Here’s another reason why I love England: Quirky names for tiny villages, towns and places like Piddletrenthide, Puddletown, Ramsbottom, Affpuddle or Badger’s Mount. It sounds like something out of The Hobbit but I’m convinced J. R. R. Tolkien just took inspiration from reading a map of his native England.

You can imagine my delight when I found out that today’s interior inspiration, a converted fisherman’s net loft, is located in Mousehole, Cornwall. What a cute name and I’m totally crushing on that shabby chic coastal look by owner, serial renovator and interior photographer Paul Massey.

The loft was built in the 1800s and has an upside down layout with bed- and bathrooms on the ground floor and living and kitchen upstairs to take full advantage of the sea views as Mousehole is an attractive tourist destination and fishing port on the far south west coast of England.

The place has got a lovely modern coastal feel with sun bleached wood and eclectic finds from around the world collected during Paul’s travels. The colourpalette has been kept soft with neutral greys, stone and white and a clever layering paint method, applying a light shade over a dark shade before sanding, gives it a lived-in vintage look.

I love the exposed A-frame beams which remind you of the house’s former use as a fishing net loft. Interestingly the flooring throughout is made of cheap but tough scaffolding boards which were washed with white spirit before being sealed with wax oil. Hmm, I’m not sure how smooth this would be underfoot but who cares you’d probably walk around this place in nice thick felt slippers or sheepskin boots before curling up in front of that gorgeous wood burner reading about Middle Earth.

NOTE: If you’ve fallen in love with the place there’s good news! You can rent the adjacent holiday cottage via Unique Home Stays. Score!

 
PHOTOGRAPHY | Paul Massey