PURE ALCHEMY
Interior designer Jessica Buckley has brought life to a previously plain Georgian townhouse by layering vibrant tones, textures and patterns
Vibrant jewel hues have breathed new life into a previously bland Edinburgh townhouse revamped by interior designer Jessica Buckley
Known for her punchy use of colour and encyclopaedic knowledge of pattern, Jessica Buckley is an interior designer who understands how to layer and balance. It was these attributes that her latest clients, the new owners of an Edinburgh townhouse, especially sought out. ‘The young couple approached us because they felt if they came up with the interior schemes themselves, they would be too safe,’ says Jessica.
The property, on one of Edinburgh New Town’s most desirable streets, was in a state of neglect when her clients bought it, so a full renovation was in order. ‘The layout was confused and it wasn’t clear why certain decisions had been made,’ says Jessica. ‘The old pine floors were creaky and the colours were drab. The kitchen was also tired so everything was due for a rip out and start again.’ Despite its poor condition, the architectural details like the cornicing and ceiling roses were intact ensuring that the new interior would have an elegant backdrop.
While the planning stage of the renovation went smoothly, the work on site was stymied by the pandemic. ‘In February, we placed orders for everything and then the world just stopped with the project put on hold,’ says Jessica. ‘We spent a few weeks waiting to make sure each company would fulfil our order but ultimately it all worked out.’
The old iteration of the house had placed the kitchen on the first floor to the rear so it was moved to the ground floor where it would be more practical for a family. The adjoining room became a relaxed sitting room where the children could play. Noting the couple’s desire for a more exclusively grown-up space, Jessica portioned the open-plan space on the first floor where the old kitchen had been to create the main bedroom and a drawing room next door.
‘The clients wanted a relaxed and welcoming family home with nothing too shouty or standout. They love blue and pink as much as I do, which was fortunate, but they were generally drawn to a very soft palette. I felt that it would need a bit of punctuation so I wanted to inject some darker blues, greens and raspberry tones to counterbalance the pale, pretty colours,’ Jessica explains. To make impact upon arrival Jessica found a charming timeless wallpaper by Lewis & Wood for the entrance hall. ‘It was an extravagant choice but because of the amount of cabinetry and the dado rail, we were able to keep it in budget. We colour matched it for the stairwell, which isn’t much changed from how it would have been in Georgian times,’ Jessica notes.
Encouraging her clients to embrace bolder choices, the blue drawing room is one of the most distinctive of the renovation. ‘It’s used mostly after dark so I opted for a deeper more dramatic saturated colour that would be cosier in the evening. The clients were reluctant to paint the cabinetry in the same colour as the walls so I had to gently push them out of their comfort zone but now they’re delighted with it.’ Fulfilling her duty as skilled curator of colour and pattern, Jessica has given this once pale and uninspiring interior a vibrant new identity.
MEET THE DESIGNER
Jessica Buckley shares her style vision and loves MOST SUCCESSFUL ASPECT OF THE PROJECT The wall colour in the drawing room. It’s the thing that everyone has remarked on.
SECRET ADDRESS Tinsmiths. We had large windows to dress and needed lots of material. Tinsmiths does patterned fabric that’s relatively inexpensive. GO-TO COLOUR It’s got to be blue.
SMALL CHANGE, BIG IMPACT Window seats are a small addition that everyone seems to love. DESIGN HERO I’ve always loved Nina Campbell. She’s been at the top of her game for decades. She’s got a strong look but she’s also adaptable.
LAST THING YOU BOUGHT FOR YOUR HOME Some really beautiful vintage silk sari lampshades from Nushka.