Kinnear Road
Discover how Kinnear Road was transformed from a tired bungalow into a light-filled home in our latest YouTube episode
BEFORE
A longstanding relationship, and a new chapter at home.
Having worked with our client several times on her previous home, we had developed a shared understanding of the spaces and details she valued. When she purchased a tired bungalow on Kinnear Road in Inverleith, Edinburgh, she invited us to help shape a home for the next stage of her life. The brief was to retain the comfort and generous room proportions of a traditional townhouse, with fewer stairs and a more manageable overall scale. Small cellar rooms and an unclear side entrance concealed from the street made the existing property a challenging starting point.
Bright modern kitchen with orange cabinets, island stools, large windows, and a small dog on a window seat
Modern pendant lights hanging beside a large rectangular skylight in a white ceiling
Colorful retro kitchen with red cabinets, decorative ceramics on a shelf, a flower vase, and bread on a cutting board.
Bright open-plan living room and kitchen with orange cabinetry, wood island, pendant chandelier, blue sofa, patterned chairs, and large windows.
Elegant entryway with an ornate upholstered chair, framed artwork, pendant light, tiled floor, glass wall, and wood-paneled doors
Sunlit modern interior with a dark wood wall, sculptural white arch, brass multi-light chandelier, and framed artwork.
Art-filled home interior with wood-framed glass doors opening to a living and dining area, colorful painting, and sculptural chandelier
Colorful modern kitchen with orange cabinets, white island, wooden stools, decorative ceramics, flowers, and sculptural ceiling light
Bright open-plan living and dining room with vaulted ceilings, patterned dining chairs, blue sofa, television, artwork, and large windows.
Warmly lit hallway leading into a bright living room with wood floors, framed artwork, a chandelier, and a blue sofa.
Modern living room with sculptural pendant light, sofa, glass coffee table, framed artwork, and garden-view glass doors
Framed Japanese-style black-and-white landscape print displayed on a textured wall beneath warm cove lighting
Modern brick garden studio with floor-to-ceiling glass doors, patio seating, landscaped flower beds, and a wide lawn
Close-up of an orange bathroom vanity with a white-framed mirror and silver drawer handle
Cozy bedroom with a floral upholstered headboard, striped bedding, wooden built-in wardrobe, bedside lamp, and framed artwork.
Modern backyard patio with a pale brick pergola, outdoor café table and chairs, raised garden beds, hedges, and mature trees
Modern bathroom with brown tile walls, walk-in shower, white vessel sink, freestanding bathtub, and botanical mural.
Elegant bathroom sink with pink marble tile backsplash, chrome fixtures, black soap dish, and eyeglasses on a wooden shelf
Modern bathroom with terrazzo tile walls, glass walk-in shower, blue accent tiles, wall-mounted white sink, and large mirror
Cozy bedroom with patterned bedding, floral curtains, large window overlooking a landscaped garden, armchair, and framed artwork.
AFTER
A generous home, designed for life’s next chapter.
The completed home carries forward the qualities our client loved, in a form better suited to how she wants to live now. Traditional architectural references meet contemporary forms and detailing, with a distinctive roof profile giving the house a clear identity within its Inverleith setting. Natural stone, warm timber and textured finishes bring warmth and permanence, while vaulted ceilings, rooflights and expansive glazing draw daylight into the interior.
An open-plan kitchen, dining and living space forms the heart of the home, connecting everyday activities and opening directly to the garden. Bespoke joinery and carefully considered thresholds create continuity between rooms, balancing sociable, open spaces with quieter places to retreat.
Homes should support us as our lives change. Sometimes that means adapting a familiar house; sometimes it means carrying what matters into somewhere new. Returning to work with this client allowed us to build on an established relationship, bringing knowledge of her previous home to a different brief and setting.
These are projects we particularly enjoy: thoughtful residential architecture shaped by trust, conversation and an understanding of the person who will live there. Kinnear Road reflects the value of that continuity, creating a comfortable home for a new chapter while leaving room for life to evolve.
Collaborators
CONTRACTOR
gloss
STRUCTURAL ENGINEER
Narro Associates
KITCHEN
Kitchens by Nick McNally
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY
Jim Stephenson
Projects
Whether restoring a substantial historic home, creating an ambitious extension or designing a bespoke new house, we specialise in unlocking the potential of every site across Edinburgh, East Lothian and Perthshire. Our work integrates seamlessly with its surroundings, combining innovative solutions with a respectful understanding of context, character and place.
Alongside our selected projects, our Index offers a wider view of our work, reflecting three decades of residential expertise and our legacy as one of Scotland’s longest-established architecture practices.
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![Historic sandstone townhouse with bay windows, rooftop balconies, front garden, and blue door]()
Melbourne Road
2026
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![Modern white brick house with red tile roof, black-framed windows, wooden front door, gravel yard, and flowering plants beneath a large tree.]()
Kinnear Road
2026
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![A large, multi-story house with stone walls, multiple chimneys, and a curved balcony, surrounded by trees with fall foliage and a well-maintained grassy lawn.]()
Stafford House
2026
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![Living room with a wood-burning stove, framed artwork, and various decorative items including a vase with dried grass and framed pictures on a mantel. Warm lighting from wall sconces and table lamps, and a black-and-white cat sitting on a small table indicates a cozy, decorated space.]()
Frederick Street
2026
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![A wooden bench in front of a storefront with a stone and wood door, and a large window displaying plants inside. The sidewalk is concrete and the scene is lit by sunlight.]()
Brougham Place
2025
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![A stone house with a sloped roof, multiple chimneys, and some chimneys on the roof. There is a tall streetlamp in front of the house and trees behind. A person wearing a teal helmet riding a scooter is blurred in motion along the street.]()
Kilgraston Road
2025
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![Modern brick house corner with arched white doors, a small garden, and a stone walkway.]()
Barnton Avenue
2024
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![Modern house with large glass windows, brick terrace, and surrounding garden.]()
Hermitage Drive
2024
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![Modern staircase with wooden paneling, leading to built-in bookshelves at the top. The shelves hold books and decorative items, including a plant.]()
Craiglockhart Terrace
2021
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![Modern brick house with large windows, sliding glass door, and lush garden.]()
Woodsome Road
2022
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![Modern kitchen interior with stone wall, pendant light, and sleek cabinetry featuring an induction cooktop. Wooden flooring and an adjacent living room are visible.]()
Drem Farm
2024
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![Modern kitchen interior with black island, minimalist decor, dark hanging light, open shelving, houseplants, and light wood flooring.]()
North Park Terrace
2024
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![Modern kitchen with green cabinets, wooden floors, and two green support columns, featuring large windows overlooking a garden.]()
Seaview Crescent
2024
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![Modern living room with two gray sofas facing each other, colorful pillows, a geometric patterned carpet, a central glass coffee table, a fireplace with art above, built-in bookshelves, and large windows.]()
Moray Place
2016
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![Modern exterior door with brown panels and stone building facade, surrounded by a stone pathway and small garden.]()
Abbotsford Park
2015
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![Wooden wall paneling with vertical slats and recessed lighting; geometric patterned floor tiles.]()
Links Road
2024
CONTACT
Your story will be reflected in the completed build—a notion that transcends design and construction.
We would love to hear your story. Please introduce us to your project via our enquiry form. A member of our team will respond within two business days.
Residential architects in Edinburgh and East Lothian.