TROPICAL TWIST
Gemma Critchley has drawn inspiration from her roots in the Cayman Islands to create something unexpected in her idyllic Devon home
The Cayman Islands provided a rich source of inspiration for the rustic-chic scheme in this Devon cottage
Having grown up in the West Indies, jewellery designer Gemma Critchley remains fascinated with the ocean and the ever-changing patterns and colours of nature. ‘Our cottage is full of nostalgia – in corals and palms, raffia hats and tropicalbird lithographs,’ says Gemma. ‘The colour palettes I gravitate towards certainly evoke the tropics’ warmth, style and vibrancy.’
The 19th-century property sits in the heart of a Devon village, and Gemma and her husband, Rich, who runs a product design consultancy, loved it immediately. ‘This was once the bakehouse of a large estate. It was converted into a separate dwelling in the 1960s, creating courtyards and passageways that sparked our imaginations for inside-outside living,’ says Gemma.
The house itself was full of surprises, from the dramatic eucalyptus tree in the walled courtyard garden to the high vaulted ceilings and mezzanine master bedroom inside. ‘We knew we had found a project that would be both unique and inspiring,’ she says.
As the property is in a conservation area, the couple have been mindful to strike a balance between rustic authenticity and clean-lined modernity. The building work included reconfiguring the kitchen and increasing the living space by extending into the courtyard. ‘We wanted an area for entertaining that also had a gallery vibe so we could use it for presenting our work.’
In order to achieve maximum natural light here, the couple installed a large roof lantern and bifold doors that bring a sense of the outside in. ‘We adore plants and the shadows that they cast, and wanted to create the feel of a secret garden,’ says Gemma. ‘We knocked down some of the old wall to allow the space to be opened up.’
When it came to the kitchen, a carefully considered mix of natural materials has
brought the small yet practical space to life. The central island was a priority. ‘I love entertaining and have a passion for cooking, so it was important for the space to work as a functional kitchen,’ she says. ‘I am also an avid collector, so needed to balance modern and rustic with our treasures on display.’
The most recent project has been the extension of the small bathroom into the side courtyard. ‘We wanted this to be a tranquil area with changeable lighting and LED alcove features,’ says Gemma. We used natural materials, dividing the space to create an eye-catching archway, and positioned the bath under a roof light so we can stargaze at night.’
As the founders of creative businesses, Gemma and Rich approach the design of their personal space with the same attention to detail and imaginative vision. ‘Craftsmanship is fundamental in both our home environment and working life,’ says Gemma. ‘We are collectors and we love finding unique pieces. It’s key to collect things that hold meaning, from beautiful artwork to shells and interesting fabrics, which all tell a story.’