SOPHISTICATED LIVING: A STRIKING EDINBURGH TOWNHOUSE

BY CLIVE CHRISTIAN FURNITURE

Fusing unrivalled craftsmanship with the finest materials and modern design innovation, Clive Christian Furniture Co. has been the go-to British luxury interior design brand for opulent homeowners for almost five decades. Here, they offer an exclusive glimpse behind the doors of their latest project: a striking Edinburgh Georgian townhouse, complete with a spellbinding vault wine cellar.

Clive Christian Furniture’s design panache, honed eye for detail and unique bespoke pieces have transformed spaces the world over, from Mayfair townhouses and Victorian country houses to Dallas mansions and New York brownstones.

Their most recent project was marrying the desires, tastes and needs of one of their existing clients – a sophisticated Edinburgh bachelor with a great eye for detail – and transforming his Georgian townhouse into an extraordinary space that was both functional and innovative. The results are breathtakingly striking.

Paying tribute to the building’s heritage and grand characteristics is the use of rich mahogany and walnut-stained woods, which played a key role in the design process. Personal touches via family heirloom pieces, along with warming Mediterranean elements to nod to the client’s second home in Spain, were also introduced into the mix, further accenting the townhouse and complementing its exquisite historical features.

The focus in the design process was the kitchen space, which was transformed into an entertaining hub with a black walnut design from Clive Christian Furniture’s Architectural range that marries both traditional and contemporary elements. Each millimetre of space was carefully considered and designed – from the depth of the drawers to the angle of the wine shelves – to transform the overall layout and make the kitchen the beating heart of the home.

The successful execution is a credit to everyone from the skill of the Clive Christian Furniture team to the original design panache of Anna Mills Interiors. Standout features include the artisanal signature Clive Christian Furniture cabinetry, Sub Zero & Wolf appliances, Quooker boiling tap (with sparkling and chilled option) and the beautiful marble stone worktops complete with New York edging; the latter perfectly complementing the design of the table, along with the building’s historic character and grand four-metre-high ceilings.

An unmissable space within the home is the long and narrow vault downstairs that was transformed into a wine cellar. Inspired by the client’s second home in Spain, finished with Clive Christian Furniture’s Architectural range in a Cool Walnut finish, the room combines steelwork, bespoke cabinetry and complex custom carpentry with modern lighting across the lengths of the floor to light up and lift the entirety of the space for a spellbinding effect.

A mix of both dark and light materials and furniture are used throughout the home, creating a pleasing contrast that taps into both timeless styling and contemporary interior trends. The basement is brought to life with a grand butler’s pantry, while a mini kitchen in the upstairs master bedroom gives a new dimension to the space.

One of the key requests from the brief was to ensure that the grandeur and heritage of the property are acknowledged and celebrated. As soon as you walk through the doors of the striking Georgian townhouse, it’s impossible not to appreciate the warming contemporary spin that’s been placed on the property’s historic character. The finished aesthetics are sleek, chic and traditional with masculine touches and practical elements present, making it a perfectly personalised space for the client to entertain his family and friends.

David Harrison of Clive Christian Furniture Scotland commented: “From initial design ideas to eventual execution, the transformation of this Edinburgh city townhouse was an extraordinary project for the Clive Christian Furniture team to work on and it was a huge privilege to collaborate and work alongside the talented, Anna Mills, whose extraordinary vision and willingness to help seemed to know no bounds. Together, we considered the client’s needs, tastes and lifestyle as we carefully combined our signature craftsmanship and meticulous eye for detail to create a truly breathtaking home complete with a spellbinding wine cellar that perfectly marries traditional and modern styling while harmonising with the building’s beautiful historic features. We are truly delighted with the results.”