Boasting a pared-back contemporary design, The Hide is a minimalist space with a cosy edge and a green view from every window; situated on the edge of the pretty rural village, Ventongimps, it’s just a short drive from the expansive sands of Perranporth in north Cornwall.
Perfect for an immersive stay in nature, the design-led property features an abundance of mossy greens within the interiors, ensuring an inside-outside vibe that runs throughout. Concrete floors combine with underfloor heating, and a large open fire brings warmth to the space that embraces a simple rusticity.
The concept for the design - overseen by Creative Director and Founder of Unique Homestays, Sarah Stanley, originally came from a bird hide, and features overhanging and peephole windows, affording dappled light through the entire property. The wood shingle - set to silver beautifully over time - was a key element, as well as planting a well thought out garden, designed to be verdant and lush, creating a hidden feel to the build and to complement the rural Cornish landscape.
A carport/shed occupied the space on which The Hide was re-built, from the ground up in 2016.
‘We took the footprint of the same and came up with a contemporary design to make the most of the setting’, says Sarah.
A study in contemporary design, where a fusion of wood, glass and concrete combine - The Hide has a modern-rustic scheme that is pared back and minimalist at heart, whilst the open fire, reclaimed wood and layered linens ensure a space that is cosy and welcoming.
Concrete is featured as a lead material within the design to complement the wood shingle, working in synergy with the linear modernity of the property, set against interior walls and ceilings with a paint finish on plaster.
Sarah has always appreciated architecture and interior design, with a self-proclaimed love for scouring car boot sales as much as antique fairs.
‘The Hide has few furniture pieces within, the key decisions are in the finishes - from the handmade kitchen to the vast window seat; we wanted to ensure that the whole space felt handcrafted and bespoke.’
Perfectly positioned to soak up the beauty of the Cornish landscape - the covered deck leading from the kitchen features a hand-crafted concrete barbecue for cooking-up a wild foraged feast, whilst the raised deck with hot tub offers far-reaching valley views. There’s also a green lawn for sunshine reclining and a large corner seating area, complete with fire pit.
The Hide is all about the setting in nature, and bringing the outside in was important from the outset.
‘We treated the design of The Hide like a garden sculpture - within the interior scheme we included living plants and moss green soft furnishings to reflect the view from every window,’ explains Sarah.
It was important for the bijou space to be less about one feature piece, and more about a cohesive feel throughout.
‘The wood in the kitchen is reflected in the bedroom storage and accented in the bathroom for example. The vast glazing and huge window seat/bed in the sitting room is undoubtedly a key feature of the whole property. There´s a green view from every window, and we included a mossy green in the interior scheme to ensure cohesion between the in and outside spaces.’
An unusual addition to the scheme was the concrete ‘bath’ which is a converted animal trough.
‘It might have been low cost,’ says Sarah, ‘but it took four men a day to get into situ!’
The Hide opened to guests in June 2017 and offers an idyllic countryside escape, welcoming up to two people and a dog. It’s an immensely peaceful space surrounded by nature, yet with modernist poured-concrete aesthetic, it affords guests an alternative to the quintessential Cornish cottage. Set at the end of a winding countryside lane, the property’s sharp architectural design is something of a surprise to stumble upon – a great space to throw the bifold doors open and listen to birdsong in the summer or cosy up by a roaring fire during a winter’s evening.
‘Waking up, listening to the sounds of nature and watching the trees sway through the windows is a wonderful feeling. The Hide was made as much for lovebirds – offering the perfect escape for couples looking for a get-away-from-it-all stay in Cornwall, as those seeking a solo escape. It’s also a haven for creativity, with many writers and artists alike choosing to holiday here.’
And if you do want to venture out, The Hide is perfectly located to enjoy the best of north Cornwall’s coast and countryside – just over 15 minutes from Newquay, and under ten-minutes’ drive from the popular seaside town of Perranporth.
The Hide really is a one-of-a-kind property with a unique interior scheme and a spectacular setting, allowing you to relax to a backdrop of nature; it appeals to those seeking a design-led stay, where they can truly switch off and embrace the surrounding landscape.
‘It’s original, modernist and peaceful - arriving to the fire laid in, hand-picked seasonal flowers and a hamper stocked with local produce ensures a truly immersive experience,’ says Sarah.
For further information, visit uniquehomestays.com/self-catering/uk/cornwall/perranporth/the-hide/
Sarah's tips for bringing the outside in
Integrate as many natural plants and bits of foraged foliage into interior spaces as possible. Avoiding the faux plants, they’re never quite the same!
Having large picture windows that perfectly frame leafy vistas helps to create a nature-immersed, inside-outside aesthetic.
Incorporating a neutral colour palette, borrowed from the natural world, such as greens, beiges and greys, creates a state of tranquillity; just as being within nature does.
Opting for retractable or sliding doors is a great way to allow you to easily merge the inside and the out – whether that’s nipping outside to enjoy a moment’s sunshine or allowing the morning breeze and birdsong to flow through.
To ensure a fully immersed experience, opt for natural-inspired scents throughout a living space in the form of candles or diffusers: pine is lovely during the winter, whilst citrus or mint is a delight in the summer.
