Stripped back Scandi-style... and full of joy

Who: Hannah Fairgrieve, brand director at marketing and PR agency Wonderhouse, and her partner, Stu Rutherford

What: A two-bed top-floor tenement flat, purchased in July 2021

Where: Stockbridge, Edinburgh

When a relative sent us the listing for our home, we weren’t looking to buy somewhere new – but a fixed price property in Stockbridge is practically unheard of, so we acted fast and organised a viewing for the next day.

We both loved the layout and general feeling of the flat, as well as the bright rooms and high ceilings, but the kitchen was a lot smaller than we would have liked.

However, we had always dreamed of living in the area – there’s so much on your doorstep, from restaurants and bars to independent shops – so we decided location was the priority.

The flat was already in good condition and recently renovated,

so the first thing we did was paint each of the rooms. It’s important to put your own stamp on things.

Everything was grey when we moved in, and although I like neutral colours, it felt quite cold and clinical. Simply updating the walls with some warmer shades really helped elevate the space, making it more homely.

We used Farrow & Ball colours Skimming Stone, School House White, Slipper Satin and Off-White.

I’ve always loved original wooden flooring so I knew that would be one of our first big projects.

We had no idea what was lurking underneath the grey carpets until, one night, we decided to just rip them

all up. The wood wasn’t in the best condition, so we hired local business Floorsand Services to work their magic. After four days of sanding and whitewashing, we couldn’t be happier with the final result.

I’ve always been drawn to stripped back, Scandinavian style, which focuses on clean lines, neutral colour palettes and functionality.

Our furniture is a mixture of restored pieces – painted in Farrow & Ball’s Mouse’s Back and French Grey – and design items from the likes of made.com, Laredoute, John Lewis, H&M Home and Ikea.

For accessories, I love Nordic Nest for inspiration, and brands like Broste

Copenhagen, Ferm Living, Normann Copenhagen and HAY Design.

However, I’m also pretty frugal so I always look for ways to cut costs and achieve my desired look on a budget.

TK Maxx is my best friend (it’s a bit of an addiction, I won’t lie!) and my younger sister recently started a homeware business called Pink City Home. She’s a whizz on a sewing machine, so I often look for ideas online and source fabrics from eBay and second hand shops, which she then turns into new items.

The fabric for my Andrew Martin cushions, for example, was found in a scrap store for £6, and now they’re

one of my favourite pieces in the flat.

Now, a little over a year since getting our keys, I love how calming the flat feels. I really wanted to create a space where you feel totally at ease.

Whether it’s a glass that’s just as beautiful to look at as it is to drink from, or seeing my favourite velvet throw swept across the sofa, to me, it’s important that every item in your home brings you joy.

I’m all for stripping back the clutter (or in our case, hiding it behind closed doors) and focusing on the decor and special items that make you happy.