Houzz Tour: A Luxe Modern Makeover for a Period Scottish Flat
Reconfigured and modernised, this Aberdeen flat now has a bold palette, plush materials and exciting, contemporary style
Jo Simmons
23 January 2017
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
When the owner of this flat in Aberdeen first contacted architect Lindsey Hesketh, he had a very simple, clear brief: modernise it. “It was pretty rundown, with an odd layout and fixtures,” she says. “Not much had been done to it for a number of years and it had also been rented out.”
The complete refurbishment included installing a new kitchen, building in storage and creating an en suite for the master bedroom. Hesketh also reconfigured the apartment to create a more logical layout and restored the original features.
Working with interior designer Claire Canning, the flat was finally dressed in a bold palette of monochrome mixed with softer neutral tones – the perfect backdrop for the exciting modern furniture, materials and finishes, all chosen to give the flat a feeling of warmth, comfort and quality.
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The complete refurbishment included installing a new kitchen, building in storage and creating an en suite for the master bedroom. Hesketh also reconfigured the apartment to create a more logical layout and restored the original features.
Working with interior designer Claire Canning, the flat was finally dressed in a bold palette of monochrome mixed with softer neutral tones – the perfect backdrop for the exciting modern furniture, materials and finishes, all chosen to give the flat a feeling of warmth, comfort and quality.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here A single professional man
Location The West End of Aberdeen
Property A first-floor flat in a purpose-built block, dating from the early 20th century
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (an en suite shower room and a main bathroom)
Designer Lindsey Hesketh of ABN7 Architects, working in collaboration with interior design studio Claire Canning Design
The flat has a timeless feel, thanks to the marriage of traditional details with new, contemporary elements. In the living room, modern furniture and rich, dark walls sit comfortably with the flat’s architectural features. The original cornicing and plasterwork was repaired and new oak boards were laid.
The original fireplace had already been removed. “It had been replaced with a horrible mantelpiece and new insert,” says Hesketh. “We sourced a new marble surround that would have been similar to the original.”
Armchair, Vitra. Grey SCP Oscar armchair (in the window), Matthew Hilton. Raimond pendant lights, Moooi.
Who lives here A single professional man
Location The West End of Aberdeen
Property A first-floor flat in a purpose-built block, dating from the early 20th century
Size 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (an en suite shower room and a main bathroom)
Designer Lindsey Hesketh of ABN7 Architects, working in collaboration with interior design studio Claire Canning Design
The flat has a timeless feel, thanks to the marriage of traditional details with new, contemporary elements. In the living room, modern furniture and rich, dark walls sit comfortably with the flat’s architectural features. The original cornicing and plasterwork was repaired and new oak boards were laid.
The original fireplace had already been removed. “It had been replaced with a horrible mantelpiece and new insert,” says Hesketh. “We sourced a new marble surround that would have been similar to the original.”
Armchair, Vitra. Grey SCP Oscar armchair (in the window), Matthew Hilton. Raimond pendant lights, Moooi.
“Using masculine colours was part of the brief,” says Hesketh. The living room features a rich, deep blue, which makes a dramatic backdrop to the artworks. A border of pale paint above the picture rail prevents the room from feeling too dark or enclosed.
Carnival rug, Paul Smith for The Rug Company. Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.
Like dark walls? See the on-trend inky colour for fashionable kitchens this year
Carnival rug, Paul Smith for The Rug Company. Walls painted in Hague Blue, Farrow & Ball.
Like dark walls? See the on-trend inky colour for fashionable kitchens this year
This room was originally the master bedroom. “The kitchen was at the back when we first saw this flat,” says Hesketh. “We moved it to the front, where the room has a turret. It overlooks quite a busy road, so it made sense to move the bedroom to the quieter bit of the flat at the back.”
The kitchen is sleek and clean-lined, with handleless cabinets. “We always want to install modern design when we can,” says Hesketh. “We managed to fit the kitchen in without disturbing the architraves. It slotted in perfectly, which was really fortunate.” Now the owner spends most of his time in here.
Kitchen cabinets, Häcker. Worktop in Nougat, Caesarstone. All appliances, Miele. Beat pendant lights, Tom Dixon.
The kitchen is sleek and clean-lined, with handleless cabinets. “We always want to install modern design when we can,” says Hesketh. “We managed to fit the kitchen in without disturbing the architraves. It slotted in perfectly, which was really fortunate.” Now the owner spends most of his time in here.
Kitchen cabinets, Häcker. Worktop in Nougat, Caesarstone. All appliances, Miele. Beat pendant lights, Tom Dixon.
A neat, circular dining table slots into the bay window in the turret. “It works really nicely as a dining space,” says Hesketh. “There’s an office next door and a row of shops opposite, so there’s quite a bit going on outside and lots of scope for people-watching.”
Curtains made from Untitled printed linen in Natural by Kate Blee, Christopher Farr. Bay window curtain pole, Silent Gliss. Container table by Marcel Wanders; Non Random pendant light by Bertjam Pot, both Moooi. Eames DSW chair, Vitra.
Curtains made from Untitled printed linen in Natural by Kate Blee, Christopher Farr. Bay window curtain pole, Silent Gliss. Container table by Marcel Wanders; Non Random pendant light by Bertjam Pot, both Moooi. Eames DSW chair, Vitra.
There was originally a fireplace in what is now the kitchen that’s been removed. Its chimney breast alcove has been converted into shallow shelves.
The refurbishment involved fitting a new boiler, new radiators and new flooring throughout. The kitchen and living room feature white oiled engineered wood flooring, while the bedrooms have luxurious wool carpet.
Hesketh also created a utility room between the kitchen and living room, in what had been a poorly designed en suite bathroom.
See 10 of the best kitchen storage solutions
The refurbishment involved fitting a new boiler, new radiators and new flooring throughout. The kitchen and living room feature white oiled engineered wood flooring, while the bedrooms have luxurious wool carpet.
Hesketh also created a utility room between the kitchen and living room, in what had been a poorly designed en suite bathroom.
See 10 of the best kitchen storage solutions
The flat contained many attractive original features, which were preserved. “A lot of the cornicing, door architraves and the doors themselves were all in good shape,” says Hesketh. “Some of the architraves are really quite grand.”
Black joinery and walls with a dark finish feature throughout the flat, giving it a bold, monochrome feel that’s softened by gentler tones of grey and beige. In the hallway, the walls are covered with paper by Timorous Beasties.
Black joinery and walls with a dark finish feature throughout the flat, giving it a bold, monochrome feel that’s softened by gentler tones of grey and beige. In the hallway, the walls are covered with paper by Timorous Beasties.
Another key element of the brief was to incorporate more storage. “There was very little built-in storage before,” says Hesketh. In the master bedroom, wardrobes were designed either side of what had originally been a fireplace. “We built out the fireplace to create a recess behind the bed where the chimney breast is, to build storage space there.”
Wall lights, La Lampe Gras wall lights, available at Twentytwentyone. Classic column radiator, Stelrad. Curtains made with Thistle fabric, Timorous Beasties. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball.
Wall lights, La Lampe Gras wall lights, available at Twentytwentyone. Classic column radiator, Stelrad. Curtains made with Thistle fabric, Timorous Beasties. Walls painted in Elephant’s Breath, Farrow & Ball.
For a luxe feel in the en suite bathroom, Hesketh added beautiful Carrara marble on the floor, walls and shelf. “We used big pieces of marble rather than tiles,” she says. “It’s timeless and lasts forever, plus, if you go for solid pieces, it means no grout.”
Vero wall-hung basin; Starck toilet, both Duravit.
Vero wall-hung basin; Starck toilet, both Duravit.
The guest bedroom at the rear of the flat, in what used to be the kitchen, features tones of light grey, yellow and mustard with highlights of black and white.
DLM yellow side table, Hay at Twentytwentyone. Woood desk/side table, Marcel Wanders for Moooi, available at Made In Design. Stool One stool, Another Country. Hay Strap mirror, available at Nest. Blind made from Untitled printed linen in Natural by Kate Blee, Christopher Farr.
DLM yellow side table, Hay at Twentytwentyone. Woood desk/side table, Marcel Wanders for Moooi, available at Made In Design. Stool One stool, Another Country. Hay Strap mirror, available at Nest. Blind made from Untitled printed linen in Natural by Kate Blee, Christopher Farr.
The guest bathroom was originally the kitchen. Now, it houses the new boiler (the access panel can be seen on the wall) and plenty of storage hidden within a mirrored cabinet. “It sits next to the main guest bedroom and can be shut off to operate like an en suite,” says Hesketh, “so guests have a private bathroom.”
Vero wall-hung basin; Starck toilet, both Duravit. Tiles, Strata Tiles. Stool One stool, Another Country.
Vero wall-hung basin; Starck toilet, both Duravit. Tiles, Strata Tiles. Stool One stool, Another Country.
The third bedroom doubles as a study. “The owner really needed two spare bedrooms, but this is quite a flexible space that can be used for working from home or for extra guests,” says Hesketh.
Blind made from Span linen in Smoke, Christopher Farr.
Blind made from Span linen in Smoke, Christopher Farr.
The flat sits on the first floor of an early 20th century granite building in Aberdeen’s West End. Moving the kitchen-diner to the front (seen on the right) allows it to benefit from the views of the street below.
The floor plan shows the new, more functional layout.
What do you think of this contemporary flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you think of this contemporary flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Love the non random lights. Great use of space and very stylish.
Not a fan of black walls, but this looks very nice. Makes you rethink :-)
It looks well designed and very stylish. I love the bold dark colour, it looks inviting