The Little Details that Make a Stay
After the renovations were done and the dust finally settled, it wasn’t the big changes that made The George feel complete. It was the little things: the colour of a wall, the weight of a sofa cushion, the light catching a lampshade filled with shells. I wanted every room to have a sense of calm and coastal life, but without the obvious seaside touches. No anchors or sandcastles here, just subtle nods to the sea and the landscape around Whitley Bay.
Each room has its own quiet theme. In the living room, a soft dusk tone wraps around the walls, creating a space that feels both light and grounding. The herons in the prints are a small tribute to the ones that linger along the coast, while glass lamps filled with collected shells give a gentle reminder of the shoreline. The sofas were a risk. The man at DFS thought I was mad to choose such a pale, plush fabric for a holiday let, but I wanted them to feel luxurious and lived in. This is a space for sinking into, for reading, watching saved-up films, and letting time slow down.
Guests often say The George feels like a home from home, and that is exactly what I hoped for. Too often I have stayed somewhere that looks lovely in photos but feels hollow in person, where the furniture feels functional and the surfaces are just that. Here, I wanted every decision to add warmth. From the books on the shelves to the ceramics on the sideboard, I tried to include everything I would want if I were staying myself. There are always more touches I would like to add, and probably always will be, but I would rather that than ever stop caring about it.
The palette is calm and consistent throughout. In the bedroom, a Victorian green brings depth to a light-filled space, wrapping the room in a cosy warmth that feels timeless. The living room stays soft and airy, with pastel tones, simple lines, and small beach-inspired ornaments that remind you where you are without ever shouting about it.
The bathroom, though small, was designed to feel like a little luxury. Gold and stone tiles, a Moroccan-style sink, and warm lighting make it a space to linger in rather than rush through. It is one of those rooms that quietly surprises people, elegant, practical, and just indulgent enough.
The kitchen and dining room are full of light and life, open spaces with a faint Mediterranean feel. They suit every season. The kind of place where you can share a slow summer breakfast or cook something hearty on a winter evening, glass of wine or hot chocolate in hand.
And then there is the outside. The courtyard is made for morning coffee and pastries, or dinner in the last of the light. The small grassed area is a peaceful spot for spring mornings and summer evenings, a little pocket of fresh air for both guests and their four-legged friends.
Every corner of The George was chosen to create a feeling of comfort, ease, and belonging. I didn’t want it to be perfect; I wanted it to be personal. And as guests keep saying, it feels like home, which to me is the biggest compliment of all.