WebSepOct2018

www.westendermagazine.com | 55
There is often a blurring of lines in what is
described as vintage, and what is antique but in
general, vintage items often loosely represent an
era, at least 20 years old – so yes – that’s actually
the 1980s now! Antiques however need to be 100
years old to merit the term. But the swathes of
programmes and articles on the subjects over
the years have really helped to familiarise us
with the terms and bring a confidence to using
mixtures of old and new in our homes.
There’s a softness and an approachability that
comes from solid, older items in our homes,
maybe it depends on your age but for me, there’s
a real appeal about a piece with a story to tell
and a statement to make, and I think most
people now find the idea of flatpack furniture
a little bit depressing. Everyone has their own
preferences but you can buy some great, quality
pieces that are beautifully crafted and sourced
from artisans all over the world now, in the
time it would take me to battle with a flatpack
instruction manual.
You can go for a genuine antique and source
something that really stands up in its own right
to make a statement in your room without doing
anything to it. Or – you can source a new item
that fits the bill well. Alternatively – you can
find something you like and try your hand at
adapting it a bit yourself. Add a bit of creative
flair to something that you find in a charity shop
for example, or revisit some of your existing bits
and bobs and see if anything can be given a new
lease of life.
For a while the concept of upcycling became a
bit confused as a dodgy DIY trend that everyone
thought they could do, regardless of skillset
– so often the idea conjured up images of rickety
dressing tables that had been poorly sponged
by hand in chalky white paint. Thankfully this
is no longer the case and there is an array of
information available to help with your own
projects, or you can really get the best of both
worlds simply by identifying the best designers
and stockists working in the area.
So we’re lucky to have some great experts
and inspiring shops right here on our doorstep
– a favourite browse of mine since my days living
in Partick is UP, on Dumbarton Road. Owner
Stephen Higgins can turn any old bric-a-brac
into cutting edge design statements so if you’re
thinking of something a little bit different, nip
in here first. There’s an eye-popping range of
impeccably upcycled furniture, homeware
touches and vintage quirky bits that you can
choose from, or if you’re on the hunt for a project
– get some great design inspiration from what
he’s already done and some expert tips on your
own creative ideas. He even stocks the paints for
you to try your hand yourself.
The Store Interiors