My Shell House, North Yorkshire

As a very personal project, this was really about creating something special and beautiful. Along the lines of a classic folly, I wanted to create a place to escape to and to enjoy with friends and family.

The project took about 18 months from start to finish. The joy of creating something bespoke is that ‘anything goes’. So whilst adhering to some Classical and Georgian, influences it was fun to be able to design some panels with my children and even have our spaniel’s paw print on a lower panel.

After staying with friends in the Grenadines, I felt inspired to use my shell collection to embellish our summer house which was being built at the time. I was also very much influenced by decorative plasterwork on walls and ceilings which I have seen on travels to Italy, France and Spain. The shells themselves are a constant source of inspiration - Atlantic Mussels, Abalones, Clams, Trocus, Star Limpets and Scallops to name a few.

The room is now enjoyed all year round and a constant source of pleasure for all the family. We have Sunday lunches, dinners parties, birthday celebrations and the children just chill-out with drinks and music. We open all the windows and feel we are in the garden but with a bit of shelter from the elements! Lighting a fire in the winter creates such a welcoming atmosphere which means we can use it year round.

I hope you enjoy seeing the Shell House in various stages of progress below. If you would like to start planning something like this we would love to hear from you. And if you would like to visit The Shell House please contact me.