New Town flat that is a real work of art
SHE had a request. Could she come and see the house which inspired so many of Cadell’s paintings – full of ‘lilac walls, highly-polished black floorboards and carefully chosen pieces of furniture, including a Japanese lacquer screen’?
Information gleaned during the visit would allow her to identify the ‘architectural features’s’ which appeared in Cadell’s paintings and give them context in the exhibition.
Ms Strang added: ‘Cadell is renowned for his stylish portrayals of New Town interiors and the elegant society that occupied them.’
Naturally, current owner James Gammell was happy to oblige. The businessman, who runs Conifox Nurseries at Kirkliston, is rather proud of the plaque which sits at the entrance to his home, commemorating Cadell’s residence in Ainslie Place between 1920 and 1932.
He said: ‘I remember she came and took a lot of photos of the place.
‘To be honest, I was completely unaware of the Cadell connection when I bought the flat in 2011.
‘Positioned just around the corner from Charlotte Square, I was pretty sure it was going to be a sound financial investment.
‘But what sold me on the place were the views. Very few properties in Edinburgh have uninterrupted views to the castle at the front and the Forth Road Bridge at the back.
‘If you chose to, you could walk about without a stitch on in your flat with the curtains open and nobody would see you.’
Here, you are on the doorstep of Stockbridge, the ‘villagey’ enclave just voted the best place in Scotland to live.
There is a grand shared entrance to theth fl flat,t adornedd d with ith periodi df features and impressive cupola.
The lower level to the property has an entrance vestibule, hall with storage cupboard, sitting room with twin windows to the front and that view of Auld Reekie. There’s also a study off the sitting room, kitchen/diner and grand dining room overlooking the Firth of Forth and Fife.
The upper level is approached via a landing, which offers access to the roof for an even more stunning perspective. The master bedroom has built-in wardrobes, utility cupboard and Jack and Jill en suite. There are three other double bedrooms and a family bathroom.
Francis Cadell was not the only famous member of his family. His sister, Jean Cadell, was an accomplished actress and portrayed Gordon Jackson’s crabbit old mother in the movie Whisky Galore. And her grandson, Simon Cadell, played Jeffrey Fairbrother, the bumbling holiday camp entertainment manager in the 1980s BBC comedy Hi-De-Hi.
Somehow, that’s not a wake-up call you’re ever likely to hear in the rarefied atmosphere of Ainslie Place.
Offers over £710,000 to Katie Jackson of Simpson and Marwick. Phone 0131 525 8604 or email Katie. Jackson@simpmar.com