Innholdsfortegnelse for January-February 2026 (164) i Homes & Interiors Scotland

Last year was jam-packed, so it feels right to be starting off 2026 by seeking equilibrium and working out ways to improve our wellbeing. Vowing to make changes is part of new year – but maybe those changes needn't be grand or overly ambitious. Resolving to do one small thing for yourself might just be enough to make you feel better. Here at H&IS, we are fascinated by wellness, so we've taken on the research, investigating new trends and innovations for home and self. All you have to do is devote some time to reading this issue (in itself a form of self-care). Our Design Special (page 51) looks at the best ways to induce a sense of calm at home and improve healthy functionality - after all, our homes…

COLD PARADISE HOW LUCKY WE ARE TO CALL SCOTLAND HOME. It's a country of great natural beauty, but is also packed to the rafters with creative folk bringing wonderful new things into existence. Cold Paradise is a celebration of both. It's a gallery that champions makers whose work is directly influenced by landscape, geology, nature and weather. Appropriately enough, it's right in the middle of some of Scotland's most dramatic landscape (and wild weather), in Shieldaig, a village in Wester Ross between Torridon and Applecross. Art historian Jamie Morra and artist Magnus Livingstone set up the gallery (open from May to October by appointment) with the aim of creating a space where contemporary art, traditional craft and ecological thinking can meet. They have an ever-growing roster of artists, but expect…

Think about the bathrooms in all the places you've lived. We'll hazard a guess that some, or most, have been windowless (or as good as), clad in high-gloss tiles and lit by harsh spotlights that beam down on your belly in the bath. Often we inherit bathrooms like this from previous homeowners and can't afford to change them. But what might you do if you could start from scratch? “Bathrooms deserve as much access to natural light as any other room,” says Andrew Brown, founder of Brown & Brown Architects. The bathrooms he designs give their owners something to look at beyond the four walls. In one, a bath in a glass-to-glass corner was positioned to overlook, and be shielded by, a canopy of trees; others have had slim window…

We feel our most comfortable when our homes reflect who we are. But this is harder to achieve in some rooms than others, like the kitchen, where functionality often competes with personality. It doesn't have to, though. The Edinburgh flat of Juli Bolaños-Durman, a glass artist whose objects are made from salvaged materials, is an extension of her identity. “It was really a dream brief, because we had the clear parameters of adopting her ethos to repurpose found objects,” says Alexander Mackison of Architecture Office, who designed the home in collaboration with Juli. “I think when you celebrate materials that aren't perfect, wellbeing can emerge from the expression of material character. The grain of timber; raw edges of stone; the softness of light through a voile. These qualities invite awareness and…

GROUND CONTROL The Japanese principle of Yūgen informs Yoko Kloeden's interior design practice. “It's an ancient and rather abstract concept that refers to a subtle beauty that is felt rather than seen,” she explains. There is no direct English translation, but Yoko compares it to how she feels sitting in the temple gardens of her hometown, Kyoto. “This calm feeling washes over me and then lingers a while, similar to how you might feel when you come back from a good walk. My mission is to evoke that feeling in the spaces I create.” Yoko does this in a few ways, prioritising abundant light, negative space and a ‘less-is-more’ ethos in her projects. She prefers natural materials (“Our ancestors spent a lot of time outside, so anything that reminds us…

BRIEF To create a functional new kitchen in a former dining room, giving it a pared-back, minimal feel for stress-free family living LOCATION Glasgow WORKTOP Dekton Entzo by Cosentino CABINETS Wren Kitchens “We just wanted something fresh and clean,” says Emma Carberry of her new kitchen in Glasgow. “It all started with the worktop from Cosentino. I fell in love with the veining in it and the subtle tones which meant it didn't feel too busy. Everything moved outwards from there.” When Emma and her husband Robert moved into the house in 2018, their kitchen was a small, cramped galley. This space was a dining room and playroom for the couple's three kids, but they decided it would be better as a larger kitchen with a utility and WC next…

DETAILS What A newly extended B-listed house dating from 1932 Where Edinburgh Architect David Blaikie To say that Guy Harrower felt the gaze of history over his shoulder when he embarked on this project would be something of an understatement. His home, Glenwood, a sumptuous Arts and Crafts-inspired villa in south-west Edinburgh, was designed in 1932 by two of Scotland's most important architects, Sir Basil Spence and Sir William Hardie Kininmonth. It's not just one of the city's most significant 20th-century homes; it's where Guy grew up. Glenwood was bought by his family in 1969 (and they remain only its second owners), and Guy has decades of fond memories bound up in the grand B-listed building with its white harling, monumental chimney stacks, steeply pitched tiled roofs and multipane glazing.…

Silky way Will 2026 be the year you become a more mindful clothes shopper? If you'd like to invest in highquality pieces while supporting up-andcoming talent, take a look at textile designer Helena Powell. The Glasgow School of Art graduate has released a collection of hand-dyed and hand-woven silk scarves inspired by some of her favourite locations in Glasgow, where her studio is based. “Each piece is oneof-a-kind, and designed to be a wearable piece of art,” says Helena. This is the Dear Green Place scarf (£207), which nods to the colours of Glasgow Green on a cloudless summer's day. helenapowelltextiles.com Cashing in We all know the world's best cashmere is made in Scotland (modest, us?). It's down to the superior quality of our water, apparently. Folk who like wearing…

Ahhhh. This is the life. Cruising on Loch Tay, diving into the water, clambering back on deck and… retreating into the wood-fired sauna? Yes, you read that right. This is the HotBoat at Taymouth Marina, Scotland's first floating sauna. Proof, should you need it, that our wellness industry is flourishing – and sailing in surprising new directions. In the following pages, we've rounded up the new and noteworthy experiences to try in 2026, from Ayurvedic spa treatments and reiki retreats to cliffop saunas and indoor snow cabins. What's perhaps most illuminating is this: in the age of hyper-optimisation, where the super-rich biohack themselves into oblivion, the health-improving experiences we're most drawn towards are all rooted in nature. So while much of what you're going to read about involves spending cash,…

Tell us about The Bathroom Company We design, supply and install luxury rooms across Scotland. We also take on whole-house refurbishments. We pride ourselves on our ethos and skills, which are reflected in every stage of each renovation project. Our core offer, which sets us apart as the bathroom company we are and why we are highly recommended, includes personalised bathroom design and product selection, expert bathroom installation, fully managed renovation, product supply and after-sales care services. We ensure a seamless and luxurious bathroom, kitchen and home renovation experience that's both smooth and stress-free. Do you have a signature style? Our rooms are designed individually to the client's requirements and vision after a thorough consultation and design brief. What's exclusive to The Bathroom Company? We specialise in supplying and installing…

Tell us about Carpenter Oak Carpenter Oak specialises in the design, fabrication and installation of bespoke structural timber frames, primarily in oak, Douglas fir and glulam. Our expertise spans new homes, extensions, heritage restoration and commercial buildings. We offer a fully integrated service – from concept design and engineering through to hand-crafted fabrication and on-site frame raising – combining traditional joinery with modern performance and precision. Do you have a signature style? Carpenter Oak's signature style merges traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. Exposed oak frames, pegged mortice-and-tenon joints and expressive structural forms sit alongside large glazing, natural light and modern insulation systems. Each building celebrates the honesty of its structure, balancing warmth, tactility and openness. Our projects feel rooted in place and time – a seamless blend of architectural refinement…

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. Do you have a 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 Unico Venetian Daniel Sheppard, founder: We specialise in Venetian plaster, microcement and lime-based decorative finishes. Our work covers everything from feature walls and bathrooms to entire interiors, using the best materials from Italy and across Europe. Every surface is handfinished to create depth and texture, adding the kind of character that can't be achieved by machine. I've worked in surface finishes for over a decade, specialising in Venetian plaster and microcement. My role in the business covers everything from design consultation to final application – making sure every detail meets the standard for which my work is known. Does Unico Venetian have a signature style? We have a signature look that is refined, textural and timeless. I like finishes that feel natural and have movement – soft…

If you've never visited Vitra Campus in Weil am Rhine in Germany, just across the border from Basel, you've missed a treat. Vitra, of course, is behind some of the most iconic pieces of modern furniture ever designed - absolute classics by the likes of Verner Panton, Charles and Ray Eames, Jean Prouvé and many, many more. They're all on display here at the Vitra Design Museum, which itself is surrounded by dazzling architecture by Zaha Hadid, Frank Gehry and Herzog & De Meuron. Now there's another reason to visit: the Doshi Retreat, a newly completed outdoor contemplative space designed by India's Pritzker Prize-winning architect Balkrishna Doshi. Sculptural and monumental, it consists of two sunken intersecting pathways leading to a sound chamber. Workers at Vitra's on-site factory and tourists alike…

THE FIGHTBACK STARTS HERE EXERCISE SHOULDN'T BE GENDERED - most of us can understand this. Ballet classes are for people who want to try ballet. Football fields are for people who want to kick a ball about. It's frustrating that yoga is still seen by some as solely a feminine pursuit. After all, it was originally practised by Indian scholars and spiritual authorities (read: men). When he was recovering from chronic back pain, Dan Abramson realised that many yoga stretches overlapped with his physical therapy and decided to give it a go. He quickly became a fully fledged yogi, but encountered plenty of gendered presumptions surrounding the practice and wanted to do something to encourage more men to consider yoga. His solution? Yoga Joes. What started as a joke between…

Out in the open Has open-plan living peaked? Possibly; more voices are speaking up about the benefits of separate spaces these days. But when you see this kitchen by Rastelli you might be tearing those walls down again. Just take a look at the R1 island, with its multifunctional adjoining sideboard. This is a sociable space made for modern living. £POA. rastelli.com A HINT OF PINK Doing the dishes would be a little sweeter in this spot. The splashback and worktops are slabs of Culliford's pink Rose Noir marble. The 2cm-thick honed stone is paired with brass accessories and a display of handmade ceramics, both beautifully complementing the marble's warm undertones. £POA. geraldculliford.co.uk REACH FOR THE SKY These may look like fancy bar stools, but they're not intended for humans…

Under the sea How cute are these natural rubber bath toys? They're baby-proof (suitable for use from birth) and have colourful, tactile designs – ideal for developing brains. Don't worry if the young bather wants to find out what they taste of – they're safe for chewing on as well. £30 for a set of three. ettaloves.com IT'S SO FLUFFY It can be hard to get kids to sit still, but they might just settle down if they're on the gorgeously comfortable Gropius CS1 baby chair. It's a mini version of the Bauhaus-inspired Gropius, only resized with smaller bodies in mind. £1,200. noom-home.com CLASS ACTION The Montana Mini MBOARD is a great addition to a study space. It's magnetic and comes with colour-matched magnets for sticking up to-do lists or…

DETAILS What A two-bed holiday home Where Tayside Interior design Studio LBI You wake in the morning in your large, comfortable bed to sunlight filtering through the curtains. You throw on a dressing gown, cross the room and pull back the drapes to reveal a glazed door. You open it and step out onto the balcony, the sun warming your face as the salty breeze off the sea fills your nostrils. It is peaceful, the only sound the rustling of tall grasses on the sand dunes opposite. Light glitters on the rippling waters… And then you see them: a pod of playful dolphins breaking the surface, leaping into the air and landing with a splash. This idyllic scene might sound like a dream sequence, but for two lucky clients of…

FRESH CITRUS This cosy jumper is from Quinton Chadwick, a small textiles business that uses British mills and natural, biodegradable fibres. The pattern is a modern interpretation of traditional Scottish fair isle and the finished article has been brushed to achieve that fuzzy, slightly blurred look. It's 100% lambswool so is incredibly soft. £200. quintonchadwick.com RISE AND SHINE The festive period is over but there are long, dark months to go before spring gets here. Chase the blues away with the Luxe Bodyclock from Lumie. It's an alarm, a radio, a sunrise/sunset lamp and a speaker with sound effects to help you drop off. The benefits of waking up to a faux sunrise are plentiful but, most importantly, it has been proven to improve the quality of your sleep. Don't…

Think about your favourite café. The one you visit all the time. Perhaps nowhere else can match its flat whites, or you're addicted to its pancake stacks. There's likely something else that keeps you returning, though. The way the interiors make you feel. The sense of belonging that comes with being a regular. Or maybe it has become your go-to place for staying active and making pals? A new generation of cafés across Scotland is blurring the boundaries between hospitality and fitness, inviting customers to stretch, run and be part of a community. At Tàrmachan (top), a food and drink spot in a rewilded former quarry in the Cairngorms National Park, it's not just seasonal food and artisanal coffee on the menu. On Monday and Wednesday evenings the café, designed…

You know that feeling you get when you step off a plane in a hot country and that first blast of sun grazes your skin? I experience it in reverse walking into Chapelton Cottage. It's November, it's dim, the country roads that led us here were glossy with ice and bordered by snow. I push the cottage door open an inch and a narrow bolt of gold light shoots out from a yellow-painted kitchen. In we bundle, my mum, son and I, trading slush for heated Moroccan floor tiles and scarves for a warm stove. Nice knowing you, winter. “On a dark, gloomy day, or when it's wet and miserable, you want to stay somewhere uplifting,” says Joelle Reid, the interior designer behind the decor. She has renovated four of…

The gym isn't for everyone. If you like your fitness pursuits to be a little more thrilling than a treadmill, why not learn to surf at the Lost Shore Surf Resort in Ratho, near Edinburgh? The inland surf resort – the only one of its kind in Scotland – is home to Europe's largest wave pool and offers surf lessons and sessions for all experience levels. It also has a spa studio and wood-fired sauna, accommodation, a dining hub and a grocery shop. In the Highlands, Wild Roots Guiding runs year-round mountain navigation courses and adventure retreats. There's a Winter Munro Walking Week in February and a summer series of Wild Yoga Journeys will incorporate camping and hiking. Perhaps you like the gym but are less keen on the gym…

Tell us about Birkwood Alison Williamson, co-founder and client lead: We specialise in beautifully crafted plywood kitchens and bespoke cabinetry, all designed and built in our workshop in Highland Perthshire. We're known for our meticulous joinery and thoughtful detailing, and our use of bold, joyful Formica colours paired with the warmth of Baltic birch. Every cabinet is fully assembled in-house for exceptional precision, and we tailor each project to the home rather than to a formula. Whether it's a kitchen, a wardrobe or a multi-use space, we create practical, long-lasting, design-led solutions. Do you have a signature style? Our signature style mixes modern simplicity with a sense of warmth and personality. We combine beautifully crafted plywood with carefully chosen colours, creating cabinetry that feels calm, uplifting and genuinely made for…

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. Do you have a signature style? No, we don't. 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 or unique to Designworks? 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 amount of…

Tell us about Kitchens International Carol Cameron, head of retail: There is no such thing as an ordinary client – so why should people accept ordinary kitchens, bedrooms, bathrooms or interiors? Our mission is to go above and beyond in creating and crafting inspiring home spaces that are as individual as you are. We do so using only the best materials, the finest craftsmanship and our award-winning designers and project-managers. Do you have a signature style? As leaders in our industry, we craft exciting, distinctive and stunning spaces. To do that, we carry our passion for excellence through everything we do, from seamless customer service, advice, design and aftercare, to the highest-quality global brands and cutting-edge technology. What's exclusive and unique to Kitchens International? Our people are what sets us…

BRIEF To create a kitchen to suit owners who love cooking and entertaining, giving it a contemporary style but blended with timeless choices to complement the apartment's Georgian heritage. LOCATION Edinburgh DESIGN Peden & Pringle You know you've made it in life when you've got not one Peden & Pringle kitchen but two. The owners in this case are Jan and Bernard, whose Anstruther property has featured in this magazine before. Just like us, they have a keen appreciation for the work of Adam Peden and Camilla Pringle, makers and designers of bespoke kitchens. This time, we're taking a peek into their garden apartment in Edinburgh. Camilla took the lead once again. “Jan is one of my favourite ever clients,” she says. “She loved what we'd done for her and…

Meaning ‘a sunny place’ in Gaelic, Grianan is a bespoke new-build home in rural Stirlingshire that its delighted owners describe as “a simple and modest house that feels simultaneously modern, warm and inviting, celebrating the views without distraction”. That, say Neil Smith and Wesley Zwiep, makes it “our perfect home”. It was a trip to Skye in 2012, and the idea of living surrounded by nature, that first sparked the idea of building their own home. At the time the couple were living in a flat in Glasgow's west end, and it would take a decade before Grianan finally emerged. The search for a suitable plot alone took the best part of three years. But the pair kept the faith, using the time to develop their ideas. “We decided that…

A CITY THROUGH THE LENS Glasgow's evolution as one of the UK's most vibrant and characterful cities is played out through a series of photographs that capture the essence of the place and its people. Among the images, selected from the archives of Glasgow Life, are works by big names such as Oscar Marzaroli, Joseph McKenzie and Bert Hardy, alongside many gems by lesser-known artists. All, like this cracker from the 1960s by Eric Watt, explore the city's culture, humour and unique history with verve. Not to be missed. Still Glasgow, Gallery of Modern Art. Until June 2027. glasgowlife.org.uk NATURAL SELECTION Lara Scouller is just one of the contemporary artists taking a spot at the 26th annual Scottish Show at London's Panter & Hall. The award-winning artist, whose work is…

DETAILS What An extended Victorian home Where Perthshire Architect Lorn Macneal Interior design Anna Mills Landscape design Mike Innes Contractors AGB Kitchen Callum Walker How many people can say that both William Wallace and Robert the Bruce fought in their back yard? The owners of this slice of Perthshire paradise have bragging rights aplenty, and a dash of history is just the start of it. Those Scottish heroes were caught up in skirmishes against the Auld Enemy some seven centuries ago in the adjoining Methven Wood, just a stone's throw from where the seven-bedroom house now stands. “It's a stone building, dating from around 1840,” says Stephen Wilson of Lorn Macneal Architects, the practice charged with revitalising the house. “A large extension was added to the south in 1907, and…

Farm-to-table has become a bit of a marketing buzzphrase in recent times, co-opted by anyone keen to forge a sense of wholesome credibility without doing the hard yards. Occasionally, though, you discover a restaurant that isn't trying to pull the proverbial organic wool over diners’ eyes. At Moss, the Stockbridge restaurant owned by Noma-trained chef Henry Dobson, you won't experience any ‘farmwashing’. All the ingredients on the menu are either sourced from the chef-owner's family farm in Angus, or from local producers such as Knockraich Farm's Katy Rodgers. If it doesn't grow in this country (exceptions are made for some of the wines), you won't be able to order it, as we discover when we ask for a coffee. It's difficult to be disappointed when the alternative is tea made…

The last time I visited the Kohler Waters Spa at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews, which was quite a while ago now, I was treated – or mistreated – to the sight of a naked-to-the-waist Jeremy Clarkson padding around in a towel. You could argue that any subsequent visit would be an improvement on that one. Still, I didn't anticipate just how incredible the spa would be the second time round. The five-star hotel reopened its spa in autumn, following a five-month renovation – the kind that's immediately apparent. The hydrotherapy suite has been upgraded to include the UK's first Espuro foam experience steam room, there are treatments by luxe skincare brands rated by top beauty editors (such as Omorovicza and Phytomer) and the decor's been given a…

Tell us about BANN James McAuley, managing director: We specialise in design-led renovations and architect-designed homes across Edinburgh and the Lothians, and have extensive listed-building expertise. Much of our work is on complex period properties, such as Victorian tenements, Georgian townhouses and A-listed homes, where thoughtful interventions and sensitive structural work are essential. I personally oversee every project at BANN, from early site visits to the final sign-off, ensuring our team deliver the level of craft, clarity and care we're known for. Do you have a signature style? We don't have a single “look”. Our signature is the quality of execution. Every project, whether it's a contemporary extension or a heritage restoration, is defined by quiet, intelligent detailing, longevity and craftsmanship that elevates the design intent. Architects and interior designers…

Tell us about Lally Walford Interiors Lally Walford, founder and interior designer: I create timeless interiors that are designed to support the way my clients want to feel – both emotionally and in terms of energy. I want the interiors I design to feel as good to live in as they look. While my focus is always on how my clients want to feel in their space, I know each room needs to ‘work’, so every project is shaped around ease, flow, comfort and practicality, blending aesthetic simplicity with a deeper layer of energy alignment. Do you have a signature style? My style is calm, natural and quietly refined. I don't follow trends – I never have. I work with texture, light, tone, scale, proportion, colour and pattern to create…

Tell us about Russwood Jodie Wight, interior project liaison technician: As a company, we have more than 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 FSCcertified forests. We are always innovating and developing our range; our most recent additions include extra-large boards in douglas fir and oak. But our commitment extends beyond product quality and sustainability: we're committed to providing the best technical advice, service and aftercare. Do you have a 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…

Tell us about Studio LBI Louise Bramhill, founder and designer: Studio LBI is a multidisciplinary interior design and architecture firm based in Glasgow. We are known for creating beautifully balanced spaces for domestic and international clients. Do you have a signature style? The Studio LBI aesthetic is defined by balanced spaces that are relaxed but elevated. We aim for classic, timeless styling with a contemporary edge. What's exclusive and unique about your business? Sitting alongside our award-winning design studio is our online store selling soft furnishings and decorative accessories. Our collection brings together beautifully crafted furniture alongside one-of-a-kind finds. How has the business evolved over the last few years? We have grown substantially over the past ten years, both in size and in the scale of our projects. Now a…