Stylish Scots Artisans

When it comes to designing the most premium residential apartments coming to Edinburgh’s St James Quarter, it was important for Eloisa Cuturi, interior designer of New Eidyn and Creative Director of Hudson & Mercer, to use the very best of Scottish in order to provide residents with a new and exceptional standard of living.

We caught up with Cuturi, who works between London and Paris, to find out which Scotland-based artists and artisans she is most looking forward to showcasing in the apartments when they are completed this autumn.

1. Edinburgh-based Namon Gaston has been creating beautifully crafted furniture for almost 20 years. To style the New Eidyn show apartment, Gaston is working with Cuturi to design a bespoke drinks cabinet made from Scottish wood.

‘Namon’s work is timeless. His contemporary furniture consists of a high level of detail and wonderful finishes. I’m on a mission to use as many local materials as I can, so the fact that he uses Scottish oak really appeals to me, and I love the way he has drawn inspiration from the rhythm of whisky barrels to create a wooden skin for his piece. I can’t wait to open the cabinet and discover all the thoughtful details inside.’

2. Using seaweed as a material, Jasmine Linington, an Edinburgh artist and fabric embroiderer, partnered with Cuturi to incorporate creative textiles. The result? A bespoke six panel wall accessory that will sit above the master bed in New Eidyn’s show apartment.

‘I was so inspired by the sea view from the apartment and wasn't sure how to use it, and also wanted to showcase different materials in New Eidyn which incorporate natural Scottish elements, so Jasmine’s work is the perfect fit. She collects seaweed from local coastlines and uses the material as a natural dye and as unique embellishments for her textiles. This feature in the master bedroom will create a natural and peaceful feeling.’

3. Cuturi has also worked with Scottish abstract artist, Jacob Littlejohn, to design two art pieces for the dining area. His abstract work is inspired by everyday objects, the landscape and the environment to create beautiful bespoke pieces of work.

‘After I saw Jacob’s art show in Edinburgh, I knew I wanted his work featured in New Eidyn’s show apartment. His use of colour and motion creates character and personality to his paintings, which will stand as key, collective pieces in the show apartment. Supporting emerging artists is at the heart of what drives my work, and I can’t wait to see what visitors think of his paintings.’

4. To add a different artistic element, Cuturi involved Aberdeen artist and illustrator Dougie Harley to create drawings for New Eidyn’s show apartment.

‘It’s important to make residents feel at home above the bustling capital and Dougie’s drawings help capture this. His art is full of life and character, yet create a feeling of peace through his depiction of the poetry of bird murmuration.’

5. Finally, Cuturi was on the search for decorative pieces to light up the show apartment and enlisted Patricia Shone to create ceramic lights, influenced by the beautiful landscape around her on the Isle of Skye.

‘Visiting Patricia's studio in Skye gives real insight into her inspiration. I love the natural textures Patricia produces in her clay, reflecting the uneven Scottish landscape. She hand builds her pieces, so that each item tells a captivating story, adding a unique element to the room.’

New Eidyn’s 152 beautifully crafted apartments will sit aloft St James Quarter and include landscaped sky gardens and a residents’ garden room, to combine high-quality modern interiors with contemporary flair, along with cutting edge design and world class amenities. To find out more, please visit https://www.neweidyn.com/.