Ever wondered how you can make a new home appear to have decades of history? Arabella Youens takes a look at how HÁM interiors achieved just that with a home on the Cornish coast.
In a coveted area of North Cornwall, nestled between Padstow’s dining scene and Harlyn’s aquatic sports, stands Atlanta in Trevone, a property cherished by Jess Alken-Theasby’s family for many years. Built atop a cliff in 1899, the house overlooks two beaches—sandy and rocky—just moments away. The property was once illustrated by J. H. C. Millar, Jess’s great-grandfather and a royal favorite artist, whose paintings showcased views from the Victorian main house and its four surrounding apartments. Jess explains, “However, this particular building offers just a peek of the sea, prompting us to take a different route with its design.”
Previously a boathouse and crab net repair shop, Jess and her husband Ash have revitalized the guest house into what’s now known as the Net Loft. With the creative touch of sibling design duo Kate and Tom Cox from HÁM Interiors in Henley-on-Thames, the space has gained a distinct character, serving as the family’s ‘quirky relation’ to Atlanta. Comprising two bedrooms, a spacious lounge, an outside dining area, and a cinema room, the Net Loft provides comfortable accommodations for four guests, even on rainy days common to Cornwall.
HÁM Interiors was already familiar to the couple prior to their project to renovate Atlanta’s guest rooms. “We’ve been fans of their other work and frequent buyers at Studio HÁM, their retail branch,” mentions Jess. They were keen to see how HÁM could transform the Net Loft, effectively starting from scratch.
Achieving an old-world charm involves creativity and attention to detail, as Mr. Cox explains. “We concocted a story where this space was inhabited by an eccentric sea captain,” identifying a vision that drove the restoration. The couple’s own construction company, Alkenby, undertook the build with plans from Harrison Sutton architects, but it was HÁM’s dedication to intricate features that infused the Net Loft with an authentic, long-standing ambiance. “Just spend a moment in any room, and you’ll continually discover new details,” says Jess.
Navigating the line between tasteful tribute and cliché, the design avoids overplaying the seaside theme. A rustic assortment of wooden birds embellishes one room, while a cowgirl painting gives the downstairs cinema a refreshing divergence from maritime motifs. Jess provided full freedom for these artistic choices.
One detail illustrating the project’s success is the unique flooring—former cheeseboards from Somerset that once transported cheese. Thoroughly rejuvenated and carefully installed to Mr. Cox’s precise standards, these boards contribute to the erasure of the space’s modern origins.
Interior structure is also key, with shiplap boarding wrapping most walls and careful attention paid to complex angles where walls meet sloped ceilings. Though challenging to execute, these elements enhance the space’s enduring feel. A unified paint color on these boards subtly elevates the room’s quality.
The kitchen conveys a lived-in atmosphere despite its newness, with antique mimicry in cabinetry finishes and a sea-echoing detail on the unit bases. Even the extractor fan merges seamlessly with the brass backsplash, benefiting from a complex installation but offering a cohesive design element. This extensive use of brass—on taps, handles, fittings—is intentional; it’s a material designed to age with grace.
Furnishings throughout the Net Loft were carefully curated by HÁM team, favoring salvaged and antique pieces that exude charm and history. The main bedroom’s painted cabin bed, in particular, evokes a nostalgic holiday excitement.
The end result doesn’t overlook comfort, with high-end mattresses, luxurious bedding, an outdoor bath, and speedy Wi-Fi ensuring guests’ satisfaction. “Designing a guest space is like preparing your own home for a relaxing retreat—start from what you’d want yourself, and you can’t go wrong,” concludes Mr. Alken-Theasby
Visit the Net Loft at Atlanta Trevone (www.atlantatrevonebay.com); to learn more about HÁM Interiors, contact 01491 579371 or visit www.haminteriors.com
