Positioned just off the harbour, facing out over the port of Penzance, Chapel House has been designed with quality and comfort in mind – a gorgeous space to relax with spectacular coastal vistas
Set in West Cornwall, Chapel House is a beautiful brick and granite Georgian townhouse full of bold interiors. Classic, light-filled rooms enjoy simple lines and symmetry with period furnishings fusing with mid-century modern to create a clean aesthetic to a backdrop of blue and grey hues, drawing from the coastal landscape. Positioned just off the harbour, facing out over the port of Penzance, Chapel House has been designed with quality and comfort in mind – a gorgeous space to relax with spectacular coastal vistas.
History sits at the heart of the house, it was originally built in 1790 and was lived in by Admiral Samuel Hood Lindsay, who ran the Penzance naval base during the Napoleonic War.
A collaboration between owner, Susan Stuart and architect Keith Bell, saw a two-and-a-half-year renovation project transform Chapel House into the design-led townhouse that it is today.
Designed to minimalist perfection, Susan has attained incredible attention-to-detail, with beautiful personal touches throughout. Outside there’s a sun-dappled terrace, where exotic succulents and aloes thrive in the Cornish climate – the perfect spot to breathe in the salt-fresh air.
Susan has had a huge love for colour from childhood, which sparked her interest in interiors.
‘During the winter of 2012, I came to Penzance for a month for a restorative break. Chapel House popped up on my iPad when I arrived. I booked a viewing the next day and six-weeks later, I owned it. On the surface, the house looked shabby, but the reality was that Chapel House was close to collapse – it needed serious structural work and a complete refit,’ explains Susan.
Chapel House itself was Susan’s vision and Inspiration for the restoration project.
‘I could see from the moment I walked in just what a stunning building it was. I love buildings and in particular Georgian buildings. I think they’re living breathing things and deserve to be looked after and loved. I wanted to bring this lovely old lady back to life!’
The striking property has exceptionally high ceilings and is filled with light, giving it an incredibly relaxing and peaceful feel. Susan didn’t want to disturb this element, so avoided design features and statement pieces, focusing rather on celebrating the simplicity and beauty of the building.
Chapel House is a beautiful brick and Lamorna granite townhouse – typically Georgian, it has a symmetrical front with a central pediment on the upper floor.
‘What is unusual about the house is that it’s at right-angles to the street which means it’s one of the few grand old houses in Penzance which look straight out over the sea. The weather can be so fierce here in the winter that most houses were built side on to the sea. It was built for an admiral, possibly why it looks out to - and can be seen in all its glory - from the sea. This perhaps also explains some of the high-quality original design touches. The entrance hall is exceptionally large and has a huge, glazed screen and fanlight with incredibly detailed original lead work. I was told that the drawing room fireplace is Carrera marble, imported from Italy and then hand-carved in Bath to a bespoke design. To me that’s really special,’ enthuses Susan.
Chapel House sits in an elevated position above Penzance Harbour and is surrounded by the sea. There are incredible views across Mounts Bay to St Michaels’ Mount, Lizard Point and west to Mousehole; the colour palette is all about these views - drawn entirely from the sea which is ever-changing from silvery grey to petrol blue and deep green. Susan’s vision to reflect the light from the sea and sky into the house, has been cleverly mastered within her chosen palettes. With huge Georgian windows facing straight out to sea, the house is filled with light that works in synergy with the seaside hues providing a backdrop for contemporary furnishings and Georgian features.
Chapel House opened to guests in 2015 and has been designed to provide an ‘open house’ experience where quality and comfort merge, with attention-to-detail and informality of service at the core. There are six rooms and two suites, a pretty courtyard garden with sub-tropical planting and outdoor seating, complete with a sauna and hot tub, with a small treatment room inside.
‘I feel very fortunate to have found such a beautiful and historic house; I wanted it as my home the moment I saw it, but it’s such a huge space, I had to find a way of sharing it. A hotel was the obvious answer. Getting it to the right standard was a huge challenge and took every penny I had, but it was the right thing to do. I am proud to share Chapel House with guests - I have met so many amazing people and it’s great to see them loving my home as much as I do.’
For guests staying at Chapel House, it feels like coming home - but better! Everything is on-hand and just for them.
‘A winter afternoon might find a few people stretched out on fireside sofas, book-in-hand, drink at their sides. Other more hardy souls may have gone off with one of the team here for a sea swim then back to warm up in the sauna and hot tub with tea and cake to follow. It’s an overused word but we can make a stay really bespoke and personal, and we do it with joy!’ smiles Susan.
Chapel House works in collaboration with local artists and the Newlyn School of Art. The School curates a constantly changing gallery of artwork in the entrance hall and first floor landing, juxtaposing beautiful modern art with traditional Georgian features. Every time the artwork changes, Susan hosts a viewing evening for guests and artists – providing the opportunity for hotel guests to meet some of the most celebrated Cornish artists.
Susan is also a passionate art collector in her own right, and the house is peppered in a plethora of delightful works, including modern pieces from local artist Kate Jmo, whose seascapes and textured canvases light up the walls around the house. Bright and exciting paintings by Phil Ward grace the kitchen and on the landing, Tom Leaper’s sculpture of the Diving Gannet stands in the Georgian window, silhouetted against the backdrop of Mounts Bay.
The suites have an understated design aesthetic, fusing industrial-luxe and contemporary-minimalism with bright pops of colour and an array of textures to enliven. Each suite has a ground-floor bedroom, with a bespoke handcrafted bed, polished concrete wet room, complete with blue tooth mirror and drench shower.
Handmade open-tread English walnut stairs lead up to open plan living on the first floor, where floor-to-ceiling glass windows offer panoramic views across the harbour to St Michael’s Mount and south across to Lizard Point and Mousehole. The living spaces feature deep sofas and efficient wood burners, ideal for hunkering down – the result being large flexible spaces that provide a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
‘A beautiful, well thought out interior is crucial to a space, to ensure anyone who stays reaches the advanced state of relaxation Chapel House aspires to!’
Chapel House provides the ultimate in restorative escapes by the sea - chilled, cossetted, and natural - you will feel ensconced in its magic from the moment you step inside. chapelhousepz.co.uk
Susan’s renovation tips
Expect the unexpected, you’re dealing with a building that’s over 200 years old!
Keep a generous contingency allowance in your budget, you will almost certainly find things buried in the fabric of the building that aren’t as they seem and will need fixing.
Find the right architect for the job. To make the project work for you, you’ll want to have someone with the right experience, a genuine love of old buildings and who will forge a productive relationship with the conservation officer in the council’s planning team.
