West End Life homes and interiors spring14

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Homes & Interiors Spring 2014

Find more articles and ideas, online at:

glasgowwestendmag.co.uk/homes

http://www.westendlife.biz

2 | Homes & Interiors – West End Life

As the new year rolls out ahead of us full of possibility, many people feel the urge to give a new

feel to their homes too. That’s why, for 2014, we’ve put together a special West

End Life supplement featuring some fresh ideas and information from local businesses we know and trust.

Whether you’re considering a lick of paint or major renovations, you’ll find something here to inspire and inform you.

We’ll start with a look at the new trends for the new season. Here’s what the best-dressed homes will be wearing in 2014:

YellowThrough recent years, we’ve seen our share of teal and purple, but now the world is crying out for something bolder, something happier and something that will make us feel energized.

PatternsMoving on from florals and bird prints, patterns in general will be making a comeback. Those are old curtains of your granny’s? Get them out of the loft, because vintage styles and chintzy designs will be all the rage.

Is it time for a new look at home?

EthnicGet ready for a vibrant new trend. Bright ethnic fabrics and primary coloured wall hangings are in, so get you off to Spain, Mexico and Africa to search for inspiration.

SpaceNo, not the final frontier. The other sort of space will be a high priority. Our love of airy light-filled spaces is at the forefront of this trend. If you’re drowning in clutter, it might be a good idea to have a clear out and create a spacious haven.

Touchy-feelyFabrics that stimulate the often-overlooked sensual part of our beings come into our homes with glee. Think sheepskin rugs, suede seating and silky curtains all mixed together to provide a sensory paradise.

Read on and find out what our local specialists have in store for you. Expert services, on your doorstep, from interior design to full renovations. Happy new year and happy new home!


When you’re upgrading or renewing your kitchen, it’s easy to concentrate entirely on the big decisions such as layout or the design of kitchen units.

Obviously this is important as you’re, hopefully, going to be living with and working in your fantastic kitchen for many years to come.

However, it’s crucial that you pay attention when you make choices about the finishing touches – as they can make or break the success of your kitchen.

For example, if you just plump for the first kind of door handles or taps that you’re shown, you may end up regretting it for a long time. After all, these fittings are going to get used many times a day for many years to come.

However, when you choose Affordable Luxuries you can be sure that the tiny details will get just as much careful attention as the big-ticket items.

The little things that mean so much

With their wealth of experience, the couple who run the Inverclyde business Tom and Helen McDonald know how much these things matter.

As well as designing and supply jaw-dropping kitchens, they understand how everything in the room adds up to create the wow factor, yet must be durable and useful.

Affordable Luxuries will advise every step on the way, guiding you to make choices you know are the right ones. And because the kitchen studio is independent they can supply everything you’re likely to need… including the kitchen sink!

We supply & install a hugerange of beautiful kitchens.We pride ourselves on the

fantastic service we providealong with our very competitive

pricing, but don’t take ourword for it, visit ourword for it, visit our

website & see what ourcustomers say about us.

Fantastic Contempory & traditionalGerman & British bespoke kitchens.

A Stunning range ofappliances & work surfaces.

Free professional 3Dplanning & design service.

Expert installation, fully projectExpert installation, fully projectmanaged all trades service.

Exceptional Service – From Design to Installation – It’s what we do

Tel: 01475 727774 | 52 Regent Street, Greenockwww.affordableluxuries.co.uk


But don’t take our word for it, visit our website to see some of

our projects and read our client testimonials. There is also information on how we, as members of The Federation of Master Builders, like to work.

Property renovation is our passion, so relax and let us take care of all the work of creating the home and living space you desire.

You can contact us via our website to arrange to meet us either at our office in Bridge of Weir or at your home.

The Sterling team doesn’t believe in half measures. When we go to work on a refurbishment project we want it to be the best through a combination of creative design, great workmanship and the best materials, along with ongoing discussion with the client.

At Sterling we only work with craftsmen who share our commitment to delivering the best. They’re not easy to find. It’s one reason why we take on only a limited number of projects at any one time - this way we can keep the same exacting standards all the time.

We don’t just believe in delivering the highest standards, we believe in delivering these standards in the most cost-effective manner possible. Clever project management is all about working out how best to tackle renovation and the building process so that it runs as smoothly as possible. We’re experts at doing this.

Planning is key. Before we begin a project we draw up a full schedule of works. It’s a meticulous process but we’ve been doing it for many years so we know a little time spent here is better than a lot of time wasted later.

It takes experience, expertise and a keen eye for detail to create beautiful homes.

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Sterling property renovation property management construction

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Give a little

A unique personalised wooden hanging name plaque for girls. By Ella & Jo, from £20. www.notonthehighstreet.co.uk

Various chest of drawer storage solutions available at The Store Interiors, from £195. www.storeinteriors.co.uk

Stunning prints from ‘ginger pidgin’ aka Scottish freelance illustrator Keith Pirie. Available from www.janetandjohnscotland.com

Domalti is just one of the ranges available from Alvic Sliding Wardrobes. Contemporary, stylish wooden panels in six finishes. A Striking look to transform any space… www.alvicslidingwardrobes.co.uk

A stunning range of traditional and contemporary sofas available at The Store Interiors, from £399. www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk

A comforting range of bed sizes and styles available at The Store Interiors, from only £199.

www.storeinteriors.co.uk

http://www.notonthehighstreet.co.uk

http://www.storeinteriors.co.uk/

http://www.alvicslidingwardrobes.co.uk



A Personalised Valentine Print, by Hanna Melin. This Valentine print features a bold heart and “love” painted with clearly visibly pencil marks, from £12. www.notonthehighstreet.com

Give a little to your home...From striking room makeovers, to complete renovations and new builds… Sterling have the knowledge, expertise and passion, to create rooms and homes that dreams are made of… www.sterlingpropertyrenovation.co.uk

Imagine this little looker of a cooker in your kitchen… Jet-black glass creates an atmospheric background. Just one of the vast range of Miele appliances available as part of the stunning kitchen ranges from Affordable Luxuries. www.affordableluxuries.co.uk

A huge selection of home accessories available at

The Store Interiors, from only £5. www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk

A large selection of dining sets to suit all tastes available at The Store Interiors, from just £235. www.storeinteriors.co.uk

http://www.sterling-construction.co.uk

http://www.affordableluxuries.co.uk



No one wants to think they’re wasting precious – and increasingly expensive – energy in their homes. But you may think that your eco light bulbs or the extra loft lagging you installed a few years ago have done the job of improving your energy efficiency, but it’s always worth double checking. The results might surprise you.

This is particularly important as we face the merciless increases in the cost of gas and electricity. The only real way of cutting the bills is to use less of the stuff which has the side benefit of reducing carbon emissions. It used to be that saving the planet could be left to the environmental campaigners, but now – as it also cuts costs – we are all concerned with it.

However, help is at hand in the form of Ian Gillespie from Streetwise Energy. Ian is passionate about making sure people’s homes are the most energy efficient they can be – saving householders both money and helping the environment.

He said: “I’m a qualified energy assessor and Green Deal adviser. When I do an assessment I take a series of measurements and observations and, using a computer programme, calculate the potential improvements in energy efficiency.”

The half-hour assessment gives sufficient information for Ian to prepare an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Introduced in 2009, all new homes or homes being sold or rented out require an EPC.

EPCs look at how energy efficient your home is at the moment (in terms of cost as well as CO2 emissions) and, most usefully, how efficient it could be. The report gives details of the steps you could take and how effective they

are likely to be. These could be as

simple as replacing light bulbs or adding

How green is your home?Instead of taking the relentless rise of gas and electricity bills on the chin, have a closer look at your home to see if you can become more energy efficient.

insulation or as involved as installing ways of generating renewable energy. All of which Ian is highly knowledgeable about.

He also comes equipped with the knowledge of various schemes to help pay for these measures. For example, as a Green Deal Assessor he can help you navigate the Government’s new scheme to improve the country’s impact on the environment.

Under the scheme improvements such as energy efficient boilers, draught proofing and insulation or forms of renewable energy can become affordable.

“The Green Deal can help people afford energy-saving home improvements and there are other sources of funding available from organisations such as the Carbon Trust and the Energy saving Trust,” he said. “But the first step is always an assessment so we can see what the situation is and where we can make a difference.”

Contact Ian on 0141 443 6792 or 075500 11820 or email to [email protected].

The £150 cost of the assessment can be reclaimed from the Scottish Government. If you’re interested in finding out more about how to save money, help the environment and keep your home cosy, then get in touch with Ian.


StreetwiseEnergyD O M E S T I C A N D C O M M E R C I A L E N E R G Y A S S E S S O R S

Energy Performance Certificates

Green Deal Advice Reports

Advice on Energy Grants including Green Home Cashback,

Feed-in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive

Contact us now for more information or to book your Assessment.

Tel: 0141 443 6792 or 075500 11820

Free AssessmentsFree Insulation Free LED Bulbs


Whether you want laid back luxury or classic romance, take your cue from the experts and think boutique hotel-suite when designing your bedroom. Go for the biggest and most comfortable bed space price will allow for. Team with a statement headboard or back onto a feature wall so the bed is the focus of the room. Hotel-style bedrooms are all about symmetry so have matching bedside cabinets.

Interior designer Roberta Cunningham says think Barry White when designing a bedroom! ‘Don’t make it too feminine – it has to be inviting enough for a man - think sexy not sweet,’ says Cunningham. ‘Use less pattern and think tone-on-tone colours and fabrics layered on each other’

Colour-wise it’s probably best to steer away from pink. Go for calming colours. Grey is

neutral and very current.Nothing says hotel-style

chic more than a freestanding bath. And every epic bedroom

needs a dressing area or walk-in

wardrobe, which leaves the sleeping area for just that. Furnish

your room with an elegant chaise

longue for a classic touch.

Next focus on lighting. ‘Lots of low lights and dimmers are a must, you can always add readers for next to the bed,’ suggests Cunningham. Hang a beautiful chandelier over the bed for dramatic effect.

If you do only one thing, opt for high-quality linen. Beautiful bedding is a fail safe way to ensure you feel special as you slip between the sheets. Think the softest sheets, plumpest pillows and a deep and sumptuous duvet that urges you to dive inside.

‘It is all about texture’, says Cunningham ‘and the fabrics need to be all naturals - cottons, linens, silks, cashmere.’ You could start with crisp, white sheets, which never go out of fashion. Go for high thread count - 300 plus - the higher the softer. Aim for fine linens or spoil yourself with silk - which has great benefits, helping to aid sleep, regulate body temp and is naturally hypoallergenic.

Lavish the bed with cushions of different patterns and textures. Tactile throws will add to the sumptuous feel and will help build the comfort and snuggling factor in the midst of all this cool!

Finish the room with high pile rugs on each side of the bed. And finally, splash out on a pair of opulent crystal glasses and fine Champagne - and settle in for romantic Valentine’s - all year round!

A real fire, a statement bath and a huge sumptuous bed to lose yourself in - who wouldn’t love an epic bedroom.


SpaceOpen plan rooms that combine the kitchen with laid-back living space cater brilliantly for modern family life. So, if you have a dining room that’s hardly used, think about knocking through to make one big open-plan space. Install an island if a kitchen refit is due - it’s perfect for entertaining around.

FurnitureIf your family room has several functions think about zoning it. Keep things simple with streamline furniture and a theme or colour running throughout. For an informal feel, modular low-level sofas work well. Multifunctional furniture really is the way to go, so opt for an ottoman which works as seating, a coffee table and storage, too and invest in large cushions so there are plenty of comfy spots to sit when visitors arrive.

Anchor the living area with a practical rug and make the focus a fireplace or log burner. Inevitably the TV will compete for centre stage but it will protrude less if included in a media unit that can close or in shelving, which blend with your decor.

There is nothing quite like gathering around the table and chewing the fat. But if it’s a squeeze already, consider investing in a larger or extendable

The family room is where friends and loved ones gather so make it a space that’s great to socialise and relax in. Getting the layout and atmosphere right is key to ensuring you can go from cosy family nights in to entertaining a crowd.

table before the relatives descend. A mixture of chairs is very on trend and benches and stools that can double as side tables are ideal as occasional seating.

StorageMedia units are ideal for all the family’s entertainment equipment. Keep clutter at bay and remove non-essential items. Hang family photos to free up shelf space and personalise the walls.

In the kitchen, review what’s on your surface and de-clutter - think bar and buffet area for social gatherings. Check appliances are up for to the job of catering for the masses - it may be the perfect time to trade in the fridge for a bigger one or to squeeze in an extra oven.

LightingLighting creates ambience so cover all bases: from task to mood lighting, your room should be able to go from snug family hang-out to full on party venue.

Room for all the family


Alvic Sliding Wardrobes is a family-run business with wealth of knowledge and experience in the world of wardrobes – both sliding and hinged doors plus storage solutions for any room.

So if you are looking for the perfect way to finish a room and contain all your possessions, pop into Alvic’s showroom in Johnstone and open your mind to the vast range of possibilities.

What you’ll get when you go to Alvic is a stunning selection of floor-to-ceiling, made-to-measure solutions to suit every budget.

Fitted wardrobes will make sure you use every precious inch of available space properly, creating a more comfortable living environment.

And you don’t just end up with shelves, drawers and hanging spaces – you get an amazing new look for your room.

At the showroom in Quarry Street you’ll find a range of thirty shades of coloured glass, seventy different wood finishes and a wide choice of handles and frames.

There are also five different interior colours to choose from – white, cream, oak, light walnut and dark walnut. Alvic’s experienced designer will give you a free, no obligation quote along with advice on the best storage solutions to meet your needs.

Satisfied customer Linda Collins described the “wonderful” job Alvic did in making her new wardrobes.

She said: “We are so pleased with the sliding wardrobes and think that the amount of space we have is fantastic.”

www.alvicslidingwardrobes.co.uk

When you need a storage solutionADVERTORIAL


Superior Systems at smart prices designed for you!

We offer fully fitted with interiors, or doors only (DIY) and all trade welcome

Visit our newly opened family run showroom at

2a Quarry Street, Johnstone, PA5 8DZOpen 6 days Monday to Friday (10am-5pm) Saturday (10am-3pm)

Tel: 01505 324486 www.alvicslidingwardrobes.co.uk

MADE TO MEASURE SLIDING WARDROBES TO SUIT EVERY BUDGET

West End Life homes and interiors spring14

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