Innholdsfortegnelse for January-February 2025 (158) i Homes & Interiors Scotland

Is there anything more frustrating when renovating a house than finding yourself in endless pursuit of a product that doesn’t exist? Jolene Crawford and Mil Stricevic experienced just that when they moved in together nine years ago. The unicorn in question was bedding. Nothing on the shelves reflected their colourful, spirited leanings. The couple couldn’t shake the thought that if they were on a fruitless search, other like-minded people probably were too: not only for distinctive duvets, but for pyjamas with a bit of pizzazz. So they started a business, Irregular Sleep Pattern, to fill an irregular-shaped hole in the market. “Well, first we joked about it but didn’t do anything,” clarifies Jolene, sitting at the kitchen table of their Finnieston flat in a snazzy Irregular Sleep Pattern pyjama suit…

RABBET DAWDLE ALONG POLLOKSHAWS ROAD in Glasgow’s Southside and you’ll find everything you need: haberdashers, thrift stores, homeware shops and bakeries with fat croissants stacked in the window. And this rewarding stretch of Strathbungo is even better now that Rabbet has opened its doors at number 571. Behind the bold blue exterior are prints and greetings cards for sale, alongside artists’ paints and brushes – all you could need to conjure your own masterpiece. And once you’ve created it? Rabbet can frame it for you – picture-framing is a key part of the business. Rest assured you don’t have to be the most accomplished artist in the world; there’s no snobbery here. In the few months since Rabbet opened, owners Katie Lundie and Isobel Neviazsky have organised an introductory oil-painting…

A bowl of oranges. A fresh pot of coffee. Scent has the power to influence our mood and it can also change the way we feel about our homes. Overwhelmed by choice in the candle aisle? The Glasgow-based home fragrance maker Jonathan Ward suggests using your decor as a springboard. “A fragrance that amplifies the qualities of your home will bring the place to life,” he says. “If you have a lot of wood in your home, for example, it feels incongruous to burn sharp citrus notes; go for something elegant and warm, perhaps with notes of oud or birch. Modern apartments suit clean, ozonic scents.” Jonathan likes a diffuser for functional spaces such as offices, or hallways where you’re unlikely to linger. “But for rooms where you like to…

love from above There’s a lot to love about this dining room: the layered tablecloths, the pop of gingham, the deep-green walls, even that sweet display of pears in the background. But it’s the flouncy pendants that really catch the eye. This is the Christie rise-and-fall design from Original BTC, made from bone china so it has a warm glow when the light is on. As this image suggests, it looks particularly good in a cosy room styled with a hint of cottagecore. £565. originalbtc.com Hot stuff La Cornue’s range cookers, all hand-built in France, truly make a statement. Shown here is the CornuFé 110 model, which has two multifunctional ovens and can be fitted with either a five-hob burner or an induction top. Th e trim can be customised…

LOCATION Kilmacolm, Inverclyde BRIEF To create a traditional, durable kitchen in a slim space with enough room for a large island ARCHITECT AXN Architecture BUDGET £45,000 Despite often being the room we know best and spend most time in, the kitchen can be a difficult space to design. No wonder, when the aim is to squeeze in as much as possible while somehow achieving a peaceful, uncluttered look. Scottish digital creator and lifestyle influencer Wendy Gilmour (@wendyhgilmour) managed to get the balance just right in her recently renovated kitchen. The secret? A ton of research and an ingenious invisible hob. “The layout came from the architect’s drawings, which I took to the kitchen designer,” says Wendy. She admits she struggled to get a true sense of the dimensions of this…

I make an awful lot of mugs. I love that. A favourite mug is quite a personal and special thing to people, and knowing that I am helping bring a little bit of added happiness to a morning coffee makes it all worth while. I have been asked to make a lot of gifts for weddings with the couple’s initials and the date of their marriage stamped on the bottom. It’s such an honour that people trust me to make something that will be cherished for years to come. My designs have a very strong tie to the Scottish landscape, inspired by dog walks in the Pentlands and taking my kids to the beach in East Lothian. My studio is in a beautiful old hay barn at Rosemains Steading near…

Lucky stripes Mad for a safari? Take a look at these zebra-themed goodies. First up is a felted zebra head from Ella James with an impressively fringed mane. He’s bound to become a beloved member of the family and could be a great addition to an otherwise one-note gallery wall. Speaking of walls, why not cover them with zebras in colourful headwear? The striped wallpaper below is from Fable & Flair London, shown here in a buttery yellow. It would make a playful addition to a nursery, but matching cushions are also available from the brand if you’re looking for less of a commitment to the zebra motif. Felted head, £78. ellajames.co.uk; wallpaper, £89 per 10m roll. fableandflairlondon.com OVER THE RAINBOW Picturebook II, a new collection of wallpaper, fabric and…

DETAILS What A four-bedroom Georgian home Where Primrose Hill, London Interior design Collette Ward Interiors Builder Britnell Group Ltd S ometimes all it takes is one seismic life change to give you the nudge you need to implement a few more. And so it was for the owner of this Georgian home in London’s Primrose Hill. She bought this house after leaving a thirtyyear relationship, seizing the opportunity to design a place that was unapologetically her own. No compromises, no tiptoeing around someone else’s taste. If she fancied a pink kitchen, she would damn well have one. “The brief was for it to be a feminine, joyful space,” says Collette Ward, the Wicklow-based interior designer tasked with the reinvention. Collette had previously worked on a house in Ireland for the…

EASY DOES IT CLEAN LIVING DOLLOP OF CREAM…

BREATH OF FRESH AIR If the start of a new year has got you itching for some home updates, look to Earthborn. The brand’s water-based paints are all eco-friendly and come in a range of different finishes. Claypaint is the most breathable formulation and is available in 72 shades. It’s also a delectably thick paint which oft en requires fewer coats than standard emulsion. This home office benefits from a trio of Earthborn’s gentle greens, accented by lush plant life and dark emerald accessories. From £57.50 for 2.5 litres. earthbornpaints.co.uk FOAM PARTY These soaps by Vely are made by hand in small batches using entirely natural ingredients. The green Early Morning bar is a blend of peppermint and eucalyptus, while the red Boudoir is packed with rose geranium, palmarosa and…

Best of the best Take Spain’s three-Michelin-star El Celler de Can Roca, twice named best restaurant in the world, and add it to the rich heritage of The Macallan, and what do you get? The answer is TimeSpirit, a new permanent ‘dining concept’ celebrating the beloved whisky brand’s 200th anniversary. The elegant restaurant, designed by award-winning architect David Thulstrup (also responsible for the interiors of Copenhagen’s fêted Noma), opened at the Speyside distillery at the end of 2024. It’s scarcely exaggerating when it calls itself “the pinnacle of culinary excellence in Scotland” – the inventive nine-course tasting menu is based around the finest local produce, cooked to perfection by a team of talented chefs. themacallan.com TASTEMAKER ISLAY HENDERSON Think of a tea plantation, and the bone-chilling wind and rugged landscape…

I still have my wedding nails on and the remnants of a spray tan are clinging to my limbs as my husband and I clamber inside a mud-spattered off-road buggy to go on our minimoon. Three days ago we were wrapped up in the whirling, joyful chaos of the biggest party of our lives, dancing with everyone we love and necking spicy margaritas. A night in an off-grid bothy is the steadying arm we need to find our way back to terra firma. Well, steadyish. We bump along a rocky track flanked by green fields to get to our bothy, Uisge, one of three modest cabins on the 1,000-acre Inverlonan estate. This is storied land, cradled in Argyll's Glen Lonan, home of sacred burial grounds and stone circles. No wonder…

Setting your alarm for a 5am start might not immediately scream ‘self-care session’, but all that the founders of Wolftuna Club ask is that you “just show up”. The running and cold-water therapy club is a relative newcomer to the fitness and well-being circuit in Scotland, but already has a dedicated following who meet twice a week at the foot of the Campsies, just outside Glasgow. “Getting up in what feels like the dead of night is an instant challenge,” says founder Aodan Mcintyre. “A 5km run works up a sweat, gets our bodies moving and lets up catch up as friends socially. Then, we immerse ourselves in the Campsies’ ice-cold water to feel revitalised and get a hit of dopamine. We found this combination to be an unbelievable addition…

The Townhouse, Gleneagles’ Edinburgh outpost, is well established on the luxury hospitality scene, and its Strong Rooms spa is a bustling pitstop for members and hotel guests. It’s down in the basement of this former bank building (the vault, in fact), and has all the necessities for boosting well-being, such as reformer classes in the compact Pilates studio. After a workout, I head to the infrared sauna to give my muscles some deep heat, then it’s on to the cryotherapy chamber. It’s not for the faint-hearted: I’m given thermals (hat, socks, gloves and slippers) to don over my gym gear, before I spend just three minutes in a cubicle cooled to minus 85 degrees. It’s a weird sensation – nostrils freeze and lungs fill with sharp, icy air – but…

There’s something odd about mincing about a spa on a random Wednesday, but that feeling quickly dissipates once I get my bearings, down my welcome shot of ginger and fresh orange, and give way to the serenity that seems to float along the corridors of the Away spa at Edinburgh’s W Hotel. The spa, up on the fifth floor, is like a spaceship, all glossy white surfaces and gently alternating LED lights to ease your tension and boost your mood. It’s themed according to the elements and each treatment room has its own distinguishing feature. I’m experiencing the Earth room, where I lie on a quartz sand bed (the first of its kind in Scotland) for a Himalayan salt stone massage, courtesy of therapist Nuha. It’s a completely bespoke experience…

Tell us about 0150 Joinery Ryan Milloy, director and project manager: Our company specialises in high-end renovations, including bespoke kitchen and bathroom designs, luxurious home extensions, and complete property refurbishments. We supply and manage all trades and consider ourselves specialists in bringing all elements of the project together in the right order and at the right time. We deliver tailored designs that reflect our clients’ unique tastes, using high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship to create stunning living spaces. What is the 0150 Joinery signature style? Our style changes depending on what our clients need. Each project is carefully considered and every client has their own individual style and requirements for their home. Although we can adapt to any style requested by our clients, we always maintain the same level of…

Tell us about Cosentino: Cosentino was founded over 40 years ago in Almería, Spain, and has since grown to become a global leader in the design, production, and distribution of sustainable surfaces. With a commitment to innovation, we offer four premium brands – Silestone, Dekton, Sensa and Scalea – each with unique designs and cutting-edge technology. Our material are ideal for a wide range of applications, from countertops and flooring to façades and outdoor spaces. At Cosentino, we are passionate about creating beautiful, high-performance surfaces that meet both aesthetic and functional needs, while always prioritising sustainability. Whether you’re embarking on a new project or seeking inspiration, we’re here to help bring your vision to life with a focus on design, quality, and environmental responsibility. What should potential clients know about…

Tell us about Jane Perfect Interiors Jane Perfect, founder and managing director: We are based in Edinburgh and specialise in residential interior design. We were established just five years ago but have a wealth of experience and talent and have already received several prestigious awards for our work. What is the Jane Perfect signature style? Classic yet contemporary. Our style embodies timeless elegance, radiating a quiet luxury that avoids being overly traditional or trend-focused. We emphasise quality craftsmanship, balanced colour palettes and layered textures and lighting to achieve a sophisticated, harmonious space that feels inviting and homely. Longevity and functionality are central to our ethos. What’s exclusive to the company? Our deeply personal approach to each project and our strong focus on client collaboration. We take the time to truly…

Tell us about Nordic Living and Nordic Studio Karel Külm, designer and architectural consultant at Nordic Studio, and Ewan Baird, manager of Nordic Living by Biehl: Our expertise at Nordic Studio lies in kitchens, bathrooms and renovation projects. We offer wood flooring, lighting and windows too – all the essentials for high-quality renovation projects. We can also provide a complementary interior design service through our sister company, Nordic Living by Biehl, that captures the essence of Nordic design through specially selected homewares and furniture. What is your signature style? Our design aesthetic is epitomised by Scandinavian style with a pared-back and minimalist feel. Warmth and character can be added via accessories and styling. Scandinavian design blends functional minimalism with the cosy concept of ‘hygge’. Across Nordic Studio and Nordic Living,…

Tell us about Silver Birch Interiors Alan MacGregor, managing director: Silver Birch Interiors is a multi-award-winning luxury kitchen specialist offering a range of classic and contemporary styles, with the versatility, quality and functionality of German design and manufacturing at our roots. With decades of combined experience in kitchen design and installation, our team boasts a deep understanding of the industry and consistently deliver on exceptional design and customer service. What is the Silver Birch signature style? With our design-led, bold and proactive attitude, we are famed for our trademark style and pioneering concepts that take our clients’ expectations from ordinary to extraordinary. We believe in top-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity, as well as unique combinations of textural and tonal finishes, the finesse of ceiling and lighting features to enhance…

BRIGHT START…

You can put on an amazing outfit and have your hair and makeup done professionally, but stand beneath the strip lighting in the changing room of a high-street shop and you’re only going to see your flaws. We all know this. Yet how many of us spend hours trawling through paint samples and fabric swatches when decorating a room, only to light our agonised-over choices with a couple of lamps we only bought because we liked the shade? How comfortable we feel in a room often comes down to how appropriately it is lit – just ask the architectural lighting designer Sally Storey, creative director at John Cullen Lighting and author of Inspired by Light. “It happens almost on a subconscious level, but lighting always elicits an emotional response,” she…

BRIEF To create a simple yet stunning kitchen that feels as if it’s always been part of this 18th-century house KITCHEN DESIGN Helen Balshaw at deVOL Kitchens INTERIOR DESIGN Banjo Beale BUDGET £45,000, excluding restoration work. Cupboard cost: £13,950 “It takes a lot of work to make something look so simple, but it was worth it,” says Helen Balshaw of the kitchen in this Grade-II listed town house in Bath. Mull-based interior designer Banjo Beale transformed the bulk of the 18th-century terraced house in collaboration with fellow designer Amy Davies, while Helen, who works for kitchen manufacturer deVOL, was brought in to tackle this room. “The focus was on creating a beautiful and enjoyable room,” she explains. “We wanted it to be a lovely place to spend time in rather…

BENCHES + BANQUETTES So there’s always room for one more person to squeeze in… BAR STOOLS Sharp, chic companions for your home bar or kitchen island…

PINK SKY AT NIGHT Bathroom walls are not really the place for hanging artworks (unless the frames are watertight), but that doesn’t mean this has to be a completely art-free zone. Th ese encaustic cement tiles, for instance, are inspired by Van Gogh’s beloved Starry Night. They look stunning in pink, but they also come in white, green and navy. Starry Night in Candy, £160 per sq.m. ottotiles.co.uk ON A HIGH NOTE This well-dressed vanity is the Music Junior by Devon & Devon, and we’re liking its 1920s vibe. The front is slightly curved and the top (in dark or light marble) houses a porcelain basin. It’s fairly petite at just 56cm wide, so would slot nicely into even the smallest of bathrooms. From £4,860. devon-devon.com Flower power The London…

HOME COMFORTS LIGHT SHOW CREAM DREAM…

ROOM OF ONE'S OWN As the only greenhouse manufacturer endorsed by the RHS, there must be something special about Gabriel Ash – and there is. Its timber frames are craft ed from Canadian red cedarwood in its Cotswold workshops and it offers a huge range of styles and sizes, as well as petite coldframes (from £665) that are ideal for balconies, patios or smaller gardens. From £2,500. gabrielash.com Ready, steady, grow Keen gardeners might feel they’re kicking their heels till spring – or they could get a head start on the growing season with a glasshouse from Hartley Botanic. It’s an ideal place during the colder months for propagating and bringing on seedlings for later in the year. All of Hartley Botanic’s greenhouses are handmade to order, so you’ll get…

I’ve always had an interest in skincare and wellness. Growing up, I used to make ‘potions’ in my grand parents’ bathroom, mixing my grandmother’s moisturiser with soap suds and then applying it to my face. My 32-year-old skin is drying up just thinking about it! In 2021, I created Facespace as a studio that celebrated each facialist’s own signature treatment. It’s essential to me that the facialists I share my studio with also share my values: no brand affi liation, a passion for facial massage and a deep understanding that skincare should be viewed as an integral part of overall well-being. I love the trend towards minimalist skincare routines – focusing on fewer, high-quality products rather than a dozen steps. It’s about quality, not quantity. I like that skin barrier…

Some of Edinburgh's most interesting restaurants have quietly opened in Marchmont in recent years, away from the bright lights of Stockbridge and the west end. New kid on the block Nadair is the latest to reward a detour to the neighbour- hood: chefs Alan Keery and Sarah Baldry have pedigree, having met while working at the city’s revered Wedgwood, and they’ve brought more than a touch of that restaurant’s refined modern style with them to this, their first solo venture. The interiors are cool, with a Scandi vibe and sage-green panelling, but the smiles from the staff are warm and welcoming. My visit, barely four months after the doors opened, coincides with the launch of the festive menu, kicking off with warm hunks of Irish soda bread with chanterelle ketchup…

No one I speak to has heard of the Isle of Luing. “Enjoy Lewis!” a well-meaning pal messages the day my spouse and I head off. Our destination is in fact 200 miles south of Lewis, one of the Slate Islands which are just below Oban. Exploring Scotland’s lesser-known islands is a goal of mine, so you can imagine my delight when I discover that the route to Luing passes through the equally tiny Seil (pronounced ‘seal’). After pootling over the bridge and onto Seil, Luing (‘ling’) is just a three-minute ferry ride away. Saying a reluctant farewell to the ferry dog, we continue on to WildLuing, our hosts for the next few days. Created by Emily and Jack Cadzow (whose family owns the island), WildLuing is a collection of…

Nestled in the Borders is Schloss Roxburghe, a luxury hotel surrounded by rolling hills and a golf course. Luckily for all concerned, the clubs are kept out of sight for my visit, and I’m instead ushered into the warm embrace of the spa. It’s on the ground floor, just past Charlie’s restaurant, which serves up ‘Scottish bistronomy’ – a blend of fine and casual dining rooted in local produce. I hear none of the lunchtime chatter once I step through the spa doors; gentle music takes over and I’m soon wrapped up in a white robe and meandering into the main relaxation room. It overlooks the grounds and is filled with loungers, armchairs and cabanas. I help myself to fruit-infused water and stretch out on a bed with an overhead…

Cryotherapy – a practice that involves subjecting your body to sub-zero temperatures in pursuit of skin and muscular benefits – has become a wellness buzzword in recent years. If you’re curious about it but don’t fancy plunging into an icy loch, dip a toe in at The Spa at Turnberry in Ayrshire, the only one in Scotland to offer high-tech cryotherapy treatments by Gelida. The treatments, which run the gamut from non-invasive aesthetic procedures such as fat freezing through to lymphatic drainage, involve the therapist using a device that safely delivers targeted cold therapy to your areas of concern. I’m interested in how it may help my back pain, so I book in for an 80-minute Fire & Ice massage. In the first half, the device – which feels akin…

Tell us about the Bathroom Company We design, supply and install luxury bathrooms and kitchens. What is your signature style? Our rooms are designed individually to a client’s requirements and vision after a thorough consultation and design brief. Therefore, we don’t have a signature style. What’s exclusive to the company? We specialise in supplying and installing luxury British and European products using our own fully employed inhouse tradesmen. We are at the higher end of the market and offer a full service to our very busy clients who have neither the time nor the inclination to project-manage home improvements. How has your business evolved and diversified over the last few years? Our company was formed in 1982 as LW Haddow Plumbing and Heating, and over the course of the following…

Tell us about Designworks Henrietta Simpson, principal interior design director: Designworks is a design-led practice supported by an in-house architectural team, based in Glasgow’s west end. We provide our clients with an inclusive interior design and architectural service and deal principally with residential projects throughout the UK. What is the Designworks signature style? We don’t have a signature style. Instead, each client’s requirements are assessed individually before we devise and develop a solution (whether architectural or interior, or both) that satisfies all aspects of the project. Only when this is agreed by the client do we then proceed. What’s exclusive to the company? We are a team of professional interior designers and architects with a large showroom and office in Gibson Street, Glasgow. Within the practice we have a vast…

Tell us about the KLC School of Design West Dean’s KLC School of Design offers courses in interior and garden design, and awards degrees and certificates. You can explore the full range of courses at westdean.ac.uk. The Online Certificate in Residential Interior Design is an online course that provides a flexible, self-paced introduction to the subject, progressing from single-room projects to full-house designs. Our unique online BA (Hons) Interior Design offers a structured, classroom-like experience with live online tutorials, seminars, recorded lectures and training videos. This three-year, full-time programme combines scheduled online sessions with flexibility in weekly hours. What do the courses involve? Our courses prepare students for a career in the design world and will give you a blend of aesthetic, technical and professional skills. Online courses mirror the…

How has your style evolved? I love the midcentury aesthetic but I also keep things eclectic. You’d have found 1950s kitsch in there years ago but these days it’s definitely late 1960s onwards, with a big emphasis on the 1970s. I love the masculine look of heavy wooden sideboards and tables, mixed with patterns, textures and influences from our travels across India and Africa. What is your favourite building? The Barbican Estate, in particular the conservatory with its mezzanines, glass roof, water features and giant tropical plants. I've always been attracted to Victorian hothouses and orangeries. What's your home like? It was built in 1970 by the architect WSA Williams and is a classic midcentury build, inspired by Ray Kappe’s Californian modernism. The ground floor is largely open plan, with…

Undercover agent Fresh starts can begin with something as simple as fresh sheets. This year, invest in quality materials that will last you a lifetime, such as Italy’s Once Milano. The brand’s popular quilts are made by hand from 100% Italian linen and come in a wide range of colours. Some styles are reversible, with warm jewel tones on one side and a pleasing neutral on the other. Linen quilts from £499. oncemilano.com Wild child This folksy jungle wallpaper is by artist Hugh Dunford Wood. It was inspired by the work of post-impressionist painter Henri Rousseau, who created vibrant junglescapes despite never leaving his native France. Hugh, in contrast, has lived all over the world, including a stint in Brazil which helped inform this print. Peeking out from the stylised…

The melting pot INDUSTRY MEETS WHIMSY at the hands of Brooklyn designer Micah Rosenblatt. He started out as a student of Jewish mysticism and fully intended to become a rabbi – before stumbling into a local fabrication shop, as you do, and falling head over heels with the possibilities of steel. City Block, his debut collection of furniture, consists of 16 pieces crafted from the metal, some upholstered and others incorporating glass blocks. All are inspired by New York and its skyline. “I love walking around the city, getting lost and simply looking up at the architecture,” he says. “There are so many weird façades, architectural compositions and connections. I wanted to take this dramatic and industrial scenery and bring it to a smaller, domestic scale.” The collection includes floor…

This kitchen feels particularly inviting thanks to the warm tones used throughout. The countertops are oak and the walls are drenched in Benjamin Moore’s Golden Garden, a muted but earthy yellow. A display of mismatched spoons and the ceramic jug of utensils add to the inviting, lived-in look. Colourful terrazzo finishes everything off. benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk Traditional elements like exposed beams and an under-sink curtain give this Tuscan kitchen bundles of character. Eclectic handmade tiles surround the sink, bringing a healthy dose of colour to the space. We’re suckers for those teeny internal shutters which beautifully match the wooden cabinets and dining chairs. augustcollections.com We love the arched cabinets and splashback in this kitchen by John Lewis of Hungerford. A bold blue against plain white walls throws the shape into relief, while…

Extra detail Franky Rousell, founder and creative director of sensorybased interior design studio Jolie, shares her tips on how to enhance your all-over kitchen experience. Audio “Sound can transform the way we perceive our space and our day. For us, Sonos still takes the top spot for its connected home audio systems, which can be subtly placed in the kitchen but connected to your living space for that continuation of the playlist and ambience in your home.” Scent “I adore dishes that are fragrant with herbs fresh from the garden. Finding similar notes via aromas from a candle or diffuser is a great way to bring out that same love for cuisine all day long. The Herb Garden range from Daylesford Organics is a firm favourite of mine, especially the…

1 The Yoga Happy Year There’s no denying the restorative effect yoga can have on the mind and body – if it’s done right. Hannah Barrett will show you the way. She is a qualified yoga teacher who trains other instructors and has a thriving online following thanks to the success of her two previous books, Yoga Anywhere and Yoga Happy. With this new publication, a practical guide that’s broken down into digestible chunks, you can work month-to-month on your practice; scan the QR code and you’ll also have access to videos where you can join in with Hannah as she demonstrates flows and explains technique and form. The idea is that by the end of the year you’ll have gained a deeper yoga understanding, as well as some useful…

DETAILS What A three-bedroom home, one of two on the site Where Kelso Architect Chambers McMillan (now Studio McMillan and Mind the Gap Inclusive Design Consultancy) Structural engineer Structural Design Consultants Potential is easy to recognise once it has been pointed out to you and all the work of turning an unprepossessing space into a beautiful home has been done. But even if you have the gift of spotting potential early, before the rest of us, you might have overlooked the possibilities offered by an old church hall in Kelso. Thankfully, Christine Stewart had the vision – and the energy – to act on her hunch that her family’s nondescript business premises could become not one but two three-bedroom homes. The 1930s building, owned by Christine and her parents since…

MANE EVENT JUST A TIPPLE GREAT OUTDOORS…

A historic cottage in Stirlingshire was the base for a smart new addition from architects Brown & Brown. The cottage’s owners, Keith and Helen, had lived here for sixteen years and, after Keith sold his business, were finally in a position financially to make some key changes to the home they’d created for their family. “The house had an old conservatory attached to it,” says Keith. “We couldn’t afford to replace it at the time we bought the place, so we refurbished it and made do. It was always too hot or too cold, leaking, noisy… We didn’t get much use out of it.” To add insult to injury, it also hogged the best views of the surrounding valley and hills. It was time it got the chop. “Helen and…

Splish, splash Who among us hasn’t let their selfcare routine slip a little in the depths of winter? When skin isn’t on show, after all, it’s easy to hide a multitude of sins. However, stylish Nordic lifestyle brand Arket is turning that around with its latest body care and home fragrance series aimed at elevating our daily routines. The four new scents are unisex, and all equally gorgeous. arket.com NEW LEASE OF LIFE Pre-loved clothing, usually reserved for budget finds on Depop or at your local Oxfam, has had a bougie makeover at Gleneagles Arcade’s new Reluxe pop-up. The five-star hotel is extending its commitment towards sustainability by inviting you to shop fashion and accessories by some of the world’s best-loved designers. “We’ve picked out some of our favourite styles…

INTERNO MARCHE This hotel encapsulates the best of Italy. It's in a beautiful old building that has strong links to the world of design, having been the HQ of both a fashion brand and one of our favourite sofa-makers, Poltrona Frau. The surroundings are sublime too: it's in the pretty little town of Tolentino in the Marche region, sandwiched between Tuscany and Umbria on one side and the blue waters of the Adriatic on the other. But it's the interiors that really catch the eye: 30 chic bedrooms furnished with a mix of classic and avant-garde pieces, and a stunning spa inspired by Poltrona Frau, with sculptural elements and rich colours set against the original brick walls. internomarche.it Amassa Deep in the idyllic countryside of south-western France is a cluster…

When an influencer tells me to go somewhere, I run in the opposite direction. But where the Cairndale Hotel & Spa is concerned, the hype is justified. The Dumfries retreat is Scotland’s newest destination spa and among the best equipped – think Himalayan salt and infrared saunas, a herbal steam room, hammam, thermal pool and ice bath. A juice bar replaces the usual water pitchers, the robes are sage-toned rather than white, and cosy egg chairs sit among the loungers. It’s just cool. As well as facials and massages, there are holistic treatments such as crystal therapy, which piques my interest. It kicks off with meditation before my therapist massages my stressaddled muscles with Gaia body oil. A jade wand facial depuffs my skin, and at the end I receive…

First up, a confession: I reviewed the Old Course’s Kohler Waters spa in last year’s edition of our Wellness issue. So why am I back? Well, apart from the fact that I loved it, the St Andrews institution has had a facelift in the interim, and now offers an updated treatment menu and first-class new facilities. The stylish refurb forms part of a broader wellness-focused initiative at the hotel, with the likes of Winter Solstice yoga, beach meditation, cold-water swimming retreats and Pilates dialling the good vibe up to 11. So naturally, I had to take it for a test run… Things are a bit different for me this time around, though: six months pregnant, I am treated to a ‘mum to be’ package and, thanks to a specially developed…

What does 2025 hold for you? Have you started making resolutions already? If one of those is to show your home some TLC, we’ve got the little black book to help. This year’s Design Directory is crammed with seasoned professionals, poised to help you get your project underway. It might be an architect’s expertise you need, an interior designer to guide you through a makeover, the right tradespeople to graft on the remedial works, or a skilled craftsperson if you fancy something bespoke or a one-off finishing touch. Whatever you’re dreaming up, the Design Directory is an invaluable guide to getting it right. For on-the-go ease, we’ve also added a digital directory so all the information and expertise you might need is just a tap away. Let’s get planning!…

Tell us about Charlotte James Furniture Ross Dempster, managing director: We have been manufacturing luxury furniture since 2003. We are trade-only, working exclusively with interior designers, architects and specifiers both in the UK and internationally. Our work is synonymous with quality craftsmanship and is commissioned for private residences as well as boutique hotels. What is the Charlotte James signature style? It is characterised by contemporary elegance and timeless design. We emphasise quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, creating furniture that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The overall look is polished yet inviting, making it easy to integrate into a variety of interior styles, both modern and classic. What’s exclusive to the company? All Charlotte James furniture is manufactured at our Edinburgh workshop, and each piece is overseen by a…

Tell us about George Smith Amanda Barrett, director of sales and marketing: We are the most experienced makers of exceptional upholstered furniture for prestigious projects throughout the world, both in hospitality and residential properties. We specialise in the making of personalised, luxurious, upholstered furniture, and have the largest team of skilled craftspeople in the UK to do so. What is the George Smith signature style? George Smith furniture lends itself to diverse design schemes, from the contemporary to the traditional. Whether you are selecting from our own distinguished collections, or commissioning a unique bespoke design, the George Smith name is a guarantee of outstanding craftsmanship and service. What’s exclusive to the company? George Smith furniture is entirely made in the UK. We offer end-to-end manufacturing in Northumberland and are unique…

Tell us about Jeffreys Interiors Georgina Fraser, managing director: We believe in breaking the mould. We’re your creative partner in transforming spaces into something extraordinary, bringing a fearless, detailed and personalised approach to every project. Our team combines expressive design with meticulous craftsmanship to create environments that are not just beautiful but perfectly tailored to your lifestyle and aspirations. We don’t just design spaces; we tell your story in the most stylish and functional way possible. What is the Jeffreys signature style? We believe your space should be as unique as you are. Our mission is to empower you to embrace your individuality via bold and creative interiors. We’re all about transforming spaces into personal sanctuaries and vibrant environments that truly reflect who you are and how you live. We…

Tell us about Russwood Jodie Wight, interior project liaison technician: We have over 30 years of experience in sourcing and supplying the highest-quality timber flooring and interior cladding products. All Russwood timber is sustainably sourced from well-managed PEFC or FSC-certified forests. We are always innovating and developing our range; our most recent additions include extra-large boards in douglas fir and oak. Our commitment extends beyond product quality and sustainability, though: we’re committed to providing the best technical advice, service and aftercare. What is the Russwood signature style? Our signature style lies in the versatility of timber. Whether you use it on floors, walls or ceilings, timber adds a natural warmth and character to a space, and our aim is to work with and enhance the natural features of the wood.…