Rosemount Townhouse

Located in the leafy Rosemount area of Aberdeen by the beautiful Victoria Park this period property welcomed its new owners in with open arms and potential for an update. The brief was to modernise and fully furnish the three main living areas; living room, dining area and the master bedroom. Clients had a wish to make their new home a safe haven from the busy lives they lead, a place to feel completely at home, cosy and relaxed with both aesthetic beauty and practicality kept in mind.

In its previous life the living room was furnished with dark leather sofas, solid oak furniture and heavy gold silk brocade curtains with pelmets and tassels. The colour scheme was outdated with weary yellow tones. The same style continued to the dining area which without a window was left dark, cold and soulless. The master bedroom was dressed head to toe in terracotta colours and needed a complete uplift.

The three rooms needed to have life in them again, the light to be let in and the more contemporary colours and patterns to be brought in for the young couple to settle in with comfort and style.

The new design tied in the traditional features in the living room such as fireplace, cast iron radiators, bay window and cornicing with an ornate antique sideboard and dining chairs that were re-upholstered. In sofas we chose to combine colour, texture, practicality, and luxury by choosing to work with linen and velvet in traditional shaped seating and roller feet. Curtains were replaced with simple linen roman blinds in order to let more light in and to keep rooms' aesthetics unfussy and simple.

Previously lacking lighting plan was fixed with more spatially-suited, modern-style glass bead chandelier and ambient light providing table lamps with smoked glass bases. Sunburst mirror was hung above the newly painted fireplace and walls got a fresh new coat of paint.

Watercolour art work, simple and architectural bookcase, and a variety of geometric patterns were brought in to make the space interesting and to add modern touches to the owner's lives; they were keen to use bright colour accents to add personality and fun to their living space.

Dining room is located between living room and kitchen, which is at the extension part of the house at the back. The room hasn't got natural light and completely lacked the feel of any cosiness.

Three large arched mirrors were introduced to the space. Not only are they making the space feel more spacious and luxurious, they also naturally bring in the light from the living room bay window. A large modern mango wood-base table with galvanised metal surface and three mirror smoked glass pendants transport further light and play with shadows and reflections. Clients undertook to build a gallery wall next to the dining table and did an excellent job! A little DIY bug must have bitten as the living room soon received an additional little coffee table all up cycled and handprinted by the client herself. Brilliant!

With brightly coloured and patterned mixed upholstery on the dining chairs, light reflecting from mirrors and other surfaces, beautifully arranged pantry cupboard and interesting table setting, the dining room has become more part of the living room and most certainly a space to spend enjoyable time in.

In the bedroom the new carpets were laid and the walls were painted in soft shades of grey with hints of lavender and pink. Heavy curtains were replaced by simple linen blinds. Existing bed acquired a new headboard and a combination of antique and new furniture were sourced for the room. Instead of wallpapering the whole room a large picture frame was designed and built to beautifully frame the large floral wallpaper that became a feature in the room. Books, throws and some flower arrangements and plants later, the sweet-but-not-too-sweet Master Bedroom was ready and clients delighted.

Completed design at Midstocket Road is playful yet calm, stylised but not stiff. It provides its new owners an elegant and pleasant space they can proudly call home.

West End Townhouse

Aberdeen's West End has a very special flair about it. It feels like a little village in itself; a small community with shared values; a large public school in the heart of it, surrounded by small independent businesses. You can source organic vegetables from a deli, pick up your morning macchiato from a cafe, and have your presents wrapped in silk ribbons at Curated Stories. If you were to relocate, as our clients did from London, it would make perfect sense to purchase a period home in this area.

Union Grove property looks like a traditional townhouse from outside but it has a hidden secret inside - the beautiful attic with exposed beams and roof light windows on the second floor. Curated Stories Interiors were fortunate to tender an interior design and project management contract for the whole expanse of three floors, from ground floor entrance to the attic lounge and bedroom; in between a beautiful staircase with original balustrade, living room with bay window and period features, a spacious kitchen, a spare bedroom that was converted into a nursery, a guest bedroom, an attic lounge, and the master bedroom.

An art curator as a client meant that each and every detail was considered with extra care. From the door handles to the shape of bulbs, from roughness of the rugs to the softness of throws all were to be designed in harmony with clients personal taste and extensive private collection of contemporary art and photography that played a big part of the design setting.

All rooms were painted, old carpets lifted and some of the floor board sanded and oiled. Curtains were replaced with contemporary roman blinds, all light switches were upgraded to brushed brass toggles, all lighting was replaced and picture rails were reinstated and/or added to certain rooms. Storage solutions were given extra attention and much of it was added to the home with additional cupboard space, wardrobes and floating shelving.

Entrance hall was originally dark with heavily ornate red wallpaper, lacking any storage, and with inadequate lighting. Here we introduced hanging space for jackets and a storage solution for shoes and keys. An antique light was sourced to bring in more light and an existing mirror was moved to lighten the space further. A collage of personal pictures were framed and hung in the staircase leading to the landing. A trio of pendants were introduced to the landing for soft light and walls were painted in soft ombre style - four shades of warm grey.

The previous owners had left the living room light and bare with somewhat dated venetian blinds. In order to bring out the new owners brilliant extended collection of art we designed a period style beading for the walls to further frame the artwork and give it the full attention it required. Floating shelving was added on both sides of the alcove and both new and vintage Mid Century furniture and soft furnishings were bought in. Additional wall lights for ambient lighting was added to both sides of the fireplace.

Nursery had a big transformation. Monstrously large fitted wardrobe was removed, all walls stripped and skimmed and old carpets lifted and floorboards sanded and oiled. Curtains and rails were replaced by contemporary black-out roman blinds. A bespoke bed frame was designed and built for the nursery and the room furnished according to Montessori principles. With a combination of new and period purchases the room acquired a lovely lived-in feel that provides a safe and sound play space as well as a room for nursing and rest.

Kitchen had a major uplift. Whilst the clients took a weeks holiday our trades team got to work and removed the existing tiling, painted all the cupboards, changed the handles, introduced new shelving, opened up a Dutch cupboard and installed new dado rails, fitted new worktops and skimmed and painted the walls. Once the works were done according to our designs the room was styled and furnished with new storage solutions, artwork and furniture. 

Guest bedroom was spruced up with newly acquired furniture and lighting, bespoke designed and built hanging basket branch rail with macrame hanging baskets and plants, artwork, and soft furnishings. 

Upstairs the previously red walls were painted fresh white, wardrobes, desk and musical instruments were moved to the lounge and the master bedroom was furnished in a combination of old and new, modern and Mid Century. Under-eaves storage units got a fresh coat of paint, new handles and brass labels.  A dressing table was also introduced to the room.

All in all when the before and after photos are examined, it can be concluded that through the re-desigh the Union Grove property was transformed from a house into a home. The occupants needs were met through spatial solutions, life made more organised and settled. The impact that the large collection of artworks has on the home cannot be underestimated. Curated Stories Interiors felt privileged to have an opportunity to work such beauty into the interior design.

The completed home is a fine example of harmony between interiors, art and family life - a fit setting for comfortable and loving life.

Countryside hide away

Nestled by the vast fields of Aberdeenshire with views toward Royal Deeside, even as far as Lochnagar, Smiddy Cottage offers its residents not just privacy but a real hide away from hectic corporate lives. Curated Stories Interiors had the extraordinary opportunity to design and project-manage the entirety of Smiddy Cottage after the property had been left unoccupied for several years. 

With sympathetic design towards the Mid Century setting of the property, and the considerable existing collection of same-era furniture from its new owners, Smiddy Cottage was transformed into a beautiful and comfortable home of design classics with a Scandinavian twist. Designs of Ercol, Vitra and Aalto are weaved together with modern classics like Secto, Muuto, and Buster & Punch.

Thoroughly gentle and calm colour scheme compliments the natural finishes of wood and sleek surfaces of coloured glass in the collected artworks. Locally sourced woollen fabrics sewn with thermal linings and elegant pinch pleats for the window dressing were combined with sleek venetian blinds to create a dreamy cocooned atmosphere in the cottage; a play of shadows and reflections of light, and to provide softness to its rural setting.

In its entirety the project's design work included the porch, entrance hall, bedroom, living room, sunroom, kitchen, bathroom and the converted attic space. All old carpets were lifted and replaced with high quality natural woollen coverings, all ceilings and walls were skimmed and painted (or just painted) whilst the wood work and doors were substantially untouched. Bathroom was gutted and re-built with new shower and toilet, skimmed and painted ceiling and walls, tiled floor and bespoke designed and built sink unit. Kitchen had a major upgrade with new handles, taps, worktops and appliances. Fitted wardrobes were spruced up in the bedroom and all new furniture was sourced. Living room had minor structural changes in the shape of additional fitted alcove shelving and cupboard, and a little ledge shelf above the existing fireplace was reinstated. The sunroom was turned into a dining room filled with art and Mid Century modern spirit. All new seating and coffee table were bought for the space. The sunroom was turned into a dining room filled with art, decorative objects and Mid Century modern spirit. 

Upstairs of Smiddy Cottage the transformation was complete as walls were removed, a new heating system and boiler fitted, and floor boards sanded and painted. All walls were stripped, skimmed and painted. Throughout the property all sockets and plugs were checked, re-wired and modernised with stainless steel plates. All lighting was changed and ambient lighting introduced were possible. Storage solutions were given extra attention and was added to the porch in the shape of built in blanket boxes, in the kitchen in the form of floating shelving and in the attic by introducing a bespoke six meter length of cupboard space and a bespoke walk-in wardrobe.

What once was a run-down cottage has now become a most wonderful and comfortable home, giving the owners an elegantly arranged modern life complete with roaring fire. As the lights glimmer from between the curtains and blinds Smiddy Cottage provides a beautiful example of a modern hide away and a dream of something distant and far away that can in fact be very real.

Charcoal cooked Steak and Seafood Restaurant

Adelphi Kitchen, located on Adelphi Lane just off from Union Street in the heart of Aberdeen, had the most amazing launch after a previously known and much loved La Stella restaurant went through a complete transformation from previous fine dining setting to a cool and contemporary on-trend seafood and dirty steak joint. The newly re-opened, re-branded and re-designed restaurant was welcomed to the Aberdeen foodie scene with most warmest of receptions - the press wrote wonderful reviews and the restaurant was completely packed every night. In fact if you wanted a table reservation for a weekend you had better booked it at least three weeks in advance to avoid disappointment.

Curated Stories Interiors had the honour to be part of designing the interiors of Adelphi Kitchen. And what an amazing project it was to be part of with a brief full of creative freedom and a restaurant owner enthusiastic for big changes.

Under the previous owners La Stella restaurant interiors had got dated in featuring a lot of dark wood and mixture of terracotta colours. Heavy curtains and lack of light made the small space feel even smaller. The bar was impractical for the staff and the restrooms in need of an upgrade. Lack of cloakroom made the entrance to the restaurant cumbersome. 

Early on in the design process it was decided that the existing furniture and flooring would be kept but the all other aspects of interiors would be part of the re-design. All the walls were painted, a blackboard re-created and a new bar re-designed with a concrete tabletop and a row of feature lights. Old scaffolding planks were used in creating a warmer backdrop for the bar, to refresh the partition wall separating the kitchen and the dining area and to create a new entrance.

In re-organising the layout of restrooms a cloakroom was established. The entrance to the restrooms and the bathrooms themselves were wallpapered with trompe l'oeil Brooklyn Tin paper. The sink units got the matching concrete tabletops like on the bar and featured industrial style valve taps and bucket sinks.

In the dining room the fitted seating was re-upholstered with locally woven wool. Cushions were sewn and screen printed with new branding and existing blinds replaced with more modern versions. All new crockery, cutlery, glassware and table decorations were ordered according to the new colour scheme and new artwork was created. Bookcase for themed cookbooks was built with the scaffolding planks and all lighting was replaced by modern pendants.

Adelphi Kitchen 

Design Concept Store

Curated Stories, previously known as Peltoniemi Concept Store, was founded by Tytti Peltoniemi in 2009. Originally the store was located in Chattan Place but after years of steady growth the property eventually the shop outgrew the space. In September 2015 a new lease was signed for 54 Claremont Street and with the move came also the new name, Curated Stories.

Over the three month period Tytti and her team of joiners, plumbers, electricians and decorators worked tirelessly to bring the property back to life. The previous shop owner had closed the doors years prior the new lease and many aspects were in need of an upgrade.

Initially downstairs was designed to house a stockroom and a design studio but once it was discovered that the two rooms in the basement had windows the plans were changed and budget blown to smithereens. Over hundred year old rotten window frames were removed and replaced by new windows and window seating / display areas were created in front of them. Lath and plaster ceilings were removed and the original beams exposed. Damp proofing was put in place to the whole of basement, and some beams were replaced and strengthened with bower beams. Previously exposed stone walls were repaired and then insulated before the new design of period feature panelling was introduced to all walls and to the staircase leading to the ground floor.

On the ground floor the existing bathroom was remodelled, the new partition walls insulated and the ceiling lowered into order to create additional storage space above it. An antique sideboard was re-designed into a sink unit with golden taps and rectangular basin. In its previous life the property had had only a traditional hatch door to access to the basement with a wooden ladder. This was replaced by a solid Scandinavian timber staircase which was later was painted with golden stripes. Staircase also got a feature balustrade.

Storage space was added on one side under the stairs in the basement and more storage space and a small kitchenette was created for the staff on the other side of under the stairs. Storage space was also added under the window displays areas on the ground floor.

Aesthetically upstairs and downstairs have got a totally different feel. The Flower Room on the ground floor with the bathroom / fitting room is the most opulent space in the shop. It houses the most expensive elements of the store and the huge floral design wallpaper covers the walls from floor to ceiling. An antique Banker's Table displays the jewellery on suede surface and marble trays and floating cage shelving display some more of the valuable ceramics, antiques and fashion accessories. Trio of antique style feature lights has been positioned low on top of the centre table.

On entering the store you arrive to the room with the highest ceiling, original cornicing, Versailles lattice parquet floors and Carrera marble tables and balustrade. The space is full of light and displays most of the store's art and print collections on light pink walls. The lighting conduit was designed to run along the corners of the room almost invisibly in order to highlight the feature lights above the cashing area.

Downstairs in the basement both rooms have period feature panelling and traditional style Anglepoise wall lights. Floors are of exposed concrete but painted in soft grey tone to take away the harshness of the material. Floors are covered in large rugs. The panelling details from the walls have also been carried to the exterior of the shop where the timber facings below the windows now have the period style beading. Exterior is painted in moody dark blue grey tone.

Since the opening of the new premises in November 2015 Curated Stories has grown steadily and new customers are finding their way to the store daily. The interiors of the store are huge admired and they certainly stand out in main stream Aberdeen retail environment. As well as preserving and thoroughly upgrading the property the main focus of the design of Curated Stories was to create an inspiring, exciting and surprising space for the shoppers. Aim of the design was to establish a retail environment that would be filled with wonder and delight, a space that would encourage discovery and experimentation. Previous shop had developed a pet name of Aladdin's Cave for itself and this feel had to have continuance.

Judging from the favourable outcome of the shop the design and its aspirations have been successful. Curated Stories has never been in a happier or more exciting place in its retail journey.

Finest Scottish Seafood Fishmonger

Young entrepreneurs from Fraserburgh made their bold move, purchased a retail space in Bucksburn and decided to set shop in North Aberdeen near Dyce. The brief for Curated Stories Interiors was to design and project manage the build of a traditional fishmongers with fresh fish counters and an area for dry goods. The design style was to be contemporary and fresh, inspiring and different to the shoppers and of course appropriate for the fine Scottish produce Jack Taylor was established to sell.

The property had been previously occupied by a beauty salon with small individual treatment rooms so the first thing to do was to constructually remove the partitioning walls and open the space up. In the new design layout the back of the shop was divided into a small office, refrigerated storage and a seafood prep area all partitioned by a wall and PVC strip room divider from the main shop area. The front of the shop was to be purely dedicated for the fresh produce and dry goods with the most practical layout providing the staff a good food prep area, dedicated wash space and of course the customer service cashing area.

Early on in the project we discovered original wooden panelling behind the plaster board which became a starting point for the new design. The newly built back wall was tiled in metro tile laid in herringbone pattern, reminiscent of the scales of fish, and the repaired and conserved wooden panelling was painted in subtle shade of white. The lighting was ordered from Scandinavia - the green tinted recycled glass pendants with smallest of bubbles create an almost underwater like light display for the walls. All shop furniture was bespoke designed and built with stainless steel, oak and plywood. Electrics were hidden in the wave like patterns of conduit across the shop, design reflecting the fishnets and waves of the sea. Artwork was sourced to create a contemporary and eye catching yet traditional setting. The thinking behind the concept was in "if you can't see the sea and the boats from the window then you must see it in other ways!". Antique books on fish were framed for the walls and gallery wall of tapestry, oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings were created. The new timber floor was laid and painted in layers with sanding in between to create a worn out and original look. Bathroom got an upgrade.

Blinds were put up for the large windows, window vinyls were designed and ordered, door handles and locks replaced and changed, window displays designed and created with crates, storm lantern and lobster creel. We also consulted on the selection of dry goods for shop stock and assisted in setting up the accounts with suppliers and agents for the first orders.

Jack Taylor Finest Scottish Seafood retail store is a delight for as much for the shoppers as it is for the staff. Visually inviting and inspiring atmosphere creates a perfect setting for some recipe browsing, fish preparation advice and a spot of shopping in an professional and interesting environment.