Serenity, Croyde

Located just back from the breakers of Croyde Bay, Serenity is both a second home and luxury holiday rental with Beach Retreats. Its location is enviable; walking distance from the beach and the cool-vibe bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours in the town, yet set back enough to have privacy and peace. As a new build, we approached this as a blank canvas. The property is owned by a couple with very young children, and the remit was to create a relaxed but fun interior for all; a place to hang out with friends where the ocean could be reflected in the interiors, but also a home where the children would feel comfortable and relaxed.

Famous for its surf, Croyde Bay inspired a boho-chic theme that incorporated ocean and earth colours and texture throughout. Unique macramé projects created by the owner were interspersed with rattan and wood to achieve an elegant beach shack feel, and bespoke 3D cork walls adorned several of the walls. The attention to detail was important, with accessories and furniture carefully chosen to create a point of difference from other beachside rentals. We intentionally kept the kitchen minimalist, but added a Bert & May geometric tiled splashback to tie in with the furnishings in the open plan living space, and hung statement wicker lampshades, chosen not only for their aesthetic but also for the unique shadow detail they created.

Each room was given its own identity. Sometimes neglected, the guest bedroom was elevated with a feature faux-wood wall behind the bed that contrasted with the deep teal blue paint elsewhere. For the children’s bedroom, we commissioned four beautiful bespoke handmade bunk beds and adorned the walls with beach-theme accessories. A small patio-come-play area was treated to bean bags and lighting to create a fun space for the children to hang out. Vast floor to ceiling double height windows in the living area opened out on to a grown-up decked patio, which we furnished for sundowners while looking over the sand dunes at Croyde Bay, and completed with a Chesney outdoor woodburner and grill so that it could be enjoyed year round.