Browsing Tag

historic

Spotlight

POOLSIDE by SOO BURNELL

7th July 2018

I’ve been an admirer of Soo Burnell’s photographic prints since she launched her first collection three years ago, and of her typography prints before that, but also I’ve known Soo for years as we’ve worked together on interior features for magazines, before Copperline was born and before Soo launched SOOuK in 2013. Soo’s latest collection of photographic prints blew me away when I first saw them, and while you might expect me to say that about a friend’s work, really, they did.

I love the concept of poolside and Soo’s approach to the architecture of Edinburgh’s historic swimming pools, from the striking geometry to the dreamy colour palette, to the beautifully simplistic and minimal placement of figures within the spaces. Even after living in the city for years, I’ve never seen inside these public swimming pools, and am amazed by the detail of these ‘hidden’ spaces.

Continue Reading…

Copperline

DRYLAW HOUSE

12th August 2016

When I first heard about Drylaw House, I’ll admit I wondered about the location. Looking at the exterior photo of this handsome Grade A listed house, I didn’t expect it to be located just 2 miles from Edinburgh’s city centre. It’s a house you might expect to be surrounded by open countryside. So when I went to visit a few weeks ago, I wondered whether I’d be conscious of the surrounding city. Could you live at Drylaw and have all the benefits of urban living, but yet forget about the city when you wanted to?

And yes, I discovered, as soon as you approach up the long tree-lined driveway, you forget that this is Edinburgh. You forget that Drylaw House sits within a residential area. You forget the traffic passing by outside the three acres of grounds that enclose the house. By the time you pull up in the driveway, you could be anywhere. And this is just the first of many surprises.

Continue Reading…

Spaces

CASTLEHURST COTTAGE

24th July 2015

I’ve always been fascinated by the juxtaposition of old with new, where you’ll find a historic building with a crisp new interior or extension. I love the unapologetic combination of these elements; the honesty of adding something new that feels of its time while still being sympathetic to the existing building.

This house in the historic village of Hooe in East Sussex is a perfect example of this approach. The 17th century building – which is now on the market with The Modern House – was once the village bakery and has a tranquil setting tucked up a quiet country lane just a few miles from the East Sussex coast.

Continue Reading…