Houzz Tour: A Modern Holiday Home With a Twist on the Cornish Coast
A spiral staircase, curvy glass balconies and flowing spaces lift this stylish seaside new build out of the ordinary
Cornwall is blessed with many natural wonders, but there’s one that captivates above all others – the beautiful light. So when this family of four came to the coast looking to build their dream beach house, it didn’t take long for Polzeath to work its magic, and they quickly snapped up a plot of scrubland overlooking the beach and Daymer Bay.
‘This is an incredibly popular location,’ says lead architect Rob Grieve of The Bazeley Partnership, architects of Seagrass, the laid-back, five-bedroom home they subsequently built on the land. ‘The family wanted us to design something from the ground up that was contemporary, but had traditional Cornish elements, such as slate-hung walls – a place from where they could really appreciate the beauty all around them.’
The owners also had one eye on the booming holiday home market, so flexible use of the property was also important. ‘We added a bedroom annex on the ground floor, which maximises the rental possibilities and also gives guests more privacy during their stay,’ explains Rob.
Aside from the striking helical staircase, the inclusion of local art and a handful of hi-tech luxuries, such as the double-sided wood burner and the cinema room in the basement, the brief was quite loose. In short, the architects were asked to create lots of zones and make it a doddle to get from one to another. That sense of ease, together with a minimalist’s mastery of space, shines through in every corner of this home.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Polzeath, Cornwall
Size 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Architect The Bazeley Partnership
‘This is an incredibly popular location,’ says lead architect Rob Grieve of The Bazeley Partnership, architects of Seagrass, the laid-back, five-bedroom home they subsequently built on the land. ‘The family wanted us to design something from the ground up that was contemporary, but had traditional Cornish elements, such as slate-hung walls – a place from where they could really appreciate the beauty all around them.’
The owners also had one eye on the booming holiday home market, so flexible use of the property was also important. ‘We added a bedroom annex on the ground floor, which maximises the rental possibilities and also gives guests more privacy during their stay,’ explains Rob.
Aside from the striking helical staircase, the inclusion of local art and a handful of hi-tech luxuries, such as the double-sided wood burner and the cinema room in the basement, the brief was quite loose. In short, the architects were asked to create lots of zones and make it a doddle to get from one to another. That sense of ease, together with a minimalist’s mastery of space, shines through in every corner of this home.
Houzz at a Glance
Location Polzeath, Cornwall
Size 5 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms
Architect The Bazeley Partnership
The local planning department is open to construction as long as it’s of a high quality and loosely complements what’s already there. That said, there were a few hurdles to negotiate.
‘Privacy was important to the owners,’ explains Rob, ‘so Seagrass was brought down a level into the hillside.’ This both ensures it doesn’t obscure the view from the property further up and gives the family greater privacy.
‘The helical staircase was a big wish for the owners and has become a major sculptural feature,’ says Rob. ‘We chose the see-through balustrade so it would soften the structure and allow maximum light into the living area.’ The staircase leads down via a flight of steps to the basement, which contains a gym, shower room, cinema room and plant room.
‘Privacy was important to the owners,’ explains Rob, ‘so Seagrass was brought down a level into the hillside.’ This both ensures it doesn’t obscure the view from the property further up and gives the family greater privacy.
‘The helical staircase was a big wish for the owners and has become a major sculptural feature,’ says Rob. ‘We chose the see-through balustrade so it would soften the structure and allow maximum light into the living area.’ The staircase leads down via a flight of steps to the basement, which contains a gym, shower room, cinema room and plant room.
The helical staircase links the ground floor seating area and kitchen to the capacious master bedroom balcony and wraparound terrace upstairs, and is a bold contrast to the barely there glass balustrade.
The pale wood decking on the terrace works well against the white render, charcoal slate and blue sky and sea. And just imagine how spectacular this house looks at night when those floor lights are switched on.
Explore marvellous ways to do decking
The pale wood decking on the terrace works well against the white render, charcoal slate and blue sky and sea. And just imagine how spectacular this house looks at night when those floor lights are switched on.
Explore marvellous ways to do decking
A property as exposed as this will have to stand up to the elements, and Rob is confident it will. ‘Our practice has been operating in Cornwall and Devon for over a century and understands the demands placed on coastal homes,’ he says. ‘The slate cladding, for example, has been specifically chosen to wear a certain way.’
The biggest tick on the south side of the property is this large sun deck, a versatile space for lounging, outdoor dining or laying down your surf board. There’s even an outdoor shower.
The biggest tick on the south side of the property is this large sun deck, a versatile space for lounging, outdoor dining or laying down your surf board. There’s even an outdoor shower.
The front door is made from iroco, which is highly resilient and has distinctive yellow strands of grain that turn golden brown when exposed to the sun. Aside from making life easier when it comes to deliveries, the extra-wide, 8ft-high door accentuates the sense of openness and hospitality characteristic of this house.
Read expert advice on choosing a front door
Read expert advice on choosing a front door
Having room to move around was key to this home and the kitchen, dining and living areas all flow effortlessly into each other, affording a view right through the space and beyond. ‘Sea views were top priority in this design,’ says Rob. The wooden staircase has a glass banister to add to the open feel.
An oak dining table is positioned next to the wood burner and under a row of teardrop-shaped pendant lights for cosy gatherings. There’s also an internal Sonos wireless sound system hidden behind the walls and ceiling.
An oak dining table is positioned next to the wood burner and under a row of teardrop-shaped pendant lights for cosy gatherings. There’s also an internal Sonos wireless sound system hidden behind the walls and ceiling.
The double-sided wood burner is an ingenious way of linking two separate living spaces and heating them both at once. Comfort is the name of the game on this side, with sofas, an armchair and a cushioned bench offering plenty of lounging space for family and friends. And if the wood burner isn’t enough, the room also has underfloor heating. Huge windows let the owners enjoy the views, whatever the weather. The driftwood coffee table – a special commission from local artist Tristan Cockerill – adds a nice sense of place.
Driftwood Coffee Table, Tristan Cockerill.
Driftwood Coffee Table, Tristan Cockerill.
The owners turned to bespoke fitters Simply Wood Kitchens to handcraft the classic combination of oak units, granite worktops and slate floor tiles. The kitchen melds seamlessly with the seating area, which in turn flows onto the patio beyond – part of the space thanks to bifold doors. Everything in the house is elegant and unobtrusive, even the smoke alarm – this one’s a retro design from Gira.
Kitchen Unit, Simply Wood Kitchens. Smoke Alarm, Gira.
Kitchen Unit, Simply Wood Kitchens. Smoke Alarm, Gira.
A perfectly positioned skylight throws light down the stairwell, while the simple glass balustrade, which is in the same style as the one on the balcony, helps the light flow through the space. The Optelma Jogg pendant light, by Amos Lighting, makes a striking centrepiece, its crystalline structure conjuring a dramatic sense of fire and ice.
Optelma Jogg Pendant Light, Amos Lighting.
Optelma Jogg Pendant Light, Amos Lighting.
There are four bedrooms on the first floor; three have en-suite bathrooms and two have a balcony. The couple’s teenage daughter was particularly keen on having outdoor as well as indoor space in which to while away the hours.
This is the master bedroom and, in common with much of the property, features a neutral palette of white, beige, cream and natural wood tones – with touches of pink and purple to perk things up a bit. The owners wake up to views across the fields to Stepper Point in the west and boundless ocean directly in front.
This is the master bedroom and, in common with much of the property, features a neutral palette of white, beige, cream and natural wood tones – with touches of pink and purple to perk things up a bit. The owners wake up to views across the fields to Stepper Point in the west and boundless ocean directly in front.
The master en suite has a rainfall shower wet room and a perfectly positioned freestanding teardrop bath. Among Rob’s favourite features are the bathroom windows, which ‘frame specific sea and headland views, creating a truly relaxing environment’. Meanwhile, the pebbled feature wall brings bathers that little bit closer to the beach.
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The exterior of the building is actually slightly bent – the two dormer windows to the right are angled to make the most of the panoramic view of Daymer Bay.