Pend Architects has successfully completed a comprehensive renovation project that transformed two separate Victorian-era flats into a single, cohesive family home in Trinity, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. The project, known as Catalog House, was designed for long-term clients Dixie and Ralf, who own the independent multi-brand design store Catalog Interiors in Stockbridge. The 168-square-meter home, completed in 2024, represents a perfect balance between functionality as a forever family home and an intuitive backdrop for entertaining guests.
The project initially began as a more modest undertaking when Dixie and Ralf, living in the ground floor of a subdivided Victorian semi-detached house with their young daughter, approached Pend Architects to design an extension to replace several poorly constructed and unauthorized additions that had cut their home off from its west-facing garden. However, when their upstairs neighbor decided to sell, the couple was presented with a unique opportunity to purchase the upper flat and combine both properties into a single family residence.
This unexpected development transformed the scope of the project into a whole-house renovation, allowing Dixie and Ralf to create their ideal family home without the usual compromises that come with upsizing in Edinburgh's highly competitive housing market. The expanded project gave Pend Architects the freedom to reimagine the entire layout and create a cohesive vision that seamlessly integrates the original Victorian architecture with contemporary design elements.
Pend worked closely with the couple throughout the design process to ensure a harmonious dialogue between the original property and the new rear extension. The reimagined layout introduces renewed spatial clarity, with the family's more private spaces, including bathrooms and bedrooms, strategically located upstairs, while the ground floor prioritizes fluid living areas that effortlessly transition between practical day-to-day activities and curated entertainment spaces.
The centerpiece of the renovation is a gently curved 35-square-meter rear extension that opens directly onto the west-facing terrace, replacing the series of sprawling additions that had previously blocked access to the garden. Most of this new space serves as a welcoming lounge area with direct garden access, where large glazed patio doors and a strategically placed rooflight capture the golden afternoon and evening light. This sense of warmth is further enhanced by natural wood accents and custom oak joinery throughout the space.
The exterior design features a quietly rounded brick wall that echoes the curved interior wall found in the home's original hallway, creating a softened circulation path that guides movement from the side access to the patio while reinforcing the home's overall sense of flow. Large custom planters define a welcoming outdoor seating area, offering an easy and intimate extension of the interior lounge space. The neutral-toned Petersen brick was carefully selected to complement rather than imitate the buff sandstone of the original house and neighboring properties, ensuring that the extension feels both architecturally balanced and refreshingly contemporary.
To maintain the generous proportions of the existing Victorian rooms, Pend Architects cleverly tucked essential storage and service areas into the new extension. A utility room, accessible from both the main living area and the side entrance, and a compact office space, naturally lit from a roof light above and softened by the curved external wall, are both concealed behind secret paneled doors in the lounge. This thoughtful approach maintains the room's aesthetic coherence without compromising on functionality.
Positioned on an east-west axis, the home's layout was thoughtfully reconsidered to maximize natural light and encourage organic movement between rooms. A key design decision led by Dixie and Ralf was to relocate the kitchen to the front of the house, where the east-facing canted bay window floods the space with bright morning light. As the principal entertaining room, traditionally used as a Victorian living room, the kitchen's generous proportions allow for seamless daily living and warm hospitality.
The bright and airy kitchen space proves ideal for morning coffees and family breakfasts, as well as serving as a natural gathering place for evenings when Dixie and Ralf entertain their community of designers, family, and friends. The space allows cooking and conversation to flow naturally before guests move deeper into the home's interconnected living areas.
Both Pend Architects and their clients wanted to celebrate the ornate and decorative elements of the original Victorian property while embracing contemporary design principles. The kitchen playfully juxtaposes carefully restored period cornicing and millwork with clean, flush-fronted modern cabinetry, creating a sophisticated blend of old and new architectural elements.
Upon entering Catalog House, visitors immediately understand the home's impressive scale and thoughtful design. Pend introduced strategic structural interventions to establish visual connections and ensure a sense of cohesion throughout the property. The entrance hallway has been opened up to connect the two floors visually, while wide, tall openings establish broad, uninterrupted sightlines from the front entrance through to the garden beyond.
Leading off from the central hallway, the dining room serves as an elegant and contemporary space decorated with unique and beautiful pieces personally selected by Dixie and Ralf. A large rooflight in the extension adjacent to the original building bathes this now-central room in abundant natural light. The dining room also functions as a crucial transitional space, bridging the kitchen at the front of the house with the lounge at the rear, significantly enhancing the interconnectivity within the home.
Recognizing the need for a private retreat within the largely open-plan layout, Pend designed a cozy TV snug tucked discretely off from the main lounge. This deliberately internal room, decorated by the clients in a deep, luxurious palette of green tones and soft furnishings, offers a calming and intimate space for quiet relaxation. A heavy curtain allows for an optional connection to the main living area through a tall opening, providing flexibility in how the space is used.
Jamie Anderson, Director of Pend Architects, reflected on the project: 'Having worked with Dixie and Ralf on several past projects, we were excited to collaborate with them on a space of their own. The design process flowed naturally and it was a joy to work with clients who intuitively understood our vision and enriched it with their own creativity and taste. Catalog House offered a unique opportunity to unify two tired flats into a cohesive, contemporary home. While much of our work focused on restoring the property's original character, we were equally excited to reimagine its layout, introducing new spatial connections and uses that better reflect the rhythms of modern living.'
Dixie Mirowski, client and Director of Catalog Interiors, shared her perspective: 'Running our business together has made us pretty clear on the style we're both drawn to, so choosing the right architect for our own home was important. Having worked with Jamie before, we knew he'd get what we were aiming for. From the first meeting, Jamie and Ben really understood the kind of detail, materials and functionality we wanted. Their ideas felt both exciting and reassuring, and we were confident we had the right team. While we managed the build ourselves, they stayed closely involved, always making sure things headed in the right direction. We really appreciated their calm, thoughtful approach and loved working with the Pend team.'
Catalog House organically expresses Catalog Interiors' design-led aesthetic, serving as a testament to Dixie and Ralf's discerning eye for beautifully designed and expertly crafted pieces. Their carefully curated selections throughout the home imbue each space with a distinctive sense of style and quality that feels both deeply personal and sophisticatedly professional. The transformation exemplifies Pend Architects' expertise in working sensitively within historic contexts while meeting the practical and aesthetic needs of contemporary family life.
