As the days stretch longer and sunlight lingers into the evening, the arrival of summer brings a definite shift in energy. This season more than any other brings a sense of freedom. Of embracing unplanned days and going where the flow takes us. Combined with annual traditions and rituals, the kind of comforting repetition that make our summers unique, personal and memorable.

One of our personal favourites is time spent on the stunning coast of Cornwall. We often head to the coastal town of St. Ives, a place we’ve been lucky enough to enjoy working on projects such as holiday lets Lahaina and Rose Cottage. Our Beach Road project is in a stunning location and is contemporary coastal at it’s best.

We have memories of visiting this beautiful place with our children at different stages of their lives. Memories of whiling the days away at the seaside. Wandering through the streets, eating good food and shopping for treasures. There’s something about St. Ives that just hits different. To us, it’s Summer.

Our Summer seasonal collaboration

So for our seasonal special, celebrating Summer and what that means for our lives and our homes, we could only think of one brand that we wanted to chat to. The owners of The St. Ives Co., an interiors and lifestyle shop in the heart of St. Ives. The place we head to on every visit, that feels like a deep breath when you step inside. Our go-to place for buying a little something to take a bit of St. Ives home with us.

Thank you to Ainslie, owner of The St. Ives Co. for chatting to us about all things summer at The St. Ives Co. …

What does Summer mean to you, personally? Do you have a favourite season?

Summer is an exciting time for St. Ives and us here in store. The town starts to fill up and we get
to see familiar faces that often visit annually during the summer holidays. It’s a time to show off
what we have been working on over the winter months, this year in particular our Mermaid
Jewellery collection has expanded! Waterproof jewellery, perfect for sea swimming as it’s tarnish
free. There is so much inspiration to be found in summer, the sunsets, the turquoise waters and
the hopefully blue skies!

Do you have areas or rooms in your home that you use more, or that serve you best, during different seasons through the year?

In my home, I have a large bay window that captures the evening the evening sun perfectly,
golden hour! I love to sit here in the evening with a glass of Rose, an Harbour Haze candle lit,
and the windows wide open. If working from home I tend to spend the afternoons also working
from this spot! I find it so inspiring!

Your shop, The St. Ives Co. is located on Wharf Road overlooking the beautiful St. Ives bay. For anyone who hasn’t been before, can you explain why that location is so special and why you chose it for your business?

Where do I start, the building itself has been in our family for years. We have at different times,
all lived here, celebrated birthday here or worked in the numerous businesses it has housed. My
sisters and I started in a much smaller shop on Fore Street which we quickly outgrew (there are
so many incredible small makers in Cornwall!). When our Dad decided to retire and was looking
for someone to take over the space. The timing was perfect. We genuinely think we have the
best view from work. When the bifold doors are wide open, it feels like outdoor/indoor shopping.

How is your shop influenced by seasonality?

We try to work as sustainably as possible, stocking items made by local artisans and makers.
This means that everything we sell in store is designed to be used and enjoyed all year around.
That being said we always make an effort to celebrate the seasons in store. We often use a local
florist to dress our sign and displays depending on the season. We currently have a spring/
summer set up featuring lots of fresh foliage with splashes of colour! At Christmas we utilise lots
of pine and eucalyptus.

Do you practice any rituals, either at home or in your shop, that help you feel grounded and balanced? Do you have any season-specific rituals?

What type of items do you see your customers buying into more during the Summer
season?

As part of our selection we have lots of items perfect for the beach, one of our most popular
items during the summer are our wet & salty bags. Perfect for storing a wet bikini after a cold
sea swim. We also have some blankets in store that can double up as beach blankets, multi use
for the win!

We feel strongly about creating homes that have been intentionally designed to support the homeowner’s lifestyle, preferences and wellbeing. Is there anything that you stock in the shop that has the intention of supporting your wellbeing?

And finally, what’s next for The St. Ives Co.?

We want to continue to grow in a sustainable way, we want to always be able to prioritise our
colleagues, makers and community. Working with local makers helps to support local families.
We are slowly branching out and working on a selection of our range being available in other
parts of the County. We are thrilled to now be stocking Newquay Airport, Eden Project, Great
Cornish Food Store at Waitrose to name just a few. Visiting Cornwall soon? You can find us
right in the harbour front in St. Ives, or if you can’t wait to see what we offer you can find us
online at www.thestivesco.co.uk.

Lots of love,
The St. Ives Co

Thanks so much to Ainslie and the team at The St. Ives Co. for taking the time to chat with us. We can’t wait to visit you again this year. And if any readers are heading to the Cornish coast, we highly recommend paying a visit!

Here’s to a wonderful summer season, to all of our Hygge & Cwtch readers.