is affordable, making it accessible for the majority of people.

Nobilia is a family company as well, which ties in perfectly with our own ethos.”

I’m interested to know whether the design and installation of the kitchens themselves is something that Nigel and Aaron had to learn, and the answer is, in many ways, yes. As trained appliance engineers, they have been in the kitchen environment since the start of their careers. But in terms of the actual installation of the kitchen, Olivia explains, “that was a new skillset that they did have to learn, especially with the German brands that Nigel brought on board.”

After much research and welcoming obilia to the family, Nigel continued to look for other brands and did, at one stage, try a British one. “But it was quite clear, given the way that we worked and the way we designed, that the erman brands offered the best fit. Only a short while later, he came across Ballerina, and when he visited the factory in Germany, the design capabilities he discovered were absolutely mind blowing.”

“ nstallation with Ballerina and obilia is slightly different, because so much of it is completed in the factory before being shipped to the UK. Our fitting team is made up of four installers, an apprentice and an appliance installer, who have specialist knowledge of the erman products they are fitting. o be expected from erman engineering, the kitchens are built for efficient installation with minimal waste,” explains Olivia.

his wasn t the only reason they eventually became a part of the Kitchen Kit stable. As we all look to do more to champion a sustainable lifestyle, Ballerina really does stand out from the crowd. “ he way they recycle and their environmental resources is unbelievable,” continues Olivia. “ he volume of kitchens they manufacture is just incredible too, and they produce very little waste. Sustainability forms a big part of the Ballerina ethos, which is something we share. hey manufacture using energy saving production technologies,” Olivia elaborates, “such as generating heat using residual wood from other areas of their manufacturing process.”

So what about the kitchens themselves? Why choose two brands from the continent over what’s available here in the UK? “Nigel and Aaron have worked on every type of appliance that you could possibly imagine. he uality differs from brand to brand, but it was always the German manufactured appliances that really stood out; they were the ones worth repairing. Other brands were clearly made more cheaply, Nigel has even had cuts and other minor injuries from the not-so-well-made ones. Our ethos was always based on only selling something that we would have in our own homes, so Germany seemed like the obvious place to start.”

If, like me, you’re entranced by the images featured here, you’ll probably have wondered whether this is in fact a hand-built kitchen. It’s not – it’s manufactured, and what’s more, the quality, as Olivia explains, is second to none. “When he found Ballerina, igel knew they would work hand in hand with Nobilia, covering the needs of the two types of customers that we find here in ornwall.

he first brand he found was obilia. “ obilia is the largest kitchen manufacturer in Europe,” says Olivia. “ hey re massive But the key with them is that their

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TOP Innovative design provides ultimate versatility for this Ballerina kitchen

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A B OV E Proof that darker colours really can work. It’s all about the design...

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TOP A triumph of design and functionality

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A B OV E A level of quality you may not typically associated with manufactured kitchens

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He paired them together about ten years ago, and hasn’t looked back since.”

dark kitchen?’,” says Olivia, “but we encourage it.

In fact, we have a dark kitchen at home and my kitchen is really small, so it really can work! It’s just about how it’s designed, so it was really nice to know that they were happy to explore those darker options.”

Each brand produces rigid built kitchens and at Kitchen Kit, the team probably don’t even know the meaning of the word flatpack. here are no off the shelf ’ solutions, and each kitchen is made to order. here is still a lead time of 2 to weeks with Ballerina, but this owes to it being a relatively small company compared to Nobilia (which produces 5,000 kitchens a day!). Also, in part, because the brand offers a lot more possibility in terms of design, such as the made to order 1,600mm drawer fronts in the island of the pictured kitchen. “But always say you have to wait 16 weeks for a sofa, whereas this is a rigid-built kitchen designed to your home!”

“We knew we wanted a kitchen that would stand the test of time design wise, be simple and stylish in looks,” explains the owner of this beautiful home. heir new kitchen needed to “be practical to cook and entertain in but above all be a statement in the open-plan living space”, and on the outcome, in their words: “Kitchen Kit delivered on all the above with a beautifully designed kitchen from Ballerina. We are delighted with it.”

Finally, itching to know more about the kitchen in the images that Olivia has shared with me, I learn that this particular project was commissioned for a new build in Devoran, near ruro. “One of the key outcomes of the brief was that the customer wanted it to not feel like a kitchen. Because of the open space within the room and how they use it, they wanted to be able to use it for all manner of things, not just as the kitchen.

A stunning finished result is typical of a Ballerina kitchen, and it’s really easy to see why Nigel chose to work with this incredible brand all those years ago. And when such exceptional design capabilities and build uality meet Ballerina s insurmountable environmental credentials, not to mention the expertise brought to the fore by the growing Kitchen Kit team, the result is all but guaranteed to surpass even the most discerning home improver’s expectations.

“One of the first things you ll note is the dark colouration of the units. And there’s always a bit of a conversation around are you sure you want a

kitchenkitsw.com TOP An open-plan space whose possible uses go far beyond those of the traditional kitchen

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Heart

of GLASS WO R D S B Y H A N N A H TA P P I N G

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Glass fusion meets interior installation in a mesmerising combination of colour, clarity and composition.

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“When the giftware business took off, the larger commissions took something of a back seat, but these have always been where my heart lies. I love the freedom that these projects bring and am often given free rein on an entire wall to create something uni ue.” o goes on to explain that her larger commissions have evolved somewhat over the years; there has been a shift from large individual panels and wall-to-ceiling triptych installations to more dynamic and flowing wall sculptures of shoaling fish and falling leaves, as well as incredible lighting pieces that border on the architectural.

lass fusion artist Jo Downs is a luminary in both senses of the word. As one of the world’s most respected fused glass designers, she leads the way in terms of both her giftware collections and bespoke installations, while each piece stands alone as a light-emitting body of work. Although o has become renowned in recent times for her signature giftware collection it was the larger glass installations that were the focus in her early career, including ceiling and wall installations, chandeliers and illuminated structures for hotels, cruise ships and private homes.

Jo’s love of open-water swimming, the changing seasons that paint the Cornish countryside and nature’s symmetry have been the inspiration for her fluid glass sculptures. “ have always wanted to create a fish installation on someone’s wall, and I was given that opportunity by one of my clients. He owned a new build that had a really big wall onto which he wanted to put one of my glass installations. We looked at a triptych, but the nature of the space, which incorporated an area

“When first left college, a large proportion of my work came in the form of commissions from architects and interior designers. I would visit them, clutching little pieces of sample glass, from which we would visualise a project. However, these projects would often not come to fruition for several months after and so had to find a way to fund my studio, and pay my way in life – kind of fell into creating all the giftware, more by necessity than intention.”

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above a doorway, didn’t lend itself to a symmetrical glass structure – and I was worried that due to its si e the weight of a single piece would be too much.” “ had this idea of creating a shoal of fish that would circle around and then appear to swim off. e was really receptive and pretty much just allowed me to get on with it. What I managed to create was a highly effective solution for covering a large wall, while maintaining the beauty of the artwork. Each fish or leaf is individually placed on the wall and so no two installations are the same. t s a fluid process, as part of the creation of the artwork is actually in the presentation and the laying out of elements on the wall. They have become very popular in swimming pool settings as the glass isn t prone to the same damp effects that a traditional artwork might be.”

he fish themselves needed to be bent to achieve the appearance of them swimming around the light and so I had to spend quite a lot of time getting the moulds right. Now that the development work has been done the only real limit is the client s imagination ”

While can comprehend how a glass fish may adhere to a wall, I’m fascinated as to how Jo’s incredible lighting pieces are imagined, designed, constructed and hung. “I remember when the first one was commissioned and working it all out was uite a technical feat,” explains o. “ here s a lot of engineering involved and I had to carefully research the fittings and fixtures that could be used.

Being dyslexic, o is a very hands-on creator and while she sometimes employs the AD skills of her partner on the more technical aspects of an installation, the way she translates her ideas is by actually making them. his is evident in the way each installation is unique; she doesn’t follow a formulaic pattern, preferring to let the building and space dictate the form. “Each bespoke project is uni ue and this is how love to work. ndividual clients will choose different colours and orientations for the fish, or leaves, and can adapt and work with this.”

While o s fish and leaf installations have become incredibly popular, she is often approached for one-off projects that push the boundaries of glass fusion to the very edge. A project in point was a walkway panel commissioned to be set into an entrance hall, that once suspended in the floor would be both walked across and viewed from the level below. “For obvious safety reasons, the panel had to be sandwiched between two thick pieces of toughened glass, which meant that the glass couldn’t be a single panel. The very nature of glass fusion means that the surface is not completely flat,

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A B OV E Individual ‘waves’, laid out with mosaic in between

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TOP Walkway panel

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there are various intersections, and so there would have been uneven pressure points in a single pane.”

There was a point where Jo thought she was trying to create the impossible, but not one to be defeated she found a way forward, whereby she could create lots of individual pieces and then these ‘waves’ could be laid out with mosaic between them. The result is something very special and after all the work and effort o made sure she was the first person to walk on it ” So, I ponder, what has been Jo’s favourite large commission “ think it s probably the ceiling did on the P&O cruise liner, Arcadia. “I went to a meeting, and they said they wanted me to create a glass ceiling. As ever, I agreed; in my young naivety perhaps not comprehending the full scope of the project, but in my mind, there was no reason why it couldn’t be done. It ended up being made of 104 individual panels that spanned 11 metres. There were a lot of technical challenges as each piece had to be laminated onto toughened glass.

During my early career, I said yes to a lot of projects that became the biggest headaches, but this one was so worth it once I saw it in situ, and was an ama ing opportunity.”

While o now has a team of highly skilled glass fusion artists that work with her, she remains ultimately hands-on. he has a studio and kiln in her backyard, which has been 20 years coming, and is constantly firing new pieces and ideas “ his is one of the joys for me and m lucky being able to do what do. ll put some work in the kiln at night and then when I return to the studio in the morning there’s been an amazing transformation.

There are many things I now have to be involved with in running the business, but the reality is that I do get to create most days and still obtain the same delight from each new design as I did when I started – which is quite humbling, as not everyone is able to enjoy their work as much as do, nor be so hands-on. I’m still totally involved – I just can’t keep my hands out ” jodowns.co.uk

A B OV E Arcadia atrium ceiling

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Finding our

FOUNDATIONS WORDS BY ROSIE CATTRELL

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Uncovering the impact of the interiors beneath our feet with a company who prize family, form and Cornish functionality.

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Stepping back onto Cornish soil, the couple came to realise that carpet showrooms with salesmen in ties and outdated carpets were no longer satisfying the ever-growing market of beautifully designed homes and architectural masterpieces being constructed all over Cornwall. Having come from an Australian market where contemporary flooring was a must, and with April s flair for interior design, it took no time at all to establish a name in the industry for the supply and installation of highly desirable flooring ranges to suit any ornish dream abode – ranges that wouldn’t cost the Earth. As living in Cornwall comes with a whole other way of life, Geordi understands the importance of practicality alongside aesthetic: “Cornwall has a unique style and lifestyle, and everything we do in Cornwall is driven by our enduring love of the outdoors. With this in mind we seek to provide flooring that is practical, affordable and beautiful.”

s many of us are turning to look inwards at the spaces of our homes, the brush strokes on the walls and the shapes of our living rooms, kitchens and bedroom sanctuaries, one thing that can tie it all together is something we may not initially lay our focus on – the very ground beneath our feet. From a deep pile carpet for the plushest of luxuries to bury your toes in as you rise for the day, to the classically flawless woodlook vibe for a rustic cottage or clean contemporary finish, the surfaces that lead us from space to space define our home interiors in a way that is not to be underestimated, as husband and wife team Geordi and April Watson well understand. o begin, we must first take a trip to the sub-tropical heat of Queensland, Australia. An ex-carpet fitter, eordi had set up a successful flooring business locally, while April, originally from the UK, was a colour co-ordinator and contracts manager.

After many years of living in Australia, the couple made the decision to return to Cornwall with their daughter and dog, Barry, in tow to begin their next chapter. With their combined experience and wealth of knowledge and expertise, Geordi and April opened the doors of The Carpet Trader Cornwall Ltd on 1st September 2011, and have been trading for over a decade.

With the recent movement into bespoke housing that works with the Cornish landscape, interiors have become more important than ever in completing the overall vision for a dream home in Cornwall, and the importance of the right flooring can t be stressed enough. From making a room appear open and spacious, to bringing a sense of cosy intimacy or a bold contemporary edge, your floors can have

LEFT Reclaimed Chestnut provides warmth to an open-plan space

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One collection that Geordi and April have seen grow in popularity very quickly is their selection of Karndean Designflooring, and having explored this range it’s certainly not hard to see why. Full of charm and character, Karndean’s Art Select collection brings the beauty of real wood and natural stone to life. Adorned with the most intricate designs and realistic embosses, handcrafted to reflect the uni ue patterns and textures found in nature, the range offers a floor that s not only beautiful and realistic, but also practical. From Prairie and Glacier to Mountain and Savannah, the latest collection of French oaks encourages gentle beige, cool grey and warm honey tones to blend seamlessly into décor styles from traditional country to modern industrial. The Natural, Weathered, Vintage and Classic Hickory designs feature intense colour variation for a unique and elegant look, while a new and exclusive emboss reproduces the characteristic saw marks and texture of the original, unfinished planks. Featuring an intricate pattern for impressive variation across the floor, home decorators can recreate a highly authentic look of traditionally crafted wood planks.

an immense effect on the design and atmosphere of your home, whether you’re looking for warm tones to reflect the heritage of an older property, or a fresh bold element to highlight a more contemporary theme. “ any customers want natural fibres such as wool carpets, sisal or seagrass, full of rustic charm and natural textures which add real character and individuality to the home,” explains April. “Another emerging trend growing in popularity is LVT (luxury vinyl tiles) which is affordable compared to wooden flooring and provides a versatile, durable solution with all the characteristics and charm of natural wooden floor.” “ ecently fitted with the Karndean nspire Studio, our showroom is a real hub of inspiration, and provides our customers with the ultimate experience. t offers customers a completely new experience, with inspirational boards, design materials and example photography on hand to help you to imagine how each range could look in your own home. As one of a small number of dedicated Karndean nspire tudios across the UK, when you visit The Carpet Trader showroom, our highly trained staff are on hand every step of the way, from selecting your perfect flooring design to the expert flooring installation in your home.

“We’re providing a unique concept in our showroom.

We want our clients to feel at home in a relaxed environment when selecting their new floors, and we aim to provide the ultimate experience to ensure that their completely satisfied with their final decision,” adds eordi. “We still have customers that walked into our showroom when we first opened, and have since moved homes multiple times, yet have always returned to us with the confidence of knowing that they will be completely happy with the end result.” he team s uni ue relationship with many of their clients is a wonderful reflection of the Cornish culture of trust and the fervent support of independent, family run businesses in the county, where first-class service and genuine uality is recognised and prioritised.

A B OV E A more traditional vibe

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TOP he importance of finding the right flooring is not to be under-estimated

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A B OV E Luxury vinyl tiles provide a stylishly practical solution

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the collection reflects both the classic elegance of historic homes and the boldness of contemporary trends, reinventing a historical style for the modern floor. “ ike the original ictorian tiles, Karndean s new eritage ollection is hard-wearing and waterproof but, unlike the original floors that re uired regular waxing and buffing, is easy to maintain and will resist spills and stains,” continues Stella. “We anticipate that this new look collection will be enthusiastically embraced not only by homeowners looking to recreate this traditional look in period homes, but also decorators looking to add character to modern homes.”

While visiting historic barns and factories in the rural heart of North America, Karndean’s designers fell in love with the rustic feel and rich warm tones of reclaimed chestnut planks. Faithfully replicating the unique array of cracks, holes and blemishes of aged interior timbers and exterior cladding, the new Reclaimed Chestnut design has a subtle matte finish for an eclectic, rustic appearance.

“We are delighted to bring these new designs to the market, accurately replicating the features and characteristics of the real woods that inspired them,” explains tella oyle, ational etail ales anager of Karndean Designflooring. “ n a range of shades from light and airy to rich and warm, the new designs will bring the natural beauty of real wood to life in any home. New exclusive embossed surfaces and incredible variation across the floor combine to produce our most realistic designs yet, offering a truly authentic look.”

t s truly astonishing, the inspiration you can take from a well-stocked showroom and a group of experts. Whether you’re beginning from scratch and in need of some guidance from the in-house colour coordinator, or you have a much thought over plan and just need that perfect product to complete your dream home vision. Either way, by laying the right foundations, you can put one foot in front of the other on your way to realising your ultimate home.

nspired by the architectural tiled floors of grand Victorian and Regency villas and townhouses, Karndean s brand-new eritage ollection is designed to give the opulent look of classic geometric tiles. From striking monochrome designs to beautifully blended traditional patterns,

thecarpettrader.com

LEFT Turning a bedroom into the most luxurious sanctuary

A B OV E A dream room brought effortlessly to life

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The next LEVEL WO R D S B Y DA N WA R D E N

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Bringing luxury holidays to life for more than 14 years, the launch of Gems Interiors was the natural evolution for one of Cornwall’s household staycation experts.

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on, has really taken off with more and more property owners signing up for the team to help create their own unique Cornish Gem.

ornish Gems was founded almost 15 years ago by Managing Co-Directors Julianne Shelton and Nadia Macer-Wright. It was their shared interest in property and luxury markets, innate entrepreneurial spirits and a love for Cornwall, combining with their employment history in hospitality, operations and sales, that sparked the beginning of this impressive business’ story. They identified a gap in the market for a holiday letting agency whose core focus was on the luxury experience – one that could provide property owners with a complete management service by taking care of their home and managing the guest check-ins, cleaning and maintenance..

So what is Gems Interiors? Julianne explains: “We offer our loyal and new owners an exclusive, competitively priced, in-house interior design service, all under one brand. With nearly 15 years in the industry and a highly experienced team, we implicitly understand what it takes to make a holiday home a success. We deliver exacting standards and create inspiring luxury interiors to capture guests’ imagination and encourage them to repeat book and share recommendations.”

The Gems experience has evolved greatly over the years, so much so that the brand now employs over 100 staff. This is down to Julianne, Nadia and the team’s determination to remain a one-stop shop by providing a full turnkey experience for property owners. In fact, it is this ethos that brought to fruition the launch of Gems Interiors in 2019 – an arm of the business that, only two years

With such experience, the ‘Gems’ approach to this new service is steeped in practicality – the natural result of more than a decade at the top of their industry. Julianne continues: “We seek to source items that will withstand heavy rental occupancy and won’t require frequent replenishing.”

And it’s not only interior design they offer, either.

INSET An eye for detail

PREVIOUS The Barrels, St Agnes

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and start generating an income. The Gems Interiors team are really efficient in furnishing and dressing properties within a narrow timeframe in order to meet photoshoot deadlines, ultimately ensuring the photographs stand out from the crowd and properties ‘go live’ as soon as possible.”

In fact, says Julianne: “We have helped clients create inviting external spaces to enhance guest appeal, too.”

As I speak with Julianne, I’m intrigued to know the values that sit at the core of this exemplary brand, of which, she tells me, there are five. “Firstly, passion; we are passionate about Cornwall, about holidays and about luxury properties. This passion is encompassed in each interior design scheme, creating unique identities for each property. Integrity too – we are honest, open, caring and fair and people trust us to adhere to our word. Transparency is key, updating our clients as we go; we have their best interests at heart and will always do the best we can for them.”

Being positioned on the front line of their industry, I take the opportunity to ask Julianne what it takes to design the perfect holiday home. What are holiday makers looking for, and how have these criteria changed since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic?

“Our guests expect luxury, high-quality interiors and exteriors,” says Julianne. “We are enormously proud to boast such a wide range of properties.” And she’s right – the variety within the Gems portfolio is vast! While some guests prefer family friendly, bright and colourful schemes, there are others who prefer more organic ‘zen’ interiors, and others who are seeking something completely different. Cornish Gems caters to them all, and Gems Interiors is now playing an integral part in that achievement. But it’s not always easy, explains Julianne. “Sourcing quality furnishings, within budget and stock availability, is a continuous balancing act. We’re fortunate to have a diverse (and growing) supplier list to deliver ‘design briefs’ and meet client expectations.”

Additional to these are excellence (which is clear from the images featured here), loyalty (developing and retaining long-term relationships with owners, guests and suppliers) and, fundamentally, an entrepreneurial spirit. “We strive to continuously drive the business forward through nurturing talent and empowering our team to innovate and improve,” says Julianne. “In fact, one of our most recent members of the Gems Interiors team started out as an intern one day a week, which has since evolved into a full-time paid position!”

Since launch, the interiors side of the business has certainly proven popular. But what impact has it had on the wider Cornish Gems brand? “The interior design team reduces a significant workload for property owners during the onboarding process,” says Julianne. “In addition, the team aims to expedite the speed in which properties can go on the rental market via the Cornish Gems website

With an understanding that it has long been the dream of many owners to create a luxury home in Cornwall that not only works for them and their families, but also offers a healthy return on investment, the Gems Interiors and portfolio team support and guide owners throughout the onboarding stage to help shape the look, practicality

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TOP LEFT The Linhay, Padstow

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TO P R I G H T Sea Pink, Falmouth

A B OV E Gylly, Falmouth

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A B OV E & R I G H T West Pine Lodge, Tehidy

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A brand-new, state-of-the-art architectural property offering Californian beach house vibes, West Pine Lodge nestles on the north Cornwall coast, on the edge of Tehidy, offering great accessibility to the beaches of Portreath and Porthtowan. “Our busy clients initially started to furnish the property themselves, but upon joining Cornish Gems, discovered our cost-effective in-house interior design offering,” explains Julianne.

and durability of each Cornish Gem. This, Julianne tells me, creates standout appeal online that meets – and often exceeds – guests’ luxury expectations. “By closely following our blueprint to creating a Cornish Gem, this is a great foundation to deliver desired results,” says Julianne, and with myriad experts on hand, it’s no surprise that more and more owners are entrusting to the team their stunning Cornish homes.

“Following the initial consultation with the Gems Interiors team, our clients quickly received roomby-room concept boards and an itemised quote.

The owners loved the designs and signed them off immediately, with no changes!”

As a potential Gems Interior client, there are three levels of service available. There is the ‘Simple Gem’, which offers interior design concept and consultancy, followed by the ‘Intermediate Gem’, which covers concept and consultancy, with the added benefit of plans and design. Finally, for the all-in-one package, there is the ‘Complete Gem’. As you’d expect, this covers absolutely everything, from concept, to design, to implementation. Of the three, I really want to see what a ‘Complete Gem’ looks like, and Julianne is more than happy to oblige. She shows me to West Pine Lodge, an absolutely stunning addition to the Cornish Gems portfolio, and a stand-out example of what Gems Interiors is all about.

The rest, is history – the team quickly went to order on the scheme, organising it all into storage before completing the installation this autumn. The finished result is absolutely spectacular, served up as food for thought for anybody considering how best to make the most of their holiday home – to bring to life a Cornish Gem of their very own. cornishgems.com

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Colour and

COMFORT

WO R D S B Y RO S I E C AT T R E L L | I M AG E S B Y O L I V I A B O S S E RT

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F O C U S

Finding a piece of ourselves within our homes and interior spaces, with the help of Jo & Co.

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n an ever-turning world of change and uncertainty, the feeling of familiarity and comfort in our homes has never been more vital, and Jo Eldridge, Founder and Creative Director of Jo & Co Wadebridge, understands our human need to find sanctuary within our interior spaces: “I’ve always had a passion for homes and interiors, and what I love most is its ability to transform your own personality into your surroundings. Your home is all about you, and your place of comfort, so it’s vitally important that your home interior reflects you.

leaves you wanting just one little thing, whether it be a mug or a new vase. “It’s very easy to do that and walk away with just one little keepsake. We have the belief that our homes should feel soft, calm and easy to live in. Therefore, all our products come with a soft colour palette and an approachable feel about them. Our ofa showroom at awksfield is a place where you can come in and relax, try every single sofa out with ease, and yet again, the soft colour palette makes it easy for our customers to envisage each and every one of our sofas in their homes.”

“ hat s why at o o we offer such a huge choice. Although essentially it’s underneath the look of ‘Jo & Co’, it can easily be used in so many homes; whether you have a simplistic home, a colourful home, classic or modern. The Jo & Co look can be adaptable and used in many different settings and so appeals to many of our customers.”

Known for so much more than just interiors and sofas, Jo & Co is essentially a mini department store that offers everything for the home whilst sitting under a beautiful theme of gentle colours and warmth. “ hink soft pink pyjamas, faux fur rugs and hot water bottles, pretty wash bags, large coffee table books, and skincare – everything that makes you feel that your home is a place of comfort, where you’re surrounded by everything that you love.”

With a reputation as a calm and comfortable place to shop, Jo always wanted Jo & Co to be an approachable store, one that is fun and friendly and

joandcohome.com

LEFT Home comforts, curated for Boconnoc House

INSET Jo Eldridge

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A B OV E Home design at Jo & Co is so much about personality

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RIGHT Does your home interior reflect your own individual style?

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LEFT Ranges curated to help you find sanctuary at home

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A B OV E Jo & Co Clothing, modeled

by Lydia Cooke

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People of

the WOODS WO R D S B Y DA N WA R D E N

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C H A R I T Y

Bringing businesses, individuals and landowners together to rebuild the Celtic rainforest.

D

past. What Plant One hopes to achieve, is to re-connect the community with this ancient heritage, and enable the planting of trees where they’re most needed. “By restoring the Celtic rainforest, we can both create and improve habitats for wildlife. We’re highly conscious of the importance of our native habitats.

id you know that 60% of wildlife in the UK has been lost in the last 40 years?

Largely due to the loss and destruction of precious and delicate habitats, this startling, upsetting and eye-opening statistic is an all too familiar story nowadays. But over the course of DRIFT Abode, we’ve nevertheless been able to find solace – that as awareness grows of the many environmental crises our planet is facing, there are many home and interior businesses here in Cornwall who are striving to do their bit to secure a brighter, greener and more sustainable future for their industries. A future that, with their help, we as home owners can proudly become a part of.

“We also provide expertise to landowners, enabling them to increase biodiversity on their holdings; we create public access woodland, increase our landscape’s ability to capture carbon, and support local communities to increase the UK’s canopy cover.”

Known otherwise as the ‘temperate rainforest’, the Celtic rainforest is a truly special habitat that’s becoming increasingly rare around the world. Here in the UK, Cornwall is one of only a handful of regions that are home to this kind of environment and in fact, according to the Woodland Trust, the planet’s temperate rainforests are thought to be more threatened than their tropical counterparts. Their importance lies not only in their ability to act as a ‘carbon sink’, but also in the fact that their lush conditions are perfect for scarce plants, lichens and fungi, as well as an array of unusual animals.

Led by Co-Founders and Directors, Carl Rowlinson and Rai Lewis, Plant One Cornwall takes a different tack to the growing challenge of safeguarding our planet’s future. As a registered Community Interest Company, its driving goal is to put trees in the ground for the benefit of us all.

“Britain was once a wooded isle, with over 98% of the land covered in trees,” says Carl. “Now, only 2% of that ancient wild wood survives.” He points to the idea of what he calls “cultural amnesia”, which has meant we, as a society, have forgotten our woodland

LEFT Perfect conditions for otherwise scarce species of plants and animals

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C H A R I T Y

at Alchemy Tiles, who is crafting a bespoke set of tiles to raise money for Plant One. On the planting itself, Carl says: “We conduct indepth land surveys on each site to make sure it’s suitable for woodland creation, before we plant.

This ensures we don’t plant on rare habitats such as upland moor and peatlands. If a site isn’t suitable, we don’t plant. Simple as that.”

Currently buying all trees from the British Hardwood Tree Nursery, Plant One does one day intend to make the switch to Cornish grown trees, something they’re surely bound to achieve as they continue to work in partnership with companies like Post & Beam. But whether or not they are grown in Cornwall, the trees Carl and the crew plant are nonetheless vital to the ‘rewilding’ of our open spaces. Referring back to our cultural amnesia, Carl reminds us: “We are people of the woods. Our fates are linked, and ensuring the survival of our woodlands and trees is imperative to our future.”

So how does Plant One Cornwall achieve its goals? How do Carl and the team hope to restore the vitality of the shrinking Celtic canopy?

“Cornwall has the lowest canopy cover in the whole of Europe and we are trying to change that,” explains Carl, “by connecting businesses, landowners and communities to realise tangible environmental outcomes on a local level.” One way is by working with Cornwall’s amazing businesses, to help them offset their footprints with the all-important planting of new trees. And what better example than Post & Beam? Known regionwide for their astonishingly beautiful timber buildings, the Cornish based specialists at Post & Beam have joined up with Plant One Cornwall to offset their construction process.

In fact, for each tree used to manufacture their beams, explains Carl, “they will be planting two with us”.

plantonecornwall.com

Other businesses include Simon Annear Plumbing, Heating and Electrical, one of Cornwall’s leading contractors who have pledged to plant one tree per boiler, air-source heat pump or solar panel installations; and Mel Chambers

TOP A stunning project brought to life by Post & Beam, partners of Plant One Cornwall

A B OV E The Celtic rainforest

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A B OV E Only 2% of the UK’s ancient woodland remains

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C O M M E N T

Eventide

BY CHRIS CLIFFORD

potential, however, was immediately evident. More importantly, we got the feeling – that same feeling we got when we set eyes upon our last house – even before we went inside. You just know you want to live there.

As an estate agent, I’ve always thought to myself that those in the business should move house every two years or so, to remind us what our clients have to go through. My wife and I, along with our two children, have moved five times since 200 and each move has brought its own challenges, but none so much as the highs and lows of a recent purchase in Cornwall.

This is something I see time and again when working with buyers. Trusting our instincts, we took the plunge to begin the challenge of turning our dream into a reality.

We had our fair share of grief on this occasion, and there were times we questioned whether it was all worth it, but I am pleased to say that, having ridden out the bumps, we are now well on our way to creating something really special in a place that is already feeling like home. We started our journey in uly 2020, viewing anything and everything within our budget and, despite my line of work, I was still surprised by the huge variety in space, quality and styles within our search area.

All this has undoubtedly deepened my appreciation of our clients’ experiences. This is important as there is so much more to being an estate agent than just selling houses’. A house move is as scary and stressful as it is exciting and ultimately wonderful and so working with an agent who you can trust to guide you through makes all the difference.

As for me, I’m hugely grateful that my job enables me to live and work in a county that so many aspire to and so enjoy helping others to realise their Cornish dream, too.

An important lesson which I reminded myself of was something often say to buyers you ve got to think outside the box. A statistic often refer back to is that only 31% of people buy what they had originally started looking for. Following my own advice, we found exactly what we were not looking for! A cottage which could best be described as uninhabitable. ts

ris li ord is t e avills orn all

ead of

esidential

ales for

savills co

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NEW TRURO OFFICE PROVIDING A BESPOKE SELLING SERVICE FOR CLIENTS WITH UNIQUE & INDIVIDUAL HOMES ACROSS CORNWALL LCTEAM@NESTSEEKERS.COM � WWW.NESTSEEKERS.COM � +44 (0) 1872 492029 OLD BAKERY STUDIOS, BLEWETT’S WHARF, MALPAS ROAD, TRURO, CORNWALL, TR1 1QH

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THINGS ARE LOOKING BRIGHTER D O N ’ T R E LY O N L U C K , R E LY O N S AV I L L S SAVILL S CORNWALL

73 Lemon St, Truro TR1 2PN +44 (0) 1872 243 200

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ABODE

2021 Edition

T H E

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