Sweetpea Cottage

Back in 1680, Isaac Newton was still working out his theory of gravity. That was the year this plastered stone cottage was built just a few miles inland from Cornwall’s northern “golden coast”. Many occupants later, it was purchased by a young couple who began a restoration and renovation project. After completing basic structural repairs and updates to the mechanical systems, they turned to the interior, redoing it in a style they call “vintage country glamour”.

Like many old cottages, Sweetpea Cottage suffers from having very small windows and low ceilings, resulting in a dim interior. To brighten it up, the owners applied a coat of white paint to the walls, ceilings, trimwork and exposed beams. The white window surrounds help bounce the limited daylight into the cottage. Chandeliers add sparkle and a touch of elegance to the vintage country decor, while ornate mirrors help to spread the light around. The owners have chosen mostly pale fabrics and furniture, and they also gave the fireplace a good cleaning, removing centuries of soot to lighten the stone.

The combined living and dining room takes up the entire ground floor of what was the original cottage as built 300 years ago. A much more recent extension at the back contains the country-style kitchen and the bathroom with its vintage fixtures. Prior to that addition, the cooking would likely have been done in what is now the living room fireplace.

A switchback stair beside the fireplace leads to the two bedrooms tucked into the roof space. On the other side of the fireplace, a small inglenook was turned into cozy reading corner with an aged leather armchair and stacks of page-turners. Nearby, a sheepskin-lined window well provides another snug spot to curl up in.

Sweetpea Cottage can be rented through Unique Home Stays. Babies are welcome, as the second bedroom has been set up as a nursery with everything a little one might need.

Have a joyful Christmas!

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Photographs courtesy of Unique Home Stays Ltd.

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