Cairnmore House is a 19th-century retreat overlooking Port Ellen, thoughtfully reimagined by designer Selina van der Geest to reflect the shifting light, colors, and rugged beauty of the Isle of Islay. Inspired by the island’s coastline, lichens, mosses, and seaweed hues, Selina crafted interiors that feel deeply rooted in the landscape — a gentle blend of natural textures, layered warmth, and understated elegance. Throughout the house, from the salons and library to the acoustically cocooned dining room, carefully sourced furniture, artworks, and textiles create a harmonious dialogue between comfort and refinement. Seven serene sea-view bedrooms echo Islay’s earthy palette, while modern additions by architect David Cole — including a boot room, drying room, and a light-filled Plain English kitchen opening onto the terrace — make the home as practical as it is beautiful. Outdoors, a hand-carved croquet lawn stretches toward the bay, joining the rhythms of sea, wind, and open sky. The result is a place to truly settle in — a house that shifts with the weather, embraces its guests, and embodies the quiet, enduring spirit of Islay.
