Decor and Design Scotland August Issue by decoranddesignscotland

AUGUST | 2021

Candy Crush on Pastels

Real People Real Homes

Angel Strawbridge Chateau Chic

BATHROOMS

Planning, Styles, Colours, Textures

MAKING INTERIORS “SING”

GENERATION GAME Keep it in the Family

ANNA CAMPBELL-JONES

FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATION | UPDATE YOUR RENTAL | SUMMER NIGHTS | LIFE’S A BEACH

E DI TO R’S LET T ER

Welcome

to the summer edition of Decor and Design Scotland magazine, the freshest and most exciting interior design magazine for Scotland. Scotland is enjoying somewhat of a heatwave as I write, and it confirms what most of us already know, which is that few places can beat it for natural beauty when the sun’s out. Just as well, because with all the recent travel disruptions and restrictions, a staycation has been on the cards for many of us this year. In this issue therefore we’ve been thinking about how to bring summer holiday vibes into your own home. One person who has had no problem finding sunnier climes this year, is designer Angel Strawbridge, star of channel 4’s hit TV show Escape To The Chateau. Angel, like us, is adamant that you can achieve great design on any budget, and much of the success of their French chateau renovation is down to her creative upcycling projects, as well as Dick’s engineering know-how and a lot of hard graft! Read our chat with Angel on p7, and hear how she and husband Dick transformed the tired old building into a glamourous wedding venue and foodie retreat, as well as a family home for themselves and their two young children. Anna Campbell-Jones has also seen more than her share of interiors upcycling projects, as one of the trio of judges on Scotland’s Home Of The Year on the BBC. The Glasgowbased interior designer is fortunate enough to have peeked into hundreds of amazing Scottish homes now, having filmed four series, and she talks us through what she looks for in a home when judging. She also tells us how she approaches the interior design of her client’s homes - for her it’s all about collaboration. She takes us behind the scenes of her colourful Glasgow flat on p18, and even lets us in on where her own ‘favourite spot’ is, though as she points out, that is bound to change soon, as her philosophy is that homes should be ever-evolving. Talking of amazing homes, we’re lucky enough once again in this issue to have been taken ‘behind closed doors’ of some incredible real Scottish homes, full of amazing rooms and inspiring ideas. For those who are colour-shy and want to be a little braver, turn to p38 and hear how Jay transformed her stunning Orkney home into a rainbow of colour with a palette that is both brightly coloured and yet still utterly liveable. On the opposite end of the spectrum, turn to p28 and you’ll see that Jane’s neutral palette is calming but never boring, the simplicity of her interior design lets the building itself do all the talking. On p44 read how Mark S and Mark C gave a home that had been in the family many years ago, a total overhaul. We were particularly enamoured with their amazing new kitchen in the extension, and by the bathroom renovations they’ve done. We’re rather in lust with the amazing wallpaper in their WC if truth be told.

trends in fittings and fixtures. Whether you’re planning a calming spa-like sanctuary or a tiny powder room with wow-factor, we’ve done the leg work for you. One silver lining of going through lockdown has meant that people have been all the more appreciative of any outdoor spaces they may have, whether it be a small balcony or a sprawling garden, and are keen to spend as much time outside as they can. We show you on p97 how to maximise the temperature on those sometimes chilly late summer/early Autumn nights, with our selection of the best fire pits, comfy seating, glowing lanterns and even a deliciously warm hot tub if you are so inclined (count us in), the night is young! Talking of summer nights, if you’re still pining after foreign shores, turn to p128 to bring some tropical island style into your home with well-chosen design pieces inspired by far-flung climes. Who needs to leave the house, let alone get on a plane… We hope you enjoy reading this issue as much as we enjoyed putting it together! Let us know what you think at info@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk. If your home reflects your eye for interior design, or you’ve done an amazing home makeover project and you’d like to tell us your story, email us at the address above.

Lindsay Doherty LINDSAY DOHERTY EDITOR

Check out our website www.decoranddesignscotland.co.uk Follow us on: Instagram @decoranddesignscotland Facebook @DecorAndDesignScotland Pinterest @decoranddesignscotland.

If a bathroom transformation is on your home hit-list, we’ve got you covered. Turn to p56 and read our bathroom section for loads of tips on planning and design, plus all the latest

AUGUST 2021 |

CONT E NTS

CONTENTS 7

Angel Strawbridge

Corner sofas

Queen of vintage styling and star of Escape To The Chateau Angel Strawbridge chats to us about the renovation of the family’s French fairy tale castle, and how her design talents have led to the launch of her own interiors range.

Sofas that the whole family can fit on, it’s the recipe for a comfy night in. See our edit of the best corner, chaise, sectional and L-shaped sofas to fit all styles and budgets.

ISSUE 2 | AUGUST 2021

Real homes – Generation Game

We meet a couple who have transformed a run-down home that’s been in the family for decades, bringing it bang up to date from top to bottom with plenty of clever design ideas and creative solutions.

Real homes - Blonde Bombshell

Sometimes a hint can be lounder than a shout. We talk to Jane who believes that the stunning architectural features of her blonde sandstone home stand out all the better against a palette of calm neutral colours.

Scotland’s Home of the Year judge Anna Campbell-Jones takes us behind closed doors in her own colourful flat. Then based on her own decades of experience as an interior designer, as well as having looked around countless Scottish homes for the show, she tells us what she believes are the magic ingredients that turn a house into a home.

Real homes – Candy Crush

Jay shows us around her colour-drenched Orkney home painted in an array of bright pastels. She tells us how much of the contents are a result of her creative and colourful upcycling. Be prepared to be colour inspired.

Fire Safety

A stunning ensuite transformation project that proves that building a good relationship over time with a company you can trust can make your interior dreams come true.

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It’s a dream for many, but we talk to one family who quit life in a big city to live beside the seaside. As well as swapping city for coast, they moved from a period property to a new build. Find out if it’s lived up to their expectations and if ‘life’s a beach’ now.

87 Real homes – Oasis of calm

Anna Campbell-Jones

Real homes - Life’s a beach

Bathrooms, bathrooms, bathrooms It may be the smallest room in the house, but it can be a big project and needs to be both stylish and functional. We talk to the experts for their top bits of advice and guide you through the latest trends.

An essential consideration in any home, how safe is your home from fire? With new fire safety legislation coming into force in Scotland in 2022 which could affect everything from home insurance to home improvements, are you prepared? Find out how to maximise fire safety in your home as well as how to comply with the new regulations.

Real homes – Home by the Tay

Tenement flats are not just found in Glasgow and Edinburgh. We spoke to a tenement owner in Dundee about what is special about the period properties and what advice she would give someone approaching their first tenement renovation.

CO NT ENTS

Summer nights Make the most of those late summer nights which might turn chilly with our edit of fire pits, comfy chairs, hot tubs and more. Don’t let a chill spoil the party vibes, the night is young!

122 Raised beds

Food writer and podcaster, Helen Cross on the benefits of raised beds, what she grows, and her advice if you fancy having a go yourself. Green fingers not required.

105

Real homes – Monochrome magic

We chat to a couple who’ve put their own stamp on a new build in Stirling with a classic monochrome palette and learn some lessons about why not to order furniture before you’ve moved in!

129

Stockists List Want the look? Get it here. A list of all the fabulous stockists where you can recreate the great interiors we’ve featured.

EDITOR Lindsay Doherty lindsay@decoranddesign.co.uk @homeofwhimsy STAFF WRITERS Ellis Cochrane ellis@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk www.ellistuesday.com EDITORIAL CONSULTANT Mairi Clark mairi@decoranddesign.co.uk @theculturemonkey

ART & DESIGN Lyn Sneddon lyn@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk

111

PHOTOGRAPHER Vicki Allison info@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk @vickiallisonphotography

Update your rental Our guide on how to bring your own style and personality to a rental property, without upsetting your landlord. Full of top tips and hacks – you’ll be amazed at what can be achieved with a little creative know-how.

WEB EDITOR Kate McNee kate@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk @kate.m.lifestyle

130

Trend Setter – Jungle Boogie Each issue we spotlight a trend that seems to be everywhere, and this issue we’re talking tropical. From palm tree wallpaper to hummingbird light shades, we’ve come over all exotic…

PUBLISHER & MANAGING DIRECTOR Julia Smith julia@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Lana Wilkinson Whyte lana@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk 0141 343 8310 07511 810568 info@decoranddesignscotland.co.uk ADDITIONAL CREDITS Photography:Andrew Jackson/Curse These Eyes @cursetheseeyes | www.cursetheseeyes.com Copyright ©2021 Decor and Design Scotland - All Rights Reserved.

AUGUST 2021 |

All photography: thechateau.tv

A N G E L STR AWB RI D GE RH

by MAIRI CLARK

With stunning bright red hair and a personality that burst onto the screen on the Channel 4 series Escape to the Chateau, Angel Strawbridge shouldn’t really need any introduction. Mairi Clark had a chat with the designer, entrepreneur and mum of two, to find out what led her from Essex to the North of France to refurb a 19th-century chateau.

It’s five years since the Strawbridges exploded onto our TV screens with their ambitious plans to redevelop a rundown, ancient chateau in Martignesur-Mayenne in the Pays de la Loire region of France.

Angel – born Angela Newman – had met her husband Dick Strawbridge at a pop-up restaurant in 2010 and reportedly fell in love at first sight. Eleven years on, they have married, had two children and also transformed the

45 room chateau, which they bought for £280,00 in 2015 into a spectacular family home. The property, which had stood empty for forty years, had no electricity, heating or running water. After buying it, they had only £20,000 of their budget for the refurbishment. If that is not a challenge, we don’t know what is. The transformation of Chateau-dela-Motte-Husson is amazing and the property is now worth a reputed £2 million.

“It was a challenge!” Angel laughs. “We moved to The Chateau in the middle of winter with no electricity, heating or sewerage and 2 very small children. When the extra-large core drill failed to get through the walls in the very early days after buying the chateau, we knew we had a challenge on our hands! Dick had to go away to work so we could fund the renovation, so I spent some time here alone. But we had a plan and a vision, and, in those instances, you just get on with it because you don’t have a choice. It was all totally worth it in the end.” AUGUST 2021 |

Image: John Hersey

RH ANG E L STRAW BRIDG E Angel started out as a fully qualified Chartered Accountant in London and was a business advisor, before training as an Image Consultant. A lover of all things vintage, she ran a stall in the east end of London before launching her hospitality business The Vintage Patisserie, which saw her appear on BBC’s Dragon’s Den. She still runs The Vintage Patisserie, but it has now merged into the weddings and celebrations that are offered at The Chateau. “We handle everything ourselves, and during events, we are supported by our amazing team here,” she says. “There is always a lot of planning and ongoing day-to-day running of the business.” The chateau has been sprinkled with Angel’s love of vintage, something she has been a fan of since she was young. “I’ve been collecting vintage since I was a little girl,” she says. “I’ve been scouring car boot sales and thrift stores for as long as I can remember. I love old things and the glamour of a bygone era. Often Dick and I go ‘thrifting’, one of our favourite outings, where we browse French second-hand markets and antique Image: John Hersey

shops for everything from linens, china and glasses through to taxidermy. I’ve been a fan since I was five years old. I used to spend my pocket money on Fifties’ trinkets and tea sets from car boot sales and second-hand shops!”

| AUGUST 2021

All photography: thechateau.tv

The renovation of the chateau has led to Angel launching a homeware collection of her own. The Chateau by Angel Strawbridge has been out since 2018 and is stocked in Next, Sainsburys and Argos amongst others.

Image: John Hersey

“I’ve been scouring car boot sales and thrift stores for as long as I can remember.”

“The collection has been incredibly well-received,” says Angel. “I’m working on new designs all the time and we have a new range - including my first Children’s Collection - launching in October, which I can’t wait to share!” The love of vintage and retro style stems from her female relatives, which inspired her glamorous forties bouffant and her love of headscarves. “My mum used to be so glam in the sixties,” she says. “Nan always wore capri pants and pointy glasses. People made so much more of an effort.”

All photography: thechateau.tv

RH ANG E L STRAW BRIDG E The chateau famously has a ‘wallpaper museum’, after Angel found some vintage wallpaper in a wardrobe in the attic. The discovery led to the launch of Angel’s wallpaper range. Dick’s love for the walled garden (the potagerie), also inspired another range. “All my designs are inspired by the chateau, from the grounds to the interiors, and the wildlife surrounding our home, my main design influences are William Morris, Etre, Georges Lepape,” Angel says. “The new children’s collection is inspired by our faux furry friends and various circus and fairground memorabilia at The Chateau. The Kimono Collection is a new collection inspired by my love of Art Deco and the Oriental day jacket I love! The colour is an emerald sumptuous jewel colour. The Wildflower collection is inspired by all the stunning flowers around the Chateau.” Renovating a period property, with two young children among it, must have been difficult, but Angel plays it down. “It’s our business so we just make the juggling work,” she laughs. “Of course, the kids are in school and my parents, who live in the Coach House, are able to help with childcare. You have to be organised though and plan ahead, which both Dick and I have plenty of experience in.”

“Every person’s home is their castle!”

All photography: thechateau.tv

| AUGUST 2021

Many people think taking on a 19th-century building would be daunting but also cold and screaming history, how can you renovate, but also modernise it tastefully? “We did it by being respectful to history without living in a museum!” she laughs. “We love it, it’s exactly what we wanted when we started looking for our dream home. When we fell in love with the chateau, it was the fact it had been left empty and derelict for over 40 years. That it was just crying out for some TLC really appealed to us. We wanted to bring it back to life and preserve its history for many generations to come. Although the building is hundreds of years old, it feels very warm and cosy, like a proper family home. We refer to it as a cosy chateau. First and foremost, it is our family home and we’ve tried to combine this need to work as one alongside preserving the chateau’s history.” Angel believes that anyone can add ‘chateau chic’ to a house, even a modern build. “Every person’s home is their castle!” she says. “If there’s a look you want to achieve, the type of property doesn’t need to make a

A N G E L STR AWB RI D GE RH difference. Be creative and bold and surround yourself with things you love and that give you joy every day. Get your inspiration from car boot sales, eBay, charity shops and antique fairs. My advice is to do what makes you happy. It’s fine to mix periods and styles. Try not to get too hung up on creating a style or theme, unless that’s what you’re trying to achieve. I love pieces with a story and often buy things on a whim without knowing what I’ll do with them until the time is right.” Angel also has strong views on the debate about should you repaint furniture or leave as they are. “I actually love good quality wooden furniture, so given the choice, I would say leave those pieces,” she says. “But on the whole, many pieces we paint are not. I’m a big fan of upcycling and love breathing new life into old pieces in need of some TLC. Repainting furniture is an inexpensive way to update the look of any room. My advice is to properly prep the surface and use the best quality paint designed for the surface you’re revamping. There are some excellent ones available in places like Homebase and most don’t even require the surface to be sanded beforehand.” Although the chateau is now liveable and running as a wedding venue, it remains a constant project. “It will always be a work in progress, the next big job is the roof!” laughs Angel. The couple haven’t ruled out moving though. “Never say never! At the moment though we’re still very busy here,” she says.

Image: John Hersey

Lockdown has also brought its challenges, with weddings being cancelled for reasons ranging from travel restrictions to curbing of numbers. “Like all wedding venues it’s been a challenge,” says Angel. “Luckily our couples have been incredibly understanding and flexible about moving dates – we’ve just had to be organised and to make sure everyone is happy.” The couple’s children also have firm plans for where they fit in the whole chateau business. Angel has installed her geodesic domes and a barge and has set her sights on a swimming pool next. Five-year-old Dorothy, the youngest of their two children, has already decided that she’s moving into the domes when she gets married. Arthur, six, has other ideas. “Arthur wants the orangery as his restaurant,” Angel laughs. “He’s a real gourmand and has even started his own branding. Dorothy also wants one of the outbuildings, which will be very modern and contemporary. I’m allowed to babysit the two children she’s going to have!”. Angel is pragmatic when asked if there are any regrets about uprooting her family to a rundown chateau, and what advice she’d give to anyone thinking about doing the same. “Regret and giving up is not in our nature,” she says adamantly. “We’ve had plenty of challenges, but we power on through because when you have a vision you just do what you can to make it happen. Make a plan, stick to it or break it, but focus on your end goal. Planning is so important – don’t rush into things without thinking about what you need and how you’re going to do it. Really anything is possible if you put your mind to it – you’ll be surprised what you can achieve just by being a bit brave and getting stuck in!”

You can follow Angel @the_chateau_tv and watch Escape to the Chateau: Make Do and Mend Seasons 1 & 2 is available on-demand via All4.

AUGUST 2021 |

NOUVEAU HERON NAVY CURTAINS P.O.A from www.thechateau.tv

NOUVEAU HERON NAVY CUSHION

LARGE FRENCH WINE CHÂTEAU WALL CLOCK

30 x 50cm P.O.A from www.thechateau.tv

Wayfair, £39.99

CHATEAU LES JAQUES CUSHION Wayfair, £30.99

MILANO ELIZABETH TRADITIONAL Crosshead Mono basin tap in oil rubbed bronze Big Bathroom Shop, £119.99

WATERING CAN POLYESTER DRUM LAMP SHADE in White/Brown Wayfair, £73.99

PROVENCAL CLASSIC WHITE FRENCH ARMOIRE £1240, The French Bedroom Co www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

BC DESIGNS COPPER DOUBLE ENDED FREE STANDING BATH (1700mm) £3199.95, Victorian Plumbing.

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HONEYCOMB available in wallpaper, cushions, fabric and bedding P.O.A from www.thechateau.tv

FRENCH LINEN UPHOLSTERED BED £1395, The French Bedroom Co www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

BAMBOO TAPE PENCIL PLEAT ROOM DARKENING CURTAINS (Set of 2) Wayfair, 33.99

BONAPARTE FRENCH BED King, Super King and Large Emperor. £3465, The French Bedroom Co www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

CHABLIS & ROSES MINK VELVET SOFA Available in 2 or 3 seat versions £1745, The French Bedroom Co www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

CLAREMONT BATH SHOWER MIXER DECK Mounted in Gold Burlington Bathrooms, £649.00

CAIRNESS LEATHER SOFA in Hand Antiqued Leather, £2886, Darlings of Chelsea www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

NOUVEAU HERON NAVY CUSHION 43 x 43cm P.O.A from www.thechateau.tv

MOONLIGHT CUSHION Wayfair, £19.99

THE WALLPAPER MUSEUM P.O.A from www.thechateau.tv

AUGUST 2021 |

You’ll no doubt recognize her face from ‘Scotland’s Home of the Year’, but Anna Campbell-Jones has an impressive pedigree when it comes to making a home ‘sing’, having been immersed in the industry for 30 plus years. BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

She’s shot to fame as one of the three judges on ‘Scotland’s Home of the Year’ show, so we thought it was time for a chat about her thoughts on the houses she’s seen, her love of design and what her own home says about her.

RH ANNA CAMP BELL- JON ES

ith short blonde hair, tattoos and a passion for sustainability, Anna Campbell-Jones is quite a character. She’s been vocal on having no ambitions of being the ‘next Kirsty Allsopp’, however, the London-born designer has made an impact since she moved to Scotland, twenty years ago. After studying at Glasgow School of Art, Anna moved back to London to work at various leading design practices. She returned to her ‘forever home’ of Glasgow, in the early 2000s to be director of Rehab Interiors. In 2016, she took the leap to set up the design consultancy, Habitus. That led on to her lecturing in design at her alma mater, Glasgow School of Art. This year saw her complete series three of the hit show Scotland’s Home Of The Year and Anna and the other two judges have filmed most of series four, although we have to wait until next year to see the houses!

“I obviously need to keep under wraps any specifics about what delicious treats are in store for SHOTY4, but over the last three years of making the programme, we have seen such variety,” Anna says. “I think as the show has become more well known, people have felt increasingly comfortable about having us look around their homes, which has meant that we get more and more applicants every year. With this volume, we can choose the very best to film, so the homes just keep getting better and better. As usual, we seek everything from ancient castles, modernist masterpieces, tiny cottages to urban apartments and in terms of the design approach, anything goes!” With the judging taking the trio of judges around Scotland, she’s become quite close to her fellow judges. “You can imagine that being on the road for weeks at a time, we have got to know each other, and the crew, very well!” she laughs. “SHOTY feels like a family, and I have made

| AUGUST 2021

lifelong friends both on the production team and with the judges. Kate and I have become especially close, we have the best time working out our outfits for the show and she has helped me up my Instagram game!” The three judges bring very different skills to the show. Michael Angus is an architect and Kate Spiers is a lifestyle blogger, so Anna’s 30 years of interior design means her experience of dealing with individual’s tastes is her expertise. “As an interior designer with 30 years under my belt, 20 of which have been doing residential design, I have accumulated a level of knowledge about interiors and refurbishing older properties, which I enjoy sharing with the viewers,” she says. “My personal design approach has always been about collaborating with clients and trying to understand their lives and tastes, which is a skill I hope I bring to bear when assessing people’s homes on the show.”

“I think a real home should be telling the narrative of your life and who you are.”

experience of doing up a castle in Aberdeenshire recently for the Channel 4 pilot of Hire My Home. I would also love to see super compact homes such as Airstream trailers, boats or treehouses. Although they would be a challenge for Michael and a whole film crew!”. A big passion for Anna is that the houses that she judges on SHOTY, and the houses she consults for interior design, are homes. For SHOTY, she is particularly keen that people enter the show regardless of how ‘finished’ their houses are. “We have filmed homes where every room isn’t complete,” she says. “I would hope that anyone who watches the series will have seen that all styles and all budgets are assessed on a level playing field. The most important criteria is HOME.”

If you ask Anna about any favourites from the shows, she just laughs. “When it comes to choosing a favourite home on the show it’s like choosing a favourite child!” she says. “There are a few that I have particularly connected with. The new build on Skye in the first series; last year’s winner, Hugh Berry’s stunning apartment in Glasgow and this year ‘The Double House’ in Orkney. The last one made my eyes sting a little because it reminded me so strongly of the home in London, I was brought up in.” “I think we have seen most types of typically Scottish homes,” she says. “We have only had one castle so I would love to see another in the show, especially after my

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Anna has lived in her own home, in Glasgow’s West End for over twenty years, having moved in with her husband when their first child was born. She now resides with her cat, Ivie, after her two sons flew the coop. “When we first moved in, the flat had been fire damaged and we only had a few bits of furniture,” she says. “We painted everything white and kept things minimalist, but over the years I have added colour, and accumulated furniture and art. I feel like my home has evolved as I have. It’s definitely not high design and that’s how I think a real home should be - telling the narrative of your life and who you are.”

The use of colour has become something of a trademark for Anna. Her take on it could be borderline geeky. “The colours have been added over the years as I moved away from white minimalism,” she says. “I chose them from the British Standard BS4800 range, which evolved from the Schedule of Paint Colours for Building Purposes first prepared by the Pigments, Paints and Varnishes Standards Committee in 1972. It’s quite a weird palette and I enjoyed the challenge of limiting myself to it. Similarly, the bright carpets in the studio and TV room are Tretford Cord, made from goat hair in Ireland. I believe the colour range hasn’t changed much since the 1950s. I think both work well with my interest in vintage and antique furniture.”

RH ANNA CAMP BELL- JON ES Her love of vintage and antiques is apparent in her home, she loves things because she loves them. Her best advice is not to overthink design. “My home is eclectic and has evolved over time,” she says. “I have built the schemes around favourite pieces of furniture or art. Some are family heirlooms, some vintage finds, and others are contemporary. All were chosen because I love them. Not with any kind of master plan. I believe that we each have an innate palette of colours, shapes, patterns and textures and that if we choose things because we truly love them then they will generally work well together - best not to overthink it!”

Sustainability is something particularly because she believes that vintage furniture is often made from high quality materials and well constructed. “You need to think about the longevity as well as the provenance of any furniture,” she says. “Some of the items I have were bought from antique dealers, some were inherited and some I found on the street, in skips or charity shops! If I want to change it up, I can re-sell or give the items away, sending nothing to landfill. My favourite pieces are the Saarinen table and PEL chairs in my kitchen, which are design classics. They date from the early 30s and I love the cantilevered and tubular design. My dad had them in his office and when he retired, I snaffled them. He bought the table new in the 1970s, but he found the chairs in a skip and had them re-chromed and reupholstered, so I guess the apple didn’t fall far from the tree!”

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“Your home should be about what brings you joy.”

A N N A C A MP B E LL-J O NES RH Although her flat had lost its fireplaces when Anna and her family moved in, the cornice and shutters were intact. “It was sad that the fireplaces had all been ripped out, but it did mean I was free to design the master bedroom with the wardrobes spaced off the wall,” she says. “That allowed me to create a dressing area and to locate the bed perfectly in the centre of the room. The original floorboards were sanded and painted black. I have since added carpet in the studio and TV room and I have enjoyed going for strong colour. The only room with a muted palette is my bedroom. I did this to help with that transition to a more peaceful time of day, from the more vibrant spaces in the rest of the home.” The pandemic has changed Anna’s work-life dramatically. “All my meetings are online,” she says. “Doing presentations

via screen-sharing has proved to be brilliant because I can update drawings and mood boards live. This has fed into my collaborative approach to designing people’s homes. I took the (enforced) time at home to re-evaluate how I use my own space. I converted the spare room into my studio, putting a sofa bed in the TV room for guests. When you are busy dashing about and working you can’t see the obvious in your own home. I think many people have made similar discoveries during lockdown, which has caused a huge upsurge in people looking to reimagine their spaces for a different way of living and working.” For Anna, a home is never completed. “I don’t think a home is ever finished,” she says. “Mine has been through so many changes. I am happy with it, but I would never rule out making dramatic changes in the future, that’s a big part of the joy of making your home your own. For example, my favourite spot keeps changing! I have just had my garden completely redone so at the moment it’s the bench on my new elliptical deck, but that could change!”.

Anna’s top tip for anyone wanting to be brave with interior design? “Do not be a slave to fashion, and do not worry about what other people will think of the decisions you make. Your home should be made to suit you because even if you do put in a boring kitchen because of concerns about resale, the chances are new owners would change it anyway. Your home should be about what brings you joy.”

Follow Anna Campbell-Jones on Instagram @anna.hab and visit Habitus Design www.habitus.design. Look out for season 4 of Scotland’s Home Of The Year on the BBC in 2022. All Photography: Andrew Jackson/Curse These Eyes @cursetheseeyes www.cursetheseeyes.com AUGUST 2021 |

STEAL ORIGINAL TYPE 90 ANGLEPOISE LAMP

COLE & SON WOODS WALLPAPER

ANDY WARHOL PRINTS

in Black and White, £107/roll available from wallpaperdirect

Flowers c.1964 ( red, yellow, orange on blue) Black stained ash frame with window mount, 102 x 102 cm King & McGaw, £340 www.kingandmcgaw.com

Original Type 90 Anglepoise Lamp dating from the late 1970’s to early 80’s. Whisper and Echo, £155 www.whisperandecho.co.uk

MID-CENTURY MEDIA CONSOLE UNIT Acorn, £1649 West Elm at John Lewis

AFAW XXL BERBER-STYLE RUG

DOCKSTA TABLE

Black and White 240 X 330cm La Redoute, £375 www.laredoute.co.uk

IKEA, £129

VAN DER ROHE STYLE BARCELONA CHAIR

JHS TRETFORD INTERLIFE CARPET

Tan Brown Leather £599, Pash Classics www.pash-classics.com

in Lettuce £59.95/m2 Remland Carpets www.remlandcarpets.co.uk

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LIKE ANNAS

L is for LOUNGE

DFS YOKO CORNER SOFA IN HONEY VELVET, £1,499

Nothing raises the feel-good factor when it comes to your living room than the whole family being able to pile on a sofa together to stretch out and relax.

DFS NUELA OPEN ENDED CORNER SOFA IN TAN LEATHER, PRICE FROM £1,599

Corner, L-shaped, chaise and sectional sofas really come into their own when it comes to lounging. It might look like they take up a lot of floor space, but they can actually provide more seating with a smaller footprint than several separate chairs, so can be a good option for small spaces as well as larger rooms. Their popularity shows no sign of slowing, and the choice of styles, shapes, sizes and configurations available means that you are sure to find the perfect one. We’ve done an edit of our favourites so there’s only one thing for it, put the kettle on then sink back and put your feet up - bliss!

We’re a big fan of Snug’s Sofa In A Box concept and they’ve just recently released their limited edition and fan favourite Turmeric shade as a permanent addition to their line. Available in a plethora of different sizes and formations, this golden shade will warm up any space. Price: from £949 REBEL MEDIUM CORNER SOFA

S O FA S H OWCASE

DUSTY GREEN

Boconcept’s bestselling Amsterdam sofa is available in a variety of different colours and fabrics, including Sand, Olive, Camel Estoril Leather, and White Lazio Fabric. The neutral shades can work in a variety of different spaces and compliment any style when it comes to your living room decor. Price: from £5522

DFS Enchanted corner sofa in cinnamon velvet. We are sure you will be enchanted by this gorgeous velvet corner sofa which has trendy seam detailing and slim gold legs. Price £1,299

We just love the modern city slicker vibe of the Spencer sofa in Dark Navy from the Designer Rooms Price from £1,999

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S O FA SHOWCASE

If you like a sofa that you can really cosy up on, Maker & Son’s best selling Song Large Chaise Sofa with Scattered Pillow Edges could be the one for you. We love the 100% linen material and Moonstone colour. Price from £9795

Who can resist Cuddlemuffin Loaf’s biggest, cuddliest squish-machine yet... so big, it’s four foot deep! This new modular sofa is available in any of Loaf’s wonderful fabrics and can be made into a variety of configurations. Stretch those legs out, people! Cuddlemuffin modular sofa with chaise in Light Olive vintage velvet. Price from £3640 at Loaf.com

Dani Burroughs, Head of Product for Snug, shares some of the key things to consider when shopping for a sofa; If home is where the heart is, the sofa is the heartbeat. It’s the place we feel most at home, a haven from the outside world.

Sofology Boodles 1.5 Terminal Corner 3 Seater in Indigo Mix, Price from £4799

Sofology Fluted Ivy 3 seater chaise in Velluto Anthracite, Price £1199

Comfort is King. Whether you want deep hugging seats or a squishy billowy feel, it’s all about personal preference. For plush and pump, opt for foam filling. It’s great at keeping its shape and ensuring years of blissful ‘ahhh’ moments. If you’re on the hunt for something with a little bounce, try pocket sprung. The individual pockets spring back into place after every use, meaning your sofa will look good as new every time. To measure for your new sofa, it’s always a good idea to note the dimensions of the existing furniture. You’ll want to make sure your new sofa fits in the space without overcrowding - or underwhelming. Another way to get a real sense of the size is to choose a style you like and map out its dimensions on the floor by laying out cardboard or taping an outline with masking tape. Play around with the different options: try sizing up or down until you find the perfect sofa that fits your home and style. AUGUST 2021 |

Blonde

Jane and her partner Gordon wanted a renovation project and couldn’t resist the allure of this Victorian Blonde Sandstone detached villa in Glasgow and set about transforming it from tired to inspired! BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

After spending eighteen years bringing their two teenage children up in their modern home, Jane and Gordon decided they wanted a project and bought a house in Glasgow that, let’s just say, had a fair amount of work needing done to it.

B LO N DE B O M B SHELL RH “On the day we were handed the keys we felt completely shell shocked and overwhelmed with the challenge ahead,” she laughs. “To be honest our biggest challenge was the sheer size and scale of the renovation. Thankfully our builders, West Building Contracts, were amazing. Their attention to detail was outstanding, and they genuinely cared about doing an excellent job. Without them the whole process would have been a lot more stressful.” When you look at the size of the job, you can understand why they were daunted. The roof and all the sash windows had to be replaced, and a new heating and plumbing system as well as the electrics had to be updated. Add the damp that many of the rooms were suffering meant they needed to be taken back to the lath and plaster. “We were originally advised that the roof would need some minor repairs,” says Jane. “However to hear that the whole thing needed replaced came as a bit of a shock as I’m sure you can imagine!” Decades of neglect had left its mark on the house, meaning it needed renovating from top to bottom. Luckily many of the original Victorian features remained and just needed some TLC to bring them back to life. The original cornicing, ceiling roses, entrance tiles and iron balusters on the stairs also remained. The stairs are in fact the couple’s proudest transformation. “The wrought iron spindles were covered in thick cream paint and as a result had lost much of their definition,” says Jane. “We had them shot blasted to remove the paint and then powder coated in black. This has given them a lovely matte finish, which contrasts well with the

pale walls and panelling. It’s been so lovely to see the staircase restored to its original glory.” The couple had had a open plan kitchen/dining area in their last home, so were keen to replicate it in this house. So much so that the plans for the kitchen were drawn up by the architect the minute they got the keys! “The extension itself took approximately four months to complete and was built prior to us moving in,” Jane says. “The buildings that had stood in its place were riddled with damp so we decided to have them demolished but we were able to save the original stone in the design.” Giving the brief of “light and bright” to their architects meant adding in Velux windows and sliding doors was a must. Their architect, Sara Hamilton from Breagh Architects, actually stumbled upon Uni Windows, the company behind the sliding doors in a holiday home she was staying in had them and the product really impressed her.

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RH BLO NDE BOMBSHELL

“They’ve made a huge impact on the extension and give a fantastic view of the garden,” says Jane. “It goes without saying that when the weather is warm, it’s an absolute delight to open them right back and have that inside/outside connection.” After architect Sara drew up the floor plans for the kitchen, the couple used a local supplier, Kitchen Interiors By Kevin Fleming, a family-run business in Croftamie, which designed their Burbidge kitchen from the architect’s floor plans. “They and our builders installed the kitchen for us,” says Jane. “That makes it sound so straightforward but many a sleepless night was had trying to get the layout just right within our budget!” The house was so rundown, that the original bathrooms had to be ripped out, with the floors levelled and new sanitaryware installed. Everything was sourced by the couple through different suppliers to try and keep costs down. By adding panelling, the spaces were given a bit more character (and also helps to insulate the rooms too). As the en-suite was actually a bit bigger than the family bathroom, they opted for a freestanding bath in there.

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The colour throughout their house is very muted, despite Jane being interested in interiors since she was a teen. “I love all different types of interior styles and I like to incorporate a blend of old and new,” she says. “In this house I felt it was necessary to keep the decor understated so the original features could be the star of the show. Adding in some rustic touches like wooden floors and wicker baskets help to warm the scheme. I definitely believe there’s a certain beauty in simplicity.”

RH BLO NDE BOMBSHELL

“I certainly don’t think either of us has the appetite to take on another project any time soon,” she says. “That said, there is something quite satisfying about giving an old rundown property a new lease of life. Never say never!”

Follow Jane on Instagram @sandstone_and_sawdust

As ever, Jane gets her inspiration from social media such as Pinterest and Instagram and even admits to having a folder bursting with tearouts from magazines! “I’ve been known to get lost in a Pinterest rabbit hole for hours,” she laughs. Although the main building work has been done, there is still some work needed as the front living room, dining room and open plan living space need some attention. “They need decorating and some furniture!”, says Jane. “Then the garden is the next big project. We have a garage that needs removed and a bit of hard landscaping to be done. Fingers crossed we can turn our attention to it next year.” Despite the outstanding work and the time it’s taken to get to this point, Jane hasn’t ruled out another rundown project.

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Style Steal

SHAFTESBURY CEILING LARGE PENDANT chrome Neptune, £200,

HAMPSHIRE WHITE MIRROR

TOULOUSE WHITE PAINTED 3 OVER 4 CHEST OF DRAWERS

Large Brissi, £33

Topfurniture, £599.99 www.topfurniture.co.uk

AVEBURY PURE WOOL CARPET in Marston Rye, Cormar Carpets, from £35 per sq/m

BRONTE CHAISE in Oat Brushed Cotton Loaf, £945

HANLEY MEDIUM VESSEL Neptune, £53

SOHO STONE RESIN FREESTANDING BATH Lusso Stone, from £1,295 image requested

GREY & BUFF RATTAN ROUND WICKER LOG BASKET The Basket Company, from £30

AUGUST 2021 |

PringleandGray BESPOKE JOINERY MANUFACTURING & MACHINING SERVICE

Specialists in design and build for every size of home to suit all styles, spaces and budgets. We design and build directly to your needs and speciﬁcations.

Please call us on 07733 140 392

to discuss your requirements and to arrange a quotation.

Broad Vision Careful Thought Hand Crafted Design

Westbuildingcontracts@hotmail.com

| AUGUST 2021

Moving from London to Orkney would seem a big enough life change, but if you’re up for changing your life so much why not go all the way and embrace a pastel life! That’s certainly what Londoner Jay Jennings did when she left her ‘white cube’ life behind and transformed a Victorian house on the islands to her dream home. BY LINDSAY DOHERTY Jay Jennings is quite open to her move with her partner Rob to Orkney being described as a midlife crisis. “Having both lived and worked in London most of our lives, we wanted a change of pace and a better work/life balance,” she says. “We’ve always loved the Nordics and Orkney seemed like the perfect middle ground - a Nordic lifestyle without the language barrier! We came, we saw, we bought a house and the rest is history as they say!”

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C A N DY CRUSH RH The couple moved to Scotland four years ago, with two dogs and a cat. After a year of searching they bought their dream Victorian house in Orkney. Since then, Jay has transformed their home into what can only be described as an explosion in a pastel crayon box! The house is joyful, unexpected, utterly personal and unique, as far away from pared-back minimalism

While the change of pace was an attraction, being able to buy a much bigger property was an advantage. “I’d never have dreamt we’d be able to afford such a grand house but that’s just another advantage of Orkney over London,” laughs Jay. “ I think most people were put off by the scale of the project, but it tugged at our heartstrings, as old houses do. I wanted a project and, I got one!” The house’s character and history, and the sorry state it was in were a big attraction for the couple. As the house had fallen into such disrepair after having been on the market for a long time worked to the couple’s advantage because most of the original features are still intact. The house is the only one on the terrace to have the original sash windows – although they are yet to be restored! Amazingly, Jay’s last house in London was not as bright. “I’ve always lived in ‘white cube’ interiors and brought the colour in through furniture and accessories,” she says. “Our house in London was actually white! Well, the walls were white. The move to Orkney and into what I hope is our ‘forever home’ prompted me to put colour on the walls. The winters here are long and dark and being surrounded by colour in our home gives us a much-needed lift. Especially with pastels, it’s practically Miami all year round...” Jay trained as an architect in a previous life, which is where she thinks her love of colour evolved. “I think working on the Selfridge’s building in Birmingham sparked my love of colour and form - particularly rounded, amorphous shapes,” she says. “Everyone is doing curves and wiggles now but it wasn’t the case back then! I left architecture to study Contemporary Art Theory and fell into market research via arts marketing. My current job isn’t even remotely arty but I’m my own boss, so that gives me time to plough my creative energies into the house!” Jay picked a palette of five colours - pink, mint, lavender, peach and baby blue - and played around with blocks of colour on the floorplan of the house to decide what the main colour of each room should be. One accent colour that pops up everywhere is yellow. “Things have changed along the way,” she laughs. “The only rule I have is that adjacent rooms can’t be the same colour. It’s a rule I’ve invented but I’m sticking with it!” The labour of love has taken three years so far, but by starting the couple’s Instagram has pushed Jay to up the pace of the renovations. “The fact that so many people are following along motivates me to crack on with jobs,” she says. “I also love hearing that I’ve inspired people to be braver with colour or tackle their own DIY projects - that’s the best part!” Jay has actually done most of the renovating herself, as her partner Rob – albeit supportive - is not very into DIY. “It works better for both of us if I just crack on!”, she laughs.

as you could get, and that’s what we love about it. Jay has done most of the decorating herself. From the gold leaf on the stair risers to the mint and lavender painted kitchen units, there’s not much in the house that hasn’t been upcycled with her paintbrush.

Some of the work Jay has left to the professionals, such as the stairwell. “It was 3 storeys of burgundy woodchip when we moved in,” she says. “I left that (and the plastering) to the pros - the height of the space meant that they had to construct a bespoke scaffolding on the staircase to get to the top. Aside from that and the kitchen refurb (which involved moving services to create a kitchen in a different room) I’ve done most things myself.”

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RH CANDY CRUSH

She’s really enjoyed some of the work, but admits that she has made mistakes. “Don’t get me wrong - it hasn’t been plain sailing,” she laughs. “I’ve made mistakes, had to repaint things and felt overwhelmed at times. But it’s been a real learning curve and I’m proud of what I’ve achieved so far.” I recently made a headboard out of some old shelving, a drawer, polycarbonate roofing sheets and some plug-in lights,” she says enthusiastically. “That was a fun project because I had this idea in my head of what I wanted it to look like and tried to figure out a way to make it happen. I shared the process on Instagram Stories - it looked like a massive pile of junk until almost the very end. I came together eventually though!”

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The house is yet to be finished. There is still another bedroom and the third floor to tackle. After a flood in the bathroom, the living room needs redecorated and the office has somehow managed to flout her rule of being the same colour as the hallway. “I feel like this house is going to be my life’s work!”, Jay says. “And that’s before we get to the outdoor spaces, windows and roof.” The couple both work from home and luckily share the same taste. “We spend most of our lives in the house so it’s really important that we both love it!”, she says. “I’d never inflict colours on him that he didn’t like! We’re both huge fans of Wes Anderson and his aesthetic has had

C A N DY CRUSH RH the house when they go out of fashion! That said, if you do fancy bringing a bit of colour into your home, you can start small. Furniture, art and accessories are great ways to add a colour pop, or you can start by painting small areas like woodwork or a downstairs loo. “Above all I’d say just go for it - it’s only paint and you can always go back to beige if you want to, but I promise you won’t!” And what about upping sticks from the city and moving to an island? “My only real bugbear about island life is delivery charges (and companies that just won’t deliver here!)”, she laughs. “Rob would say lack of a Marks & Spencer. But you know, we struggle on...”.

a huge influence on the house. And no colour overload as yet! I think pastels are easier on the eye. I’m also mindful of colour placement. A bright coral pink is the most vibrant colour I’ve used, but it’s only used in the entrance vestibule. It makes a big impact but it’s not a space you really spend time in. By contrast, the bathroom is a pale aqua and I’ve kept it quite minimal so it’s very relaxing.” Jay’s advice to anyone thinking of going down the pastel route is to do what makes you happy. “Don’t feel like you ‘should’ have colour in your home because it’s fashionable (or whatever),” she says. “Pastels are very ‘in’ right now, but I’ve always loved them, and I won’t be repainting

You can see more of Jay’s colour drenched home and clever upcycling projects on Instagram at @paintthetown pastel

2 1. GLASS ORB CHANDELIER CEILING LIGHT The White Company, £400.00 www.thewhitecompany.com

2. RUST-OLEUM KITCHEN CUPBOARD PAINT Violet Macaroon £22.99 / 750ml available from www.decoratingcentreonline.co.uk

3. INTELLIGENT EGGSHELL PAINT Green Verditer Col.92 £68 for 2.5L by Little Greene www.littlegreene.com

4. THE BIG SOFT ROUND KNIT KNOT CUSHION Yililo £26.99 www.yililo.com

5. PINK, RED & WHITE LONG TRAY Scruffy Studio from Etsy, £20 www.etsy.com

6. TRESLAIG FRAMED ART PRINT Bluebellgray from £40 unframed 60cm x 60cm www.kingandmcgaw.com

7. ALANA MIRROR Valet, Brushed Brass Made.com £ 299 www.made.com

8. JEROME BAR STOOL 75cm Wayfair, £105.99 www.wayfair.co.uk

9. THE BIG CHILL 3 SEATER in blush coral with metal legs Snug Sofa, £1,159

10. HAY MEGA DOT BEDSPREAD 155x245, Lavender Royal Design, £109 www.royaldesign.co.uk

AUGUST 2021 |

Generation Game

G E N E R ATIO N GAM E RH

Moving into the home of one of your grandparents might seem like an unusual step for a young couple, but Mark Cunningham and Mark Strachan have done just that. BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

The two Marks started to look for a property to purchase together in 2017. After living in the heart of Aberdeen in Mark S’s flat, the couple started to look in the West End of Aberdeen as they thought that was where they wanted to live. “We were ideally looking for a traditional property that had some character, at least two bedrooms, outdoor space and ultimately somewhere we could put our own stamp on,” Mark C says. “We viewed a variety of properties, but very quickly came to realise that our budget was only going to stretch to a flat, or a semi-detached property where outdoor space was minimal.” It was around this same time, after Mark’s Strachan’s grandparents sadly passed away, that their house was put up for sale on the open market. It was one of Mark’s work colleagues who first mentioned the idea of it to the couple taking it on, suggesting that it seemed like exactly the kind of thing we were looking for. “I had never seen the full extent of the property, as I’d only ever been downstairs when I was invited around,” says Mark Cunningham. “We arranged a ‘viewing’ and we started to discuss what we could do with the place.” Although the property didn’t have exactly what the couple were looking for at that point, they both had the vision to see how they could create a home that replicated their style. “We could see the potential in it,” says Mark. “We both love a mixture of old and new, and so the fact that we could have a traditional property from the exterior but update it internally to make it like new inside was really exciting!” AUGUST 2021 |

The couple were moving from Mark S’s first flat – that he bought in 2012 – which was a modern one-bed flat within a converted traditional building. That flat had original features such as high ceilings, large windows etc, but was completely modern and brand new inside. It was the combination of the history of Mark S’s grandparents’ house – and the family connection – combined with the opportunity to create a modern inside that was a deciding factor. “I think for both of us, it was that we were going to be able to create something unique,” says Mark C. “There’s not going to be another house in the world that is like ours. We both also love the look of more traditional properties, the proportions of them, the construction materials used such as granite and the original features. The opportunity that we had to take a property like this and completely transform it into a modern home and breathe a new lease of life into was not going to come up again”. Sentimentality also played a huge part for the couple. Mark S’s father was brought up here as a child and Mark and his brother also lived here with his grandparents for a while when his parents were building their own house in the village. But taking a cottage that an elderly couple had lived in and transforming it into a stylish modern house for a young couple must have seemed daunting? “It was something that neither of us had ever done before so we were going into it a bit blind-sided if I’m completely honest!”, Mark laughs. “I certainly had no idea what we were getting into. I joke that I thought it was going to be a case of stripping some wallpaper and lifting a few carpets! However, it wasn’t really until we were right in the midst of it that I truly realised what we were actually doing.” Both of them admit there were moments where they felt they’d made a huge mistake and wanted to pack it all in and give up. “We just had to keep on reminding ourselves why we took on the project and motivate each other to keep going,” confides Mark. “We also thought, who on earth was going to take on a house that was completely gutted inside, had no electricity or heating and a huge hole in the back wall!?” Another stress was that when they took on the property, there was so much work needing done, they took the advice of friends who had done similar projects who said they shouldn’t move into the property until it was liveable. To enable them to oversee the work, the couple moved into Mark S’s parents’ home – just down the road. “Mark’s parents very kindly allowed us to move in with them whilst the main works were being done – I don’t think any of us anticipated that we’d be there 20 months later though!”, Mark C laughs. “”We are both strong believers that great homes take time, so we’d much rather take our time, do things at a slower pace. We wanted to make sure that we made the right decisions and we were not rushing into anything just for the sake of it.” Interestingly, renovating houses seems to be in the Strachan family’s genes. The property had originally been converted into individual flats at one point, and Mark S’s grandparents gradually acquired each flat to complete their own renovation project years ago to transform it back into one house. The only downside for the couple was that it meant there were very few original features to retain apart from the archway and cornice detail in the main entrance hall.

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G E N E R ATIO N GAM E RH

Cleverly, as there was so much work that needed to be done, the guys both modernised and ‘future-proofed’ the property. “We fully insulated the house, put up new partitions and plasterboard throughout, got all new electrics and a heating system installed,” says Mark. “There was a lot of work that needed to be done to the house straight away so whilst we were doing such major work, we planned for what we might want in the future.” After gutting the place, they stripped it completely back. “We were extremely careful and delicate around the original details in the hallway so as not to cause any damage to them,” says Mark. “There was a lot of damp that needed to be treated, mainly in the rear lean-to extension that required to be taken down completely, so that meant stripping everything back to allow for the professional work to be carried out. We stripped down all the old lath and plaster leaving only the stud walls downstairs, we took down every partition upstairs, ripped out all the old storage heaters and all the electrics too. We were then able to start from scratch and put the house back together piece by piece exactly how we wanted it.” The couple didn’t really change the upstairs layout very much, but just enough to enlarge their bedroom. Downstairs, they added a modern extension at the back, which created extra space for an open plan kitchen/living room. That extension also allowed space for a back hallway, cloakroom and utility room. Renovation works weren’t just on the inside of the property though. All windows and doors were replaced and the existing porch on the front of the house was taken down. Then it was time for outside. All the old out-houses, sheds and garages to the rear of the property were demolished, and the entire site was cleared while the foundations for the extension were being done, which allowed them to start afresh with the garden. It’s safe to say that the two Marks were not shy of hard work. “We hired a pneumatic drill and took off all the old harling on the exterior of the house,” says Mark. “We are certainly not afraid of getting our hands dirty, and so helped wherever we could. There were some jobs that we left to the professionals such as the heating and electrical systems – things like that really shouldn’t be messed with unless you know what you are doing! However, we enjoyed getting stuck in with all the work we were able to help out with.” Mark S’s dad is a joiner, which came in handy for the renovations, as he would tutor the couple on certain tasks and then leave them to it. The couple really appreciated his help as it made them value the effort the house was taking. “It makes a huge difference when you can appreciate and know all the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into the whole house,” Mark says. Once they had made the main structural renovations, the couple could start on the best bit – the interior! “We always wanted to have a great open plan living kitchen space for entertaining,” says Mark. “We decided to knock through two rooms of the original house (the living room and dining room) and then knocked through the back wall of the original house to add the extension. This allowed us to create a contemporary open-plan space, marrying together old and new.”

AUGUST 2021 |

That part of the job was not quick. From the initial knock-through of the back wall to the extension being wind and watertight was five months, and then getting the internals finished off took another five months before they could move in. “We only needed someone to draw up the technical plans to submit for the building warrant, which we got a friend who is a qualified architect to do – a handy friend to have!” laughs Mark. “Mark S‘s dad agreed to do all the work for us, as our main contractor if you like. We really couldn’t have done the whole project without him as not only did he do the majority of the work, but he also organised and liaised with other trades to keep the project going.”

G E N E R ATIO N GAM E RH The secret weapon they thought they had for their kitchen plans was that Mark S was a kitchen and bathroom designer by career, so you’d expect the process to be streamlined and stress-free. “You’d think it would be, wouldn’t you?”, laughs Mark C. “But it was a real challenge. I think because he does this for a job, he is open to so many different styles and ideas, so it was really difficult to narrow that down to design a kitchen that not only looked incredible but was also functional.” As the kitchen is open-plan with the living room, they didn’t want the kitchen to be too overwhelming and obviously didn’t want it to look like a kitchen sat in the middle of their living space! The couple went with a kitchen bought from Mark’s company, Laings, who fitted it too. “They have a whole team of fitters, plumbers and electricians which meant the whole process was pretty stress-free,” says Mark. The kitchen design is a contemporary handle-less design to keep the look quite sleek and minimal, and the minimalism even goes as far as an integrated fridge with a mechanism on it that means you just push the door ever so slightly and it props opens for you. “We really enjoy having friends and family over, so we also needed to think about how we could work in the kitchen when we were entertaining guests,” says Mark. “Seeing as the party always ends up in the kitchen, we had to factor that in.” Keeping the hob and the ovens down closer to the living area meant that food could be prepared while the couple could chat to guests relaxing on the sofas down at one end of the room, and not be too far away from them. Having the breakfast bar down at the other end also takes advantage of the bi-fold doors out to the patio and makes the most of how light and bright that space is. An informal dining area integrated into the kitchen was very important to the two of them, for when it was just the two of them through the week, but was also big enough for casual dining too. Lockdown meant that they had the opportunity to start on their dining room. “I think after suddenly spending so much time at home, it gave us the push to get motivated and get cracking with it,” says Mark. “When you’re going into the dining room off of the back hallway, you’ve to go through what is the original back wall of the house; moving from the new part of the house which is very light, bright and airy, back into the old part. We chose to paint the whole room in Farrow & Ball Downpipe – creating a very dark and moody atmosphere. When I say we painted the whole room, I mean the whole room! We painted the skirtings, door, windowsill, fireplace and even the radiator in the same colour. Whilst that sounds a bit crazy, it has created a nice feature space all about the dining table and the people around it. It means that although you can look around and take in all the different features, nothing is too distracting. It’s also made us want to go dark with some other rooms.” Out of all the rooms, the couple are agreed that the kitchen/ living space is their favourite. “It’s the heart of our home, whether that’s just us two or with family and friends,” says Mark. “It’s also one of the spaces that particularly showcases our style and gives us the best of both worlds. We have the chilled living area down at the front in the original house, which is great for relaxing in (especially when the fire is on) and then as you move down to the other end, it opens up to this modern space that is filled with glass and is light, bright and airy.”

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RH G E NE RATION GA ME As if the rooms that they’ve already worked magic on wasn’t enough of a project, the two Marks still have a good few more plans up their sleeves. “We still have to do the other living room downstairs, the main entrance hall and the stairway,” says Mark. “Also, we have all the bedrooms upstairs to decorate, our dressing room and our en-suite too.” The pandemic has changed some of their plans however, and the arrival of a little bundle of fun has also impacted on their ideas. “As I have been working from home, I needed to have an office space somewhere in the house,” says Mark. “We did originally have plans to incorporate my office into one of the bedrooms upstairs however this is now going to be the living room downstairs.” The reason for this big change? A wee furry miniature dachshund called Chip! Mark laughs when her starring role in their Insta profile is mentioned. “She certainly is the star of the show, isn’t she?”, he laughs. “She has certainly stolen the limelight over here. She has brought so much joy to our home and life since we took her home back in January. Working full time at home by myself, it’s been nice to have someone else in the house, and it’s also really pushed me to get out and about more often, rather than just sit at my ‘desk’ all day long. Don’t get me wrong, she’s turned the place upside down and there have been many interior choices that have been affected by having her, however, we wouldn’t have it any other way.” The office could also be going dark after their success with the dining room. “Watch this space!”, says Mark. Joking aside, moving into a house with such sentimentality must have been difficult, especially considering how much they have changed it. “We always joke that there are probably some things that we’ve done to the house that Mark’s grandparents would be turning in their graves about,” Mark says. “There are probably some things that we’ve done that they would hate – however I’m equally as sure that there are many things that we’ve done that they would love. We have, in some places, also tried to make small gestures back to what the house was like when they stayed here. For example, the bathroom used to be covered in pink wallpaper, so we included a blush pink vanity unit in the new design. We’re planning on having a photo wall running up the stairs to showcase a selection of old photos taken in the house. And we’ve also kept Mark’s granny’s beloved holly tree in the front garden. We get a wreath made every year and then take it up to the graveside after Christmas.” Surely some comfort would come from the fact that Mark S’s grandparents saw potential in it all those years ago? “I think what they would love the most is just the fact that we’ve taken it on and kept it in the family,” says Mark. “It’s remarkable to think that the house has been in the family for so many years and has seen so many different changes. It really is something very unique.”

You can follow the Marks on Instagram @homewiththemarks

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SHOP

LOOK the

1. MORITZ VELVET DINING CHAIR

6. ALLURE VERSAILLES PORCELAIN TILE

Olive, Amber, Silver £259.00 each John Lewis

7. RICH ENOUGH TO BE BATMAN PRINT

2. KYALI OVAL PET BED

Medium, Made.com, £109

3. FROSTED BUBBLE CHANDELIER LIGHT

EXACT WALLPAPER

£150/m2, Italgraniti at Laings

Pink and Golden Brown A5 size Heath Kane, £15

8. PORTRAIT OF HEROES

Medium - 24 Bauble £271.99 Dowsing and Reynolds

‘Famous for 15 seconds’ Limited Edition Screenprint 56cm x 70cm Heath Kane, £300

4. ESTATE EMULSION

9. ZSA ZSA WALLPAPER

in Downpipe 2.5l Farrow & Ball, £49.50

in Candy £140/roll, Divine Savages

5. CRICKET 2 SEATER SOFA

10. RIPPLE GLASS AND MATT BLACK COFFEE TABLE

Cricket Velvet Mix Slate, Sofology, £979

Danetti, £169

AUGUST 2021 |

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Oasis of calm

H EAD ER HERE

Having lived in their detached architect-designed house in rural Aberdeenshire for 30 years, Jenny and Paul Simmonds felt that their master suite would benefit from an upgrade. BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

RH OAS IS OF CA LM

This included their ensuite bathroom which was somewhat dated in style and not working for them in terms of functionality. “The house already has a large family bathroom that we use almost exclusively for bathing. So, we concluded that as the ensuite bath was not being used, it made sense to use the space for a walk-in shower” says Jenny. “In terms of design we also wanted a cleaner, fresher, brighter look and wanted it to have a nod to the orient,” she says.

aving worked with Laings on two previous bathroom projects, it was a no-brainer for the couple to ask them to work their magic on this room too. The company came and surveyed the property first before any design options were discussed. Jenny and Paul also visited the Laings showroom so they could cherry-pick design features from the various installations that appealed to them.

Images courtesy of Jenny and Paul Simmonds.

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OAS I S O F CALM RH The final design solution agreed upon included reconfiguring a stud wall dividing the ensuite and walk-in wardrobe to optimize the layout for the walk-in shower. The whole master suite was to be re-floored in Kahrs Chevron engineered oak flooring to link the three areas, however the standing area in front of the shower was to be tiled. The large-format Italian porcelain tiles which had so impressed Jenny and Paul at the Laings showroom were to be a key feature in the design. A vanity unit with self-closing drawers was chosen to keep clutter hidden away and to house a beautiful oversized oval sink by Duravit. Brass hardware from Swadling Brassware and Axor was chosen throughout to add warmth. A bespoke Charles Yorke dressing table area was designed with ceiling height cupboard storage, a horizontal mirror and an upholstered bench. A storage niche was included with a hook to hang towels and another to display a favourite oriental vase. Finally, a wall-mounted WC was chosen so as not to interrupt the stunning flooring pattern. Like many projects, there was one rather large issue that caused some hold-ups to the project – the global pandemic. The project started at the end of February 2020, by the time of lockdown the tiles had been fitted, the electrical and plumbing first fix had been completed and the wooden flooring installation started. By the end of July, the dressing table unit had arrived and been fitted, but the coloured glass top was not yet available. It was September before the project was finally handed over, but Jenny says it was all worth the wait, “I really love it, especially the lighting coming on automatically when you go through the door, the feeling of peace because there is no clutter, it is such a calm space”. Mark Strachan at Laings is equally delighted with the finished room, “we’ve worked with Jenny and Paul previously on other rooms within their home, he said”. “They’ve been a delight to work with and we have built a good relationship over the years. This ensuite has turned out beautifully, the large format tiles are stunning! It’s one thing seeing a new product on display in the showroom, but to see it fitted in a clients’ home is really special”.

Images courtesy of Jenny and Paul Simmonds.

This beautiful ensuite bathroom renovation is proof that it pays to build up a good relationship with a bathroom company when you find one you trust, and that understands how to make your vision a reality.

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Make a Splash

It might be the smallest room in the house, but installing a new bathroom, whether it be a family bathroom, WC or an ensuite, can be a considerable expense and definitely requires some brainpower. It’s a project many people find daunting; where to start, how to know what will work in the space you have, which design options to go for and how to deal with any disruption when the work is being done? It can require both technical knowledge and clever design to make sure the end result is not only functional but beautiful. With a little advice from some expert friends, we’ve hopefully made the project a little less overwhelming. Our bathroom section has tips on planning, styling, finishes, textures, colours and materials - we’ll help you make your dream bathroom a reality.

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Planning your perfect bathroom Wants and needs

Budget

Think about how your current bathroom functions. “It’s important to evaluate what you find works and doesn’t work in your current bathroom; installing a new bathroom is a big investment, and not something you are likely to do again in a hurry, so making sure you get everything right, including the layout, is important,” says Mark Strachan at Laings.

When it comes to the all-important budget for your new bathroom, Alison suggests setting more than one. “Set a “first” budget but then have a top-line budget. Be flexible as sometimes it is worth spending a little bit more to get the quality & design for your perfect sanctuary,” she says. There is a bathroom for every budget and it can certainly pay to shop around to get a good deal if you are buying fittings yourself, but like most things in general you get what you pay for. Like all renovation budgets, make sure you add a contingency in, 10% on top of what you expect the project to cost is usually recommended, which means that any hidden surprises will be slightlyless painful.

Then write a list of the items you’d ideally like your bathroom to contain; a family bathroom might have a long list including free-standing bath, shower enclosure, underfloor heating, double sinks and so on, and it’s important to clarify this before you begin. And make sure you think about what you’d like the room to ‘feel’ like, is it to be a soothing spa-like sanctuary or an energizing bright space for example?

Measure up Bathrooms come in all shapes and sizes, so measuring the space is critical when it comes to making sure your new bathroom design fits in the room. Make a scale drawing using all measurements, including windows and doors, plus mark where the waste pipe for the toilet is, as this will be important to consider when planning the new layout.

Space planning Now you know the measurements of your space and what you’d like to go in it, it’s time to get space planning. Cut out basic scale paper models of a bath, a shower, a sink etc, and have a play around on your scale drawing with different positions.

Image Credit: Dunelm

“Always ensure there is enough floor space to move around the bathroom with ease. No point cramming too much or too big a shower or bath in if the flow of movement becomes difficult” advises Alison Sime from FBS Plumbing. “Keeping the existing position of the WC, bath etc. offers an easier install but get professional advice and a survey if you wish to change the layout to avoid hidden costs and installation delays. If moving things around creates the layout you desire and the installer says ok ….do it” she says. AUGUST 2021 |

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Design Matters

Trade up

Once you’ve worked out what’s possible space-wise in your

The level of service of bathroom supply/fitting you go for will probably bedetermined by the size of your budget, the amount of spare time you have, and your DIY or project management skills. The three main levels are:

bathroom, and set your budget, it’s time to start thinking of the style you want to go for. Look at the design of the rest of your house, is your home ultra-modern, classic, retro or quirky? If you want it to flow with the rest of the space,

DIY - You do it all. You design the bathroom yourself, buy

choose a bathroom style that reflects it. “Creating a mood

with lots of images to help you to envision what you like,”

the fittings, then fit it all – rewarding if DIY is your thing. Be honest with yourself if it’s not though - no one wants a waste pipe or shower to leak. Any piping badly installed can cause future issues and this could mean huge damage to your own home and potentially your neighbours’ homes too, and if it’s DIY are you insured?

suggests Christian Andrews Interiors. Visit several bathroom

PART SERVICE

board is a great way to know what you would like for your bathroom by putting together some inspirational images. We would recommend that you look at images on Pinterest, Instagram and Decor magazines as these are great sources

showrooms too, nothing beats seeing items in ‘real-life’ and if you’ve got a friend or neighbour who’s got an amazing bathroom, ask if you can have a look around and take some photos for reference. This collection of inspiring images would be a great resource if you are designing a bathroom yourself, but will also help a bathroom designer if you are going down the full-service route. “This would give your designer an idea of what you are looking to achieve and what products to put into your bathroom,” says Megan. A full-service bathroom company will then usually provide you with 3-D visuals of their designs, so you can see how it will look once completed.

- You design the bathroom yourself, buy the items yourself but hire a professional bathroom fitter or individual trades (plumber, tiler, electrician) and project manage them. This may be appealing as a mid-price option without the specialist skills and time required for a DIY job. But be aware of the main risk though that if one of the tradespeople is delayed it can have a knock-on effect on the whole project, as the other trades will have to re-jig their own time. They may not be available for weeks - could you live with a lengthy delay in completion and further costs?

FULL SERVICE - You go to a bathroom company that will design, supply and fit your entire bathroom. It may

3-D bathroom design visual, Laings

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seem the costliest, but a good option if you are time-poor, as other than signing off the design, you’ll be handing the whole project over including measuring, space-planning and fitting. Also, you may think it will be the most expensive option but remember they are usually an experienced team who are used to working together to complete jobs fully and to a professional standard and in good time. Bathroom companies are also able to buy in bulk and can actually be more competitive than you sourcing your own products, trades and materials.

Image Credit: Christian Andrews Interiors

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Once you’ve decided the level of service you require, research several fitters or full-service bathroom companies and ask around for recommendations. “You want to ensure that the company that you use has a great reputation. Using a company that has built up a good brand from the design team to the installation team ensures that you will get a result that you will be happy with for years to come” Christiain Andrews Interiors advises.

Water pressure Unless you are a confident plumber, it’s a good idea to get a professional to advise what your incoming mains pressure can allow before choosing showers & taps. “This is the first thing to be checked and clarified before planning any bathroom installation,”says Alison Sime. High-flow rate showerheads, for example, will not work effectively with low water pressure. Your type of boiler is also a consideration as a combi boiler, for example, may not have the capacity to give you the flow rate you need for certain showerheads.

Storage If there’s one element in a design where more is most definitely more, it’s storage. What do you ideally want to store in the bathroom? Make a list, and don’t forget things like spare towels and even medicines if this is where you keep them. Alison Sime says “I would always suggest a vanity unit with some storage, even in a cloakroom, to hide away bits and pieces”. Let’s face it, not all toiletries are display-worthy, and even if some of them are, there will always be personal bits and pieces that would look neater hidden away. If the room is being re-built from scratch then built-in storage niches are increasingly popular. “Make use of voids in wall spaces by creating recesses within the shower space or small alcoves out-with to store toiletries,” suggests Mark Strachan at Laings. Image Credit: Big Bathroom Shop

Image Credit: Matki

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Let there be light When it comes to lighting, think ‘layers’ of light to perform different roles, rather than a single source. “Most bathrooms will benefit from a central lighting source in the form of a ceiling light, combined with practical, space-saving wall lights,” says Peter Bowles, MD of Davey Lighting. “Asking your electrician to install several circuits – with dimmers – means you’ll be able to control the mood and function of your space. Overhead lighting from a central pendant will light the entire room, but when it comes to looking your most attractive, side lighting is your best friend. Flanking mirrors with a pair of wall lights will avoid unflattering shadows on the face, allowing you to shave or apply makeup like a pro”.

Image Credit: Davey Lighting

When it comes to shopping around for light fittings, remember too that they must be IP rated for safe use in a bathroom. Fittings will clearly state if they are bathroom safe so check the details before ordering.

Warm and dry

Image Credit: The Radiator Comapany

Don’t be fooled into thinking a tiny, heated towel rail will necessarily be enough to heat a large bathroom as well as dry those towels. It’s important that you properly calculate the heat output that will warm the room efficiently. If you are buying a radiator yourself, suppliers will normally have guides to help you pick the correct heat output required for the size of room in question. A full-service bathroom company will calculate this for you. If warm toes are your thing, heated flooring in a bathroom can be a luxury worth forking out a little extra on. Tiles can get chilly if it’s cold outside! Electric underfloor heating is laid before tiling is done, so this is a decision best made early on.

Ventilation There are no two ways about it, unless you’re a fan of a stone-cold shower, bathrooms create steam. That steam needs to find a way out or it can do some damage, both to the room itself and also to the items in it. Relying on an open window won’t cut it. “Many bathroom fixture and fitting warranties require an extractor fan to be fitted in the bathroom to avoid excessive build-up of moisture which can damage furniture units, mirrors etc” Alison Sime advises.

On the tiles

When it comes to choosing wall or floor tiles, one word, sample! When you’ve decided the type of design you want to go for, but are still choosing exact tiles, don’t rely on a website photo before making an order, as colours can look very different in real life. Most tile companies will send you a single tile and the same goes for tile showrooms. Take the sample into the space in question and note how the colour works with the natural light before making a final choice.

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Image Credit: WallsandFloors

Tiled flooring and wall coverings can also really enhance the overall design of a bathroom. “Tiling is where I feel you can be most playful with the design of the room and really express a bit of your personality, whether that be through colour, texture or pattern,” says Mark Strachan. “After a year of repression I feel we are ready to embrace more colour and create a more joyful home environment,” he says.

In the black

Cast Iron Bath Company Petite Millbrook Cast Iron Bath

When it comes to deciding a colour scheme for your new bathroom which stands the test of time, the classic combination of black and white never really goes out of style, and it’s not hard to see why. It brings drama without the commitment of a colour that may quickly date. The high contrast with the white elements draws the eye in. Any coloured accessories you introduce, the green of a plant for example, pop all the more. It doesn’t matter if you are going modern or classic in style, black and white is one of the most enduring bathroom colour schemes you can choose.

Image: Tile Mountain

In years gone by, options were limited for the black elements in a black and white scheme, but with the popularity of black Crittall-style shower screens and the introduction of black hardware, manufacturers now produce a huge range of black bathroom items. This means you can embrace the look fully. Lynn Jarvie, Marketing Manager at Carron Bathrooms says “The trend for black brassware has really taken off in the past 2-3 years, and we were keen to create accessories for our baths, that allowed our customers to co-ordinate Doblo Matt Black Porcelain Tiles, £23.99 Tile Mountain

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with sanitaryware and shower screens with black elements.” She continues “Our Anthracite range of accessories does just that. Hand grips, fillers, waste and overflows produced in a stylish and durable Anthracite coating, giving a smart, modern finishing touch to the bathroom”. Dip your toe in the water (pun intended) with black taps and waste in an all-white scheme, or go fully to the dark side with black walls and tiles as well as hardware.

Image: Benjamin Moore

Image: Carron Bathrooms

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Benjamin Moore Aura® Bath And Spa Matte Black Satin paint

2 3 Image: Bathroom Mountain

1. Celsius 1700 x 750mm Carronite bath including waste/ overflow/filer unit in Anthracite finish, £1060, Carron Bathrooms 2. Severn Matt Black Tap, £59.99, Bathroom Mountain 3. RAK Moon Black Freestanding Single Lever Bath Shower Mixer Tap, £287.99, Rak Ceramics at Tapsuk.com 4. Amalfi standard basin mixer £179, RAK Ceramics at unbeatablebathrooms.co.uk 5

5. Munich Matt Black Grid 8mm Wet Room Shower Glass 700mm & Return Panel; £279.99, Bathroom Mountain AUGUST 2021 |

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Image: Indigenous

5. Arezzo black basin vanity, Victorian Plumbing POA 6. Nero Stone Basin – round; £290, Indigenous 7. Matt Black Rimless Wall Hung WC & Seat; £349.30, Rak Ceramics at Sanctuary Bathrooms

Image: RAK ceramics at Sanctuary Bathrooms

8. Round 2 outlet, 3 handle thermostatic concealed valve, RAK ceramics at Sanctuary Bathrooms RRP £334.50 9. Square fixed head in Black, RAK ceramics at Sanctuary Bathrooms RRP £140.50 10. Industrial Tall Wired Glass Cabinet £530, Vincent & Barn Ltd

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Image: Vincent & Barn Ltd

Image: RAK ceramics at Sanctuary Bathrooms

Image Credit @woodsintothewoods

Colourful Characters Looking to make a statement with your bathroom suite? Then why not choose colour. Looking to make a statement with your bathroom suite? Then why not choose colour? And we’re not talking about the retro bathroom suites that were all the rage in the 1950s and ‘60s. Medina Blue Cubes Geometric Patterned Tiles porcelainsuperstore, £47.52

For years now, the first thing most people would do when they bought an older property was immediately rip out the pastel bathroom, but more and more people have been embracing all things colour in recent years.

Ledbury Marina Blue Pattern Tiles Walls and Floors, £23.95

From pastels to bold brights, colour is in and there are ways to take on the trend that will still feel timeless and relevant, even in years to come, when someone your age will be buying your home! There are plenty of different options available to you when playing with colour in the bathroom. You could either embrace a colour fully, with tiles in your favourite shade from floor to ceiling. Or you could swap out white porcelain for more colourful hues. You could even ease yourself in with some bold and beautiful decorative pieces.

Here’s how to embrace colour in fun and modern ways; BLUES & GREENS

Image: @tilmahara_houseofpatterns

It’s no wonder that blue and green and everything in between work so well in a bathroom. When you think of water, tranquility and a good soak, these shades will probably be the first to come to mind.

Hexagon Blue Mix Tiles (£25.99) Tons Of Tiles

Fulham Blue Wall Tiles Tile Mountain (£19.99 per sqm)

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B AT H R O OMS If you watched series three of Scotland’s Home Of The Year, you will no doubt be familiar with Tamara and her family’s green Glasgow bathroom.

Victorian Green Metro Tiles 200x100x6.8mm £26.95 / Per SQM www. wallsandfloors.co.uk

She shared with us why they decided to go down a colourful route. ‘We didn’t want to modernise the bathroom, we wanted it to be in keeping with the age of the property, but we have used vibrant colours and patterns throughout the house, so it felt right to go for the bold blues and turquoise colours,” she says. “I love our wallpaper which looks like Victorian tiles and works so well with the tone of the real tiles in the room. I think it is great to go for a bold look in a smaller room, it can be a real statement. We have also used a lot of brass and gold fittings throughout the house. We wanted all the rooms to feel like they worked together and to have a continuity running between them all and this simple touch does that. I’m never tired of this room.” There’s nothing to stop you from mixing two or a few shades to create a unique and interesting design. Or, as Tamara did, mixing colour with patterns. Top: Glistening Green Mix Mosaic Tiles Walls and Floors, £6.48 Right: Scintilla Black Star Pattern Tiles Walls and Floors, £19.95

Glass Brick Blue Mix Mosaic Tiles Walls and Floors, £6.32

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Image: @tilmahara_houseofpatterns

Tamara’s bathroom

DON’T MAKE ME BLUSH! If you’ve had a scroll on Instagram or Pinterest in recent years, you will no doubt have come across many a pink bathroom. And for that reason, pink is one of the most popular shades to integrate into a bathroom. We loved Laura’s (@lollieblossoms) bold tile renovation that we featured in the Tenement Living section of our website. And it inspired us to think pink when it came to floor tiles, after seeing how modern and chic it looked in her long slim bathroom. Stick to blush and rosy tones for a timeless look or go vintage by embracing Art Deco designs and shades. Image courtesy of @lollieblossoms

-Walls and Floors Lily Pink Tiles (£29.95 per sqm)

Montlblanc Pink and White Original Style £49.95

Ella Pink Ceramic Tiles 10.8cm x 12.4cm Porcelain Superstore, £74.84

Image: RAK Ceramics

Tile Mountain Village Rose Gold Wall Tiles (£26.99 per sqm)

Vernice Bon Bon Pink Tiles 130x130x8mm Walls and Floors, £35.95 / Sqm

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Anchor Mix Tiles Walls and Floors, £34.95

GREY Going for grey can be a great way to blend classic style with more modern aesthetics. And it’s normally a colour that some men, who may not be into an all pink or more colourful bathroom, can get on board with. There are some great options available that mimic natural materials like stone, slate or granite. Or you can go for a more polished and futuristic look by picking up on chrome accents in your bathroom.

Form Platinum Polished 60x30 Tiles Walls and Floors, (£18.95 per sqm)

Walls and Floors Form Platinum Polished 60x30 Tiles (£18.95 per sqm)

Arrows Gloss Dark Grey Chevron Wall Tiles Porcelain Superstore, £67.97

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Image: RAK Ceramics

Walls and Floors Rock Charcoal Stone Effect Wall Tiles (£18.95 per sqm)

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Bathroom Pattern

If a colour bathroom isn’t quite bold enough for you, have you considered how you could play with pattern in your bathroom?

Here are some of our favourite ways to utilise pattern to give your bathroom a spectacular glow up;

TILE When it comes to patterned tiles, the options are quite literally endless. And you can really get creative with your choices. Take your bathroom to the Meditteranean with tiles that look incredibly authentic to the area but for a fraction of the price of ones bought on your travels. Or add glitz and glamour with metallic and geometric tiles. You may have considered tiling your bathroom walls but have you ever thought of using patterned floor tiles?

Not only do they tie the entire space together but they add interest to every square foot of your bathroom. If pink isn’t your thing, using monochrome tones and shades can be a great way to embrace pattern without feeling too out there. Stick with a simple subway tile on the walls and then pick up on the darker grout with a black and white floor tile. 1. Porcelain Superstore Fiesta Ceramic Tiles (£39.60 per sqm) 2. Porcelain Superstore Onice Beige Mosaic Porcelain Tiles (£30 per sheet) 3. Walls and Floors Harley Street Tiles (£24.95 per sqm) 4. Walls and Floors Classico Daisy Bloom Pattern Tiles (£20.95 per sqm) 5. Porcelain Superstore Palm Spring in Pink (£66 per sqm)

Image Credit: Homesense (Autumn Bathroom)

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Chris from CNG Design, who design, supply and install bathrooms in Aberdeenshire, Angus and surrounding areas, shared the following with us, when it comes to using pattern in the bathroom; What would be your advice for someone who isn’t sure where to start when it comes to pattern? My advice to start with would be to have a good look through magazines and online content to get a general idea as there really is so much choice out there. Talk to a showroom designer who has a CAD package that will be able to give you a 3D image of what can be achieved using patterns.

How would you recommend mixing patterns in a bathroom?

Image: CNG Design

This would all depend on the size of bathroom and the amount of storage etc that is to be included. You don’t want to overkill the room with too many elements of design/patterns.

WALLPAPER You might not necessarily think of using wallpaper in a bathroom, especially if the shower is practically never off. But wallpaper works particularly well in small spaces, like a downstairs WC, for example. Combined with wood panelling or tiling, we can’t get enough of how much life and personality wallpaper can add to a small bathroom space. Plus, you really can go wild when it comes to wallpaper. From fun palm print to birds, animals and even fruits, you can go bold or a little more subtle, or anywhere in between. Smaller, more intricate prints can add a lot of depth and dimension to smaller boxier bathrooms. Whereas bolder, more abstract prints can make larger bathrooms look even bigger. We love LUST HOME’s female body design wallpaper for the body positivity that it adds to a space where you will no doubt be taking care of and pampering your own body. Black and white line designs, like their Monochrome option, look great paired with colour or statement designs like wood panelling. The same can be said for wallpapers where you can pick out one or several of the colours to create a cohesive look that adds some serious interest to the space. And if you’re on a budget, you can even imitate some extraordinary finishes with wallpaper. Think marble, wood, brick and even tiling.

CNG Design

Is there such a thing as too many patterns? Yes! Be bold and brave but the old saying of ‘less is more’ is still very relevant especially with tile designs.

And what patterns do you personally see the most of/have clients request most? We are starting to get a lot of requests for subway style tiles and herringbone style designs. There is so much choice available now is these types of tiles and the standard 600 x 300 tiles now have serious competition.

And do you have any tips/advice for anyone looking to go for a pattern bathroom? Go for it! Be bold in your choice and have no regrets. So many people worry about the potential of re-selling their property at a later stage and feel the need to play safe with patterns and colours. Live for the now and let the future buyer worry about changing the room when they move in.

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Elizabeth Ockford Ltd Sadie Indigo Wallpaper (£145)

B AT HRO O M S

Divine Savages ZSA ZSA Bottle Green Wallpaper (£140)

Wallsauce.com ‘White Marble’ Mural (£30 per sqm)

Palm Springs Wallpaper Tropical Bathroom Mindthegap £????

LUST HOME My Body Wallpaper in Line-Art Mono and in Neutral Colour Block (£40)

AUGUST 2021 |

B AT H R O OMS

Floating Fittings One area in our home, where we are often limited when it comes to space, is our bathroom. Whether you’ve got a downstairs WC, an en-suite or a larger family bathroom, floor space can often be limited. Which is why utilising floating or wall mounted pieces can not only better utilise the space but also add a splash of style and interest to the room. Image Credit: RAK Ceramics Image Credit: Christian Andrews Interiors

Image Credit: Christian Andrews Interiors

“Wall hung vanity units and sanitaryware are popular in bathroom designs due to their minimal and sleek aesthetic. When using wall hung products they give the illusion of space and can create a feature out of any vanity area. Pair this with artificial lighting and a textured tile, and it creates ambiance in the bathroom. Wall hung products are beneficial for a low maintenance up keep and fuss free room,” Christian Andrews Interiors confirms. So whether you’re looking to add to your already existing bathroom layout with wall hung storage solutions. Or you’re renovating your bathroom suite from scratch, we have some great floating fitting solutions for any bathroom space, regardless of how big or small it is.

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B AT HRO O M S

Milano Oxley Golden oak wall hung vanity with countertop basin Big Bathroom Shop (£329.99)

Austin Grey Wall Hung Vanity Unit with Marble Top & Counter Top Basin Bathroom Mountain (£244.99)

Vanity units Floating vanity units can make the biggest difference to any bathroom space. By utilising wall space, the often minimalist design allows you to instantly free up floor space and hide away clutter and products such as towels, toilet rolls and toiletries. Having the unit installed on the wall can make the space look a lot bigger by creating the illusion of a

larger floor plan, even though you’re working with the same dimensions as you would have with a floor standing unit. Combining a floating vanity unit with a countertop basin only adds to the floating aesthetic and gives you that minimalist yet superbly stylish look. Or you can have the sink take up the entirety of the top of the vanity unit for that spa-like look. Valencia 995mm Walnut Wall Hung Basin Unit Victorian Plumbing (£299.95) AUGUST 2021 |

B AT H R O OMS

Mirror cabinets

Anderson Mirrored Wall Cabinet Next (£85)

Having a mirror of some kind in your bathroom is an obvious necessity. But unlike our neighbours across the pond, having storage integrated into mirrors hasn’t always been the easiest or most stylish thing to find when shopping. Thankfully there are now some great options with smart and creative storage designs which will allow you to keep your bathroom looking sleek and clutter-free, even if your bathroom beauty stash is overflowing. There are the traditional medicine-style cabinets with space for everything from toothpaste to perfume. But you’ll also find some more innovative options, like this one from Nest, which allows you to store all that and much more. Rustic Industrial Round Mirror with Shelf 60cm x 60cm Melody Maison (£88.95)

Wireworks Cabinet 550 Slimline in black Nest (£285)

Swadling Engineer Collection Wall Mounted Bath Spout Matki (P.O.A) Wireworks Cabinet 550 Slimline Nest (£285) Eden Waterfall Matt Black Wall Mounted Basin Tap Bathroom Mountain (£69.99)

Milano Amara Wall Mounted Basin Mixer Tap in Brushed Copper, Big Bathroom Shop (£159.99)

Flow Wall Mixer Tap Maison Valentina (P.O.A)

Taps Having your taps be wall mounted, either when it comes to your sink, bath or shower, can also add real impact to a bathroom without compromising on functionality. Play around with different metal finishes or even embrace the spa-like waterfall tap, such as this one from Bathroom Mountain. The streamline tap fittings can enhance your wall design without interrupting the overall flow and look of the room. And it can immediately transform your bathroom into one that wouldn’t look out of place at a hotel or spa.

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Motif Basin And Motif Mirror Statement Bathroom Pieces Omvivo (P.O.A)

Flow Wall Mixer Tap Maison Valentina (P.O.A)

Ship ahoy! Industrial-style lighting that was most often seen on ships seems to be everywhere at the moment. These designs have serious luxe-appeal with brass finishes, silver plating and fine details. Here are some of our favourites to bring some maritime moments to your bathroom. 1

Weatherproof Ships Well Glass Wall Light Weathered Brass, £375 Davey Lighting

1. St Ives Harbour Outdoor Pendant Light, Garden Trading £55 2. Steve Silver Bulkhead light - with Wingnuts, £74.99, Dowsing and Reynolds 3. Cladach Well Wall Light - Antique Silver, £168, Lime Lace 4. Brass Bulkhead Outdoor & Bathroom Round Light, £99, Lime Lace 5. Davey Lighting Miniature Exterior Bulkhead Fitting With Guard - Weathered Brass, Davey Lighting at Original £225

5 Industrial-style ship’s lights, Davey Lighting, £335

Splashing Ideas Peachy Clean Bath Mat £19.99, Red Candy

Get Naked Bath Mat £6.99 B & M Happy Feet Bath Mat £22, Red Candy

Happy Bath Mat £9 George Home

Cherry Bath Mat £21.50 Red Candy

Dirty Clean Bath Mat £20, Five and Dime

Get Naked Bath Mat £20, Albert & Moo

Castle Raspberry Scallop Bath Mat £35, Antipodream

‘Rise & Shine’ Bath Mat £20, Five And Dime

Scandi Cotton Bath Mat £25 Sunday Living

Zebra Bath Mat £34, Red Candy 76

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Nudie Rudie Bath Mat £59, Antipodream

Life’s a beach

L I F E ’ S A B EACH RH

ver since we came across Megan’s home on Instagram, we’ve been in awe of her ability to mix colour and pattern in unexpected ways achieving a result that’s far greater than the sum of its many parts. Her interiors somehow manage to look cheerful yet sophisticated, packed full of layers of interest but never overwhelming, and truly personal. She’s also a master at injecting character and interest into a new build.

Megan, husband Phillip and their two young children swapped city life in Edinburgh for the coast six months ago when they moved to Gullane on the Firth of Forth, and have fully embraced coastal living. We spoke to Megan about how she has approached decorating the house and about the move to live ‘beside the seaside.’

BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

AUGUST 2021 |

RH L IF E’S A BEACH

When asked what prompted the move, Megan explains “Being close to the sea was a huge draw. My husband and I loved living in Edinburgh throughout our twenties and thirties – having both grown up in the countryside. We met in Edinburgh and renovated our first home together there. If you fast forward six years and add two little people, we found ourselves naturally gravitating towards a more rural lifestyle. We’ve always adored East Lothian and its beautiful beaches and find ourselves now wishing we’d made the move sooner!” The new house is quite a departure from the one they left behind in Edinburgh. Their previous home was a Grade-A listed Georgian property in the city’s New Town, with original flagstones, panelling, grand fireplaces, and intricate cornicing. Moving from this type of property bursting with original features to a new build, just required a change of mindset according to Megan. She explains that although

the approach to decorating such a different type of property might not be the same, they couldn’t be ha ppier with the new house, a ‘blank canvas’ as she describes it, on which to add colour and character, without the work of a renovation project. The new home is a detached modern house with five bedrooms and four bathrooms. It has a large kitchen-diner with bi-fold doors which open onto a large south-facing garden with a patio area. Megan explains that it has higher than average ceilings for a new build, which helped them with the transition from old to new. She’s enjoyed the ease at which they’ve been able to make any changes, unlike with the old house which required planning permission when they wanted to change the layout, “the ease of new has been such a joy with a young family” she explains. It’s been refreshing, she says, to skip straight to what she calls ‘the fun part”, the interior design.

| AUGUST 2021

“We found ourselves naturally gravitating towards a more rural lifestyle.”

“ Life by the sea is what we wanted for our family, and the children are already thriving here.”

L I F E ’ S A B EACH RH

Almost as soon as the family moved in, Megan set about working her decorating magic. She explains, “We decided to carpet the upstairs in a natural seagrass and the downstairs kitchen/dining area is a herringbone design. We used Farrow and Ball and Edward Bulmer Natural Paint throughout for their beautiful colour palettes. I love a reshuffle of furniture and art until they find their forever homes too. She thinks that the location undoubtedly had an impact on her design choices, “living by the sea, I wanted to achieve a beach feel for our home with the introduction of different textures, including seagrass, rattan and natural linens and wood” she says. Though she has no formal interior design training, Megan’s clever use of colour and pattern throughout the house is a testament to her considered approach, passion for design, and her creativity. She explains that she often finds a single piece that inspires her colour-wise, such as a framed Hermes scarf she used as the basis for the drawing-room design and begins a room scheme from there. Though she s ometimes uses mood boards to help with planning, often it’s a process of simply trying things together to see what works. “In my experience, the best rooms evolve gently over time,” she says. “I love mixing patterns and l ayering. Adding colour can bring a home to life too. You don’t need to go down the ‘matchy-matchy’ route with fabrics and patterns. The best rooms can be a mix of patterns and textures, yet everything works together”.

AUGUST 2021 |

RH L IF E ’S A BEACH

From her Instagram feed, the house looks completely decorated, but Megan explains that there are lots of rooms she’s still planning to tackle. “I would like to give our utility room and pantry a makeover and add lots of character. I love a functional space, but one that’s pretty to be in. A laundry room ticks that box!” she says. The bathrooms were already installed when the family moved in and though functional, she plans to upgrade these at some point too, to be more in keeping with her style. Lastly, at some point she plans to tackle the kitchen, a country kitchen in a sunny yellow is her vision for the space when the time is right. Interiors aside, the home’s location by the coast has more than lived up to the family’s expectations. Some people might be nervous about swapping city life for a quieter, more rural setting, but Megan is adamant that for their family it’s been nothing but a good move, with everything they need right on their doorstep now. “We love the village. We can walk to the beach barefoot and be back home within ten minutes for a BBQ. Life by the sea is what we wanted for our family, and the children are already thriving here. They’d live on the beach if we let them!”

Follow Megan on Instagram @kitandco_

| AUGUST 2021

SHOP

LOOK the

1. FERN PRINTS

3. PAINT

Set of 4 - Black OKA UK, £295 www.oka.com

Paint in Invisible Green £41 for 1 litre, Edward Bulmer

5. LARGE SQUARE CUSHION

2. FERN WALLPAPER

4. TAINO CHAIR

6. QUILT

Scrolling Fern Silhouette 100% Linen Fabric in Emerald Soane, £190/m

Natural, OKA UK, £225

Palm Tree Handblocked Quilt So Sou, £110k

in pink wicker Fermoie, £125

7. LAMPSHADE 16” Empire turquoise wicker gathered lampshad, 100% linen Fermoie, £220

8. OLIVER BED KING SIZE in Ochre Feather & Black, £550

5 7

ACTUAL BED SPREAD

AUGUST 2021 |

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F I R E LEGI SLAT I O N

Fire Safety Legislation BY MAIRI CLARK

It’s something you never want to happen, but it’s something essential that you need to think about when you’re moving into a new home or building a home or extension, what happens if there’s a fire? Every sensible homeowner should already have fire alarms in place, however, new Scottish fire alarm legislation is going to be coming into force in 2022 that could affect everything from home insurance to any home improvements Scottish householders are planning. Mairi Clark explains.

Photo: Anton Maksimov juvnsky on Unsplash

No one can forget the horrific scenes when the 24 storey Grenfell Building in West London burnt down in 2017, killing 72 people. The tragedy triggered a review of fire alarm legislation in both England and Wales and, next year, in Scotland, new legislation around fire alarms is about to come into force. Aside from the devastating impact it has on your property, no one wants to contemplate the lives that could be lost should your home catch fire. In Scotland, there were nearly 25,000 house fires that were attended by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) in 2020. Of these, 25 per cent of fires happened in houses that had no fire alarms. Ten per cent of house fires that had fire alarms, were found to be broken, ran out of batteries or not wired properly. While these startling stats are tempered with the fact that the amount of house fires in Scotland has almost halved in the last 10 years shows that some of the messages about installing fire alarms have gotten through, there’s still awareness needed. It’s with these statistics – and the Grenfell tragedy - in mind that the Scottish Government decided to amend its legislation requiring fire alarms in households. As of February 2022, houses will require a smoke alarm in the most frequently used room and also a smoke alarm in every circulation space on each storey, such as hallways and landings, and a heat alarm installed in every kitchen. While the number of alarms required has increased, the key to the legislation is that they must be interlinked. “We want to ensure the same level of protection is in place regardless of whether you own your home, or rent from a social or private landlord,” a Scottish Government spokesperson said. “We have provided around £1 million AUGUST 2021 |

F IR E L E G ISLATION

to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to install alarms during Home Fire Safety Visits to owner-occupied properties assessed to be at high risk from fire.” Where there is a carbon-fuelled appliance (such as boilers, fires (including open fires) and heaters) or a flue, a carbon monoxide detector is also required, however, this does not need to be linked to the fire alarms. So the rules will have an impact on the current trend of having garden rooms or an outdoor bar if it uses any carbon-fuelled appliance. “If it’s totally outdoors, it’s not included,” said a government spokesperson. “If it’s an indoor garden room or bar with a fuel burner then it must be fitted with a carbon monoxide monitor.”

covering those households. “Private landlords should already have interlinked fire alarms in their properties after legislation was passed in 2013,” said the government spokesperson. “If not, tenants should speak with their landlords. If anyone believes their landlord is failing to comply, contact www. housingandpropertychamber.scot. Landlords could face financial penalties for non-compliance. Social landlords are taking forward a programme of work to make sure interlinked fire alarms are in place.” Despite the legislation being prompted by Grenfell, in a shared property such as a tenement or block of flats, there is no requirement for different properties to be linked to each other, nor is there any requirement for alarms to be fitted in communal areas such as entry halls and stairways.

Deryn Ellis-Thomas, from fire safety specialists AICO, recommends that any alarms in outdoor garden rooms or bars should be linked. “Although carbon monoxide alarms do not have to be interlinked to meet the standard, we recommend interlinking with the fire alarm system and adding a control switch to ensure the alarm can be heard throughout the property, and the risk identified,” she says. The thought process behind the new legislation is because of another statistic that has been identified. Over 50 per cent of fires that started in households with fire alarms, weren’t detected by the fire alarm because the fire was too far from the alarm or because the homeowner didn’t hear the alarm in another part of the house. Interlinked fire alarms will mean if a fire happens in the kitchen while everyone is in bed upstairs, the fire alarms upstairs will also be triggered. “The presence of working fire alarms is proven to save lives and is one of the most important investments we can make to protect life and property,” said the government spokesperson. The Scottish Government estimates the average cost of an alarm system to meet the new standard will be around £200. If you want to have your alarm hard-wired into your electricity, with a backup battery, it should be installed by an electrician, which would add to the cost. The new legislation is of particular note to people building extensions or outdoor rooms like garden rooms or outdoor bars that may have fuel burners. Failure to comply with the new legislation – while not a criminal offence – would mean home insurance could be void if the new standard wasn’t adhered to. It could also affect the resale of any home. “Compliance will form part of a Home Report, says Deryn of AICO. “So it will impact on the buying and selling of homes. Home insurance policies will have varying terms and conditions to comply with, check with your insurance provider.” Although the duty of policing houses to meet the standard legislation lies with your local authority, in practice, it falls to the homeowner. “The local authority is responsible for ensuring that homes in their area are up to standard,” said the government spokesperson. “We hope everyone recognises the importance of keeping our families and communities as safe as possible.” The legislation covers rental properties as well, however, similar legislation was brought in nearly ten years ago

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HOW DO I COMPLY? • You can request a fire safety visit from SFRS, although at the time of going to press it had suspended home visits apart from the at-risk because of Covid. AICO, while it doesn’t perform free fire safety checks can advise on systems that you can install. “We do not perform checks on properties, nor do we enforce compliance,” says Deryn. “We would recommend contacting a Pico Expert Installer if you are unsure whether your property meets the requirements – they have undertaken our Fire Industry Association accredited training to ensure they are up to date with knowledge about requirements.” • Make sure you only install the same brand throughout your home. Different brands work on different frequencies so will struggle to communicate. • If you don’t want the alarms wired to your mains, you can install tamper-proof long-life lithium batteries. • You can check to see if your traditional smoke detectors are interconnected by removing the smoke detector and checking to see if it has 3 wires in the back. If the smoke detector has 3 wires and all three wires are connected in the electrical box your smoke detector is most likely interconnected.

F I R E LEGI SLAT I O N

STANDARDS TO WATCH FOR: Deryn from AICO recommends choosing a reputable brand. “When it comes to home life safety, choose a reputable brand, do some research and check the products meet British Standards,” she says. The relevant Kitemarks are as follows: • Smoke alarms: BS EN14604:2005 • Heat alarms: BS 5446-2:2003 • Carbon Monoxide alarms: EN 50291-1

For more information, look at: www.gov.scot/publications/ fire-and-smoke-alarms-in-scottish-homes/ https://www.firescotland.gov.uk/ https://www.aico.co.uk/

AUGUST 2021 |

by the

H O M E BY T HE TAY

Whenever anyone thinks of a tenement flat, they think of Glasgow and Edinburgh, when in fact, you’ll find tenements dotted all across Scotland. That’s why we’re talking to Ros in Dundee, about why she chose a tenement flat, as well as what she has done to transform it since moving in. BY ELLIS COCHRANE

aving lived in Glasgow since she was born in 1997, the city will always hold a special place in her heart and she truly loves it beyond words. However, in 2020, Ros decided to go back to university and found Dundee ticked all the boxes for her. What truly sealed the deal was that house prices for long term investment and first-time buyers, like herself, were much better there than they can be in Glasgow. That, and being so close to the seafront and how welcoming the city felt.

What drew her to a tenement property instead of a new build was the fact that period homes and tenement flats, in particular, are simply stunning. From the high ceilings to the slight quirks and imperfections, the uniqueness of a tenement flat is what will continue to attract her each time. Inspiration for her own tenement flat came from spending quite a lot of time scrolling endlessly on Pinterest. Straight away she knew that there were certain tones that she was gravitating towards for specific rooms and she found herself saving a lot of wall panelling inspiration from the site. Did the wall panelling end up causing her stress and a few arguments? Yes. But it was worth it in the end. She may have

AUGUST 2021 |

H OME BY THE TAY had a love-hate relationship with it but it turned out beautiful. She’s also lucky to have a crafty father who is always very keen to lend a hand so they both worked on the panelling together. Other than her dad’s help with the wall panelling and joinery, Ros did everything else on her own. Thinking back, she’s not entirely sure how she managed to do it, but she has a feeling that she was running on the excitement and adrenaline of finally getting the keys to her new home. As the fitted wardrobes in her bedroom limited the arrangement of furniture, she decided to make the panelling a feature wall. This was in stark contrast to her living room, which is rather large. She didn’t want her furniture arrangement to be limited by a panelled feature wall, so she opted for a dado rail. Trying to decorate on a budget does come with its difficulties, especially when you’re working with a period home that provides you with so much scope. But Ros did just that. Her favourite purchase so far has got to be

her living room ceiling light, which was a bargain buy from Dunelm for £40. Her favourite room changes from time to time. As her flat is a corner tenement, she is incredibly lucky that it catches the sunrise and the sunset in different rooms. So she’ll get to see the sunrise from her kitchen and the sunset from her living room, which is why it’s difficult for her to pick just one room in her tenement flat as her favourite. When it came to picking different elements for her home, Ros just went with the flow when it came to decorating. As there was very little time between getting the keys to her university course starting, everything was pretty rushed. But after living in the flat for a while, it has given her a different feel for each room, so she’s looking forward to redecorating this year and being more selective about her choices. We have to say, we love what she’s achieved so far. Ros admits that she was lucky to get a tenement that was in pretty good condition, so she didn’t find refurbishing it as overwhelming as it could have been.

H O M E BY T HE TAY

Renovating and decorating it has taught her lessons that she will take forward into her next project. For example, patience! She wishes that she had had more of that at the time, as she most likely would not be planning to decorate again sometime this year if she had! When it comes to her next project, she’s already planning on changing the colour of her bedroom. Living in it as it is, Ros has found that it’s quite a cold room, so making it a bit cosier is at the top of her to-do list next.

Ros also has some advice for anyone taking on their first renovation; 1. Practice patience. 2. Live in the space for a couple of weeks to get a feel for each room. For example, how much light does a specific room [or rooms] get? 3. Let your cosy spots find you. Because they will. This also makes buying furniture a lot easier. 4. Be open-minded. The ideas that you have in your head before doing the above might be completely different afterwards. 5. It’s an exciting journey! Take the time to enjoy it.

“Tenements are special, with plenty of room. The wall space and high ceilings are a gift from the gods so let your creative juices flow and go for it! It would be a shame not to!”

Keep up with what Ros is doing to her home by following her Insta @ home.by.the.tay

AUGUST 2021 |

If you’re as big a fan of tenement properties as we are, you’ll love seeing how people have reworked their flats in the Tenement Living section of our website. We share incredible renovations of everything from bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, living rooms, home offices and even a walk-in wardrobe that Carrie Bradshaw herself would be proud of.

LAMP SHADE Dunelm Wavy Jewel Easy Fit Pendant (£32)

KITCHEN PENDANT LIGHT Dunelm Logan 3 Light Diner Ceiling Fitting in Copper (£65)

DRINKS CABINET/SIDE TABLE

Wayfair Williston Forge Bettye 3-Light Kitchen Island Pendant (£274.99)

Salinas 2 Door Glazed Sidehoard Black Painted With Gold Handles Barker And Stonehouse (£259) Home Black and Antique Gold Wide Tang & Co. Cabinet (£329)

ROS’ ACTUAL PRINT

BEDROOM MIRRORS

PRINTS

ANDREA 41x120cm Oval Black Metal Mirror Maisons Du Monde (£88)

Your Mind Poster Desenio (from £7.95) She Believed She Could So She Did Bold Script Art Print Typologie Paper Co (from £18) Iamfy.co

WHITE LETTER ORNAMENT Left: Hobbycraft White Washed Wooden LED Letter R 21cm (£9.50) Right: Letter-O-Holic Shabby Chic Vintage Large 11 cm Wooden Free-standing Alphabet Letter in R Surf The Shop at Amazon (£3.99)

GREY VELVET BED Left: Dreams Knox Velvet Finish Bed Frame in Grey (from £599) Right: Danetti Maya Light Grey Velvet Double Bed (from £419) *ROS’ BED IS ALSO FROM DREAMS*

ROS’ ACTUAL CUSHIONS

CUSHION ON BED Matalan Natural Curtina Chateau Cushion (£12) Dunelm Dorma Acanthus Embroidered Cream Cushion (£35)

AUGUST 2021 |

Make the best of those starry nights with your very own Fire Pit which will add warmth and light to those chilled out evenings.

CHOOSE FROM OUR RANGE OF 6 SCOTTISH THEMED LASER CUT DESIGNS OR IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A BESPOKE DESIGN GET IN TOUCH…

The ‘WildFire’ is a foldaway, Scottish made log burner that was originally designed to be both striking and convenient and serves as the perfect outdoor addition for year-round garden use. Offering a removable 400mm surface to cook and roast on, this gives plenty of room for a kettle or pan or you can put your BBQ food straight on to the specially designed grill for perfect results!

So sit back, pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy the flickering flames in the WildFire … Email: hello@ramblingscotland.co.uk or phone 07761 753632 to reserve your foldaway WildFire. www.foldawayfires.co.uk

Those summer nights BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

Relaxing outside on a summer’s night with friends and family is one of life’s true pleasures. Keep cosy even if the temperature drops with a fire pit, warm blankets and watch a movie or relax in your hot tub with a glass of something chilled. We show you how to create those summer holiday vibes at home.

Main Image: Lights4fun.co.uk Oslo Eucalyptus Wood Drinks Trolley Ella James, £290

S U MMER NIGHTS

The heat is on The recent trend in outdoor fire burners shows no signs of cooling down (sorry!) and there’s an option for every budget, with a huge range of fire pits and chimineas available. Open fire pits are perfect if you like the ambience only a real fire can bring, great for sitting several people around as the fire is visible from all angles. They’re good for roasting marshmallows too, a sure-fire crowd-pleaser. A chiminea has the benefit of protecting the fire from the wind, so if you have an exposed garden this might be something to consider, it will minimise any flying ash. They don’t however provide such a full view of the fire being enclosed on one side, so better for smaller numbers of people. Folding fire pits are a good idea if you are short on storage and need something that packs away flat in the winter months.

4 3

1. Folding thistle log burner in mild steel £145 Wildfire 2. Cearnach Fire Pit £199 The Grass Yard 4. Tower 2 In 1 Fire Pit And BBQ £159.99, Robert Dyas 5. Gas Barbecue & Modular Kitchen, Von Haus £444.99 6. Sarsden Fire Pit £240, Garden Trading 3. La Hacienda Wela Clay Chiminea £45 B&Q 7. Fire basket £29.99 Very 8. Garden fire pit £59.99 Very

| AUGUST 2021

S U MM ER NI GHTS

Lounging around

Outdoor lounging calls for insideout thinking, imagine the comfort of your living room, then recreate these elements in the great outdoors. A comfy outdoor sofa with waterproof seat cushions, an outdoor rug, scatter cushions and a cosy blanket to snuggle under. Sectional chair and stool sets are ideal if you are short on space, as they can be pushed back together when not in use. Weatherproof scatter cushions are perfect if you want the area to look styled 24/7. They’ll be fine in a shower, just remember to store them away in the winter months if you want them to last. Outdoor rugs are increasingly popular and while they may not be plush underfoot like their indoor counterparts, they really pull the space together and make it look like an outdoor room.

1. Aruba Compact Round Sofa Set & Day Bed - £999.99 Very

2. Skala Lounger, £750 Garden Trading 3. Coral Bay 5-Seater, with Storage and Table £899.99 Very 4. Round outdoor rug £25.99 The Grass Yard 5. Diamond Print Outdoor rug £28.99 The Grass Yard 6. Leafy Greens Showerproof Cushion (3 assorted) 45x45cm £45.99 The Grass Yard 7. Savannah Grey Garden Sun Lounger and Cala Side Table Set, £1589 Danetti

7 AUGUST 2021 |

S U MMER NIGHTS

Drink it in Don’t interrupt the party vibes by going into the house to top up the drinks, make sure your bar is wherever you are. An outdoor bar trolley means that you’ll be fully stocked for your guests whatever their tipple. Fill an ice bucket to keep things cool. If you’re sitting on chairs on the grass, spike-ended wine bottle and glass holders will make sure not a drop gets spilt.

1. Rattan Outdoor Bar Drinks Trolley, £250 Rockett St George 2. Cocktail Umbrellas (Set Of 24), Rex London £1.50 3. Wayfair High Summer, Wayfair 4. Premium Housewares Miressa Large Party Bucket with Rope Handle, £54 Very 5. The Vintage Company 7.6L Airtight Glass Drinks Dispenser £12.49 RobertDyas

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6. Hykkon Enrique Bar Serving Cart, £164.99 Wayfair 7. VonShef 450ml Stainless Steel Moscow Mule Mug (Set of 2) £14.99 Wayfair 8. Viners Double Walled Wine Cooler - £22.99 Very

9. Premier Housewares Mixology Wine Cooler - £24 Very 10. Short Drinks Cooler, Outside Gang, £129 Limelace 11. 5pc Outdoor Drinks Holder Set, £12.99 Von Haus

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Glow-up The night needn’t end when the sun goes down, there’s nothing lovelier than the twinkle of festoon lights overhead, or a few lanterns dotted around the place. If candlelight is more your thing, LED candles bring the glow without the risk, especially good if you have little ones around.

1. Festoon lights, £34.99, Lights 4 fun 2. Outdoor solar lanterns, £34.95, Sparkle Lighting 3. Solar tassel lantern, £11.99, Lights 4 fun 4. Cosi Fires Cosiscoop Fire Lantern, Cuckooland £99.95 5. Outdoor TruGlow Candles, from £12.99 Lights 4 fun 6. 25cm Solar Hanging Bamboo Lantern £29.99, Festive Lights

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Bubbly Jubbly Hot tubs bring next-level relaxation to an outside space. They’re perfect for our unpredictable climate as they’re not reliant on the sun shining, If you’ve ever been in a hot tub when it’s (lightly) raining you’ll know what we mean, it’s just as fun! Maybe the thought of all the maintenance is putting you off, if so, self-cleaning options are now available so that you barely need to lift a finger. Add a drinks holder to the side for your glass, and even secure a hot-tub friendly screen beside it and watch your favourite show. A dome tent can then be put up over your hot tub to shade the sun or to provide some privacy.

1. TV For Hot Tub POA Aqualite Outdoor

2. Hydropool Serenity 4500, £7,995, Hydropool 3. Hydropool Serenity 5900, £8,995, Hydropool 4. ‘Keep Your Cool’ Champagne Bucket with yellow leather strap, Heating & Plumbing London, £68.50 5. Personalised Hot Tub Metal Sign, The Personal Shop £12.99 6. Lay-Z Spa Drinks Holder, £12.99, Very 7. Lay-Z Spa Helsinki Air Jet Spa Hot Tub, £849.99, Very 8. Bar Craft Acrylic 200ml Champagne Flute, Kitchen Craft £4.99

9. Silver Champagne Wine Cooler, Marquis & Dawe £110 10. Fleur De Lys Pitcher in Lilac Pink, The Grey Works £38.95 11. Lay-Z Spa Layzspa Dome - £199.99, Very

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Movie Night The ultimate in family fun is to watch a movie on the big screen al-fresco. It’s easy to do; set up a portable projector (an extension cable might be needed if you don’t have outdoor power), put up a screen (a large white wall or white sheet will work), settle back and enjoy the film! You can sit on your comfy outdoor sofa and the kids can chill on some outdoor beanbags. There’s nothing left to do then, but to choose your favourite movie and pass the popcorn!

1. NEBULA Solar Portable 1080p Projector, £699.99, Amazon 2. Anker Nebula Mars 2 Pro HD Smart Mini Projector £549.99, Very 3. Beehive Yellow Wool Blanket Throw, Cushy Home & Style £60 4. Layla Indoor/Outdoor Cocoon Bean Bag, £149, Made.com 5. Bazaar Bag® Floor Cushion, £79.99, Beanbag Bazaar 6. Pastel Bean Bag Orange, £139, Nisi Living 7. Freja Ecru and Black Recycled Cotton Throw, Beaumonde £20.99 8. Rainbow Stripe Grey Pure New Wool Blanket Throw Cushy Home & Style £60

3 4 Aztec Chindi Rug Red 120x180cm - garden lifestyle, Walton & Co £94.99 Featuring: Origami Throws - £34.99 RRP Cotton Dhurrie Scatter Cushions - £20 RRP Morocco Throws - £50 RRP

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Image: Walton & Co

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WEIR HOM E

Monochrome Magic

BY ELLIS COCHRANE

MO N O C H R O M E M AGI C RH

It’s never black and white when you move into your first home, however Jenna and Callum Weir wanted it to be! Moving into their first home – a new-build in Stirling – they wanted to put their own stamp on the blank canvas that was now their new home.

Getting an all white, crispy clean home was the trigger that prompted the Weirs to look at taking their colour options darker. As an estate agent, Jenna knew she wanted something she could add her own style to and after seeing it look all white made her adventurous.

he whole idea of having a monochrome home was not intentional for the couple. “After having a ‘colours’ meeting with our builder, we chose diffe re n t sh ade s of g rey ti l e s fo r e a c h bathroom,” she says. “We picked light grey kitchen cupboards, and went for slate worktops from Roundel Kitchens. It wasn’t until it all came together that I realised everything we owned was either black, white or grey!” When it came to furniture, Jenna found herself drawn to darker colours. “We chose our sofa, arm ch air an d m aster b e d i n th e s h a d e ‘charcoal’ and it really went from there,” she says. “Seeing the crisp white walls when we moved in, really gave our furniture that extra pop and I’ve been obsessed with the monochrome look ever since!” Another Instagram addict, Jenna actually searches for furniture that she already has!. “I look to see

how others have styled it, in case I prefer the way they have done it!”, she laughs. Her favourite purchase for the new house is the all black, wishbone dining chairs, which she credits as completely changing their dining area. “I was obsessed from the minute that I saw them!”, she says. “They are such a timeless piece and surprisingly comfy.” After upgrading the couple’s headboard from 6ft to 7ft, the herringbone-inspired look dominates the room. “I love it,” says Jenna. “We also chose dark tiles in the en-suite, which compliment the room - everything just seems to flow nicely and it really is my happy place.” The couple did the majority of the work themselves, with some help from Jenna’s father-in-law for wall fixings for their TV and TV unit, while the kitchen floor was tiled by Scott Johnston of Tile Pinnacle.

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Jenna recommends moving into a new build as it’s finished and easy to make your own. “We haven’t made any structural changes but we did change the connecting doors that take you from the hallway to the living room and the living room to the kitchen to glass doors,” she says. “This made a huge difference in terms of letting the light flow throughout the downstairs. Everything else has been added via our decorating, but we will eventually make some changes.” After the experience, Jenna has some good advice for anyone thinking of buying a new build. “Definitely take your time when choosing design and make sure to have actually seen the space before you buy any big items of furniture!”, she laughs. “I found myself ordering items before we got the keys and once we moved in it just didn’t look right and I ended up having to get rid of them.”

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She also advises to visit show homes for inspiration. “Get the idea for the extras that you might want added,” she says. “They are a good way of adding your own stamp to your property and it also saves you having to do these jobs yourself. Also don’t expect it to be perfect - snagging is completely normal and any good house builder will rectify this for you.”

stylesteal

CHELSO 6 LIGHT MATT BLACK AND OPAL PENDANT lightsandlamps.com (£189)

WEIR HOMES’ EXACT PRINTS

CULT STUDIO CONCEPT DINING CHAIR in Black Ash Wood, Cult Furniture (£129)

BEDELIA TABLE LAMP LEFT: FIGURATONE POSTER

Clear with Shade dar lighting group(£110.40)

Desenio (from £13.95)

RIGHT: ANTIBES POSTER Desenio (from £13.95)

CONTENT BY TERENCE CONRAN TOBIAS Right Hand facing Chaise End Sofa, Plush Shadow Grey Velvet, Dark Wood Leg MADE.COM (£1899)

CUCKOOLAND BY BOO Drinks Trolley Rodando (£145)

ZIPCODE DESIGN ANTOINETTE POUFFE in Grey Wayfair (£45.99)

SOFT GREY TIBETAN SHEEPSKIN CUSHION

CLAIRE CUSHION

Cox & Cox (£80)

Grey 50 x 70 Sweetpea & Willow (£80)

LUXDECO BLACK HERRINGBONE THROW Tuwi (£295)k

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How to Update a Rented Home...

IMAGE: @tenementalglasgow on Instagram

U P DAT E A RENTAL

without upsetting your landlord BY ELLIS COCHRANE

If you’ve just moved into a rented space and either want to put your own stamp on it or there are more than a few things that you’d like to change, we’ve got some temporary tips and ideas to do just that. All it takes is a little bit of DIY and ingenuity to transform rented accommodation into a space that much better reflects you. And all without upsetting your landlord or losing out on your security deposit.

Cashmere & Merino Wool Throw (£109.99) -Lime Lace

e saw exactly that with Louise’s brilliant feature wall bedroom transformation over on the Tenement Living section of our website. After their landlord gave them approval to paint the walls, both when they viewed the flat and in writing before even a speck of paint was applied, as long as it was nothing too dark or bright, the difference that it makes to a bare white wall is truly incredible. To see more before, during and after hots of Louise’s arch feature wall, be sure to check out our website. As always, make sure to check and double check your rental agreement before making any significant changes.

Smart Light Bulbs (£9.99) - Screwfix

Or stick to updating your rental solely with furnishings instead. And when you do eventually move, don’t forget to leave the property exactly as it was when you first moved in. The next tenant will no doubt be looking for the same neutral backdrop for them to put their own spin on when they move in. You can either refer back to the photographs of the listing when you initially rented the property or you can be extra savvy and take a couple of photographs of the property when you first move in to make sure that everything is returned exactly back to the way it was on your departure. AUGUST 2021 |

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What The Experts Say (Adrian Sangster, Leasing Director at Aberdein Considine)

Here are a few of our favourite ways to make a rented space feel more like home;

I believe the most important part of a tenancy is maintaining good communication between tenants and landlords (or their agent). Landlords want their tenants to be happy and for them to feel ‘at home’ in their property. Whilst most tenancy agreements will stipulate that tenants shall not carry out any alterations, additions or redecoration to the Property without the prior consent of the landlords, during my 30 years in the industry I’ve dealt with 1000’s of tenancies and found most landlords are generally supportive to reasonable requests from their tenants. If a tenant wants to make changes to moveable items, such as curtains, lampshades, rugs etc, whilst not permanent, there is no harm keeping the landlord in the loop. Notwithstanding this however, if tenants proceed with these changes, they will need to ensure the original items are in place at the end of the tenancy (unless negotiated otherwise with their landlord) or deductions may be made to their deposit.

Transform an entire room with peel and stick wallpaper Many landlords won’t be happy with you painting the walls. Or if they do allow it, it can sometimes take several tins of paint to apply your desired colours and then paint them all back to white or cream before you move out. We have a solution in the form of peel and stick wallpaper. And you don’t just need to live in a rented space to see the benefits in wallpaper that can be easily applied and removed. Instead of spending the time that it takes to apply traditional wallpaper, along with the mess of wallpaper paste and getting it hung just right. Not to mention how difficult it can be to remove it when you’re redecorating. Peel and stick wallpaper makes life and taking it back down so much easier. Choose one that allows you to easily apply and remove the wallpaper without leaving any residue. The market for peel and stick wallpaper has grown exponentially in recent years, meaning that you have almost as many options as traditional wallpaper. Either opt for a statement wall in a great pattern or go more neutral across all four walls.

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Invest in pieces that you can take with you If you’re moving into a space that requires you to self furnish it, we highly recommend i nvesting in pieces that you can take with you from home to home. Instead of buying a cheap sofa that will inevitably need replacing or you’d be happy to leave in the space when you move, pick a piece that will be able to work for you in several different spaces, now and in the future. A great statement sofa or dining room table, that is well made and will last many years is the way to go.

Utilise soft furnishings and bedding One way to instantly transform a rented space is to utilise soft furnishings like throw cushions, curtains, throw blankets, bedding and foot stools.

You can either use these to create a colour scheme that breathes life into a plain or maybe not to your initial taste space. Or you can inject some of your own personality with some fun and quirky pieces and personal touches.

Add real or faux plants Another way to breathe life into a space, quite literally if you’re using real plants, is to add some greenery. You can either cluster several plants in one room or dot them throughout your entire space. We love to see some greenery in the bathroom, living room and kitchen in particular but there’s nothing stopping you from going all out and creating your very own indoor garden, like you may have already seen on Instagram.

There are also plenty of great options that look very much like the real thing, without you having to worry about watering or caring for them.

1. Sketch Rug (£245) - Loaf 2. Pink Terrazzo Wallpaper - available in peel and stick (£30/square metre) - Wallsauce.com 3. Furniture And Choice Hampton Chesterfield Sofa (£799.99) 4. Cuckooland Tortona Extending Dining Table (£975) 5. Oliver Bonas Rosada Throw (£58) - Mostaza Throw (£45), Foiled Linen Cushion (£29.50) - Paisley Bedspread (£125) 6. Faux Potted Trailing String of Pearls (£39.95) on table Faux Travellers Palm Tree (£158) back Artificial Calathea House Plant (£78) front Green Fern Leaf Plant Pot (£29.95) used as plant pot - AUDENZA AUGUST 2021 |

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Add a temporary backsplash You can also give any existing kitchen backsplash a complete makeover by applying a temporary backsplash or temporary tiles. And since they are designed to withstand the heat and steam from a kitchen, you don’t need to worry about them starting to peel off or move. We love the clean and timeless look of a white subway tile backsplash but you can really get creative with how you update your rental’s kitchen. Make sure you choose a self adhesive backsplash tile, like these ones from Dunelm, that leave no residue when they are removed.

Apply removable floor tiles If the existing floor tiles aren’t to your taste or they’re not as practical for the likes of young children or pets, you can easily cover these with peel and stick floor tiles.

These are great for rooms such as kitchens and bathrooms. And again, making a dark, dull floor brighter or more interesting, can really alter the look of a room without much effort or expense. Make sure to choose tiles that don’t leave any residue on the floors once you remove them, to make sure that you leave the space in exactly the same condition as it was when you first moved in.

Add rugs If applying removable floor tiles isn’t an option or something you want to do, using rugs can make a big difference to the look of your rented home. You can cover a multitude of sins from boring carpet to ugly vinyl flooring by laying down some rugs. And why not inject some personality as you do so. If a carpeted room is the issue for you and your space, you can go extra large with your rug application. Whereas smaller rugs and runners can update entrance ways and more compact spaces.

7. Floorpops Comet Self Adhesive Floor Tiles (£14) - Dunelm 8. Gallery Scribble Rug (£60-£190) - Next 9. Cheetah Pile Wool Rug (£150) - Habitat 10. InHome Subway Self Adhesive Backsplash Tiles (£18) - Dunelm

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U P DAT E A RENTAL

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11. Sara Miller Tahiti Zebra Cotton Tea Towel (£14.89) - Joyce & Joan 12. Sara Miller Tahiti Cockatoo Repeat Double Oven Glove (£24.89) - Joyce & Joan 13. Sara Miller Peony Repeat Kitchen Apron (£27.89) - Joyce & Joan 14. Tahiti Easy Fit Shade (£40) - Next

Use kitchen accessories to add colour, pattern and personality

If adding a temporary backsplash or making any significant changes to the kitchen space is off limits, you can add a lot of personality and charm to an otherwise plain kitchen space through the use of mugs, plates, tea towels and tins. Having these on display can really showcase your personality, either through the use of fun and quirky designs, colour or classic statement pieces. And of course, you can take these pieces with you when you move to another space.

Switch out light shades and bulbs We always recommend using low energy and LED light bulbs where possible. And by changing the light bulbs as soon as you move in, you could potentially save yourself and the landlord some money and do your bit for the environment as well. You can also choose how bright a light is or which lighting hue you would like by picking your own light bulbs. It’s also really easy to change a light shade and give a room a whole new look. There are so many options from traditional fabric shades to glass, metal and even natural materials like paper and straw.

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Utilise smart bulbs Speaking of light bulbs, a great way to bring colour to an otherwise white or magnolia space is by utilising smart bulbs. With quite literally limitless colour options, taking you right through the rainbow, to hues that will warm up and create ambience in a blank space, these bulbs can be operated from your phone or smart home device.

Use Command hanging strips You definitely don’t want to be drilling any holes into the walls of your rented property and the same can be said for multiple push pins as well. But that doesn’t mean that you can’t hang some of your favourite photographs, pieces of art, prints or even an entire gallery wall. We definitely recommend using Command’s hanging strips and accompanying products. These surprisingly sturdy strips allow you to hang picture frames, decorative pieces, hooks for towels and even kitchen utensils, without the worry of them falling down.

Lean mirrors against the wall instead of hanging Much like with not drilling any holes into the walls, you don’t want to be hanging anything too heavy either. We love the current trend of using an oversized and often antique or antique looking mirror propped up against a wall to make a real feature in a room. It’s also perfect for taking those outfit of the day shots for social media.

Hang over the door storage You can really optimise and maximise the amount of storage that you have, even in a cramped or small space, by utilising over the door storage. This is an affordable way to keep clutter and items like shoes, accessories and even bathroom products off the floor or countertops and out of the way. It can also be removed in seconds, something that can’t be said for all storage solutions.

Add personality and colour with bathroom accessories There’s not normally a great deal you can change when it comes to the bathroom(s) in a rental property. But a great way to add some of your personality is with accessories. From shower curtains to towels, bath mats and storage, you then have the added bonus of being able to take these items and accessories with you when you move.

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15. Gallery Wall (Various prices) - Desenio 16 TCP BC A60 RGB & White LED Smart Light Bulb 9w 806LM (£9.99) - Screwfix 17. Linden Brass Full Length Mirror (£200) - Cox & Cox 18. SKUBB Hanging Shoe Organiser with 16 pockets in white (£5) - IKEA 19. PEP&CO Home Bamboo Bathroom Collection 2021 (£1) - Poundland 20. Latte Towel Set Organic Cotton (from £4) - The Fine Cotton Company Banana Leaf Shower Curtain (£12), Leaf Bath Mat (£10)0 French Cane Drawers (£35), Tropique Towels (from £8 Blush Pink Towels (from £5), Bath Rack (£20), Resin Pedestal Mirror (£12) - Dunelm

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E M ’S G AFF

EM ’S GAFF

Want to put our top tips into action? Well, Ems from @emsgaff has done just that and as you can see, she really has put her own stamp on a rented property. Here’s what she shared with us about the process of making her rented flat feel like home; BY ELLIS COCHRANE

How has your landlord been about you making changes? Well, I rent through an agency so I’m not sure how much the landlord has seen of the changes. The agency does very regular inspections, however, so they have seen my style makeover as it has developed!

Did you need to get their approval first before you did anything? Or have you been making changes that don’t alter the flat itself? A bit of both really. I got permission to repaint the bedroom and some of the furniture that came with the flat. The landlord has been really supportive, and paid for the paint so I was happy to do the work. The changes I have made around using vinyl, I didn’t get any approval for as it’s designed to be removable and so won’t leave any lasting impact.

What has been your favourite transformation so far? It’s hard to choose! I think the bureau has been the most special, as well as the most bold! My friend gave it to me, after it had been in her family for years. I wanted to make a real statement with it. I chose a mustard colour and leopard print paper. I then picked out pink and animal-print door handles. It’s such a happy piece! AUGUST 2021 |

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E M’S G AFF

Where do you get your inspiration? Pinterest and Instagram are great sources of inspiration. Usually I will see one thing, it might be an object, a print or a colour. Then I will plan my room around it. I can see it in my mind before I start and then I try to recreate that vision in my space.

How easy has it been to use things like vinyl and tile stickers? I have found them easy to use. There is so much choice out there and it is literally made for renters! Instant transformation with big impact.

How important are plants and greenery (faux or real) in a rented space? I have over 40 houseplants in a very small flat so for me having plants is essential! I don’t have a garden so it’s extra important for me to be surrounded by greenery and nature. Plants really do bring life to a space. If real plants are not an option, faux create a really lovely look too.

What is your favourite space in your home? The sitting room. It has all of my favourite things; gold, neon, cool artwork, plants and animal print! It’s the room that feels most iike me!

Did you do the majority yourself or have help with the projects? I do all my projects myself.

What have you learned as you’ve decorated? I have learned to be more patient and to take my time. Once I have an idea, I get so enthusiastic that I just want to get started immediately! I’ve also learned to slow down, plan my projects more and enjoy the process.

Have you always been interested in transforming, upcycling and DIY? When I was a teenager, my friend and I redecorated her bedroom. Absolutely everything was bright orange and I made her a framed collage of pictures from our favourite film, Dirty Dancing, to hang on the wall! When I was 18, I went to college to study interior design, but dropped out. However, the love of design never left me and I am at my happiest when I am being creative.

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EM ’S GAFF

What advice would you have for others who are in a similar position (renting but still want to make the space feel like your own)? I would say that although you don’t own your place, it is still your home and it should be a place that feels like that for you. There are a lot of budget friendly and renter friendly ways to bring personality to your space. Use good quality vinyl that can be removed easily in kitchens and bathrooms. Upcycle your own furniture. Invest in items you can take with you when you leave, like curtains, rugs and lampshades. If you’re a plant lover, bring in greenery. Hang your favourite artwork or if you can’t hang anything on the walls, place framed art around the space. You don’t have to make huge changes to make it feel more like your own space. Don’t be afraid to speak to your landlord about changes you would like to make. I requested new kitchen and bathroom flooring from my landlord and he agreed. If you don’t ask you’ll never know! After spending over a year in lockdown, our homes have become crucial to our wellbeing and renting shouldn’t be an obstacle to feeling like that space looks and feels like home for you.

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R A IS E D BEDS

You’ve made your bed BY LINDSAY DOHERTY

Raised bed gardening has become very popular due to its adaptability for flowers and vegetables. For many gardens, it is an easy way to create a garden feel if you don’t have the time or the soil to nurture plants. We met with food writer and podcaster, Helen Cross, who lives in Glasgow and is a raised beds enthusiast. The mother of three young children, Helen’s been growing all sorts of fruit and veg in raised beds for the last year, has encouraged her children to get their hands dirty too. We asked Helen what she grows, the benefits of growing in raised beds, and her top tips if you fancy having a go yourself.

How long have you been growing things in your raised beds?

All Images courstesy of Helen Cross

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As a family, we have moved a lot. We moved from Edinburgh to London, and now we live in Glasgow. We’ve only been in our new home for around 18 months, but last year I wanted to make our mark on our first garden, so we built raised beds before lockdown, which was incredibly fortuitous. We have been growing everything from pumpkins, potatoes, strawberries, leeks, onions and beetroot for the last year. The inspiration and practice has come from my parents’ large vegetable garden on their farm on the southwest coast. As we are unlikely to be moving back to the countryside any time soon, I was keen to provide our boys with the chance to see first-hand where their food comes from and connect with nature, which is important more now than ever.

RAI SED B EDS

What would you say are the benefits of growing in raised beds? Not only do they look great, but raised beds also allow you to grow different varieties of vegetables and fruit and allow people with mobility problems to access their plants. Drainage is better, the soil will be warmer, and the no-dig method of gardening, which involves not disturbing the soil and therefore is better for the environment, is also possible. You’ll maintain your bed by simply adding material on top, such as compost, fertilisers or mulches. This will also help suppress weeds. They are also great for those trying their hand at growing their own for the very first time as it allows you to keep everything compact and tidy, allowing you to see what you’re growing.

What do you grow? Having grown in containers mainly, 2020 was the first year we had grown in raised beds. I mainly grow fruit and veg in the raised beds. Carrots, beetroot, onions, leeks and garlic have been very successful, as have runner beans. My courgettes, however, failed miserably and didn’t even get off the starting blocks. I planted them too closely together. Spacing is the key when sowing and thinning out your crops. I find growing potatoes in containers to be much easier, especially when growing with children. When it comes to harvesting, there is nothing better than seeing the delight on their faces when they dig for their treasure inside the container. Each potato is like a nugget of gold, and there is a race to find the largest number of potatoes. My favourite thing to grow is Crown Prince pumpkins. If there was ever an ideal fruit or vegetable to grow from home, illustrating to children where their food comes from, my choice would be pumpkins. Although they are only on a supermarket shelf for a week in October, they are in fact grown from seed in April; and are delicious, nutritious and versatile to cook with.

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R A IS E D BEDS

What do you do with all the things you grow? The main aim of growing our own is to cook with what we grow. We will never be self-sufficient, but there is something so satisfying to eating something you have freshly picked from your back garden, only feet from your kitchen. Beetroot dip is a winner, and we even tried chocolate chip and orange beetroot ice cream, which was surprisingly delicious. Onions and garlic are used as the backbone of any good soup, but I love cooking most with pumpkins. We’ve made pumpkin muffins, pumpkin and apple soup, as well as pumpkin frittata, risotto and Dahl.

Do you make the actual beds yourselves, and if so, can you give us an idea of how you go about it? Raised beds needn’t be expensive and can be done by yourself. There are so many great YouTube tutorials. We were fortunate that my dad built our four raised beds as he is very practical. He bought planks of wood from Travis Perkins, who will cut it to your required length. You’ll need screws, an electric screwdriver and someone to give you a helping hand! The book ‘Veg in One Bed’ is also a great guide for those starting out.

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RAI SED B EDS

What are your top tips for anyone interested in growing things in raised beds? My top tip is don’t be afraid. I’m not a trained gardener, but I really believe if you roll up your sleeves and are prepared to give it a go, you’ll be half-way there. Making mistakes is completely fine, and even the Monty Dons amongst us don’t grow everything perfectly. We really do learn from our mistakes, and the next time around, you’ll be determined. Oh, and only grow what you enjoy eating!

Find out more about Helen’s growing and cooking adventures over on Instagram @helen.a.cross or listen to her podcast ‘Grow Cook Inspire’ on Spotify or Apple podcasts.

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STOC K ISTS

Stockists COMPANY NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL OR WEBSITE

COMPANY NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL OR WEBSITE

Aberdein Considine

0333 01 64 291

www.acandco.com

Duravit

01908 286680

www.duravit.com

Abstract House

020 8099 9243 www.abstracthouse.com

Edward Bulmer

01544 388535

www.edwardbulmerpaint.co.uk

ACR Stoves

0121 706 8266

www.acrstoves.com

Elizabeth Ockford

01342 810357

www.elizabethockford.com

AICO

01691 664100

www.aico.co.uk

ethical.market

020 7993 5335 www.ethical.market

Albert & Moo

020 8088 8280 www.albertandmoo.com

Etsy

0800-011-9700 www.Etsy.com

Amazon www.amazon.co.uk

Farrow & Ball

01202 876141

www.farrow-ball.com

Antipodream

FBS Plumbing

01324 628431

www.fbsplumbing.co.uk

Feather & Black

01243 380 600 www.featherandblack.com

7391514622 www.antipodream.co.uk

Aqualite Outdoor Screens

0330 133 2547

www.aqualiteoutdoor.com

Fermoie info@fermoie.com

Astro Lighting

01279 427001

www.astrolighting.com

www.fermoie.com

Athena Art

08458 386886

www.athenaart.com

Festive Lights

AUDENZA

0116 2986393

www.audenza.com

Five and Dime

info@avalanadesign.co.uk

www.fiveanddime-interiors.com

Avalana Design

01257 792111

www.festive-lights.com info@five-and-dime.co.uk

www.avalanadesign.co.uk

Fleming Homes

01361 883785

B&M

0330 838 9000 www.bmstores.co.uk

Furniture And Choice

0333 015 0000 www.furniturechoice.co.uk

www.fleminghomes.co.uk

B&Q

0333 014 3098

01993 845559

www.diy.com

Garden Trading

Barker and Stonehouse 0333 010 2352

www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

George Home

Bathroom Mountain

www.bathroommountain.co.uk

george/home

Beanbag Bazaar

www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk

H&M Home

0344 736 9000 www2.hm.com

Beaumonde

01202 707770

www.beaumonde.co.uk

Habitat

0345 640 2020 www.habitat.co.uk

Benjamin Moore

01753 575756

Habitus Design

0141 339 9346

01782 405047

www.gardentrading.co.uk www.direct.asda.com/

www.habitus.design

www.benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk

Heath Kane

Big Bathroom Shop

0345 122 7569

www.bigbathroomshop.co.uk

www.heathkane.co.uk

art@heathkane.co.uk

Boconcept

0141 341 4920

www.boconcept.com

Heating &

hello@heating-and-plumbing.com

Breagh Architects

0141 942 1928

www.breagharchitects.co.uk

Plumbing London

www.heating-and-plumbing.com

Brissi

hello@brissi.com www.brissi.com

Hobbycraft

0330 026 1400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk

Burlington Bathrooms

01322 473 222

Home Body Decor

homebodydecor@outlook.com

www.burlingtonbathrooms.com

www.homebodydecor.co.uk

Carron Bathrooms

www.carronbathrooms.com

Homesense

01923 473561

www.castironbath.co.uk

House Of Flora

033 3303 4295 www.house-of-flora.com

01324 638 407

Cast Iron Bath Company 01723 585896

www.homesense.comhome

Christian

Hudson Home

Andrews Interiors

www.hudsonhome.co.uk

0141 889 9292

sales@hudsonhome.co.uk

www.christianandrewsinteriors.com

Hydropool Scotland

0141 483 7427

www.hydropoolscotland.com

CNG Design

01561 377636

I Love Wallpaper

01429 803932

www.ilovewallpaper.co.uk

Cole & Sons

0207 376 4628 www.cole-and-son.com

iamfy.co www.iamfy.co

Copper Leaf Design

07585 114 894

www.copperleafdesign.co.uk

IKEA

0203 645 0000 www.ikea.com

Cormar Carpets

01204 881234

www.cormarcarpets.co.uk

Indigenous

01993 824200

www.indigenous.co.uk

Cox & Cox

0330 333 2123

www.coxandcox.co.uk

John Lewis & Partners

03456 100 336

www.johnlewis.com

Cuckooland

01305 231 231

www.cuckooland.com

Joyce & Joan

01733 332 634

www.joyceandjoan.co.uk

Cult Furniture

0208 185 6960

www.cultfurniture.com

Katie Victoria Brown

Cushy Home & Style

www.cushyhomeandstyle.co.uk

www.katievictoriabrown.com

Daal’s

02477 180 023

www.daals.co.uk

King and McGaw

01273 511 942

www.kingandmcgaw.com

Daisy Park

01769 579077

www.daisypark.co.uk

Kings Park Kitchens

0141 562 1757

www.kingsparkkitchens.co.uk

Danetti

020 3588 1380

www.danetti.com

Kitchen Craft

0121 604 6000

www.kitchencraft.co.uk

dar lighting group

01295 672200

www.darlighting.co.uk

Kitchen Interiors

Darlings of Chelsea

01252 372 949

www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk

by Kevin Fleming

01360 661 456

www.mykitcheninteriors.co.uk

Davey Lighting

020 7351 2130

www.originalbtc.com

La Redoute

0844 842 2222 www.laredoute.co.uk

Decorating Centre

01388 608144

www.cngdesign.co.uk

info@katievictoriabrown.com

Laings

01467 620311

www.laings.com

www.decoratingcentreonline.co.uk

Lights 4 Fun

01423 816 040

www.Lights4fun.co.uk

Desenio

020 331 82 047 www.desenio.co.uk

lightsandlamps.com

DFS

0800 110 5000 www.dfs.co.uk

www.lightsandlamps.com

Divine Savages

hello@divinesavages.com

sales@lightsandlamps.com

Lime Lace

0330 058 4158

www.divinesavages.com

Little Greene

0845 880 5855 www.littlegreene.com

www.limelace.co.uk

Dowsing and Reynolds 0113 8199985

Loaf

0203 141 8300

Dreams

0800 652 6750 www.dreams.co.uk

Lusso Stone

0203 370 4057 www.lussostone.com

Dunelm

0116 264 4400

LUST HOME

01429 803930

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www.dowsingandreynolds.com

www.dunelm.com

| AUGUST 2021

www.loaf.com www.lusthome.com

STO CK I STS

COMPANY NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL OR WEBSITE

COMPANY NAME

TELEPHONE

EMAIL OR WEBSITE

LuxDeco

020 3322 8665 www.luxdeco.com

Sweetpea & Willow

0345 257 2627

www.sweetpeaandwillow.com

Made.com

0845 557 6888 www.made.com

Tang & Co. Home

01799 500 955

www.tangand.co.uk

Taps UK

01527 868500

www.tapsuk.com

The Basket Company

01202 422600

www.thebasketcompany.com

Maison Valentina

info@maisonvalentina.net

www.maisonvalentina.net 0808 234 21 72 www.maisonsdumonde.com

The Chateau by

help@thechateau.tv

Maker & Son

0800 327 7149

www.makerandson.com

Angel Strawbridge

www.thechateau.tv

Marquis & Dawe

01925 767611

www.marquisanddawe.co.uk

The Designer Rooms

01292 502769

www.thedesignerrooms.com

0208 850 5210

www.thefindstore.co.uk

Maisons Du Monde

The Find Store Matalan cs@matalanonline.co.uk The Fine Cotton www.matalan.co.uk Matki

01454 322 888

www.matki.co.uk

Company

0345 602 9050

Melody Maison

01302 741000

www.melodymaison.co.uk

www.thefinecottoncompany.com

Mindthegap

The French customer@mindtheg.com Bedroom Company

www.mindtheg.com.uk Mint and May

020 3637 7969 www.mintandmay.co.uk

Nebula

01604 936200

www.uk.seenebula.com

Neptune

01793 934 011

www.neptune.com

Nest

0114 243 3000

www.nest.co.uk

0333 777 8000 www.next.co.uk

Nisi Living

www.nisiliving.co.uk

Not Just Jugs

020 7254 9996 www.notjustjugs.com

Oka

03330 042 042 www.oka.com

Oliver Bonas

020 8059 2414

www.oliverbonas.com

Original btc

020 7351 2130

www.originalbtc.com

Original Style Tiles

01392 473 000

www.originalstyle.com

Paperchase

www.paperchase.com

Pash Classics

01509 76 73 74 www.pash-classics.com

Porcelain Superstore

0330 094 0304 www.porcelainsuperstore.co.uk

Poundland Price’s Candles

01234 264500

www.poundland.co.uk www.prices-candles.co.uk

Primark www.primark.com

01444 415430

www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

The Grass Yard

0141 237 4292

www.thegrassyard.co.uk

The Grey Works

01444 456161

www.thegreyworks.com

The Monkey Puzzle Tree 0113 4503639 www.themonkeypuzzletree.com The Radiator Company 01342 302250

www.theradiatorcompany.co.uk

The White Company

020 3758 9222

www.thewhitecompany.com

Tile Mountain

01782 223822

www.tilemountain.co.uk

Timothy Oulton

www.timothyoulton.com

TK Maxx

01923 473561

www.tkmaxx.com

Top Furniture

01889 560999

www.topfurniture.co.uk

Unbeatable Bathrooms 01782 636245 www.unbeatablebathrooms.co.uk Uni Windows

0131 440 3931

www.uniwindows.co.uk

Very

0800 11 00 00

www.very.co.uk

Victorian Plumbing

info@victorianplumbing.co.uk

www.victorianplumbing.co.uk Vincent & Barn Ltd

0118 3287088

www.vincentandbarn.co.uk

Pringle and Gray

07733 140392

RAK Ceramics

01730 237 850

www.rakceramics.com

www.vonhaus.com

Rearo

0141 440 0800

www.rearo.co.uk

Wallpaper Direct

01323 430886

www.wallpaperdirect.com

Red Candy

0121 2247728

www.redcandy.co.uk

Walls and Floors

01536 314730

www.wallsandfloors.co.uk

Remland Carpets

0800 246 1099 www.remlandcarpets.co.uk

Wallsauce.com

01772 284 110

www.wallsauce.com

Walton & Co

01423 326332

www.waltonshop.co.uk

Wayfair

0800 756 4665 www.wayfair.co.uk

Remland Carpets

Von Haus

help@remlandcarpets.co.uk

www.remlandcarpets.co.uk Rex London

0208 746 2473

Roberty Dyas

customerservices@robertdyas.co.uk

www.rexlondon.com

www.robertdyas.co.uk Rockett St George

01444 253391

www.rockettstgeorge.co.uk

Rose & Grey

0161 926 8763

www.roseandgrey.co.uk

Royal Design

0208 0899950 www.royaldesign.co.uk

Rustoleum

support@vonhaus.com

West Building Contracts Ltd

westbuildingcontracts@hotmail.com

Whisper and Echo

01480 589580

www.whisperandecho.co.uk

WildFire hello@ramblingscotland.co.uk www.ramblingscotland.co.uk Wilko www.wilko.com

Yililo hello@rustoleumcolours.co.uk

03333 394001

www.yililo.com

www.rustoleumcolours.co.uk Sanctuary Bathrooms

0113 244 4400

www.sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk Snug Sofa

020 8443 0880 www.snugsofa.com

So Souk

07958 347391

Soane

2077306400 www.soane.co.uk

Sofology

03444 818181

www.sofology.co.uk

Sparkle Lighting

01494 671602

www.sparkle.lighting

Sunday Living

www.sosouk.co.uk

hello@sundayliving.co.uk

www.sundayliving.co.uk Surf The Shop on Amazon

www.amazon.co.uk

Swadling Brassware

www.swadlingbrassware.co.uk

02392 255536

EXCLUSIVE CONTENT Keep up with all the latest news from Decor & Design Scotland, including exclusive content, offers, competitions and more. Delivered straight to your inbox at the end of each month, sign up on the website www.decoranddesignscotland.co.uk with your email address and you’ll also be the first to receive the digital issues.

AUGUST 2021 |

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Jungle Boogie! Answer the call of the wild with décor inspired by farflung tropical climes. Give walls the full-on tropical treatment with palm tree wallpaper or dip your toe in the (warm) water with wildlife-inspired framed prints featuring exotic flora and fauna. Accessorize with palm-print cushions and wild animal ornaments featuring creatures such as monkeys and parrots. Light up your tropical oasis with palm tree lamp bases or shades with playful tropical motifs like a hummingbird print or lemurs in the lining. Bring a tropical twist to your bedroom with palm-tree print bedding and drift off while you dream of a secluded tropical beach with the waves lapping at your toes. Welcome to the jungle!

2 1

1. Tropical Palm Print Wallpaper, Wallsauce.com (£30/m2) 2. Banana Leaf Pink and Green Reversible Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set, Dunelm (from £12) 3. ANTON STUDIO DESIGNS Tropical Glass Bowl Not Just Jugs (£29.95) 4. Pink Flamingo Glasses, Homesense (£3.99) 5. Palm Pardise Bulb, Oliver Bonas (£25) 6. Caspian Jungle Bedding, Avalana Designs £125 for double, £135 king, £145 superking from JohnLewis.com and Avalanadesign.co.uk

7. Palm Tree Sdie Table TK Maxx (£99.99) 8. Faux Plant in Black Pot, Matalan (£14)

7 6

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| AUGUST 2021

J U NGLE B O O GI E

9. Tropical Palm Stainless Steel Bottle. www.daisypark.co.uk (£20) 10. Tropical Jungle Pink Zebra Art Print, www.abstracthouse.com (£15) 11. Lemur Lined Yellow Silhouette Lampshade, Mint & May (£40) 12. Cult Furniture Marie Pouffe in Green Palm Leaf Fabric (£89) 13. Madagascar Lemur Forest Wallpaper Teal multi-coloured, I Love Wallpaper (£16)

14. The Monkey Puzzle tree, How the leopard got his spots cushion, Make It British, £108 15. Ornate White and Gold Lovebirds Candelabra, AUDENZA (£75) 16. Paradis Lemur Cushion 43cm x 43cm, Walton & Co (£22) 17. Smart Garden Swiss Cheese Faux Plant, Robert Dyas (£34.99) 18. ‘Nostalgic Cockatoo Jungle’ Mural by Andrea Haase at Wallsauce.com (Prices start from £35/m2)

AUGUST 2021 |

129

3 2

1. Monkey Pot Hanger, Home Body Decor (£16.50)

2. Exotic Golden Palm Leaf Floor Lamp, AUDENZA (£295) 3. Truly Tropical Pendant Shade Joe Browns (£45) 4. Patterned Cushion, TK Maxx (£10.99) 5. Fleurs de La Nuit, Hummingbird and Flowers Lampshade, Katie Victoria Brown (£115) 6. Banana Leaf Summer Cushion, ethical.market (£15)

7. Right: Abstract Green Botanical Leaves Art Print, www.abstracthouse.com (£15) Left: Caribbean Dream Poster, Desenio (from £16.22) 8. Madagascar Midnight Wall Mural, Avalana Designs, (from £295) 9. Eden Faux Floral Succulent Large Fiddle Leaf Plant, Habitat (£30) 10. Agra Leopard Candle Holder, Habitat (£10)

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| AUGUST 2021