Refurbishment &  Extension of Period Villa
Palmerston Road, Edinburgh

Project Overview

 

This project involves the refurbishment and extension of a period villa in Edinburgh, developed through a close and collaborative process with highly engaged clients. The intervention combines sensitive restoration of the existing building with carefully integrated contemporary additions, resulting in a home that is both contextually grounded and confidently modern.

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Refurbishment and Attic Extension

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Works included a comprehensive refurbishment of the original house alongside the creation of a new attic level with twin dormer windows. The attic accommodates an additional bedroom and en‑suite, accessed via a compact stair that continues the established spatial sequence through the house.
At ground floor, the former kitchen was reconfigured to form a discreet utility and shower room, concealed behind bespoke ‘secret’ doors along the passage linking the original hallway to the new extension. This approach maintains the clarity of the original plan while improving functionality.

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Garden Extension

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A new garden‑level extension forms the social heart of the home, accommodating an open‑plan kitchen, dining, and living space oriented towards the south‑facing garden. As with many houses of this period, the original building had little connection to its outdoor space. The extension re‑establishes this relationship through the removal of an existing outhouse and the introduction of a carefully proportioned new volume.
Full‑height glazed sliding doors open directly onto the garden, dissolving the boundary between inside and out and allowing light and views to permeate the interior.

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Materiality & Interior Character

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Externally, the extension is clad in pre‑aged Russwood timber, whose silvery‑grey patina complements the existing stonework. This muted palette continues across external elements and internally through soft, natural finishes, creating a calm and cohesive environment with subtle Scandinavian references.

Within the original house, interiors adopt a more expressive approach. Deep blue tones define the lounge and study, while the family bathroom employs darker hues to create a more intimate, immersive space. Bedrooms are treated more softly, establishing contrast and balance across the house.

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Outcome

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The completed project achieves a careful balance between heritage and contemporary living, delivering a refined family home that is spatially rich, materially cohesive, and deeply connected to its garden.