Client: Jo & Matt

BRUNTSFIELD EDINBURGH

Project: Preparation of new subfloors and the introduction of an electric underfloor heating system and beautiful Versailles tumbled limestone into the kitchen and hall.  For the dining area, Jo chose our Chambord Limousin oak flooring for a deep rich finish, with an aged texture. For a neat storage solution in the hall, our Limousin oak was used to form a bespoke cupboard.

Products Chosen: Engineered Oak Plank, Chambord Limousin. Natural Limestone flooring – Versailles Tumbled Limestone.

THE BRIEF

When Jo & Matt first approached us, we were delighted to learn that yet again we would be working alongside Murray & Murray on an exciting and challenging renovation project in the Bruntsfield/Morningside area of Edinburgh. It was a joy to work with Jo, an interior designer, and her design choices were influenced by considering in depth the house itself. In Jo’s words ‘You have a responsibility in a big, old, proud house like this to take care of it. I wanted to draw attention to its beautiful features, use good quality materials, and stick to classic and timeless designs rather than doing anything radical or too bold. But at the same time, we are a busy lively family planning to live here for many years to come, so it has to suit us and our lifestyle.”

THE SOLUTION

For the floor areas that were going to be tested the most by family living, such as the kitchen, Jo chose our Versailles tumbled limestone tiles in Grand Opus pattern. Natural limestone always introduces a special, classically timeless feel. The tumbled finish softens and ages; and the warm tones with grey flecking, characteristic of the Versailles limestone, provide the perfect foundation for Murray & Murray’s beautifully designed cabinetry, with hand-painted finish (Farrow & Ball, Railings).

But before any tiling could start, we had to tackle one of the most important aspects of any project, the preparation of the subfloors. Careful consideration had to be taken to ensure that the different levels tied in where one product met another and to provide a rigid and level base to tile onto. Jo & Matt also made the wise decision to include electric underfloor heating under the tiles in the kitchen too. There really is nothing nicer than having cosy toes over a smooth, soft limestone floor.

One of the more significant changes that Jo & Matt chose to make was to open up the wall between the kitchen and the dining room, creating a feeling of continuity in the living area while maintaining distinction between the two areas too. The change in the flooring from Versailles limestone in the kitchen to our Chambord Limousin timber in the dining room, using products that complemented each other, perfectly reflected the transition from busy family kitchen to more formal, calm dining. Chambord Limousin is dark and traditional and Jo’s white, aged dining table and chairs look fantastic set against the rich textured finish of the oak boards.