If we had visited one of the grand houses in Heriot Row shortly after it was built, what would we see?
Typically an elegant hall, often with a screen of Ionic columns. Next a noble stairwell, leading to large public rooms with enriched plaster cornices, fine woodwork and marble chimney pieces. These grand rooms would be well lit with large windows. A fanlight and a central cupolas also contributed light.
A very full description of the home furnishings was given in an 1825 estimate for 3 Moray Place by William Trotter, furniture provider to the Edinburgh gentry. Some items of interest are:-
"2 window curtains of rich crimson damask with plaited valens bound with lace and finished with plummet fringe"
"13 fine Grecian mahogany chairs with bread top rails capitals richly carved seats stuff'd in best manner and cover'd with crimson morocco"
"a pair handsome pillar and claw Card Tables to suit of real rosewood finished with a patent polish"
"a Splendid Commode of fancy wood with truss legs highly ornamented with marble top and miorror under".
The estimate also included square legged deal tables, rush bottomed chairs and a set of hanging bookshelves for the schoolroom.
Altogether, the estimate provided 104 chairs and sofas
Houses of this period included folding wooden window shutters, for warmth and security plus window blinds to protect the furniture from sunlight. This was important in Heriot Row with its southern aspect.
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