Buff at St Ninian’s Manse

Following the successful interior refurbishment of the buff concept store, GRAS embarked on a transformative journey with the clients, thoughtfully redecorating the office spaces within the A-listed former St Ninian’s Manse in Leith, Edinburgh. The client’s aim was to cultivate a serene and contemplative oasis conducive to expanding the studio’s offerings towards contemplative well-being rituals. The project encompassed internal redecoration and bespoke furniture fabrication, drawing on GRAS's fruitful collaboration with Edinburgh’s artisan, Daniel Brophy.

The chosen material palette for this understated intervention was neutral, tactile, and naturally derived, including marble paint for the lime-plastered internal stone walls, Scottish Oak and stone for the bespoke joinery, and powder-coated steel and painted timber for more conventional storage cabinetry. These choices seamlessly integrated with the historic fabric of the space, allowing GRAS to unearth and accentuate the lost domestic character of the former manse.

Minimal alterations, such as uncovering the timber floor installed by previous custodians, were made with a reverence for the space's recent history. This project became a canvas for a nuanced exploration of material rawness, honouring its journey through time. Locally sourced Scottish Oak was crafted into bespoke minimal desks, with end-of-series large format stone tiles serving as desktops, facilitating the procurement and installation process. The gentle, clean lines of contemporary furniture gracefully navigate the textural landscape, with the 19th-century granary mill structure poised as a captivating centrepiece. Soft, tactile elements were carefully curated to echo the client’s brand and embrace their mindful ethos. Linen, paper lampshades, comfortable furniture, and raw timber plinths infused the space with a restorative, domestic ambiance, inviting relaxation and renewal.
In this refined intervention, GRAS’s attention to detail and sensitivity to materiality transformed the former office space into a tranquil haven, embodying the essence of mindful wellness within its walls.