Pentyak case study | A family project

Familiarise yourself with the stunning Pentyak 

Since its completion in July 2014, we’ve shouted about Pentyak from the rooftops. There’s no doubting it’s a beautiful home, and one we’re honoured to be able to rent out, but our involvement in Pentyak began long before a single blue print was pondered or paving slab laid.

How it all began

In June 2012, we met with Tamar Tammes and Michael Ross, who had contacted us seeking advice on holiday rental properties. Our approach has always been one of complete flexibility when it comes to working with owners at any stage of their rental process: whether seeking a property to buy, land to build on or already owning a property. We offer as much, or as little, insight and involvement as the owners would like.

“The first meeting took place in the pub, naturally.”

The owners wanted to find a home-from-home in Cornwall. Somewhere where big family groups could come together and reunite across all generations for milestone birthdays and special celebrations – an ideal many of us can relate to in today’s fast pace of life, with busy schedules and setting up home further away from the nest.

The first meeting took place in the pub, naturally. After a long meeting, and a few crude sketches of gable windows, it became clear we were on to something special. The owners had a very clear idea of the kind of home they wanted, and it also became clear that, being based in Scotland, Tamar and Michael would need ears on the ground down here in Cornwall. We were happy to help out as much as possible, even viewing a few properties and feeding back.

“It seemed only natural to return here with the family. We wanted to create somewhere where our whole family – young and old – would feel at home, and a place where other families holidaying in Cornwall would feel welcome.”

Born in London, but brought up in Devon, Tamar’s family roots lie in both Cornwall and Devon. Aptly, Tamar was named after, and christened by, the water of the iconic river that separates the two counties. “It seemed only natural to return here with a family. We wanted to create somewhere where our whole family – young and old – would feel at home, and a place where other families holidaying in Cornwall would feel welcome” Having holidayed in the Harlyn Bay area a couple of times before, the family knew this was where they’d like to make their dreams a reality.

After researching and viewing numerous properties, the owners’ search brought them round full circle to the house opposite where they’d holidayed previously, “it just felt right, that after all this time searching for the right property, it was where we’d begun, in effect”.

Catchfrench Design architects came on board and listened closely to Tamar and Michael’s needs, helping steer the project, and the Pentyak we now know today began to take form. The footprint of the original cottage remained largely unchanged, just slightly extended to the front with children’s/teen’s den area incorporated into the old garage and extending up to add two extra bedrooms on to the 4 bedroom bungalow.

"The prefix ‘Pen’ is found in many place names and surnames across Cornwall and refers to a hill or headland. ‘Tyak’ in Cornish meaning farmer. Pentyak was the big farmhouse on the hill." 

The owners were keen to enlist the skills of local contractors and artisan craftsmen throughout the build of Pentyak, some of whom we were able to put them in touch with. Some of the key pieces that really make Pentyak were designed and made by Charlie Turner of Broad & Turner: much of the furniture, the beautiful dining table, the iconic stair slide, the surf store and bespoke tree house in the garden, were all custom made using the finest raw materials and ingrained traditional skills.

But how did Pentyak get its name? It’s undeniably Celtic. The prefix ‘Pen’ is found in many place names and surnames across Cornwall and refers to a hill or headland. ‘Tyak’ in Cornish meaning farmer. Pentyak was the big farmhouse on the hill, overlooking the fields as they roll down to the sea.

The project wasn’t without its challenges, however, as no project of this magnitude is. One particular obstacle resulted in enhancing the main focal point of Pentyak; the axis on which the whole project rotated and the feature that gives Pentyak its name: the view.

The sweeping floor-to-ceiling angled windows are reminiscent of a ship’s bridge, or air traffic control tower, but their iconic angled arrangement wasn’t intended from the offset. The idea was introduced by international lighting designer, and Tamar’s brother, Andre Tammes. The angle of the glass allows for a much clearer and unblemished appreciation of the view, particularly at night when interior lights would reflect on the glass. Although magnificent during the day, many people forget what they’re missing after the sun has set: the passing lights of ships and fishing trawlers, the faint sweep of light from Trevose Lighthouse tucked just over the headland, the moon and the intense brightness of the stars, unpolluted by city lights. And so it was decided, much to the contractors’ despair, but you certainly don’t question the man behind the lights of the Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam or the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s 75th light display.

"…you certainly don’t question the man behind the lights of Erasmus Bridge in Rotterdam, or the Sydney Harbour Bridge’s 75th light display."

After two years of careful consideration and immense hard work from everyone who was involved, Pentyak was finally finished. Tamar and Michael moved in, with the help of the whole Perfect Stays team, and the first night was celebrated in true seaside style with fish and chips and a glass of Camel Valley.

The finished result shows the passion and attention that went into the project and it translates in just how popular Pentyak has been so far, with bookings running solidly from the beginning of June through to the end of October. Pentyak was a family project in every sense of the word; created by a family, for all families.