Location: Edinburgh, Scotland
Librarian trainer Peigi Mackillop strongly believes you cannot have too many books. So when it came to designing a kitchen to replace a little-used formal dining room in her elegant Edinburgh home, that belief naturally translated itself into the theory that you can’t have too many cupboards, and she asked architect Andrew Burridge to install a wall of storage right up to the ceiling.
Now, with the aid of a trusty library ladder which slides effortlessly along the front of the units, Peigi can access even the highest cupboards with ease. It’s a fitting detail for a lady who obviously feels very at home at work and is therefore happy to feel at work at home.
The result isn’t as aesthetically bizarre as it might sound. “I wanted the design of the cupboards to be very random,” says Peigi. “I felt it was a big expanse of space and it would look a bit blank otherwise.” Andrew interpreted this brief very effectively and a wall of storage was created that is not only functional, with clever opportunities for displaying favourite pieces, but beautiful as well.
Peigi finds the Corian worktop pretty indestructible and loves the way the sink is integrated into the design. The pattern she chose is festival. “I felt it was a good choice for an Edinburgh home” she laughs. Meanwhile, the Smeg hob and stoves were salvaged from Peigi’s last kitchen “They are both so excellent that I could see no point in throwing them away”. While the dining chairs were carefully chosen from a range by internet company Willstack which supplies chairs to the exact Pantone reference number you request. “Red is my favourite colour,” Peigi admits. “I find it irresistible”. She managed to resist when it came to the walls though – they are painted a subtle hint of pink, and definitely suggest Spain, tapas and red wine. But then Spain is a favourite destination for Peigi and her husband. “We lived in Barcelona for four months and it has stayed with us” she says.
Burgundy curtains provide a pretty finishing touch to the patio doors which open onto a balcony. “The patio doors and balcony were Andrew’s ideas, “admits Peigi. “We are on the first floor so we cannot really enjoy a garden that easily, but being able to open the doors on a sunny morning is great – it -brings the outside in.” Perfect for Spanish breakfasts on a summer morning.
Words by Kirstie Graham • originally published in Homes & Interiors Scotland
