Be inspired by this festive Edinburgh townhouse

Step inside this modern town house and see how the owners have transformed a blank space into a glamorous home with luxe neutrals and key statement pieces

The owners who run an online boutique and work in advertising, bought this four-bedroom townhouse in Edinburgh in 2012. They had been living in a large Georgian apartment, but, as it was in need of extensive repair, they decided to look around for something new.

A new development nearby caught their eye and they eventually settled on an end-of-terrace four-storey property with roof terrace which had been extended by the previous owners to create a garden room.

The house was a blank canvas of magnolia walls and cream carpets, but the new owners set about putting their own stamp on the house as soon as they moved in. Relying on texture and pattern, rather than colour, to shape the look, there is a distinct East-meets-West theme that runs throughout the house.

As with many contemporary builds, the living room is on the first floor, while the ground floor houses a guest bedroom, kitchen, and dining room. Upstairs there are two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and a balcony, while on the top floor is the main bedroom with en-suite plus roof terrace.

The owners have appreciated being able to create a new home without messy and time-consuming structural work: ‘We could concentrate on things like the quality of the finishes, the solid hardwood doors, the bathrooms and the fitted cupboards - all of which are beautifully made. It has been a pleasure to personalise the house’

And at Christmastime, a glittering assortment of frosted, silvery decorations look great against the backdrop of luxurious wallpapers and plush textiles.

1/11 Living room

living room with white wall and sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The owners have appreciated being able to create a new home without messy and time-consuming structural work: ‘We could concentrate on things like the quality of the finishes, the solid hardwood doors, the bathrooms and the fitted cupboards - all of which are beautifully made. It has been a pleasure to personalise the house’

And at Christmastime, a glittering assortment of frosted, silvery decorations look great against the backdrop of luxurious wallpapers and plush textiles.

Kasha corner sofa
Habitat

Debenhams

2/11 Dining room

dining room with dining table and chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

Deep berry-coloured walls, curtains and upholstery create atmosphere in the dining room. Hanging stars and crystals on the light fitting add a festive feel at Christmastime.

For similar dining table and chairs, try
Sterling Furniture
For a similar paint, try Pelt Estate Emulsion
Farrow & Ball

3/11 Dining room feature wall

dining room with feature wall and dining table

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

At the far end of the dining room, a textured wallcovering makes a striking feature wall and creates a lovely backdrop for the sideboard, picture and festive accessories.

Bluff wallpaper
Galerie
Chrome pendant light
Dwell

4/11 Kitchen

kitchen with white wall and cabinet

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The high-gloss taupe kitchen units suit the owners’ understated look perfectly. Pale ceramic floor tiles complement the units and create a fresh, light feel.

For similar kitchen units, try the Raffello range
B&Q
For similar floor tiles, try the Umbria range
B&Q

5/11 Kitchen-diner

kitchen diner room with white wall and chair

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The previous owners added the island unit when they did the extension. The soft grey upholstery of the stools complements the neutral colourscheme perfectly.

For similar bar stools, try the Cornell range
Atlantic Shopping

6/11 Garden room

garden room with white wall and sofa

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The garden room is the owners’ favourite room. ‘It’s a suntrap in summer and winter and it is so cheerful in here, even on a gloomy day.'

Limoges two-seater sofa
Dwell
Penguin cushions
Skandivis

7/11 Hallway

hallway with stone wall and mirror

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

Eye-catching accessories and a quirky brick-effect wallpaper make a feature of the hallway.

For similar wallpaper, try the Muriva
Gowallpaper
Newton sideboard
Dwell

8/11 Master bedroom

master bedroom with white wall and bed

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

Located at the top of the house, with its own en-suite, the master bedroom has great views and easy access to the roof garden. Textured wallpaper and lustrous surfaces add personality to the space.

Bourgie lamps
Nest
For similar bedside cabinets, try
Graham & Green

9/11 Guest bedroom

guest bedroom with white wall and bed

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

A soothing palette of soft mauves and luxurious bedlinen make this a sumptuous guest bedroom for overnight guests.

For a similar headboard, try
Sofa.com
For a similar quilt, try
Zara Home

10/11 Main bathroom

main bathroom with basin and bathtub

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The owners went for sleek, contemporary sanitaryware in the bathroom to create a calming, spa-like feel.

For similar floor tiles, try the Philana range
Homebase
For a similar towel radiator, try
B&Q

11/11 Exterior

exterior with door and window

(Image credit: Future PLC/Douglas Gibb)

The modern townhouse is part of a new development in Edinburgh.

Lisa Fazzani
Deputy Editor

Lisa is Deputy Editor of Style at Home magazine and regularly contributes to sister title Ideal Home. She has written about interiors for more than 25 years and about pretty much every area of the home, from shopping and decorating, crafts and DIY to real home transformations and kitchen and bathroom makeovers. Homes and interiors have always been a passion and she never tires of nosying around gorgeous homes, whether on TV, online, in print or in person.