My House Story An artful apartment by interior designer Sam Buckley

ApartmentTheartful

A BOLD APPROACH TO PAINT TRANSFORMED THE TRADITIONAL INTERIOR OF THIS MERCHISTON TENEMENT FLAT TO SUIT ITS MODERN OWNER

Photography by Alix McIntosh

When Brenda Carey first laid eyes on the property she would go on to buy, she couldn’t have imagined how magnificent it could look with a lick of paint. “I was living in a one bedroom just down the road in Polwarth and was looking for more space and a new start,” remembers Carey, a senior computer games designer at Rockstar. “My first impression was it was a really beautiful Victorian tenement, with all the original wood features and amazing light.”

“I wanted a place I could entertain people, she continues, “I love to cook and hosting is important. This flat provided the space for that.” What it didn’t come with was personality but Carey knew exactly who to call to inject some of that – Edinburgh-based interior designer Sam Buckley, now known to his legions of Instagram followers as Mr Buckley. “Sam is a friend of a friend I met years ago. He hosted some great after parties at his place in the West End. When I first saw it, I fell in love with his style right away and knew if I could, I’d hire him.”

Leeds-born Buckley had originally moved to Edinburgh to do his degree in Architectural Technology and later spent several years in Milan studying for a masters in Interior Design before returning to his home in the city. His colourful abode was soon famed not only among friends, but, thanks to social media, far beyond. With a background in architectural technology, Buckley knows how to work with the bones of a space. And while his approach to colour is certainly singular, it is usually always led by the client. In Carey however, he was blessed with someone who trusted his vision entirely. “Initially I gave more input on the design but then I realised I didn’t know what I was talking about,” laughs Carey.

“I hired Sam to make my home great, so I simply explained the parts of his place I liked to give him a bit of a steer and then I let him do what he wanted. He sourced everything from the furniture to the art on the walls - I loved his eye for artwork and knew he’d find really great artists which would fit.”

“Brenda has a love of pop art and graphic statements so we utilised that for the scheme,” says Buckley. “The design stems from a concept of supergraphics, which is the application of oversized graphic elements in architecture and interior design.” After plotting the designs on screen in 3D renderings, Buckley went back to basics, hand drawing the graphics onto the walls using a pencil, string and a compass before the decorators filled in the colours.

“I had selected a striped velvet from French textile house Lelièvre which Brenda fell in love with so that became the start of the colour palette,” explains Buckley. “I then added in a few more colours to the room to add balance to the palette”.

The result borders on psychedelic with over-sized geometric patterns emblazoned on the walls in technicolour, enhanced with the addition of brightly coloured furnishings, eye-catching modern artworks and a huge bespoke rug made with Italian rug company cc-tapis, friends of Buckley’s from Milan who he has a long-standing partnership with.

I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT USING SUCH BRIGHT COLOURS ON THE WALLS BUT THEN I REALISED IT’S ONLY PAINT!”

Other bespoke pieces include colourful push plates on the doors to replace traditional brass metalwork and a modern ceiling rose, created in collaboration with Chalk Plaster Design, which is a work of art in its own right. “Since I lost my original ceiling rose in an accident, it was a struggle to find a new highly detailed Victorian equivalent,” says Carey, “so I asked Sam to go modern if he could. He knew exactly who to work with and what to do.”

Having spent most of the previous year working in New York, Carey hadn’t been around to see the space take shape but when she finally came home, she was truly wow-ed. “I just loved it,” she gushes. “It felt so comfortable and like a place I wanted to spend time in and somewhere I could have people over to enjoy too. I don’t actually live there full-time at the moment, but when I’m there the colours really brighten my mood. They also feel great at night with the firelight and make the space really cosy in the winter. Looking back, I’ll admit I was tentative about using such bright colours on the walls but I’m glad I realised it’s just paint!”

To find out more about Studio Sam Buckley, visit mrbuckley.co.uk and for endless colour inspiration, follow him on Instagram @studiosambuckley

Take three...

PROPERTIES WITH AMAZING OUTSIDE SPACES

Now more than ever, we’re all craving a home with the potential to step outside, even if we love city living. Here are three properties currently on the market through property experts Simpson & Marwick, all offering outdoor space but all with a difference.

MODERN LIVING IN AN ICONIC BUILDING

Stunning duplex apartment forming part of the iconic Playfair Building at Donaldson’s. Offers over £800,000

Surrounded by 16 acres of immaculately maintained communal grounds including sweeping lawns, formal gardens and a large central courtyard, this stunning ground floor apartment is extremely bright and stylish and combines beautiful original features with high quality fixtures and fittings. The property benefits from two underground parking spaces, a concierge service and impressive communal entertaining spaces.

A BEAUTIFUL COASTAL HOME

Impressive four bedroom contemporary home on generous plot with bespoke features and double garage Offers Over £1,700,000

Situated within King’s Cairn, a sought after and prestigious development located within the renowned Archerfield Estate, with easy access to coastal walks and Archerfield’s championship golf course. This individually designed home provides a flexible layout with quality fixtures and finishes. Set within a large, enclosed garden with a sheltered south-facing aspect with a paved courtyard, lawns and planted borders. To the side is a double garage and driveway parking.

A PENTHOUSE WITH A VIEW

Penthouse flat with roof terrace, three double bedrooms, three en suite bathrooms, lift and double garage in Grange. Offers over £775,000

Forming part of an exclusive Applecross development set within manicured grounds and commanding far reaching southerly views from the roof terrace, a wonderfully spacious penthouse apartment extending to approximately 2263 square feet. Sitting room, study or 4th bedroom, dining kitchen, gas fired central heating, double glazing.

READER OFFER Simpson & Marwick put you at the heart of the buying and selling process. If you’re selling a property and choose Simpson & Marwick to represent you, i-on readers will receive a free ESPC Registration (for properties going live in Jan/Feb 2022).

Simpson & Marwick, 23 Alva Street, EH2 4PS, 0131 581 5700, simpsonmarwick.com