Aesop’s first Edinburgh store, located in Stockbridge is grounded in a close reading of its setting, a historic, residential part of the city with a strong sense of locality and material identity. The design draws directly from this context, using sandstone tones, rough plaster finishes and locally crafted timber to create something that feels inherently tied to place.
The space is arranged more like a series of rooms than a single retail floor. Two bay windows bring in natural light, while a central room with a fireplace and seating creates a quieter moment for pause and consultation. There is a deliberate sense of progression through the space, with views extending through to a rear garden, reinforcing a connection to the outside.
Materiality is simple but considered. Floor-to-ceiling sycamore shelving, crafted from a single, felled tree, sits against textured walls, while stone basins and reclaimed timber flooring add weight and tactility. The palette remains muted throughout, allowing the natural qualities of each material to carry the space.
At its core, the project reflects Aesop’s approach to design, responding to local architecture and culture to create something that feels both specific and understated, with a quiet emphasis on ritual, hospitality and time spent within the space.
Photography by Masami Naruo