Tucked quietly within the energy of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Porteous Studio offers a calm and considered retreat. Designed by Eilidh Izat and Jack Arundell of Izat Arundell, the project transforms a former 18th-century blacksmith’s workshop into a refined, minimalist apartment. Rooted in a shared appreciation for quiet architecture, the couple have created a space that feels both grounded and restorative.
A palette of natural, locally sourced materials, stone, clay, and wood, defines the interior. These textures work together to create a soft, harmonious atmosphere, offering a welcome contrast to the vibrancy of the city just beyond its doors. With Edinburgh Castle only moments away, the studio is perfectly positioned for a peaceful city escape.
We recently had the opportunity to photograph Porteous Studio — a space as rewarding as it was challenging. Surrounded by tall Victorian tenements, natural light is limited, resulting in a naturally subdued and ambient interior. This is beautifully offset by a large glazed door and window spanning the façade, which introduces a gentle, diffused light into the space.
The pivoting door is a standout feature, an elegant, slightly unconventional detail with a distinctive 1:3 opening ratio that adds both character and rhythm to the façade. This language of design continues inside, where an adjustable screen subtly separates the bedroom from the living area, maintaining openness while preserving light flow.
We used long exposures to draw out detail while preserving the natural balance of highlights and shadow. With such a minimal interior, our focus shifted to composition, using architectural lines and forms to guide the eye. Elements like the window framing and dining table lead naturally into the kitchen, while more abstract moments, such as light filtering through the bedroom shutters, reveal the quieter qualities of the design.
We also explored tighter compositions, focusing on material contrasts: soft furnishings against raw stone, or the interplay between linear structure and tactile surfaces. This balance of rough and refined textures became central to the imagery, highlighting the material honesty that defines the space.
For those drawn to minimal architecture and material-led design, Porteous Studio is a hidden gem.
Adding to its uniqueness, every piece of furniture within the apartment has been crafted from a single oak tree. Local cabinet-maker Namon Gaston led the design and production, working alongside kitchen specialist Richard Anstice and upholsterer Peter Jones. As described by the studio, the materials are not only aesthetic but functional, with clay plaster walls helping regulate humidity, limestone floors echoing the cobbled streets outside, and underfloor heating ensuring comfort throughout.
