Blackwood Norfolk is a unique retreat to unwind, tucked away amongst woodland on the edge of the North Norfolk coast. A special place to reconnect with nature in the most peaceful setting. We spoke with Sarah Morton about a meaningful slower way of life and the benefits of natural materials. Sarah used By Mölle linen curtains, bedding, throws and cushions with a beautiful palette of warm neutrals to create a comfy and cosy home.
I’m Sarah Morton and I’m the owner and designer of Blackwood Norfolk. Blackwood is a luxury retreat settled in the midst of National Trust woodlands just moments from the beautiful beaches of North Norfolk on the east coast of England.

Can you tell us more about Blackwood Norfolk?
I was adamant right from the beginning that the exterior of Blackwood would have the look of a Scandinavian cabin in the woods as the location in the middle of protected woodland was just perfect for that beautiful black cladding. We are also situated just moments up the hill from the beach and so I wanted that to be reflected in the interiors. I knew I wasn't interested in the old fashioned traditional British seaside interiors you see so much here and whilst I admire minimalist Nordic/Scandi interiors they can feel quite cool, particularly for a holiday property. Instead I found myself more drawn to using lots of earthy tones and textures against a background of white walls and light wood. I follow a lot of interiors accounts based in the desert in California and coastal Australia and whilst we don’t quite have the same weather here in the UK I knew this style would work really well with a few cosy adjustments to account for the cooler climate.
After breakfast taken on the back deck at Blackwood I’d wander through the woods down into the village maybe stopping at the Corner House for a coffee on the green before heading down to the beach for a walk and swim. For lunch I would walk to Rocky Bottoms a great little seafood restaurant just up off the beach that serves lobster and crab caught that morning by the owners. The view from the dining room over the coast on a clear day is beautiful. After lunch you could walk or jump on the Coast Hopper bus from West Runton a couple of miles down the road to Cromer where I would have a walk along the top of the cliffs before taking in the traditional Victorian Pier and maybe catch the sunset if I timed it right. If I still had the energy and space to eat more I would finish off the evening with dinner at The Gunton Arms, a traditional pub with a modern art twist set within a 1000 acre Deer Park. What inspires you when it comes to creating a meaningful home?
I'm inspired so much by my surroundings here on the windswept North Norfolk coast. I think that using materials that have a basis in nature and the environment in which we live can have a profound effect on our wellbeing. For example using a lot of wood throughout the property both exterior and interior is a direct reflection of Blackwood's woodland location but more than that it feels like a living breathing thing that really awakens the senses...on a hot day I can't stop myself from touching and smelling the charred accoya wood on the outside of the cabin - it doesn't just look good glistening in the sunshine it feels and smells good too!

"Inspired by the windswept Norfolk coast, I believe a beautiful natural home has profound effect on our wellbeing and will serve well for many years if not a lifetime." Sarah Morton

Why natural materials like our linen?
Using linen throughout Blackwood was a natural progression once I began to think about soft furnishings. Aside from being one of the most environmentally sustainable textiles to produce, linen looks beautiful and feels good against your skin and is cool in the summer and warm in the winter as well as being a very durable material for use in a holiday property. I find linen holds colour beautifully and just gets softer and more characterful with age.

We love to see that you used a lot of our collection, do you have a favorite piece?
It is impossible to choose! I am just obsessed with the perfect earthy colours that you have chosen across the whole collection of textiles and I can see that I will be collecting new pieces for years to come (your beautiful new Cocoa collection is firmly on my wishlist for 2022!). If I had to choose one item only then it would be one of your linen throws as I think this would elevate even the most basic of bedding.....although I would recommend pairing it with by By Mölle bedlinen if possible!
What does slow living mean to you?
Slow Living to me means striving for a simpler more sustainable and meaningful life. It isn't a race to get there and it's not always possible to remove all life's stresses but small consistent changes in the right direction add up to something big in the long run. In terms of interiors I think that buying once and investing in pieces which may cost a bit more initially but will serve you well for many years if not a lifetime has to be a good start.

Discover Blackwood Norfolk.

Images: Tori O’Connor and Lloyd Birch