Innholdsfortegnelse for July-August 2025 (161) i Homes & Interiors Scotland

I’m guilty of sending friends and family pictures of things I think they’ll love. Wee snapshots of a coffee shop that strikes me as so ‘them’, a new bowl or candlestick I can imagine in their home, or a magazine cutting of an interior that nails the style they’re aiming for in their own place. It’s a love language for me; a way to let them know that I I know them. The properties and projects in this issue are united by a common thread; all are deeply personal spaces that their owners took their time to get to know. By doing so, they learned what they loved. They got to know their own building’s quirks and foibles, and to understand what needed to change so it would be a…

L aura May Wilson has an eye for improvement. Take her into a house, or a restaurant, or a hotel, or any environment where aesthetic decisions have been made for the delight of others and she will determine what, if anything, she would change. Not in a judgy way, you understand. That’s not her vibe. It’s just the interior designer in her that never seems to switch off; the way she has viewed the world for as long as she can remember, even when she was a young girl growing up in West Fife. “And there’s part of me that doesn’t like being that way, you know,” she says, laughing. “Because sometimes I’d like to just be able to enjoy things for what they are.” The rest of us can…

HOME COMFORTS BUTTER YELLOW may be the colour of the season, but for Madeline Millar of Edinburgh’s Skout, it’s more than just a passing trend. “It’s the colour my mum always dressed me in as a baby – so it has a special resonance. It feels really homely,” she says. A fitting hue, then, for the façade of her homewares shop in Stockbridge selling everything from ceramic dalmatians to pistachiogreen storage units. Each item has been lovingly selected by Madeline, her mum Susan and aunt Sarah, the trio behind Skout, with the same love and attention they apply to their own homes. There’s a generous haberdashery section, and crafting events are in the pipeline, but for now it’s about encouraging an appreciation of carefully curated second-hand goods and adopting a…

1 GARDEN ROOMS Need more space? A garden structure can be a godsend, serving as storage, an extra room or simply as a peaceful spot for kicking back. Often, these structures don’t require planning permission, so can be more attainable than an extension. “Many of our bespoke structures fall within permitted development rights,” explains Joanna Campbell of Mozolowski & Murray. “We assess each project individually. If planning is necessary, we have a dedicated team to handle the entire process on behalf of our clients.” A conservatory, an orangery, a home office or even a sauna: nothing is off-limits for these spaces. Whatever its purpose, such a structure will add value and flexibility to your home. Claire Runciman, from JML Garden Rooms, touts the benefits of a guest suite (a popular…

“This project was inspired by the traditional joinery of great houses throughout the UK which celebrate Georgian form and function,” says designer Louise Delaney, who led this kitchen renovation for Cameron Interiors. The owners are largely based in London and have a home in Edinburgh’s New Town, which is where you’ll find this kitchen. “The brief was to design a classic ‘below-stairs’ kitchen, living space and utility with quiet elegance. Fundamentally, the clients were looking to create a comfortable home to live in, surrounded by beautiful furniture and accessories collected over time.” With a grand but unfussy brief like this, quality materials were prioritised at every step. The worktop and back panel surrounding the hob are bespoke stainless steel and the island worktop is honed marble, selected for its vibrant…

BRIEF To design and build a bespoke kitchen to sit harmoniously within an oak-framed extension LOCATION Ceres, Fife DESIGN Louise Parr for The Painted Kitchen, Cupar DIMENSIONS 6.7m×4.1m This kitchen is proof that knowing what you want and working with a creative team can result in pure magic. On paper, this wasn’t an easy project for Cupar’s The Painted Kitchen. The property was a B-listed detached villa dating back to 1849, with a sandstone façade and a slate roof, so a traditional kitchen looked to be on the cards. Not quite. Instead, the kitchen needed to fit snugly into a brand new oak-framed extension which wasn’t even built yet. “Working within the oak frame was like doing a 3D jigsaw,” recalls designer Louise Parr. “We had to constantly consider height…

Soft power There are few things more satisfying than stepping sleepily out of a bubble bath, skin wrinkled from the suds, only to ensconce yourself in a snuggle of a robe. There is certainly no better robe to do it in than this one by Magniberg. The heavyweight organic cotton terrycloth comes in the cutest shade of pink. Hang it on this modish lilac hook when you’re not wrapped up in it – it’s far too good to be consigned to the floordrobe. Gelato bathrobe, approx £140. magniberg.com; Robe hook, £43. dowsingandreynolds.com AHOY, SAILOR Stripes aren’t just for summer, even if they do have a distinctly beachy vibe. In bathrooms they’re a year-round winner, and these glorious tiles are a particularly solid choice. They’re classic enough to feel timeless, while…

DETAILS What A four-bedroom house over four levels on a sloping site Where Wormit, Fife Architect AIM Design Engineer McGregor McMahon Perched on the south bank of the River Tay in the village of Wormit, Ged and Jo Young’s new home has one of the best views in Fife. “It was always about the views,” smiles Ged. “We knew, the very first time we visited the site one sunny winter’s day, that they were special. They change constantly – by the hour, the day and the season.” Those vistas of the estuary, Invergowrie Bay and the Sidlaw hills are perhaps even more precious following a project that has taken the best part of 15 years to realise. “We can finally watch the lights of the trains trundling over the Tay…

Brandon Logan Since graduating from Edinburgh College of Art in 2019, and being named 2020’s Emerging Scottish Artist of the Year by the Fleming Collection, Brandon Logan has continued to win acclaim for his delicate, minimalist work that hovers between two and three dimensions. My studio is in Stromness in Orkney, where I’m from. I work more or less solely using a process which I devised while still a student at Edinburgh College of Art. In short, this involves the repeated flooding of warps of string with layers of acrylic paint until, once dried, enough paint has been applied to hold the whole thing together. In this way, the paint becomes as much a supportive element as it is any sort of surface ornament. Naturally, these works sit a little…

COASTAL ESCAPE SQUEAKY CLEAN FLORAL CHORUS…

DETAILS What An extended and ‘unconverted’ Victorian home Where Edinburgh Architect Pend Anyone who has ever lived in a flat knows that having upstairs neighbours can sometimes be a bit challenging, let’s say, thanks to a soundtrack of thuds, bangs, footsteps, pounding music and blaring TVs. There is one solution to this perennial problem, of course: become your own upstairs neighbour. That’s what Dixie Mirowski and Ralf Farthing did. Well, sort of. The couple, who own Edinburgh store Catalog Interiors, had bought a lower conversion in a two-storey Victorian sandstone house at auction, and were well on the way to extending into the garden, with the help of Jamie Anderson and Ben MacFarlane of Pend Architects. But then an unexpected opportunity arose that would force them to rewrite those plans…

Vibrant. Energised. Fresh. That’s how we want to feel right now, and the Scottish food gods are all too happy to oblige. In Edinburgh, Bruntsfield neighbourhood bistro LeftField [1] has reopened with a new look and menu. You’ll find us face-down in this seafood platter. Over on Broughton Street, rum bar Ruma [2] has a suite of new rum tasting experiences; the ‘Taste of the Caribbean’ session is as good as an island escape. At The Caledonian, award-winning chef Mark Greenaway has partnered with The Court on three menus featuring his signature dishes, such as this colourful vegetable garden [3]. And in Glasgow, Taste the Place, a free self-guided tour of the city’s best food and drink spots, has launched. Peacock’s Ice Cream [4] has a new flavour for the…

“If there’s such a thing as reversecatfishing, Corner Shop is a pro, offering humble descriptions that belie a masterful command of flavour” It’s slightly surreal, sitting down for lunch in the place I used to buy magazines. I remember when Corner Shop was exactly that – a no-frills newsagent on Glasgow’s Old Dumbarton Road, right across the street from the flat I once called home. During the pandemic, the newsagent closed and re-emerged as a Grain & Grind coffee shop, satisfying an expensive espresso addiction. But this is easily my favourite incarnation yet. If you live in Glasgow and like eating in nice places, you have likely been looked after by Conor McGeady, Corner Shop’s co-founder. He has spent the past 17 years front-of-house at some of the city’s most…

As locations go, Schloss Roxburghe’s is pretty hard to beat. The hotel’s neoclassical Georgian architecture is offset by ancient woodlands and sun-drenched lawns. The River Teviot gleams to the north, the quiet cobbled town of Kelso sits to the east, and undulating arable fields and medieval abbeys dot the surrounding landscape. It’s no wonder canny Scottish staycationers began flocking here in the 1960s. That’s when the old Sunlaws House, as it was known then, opened as a hotel, having been acquired by the Duke of Roxburghe, whose family seat is the nearby Floors Castle. They were drawn by its regal yet comfortable interiors, country sports, anglers’ hideaway and championship golf course. All of that still holds true today – though the glamour factor has since been turned up to eleven…

BACK ON TRAKKE A sigh of relief for the Scotland-born outdoor brand Trakke. After facing closure, it has been rescued by Alpkit, which will restart production of Trakke backpacks and bags using Scottish fabrics from its base in Nottingham, honouring Trakke’s commitment to ethical manufacturing. trakke.co.uk Market strolls INDOORS OUT Okay, so technically this is a pyjama top. But doesn’t it deserve a bigger audience than your duvet? Those frilly cuffs, the coastal stripes, the way the wine-red ruffles on the pockets contrast with the blue… It’s from the new summer collection by the Glasgowbased brand Love & Squalor and comes with matching trousers (£110 for the set), but we’ll be pairing ours with denim cut-offs for maximum cost-per-wear. Like all Love & Squalor garments, it is handmade by the…

ART OF THE MATTER…

Should you be walking your dog in the woods of the Balcarres Estate in East Fife, you may well see a man busy with a buzzing power tool. It could be the full-time forester who looks after the spectacular trees. Or it could be the 30th Earl of Crawford who, aged 66, still puts in a regular shift. “Dad likes to get out with the chainsaw once a week,” smiles his son, Lord Alexander Balniel. “Looking after the woods is a whole family activity.” The estate’s 5,000 acres of arable land, pasture and trees, plus a golf course that looks out over Largo Bay and the Forth, are a family business – that is, a business run by a family who have lived here since 1580 and have one of…

CAROLYN GROHMANN for peaceful gardens Secret Gardens Design, Carolyn Grohmann’s Edinburgh-based company, has a portfolio packed with contemporary projects that celebrate environmentally conscious planting and imaginative hard landscaping. Highlights include the garden of a Victorian villa in Dunfermline (complete with a multifaceted water feature), the ingenious transformation of an urban space in Edinburgh’s New Town, and a cottage garden whose planting scheme is based on the colours of a piece of street art on the boundary wall. secretgardensdesign.co.uk @secretgardensdesign LISA LEMPSINK for sustainable design Take a gander at Lisa Lempsink’s archives and you’ll immediately be struck by the variety of designs she has produced. No matter how different, though, they all have something in common: a sense of intuitiveness. The needs of the client are at the forefront of every…

BOLD IN GOLD SIDE STEP ON THE SPOT “The Extruded pendant lamp, designed by Alain Gilles, stands out for its sculptural presence. The vertical ribs create a play of light and shadow, making it expressive even when turned off. It can be used individually or in sequence to create visually striking vertical compositions.”…

Shelf life Marble is not just for your kitchen island or splashback. Here, it has been used to elevate a pantry from neatly utilitarian to properly luxurious. It’s a naturally cold surface too (which is why it’s prized by pastry-makers), so will keep your provisions cool while looking good. From £1,110 per sq.m. geraldculliford.co.uk GO FOR GOLD This swanky cutlery set comes from the Domo collection by Portugal’s Vista Alegre. It is hand-crafted from stainless steel and the handles are finished with 24k gold. Can you trust your dinner guests not to swipe them? Needless to say, such luxurious utensils should be washed by hand, but that’s a small sacrifice to make in exchange for the eternal bragging rights. Midas, eat your heart out. From £495 for 16pcs. micucci.store HEAD…

I always wanted to be an artist when I was at school in Poland, but I was never considered ‘good’ at art – I couldn’t draw or paint. Back then, I believed a ‘real’ artist had to be a painter or someone exceptionally talented in a specific medium. What I did do, though, was make paper flowers. I was surrounded by them, even if I never saw them as art. Colourful paper flowers were once one of the most common decorative elements in rural Polish homes, and the art of paper flower-making was primarily practised by women. During long winter evenings, they would craft flowers from paper or crepe paper, typically bought from travelling salesmen. The flowers were then attached to thin twigs (floral wire is more commonly used nowadays).…

Roaring success Forget the tiger who came to tea – thanks to this colourful cushion from Raj Tent Club, it’s all about the tiger who went to bed. Embroidered by hand on organic cotton in Bangladesh, these cheery big cats are more cuddlesome than scary. And by day, they might even inspire your cub to pick up paper and crayons and draw their own. £30. rajtentclubshop.com PURE IMAGINATION Finland’s sweetest troll has had a summer glowup in this merry limitededition collab between Polarn O. Pyret and Moomin. Tove Jansson’s beloved characters are cast in colour for the first time since 1958 to celebrate their 80th anniversary. Look out for them splashed across swimwear and textiles for kids and adults alike. From £18. polarnopyret.com NOW AND FOR EVER Furnishing kids’ rooms…

DETAILS What A traditional fisherman’s cottage Where Mallorca Interior design Pickett’s House In the coastal village of Deia, in Mallorca, Scottish decorator and antiques dealer Amanda Pickett has added her name to a creative constellation of writers, artists, musicians and interior designers who have succumbed to the charms of this worldheritage site, an hour north of the island’s capital, Palma. With a magpie eye, she has turned a rundown 17th-century casa de pescadores (fisherman’s cottage) into a creative studio where she can make, transform and imagine. The cottage and her business, Pickett’s House, have become a go-to source for both designers and private clients, who share her affinity for the colourful and extraordinary. Amanda came to Mallorca on a whim eight years ago, with her partner Gary Clarke, in need…

THE CHIC MEDITERRANEAN RETREAT CORTIJO GENESIS Marbella If the design of your home away from home is just as important as the good weather, then a) you’re reading the right mag, and b) you’ll want to take a look at this boutique hotel in the Andalusian countryside. Interior architect Victoria-Maria Geyer led the transformation of this old farmhouse, which was bought as a ruin by her sister with the idea of turning it into a hotel. Now beautifully restored, it has five distinctive guest rooms, all showing off Victoria’s vibrant style. The communal spaces have received just as much care, with kicky citrus tones offsetting the traditional whitewashed walls. Stripes feature generously – there’s even a hand-painted rainbow across the reading room’s ceiling. Cortijo Genesis is in the hills between…

How has your style evolved over the years? With my interiors choices, I think I used to play it quite safe. We had a lot of midcentury pieces – clean lines and quite classic – and although I still love this look, I’m much more daring now. I mix and match and have created a home more in keeping with the ‘shambolism’ aesthetic. I think the biggest change is my use of Art Deco furniture in my home. Some may feel it’s incongruous in a Victorian terraced house, but I love the juxtaposition. My style has evolved quite naturally with the growth of the Vinterior brand. As I’ve learnt more about vintage and pre-loved pieces, my con?dence has grown, letting me make bolder interior design choices. Who or what are…

GLOW WITH PRIDE The Grafton wall light is effortlessly chic. Its conical shade (there’s a domed version too) is made from hand-blown glass and the arm is crafted from antiqued brass and aged oak. It’s a winning combination of classic materials, resulting in a subtle, timeless piece. £158. rowenandwren.co.uk Different strokes These candle holders are handmade in Scotland by ceramicist Julija Pustovrh from white stoneware. Each one is finished with a broad stroke of Edinburgh clay, applied using brushes made from grasses collected around the city. They’re available via Òr on Skye. £47.50 each. orskye.com SHRIMPLY FAB We didn’t know we needed a collaboration between British fashion brand Shrimps and homewares supplier Pelican House, but we’re so glad we got it.? e collection features rugs inspired by archival Shrimps prints,…

BULLSEYE NO, THIS ISN’T BRIDGET RILEY’S DARTBOARD. Rather, it’s an award-winning piece of furniture by the late great Danish designer Nanna Ditzel, viewed from side on. Heirlooms often make great conversation-starters – in this case quite literally: it’s a bench designed specifically for two people to sit down together for a natter. Ditzel’s inspiration was the symmetry of a butterfly: the bench’s two ‘wings’ provide strong support and are the ideal canvas for punchy graphic design. Those concentric circles and single red dot are the result of a spontaneous sketching session – the story goes that Ditzel picked up a pen, drew directly onto the prototype and was so pleased with the result that she had it screenprinted onto aircraft-grade maple veneer and put into production. First released in 1989,…

IN UTERO HOW OFTEN DO YOU THINK ABOUT YOUR TUBES? And how often do you consider what they might look like cast in earthenware clay, painted pink and varnished to a high gloss? Here’s your answer. This delightful, if unconventional, vase is by Charlotte Colbert, an artist who considers the humble uterus as the “defining symbol” of her work. “We all come from one -it’s like science fiction, it’s so surreal to think about.” The organ is a recurring motif in her award-winning film, the feminist psychological-horror She Will, and in the interiors of the fantastical London home she shares with her husband and fellow artist, Philip Colbert. Originally conceived as a bespoke piece for ‘Maison Colbert’ (as interior designers Angus and Charlotte of Buchanan Studio nicknamed the home), the…

BRIEF To transform a dark brown kitchen into a light and airy space for entertaining LOCATION SW London DESIGN John Lewis of Hungerford The owners of this bright kitchen have enjoyed living all over the world, so they knew any home they officially settled in would need to be something special. When it came time to put down roots, they chose London, where they’re from originally. They found a place they loved, lived in it for a few years to get the lay of the land, and then started to mould it into their dream home. John Lewis of Hungerford was brought in to do the kitchen. “It was quite a big renovation project, even though the room didn’t change size,” recalls the company’s design director, Rebecca Nokes. “A generous…

A subtle monochrome scheme can help to make your space feel intentional. Here, a smart dark blue coats the cabinets, and the pendant lights overhead are colour-matched. Bringing the same tone into the artwork creates a sense of cohesion and finishes off the look. charlottejamesedinburgh.com Don’t hide away a beautiful collection when you could make it part of your design. Studio Atkinson highlights this incredible plate collection by installing open shelving all along the back wall of this kitchen. Paired with Delft tiles and dark wood, the effect is mesmerising. studio-atkinson.com Need a hit of sunshine? Check out this bespoke kitchen by HUX London. The bright yellow immediately captures the attention, but there are clever details hiding alongside the bold colour. Stacked ovens, deep niches for prep and storage, and…

1 Everybody Surf There is probably nowhere you’ll feel more vulnerable and exposed than riding on the crest of an ocean wave. Contending with the unpredictability of the currents as well as mastering the art of the board, surfing is not for the faint-hearted. That’s why this new book by Carolina Amell, a collection of aweinspiring photographs of female surfers from all over the world, is such a joyful celebration of talent, skill and, well, self-belief. Surf culture has evolved in modern times and these women tell their stories, exemplifying strength and determination while also championing body positivity and diversity. The images are breath-taking, while the words reinforce the power of sisterhood. Rad. £40, Prestel 2 Sanctuary The idea of the home as a sanctuary is nothing new, but we…

DETAILS What A recently completed two-storey home Where Aberdeenshire Architect Brown & Brown Main contractor Coldwells Build Styling Catalog Ltd Harmony House, a symphony of timber, granite and glass, was in many ways composed around one key feature: a grand piano.?e home was built for Henry and Liz Allen on a steeply sloping plot near the River Dee. Their piano, an Estonia Grand, was a gift from Liz’s late parents about 20 years ago. She likes to play modern jazz classics on it whenever she finds the time. “It gets well used when the family come over too,” she says. “Two of our children play – one is a professional musician.” Back when the Allens first engaged award-winning, sustainability-focused Aberdeenshire architecture practice Brown & Brown to craft them a bright,…

A DAY TO REMEMBER This dinky painting isn’t much bigger than a sheet of A4, and yet somehow it perfectly captures the spirit of summer. For the aptly titled A Day Off, artist Jayne Stokes used Gullane sand, a vintage tin and acrylic paint, and it’s on display at Fidra’s Summer Exhibition now. Other artists showing at the North Berwick gallery include Saul Robertson, Astrid Trügg and George Birrell. Until 17 September. Until 17 September. fidrafineart.co.uk WE’RE GOING ON AN ART HUNT In the mood for a road trip? Skip the North Coast 500 and its associated traffic jams and take the road less travelled instead. If you’re of the creative persuasion, there is no better way to spend the summer than by following ArtMap Argyll’s red dot route. Local…

DETAILS What A three-bed granite-built Victorian home Where Aberdeen Interior design Sims Hilditch Contractor AJC Scotland This modest granite mansion on the western fringes of Aberdeen already had a feeling of timeless grandeur, elegance and family-friendliness when its new owners moved in with their two young children back in 2018. But they could see it needed work – and not just of the cosmetic variety. “They had lots of visions for the place,” recalls Christina Bull, partner and studio lead at Sims Hilditch, the London and Cotswolds-based interior design studio who were brought in to advise on the transformation. The owners were long-standing clients from a previous project and had a strong relationship with the practice. “One thing we discussed was adding an extension on the side, which would have…

BARELY THERE Gauzy curtains are the ideal solution when you want to dress your windows elegantly without compromising on natural light. These ones, made using fabrics from Romo's sheers collection, are ethereal and perfect for layering - just look how well they double up here. They're practical too, crafted from 100% recycled polyester and easily washable. loka FR, from £65 per meter. romo.com Hot off the press This bright blue brick is the hottest thing in sustainable building right now, and it’s Scottish. Crafted in East Lothian from recycled construction waste and available in 12 different colours, the K-BRIQ produces 95% less embodied carbon than its clay counterparts. It works in interiors too, and has already been used to fit out a couple of Gail’s bakeries. From £180 per sq.m.…

THE GOOD LIFE Want patio furniture that’s as stylish as the stuff you have indoors? Take a look at the Scandi-inspired Porto lounge set. It comes with a luxuriously cushioned sofa, two matching armchairs and a low coffee table. The simple, elegant frames are crafted from acacia wood and the cushions are an easy-to-accessorise grey. Whether you keep things sleek with neutral accessories and greenery, or get flashy with accent cushions in your favourite bright hues, you’ll want to spend all summer in the garden. £2,495. coxandcox.co.uk BASKET CASE You can’t go wrong with a bit of rattan in the garden. Style it out in lots of different ways with Garden Trading’s outdoor accessories. Gather up homegrown veg or freshly cut flowers in the Bembridge trug or give larger plants…

W ell, this is fortuitous. My husband and I are a few weeks away from moving to our new house and almost every conversation has revolved around how we’ll decorate it. Just when I start to worry that we’ve excavated every last scrap of the fun topics (Farrow & Ball vs. Edward Bulmer; what lurks beneath the carpets; where we’ll hang the weird ceramic fish I bought in Portugal three years ago) and will have to move on to terra snore-a (insulation, heat pumps), I step inside The Grieves Farmhouse and feel my eyeballs begin to tingle. “Wow. Look at those tiles!” I exclaim. And lo, our chat is rescued by a herringbone-paved terracotta brick floor. There’s an unexpectedly continental feel about this place given its location on a 750-acre…

My work is storytelling. Whether I’m acting, writing, teaching, producing or curating projects, I strive to tell those stories in an intellectually solid way with a deeply researched background, and they need to come from an emotional space as well. My interest in documentary source-based theatre definitely stems from my childhood historical obsessions. I’m talking Titanic, the Romanovs, Mary Queen of Scots – I was, and still am, totally absorbed by the drama of these big historical moments. They really spark my imagination. I do find it funny that I’ve managed to turn my nerdiness into my career, getting commissioned to research these things and turn them into plays and productions. It is my joy in life and my driving force. Right now, I’m immersed in the world of Robert…