Edinburgh, Scotland
A JOYFUL PENTHOUSE RETREAT
Client: Laurel & David
Location: New Eidyn; Edinburgh, Scotland
Service: Interior design; interior architecture.
Style: Maximal minimalism, colourful, sophisticated.
Laurel and David approached us with a clear vision for their new three‑bed penthouse within Edinburgh’s prestigious New Eidyn development. While the property offered extraordinary views and an elevated, hotel‑style lifestyle, the interiors felt sparse and impersonal. They asked us to transform this blank canvas into a space that matched the calibre of its setting and captured the spirit of their ideal Edinburgh getaway. The completed penthouse is a masterclass in maximal minimalism: full of joy, colour and personality, yet meticulously curated and effortlessly serene. Scottish in spirit, sophisticated and entirely tailored to its owners.
Just because a new build arrives looking “finished” doesn’t mean it should be accepted as such. Laurel and David understood that from the outset, arriving with clear ideas and the determination to adapt the apartment to ensure it genuinely worked for them. Reconfiguring a single wall unlocked generous, concealed hallway storage, doubling the space’s usability, and ensures that the hallway serves both beauty and purpose. Jo further transformed this transitional space with a hand‑painted wallpapered ceiling that introduces ornament and craftsmanship the moment you step inside.
The open-plan living area and generous terrace were designed as a seamless entertaining hub, spacious and fluid for gatherings, yet warm and comfortable for daily living. Bespoke pieces, from the sweeping sofa to the custom round rug, soften the home’s strong geometric lines. Back‑lit cabinetry and a gently illuminated media wall add depth and warmth, ensuring the space feels inviting at any time of day.
Jo’s brave yet controlled approach to colour shapes the palette. Vibrant accents, like the cobalt armchair, inject personality, while larger furnishings remain understated to maintain calm. Neutral tones ground the scheme, allowing each chosen colour to stand out and ensuring the space feels harmonious and liveable.
Laurel and David loved the idea of a snug cinema room, so the third bedroom was transformed, complete with a concealed home office in place of the wardrobe. Jo proposed a deep, theatre‑inspired red (one of their favourite shades) using colour drenching to add drama, soften the narrow proportions and create a cocooning feel. Plush velvets, luxurious carpet and layered textures temper the richness, while tonal shifts and varied finishes add depth. Additionally, the cabinetry was crafted from individually hand‑cut timber pieces, favouring true craftsmanship over CNC methods. It’s become one of Jo’s favourite moments in the project.
Laurel’s love of Fornasetti inspired both the dining chairs and the snug’s theatre‑themed wallpaper, featuring playful Commedia dell’arte motifs originally designed for 1950s umbrella stands.
Throughout the apartment, almost every room concealed an unexpected scatter of steel beams, nooks and awkward recesses, all of which have now seamlessly disappeared into the design.
As Jo sketched around the cabinetry layouts for the principal suite, a pattern of geometric panelling began to emerge, organic at first, then refined into clean, architectural lines that zone the room with precision. Warm timber softens the geometry, while a gentle paint tone in the cabinetry defines the dressing room area.
Architectural rhythm came through details such as the bullnose marble edges and reeded panels used in the principal en-suite. Jo installed LEDs designed for evening rituals, giving a gentle glow that supports the nervous system and circadian rhythm, making “showering in the dark” unexpectedly luxurious.
Although the clients wanted the apartment to feel distinctly Scottish, Jo approached the theme with subtlety rather than stereotype, given the penthouse’s sweeping views over Edinburgh already setting it in place. Painterly plaid wallpapers in the guest bedroom and powder room offer a modern nod to tradition, while the guest bedroom’s wall lights mirror the colours of the St James Quarter façade outside.
The powder room is bold. The walls were going to be fully wrapped with a contemporary interpretation of plaids and tartans in neon yellows, pinks, reds and cobalt blues. Paired with a pattern-on-pattern geometric tile.
Throughout, Jo proved that calm and colour can coexist beautifully. The powder room was designed to deliver a deliberate “wow,” a playful moment of pattern and colour that doesn’t intrude on daily routines.
The most exceptional homes are those that feel irreplaceable as they are shaped so closely to their residents. From the outset, the brief centred on crafting a warm, expressive home that balanced refinement with vibrant personality. With our clients being seasoned design enthusiasts, they embraced bold ideas and eager for a bespoke interior that felt truly theirs. They asked us to craft a retreat they could return to again and again; a personalised penthouse suite in the heart of the city.
Even with substantial reconfiguration, Jo was careful to retain what worked, re-engineering the home with tailored precision. Throughout, she demonstrates that calm and colour coexist beautifully together: a space can be whimsical yet sophisticated, fun yet harmonious. There’s a real sense of energetic optimism and a reminder that joy has a vital place in design, and that a little fun might just be the most underrated element of wellbeing.
If you’re seeking a home that feels distinctly your own, we’d love to begin the conversation. Get in touch with our team at design@jeffreys-interiors.co.uk to begin your design journey.