A couple have quietly transformed a former 18th century blacksmith’s workshop into a contemporary holiday studio that feels both grounded and carefully considered. What was once a working space for iron and fire has been reimagined using natural materials and local craftsmanship, with every decision shaped by restraint rather than excess.
Set within the Old Town of Edinburgh, Porteous Studio is the first completed project by Izat Arundell, the small design practice founded by Eilidh Izat and Jack Arundell. The studio owned and operated by the couple, who split their time between Edinburgh and the Isle of Harris, and it reflects their early exploration into working closely with local makers, materials, and traditional techniques.
From the street, the transformation begins with the original opening of the workshop. This has been carefully repurposed with deep mullioned windows and a wood screened pivot door, allowing light to enter while maintaining privacy from the courtyard outside. The threshold sets the tone for what follows, hinting at a space that balances openness with a sense of enclosure.
Inside, the designers chose to expose the building’s structure and let the materials do the talking. Stone, wood, and clay are used throughout to create a sense of harmony that feels calm rather than sparse. Clay plaster walls soften the space and help regulate humidity, while limestone tiles reference the cobbled streets outside and are warmed by underfloor heating. A new window opening was cut through a meter thick stone wall to bring in evening light, adding a quiet glow as the day draws to a close.
The compact floor plan is divided into four clear quarters that cover living, sleeping, bathing, and eating. Each zone is carefully arranged to balance form and function, allowing the small footprint to feel generous and easy to move through. Although often described as minimal, the studio offers a rich material presence that feels enveloping and welcoming on arrival.
Furniture plays a central role in shaping the interior. Izat Arundell commissioned friend and cabinet maker Namon Gaston to design and produce every piece from a single native oak tree sourced in East Lothian. The result is a consistency of tone and grain that allows the eye to read the furniture as one cohesive family rather than separate objects. Namon also worked alongside Richard Anstice on the bespoke kitchen and sliding timber screens, with upholstery by Peter Holmes completing the tactile palette.
The bedroom is subtly concealed behind a sliding wood slat screen, conserving space while creating a secluded area for rest. Within this zone, a cranked steel beam was installed to support the tenement staircase above, forming a recessed pocket for the bed. The intervention is structural yet understated, blending seamlessly into the overall composition of the room.
Tucked beside the bedroom, the bathroom continues the studio’s restrained approach. Simple white square tiles line the walls, while small format grey limestone tiles cover the floor.
What began as a garage and former workshop has become a space defined by care, patience, and respect for its past.
Photography by Zac and Zac | Design firm: Izat Arundell | Cabinet Makers: Namon Gaston and 56 North Kitchens| Master Upholsterer: Beseated | Natural Clay Specalist: Clayworks
