Wellness retreats and ski holidays are all well and good but, for interiors lovers, is there anything more invigorating than a stay somewhere bursting with original design ideas – a place where every corner sparks mental notes for your interiors wish list?
Moorlands in Mullion, Cornwall – just a five-minute drive from Poldhu Cove – delivers that rare thing: immaculate, high-end style combined with next-level comfort. This is a house made for lolling on a sumptuous Howard Keith chaise, gently lit by a layered lighting scheme, espresso in hand (courtesy of the Sage Bambino machine).
The glamour of this house is unsurprising given that it is owned by interior designer Rose Hanson, whose penchant for statement vintage lighting, brass and gold embellishments and quirky pattern typifies the luxe-yet-comforting interiors she creates.
Rose and her husband, comedian Josh Widdicombe, bought the Georgian house in 2022 and spent 18 months restoring it, filling it not only with fun gizmos (there’s a gym with a Peloton, and a sleek water carbonator in the kitchen) but with charm and character, too.
Located on an unassuming residential street, the house has six bedrooms (five with gleaming en suites), a cosy TV room, gym, and an open-plan kitchen-diner that flows into the living room. Its ample size (it sleeps 12) makes it ideal for multi-generational family stays: one of the bedrooms has two single beds and kids can relax in the TV room, while parents chat in the sophisticated, screen-free living room.
As well as the farmhouse table in the kitchen, there’s also a formal dining room which seats 12. And if one of your party needs to duck out for a spot of remote working, there’s even a home office – fitted out with antique office furniture.
Outside, the expansive grounds include an orchard, several seating areas, outdoor kitchen, electric sauna and – most indulgently – a natural swimming pool. The pool is heated from the Easter school holidays, until the October half term and is a hop, skip and jump from the wood-clad sauna and outdoor shower – ideal for completing a contrast therapy rotation. When the weather allows, evenings can be spent stargazing, gathered around the outdoor fireplace.
You’d be forgiven for not making it past the deVOL kitchen though. Cupboards, drawers and open shelves contain an array of covetable serveware, from vintage ice-cream coupes and hand-blown Murano glasses to sweet H&M Kids crockery. Even the cutlery, by French brand Sabre, looks the part.
There are gadgets a-go-go – from the Aarke water carbonator and a boiling-water tap to the Lacanche oven that will delight your group’s designated chef. On arrival, you will find all the components for afternoon tea, as well as fresh sourdough, eggs, milk and butter. For anything else, the local shop is less than a couple of minutes’ walk away.
What also sets Moorlands apart is its antiques. In the dining room, display cabinets hold Staffordshire figures and antique marriage domes, while a series of vintage botanical pressings hang on the wall of one of the bedrooms. If it’s rare to find a holiday home as stylish as this, it’s even rarer to find one decorated with so many interesting things.
Available via boutique-retreats.co.uk
At a glance….
Interiors 10/10
Faultless. Fabrics and wallpapers are quirky yet romantic, lighting is opulent and scene-stealing while paint shades are calming. Although there are plenty of statement pieces, each room feels gentle and relaxing – nothing jars. Every bedroom and en suite has its own character, too – adding to the fun of choosing rooms. Even the downstairs loo is glam, with handmade Moroccan Zellige tiles reflecting the light from the Murano glass chandelier.
Facilities 10/10
A Peloton, sauna or swimming pool might not have been on your list of non-negotiables, but all the essentials are here, too: smart TV, a proper bath, enough showers for everyone, and parking – for up to four cars.
Location 10/10
Poldhu Cove is only five minutes away and has an excellent café (known for its epic hot chocolates). Kynance Cove and Kennack Sands are also short drives away – as is the beautiful Trebah Gardens. There’s a shop for buying essentials – an unusual treat for rentals in the depths of Cornwall.
Family friendly 8/10
Children and babies are welcomed. A cot can be provided, there’s a highchair and box of toys and kids’ books in the TV room (where, crucially, Netflix can be accessed) – plus there’s cute animal-shaped crockery in the kitchen.
