ISLE OF PLENTY Scotland’s magical Isle of Skye has become an unlikely destination for modern design, inspired by the drama of its unrivalled landscape Fromtop TheCrofter’s House, setinruggedlandscape; anditsrestfulinteriorwithwhitewood-panelledwalls; theBlackHholiday home by Harlosh It would be fair to saythat Skye need makelittle extra effort to attract visitors,such is its wealth of natural good looks.And yet there’sasmattering of spectacular places to stay,asadearth of period properties has provedanunlikely force for architectural innovation. In their absence, creativetypes tend to stakeout the mostpicturesque plots and do their ownthing, usually with one of two award-winning architecture firms in tow: Rural Design and Dualchas Architects.(Foranisland of only 12,000 permanent inhabitants,it’squitethe architect to resident ratio.) High-profile projects include Grand Designs-featured HenHouse and its low- impact sister property Fiskavaig Studio,plus Harlosh’slarch-clad Black H, which featured on these pages in 2018.Mostare designed to maximiseviewsand minimise waste, with restful interiors that AM act as afoil to their windsweptsurrounds. EER SarahChesworth, whoowns rentalcottageThe Crofter’s House, ON MO IX had initially wanted to build an architect-designed timber shelter EL RESTFUL INTERIORS ACT AS but wasdeterred by the prohibitive logistics involved in overseeing ,F NGE A FOIL TO THESE PROPERTIES’ the project remotely.‘Iwent through acomplete re-evaluation,’ VI she says,recalling the revised checklist. ‘Somewhere with character, EN WINDSWEPT SURROUNDS ROS that captured the historical context, wasvery small and near the HIE sea.’ Aderelict crofter’s housewith walls ametre thick, datingfrom OP E-S 1830,fitthe bill for her vision of ‘a peaceful hideawaywithin the NN stunning rugged landscape, almostScandinavian in feel’. No one ,A ON could fault the result –the diminutiveretreat has impeccable design RK credentials,includinglightingby LouisPoulsenandGubi,aNormann AA N/H Copenhagen clothes railand ahealthyselectionofHAY homeware. SO Yetitfeels utterly at ease within its surroundings,justinland from HOB IA aquietbay where seals are spotted daily. ND :I Chesworth,whorunscreativeagencyFeltinGlasgow, hasproduced ES UR quite the Skye portfolio,overseeing branding for luxury guesthouse CT PI ESCAPE Kinloch Lodge, Isle of Skye Sea Salt Companyand new café Birch. The brainchild of Skye nativeNiall Munro,alongside parents and sister Sarah-Anne, Birch wasinspired by trips to coffee mecca Melbourne. ‘I waskeentoreplicate that Melbourne café style on Skye, but withour beautiful, locally sourced products,’hesays. Though Birch could hold its ownagainstany Hackney hangout, there’saslower,quieter appeal in taking apew at its handcrafted bench. And it’snot the island’sonly stylish pit stop –atcafé and second-hand bookshop Bog Myrtle, you can nowpickupanindie design magazine with your vintagepaperback. ‘I’d metsomanypeoplewho came to Skye looking for authentic, well-madecraft and art,’recalls Edinburgh native JenCarter Pearson, who firstopened design-led store ÒR in 2016 as an outlet to sell her contemporary jewellery.Two years later,she’dsnapped up asecond premises,and nowstocks homeware from established Britishdesigners such as Donna Wilson and Silvia KCeramics alongside local makers: limited-edition linocut prints by Philippa Thomas,ceramics by SomethingtoCry About Studio and textiles from WestcoastWeavers.Next, she says,isanonline shop,which is slated for2021. ‘Wealso commissionartists from all over the UK whose work we feel would connect to Skye,’she says.‘It’s awonderfully inspiring place.’ Clockwise, from above Birchcafé;Jen Carter Pearson inherÒRshop;whereviewslooksouthoverPortree; stylish eco houseFiscavaig Studio OUR RB BA ID AV ,D IVE CT LLE CO ET RE ST GO TA :O ES UR CT PI DECEMBER 2020 ELLEDECORATION.CO.UK 173.