Playfair House

gloss was commissioned by Helen Lucas Architects to transform a former hotel into an elegant home in Edinburgh’s New Town. The Grade A–listed Georgian property occupies the lower three storeys of a tenement designed by William Henry Playfair in 1822, part of the city’s celebrated architectural heritage.

Once divided and adapted for commercial use, the home required a complete reconfiguration to restore its original flow and domestic character. The design balances heritage sensitivity with modern comfort, retaining Playfair’s intent while introducing breathable, sustainable materials such as limecrete, cork-insulated plaster and wood fibre insulation. Original features were carefully restored where possible, with flagstones, wooden lintels and even coat hooks thoughtfully salvaged and repurposed throughout.

A calm and tactile atmosphere is created through Little Greene’s Slaked Lime palette and natural timber detailing, allowing the home’s craftsmanship and character to quietly shine.

Featured in Homes & Interiors Scotland (Issue 163), the project is explored in a 15-page in-depth article detailing its sensitive design scheme and build.