“I LOVE THE TIME SPENT JUST BEFORE EAcH GUEST ARRIVES MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS JUST RIGHT.”
Our story
More than just a holiday home...
The Dunns is part of our family.
Left to me by my Nana in 2012, it’s a home full of wonderful childhood memories…
Days spent baking, learning to knit, and playing board games…
Walks along the river in squelching mud, waiting for Dad to return with the catch, and helping out at the family seafood restaurant…
And of lots of happy Christmases, birthdays and family gatherings…
When I first took on the house I quickly realised I wanted it to continue to be a place for others to create their own memories of time spent in and around Orford and Suffolk.
I knew from my travels elsewhere, the importance of the little things that make a stay so memorable. And how I wanted to bring together all these little extra touches that I’d experienced elsewhere.
It was so important to create a space that that not only looks but also feels welcoming.
It’s the little details that bring the most joy.
Fresh flowers to add a homely touch. A welcome pack of locally sourced produce. Hot water bottles when its chilly, and of course treats and blankets for our doggy guests.
I’m very proud of the home that we’ve created for our guests to escape to time and time again.
A wind-down week. A coastal escape.
A Scandi retreat.
Reviews
“Your attention to detail is amazing…this is our second visit, the third is already booked.”
“The best place we have stayed in our many visits to the area over the years.”
“What a wonderful house. Every little detail has been finished to the highest standard.”
“IT WILL ALWAYS BE NANA PINNEY’S HOUSE TO ME”
The renovation
Creating a coastal Scandi-style retreat...
Renovating the house gave me an opportunity to create a coastal, Scandi-style retreat that I’d love to stay in myself (in fact we did for a few months during the lockdown in 2020 to be close to family).
We started the renovation in 2018, keeping the shell of the house but adding a large dormer and a few extensions. We added skylights, re-tiled the roof, and opened up the downstairs with doors leading to the garden.
A local carpenter made the stairs, laid wood flooring throughout and built bespoke cabinets. I carefully chose local artwork for the walls (the piece in the dining area is one of my favourites). And shopped locally wherever possible for decorative touches that reflected my love for interiors and support for local Suffolk businesses.
Sourcing these finishing touches is still one of my favourite things to do because I know what a difference they make. That’s why you’ll find Plum & Ashby toiletries in the bathrooms, handmade crockery in the kitchen and a games cupboard stocked full for rainy days.
When I’m not getting the house ready for our next guests you’ll find me:
Chasing my son on muddy family walks…
Busy with our family business – Pinney’s of Orford – and the smoked fish that has always been a part of my life… I still love the anticipation of waiting for Dad’s boat to come back...
And experiencing and sharing all that I love about Suffolk…
Follow us on Instagram to see our latest adventures.
