Tucked behind the harbour, the Old Stores is hidden away behind huge oak gates. Greeting us before we go into the house is a flag-stoned courtyard with a French bistro-style table and chairs nestled under the olive tree making it feel more Mediterranean than Mousehole.
Through a stable-door into an open-planned kitchen/living area, and we're met by dark grey slate floors, oak and black granite and wrap-around white walls flooded with natural daylight, giving this cute cottage an airy, contemporary feel.
Cleverly tucked out of sight, under gleaming granite work surfaces and behind solid oak doors sit all the mod cons required by any discerning domestic god or goddess. A bespoke linen L-shaped sofa neatly divides the kitchen from the sitting area and with a flick of the Forbes and Lomax light switch, the result is a cosy snug by the log-burning stove, perfect for cuddling up after a day on the beach or a wild windy coastal walk. Owners, Joss and Philippa, have planned the lighting meticulously to ensure that any mood, and any weather conditions, are perfectly catered for. White leather high-backed chairs and a retro-feel circular dining table sit proudly underneath vibrant original artwork, specially commissioned for the Stores by a local artist.
Tiny mouse-sized deck lights guide us up the stairs to the bedroom; the impact is instantaneous. Open-beamed ceilings, plantation shutters, a king-sized New-England style bed and the most fabulous freestanding double bath all in brilliant shades of Swedish white. A varnished wooden floor is, on closer inspection, made up of fruit boxes and wine crates, a subtle reminder of what happened at the Old Stores before it became this chic self-catering stay for two.
Infused with the aroma of mimosa oil, this contemporary cottage is a deep-breath of fresh air thanks to Manhattan loft-style living meeting seaside chic. The attention to detail is exemplary and the exceptional standards as set by Skippers are paralled in this adorable Cornish property.
