This month’s showroom represents a homecoming. Not only does David Harrison, managing director of Clive Christian Scotland, hail from the city, but the business began its life there in the late 1980s. The company’s newest showroom is in the well-heeled, but characterful area of Morningside.

“We’ve always wanted to return to Edinburgh,” Harrison explains, “but we could never find somewhere that was quite right, or it wasn’t the right time. And then we were introduced, through a mutual contact, to Ronnie Scott who owns Boscolo Bathrooms – we had good synergy, and a similar clientele, and he wasn’t using all the office space, so now we’ve taken up a portion of his showroom.”

It’s a great location, but an unusual set-up. The old building which the showroom occupies used to be a bank, on one side is the Clive Christian showroom entrance, while on the other is the entrance to
Boscolo Bathrooms.

Inside the Clive Christian space, the focus is on the timeless, signature style of their Architectural range. Because Clive Christian makes its own solid oak furniture, and because the style is distinctive to the brand, there are just three displays, which showcase the sophistication and luxurious details for which it is known.

“We wanted our displays to be as true to life as possible with the right proportions, so people could really picture how the furniture would look in their homes,” Harrison says.

As you enter, you are met by a large kitchen display featuring real stone worktops, an antique mirror splashback in Tijuana gold behind the sizeable Gagganau hob and oven, and a banquette seating arrangement complete with marble-topped dining table.

All the appliances on display are fully operational because, as Harrison notes, “if a customer plans to spend £10,000 on a fridge-freezer, they’re going to want to see it working.” Plus, the showroom also regularly hosts dining events and demonstration days for its customers.

At the showroom’s launch event, there was a specially designed hero display that featured Clive Christian’s new Opus furniture range, a glass basin by Glass Design, and taps by Samuel Heath. However, it’s the oak veneer marquetry, which is the real star of the show, depicting Edinburgh’s famous rail bridge.

“We wanted to do something really special – something which celebrates and showcases the city, and the rail bridge is pretty iconic,” Harrison says. “It also really showcases our craftmanship and furniture making skills.”

With its use of the marquetry showing an Edinburgh icon, a collaboration with local interior designer Anna Mills for the finishing touches, and paintings from an Edinburgh gallery, the look and feel of the showroom is truly emblematic of Clive Christian.