By Anne-Marie Hillan
Last year I embraced the current fashion and colour drenched my West End living room. Now in case you don’t know – to colour drench a room is to paint everything the same shade – the walls, skirting boards, ceilings, and even doors – you create a cocoon-like space that feels both intimate and grand. That is what all the interiors’ articles say anyway. So, I went for it and drenched my living room in Farrow and Ball Hague Blue and I absolutely love it. But how do you accessorise and style a room that is all so very dark blue?
Colour drenching is more than just a current trend; it’s a unique way to experience your home. By saturating a room in one dark shade, the boundaries between surfaces become blurred. You may think a dark ceiling will make a room seem smaller but in fact the drenched ceilings and walls trick the eye into seeing the space as larger, as there are no sharp contrasts breaking up the visual flow. Instead of feeling enclosed, the room becomes an expansive retreat.
And how do you go about accessorising your Colour Drenched Retreat once you’ve taken the plunge? Once your room is drenched in Hague Blue, it is time to let your furniture and accessories shine. The beauty of such a strong base colour is that it provides the perfect backdrop for layering textures, colours, and personal touches. So, here’s how to style it like a pro while supporting local Glasgow West End businesses.
1. A Statement Sofa
Start with a beautiful sofa – it’s the heart of any living space. A sumptuous velvet number, perhaps in pink or emerald green or mustard yellow, will pop beautifully against dark walls. For a West End touch, check out the new shop in the area – Basus on Hyndland Road. Basus are stockists of Swyft sofas. There are 10 models of sofa and a fabulous range of chairs and even chaise longue in such an amazing choice of colours and fabric. But more importantly, Swyft sofas are delivered in sections – meaning they can be transported upstairs and through smaller hallways and doorways with ease. Perfect for West End living. Look at this amazing mustard yellow sofa against the dark blue walls! Quite honestly, I want one.
2. Colourful Artwork
We now have our decor and our statement sofa, but those Hague Blue walls are crying out for bursts of colour and personality. Many of our West End shops have a wide variety of artwork available but why not turn to local artists for bold, vibrant pieces? Clare McDowall Art is a local West End teacher turned artist who paints from a studio at the bottom of her garden in Jordanhill. She has original artwork for sale alongside prints in different sizes. Her vivid work just pops against the Hague Blue and creates such an amazing focal point that contrasts beautifully.
Visit Clare’s website at claremcdowallart.com. Or look her up on Instagram @claremcdowallart.
3. Candles As Gorgeous as They Smell
Nothing completes a cosy space quite like candles. Candles and lamps create mood with light and shadows in those cosy corners. I am a massive fan of candlelight in the dark winter months and I like to track down independent makers, like Lismore Luminations. These candles, diffusers and homeware products are made on the Scottish Island of Lismore and sold from the Lismore Luminations shop upstairs in DeCourceys Arcade on Cresswell Lane. With scents like Rocksalt & Driftwood, Skerryvore, the Guardian Angel of the Night, and packaged in copper tins, glass jars, and ceramic holders – both the scents and the candles are enchanting. I love finding a great local small business to support and this is definitely one for me.
4. Upholstered Antique Chairs
Mixing antique furniture with modern touches is what makes your home unique and gives it individuality and charm! And I do think we do this well in Glasgow. There are so many fabulous antique shops. My favourite is Kean on Antiques in Clydebank and with the help of local West End upholsterer Rebecca Law Vintage you can turn a chair which may have one time been destined for the dump into a beautiful statement piece. Have a look at the beautiful chair now sitting in my Hague Blue room where even the radiator is painted. Upholstered by Rebecca with Bluebellgray fabric – it’s looking fantastic! Antique chairs upholstered by Rebecca Law Vintage will always enhance your space. Watch out for chairs by Rebecca for sale in the Hyndland Home shop on Hyndland Street or contact her direct for your upholstery on @rebeccalawvintage on instagram.
But What If You Don’t Want to Fully Drench?
Colour drenching isn’t for everyone, and that’s okay. If the thought of painting an entire room feels a bit overwhelming, consider making a bold statement with a feature wall instead. A fabulous, patterned wallpaper can create just as much drama and intrigue without committing to an all-over look. This fantastic Botany wallpaper from No Rules Wallpaper caught my eye. If you want a feature wall, then go for it – this paper does exactly that.
No Rules Wallpaper can be ordered at Designworks on Gibson Street, or inHoos on Great Western Road.
There is no shortage of inspiration or local talent. And by working with small businesses and artisans, you’re not just creating a beautiful space – you’re supporting the people who make the West End such a vibrant, artistic area to live and work in. So go for it – get drenching and accessorising. You will not regret it!
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