The Design Column – March/April 2008

Spring is in the air and thoughts turn to designing a perfect getaway. My wife and I have recently discovered two fantastic places to escape to.

At the end of an extremely busy (and unseasonably wet) summer, we were able to get away for a week in mid-September to Chydane near Helston on the Cornish coast. As luck would have it, though I still maintain it was perfect planning on my part, we had absolutely glorious weather so Chydane came into its own. We enjoyed beautiful views overlooking Mounts Bay and the Penwith Peninsula from our room, had breakfast on the terrace every morning and after a hard day’s relaxing sat in the summer house, glass of wine in hand and watched the sun slip slowly beneath the sea.

But it wasn’t just the external settings that had been expertly designed for us; the interior décor was equally up to standard. Our hosts Carla and John had renovated the property to an exceptional standard with bright colours and comfortable furnishings aplenty. Their interest in antiques was blended expertly with many contemporary touches and finishes.

The attention to detail that marks a truly exceptional holiday home did not end there. Nothing was too much trouble for our wonderful hosts and cream teas, gin and tonic and wine were readily available at a moment’s request and gratefully received. Breakfast was a fantastic spread of local produce and plenty of it. With something different each day we were there it made it so much more interesting – and a sufficient temptation to leave the comfort of our bed.

Our second discovery was a recently opened luxurious B&B and self-catering cottage in the Malverns, one of this country’s areas of outstanding natural beauty. The thought and flair that has gone into the refurbishment of the Treherne House is truly outstanding. Farrow & Ball paints, Harlequin Wallpapers and Laura Ashley fabrics all create a sense of a lavish, traditional country home. Yet more contemporary comforts, such as digital flat screen TVs, DVD players and I-Gear docking stations, have all been blended seamlessly into the overall interior scheme. The result is a wonderful, relaxing haven where roll top pedestal baths and sumptuous beds made it almost impossible to drag ourselves into the fresh air. But with the mouth-watering prospects of dinner and breakfast, we were glad we did!

As a designer in pursuit of perfection and total customer satisfaction in my day job, I am perhaps more demanding of the same when I am a customer myself. And let’s face it, whenever on holiday everyone is looking for a perfect break, no matter who you are. In both of our recent trips I have been delighted with the excellent level of care, the fine quality of furnishings, a stylish interior décor and the commitment to using local, seasonal and fresh produce.

These are two exquisite examples that have been designed to create the utmost in relaxation, warmth and comfort. And I can’t wait to go back.

Images of Chydane are copyright of Unique Home Stays and used with permission. For more information visit www.uniquehomestays.com

For more information on Treherne House and the Malvern Retreat visit www.trehernehouse.co.uk