At Home with Maria Le Mesurier
At Home with is an ongoing journal series exploring the homes of thoughtful creatives. Through conversations and photography, we discover what home means to them, the values that shape the way they live, and the details that make each home unique. Though every story is different, home is always at the core.
For our next feature, we journey to the Devon coast to meet Maria Le Mesurier, who lives with her family in a beautiful English thatched cottage. Set against the ever-changing backdrop of sea and sky, her home is grounded in nature and shaped by simplicity. Guided by a deep appreciation for craftsmanship and natural materials, Maria has created a home that feels calm, practical, and full of quiet character.
Join us as we step inside Maria’s home by the sea.
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
Everything I do is always rooted in some form of creativity. I was hugely influenced by living in Italy a long time ago – it left the most incredible imprint on me & has impacted me in so many ways. I host my own Podcast called my name, inviting guests on from different fields that inspire me, editing things both in & out of life, finding & sharing interior design styles to make home as comfortable as possible, recent discoveries, personal style, feel good buys, wellness tips & tricks, favourite sayings & affirmations, plus any lessons learnt along the way. I believe that life should be easy, & it’s not always easy at all – it helps to understand how others get through it to bring life together. Alongside my Podcast, I do consultations online & in person to help people make the most of their living space & make small impactful changes without spending a fortune. My intention is always for everyone to feel better about themselves, I love to help people. I am the Creative Director of our brand Wood|Edit – we make simple classic furniture by hand in Oak, Walnut, Ash & French Cane. I do everything other than the making – that is done by my husband.
Where do you call home, and what is it like?
We moved to our cottage just over 3 yrs ago. We live near Hartland in North Devon, right by the sea. You can’t see the sea from home which is probably lucky as it would have been double the price if we could. It takes a few minutes to walk to the most beautiful coastline of all time. We came here for the sea, the peace, the incredible feeling of calm that surrounds us. Our home is about 300yrs old, thatched, very remote, very cosy, needs quite a lot done to it which we are doing little by little & constantly needs patching up as buildings of these age need a lot of love & care.
What does home mean to you?
To feel safe & cocooned which our home couldn’t do any better. I kiss it’s walls & say how grateful I am a lot.
How would you describe your aesthetic and style?
It’s a very simple aesthetic – pretty minimal, no frills, no clutter, earthy colours, natural materials – lots of linens, stone, jute & wood. Very tidy! I cannot operate in mess, it makes my brain feel like popcorn. I have lots of baskets everywhere & at Wood|Edit we make these wonderful Peg Rails which help keep everything organised & orderly. Welcoming & restful.
Which is your favourite space in your home, and why?
I love it all in equal measure. Possibly my children’s messy bedrooms a little less at times!! But the whole space makes me very happy. I have so many ideas of things I want to do & I’m having to learn patience as we are not quite in a position to do too much at the moment.
How do you choose what to bring into your home?
The things I have I completely adore – they need to feel really special. I collect Italian ceramics, I love most things Italian, Spanish & Portuguese – I love their style.
Where do you find inspiration for your home?
Europe & in the colours of nature. The earth in those countries I already mentioned, stones & pebbles, crystals, shells, woods, lichen, the sea. All these incredible textures & colours. They are all like heaven for me.
Who do you most admire for their sense of style, ethos, and aesthetics?
All my wonderful guests I have on my Podcast. Plus my 5 children. My girls Pearl & Dolly’s style really inspires me, they’re very cool. And the Italians in all ways.
