With the additional functionality kitchens must now embrace as party central and beating heart of our homes: a practical and stylish kitchen island and open shelving to display prized wares speaks to our evolving lifestyles.
By Anne Marie Hillan
So where do the parties happen in your house? No matter how many people are in mine they always end up in our dining kitchen. And for most of us, kitchens have become the heart and soul of our homes. Gone are the days when the kitchen was a small cooking space tucked away in the back of the house. Today, our kitchens are living kitchens, a social space for cooking, yes, but also for entertaining, dining, and living.
As a result, many of us are converting our kitchens, or restyling them, to incorporate open shelving and, if space allows, an island for cooking, dining and entertaining. And if you have a free corner then what about a bar!
So as always, I am on the hunt to find out what local shops and businesses in the West End can help with your living kitchen transformation. As to be honest whatever your budget or your size of kitchen there are definite steps you can take to give your kitchen a revamp or a splash of colour or style.
Lets start with a whole kitchen restyle and where better to go than The Wee Kitchen Shop on Crow Road at Broomhill. They don’t just do bespoke kitchens they will help you style the kitchen of your dreams, or copy the one you saw on Pinterest. If you have seen an island or open shelving that you need but can’t source – then The Wee Kitchen Shop are your people. They can supply, or supply and fit, which is so flexible and helpful.
For our modern kitchen so many of us try to incorporate an island. Islands are not just practical additions but can almost be style masterpieces that really elevate your space. They provide extra prep area, storage, and seating for guests, making them a must-have.
Of course, if you have an island then let’s talk barstools. I love a bar stool and a good bar stool is not just for sitting; they can add real personality and style. Whether you prefer sleek and modern, or rustic and charming, there’s a barstool out there to match your taste and in the West End, Inhoos at St George’s Cross, is the place to go.
Inhoos have an amazing range perfect for casual dining or sipping cocktails while chatting with friends. The above bar stool is called ‘About a Stool’ and comes in 32 different finishes, so no worries there about finding one to match your colour scheme.
Of course, a good dining kitchen also needs a dining table and chairs which provide an attractive dining space but are also stylish when you aren’t entertaining. Forrest Furnishing is your place for dining suites. The Blaine Dining set has a range of co-ordinating units which are priced individually to give total flexibility depending on your size of room. This style of freestanding unit gives you the ability to change your room around when the mood takes you.
Now, let’s talk about open shelving – a definite trend in kitchen design. Think floating shelves displaying colourful china, books, ceramics, and vintage glassware. Not only does this add visual interest to your kitchen, but also make its easier to access everyday essentials.
Now you can source bespoke units or add shelves or simply make use of the shelves that you have. But when you are looking for practical but useful items in the West End that add personality to your room then Found on Dumbarton Road is probably the best place to start. Followers of my insta account will know that I am a massive fan of the Glasgow Brick vase which is available in a range of colours. A new addition to Found is this fantastic rechargeable Koo-Koo speaker lamp. Able to be used inside and out – it looks like an oil lamp and is a great Bluetooth speaker. And then there is the Kit Kat clock. How cute and quirky? Honestly these are all just open shelving musts. All available online and in store at Found where there is a whole range of other quirky and vintage finds.
The open shelving and the current kitchen trend to display items is all about curating a collection of items that reflect your taste and style. Mix and match different textures, shapes, and colours to create a display that tells your story.
The new Florrie China from Bluebellgray is perfect for this too. Beautiful practical colourful china that should also grace any open shelf! We may not have the Bluebellgray store in the West End anymore but you can always order online.
And let’s not forget about the little details that make a big difference – oven gloves, tea towels, and chopping boards. Who knew that these humble kitchen essentials could double as decorative accents? Choose vibrant hues and playful patterns to inject pops of colour into your space.
Not only will they brighten up your kitchen, but they’ll also add a touch of whimsy to your cooking. In the Janet and John shop upstairs in De Courcys Arcade on Cresswell Lane they stock a full range of Tammie Norrie Gifts and Homeware. The artist behind Tammie Norrie taught at one of our West End schools and her range of tea towels, chopping board and oven gloves will absolutely do the trick when you are looking for pops of colour that are also functional additions to your kitchen. The designs as are all inspired by nature. There are Hares, Puffins, Bees, Midgies and Foxes to name a few making an appearance in this delightful range of home accessories.
So that should be you sorted. It’s now time to make your family and your visitors feel welcome to eat, drink and chat. Your kitchen is revamped and restyled so cheers to our fabulous kitchens, good times and great company!
Forrest Furnishing
inHoos
Found
Bluebellgray
Tammie Norrie Gifts and Homeware
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