A Dialogue with Design
- Hannah Tapping
- Jul 3
- 2 min read
Words by Hannah Tapping
Cornish Interiors’ bespoke approach anchors two very different homes in personality and place.
Two of Cornish Interiors’ latest projects – Heron Creek in St Mawes and a contemporary new-build in Rock – showcase a masterclass in nuanced design, balancing the poetic with the practical, the heritage-laced with the future-forward. Both are located on Cornwall’s storied coast, yet each tells a distinct tale of modern luxury through the lens of context, craftsmanship and character.
Heron Creek, a reverent reimagining of an Arts and Crafts home once commissioned by the Bird’s Custard family, is a lesson in subtle storytelling. Eschewing seaside clichés, the design team, led by founder Cathryn and senior designer Lynne, focused on texture and timelessness. Nautical charts, blown-back tree illustrations by North Cornwall artist Nicole Heidaripour and a metal wall sculpture harmonise with hand-finished local joinery and velvet-upholstered classics. The house retains its historic soul while nodding to its waterside setting, without being obviously ‘coastal’.
The team’s collaborative approach – three designers, a tight-knit office, and a network of local craftspeople – ensured a human touch from concept to completion. South West-based artisans shaped much of the interior from the soft furnishings crafted in Devon, to the bespoke joinery and bathrooms. Even the artworks and lighting were regionally sourced, rooting the home in its Cornish context while elevating it beyond the familiar.
In contrast, the Rock project, built by a developer and brought to life by Cornish Interiors, plays in a more contemporary register. Originally very much a blank canvas, it was transformed into a warm, textural haven for a young family. Free from architectural legacy, it became a clean slate for experimentation. The team added character and focal points by installing a fireplace, curated bespoke shelving and sourced statement pieces.
Both homes exemplify Cornish Interiors’ design ethos: user-led, place-sensitive and detail-obsessed. Whether breathing new life into storied walls or conjuring warmth from scratch, their work resonates deeply, anchoring aesthetics in authenticity. For Cornwall’s evolving design language, this studio is writing the next chapter.
