Let’s be honest. Living in Glasgow means we never quite know what summer is going to bring. So let’s bring the summer ourselves…
By Anne Marie Hillan
One year we’re sitting in a beer garden in April wondering if we’ve accidentally moved to Spain. The next we’re reaching for a cardigan and an umbrella in July. Scottish summers can be glorious, but they can also be wonderfully unpredictable.
For me, that means embracing the feeling of summer whenever and wherever I can. I love bringing colour, greenery and pieces that remind me of holidays, sunshine and relaxed entertaining into my home, but I’m also conscious that most of us want to spend our money wisely. Don’t then buy things that only work for a few weeks before being packed away until next year. I want pieces that feel fresh and summery now but can continue to earn their place in my home throughout the year.
With that in mind, I spent some time browsing a few of my favourite independent West End shops and selecting some favourites that instantly make me think of summer while still being practical enough to enjoy long after the season has passed.
Spirito
The first piece that caught my eye was this beautiful citrus print from Spirito.
I absolutely love this artwork. There is something about lemons that immediately transports me somewhere warmer. Whether it’s memories of holidays abroad, long lunches in the sunshine, a great cocktail or simply the cheerful colours, citrus fruits always seem to bring a touch of the Mediterranean into a home.
I can imagine this print working beautifully in a kitchen, conservatory, garden room or a bright dining space. It feels fresh and full of personality without being overly seasonal. While it definitely has a summery feel, it is also the sort of artwork that would look just as lovely hanging on the wall in the middle of winter.
Spirito is one of those wonderful West End shops that always seems to have something a little unexpected. Alongside homeware, gifts, candles and cards, there are often unusual decorative pieces that become talking points within a room. This print feels exactly like that to me – timeless, cheerful and guaranteed to make you smile every time you walk past it.
Time & Tide
When I think about summer living, I also think about making the most of every available outdoor space, no matter how small. That’s why this beautiful palm-print bistro set from Time & Tide immediately made my shortlist.
Time & Tide has long been one of my favourite places for bistro sets, occasional furniture, conservatory pieces and those finishing touches for both indoor and outdoor living. In fact, I own one of their bistro sets myself, so perhaps I’m slightly biased.
What I particularly love about this design is its versatility. It would look fabulous on a balcony, courtyard, patio or in a small garden, but I could just as easily imagine it sitting in a conservatory, a garden room or tucked into a sunny kitchen bay window.
The palm motif creates that relaxed holiday-at-home atmosphere that so many of us love. It feels fresh, joyful and a little bit exotic without being over the top. Better still, it folds away when not in use, making it a practical option for smaller homes. It’s the perfect example of a purchase that feels wonderfully summery but can continue to brighten a space throughout the year.
Nancy Smillie
One of the things I love most about shopping in the West End is discovering pieces that bring personality into a home, and this colourful sardine collection from Nancy Smillie certainly does that.
Nancy Smillie is one of those shops that rewards a browse. Every time I visit I find myself admiring something different, whether that’s a beautiful accent chair, artwork from a local artist, designer jewellery, lighting or unusual gifts. It has a wonderfully curated feel and is always full of inspiration.
For this feature though, my attention was firmly on this vibrant sardine collection.
Featuring trays, coasters, tea towels and kitchen accessories, it perfectly captures the Mediterranean-inspired trend that has become so popular recently. The bright colours, playful illustrations and coastal influences instantly bring to mind long lunches, outdoor dining and holidays by the sea.
What I particularly like is that these pieces don’t feel overly seasonal. Yes, they are undeniably summery, but they are also colourful, cheerful and slightly whimsical. They bring character to a kitchen or dining room and make everyday meals feel just a little more special.
I can picture a table set with these pieces, a bottle of wine open, fresh bread on the table and friends gathered around sharing food and conversation. Even if the weather outside is distinctly Glasgow rather than Mediterranean, these accessories help create exactly the right atmosphere.
Basus
For summer entertaining, I was immediately drawn to these colourful HK Living ceramics at Basus on Hyndland Road.
The collection includes plates, bowls, pasta dishes, mugs and planters, all featuring those gorgeous bands of colour that somehow manage to feel both retro and completely current at the same time.
These are gorgeous pieces. They instantly make me think of relaxed lunches in the garden, colourful salads, sharing platters and informal entertaining with family and friends.
What particularly appeals to me is their versatility. I’ve always believed that good homeware should work hard. Rather like a classic black dress that can be dressed up or dressed down, the best pieces are the ones that can adapt to different occasions and different seasons.
These ceramics feel exactly like that. They are perfect for summer entertaining but would look equally at home brightening up a kitchen table in the middle of January when we’re all craving a little extra colour. I particularly love the pasta bowls. In these pasta will be well served all year round!
Basus has become something of a destination for contemporary furniture and interiors in the West End, with a beautiful range of Scandinavian-inspired furniture, lighting and home accessories. These ceramics felt like the perfect example of their relaxed and effortless approach to styling a home.
Cassiopeia
No summer-inspired tablescape would be complete without a few colourful finishing touches, and I couldn’t resist these lovely pieces from Cassiopeia.
The colourful fruit plate, green cocktail glasses and Citrus Spritz candle immediately caught my eye. They are exactly the sort of accessories that can transform a table without requiring a complete room makeover.
The fruit motif adds colour and playfulness, while the green glassware brings a sense of relaxed elegance. As someone who has something of an obsession with green glass, these glasses were always going to find their way into my selection.
These are the details that make entertaining feel special. Add a colourful plate, light a candle, pour a favourite drink and suddenly even an ordinary evening feels a little more celebratory.
Perhaps that’s what this feature is really about.
While we can’t control the Scottish weather, we can create spaces that feel bright, welcoming and full of warmth. Whether it’s a citrus print, a colourful ceramic bowl, a Mediterranean-inspired table setting or a charming bistro set, small additions can completely change the mood of a space.
These independent West End shops are full of inspiration, and the pieces I’ve chosen prove that summer style doesn’t need to be fleeting. With a little careful shopping, it’s possible to find items that capture the joy of the season while continuing to earn their place in our homes all year round.
And if the Glasgow sunshine decides not to make an appearance? We can still surround ourselves with colour, warmth and those little touches that make it feel like summer.
