Summerside Street, Edinburgh

Period proportions and sleek contemporary interventions are well attuned in this three-bedroom house in Trinity, Edinburgh. Inside, a tactile material palette basks in the light from a sequence of tall sash windows across two generous storeys. A light-filled rear extension opens onto a sun-drenched private rear garden and terrace, with a glass-fronted, timber-clad summer house set at the foot. Once the site of country retreats for affluent city dwellers, Trinity is peaceful yet well-connected, with the city centre easily reached in around 20 minutes.

The Tour

Set back from the road by a wide driveway with off-street parking, the house exemplifies the sandstone vernacular that has become synonymous with Edinburgh's architecture. Its sable-hued façade is offset by the greenery of wisteria that, come springtime, blooms purple. For the green-thumbed, the space has plenty of room for some artfully potted plants.

The front door is tucked to one side, set within the timber-clad extension that sets the tone for the modern interiors within. Beyond is a long corridor, with pegs for hanging coats and the like. At the far end is a handy utility room.

A door along the hallway opens to the open-plan living, kitchen and dining space that straddles the original house and the newer extension. The kitchen is at the rear, lit by a deep and wide roof light. The bright appeal of the room is elegantly contrasted by dark runs of bespoke cabinetry, which occupy the entire length of one wall. Appliances are neatly integrated and there is a run of quartz worktops. The material pairing is continued in a central island, where a five-ring hob faces a breakfast bar overhang in a laidback, sociable set-up.

Solid floorboards run underfoot in the adjacent sitting room. Warmed by a modern log burner, this room becomes a natural focal point in winter months. There are two doors from here; one leads to the WC and ground-floor bedroom, while the other opens to the staircase.

There are three bedrooms in the house; the first is on the lower level. Bespoke joinery has created an elevated, mezzanine sleeping platform with generous storage beneath. An excellent quality of light filters through a pair of large sash windows, complete with their original shutters.

The primary suite is upstairs, at the front of the first floor. Cornicing traces around its double-height ceiling; with soft neutral colours against the walls. Another set of one-over-one windows here makes the room exceptionally bright. On one side is a free-standing claw tooth bathtub; on the other, a run of bespoke built-in wardrobes.

Well-proportioned, the third bedroom also has a tall window with views towards Edinburgh Castle. There are two pared-back, beautifully finished bathrooms on this floor, both with showers and one with a bath.

Outdoor Space

Sliding glass doors from the extended section of the house ensure constant visual communication between inside and out; the dining and kitchen areas spill out to the secluded rear gardens in warmer months. Deep borders of flowering perennials and mature lavender beds lie to one side of the expanse of lawn, with a wide decked terrace strategically placed to face due south and provide the perfect spot for an evening sundowner. The summer house lends well for use as a workshop, independent of the house, or as additional external storage space.

The Area

Just under two miles north of the city centre, Trinity is a sought-after leafy neighbourhood, with excellent public transport links to Edinburgh's highlights and main train stations. Much of Trinity's architecture can be traced back to when 'countryside' homes were built in the area for affluent New Town residents, and Summerside Street is in the heart of the neighbourhood, close to Victoria Park with its open green spaces, tennis court and play area. An increasing number of independent cafes and restaurants have arrived in recent years, including  Mr Eion and Le Cime and Herringbone. City and seaside living are both close at hand, with Granton Harbour 10 minutes away on foot and Granton Beach a 15-minute walk away.

The 70-acre rich Botanic Gardens are reachable in around 25 minutes on foot and the city's well-regarded year-round programme of cultural activity, world-class exhibitions, and music events are easily accessed. The National Galleries of Scotland, including modern art galleries Modern One and Modern Two, are among Edinburgh's many highlights. We've written at length about our favourite ways to spend a weekend in the city.

Leith is also nearby, a sought-after suburb on the northerly edge of Edinburgh. Once the main port for Scotland, the area has been revived with a bustling dining scene providing a panoply of excellent restaurants and coffee shops. Refined The Kitchin sits on the Quay with a ‘nature to the plate’ philosophy, while delicious seasonally curated coffees from Williams and Johnson are roasted in its Leith café. There’s also Toast Leith which is located in a former art gallery and serves everything from avocado brunch fare to wine.

Transport connections are easily accessible. It is an 18-minute drive to Edinburgh Waverley Station, which has onward connections to the rest of the UK, including a train route to King's Cross Station in four hours. Closer to home there are a host of bus and cycle routes to get around the city. Edinburgh Airport is a 36-minute drive away and provides domestic and international flights.

Council Tax Band: F