Transformed in a seascape of tranquility

A renovated 1930s Joppa residence now makes the most of its soothing beachside position, writes Kirsty Mcluckie

The house at 15 Eastfield, Joppa is a remarkable seaside home. It is less than five miles from Edinburgh city centre, but feels like a world away.

Dawn Breslin, founder of a wellbeing training company, Harmonizing, bought the house ten years ago and moved there with her now 23-year-old daughter, Liberty.

Berslin says: “We moved from down south, after I finished working in London in television and living in Bath.”

The house, a four-bedroomed 1930s semi-detached, has the most amazing outlook to the Firth of Forth and is right on the beach, separated by just a sea wall.

Breslin runs her company from home and says that the house has been perfect for her needs both for living and working.

“I see clients who are burnt out and exhausted and need an injection of wellbeing.

“It is a really tranquil environment for one to one consultations, but I also conduct training sessions for people to become a wellbeing coach and there is the space for that.”

When she first saw 15 Eastfield it was a little unloved. The outside needed a lick of paint and inside was a warren of small rooms with tiny windows which didn’t make the most of the location.

She says: “I had always developed property and so I knew with these views if you were to push up and out it would be a dramatic improvement, so I spent a year renovating it. Both of us lived in one little room while the work was going on.”

The idea was to create an outside-in house, to really connect it with nature.

An extension was built at the back, doubling the size of the master bedroom on the first floor with a sizeable balcony off it, and creating a large bathroom.

The space downstairs was also extended and walls were removed to make a much bigger open-plan area of living space. A dining-kitchen which, as well as holding training courses, has hosted bands and parties, and is the place where mother and daughter spend most of their time.

A separate sitting room at the front of the house is used as a reading room and for seeing clients.

The open-plan area has a constant changing scenery of sea and sky in what Breslin describes as a mesmerising and soothing landscape. She says: “It is true

that when I came back from London and was involved in setting up my business I felt like the house helped to soothe the stresses of that.”

On the top level is an attic room with a window, where Breslin keeps photographs and books currently, but the space would make a good teen bedroom.

Outside, the garden is oriented to make the most of its position, with a decked terrace as well as the balcony above.

For guests, she has a garden room tucked into the outside space with a fire, wonderful sea views and a double bed which folds away.

Next to it is a sunken hot tub, the ultimate luxury, which is used all year round.

Breslin says: “I’m really into seasonal living and the rhythms of nature so night time is best, watching the sea and the stars.

“People think that summer is the best time when [the tub] would be most used but actually it is winter, when it is snowing or raining and the sea is wild.”

The views are over to Fife and along to North Berwick and in the foreground there is plenty of activity on the water, with rowers, yachts and canoes passing by.

Breslin enjoys wild swims so having a beach at the bottom of the garden is ideal.

On the other side of the house, just across the road, is Newhailes, a National Trust for Scotland woodland, so walks are also on the doorstep.

Liberty was 13 when they first moved in and a bus stop to the city centre outside the house meant that getting into town to meet up with friends was always easy.

Breslin says: “Portobello is a bustling community and I love being part of it, but we are just a bit away from it.

“So, instead of being on Porty prom, we have – when the tide is out – what feels like our own private beach at the bottom of the garden.”

Semi-detached house with four bedrooms, sitting room, open-plan dining kitchen with Aga, and bathroom.

Attic room with potential.

Wide balcony off the ensuite master bedroom.

Decking and garden annex.

Sunken hot tub.

Direct access to the beach below.

Views of the Forth, Edinburgh, Fife and East Lothian.