BAYARDS COVE INN DARTMOUTH
Restoring Character & Comfort Within a 14th Century Coastal Inn
Tucked away in the historic heart of Dartmouth, Bayards Cove Inn is a beautiful 14th Century building full of charm, stories, and original character. Over the past few years, we’ve had the pleasure of working closely with owners Charlie & Zuzana to thoughtfully and sustainably re-style the inn’s seven ensuite guest rooms alongside the restaurant and lounge spaces.
This has never been a rushed renovation project. Instead, it has been a carefully layered evolution — allowing each room to develop its own identity while remaining sympathetic to the age, architecture, and atmosphere of this remarkable coastal property.
Honouring The History Of The Building
With buildings of this age comes enormous responsibility. Bayards Cove Inn is rich in original features — exposed beams, uneven walls, deep-set windows, textured stonework, and intimate architectural details that simply cannot be replicated in modern spaces.
From the outset, our aim was to celebrate these imperfections rather than conceal them. We wanted every room to feel authentic to the building’s heritage whilst still offering guests the comfort, warmth, and elevated experience expected from a boutique coastal stay.
The design approach centred around creating spaces that felt timeless, relaxed, and deeply welcoming — interiors that invite guests to slow down, unwind, and truly connect with their surroundings.
Layered Interiors Inspired By Dartmouth’s Coastal Charm
Throughout the project, we introduced a palette inspired by the Devon coastline and the natural textures found throughout Dartmouth itself.
Rich earthy greens, deep inky blues, warm mustard tones, aged brass, natural woods, soft linens, and tactile velvets all work together to create interiors that feel both sophisticated and comfortable.
Each guest room was designed individually, allowing us to respond to the architecture and proportions of the space. Some rooms called for dramatic panelled feature walls and cocooning colour palettes, whilst others embraced lighter tones and softer styling to enhance natural light and exposed beams.
The result is a collection of rooms that feel characterful, calm, and quietly luxurious without losing the soul of the original inn.
Creating Atmosphere Through Detail
One of the most rewarding aspects of this project has been layering the smaller details that bring warmth and personality to each space.
Carefully selected lighting, vintage-inspired artwork, textured cushions, handcrafted furniture, natural greenery, and soft ambient tones all contribute to the relaxed boutique feel throughout the inn.
In the restaurant and lounge areas, we focused heavily on atmosphere — creating intimate corners where guests could enjoy slow mornings, evening drinks, or cosy dinners beside the fire.The balance between rustic heritage and refined comfort was key to achieving the final look.
A Sustainable, Long-Term Transformation
Rather than stripping everything back and starting again, this project has evolved gradually over several years — a process that allowed us to make thoughtful, sustainable design decisions while preserving as much character and original material as possible.
We believe the best interiors are rarely created overnight. They are layered carefully over time, collecting texture, warmth, and personality as they evolve. Working collaboratively with Charlie & Zuzana in this way has allowed Bayards Cove Inn to grow organically whilst remaining true to its roots.
Boutique Hospitality With Soul
Hospitality interiors should feel memorable, but above all they should make people feel something. At Bayards Cove Inn, every design decision was made to enhance the guest experience — from the softness of the lighting to the comfort of the seating and the calming colour palettes within the bedrooms.
The finished spaces now feel intimate, relaxed, and full of character — offering guests a boutique stay that feels authentic to Dartmouth and deeply connected to the building’s history.
Looking To Transform A Hospitality Space?
Whether you’re restoring a historic property, refreshing a boutique hotel, or redesigning a restaurant or guest accommodation, we create interiors that balance beauty, comfort, and longevity.
If you have a hospitality project you’d like to discuss, we’d love to hear from you.
