HOME COMING

A cosy coastal retreat evokes nostalgic memories of holidays past while paying homage to its rugged landscape setting

When Fiona Leahy bought a vacant block of dune-top land in a seaside hamlet where her extended family had vacationed as a child, her architect cousin Patrick Kennedy was the natural choice to design a holiday home that made the most of the dramatic location. The pair shared a deep connection with the blustery stretch of coastline, and he had a nuanced understanding of her style and her vision for a coastal retreat reminiscent of their childhood. There would be room for the whole family, with places to meet or retreat, and the hideaway should be exquisitely crafted, yet robust enough to be used in all seasons.

Tricky terrain