…New Details
Small changes, big impact in your interiors.
By Anne Marie Hillan
A new year always has me pottering about the house, noticing the bits that feel a little tired and daydreaming about small changes that might freshen things up.
It’s usually not anything dramatic – more the sort of details you notice every day once they’re there. A new cushion on the sofa, a chair that gives an awkward corner a bit of purpose, or something unexpected on the wall that quietly makes you smile.
When I’m looking for ideas like that, I do always start in the West End. It’s where I live, where I shop, and where I’ve always found the most interesting independent businesses. There’s such a good mix of long-established favourites and newer arrivals bringing something fresh, and right now a few shops in particular have brilliant new ranges in. It felt like a good moment to pause and take notice.
So, this is a look at three West End shops I’ve been really enjoying recently – all very different, all doing something distinctive, and all well worth popping into if you’re in the mood for a little change at home.
Timorous Beasties: Bold and Beautiful
I’ve loved Timorous Beasties for a long time. Born in the West End of Glasgow, Timorous Beasties is one of those brands that feels completely sure of itself – bold, imaginative and never trying to please everyone. Their designs are instantly recognisable and unapologetic, and I’ve always admired that confidence.
This year marks 35 years of Timorous Beasties, and their latest collection, ‘Straight Out The Jungle’, feels like a very natural extension of what they do best. Inspired by historic natural history imagery, it’s dramatic, layered and slightly wild – but not in a way that feels cold or distant. But it’s so bold – how do you use it?
Well, what really inspired how I felt about Timorous Beasties and this collection was seeing the fabric used on furniture. Look at this amazing chair. On it, the jungle imagery softens. Birds, leaves and curling stems still move across the surface, but it is both luxurious and inviting rather than purely decorative. It suddenly feels part of everyday life rather than something to admire from afar. I absolutely love it!
Consider Pattern Clashing
Seeing the different colourways together in the fabric is also surprisingly reassuring. Some feel darker and moodier, others warmer and lighter, and it becomes clear that there is a lot of flexibility here and if you are into pattern clashing– these actually clash perfectly! You don’t need to commit to a full wall if that feels daunting. An upholstered chair, footstool or cushion still gives you that unmistakable Timorous Beasties impact, just on a smaller scale. Or a feature wall of the most impressive wallpaper. In the past I have bought inexpensive antique chairs and then had them upholstered in Timorous Beasties fabric – the results are fabulous!
It’s no secret that Timorous Beasties is an investment, but there are different entry points. Cushions are a great way in, and for anyone with a typical West End home — high ceilings, strong architectural lines, generous windows — these wallpapers and fabrics can really shine. They’re absolute showstoppers, but they are also pieces you grow to love more and more as you live with them. Yes – if you are thinking of a significant revamp – Timorous Beasties is definitely worth a look!
East End Press: A New West End Arrival That Lifts Your Mood
East End Press is a relatively new arrival in the West End but it already feels like one of those shops you instinctively want to share. Walking in is an instant mood-lifter – colour everywhere, shelves lined with paper garlands and decorations, and so much visual richness that you find yourself slowing down without meaning to.
All of the designs are created in Glasgow, and there’s a real clarity and confidence to them. The paper itself is handmade in Jaipur from recycled cotton pulp and everything is screen-printed by hand.
The designs are just so attractive! The paper garlands are what draw most people in, and it’s easy to see why. Hung in rows across the shop, they are joyful and eye-catching – hearts, florals and graphic motifs in warm pinks, reds, greens and golds. Despite being paper, they do not feel flimsy or throwaway. There is something quite elegant and slightly vintage about them. The current range is Valentines Day themed but of course they have garlands and décor for all seasons and celebrations
Seeing the garlands used in a room really shows how versatile they are. Hung loosely along a wall or above a sofa, they add warmth without clutter. They sit comfortably alongside cushions and textiles, almost like another soft layer in the space. They work just as well in living rooms and bedrooms as they do in children’s rooms – playful, but still grown-up.
They’re also very accessible. You can make a visible change to a room for not very much money, and without committing to anything permanent. Perfect if you are in rented accommodation. East End Press also runs seasonal shopping events, which let’s face it – we all love! We’re genuinely lucky to have their only bricks-and-mortar shop right here in the West End.
The Nancy Smillie Shop: Colour, Texture and Pieces with Personality
The Nancy Smillie shop has been a West End staple for many years and it’s somewhere I instinctively trust. It’s a place I go when I want furniture and homeware (as well as jewellery or gifts) that feels thoughtful and a little bit different – pieces that don’t look like they’ve come straight out of a catalogue.
The new Aquarelle range really stood out to me at once. Anyone who knows my taste will know I am drawn to colour and texture, and this range has both in abundance. The cushions are the first thing that caught my eye – velvety fabrics with embroidered floral details that feel rich without being overly fussy.
I’ll admit it openly: I’ve already bought one of the cushions and I’m finding it very hard not to buy another. The chairs are probably my favourite pieces in the range. They’re confident, colourful and full of personality, without feeling overwhelming. The embroidery adds texture and interest and the colours feel joyful rather than loud. These are proper accent pieces – chairs you build a corner around, rather than trying to blend in.
The Aquarelle range in the Nancy Smillie Shop has accent chairs, cushions and foot stools in different colourways and designs. Now remember you don’t need to buy everything at once! You can start with a cushion and stop there. But if you add a footstool, and maybe later a chair, either in the same colour range or mixing it up – over time, your room becomes more layered and personal. Aquarelle is a Scottish company, designed in Hamilton, and is guaranteed to add texture and comfort to your home.
Creativity, Individuality, and Care
So, if you are thinking of a fresh look for one corner or a whole room – have a look at our fabulous West End Shops. What all three of these West End businesses have in common is creativity, individuality, and care. Our West End shop-owners aren’t faceless retailers – they’re real businesses with real people behind them who clearly enjoy what they do and take pride in it. The West End wouldn’t be what it is without these independent businesses taking risks, trying new ideas and offering something you can’t find everywhere else.
So, if you’re thinking about making a few changes at home this winter, even small ones, I’d really encourage you to look locally first. And if you are just window shopping then that’s fine too – these shops always have fabulous windows! Whether it is a bold fabric, a string of paper garlands or a beautifully embroidered cushion, these details have a way of making a space feel more personal. Shopping locally will enhance your home and give you such inspiration. And you will also be supporting the places that make the West End such a good place to live – and that’s always a good thing!
For more interiors ideas, small changes with big impact or subtle additions –
