Monterey, Porthtowan

Nestled among the dunes, at the back of Porthtowan beach, Monterey is an elegant beach house where the views are everything. Built to exacting standards by the original owner – the reverse levels were positioned so that the sea was at an exact level as you walked up the stairs – we were tasked with giving the interior of this five-bedroom property a refresh by new owners. The location of Monterey is outstanding and unusual in its proximity to the beach. We wanted to achieve a soft gentle palette with a relaxing feel that wouldn’t jar with the gentle sway of the grasses beyond, which were hand-planted after the original build to ensure the stability of the dunes.

Timber and stone cladding along with polished concrete floors nod to the landscape beyond, echoed by the use of natural fabrics and materials. While the design is intentionally quiet, we included elements of understated glamour. Large BoConcept sofas were installed in the living area along with swivel chairs to make the most of the existing open-plan space and to work with the central feature fireplace which drops down from the ceiling.

Upstairs, deep pile rugs were used to bring warmth to oak floors, with neutral ben linens so as not to detract from the exceptional framed views through every window. Locally commissioned artwork from Katie Rigby and a selection of ceramic bowls and vases were chosen to reflect the shapes of the shells and the stones on the shoreline.

Monterey is available to rent through Unique Homestays.