Porteous' Studio

• Apartment
• 2 Guests (1 bed)
• 1 Bathroom

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.

Facilities

• Coffee machine
• Essentials
• Parking (paid)
• Heating
• Self-service kitchen
• Self check-in
• Wi-Fi (free)