Designed For Life

Big proportions need big solutions when it comes to creating a living-room scheme that will work equally well as a grand party space and an intimate retreat.

- Judy Diamond

When you move into a building that has been a ballet school, a Boys’ Brigade hall and a night club at various points in its existence, it’s quite likely that the interior will be more than a little confused. That was the worry facing the new owners of this house in the west end of Glasgow. They had swapped a new-build in the Borders for this reconfigured town house and were uncertain how to ensure it lived up to its promise.

The developer who had returned the building to residential use after its many incarnations had ironed out a lot of the inconsistencies in the decor and layout, but one area was left to tackle. This was an extension at the back, earmarked by the owners as a living room and study. Spacious and bright thanks to high ceilings and tall windows, it nevertheless felt a little soulless. The couple decided expert help was required to create the warm yet elegant room they desired, so they turned to interior design firm Chelsea Mclaine.

“The room had quite grand proportions, and was lovely and light, with sliding doors opening to the garden,” recalls design director Margot Paton of her first impressions. “I could see it had great potential that just wasn’t being used.”