Mixing the old with the new
Take a look around a beautifully renovated Georgian flat
Kate Lockhart isn’t afraid of a challenge. Having tackled refurbishments in the past, she’s used to seeing beyond dated decor and visualising what a space can become. This skill was required when she and ex-husband Archie moved to this four-bedroom apartment in the Stockbridge area of Edinburgh 11 years ago. ‘I didn’t have any intention of staying long term,’ Kate says. ‘I wanted to get our kids into school here, so I thought we’d take this on, turn it around, then sell it.’
Clearly, that initial plan changed and now Kate’s children are adults and have moved away. ‘The flat was quirky and I could see that I could pull down walls and open up the spaces,’ she says. ‘I knew I could be clever with space and that intrigued me.’
Kate has a creative background. Having studied tapestry, she went on to take a course in interior architecture and launched a successful art company after leaving college – she now works as a counsellor and has a studio for her interior design and art work.
She says, ‘If you’re looking to tackle your own project and have no
experience, it’s worth consulting an architect, as they’ll give you amazing ideas and will help you add value. It’s also important to get recommendations for tradesmen. It’s not just about the cheapest quote – use your intuition.
You need to put a lot of thought into a project before you start.’
Kate began the redesign process by reconfiguring the layout, combining three rooms – the old kitchen, utility room, and a shower room – to create an open-plan kitchen/diner. She transformed the upper level with a new staircase and also redesigned two large walk-in cupboards off the landing to form the new bathroom and a separate shower room.
Throughout the process, Kate knew she wanted to infuse her Georgian flat with contemporary style, while still giving a nod to the property’s character. She added features that were appropriate to the period, such as the panelling in the bathroom and shower room.
She also designed the Shaker-style kitchen, which works perfectly against the original flagstone floor. ‘For me, the kitchen is the hub,’ Kate says. ‘It’s the most used space. I think a kitchen of this style can sit really well anywhere, but I was sensitive to the history of the building, so wanted to keep it simple.’
When it comes to decorating, Kate says that it’s about ‘getting the details right’, and says ‘this is also true when sourcing furnishings’. She explains, ‘I’ll find something in TK Maxx and, while I might not know what I’m going to use it for, I’ll buy it because I know I’ll be able to work it in somewhere. I also look round salvage yards and keep my eyes open for things I can maybe use in an unexpected way.’ Kate has added further interest with artworks and objects picked up over the years, while cosy textures help create the welcoming and relaxed feel.
Kate adds, ‘For me, a period building dictates what you need to do to it. It’s about making things fit with the style of the flat, and doing it without spending a fortune.’ In this case, less is more and the focus is on individual pieces and the character of the artwork. ‘Space is really important to me’, Kate admits. ‘I love the simplicity of this flat.’
‘I was sensitive to the history of the building’