Private Residence, Merchiston

A full refurbishment, remodelling and sensitive restoration of the entire house, including opening up and expanding the ground floor’s living space.

Thanks to Inscape Joinery, David Narro Associates, HPG Solutions Ltd, Mark Smith Glazing, Lenaghen Roofing, Fraser Russell Electrical, Colin Findlay, K. Lawrie Flooring, Kitchens International, Peter Brown (tiling), Off the Rock Landscaping and Stephen Ogilvie Garden Design for their support.

The brief

With rising damp, rotting windows, faulty electrics, a leaking roof and asbestos, this poor property was in desperate need of a complete refurbishment. We worked to fully remodel the property, creating a home that suits the needs of this family of 5.

The client sought to create a hub for the family to come together on the ground floor—a space that combined cooking, eating and entertaining—with beautiful views out into the garden. The lack of storage was a problem, as were the lack of bathrooms. A functional utility room to make life more efficient and streamlined was key. The bay window to the living room had to be retained owing to planning stipulations, however was rotting and in a state of disrepair.

Throughout, the client sought to use natural, sustainably sourced materials and maximise light.

The solution

To fulfil the client’s brief, we reworked the property’s existing layout and added to its footprint with an elegant yet practical rear extension. We worked closely with specialist contractors to ensure the property was sensitively restored and developed.

The floor to ceiling glazing and roof lights of the extension flood the core of the house with light. The line between inside and out is blurred by both the glass, and by the continuation of the stone flooring externally. Practically, the new space allows adults to continue their day whilst supervising their children as they play in the garden that extends from the back of the property. Motorised black out blinds have been concealed in the ceiling space to provide privacy as well as prevent overheating on particularly hot days.

In the main house, evaluation of the property’s existing layout identified opportunities to create more user-friendly spaces including: a functional vestibule, a flexible utility room, and an additional family bathroom. Carefully designed storage throughout the house provided minimalist yet workable solutions. The bay window has been fully re-built with French doors to allow direct access to the garden from the living room.

We used natural materials throughout this property including limestone tiles in the kitchen and bathroom, and oak joinery which provides warmth and character. In Georgian times, ashlar stone featured at the front of houses with the less expensive rubble stone used elsewhere. Acknowledging this, we chose the ashlar sandstone for the extension walls, providing a contrast with the existing rubble stone and a note to the past.