Overlooking the beach, the charm of the pretty cottage far outweighed the amount of work it needed to transform it from dark and dated to a light, bright home.

The kitchen underwent the most dramaticchange during the property's refurbishment, moving from a small room into a large dining room knocked together with an adjacent snug to create a generous space. 'The original kitchen was at the back of the house with the dining room looking out over the beach. That was where we wanted to spend time and make the most of the views,' continues Lorraine.

Wanting to create an informal, relaxed space reflecting the property's proximity to the sea, yet without being twee, the couple decided on a Shaker-style scheme filled with natural materials. However, it was a recommendation by their landscape gardener that led them to Landmark Kitchens. 'We wanted to use local businesses as much as we could and had already seen Landmark's website, but it was the recommendation that swayed us,' explains Lorraine. 'It was the right choice, too, as we immediately got on with designer Mat Davies and he understood exactly what we wanted to do.'

Very low ceilings, although part of the cottage's charm, proved something of a design problem for Mat, as Lorraine and Mike, a company director, were used to a big farmhouse kitchen with plenty of storage in their other home. However, more of a priority was to have a central area where they could gather with family and friends and that was practical for their dogs, golden retriever, Molly, and grand basset hound, Meg. 'This isn't a holiday home, it's very much a second home,' asserts Lorraine. 'We wanted it to be somewhere that although practical, would be the perfect place that we could spend time in and relax.'

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A chunky oak table takes centre stage, around which sits an array of muted blue/grey painted cabinets. Designer Mat eschewed wall units in favour of shelving to help create a feeling of space, which is continued by tongue-and-groove panelling below it, painted in the same shade. Integrating the appliances where possible and keeping much of the cabinetry at base level also prevents the room from feeling closed in.

Slate flooring and richly mottled grey granite worksurfaces echo the Cornish stone that features in the coastline outside. 'Sometimes I don't move out of the kitchen at all - it's such a bright place to be but still manages to be so cosy in winter,' smiles Lorraine. 'We've achieved exactly what we wanted - we've made the most of the house and its amazing views.'