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Creature comforts and fine features combine in an Edinburgh escape

From the exterior, this 19th-century former coach house may not have the grandeur of its Edinburgh neighbours but, once inside, the building is much larger than you might expect and has a bold and confident beauty.

Viv Lumsden inherited the property, in the highly prized Blacket conservation area, from her mother who had lived here for 30 years. Viv and her husband Alan live in Glasgow, but refurbished the property to use as a home-fromhome whenever they feel like a break.

Interior transformations are nothing new for Viv. The retired former broadcaster and journalist worked as a news presenter for the BBC and STV, co-presenting STV’S The Home Show with Alan for six years, which won a BAFTA for the Best Special Interest Programme back in 1997.

‘I learnt a lot on The Home Show,’ reflects Viv. ‘I came to realise that design and interiors have little to do with cushions and curtains; it’s more about the distribution of space and light, as well as layout.’ Viv acknowledges that those years also led her to embrace a more contemporary aesthetic. As she explains, ‘Before, I was always into Victorian style, antiques and bric-a-brac.’

As the house hadn’t been touched in decades, it required a bit of an overhaul, such as new wiring and plumbing, but it was also apparent to Viv that the layout needed reconfiguring, too. Central to this was creating a social cooking, dining and seating area. A simple Shaker-style kitchen is in keeping with the age of the house, while modern slate-style floor tiles run through to the dining area to unite the spaces.

Throughout, the couple added quirky finds, such as the retro-style dining furniture that Viv bought at auction in Glasgow. ‘I was really excited as I thought these were genuine vintage pieces, then I turned them upside down and realised they were Ikea!’ she says.

Viv hasn’t been afraid to add the occasional flourish of bold pattern, as with the glamorous wallpaper in the dining area or the Vivienne Westwood tartan wallcovering in the groundfloor bedroom. The latter is particularly dramatic, and seems perfectly fitting for this newly revived coach house, which can now proudly hold its own next to its grand neighbours.

DINING ROOM This bold wallpaper lends a touch of drama, while complementing the sitting room’s pink accents. Malabar wallpaper, £78 per roll, Cole & son. Mizzle is a comparable wall colour, £ 43.50 per 2.5 litres, Farrow & ball. Four-tier, 60-wine...

SITTING ROOM Viv likes to add character by mixing high-street bargains with handmade pieces and quirky one-ofs. The Molly armchair in Raspberry burst is similar, £349, Made. Miss lala’s gold looking glass Mirror, £399, The French bedroom Company, is a...

SITTING ROOM This silk wall art caught Viv’s eye at an interiors show. surface View has a wide range of wall canvases. The Rustic reclaimed coffee table is similar, £149, steven bowler designs, etsy

KITCHEN Grey wall and floor tiles allow the classic cream Shaker-style cabinets to stand out. Try Homestead Cottage Charcoal floor tiles, £12.95sq m, Walls and Floors. The Rattan pendant shade, £125, Cox & Cox, is similar

MASTER BEDROOM The striking Vivienne Westwood wallpaper (now discontinued) provided design inspiration. try Graham & Brown for plaid wallpapers. antler candleholders, £40 each, sweetpea & Willow

GUEST BEDROOM Viv used the curtain fabric to make decorative wall panels. the charlotte dressing table is a match, £229, Maisons du Monde. try the White company Portreath quilt, from £150

LANDING A reupholstered chaise ofers the perfect place to read. the Bouji chaise longue is similar in style, £349; Marcos side table in white, £ 49; both Made

BATHROOM The Vitrolite tiling and bath were retained, with new fittings added. Get this look with polished black porcelain tiles, £19.95sq m, Walls and floors. for a similar pedestal basin try the savoy, £60, Bathstore