Q&A with Hannah Yates of The Bull House
Interiors inspo from a converted barn in Cornwall + some local recommendations
This week’s newsletter is a bit different to normal but I’m very excited to share my first interview for Second Best.
Back in April you might remember we stayed at The Bull House in Cornwall (booked via AirBnB), which featured in my April round-up. Full of character and furnished with lots of second-hand finds, there was something so inviting and charming about the interiors that made me feel right at home - would highly recommend a stay there. I was intrigued to know more so I reached out to the owner Hannah Yates after our stay, and she kindly agreed to answer some questions on what inspired the interiors as well as sharing some local recommendations.
What was your inspiration when it came to the interiors of The Bull House?
My inspiration was led by The Bull House itself. We don’t actually know how old it is but it once belonged to the neighbouring farm, and the lady who lives there said it was used to house cattle.
It is such a characterful little space with textured surfaces, wonky, curved walls, a stable door and cute little cottage windows. I immediately knew I wanted to continue this feel within the interiors, using antiques and pieces of furniture that I have collected over the years. I also wanted it to be somewhere that people could come to escape their busy lives and relax, so I kept the colour palette very neutral.
What was it like when you inherited it? Did you have to do much work?
The previous owners did a wonderful job of developing the barn from a complete ruin. They put in the polished concrete floors, underfloor heating and architectural features. They really did all the hard work and we got the fun part of taking what they’d done and embellishing!
I especially loved how the old floor tiles were repurposed as a kitchen work surface! What was the inspiration behind this?
Work surfaces are so expensive, so this was an easy way to use what was available. They add another layer of texture to everything.
The house is full of really lovely second-hand pieces. Are these things you’ve had for a long time or sourced especially for the space?
Thank you! I have been collecting antique furniture and second-hand pieces for all of my adult life. I just can’t stop myself. I love foraging around in an antique shop, finding pieces that have had a past life and then being a part of their next chapter.
I grew up in a house of antiques and have also been lucky to have been given a few pieces by my parents and grandparents over the years. The Georgian oak dining table was our family table when we were little - I have many memories of being sat around it and I like that these memories have now been brought into our barn.
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Where do you source your second-hand pieces from? Any recommendations?
A lot of our furniture came from one of my favourite antique shops Focus on the Past, in Clifton Village in Bristol. I’m also a big fan of a charity shop and will regularly look in our local ones. We went to Kempton market once, back when we lived in London, but for me there was so much there that I found making a decision on what to buy a little overwhelming.
I also buy a lot online, especially now we’re down in Cornwall. Originally a lot from eBay, a little bit from Facebook Marketplace and then I have also found quite a few antique suppliers through Instagram.
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The Bull House is in a lovely spot. What do you love about the area? Any recommendations?
Thank you! I love how green it is here. There are so many beautiful sub tropical gardens and ancient woodlands on our doorstep, Trebah Garden being one of our favourites with the little private cove at the bottom. The coastline here is more gentle and calmer than on the North Coast.
Some local places to eat that we enjoy include Harbour House in the pretty fishing village of Flushing, Pandora Inn where you can eat out on a pontoon into the creek, Hooked on the Rocks overlooking the beach in Falmouth, Slice of Cornwall who do wonderful coffee and indulgent brunches and lastly Potager Garden where you can eat in a greenhouse - it’s so charming and a lot of the produce is grown on site.
Upon returning from The Bull House, and entirely inspired by Hannah, I purchased this old iron tripod lamp below off eBay, which I’m really pleased with. If you’re as equally enamoured by the rustic interiors of The Bull House as I was, I’ve rounded-up a few more similar second-hand things below.
Two more tripod lamps both via eBay, the one on the left is £34 and has a verdigres finish. The one on the right is more similar to Hannah’s but more expensive at £75.
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Etsy and Vinterior are great spots to find long Lumbar cushions to sit across the bed. Lots are made from hemp and that slightly course texture really brings that rustic vibe. I liked these brown stripy ones or the white for a more netural option, both via Vinterior. The classic stripe cushion is via Etsy.
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This low rustic coffee table is so similar to the one Hannah had and is £100 on Ebay.
Nothing says farmhouse interiors like a ladder back chair. I think this set of four for £125 again via eBay, would be equally lovely left as they are or painted in a fun gloss.
As always, if you enjoyed reading and have a minute, please do share it on your socials so that others can find it too. It can be accessed by everyone on Substack by sharing the link.
Until next time!
R x