Jane and Myles Lamberth dreamed of seaside living; to surf, to eat and to live by the sea. Their story starts in Cape Town, to Dublin, and to finally reach the shores of the Wild Atlantic Way. Jane and Myles run the much loved Shells Cafe & Little Shop, right on the cusp of the waves at Strandhill, Sligo. Jane and Myles are the gatekeepers to a 1920’s cottage, and once you step inside you’re in for a treat.
Feast your eyes on the eclectic mix, combining industrial style with the spirit of the Irish vernacular. Jane and Myles brought a strong concept to the re-design of this once derelict cottage. They have achieved a unique home that oozes personality from both their style and way of living. The open plan living celebrates their entertaining welcoming nature, while their use of industrial materials encompasses their strong sense of style.
Here modern design meets vintage, with some original features preserved, to the exposed brick, the beams and to the original fireplace. But the contemporary additions delight even further, to the polished concrete floors and worktops, to the modern shaped windows, maximising light and framing the wonderful seascape and mountain views. There is a sense of continuity, one space flows into another; natural materials and tones used throughout create a feeling of understated calm that maybe embodies the life of a surfer.
The eclectic mix of new and salvaged furniture, with reclaimed wood used in both the kitchen, on the floors and even on the dining walls, adds character and warmth by way of texture and rich colours, complimenting this industrial vintage feel.
It’s as functional and stylish on the outside as it is on the inside, with an outdoor shower for the worn out surfer, and to the sprawling garden that feels like you’ve stepped into the dunes of the nearside beach, free to roam through the tall grasses and witness the majestic mountain views.
Feels like the perfect seaside getaway, and in what better place than the west coast of Ireland, along the Wild Atlantic Way.
To see more of this contemporary cottage, check out Surf Cafe Living. A book by Jane and Myles, which includes recipes, artwork, and surf. Inspired by living, surfing and eating by the sea.
