Houzz Tour: From Dull Ex-rental to Characterful City Home
Unique fittings and bold accents give this small Edinburgh flat unique style – and it’s cosy and comfortable, too
Like many a rented property, this traditional tenement flat – located on the edge of Edinburgh New Town – looked bland when its new owner bought it: white walls and standard panel radiators were the order of the day. Living in a relatively small space was a challenge he welcomed, but design help was a must to get the calm but characterful bolthole he required.
“I felt it needed strong architectural features to give it an ID,” interior designer John Wilson says, and now one-off panelling, screens and cupboards all add personality, while attention to materials and finishes means small space living is also luxurious.
“I felt it needed strong architectural features to give it an ID,” interior designer John Wilson says, and now one-off panelling, screens and cupboards all add personality, while attention to materials and finishes means small space living is also luxurious.
The cabinet and panel define the kitchen alcove, but partially conceal it, too.
Rather than the appearance of a traditional fitted kitchen, John wanted it to look like furniture, and he opted to go without wall cabinets altogether. The bespoke cupboard, however, provides generous space for tableware, glasses and more.
The floor, which extends throughout the living space and hallway, is brushed and oiled oak. To create interest, it was laid in strips that were staggered to create a parquet-like effect.
Screen painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz. Wood flooring, Boen.
Rather than the appearance of a traditional fitted kitchen, John wanted it to look like furniture, and he opted to go without wall cabinets altogether. The bespoke cupboard, however, provides generous space for tableware, glasses and more.
The floor, which extends throughout the living space and hallway, is brushed and oiled oak. To create interest, it was laid in strips that were staggered to create a parquet-like effect.
Screen painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz. Wood flooring, Boen.
Despite its modest size, the kitchen needed to include the usual fittings and appliances. “I had to get the narrowest sink I could find,” John says, “but you can wash pans in it.”
A dishwasher is housed in the cabinet nearest to the wall, while drawers below the sink create readily accessible storage, including, in the lowest one, space for the bin.
Bespoke units proved unnecessarily costly, so John used standard carcasses and added bespoke fronts spray-painted in a suede-like matt finish.
Unit carcasses, Ikea. Doors painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz.
A dishwasher is housed in the cabinet nearest to the wall, while drawers below the sink create readily accessible storage, including, in the lowest one, space for the bin.
Bespoke units proved unnecessarily costly, so John used standard carcasses and added bespoke fronts spray-painted in a suede-like matt finish.
Unit carcasses, Ikea. Doors painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz.
The wall wasn’t up to the job of supporting floating shelves, so John designed a back panel to create the look, and it was finished in the same paint as the screen.
A domino hob with an oven below provides all the cooking space the owner needs.
Panel painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz.
A domino hob with an oven below provides all the cooking space the owner needs.
Panel painted in Nextel Suede Coating, Mankiewicz.
A honed Carrara marble worktop was chosen for the kitchen. Although it’s a surface that’s more easily marked than other options, the owner thought it worth the care to lift the look of the space.
The alcove wasn’t quite large enough to accommodate everything that was needed to make a practical working kitchen, so it extends slightly into the living area. John therefore chose to wrap the marble worktop around the end of the units, so the whole appears as a marble block.
The kitchen shelves were designed to cantilever out, adding display space.
The kitchen shelves were designed to cantilever out, adding display space.
The walls of the living area are painted in a mid-grey. “It’s a restful and inviting colour, particularly in the evenings,” John says.
Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball.
Walls painted in Manor House Gray, Farrow & Ball.
The sofa and armchair are curvaceous and inviting, contributing to the room’s cosy atmosphere. “The verticals are sharp, so it’s nice to contrast softer elements,” John says. The room’s fabrics are tactile, with velvet upholstery and linen cushions.
A wall-hung unit provides essential storage for the living space, but leaves the floor area clear. It also conceals the equipment and wiring for the TV that hangs on the wall above. The television appears to be a piece of art when it’s switched off.
Ottawa sofa, BoConcept. Spazio wall unit; Bicoca table lamp, both Catalog. Frame TV, Samsung.
A wall-hung unit provides essential storage for the living space, but leaves the floor area clear. It also conceals the equipment and wiring for the TV that hangs on the wall above. The television appears to be a piece of art when it’s switched off.
Ottawa sofa, BoConcept. Spazio wall unit; Bicoca table lamp, both Catalog. Frame TV, Samsung.
There’s space for dining by the window, which is also the location of a new, traditional-style radiator that replaces the dull, modern panels of before.
Set into the wall is an Edinburgh press, a typical feature of local homes. These recessed cupboards generally had doors, but, like this one, they’re now often used without to create display space rather than just concealed storage.
Radiator, Cast Iron Radiator Centre. Romeo Babe suspension light, Flos.
Set into the wall is an Edinburgh press, a typical feature of local homes. These recessed cupboards generally had doors, but, like this one, they’re now often used without to create display space rather than just concealed storage.
Radiator, Cast Iron Radiator Centre. Romeo Babe suspension light, Flos.
The hallway leads out of the living area, and is fitted with bespoke panelling designed by John. “It needed something to create interest,” he says. Concealed LED lighting at the top and bottom gives the illusion the panelling is floating.
Traditional panelling designs typical of the city were first considered, but John preferred a custom vertical arrangement, as it can more easily be positioned than square and rectangular versions. It also accentuates the height of the space.
Panelling painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball.
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Traditional panelling designs typical of the city were first considered, but John preferred a custom vertical arrangement, as it can more easily be positioned than square and rectangular versions. It also accentuates the height of the space.
Panelling painted in Railings, Farrow & Ball.
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The flat’s owner collects art and the first painting he bought is showcased against the panelling as soon as you step through the front door. A steel shelf below makes space for a lamp and candle.
The door itself, leading from the communal stairwell, was painted to provide a flare of bright colour.
Front door painted in Yellowcake, Farrow & Ball.
The door itself, leading from the communal stairwell, was painted to provide a flare of bright colour.
Front door painted in Yellowcake, Farrow & Ball.
The flat’s bedroom has a dramatic wall mural behind the bed – a detail from a 17th century Dutch painting. The bold backdrop is teamed with grey on the remaining walls and woodwork, but the shades are warmer than in the living space.
“The room faces another direction, so the light’s a bit different, but we wanted a warmer grey anyway because it’s a bedroom,” John says.
A Vase of Flowers with a Watch mural by Willem van Aelst, Surface View. Walls painted in Worsted; woodwork painted in Mole’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
“The room faces another direction, so the light’s a bit different, but we wanted a warmer grey anyway because it’s a bedroom,” John says.
A Vase of Flowers with a Watch mural by Willem van Aelst, Surface View. Walls painted in Worsted; woodwork painted in Mole’s Breath, both Farrow & Ball.
Carpet was laid in the bedroom to maximise the room’s comfort levels. It’s pure wool with undyed natural colour, so it’s a subtle presence.
Wall-hung shelves were all that were needed beside the bed, providing room for a couple of books. These were teamed with wall lights.
Shelf, Vitra. Tolomeo wall light, Artemide.
Wall-hung shelves were all that were needed beside the bed, providing room for a couple of books. These were teamed with wall lights.
Shelf, Vitra. Tolomeo wall light, Artemide.
An upholstered bed continues the grey tones of the room’s scheme, as well as its relaxing feel.
The original fireplace was retained and the surround painted, as were the shelves of the Edinburgh press that’s also a feature of this space.
Bed, Button & Sprung. Cushions and throws, Catalog.
The original fireplace was retained and the surround painted, as were the shelves of the Edinburgh press that’s also a feature of this space.
Bed, Button & Sprung. Cushions and throws, Catalog.
The corner of the bedroom is home to a slim desk that provides space to work when required.
More: This is How Designers Would Make the Most of a Small Bedroom
More: This is How Designers Would Make the Most of a Small Bedroom
The bathroom was refitted and features marble for a five-star hotel feel. The stone on the wall has heavy veining, with a purple tone running through it, and was used for the basin wall, behind the loo and to enclose the shower; the remaining wall areas are white.
A different marble with a more solid appearance that complements the wall stone was used for the floor. “You can be quite bold in small spaces,” John says.
Calacatta Viola marble wall tiles; Manhattan honed marble floor tiles, all Mandarin Stone.
A different marble with a more solid appearance that complements the wall stone was used for the floor. “You can be quite bold in small spaces,” John says.
Calacatta Viola marble wall tiles; Manhattan honed marble floor tiles, all Mandarin Stone.
A wall-hung toilet keeps the room looking spacious and ensures there’s no visible pipework to compromise the crisp lines.
John chose a towel radiator with sculptural appeal for the space.
Pier toilet, Crosswater. Towel radiator, Bisque.
John chose a towel radiator with sculptural appeal for the space.
Pier toilet, Crosswater. Towel radiator, Bisque.
The vanity unit has a wood-look finish that creates a warmer effect than ceramic.
Pier 800 unit and cast mineral marble basin, Crosswater.
Pier 800 unit and cast mineral marble basin, Crosswater.
The bathroom is sizeable enough for a shower screen to be unnecessary, and the walk-in design has a oversized showerhead that adds to the luxury feel of the room.
Showerhead, Hansgrohe.
Tell us…
What do you like about this revamped apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Showerhead, Hansgrohe.
Tell us…
What do you like about this revamped apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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Who lives here? A single professional
Location Edinburgh
Property An early Victorian tenement flat
Size One bedroom and one bathroom
Interior designer John Wilson of John Wilson Design
Photos by Douglas Gibb
The flat’s living room is open to the kitchen and had to incorporate a space for dining, too.
While the room still had its original internal shutters, the space wasn’t otherwise distinguished by architectural features, so John designed the cabinetry alongside the window and a screen for the kitchen.
“They have a Japanese feel,” he says. “That look came through by working together on moodboards.”
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