Cottage on a Cliff

We seek out simple pleasures, inspired by Derek Tangye's stories of life in his tumbledown home by the sea.


Derek Tangye started writing his series, The Minack Chronicles, after he and his wife Jeannie left their glamorous lives in London to move to a little daffodil farm in the far west of Cornwall. His books brought the wild, unique character of West Cornwall to life for people around the world.

This season, we want to do the same. Our collection celebrates all the simple pleasures of the coastal landscape in high summer, from the dynamic beauty of the sea and sky to the delicate vitality of the smallest bloom. Soft lavenders and dried herbal greens fade into the tones of sun-washed blues, which mirror the white-capped sea on the horizon.

Vintage-inspired style

Dainty prints on gathered silhouettes are inspired by the fashion of the 1940s, and the idea of high tea in a sunny cottage garden. Long, fit-and-flare dresses are given ruching, frills, and blouson sleeves. On changeable August days, we’re pairing these easy, floaty layers with light but warm knitted vests.

Floral prints

Our print artists filled their sketchbooks from clifftop gardens, gathering anemones, cosmos and sea thrift for dresses and tops. Our print designer Alice sketched carnations and daisies from life to create detailed, folk art-inspired woodblock designs.

Grounding layers

These easy, breathable fabrics and floral patterns are grounded with the relaxed tailoring of our jackets and the soft texture of our heritage-inspired knitwear. Indigo washed denim, made from tough but breathable organic cotton, gives a workwear-inspired structure to apron-inspired pinafores and simple, A-line skirts.

Each piece can be worn from first light, then layered through late summer evenings as the air turns fresh. Carefully considered details balance the pretty with the practical, and our easy, mix-and-match palette is always rooted in the Cornish landscape.

Share your memories of Derek Tangye’s books on our Facebook book club, Seasalt Words.