From every angle, A La Ronde is an 18th-century circular home that thrills. Its 16-sided exterior belies a theatrical 8-sided interior complete with shell grotto and sea views beyond. To describe it as a cottage doesn’t quite cover it and although it shares some of the decorative DNA of a folly, this doesn’t entirely do it justice either. Quirky it most certainly is, and therefore very much my kind of wonderful. So here are a few highlights from my tour of this National Trust treasure …

Devon coastal home

A La Ronde, evocatively situated in Summer Lane with views to the Devon Exe Estuary, has been on my list of places to visit for a while. It is a British coastal home with an unusual history. It originated as a cottage in the 18th century evolving over the centuries into an exquisite confection of architectural styles.

At first glance, it could be the look-out home of an eccentric sea captain, that’s part lighthouse, part-life-sized antique music box. With exacting engineering that doesn’t shy away from the geometry of its exterior angles, the diamond-shaped windows create an excitement of pattern and light.

In the round

Inside you find an ‘in the round’ theatrical layout that houses an inner ring. The Octagon, a central 8-sided hall, has 8 doors off to the main living areas. These ground floor living areas are housed on the outer ring of the 16-sided walls, which also house the staircases to upper floors.

You can imagine how this layout may have orchestrated a farcical opening and closing of doors (although cleverly, these were originally space-saving sliding doors), raised voices ‘off stage’ and much hilarity… or not of trying to find people! And the parties …

The Octagon opens to the galleried lookout space in the roof where the newly-restored shell grotto clads the walls. Since their recent renovation by The National Trust, these aren’t open to the public due to their fragility but you get a hint of them in a mirrored reflection on the first floor. There are also cupboards full of shells and to see up-close these detailed shell renovations at A La Ronde you might enjoy watching BBC2 TV’s recent Hidden Treasures of The National Trust on IPlayer.

Furniture made to fit the curve

I loved this fireside bench that looks Regency and wonder if it may have been made for the house to follow the curve of the walls. The pictures are a mixture of seaweed collages and paper-cut cameos made by original owners Jane Parminter and her cousin Mary.

History of A La Ronde

The unusual and remarkable history of A La Ronde is that it was the vision of two sisters, Jane and Elizabeth Parminter, whose father was a wealthy wine merchant.

Intrepidly, in 1794 the women set off on a Grand Tour of Europe with their orphaned cousin Mary and a friend from London called Miss Colville. Incredible to conjure at this time, a group of four women doing this. I would love to see their story made into a film.

The women travelled through France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and possibly Spain and Portugal, fully absorbing the architecture, the paintings and beautiful objets. When they returned, with heads full of what they saw, their vision for A La Ronde inspired by the sixth-century Byzantine basilica of San Vitale at Ravenna became a reality. And the location they chose near Exmouth, amongst woods above meadows with a view of the sea would have been so important to them.

Natural border designs at La A Ronde

Collections of shells and intaglios found on the Grand Tour decorate fireplaces, pictures and side tables. A border of pheasant feathers fashioned into circles by cousins Jane Parminter and Mary has been restored.

The garden at A La Ronde

I was lucky to visit in May just as the meadows and gardens were in full height with swaying cow parsley and foxgloves.

Collectibles at A La Ronde

Cupboards and shelves galore are filled with beautiful ceramics, shells and boxes. I have many more photos but don’t want you to still be looking at this post after midnight!

Blinds and shade for unusual window shapes

Not only did the window shapes and their positioning on the building fascinate me but also the solutions for exterior shade with these wonderful sliding shutters under scalloped pelmets and the neat canvas stretched internal blinds too.

New Sea Story fabric collection by Kate Medlicott

It seems appropriate to also share Kate Medlicott’s lovely new Sea Story collection of linen union interior fabrics. This is just a selection of the designs and there are other colourways to choose from including Macaron, Panther and Panther Rose.

Styling Box is my affordable interior design service which supplies you with schemes and samples, please don’t hesitate to get in touch, even for just one room or as a gift idea for family and friends.

Shop the blog

A beautiful 18th Century inspired ceramic mug made in Lowestoft at the end of the 19th/beginning of the 20th century. Printed with floral design complete with raised embossed flowers at the corner of each twist of the handle, it is perfect for flowers or just as a decorative piece. Evocative of blousy English gardens and hedgerows, it is 11.5 cm high x 8 cm in diameter and is painted with a very soft aqua glaze both inside and out with pink flowers, and a green and ochre striped handle. Available at £35 plus £5 shipping from my Etsy shop.

Thank you

Thank you so much for reading. There was so much detail and history to absorb at A La Ronde and I know I couldn’t take it all in at once but hope to return one day. Until then, I hope this has inspired you to go and see this special place for yourself.

With very best wishes,

Charis x