About the studio
Led by Shaz Morton, in collaboration with trusted architects, builders, tradespeople, designers and craftspeople, the Forstaris studio is based near Selkirk in the Scottish Borders.
We work with interior design clients both locally and further afield – be it the wider United Kingdom or overseas.
Expertise
Our breadth of knowledge spans all aspects of residential and commercial interiors – from spatial planning and design to custom joinery, textiles, decorative techniques and interior decoration, specification of surfaces and furniture design.
We are adept at liaising with architects and other design professionals to achieve the best results for our clients.
Form always meets function in the high quality, comfortable and characterful interiors we create.
Narratives make meaningful interiors
Shaz’s background is in design for film, where great storytelling lies at the heart of everything. She brings this experience to her interior and furniture design, by always imbuing them with a strong sense of narrative.
She loves to work closely with clients to hear their stories and use them to help personalise and poeticise the spaces they inhabit.
Meticulous research, combined with a pragmatic and practical approach, forms the basis for fun and revealing discussions with clients that help Shaz to achieve their requirements through thoughtful and meaningful detail.
Shaz Morton
Now an interior designer for residential and commercial projects, Shaz originally studied textiles and sculpture in Belfast before moving into film production in Chicago.
Since 1991, she has designed for screen and theatre in Scotland, England and the USA.
It was while living on the Isle of Skye, her base for twelve years, that Shaz’s design focus shifted to interiors.
The significant restoration and rebuild of a Highland croft in the north of the island – and the cluster of historic buildings upon it – allowed for the full expression of her interiors aesthetic.
The transformation of the buildings – a collaboration with her husband, builder and craftsman Alistair Morton – also provided invaluable hands-on experience in the adaptation and repurposing of traditional and vernacular architecture.
The croft became home to an internationally renowned boutique hospitality experience and featured in numerous prestigious publications including British Vogue.
“A rare gift for creating stylish yet perfectly relaxing spaces...we were overwhelmed by every single detail”
Forstaris (Scots): a forest dweller
We feel a deep affinity with the Scottish natural lexicon, and ancient words which over time have become more expressive, modern and free.
Tell us the story of your space
Get in touch to start the conversation and explore ideas for your project.