DREAM BELIEVERS

Catherine and Simon Davis dug deep to transform a dilapidated seaside cottage into a cosy, characterful hideaway

One couple’s vision saw a derelict Norfolk house become a perfect bolthole by the sea

Sometimes in life, it’s worth taking a gamble. This was certainly the case for Catherine and Simon Davis who, trusting their instincts, threw caution to the wind to buy a tumbledown cottage, without as much as a survey.

Having searched online for a coastal bolthole, Catherine instantly recognised the cottage in Wells-next-the-sea. ‘Simon and I remembered having peered through the windows several times in the past and mentioned how heartbreaking it was to see this characterful building languishing in a terrible state,’ she says. Now they were keen to take a closer look, and Catherine immediately set up a viewing.

‘We were due to leave for New York the following morning for Simon’s birthday treat, but realising this was too good an opportunity to miss, we raced to Wells for a 7pm appointment.’

At the viewing, the couple immediately recognised the downsides. ‘The cottage hadn’t been lived in for 70 years and it was a bankruptcy sale, which turned out to be complicated,’ says Catherine. ‘However, the coastal location was idyllic and we were captivated by its charm and potential.’ Ignoring an avalanche of warnings, the couple finally clinched the deal on Oyster Cottage after an 11-month battle.

Then began the hard work of restoring the cottage. Although most buyers would have walked away, the experienced renovators saw through the cobwebs and grime. ‘There was soil and old tiles on the

ground floor, the rickety staircase was rotten and there was no proper bathroom, kitchen, water or electrics,’ says Catherine. ‘However, the cottage was so quirky and, despite decades of decay, had a magical, romantic feel. We also felt lucky that this was a chance to buy what was probably the last renovation project of its kind in Wells.’

The couple chose an interior scheme with a pared-back, beachy feel with lime-washed beams and reclaimed flooring. And rather than plastering the walls, they had them rendered to give an aged, undulating look. In regard to colours, the pair were keen to echo the coastal surroundings and settled on a subtle palette of off-white, grey and blue, with red accents. Work on the cottage took more than six months and, like many projects of this scale, it had its tricky moments. ‘Discovering that connecting the water mains was going to be a very hefty £10,000, rather than the £400 figure we’d been led to believe, was definitely a low point,’ she says. ‘It was also quite a shock to find that the beams in the roof weren’t actually attached.’

Thankfully, the builders, along with Catherine and Simon, surmounted every problem and, after a huge amount of effort, Oyster Cottage was given a completely new lease of life. ‘We absolutely adore staying in our little coastal retreat and our guests seem to love it too,’ says Catherine. ‘It was far from easy at times, but now when we glance around, we’re so very pleased that we didn’t give up on our dream.’

SITTING ROOM Striking navy and cream cushions, spotted during a holiday in Palma, Mallorca, set the tone for the scheme in this welcoming space. Handmade cushions, €129 each, Rialto Living. Home Barn’s rustic elm coffee table, £480, would work here KITCHEN-DINER The pendants and old signs add vintage charm. Holloways of Ludlow’s Titan pendant lights, from £216.75 each, are a match. Cushions in Peony & Sage’s Seahorses, £68m, made by Catkin & Olive

BEDROOM A driftwood curlew adds another coastal element. Flags on the wall above the bed are a quirky addition. For similar chest of drawers, £395, try Vinterior. Oyster Cottage can be rented through stayinwells.com BATHROOM A new Velux window floods the room with light. Try National Lighting’s Atlantis spotlights, £40 each

MAIN BEDROOM Damaged oars have been lovingly repaired and displayed on the wall. For decorative wooden oars, £95 each, try Hicks & Hicks