Pinch of Chic
travel Edinburgh, Scotland UK

The Dunstane Houses

creative direction & photography CYNTHIA NGUYEN in collaboration with THE DUNSTANE HOUSES

OVERVIEW

The Dunstane Houses is a family-run five star boutique hotel property: set in two restored heritage Victorian townhouses, the Dunstane House and the Hampton House, with 35 rooms between them— featuring English interior, history and the classiest bars that provide Scottish treats, such as whiskies to wet your beak with. Within the heart of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, this property comes to life as a swanky yet inviting and charming persona, offering the most authentic Scottish experience and stay. 

The houses date back to 1851, where they were first built by George Lorimer as Victorian Villas with Jacobean/baronial style in mind, on land owned by George Heriot’s Trust. Followed by a thoughtful restoration process while preserving many of the buildings’ original architectural and design elements, The Dunstane Houses now operates as a boutique brand offering refined Scottish experiences within their striking walls— walls that display their tasteful, bold wallpapers, Scottish tartan tweeds, and counting plenty of windows that allow pools of light to pour in, drawing in the beautiful ornate mouldings on the high ceilings and wainscoting. At these heritage properties, there is an overwhelming amount of detail and refinement throughout the space, including a subtle narration of Orcadian influence— which comes through in the served food, such as the Orkney whole Kipper, the selected original artwork, and even the Orkney-based marshmallows you can receive in your room to pair with your hot chocolate. 

ROOMS

The Dunstane Houses are comprised of two Victorian townhouses which are situated across the street from one another, offering a 6 unique suites and a total of 35 beautiful and comfortable rooms between the two buildings.

Featured room is their Hamnavoe Suite on the top floor of the Hampton House (Room 202).

HIGHLIGHTS

Guests can to enjoy the elegant high ceilings that are adorn with ornate mouldings, wallpaper and wainscoting. The interior is inspired by the neoclassical design of old-town Edinburgh, subtle Orkney details (island off the northeastern coast of Scotland) and English style interior.

The suites are design with a combination and the consideration of comfort and contemporary: from cloud-like, soft king-sized beds to walled flat-screen televisions displayed across the bed to enjoy after your long days of exploring, to old-world teak furnishing and modern lighting, to Persian rugs and walls with original artwork by Orkney artists. The traditional Scottish flare radiates through the space in the form of tartan accented cushions to the delicious homemade Scottish shortbread found replenished daily in the biscuit jars. 

On the main floor of the Hampton House is the dining space paired with the Honest Bar, where you will enjoy your morning meals (served in both houses), as well as create your own cocktail while bearing in mind the honesty system.

Enjoy food or afternoon tea at the main house across the street, the Dunstane House, where you can taste multiple plates of Scottish cuisine (must-tries are the Haggis Fritters with the delicious mustard sauce and the whole Orkney Kipper) and mouth-watering whiskies (with more than 100 single malts to choose from) and cocktails with the view of their bewitching fireplaces from your Chesterfield sofa.

GOOD TO KNOW

The property is located in the captivating and peaceful neighbourhood of Coates and it is about 10 minutes away from the city centre. Everything in Edinburgh can be enjoyed by foot paired with sensible footwear. 

The nearest station is Waverley and is only a 10-minute work from Haymarket station. There is also a nearby stop for the tram that goes straight to Edinburgh Airport. 

You can experience Edinburgh’s Old Town that is made up of beautiful cobble stone streets and smoky painted sandstone buildings. The disfigured black patches that dress the buildings are said to be cause by the smoke of the city during the early ages of railways and pollution. In this area, you can walk along Edinburgh’s most famous street, the Royal Mile, which was the route for kings and queens for the last 500 years that connects to Edinburgh Castle (west) to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (east). As you walk along the Royal Mile, take a few photographs of J.K.Rowling’s greatest inspiration for Harry Potter’s Hogwarts school, the Edinburgh Castle. You can also pay a visit and rub the nose of the famous dog statue, The Greyfriars Bobby, who was a Skye Terrier who became famous for spending 14 years coming back to the grave of his owner until he had passed. 

The property is nearby the Scottish National Gallery, where you can enjoy some artwork and afternoon tea at their Scottish Cafe and Restaurant. Take a walk down or grab dinner at Portobello beach while viewing the sunset (which will eventually turn into a majestic foggy evening). You can enjoy some nachos, pints of beer or mulled wine at The Espy or grab some delicious mussels and cocktails at the cosy Boathouse. 

Pick up a few gifts and souvenirs like handwoven wool tartan goods or luxurious cashmere gifts along South Bridge and High Street, such as the Scottish Experiences Store. For Harry Potter fans, you can visit the Museum Context for themed clothing, collectibles, fan art in the form of lovely cards and posters, as well as photo opportunities around the spiral stone staircase. For unique gifts for the holidays and occasions, check out Mr. Wood’s Fossils where you might find well-preserved fossils of dinosaur remains, ammonites and gems that can go back later than 110 million years from around the globe— extremely ideal for those who love antiques, collecting, history and all sorts of detail. For vibrant and crafty gifts, check out Lackdhu, where you can find handmade ceramic magnets and ornaments, illustrated cards, hand-knitted jumpers and hats, felted brooches and much more. And because our health is our greatest wealth, gift some health-boosting teas, candles, oils and mulled wine or hangover cure kits at D. Atkinson Herbalist.

LOCATION

4 West Coates, Edinburgh EH12 5JQ, United Kingdom

RATES

Starting at $250/night for the Cosy Wee Double and $780/night for the Dunstane Suite (prices are in Canadian dollars)

BOOKING

For information or booking, visit their website and Instagram

A special thank you to Shirley and the entire staff at the property for hosting me during my visit.

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As always, all opinions are my own.

I do not accept or review PR stays unless I had an enjoyable and genuine experience to share.



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If you could share your Scottish experiences below, I’d love to hear about it.

 

inspiration

Casa dell’Arte Club House Lisbon

creative direction, photography & editing  CYNTHIA NGUYEN

OVERVIEW

Casa dell’Arte Club House is a family-run hybrid rental property: a home, a hotel and an art gallery— featuring beautiful Portuguese interior, history and contemporary art. Within the centre of old town Alfama, this property that holds an elegant persona lives to offer the most authentic Portuguese experience and stay. The building dates back to 1860 and has been debated as Lisbon’s most beautiful tiled building, found by the National Pantheon. 

The signature blue and yellow ornate tiles, also known as ‘Azulejo’, paired with romantic, black Juliet balconies, make up the exterior of the Baroque inspired property called Casa dell’Arte Club House— where every corner of the space is a home to one of the most unique, contemporary art pieces. Like no other rental listing, this property aims to be a comfortable yet creative stay, a hybrid between a home and an art gallery.

At Casa dell’Arte Club House, there is an overwhelming amount of detail and elegance throughout the property. Much attention can be spent on the decor, the selection of art pieces, as well as the restoration of the property itself, where you can witness true Portuguese architectural and interior. The walls of the home display beautiful, blue and white, ornately illustrated Azulejo (tiles) paired with gold accent furniture for a luxurious and regal Portuguese interior look and feel. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, especially the bathrooms. The bathrooms on their own look as if it was an image taken straight out of Architect Digest. If you are comfortable enough or have rented all three suits, you may open up the double doors of each suit to feel more like an open home as oppose to a hotel, which is quite fitting for a family stay.

ROOMS

The property offers 3 romantic and tastefully furnished suites: The Terrace Suite, The Pantheon Suite, and The Sao Vicente Suite.

Featured room is their Sao Vicente Suite and Terrace Suite.

HIGHLIGHTS

Guests are able to enjoy the communal living room, stunning dining room donned with an elaborate chandelier, and kitchen where you can inhale both delicious Portuguese food and even more Azulejo beauty. The kitchen is open for you to be able to store your own food in the fridge or use their appliances and utensils to prepare your own meals (tea, coffee and fruits are provided)— just as they would at home. A breakfast buffet is also available at the property to enjoy during mornings before you head out to explore Alfama and Lisbon. You can spend your time in the space while having your beverage and observing the contemporary artwork that dawns on the walls and corners of the property— imagine as though you’ve obtained your very own private collection for your gallery. One can view pieces that range from Turkish to international art, with such a variety of pieces, you’ll be able to view all the different techniques and cultures all under one roof. The art collection throughout the Casa dell’Arte Club House will change each year and a new selection of artworks will be displayed. You can chat with the gallery curator in the main level if you have any art inquires.

GOOD TO KNOW

At Casa dell’Arte Club House’s doorstep, you will find “Feira da Ladra” also known as the ‘thieves market’, which has said to be the market where thieves would sell their stolen goods back in the day, which is open every Tuesday and Saturday. Monastery of “Sao Vicente de Fora”: 17th Century church and monastery. The National Pantheon: This is the old St. Engracia church.

Alfama Neighbourhood: The oldest Moorish quarter in Lisbon which predates the earthquake of 1755. Alfama is a maze of narrow streets with wonderful restaurants and bakeries filled with Pastéis de Nata, fado (1820’s Portuguese music) and the famous viewpoints (miradouro) Portas do Sol. Grab a stunning seafood dish at Cais da Pedra, which is a 12-minute walk. São Jorge Castle: Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic center of the Portuguese city of Lisbon and Tagus River.  City center: In order to get to the commercial city center (Baixa) you can either take a 15-minute walk or board one of the picturesque old Lisbon trams.

The property is also near a metro station, Lisbon’s Cathedral, Rossio Square, and Lisbon’s Oceanarium.

LOCATION

Campo de Santa Clara 125, 1100-473 Lisboa, Portugal

RATES

The Terrace Suite at $440 / The Pantheon Suite at $390 / The Sao Vicente Suite at $285 (prices are in Canadian dollars)

BOOKING

For information or booking, visit their website and Instagram

A special thank you to the property for hosting me during my visit.

As always, all opinions are my own.

 

travel Portugal

Santa Clara 1728

creative direction, photography & editing 
CYNTHIA NGUYEN

OVERVIEW

Across the river, set in old town Alfama, Santa Clara 1728 is the ideal retreat to relax and escape into the beautiful world of Silent Living— illustrated with soft minimalism, contemporary details, and wholesome intentions. This property does not present itself as just any hotel, far from commercial, but instead a peaceful home where you are able to connect with yourself and with the moments made within the tranquil space. 

It was discussed that the owner of Santa Clara 1728, João Rodrigues, preferred that this charming property would be a place for close friends and family— where word of mouth and organic stories are favoured over commercial content and social media exposure when it came to sharing the existence of property. There are no televisions or fancy electronics. A stroll through the space can remove you from where you thought you originally were, while bringing instant and complete comfort through its bare essentials, which helps preserve the sense of intimacy within the space. This property was a sanctuary that left me to dwell in the vast space, with only my conscious thoughts and to wonder about the history that the building embodied. Inside, its original 18th century architectural heritage is maintained through its elegant arches and delicate decor. The romantic structure resides in the old cultural quarter of Alfama, which is also the oldest district in Lisbon.

The renovation of the 18th century property was carried out by Manuel Aires Mateus.

ROOMS

The property offers 6 suites, consisting of two different types of rooms:

The Suite Santa Clara: at approximately 70 square meters, comprising of a very large room with river views on one side, a wide sitting room and a bathroom overlooking the garden on the other.

The Suite Tejo: at approximately 50 square meters, includes a very large room with river views, a sitting area, and a bathroom.

Featured room is their Santa Clara Suite.

HIGHLIGHTS

Held together by a majestic hallway, Santa Clara 1728 honours more than just presenting itself as home to host their guests. The thoughtful intents within the historical walls are to house and project a sense of time, family, silence, purity and higher quality of life to be lived. It is easy to be embraced by beauty, but to feel encouraged to express calmness and to reflect through a space is genuinely beyond me. Talk about thought-provoking…

One of the property’s form of intimate self expression is through Ceia Table, a family feast gathering concept that invites families, friends and strangers to one table to share their stories. The dining experience is comprised of 14 orchestrated moments and each day, the menu is carefully curated to feature the best seasonal ingredients— from the local farms, lands and sea of Portugal. There is no better way to remember a warm memory than through a sense of taste, accompanied by good company. 

Ceia Table is open from Wednesday to Saturday, only during the evening. Booking in advance online is recommended. You are able to hold a table that includes a party of up to 4 guests. You will be sharing a table that holds 14 guests. Special thank you to Head Chef Pedro Pena Bastos for giving me a tour of the dining room and humble culinary space.

GOOD TO KNOW

At Santa Clara 1728’s doorstep, you will find “Feira da Ladra” also known as the ‘thieves market’, which has said to be the market where thieves would sell their stolen goods back in the day, which is open every Tuesday and Saturday. Monastery of “Sao Vicente de Fora”: 17th Century church and monastery. The National Pantheon: This is the old St. Engracia church.

Alfama Neighbourhood: The oldest Moorish quarter in Lisbon which predates the earthquake of 1755. Alfama is a maze of narrow streets with wonderful restaurants and bakeries filled with Pastéis de Nata, fado (1820’s Portuguese music) and the famous viewpoints (miradouro) Portas do Sol. Grab a stunning seafood dish at Cais da Pedra, which is a 12-minute walk. São Jorge Castle: Moorish castle occupying a commanding hilltop overlooking the historic center of the Portuguese city of Lisbon and Tagus River. 

City center: In order to get to the commercial city center (Baixa) you can either take a 15-minute walk or board one of the picturesque old Lisbon trams.

LOCATION

Campo de Santa Clara 128, RC, 1100-473 Lisboa, Portugal

RATES

Tejo suite at €400 / Santa Clara suite at €480 / 2 nights minimum stay

BOOKING

For information or booking, visit their website and Instagram

A special thank you to the property for hosting me during my visit.

As always, all opinions are my own.

 


collaborations

free form


creative direction CYNTHIA NGUYEN
photography VINCENT KO in collaboration with MEJURI

“She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn’t suppose to look nice; it was supposed to make you
feel something.”—Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park 

 

dress ARITZIA shoes ISABEL MARANT (here and here)
ring MEJURI

 

 

 

interior

Nook Goals


 

 

If you know me and my situation, I’m in the midst of bouncing around. I mean actually physically bouncing around with all my belongings like a little well-dressed gypsy. I’m looking for a permanent home and while I’m on the hunt, I’m moving around temporary homes while simultaneously getting my ducks in a row to prepare for this big move. With about 2.5 months to find, offer and officially purchase this perma-home… the time spent outside of work, freelance and blogging usually goes towards researching mortgages, real estate lawyers, sifting through MLS and Google Maps. When you find yourself in my situation, you’ll get what I’m saying right now. What all that being said and done– I try to compensate for all the heavy amounts of research and paperwork by rewarding myself with pinning pretty interior inspo via Pinterest. Talk about building so much hype for a space I don’t technically own yet! It’s okay though… the time will come soon enough!

Boring stuff aside. I’m a huge sucker for Scandinavian interior. All white space, yep. Playful textures, uhuh. Bold black accent pieces, you got it! The tiniest details in a vast amount of open, clean space just gets me every time. Something so peaceful yet interesting when your curiosity is piqued within such a space. Let me tell you… this will not be an easy or fast task to accomplish. One the areas in a home that’s a priority for me is a good working space slash to relax in your down time. The one place you can be with yourself and feel content as the same time. A.K.A. My nook. Within this post– you can have an idea what I’m aiming for… for my future nook. (I just can’t wait to welcome people into my future furnished home and openly say…. ‘And lastly…this is my nook.’ (Cue, ‘Ouuuu’s and Ahhhh’s.)

You know what they say… collect the pieces over time. That way when you create your space, it’s a genuine reflection and story from you. Every little accent or essential piece has sentimental or purposeful intention to be in your own home.

Q: What’s your must-have in your current or future nook?
Let me know in the comments below!

All Photos via Pinterest

 


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