Just below the imposing Edinburgh castle along Grassmarket square, you'll find this unique yet simple, architect designed holiday house. A former garage and workshop, the studio is revealed through a wall of glass carved into the stone facade of the 18th-century building.
A collaborative project, this holiday house in the Old Town of Edinburgh was the first creation by Izat Arundell, a design practice founded by Eilidh Izat and Jack Arundell.
Their idea was to design a quiet space for two in the Old Town of Edinburgh using stones, wood and clay that helped emphasise the location and history whilst adding a warming a modern twist. The natural clay plaster walls help to regulate humidity levels to the optimum human comfort range whilst the limestone tiles inside sit softly with the traditional cobbles outside and the underfloor heating keeps feet cosy at all times.
The studio includes an open kitchen and living area divided by a wooden screen from the double bedroom, it also includes all of the mod-cons and amenities that you would expect in a modern home. Besides the bedroom and living area, there is also a separate shower room alongside a handful of amenities including hand and body skincare and a breakfast hamper of fresh, local ingredients.
The original opening onto the lane was adapted by adding mullioned glazing units and a large, timber pivot door that opens the space up to the outdoors. Vertical wooden battens form a screen in front of the door that retains the view out towards the historic Grassmarket. A similar sliding wooden screen is used to partition off the bedroom to the rear of the studio.
The architects collaborated with local cabinet-maker Namon Gaston, who designed and produced all the furniture and fixtures from a single native oak tree, which ensures consistency in tone and grain across the simple and robust pieces.
Tucked away in the Old Town of Edinburgh, the property occupies a rare undeveloped space on one of the Old Town's historic cobbled lanes. Despite being just minutes from the bustling Grassmarket Square and the famous Edinburgh Castle, the house itself provides a quiet and intimate space to escape and relax after a hard day exploring.
The Old Town in Edinburgh is a captivating warren of historical wonders. From the stunning Edinburgh Castle at the top of the Royal Mile down to Holyrood Palace and the Scottish Parliament at the bottom, the entire area is a World Heritage Site and full of things to do and fantastic places to eat and drink.
Porteous' Studio is very centrally located and well connected to all of Edinburgh's public transport services. If you are coming from the Edinburgh Airport (EDI), take the T50 Tram which runs every 10 minutes to Princes Street. This journey will take around 30 minutes. From there its a short 10 minute walk to the house. If you have arrived by Train at the Edinburgh Waverley Station, you can either walk for about 15 mins to the Studio or take the Line 45 bus, which will take around 10 mins door-to-door.
Address: Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland, United Kingdom
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