WebNovDec18

www.westendermagazine.com | 1

2 | www.westendermagazine.com

“The best Christmas for generations”

Christmas and New Year may come

only once a year but boy do we make

them one to remember with Scotland’s

largest house party here at Crieff Hydro.

And as 2018 is our 150th birthday year –

we’ve got double the celebration!

What’s included:

• Three to five nights accommodation

• Endless entertainment

• Free childcare for 2 -12 year olds

• FREE leisure pool, gym and cinema

3 Night

Christmas Package

Only £513

per person

3 Night

New Year Package

Only £810

per person

Self-catering

breaks

From £64

per person, per night

Book now crieffhydro.com/festive | 01764 655 555

Terms: Based on two adults sharing standard double accommodation, arriving on 24 or 30 December 2018 for three nights.

Self-catering breaks are a minimum of 5 nights. Hotel packages include all meals. Subject to availability, see website for full details.


Contents

Image I Gregor Reid

Contents

6 Regulars Fashion pages

westender

underwear 4 Editor’s Letter shoot

13 25 A Mum’s Jian London Notebook

Christmas

14 Fashion, West beauty End Live & health

with Greg Kane

7 WIN! At Rainbow Room

19 A west end

International

Christmas gift guide

8 Animal prints go wild

28 Up Front

gypsy brewing

30

Shopping

Restaurant review

31 7 WIN! Tickets A 3 course to Country meal

with Living wine Christmas at Rio Cafe Fair &

WIN! 31 Christmas A weekend gift guide

at 40 The Keeping Bruce it Arms local on

32 Clarence Sweet Drive Liberty recipe

34 Author’s Bookgroup

meets Phil Differ

Going out

39 Jingle Belles at

Kennedy 20 West End + CoLive

40 with WIN! Greg A Kane style

makeover 22 Top Things at Rainbow

Room International

41 Art Festive & culture Offers

at Esteem Beauty

42

52 Cover

100 years

to Cover

of

Erskine celebrated

at Food The & Hunterian drink

44

45 Restaurant

Health Matters

review:

47

Nonya

Mum’s Notebook

49

46 Sweet

Top Things

Liberty

52

51 Bar

Interiors

review:

article:

Bank Place

Christmas in colour

55 Country comforts

Westender living

56 Hygge at home

58 56 Atlas Creative kitchen kitchen

makeover clearout

66 61 Highland Legal Matters hideaway with

Mitchells 62 Glorious Roberton glamour


Editor’s

Letter

T

he festive edition is here and we’re

bursting at the seams with all sorts of

useful information to help you navigate

this busy and, so often, stressful time of year.

Christmas officially starts at the Country

Living Christmas Fair at the SEC on the

15th-18th November and we have eight pairs

of tickets to be won – see Page 7! There’s a

huge variety of different retailers from food

and drink to furnishings and decorations to

some really unusual gift ideas for people who

are very awkward to buy for (thinking of you,

Dad). For more inspiration on festive pressies

head on to our annual Christmas gift guide

on Page 31. This year we’ve covered five

whole pages with inspiration from West End

gift shops and bespoke local online retailers

– it’s amazing what you find gets made in

Finnieston!

As for things to do this November and

December, well, we’re spoiled for choice.

Greg Kane shares his best of the gigs with

us on Page 20 (Madonna Pop Discoteque

Above: Suzanne Martin, Westender editor.

Below: On location in Jordanhill Bowling Club on

the ‘it’s my party shoot’ with model Ellie Hunton

from the Colours Agency and Westender Stylist

Jacki Clark.

at SWG3 anyone?). While Tracy Mukherjee

takes us on a festive tour of our city on Page

22. With so much going on we’ve broken

out of the West End and explored the wider

environs of the city centre – well, the Santa

Dash is pretty special and all for good

causes.

What I’m particularly enjoying this edition

is Susan Robertson’s interiors articles from

Page 56. My kitchen is a functional and at

times unloved space – yet we spend so much

time there. With a little bit of decluttering and

TLC this could be a much more welcoming

space for friends and family and I’m feeling

inspired to spend a little time and a bit of

effort to make it look its best for Christmas.

And I do also want to bake Liberty’s Sugar

Cookies on Page 46, I know how good they

taste. So yes, the cat’s out the bag, I gorge

myself on the goodies Liberty bakes for

the Sweet Liberty pages – after the shoot

of course! Gregor Reid, the Westender

photographer, is much worse and can be

found scavenging titbits just out of shot whilst

shooting. Just don’t tell him I told you so…

Have a very Merry Christmas everyone!

Suzanne Martin



EDITOR

SUZANNE MARTIN

PHOTOGRAPHER

GREGOR REID

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

EMILY DONOHO,

MICHELE GORDON,

GREG KANE,

TRACY MUKHERJEE,

ROBERTO PARRUCCI,

SUSAN ROBERTSON, BRIAN TOAL,

LIBERTY VITTERT

HAIR & MUA

TERRI CRAIG

STYLIST

JACKI CLARK

WESTENDERMAGAZINE.COM

INFO@WESTENDERMAGAZINE.COM

07905 897238

WESTENDER MAGAZINE IS ON

FACEBOOK, TWITTER

& INSTAGRAM

Publisher: Westender Magazine

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher nor its editorial

contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions

resulting from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Westender Magazine does not officially endorse any advertising material included within this publication.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form – electronic,

mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior permission of the publisher.

Country Living Magazine Christmas

Fair is back at the SEC from 15-18

November 2018. This annual Fair

is viewed by many as the official start of

Christmas, and a must for anyone wanting

to find everything for the perfect festive

celebration under one roof.

We have eight pairs of tickets for this

fabulously festive show to be won. Our lucky

winners can source beautiful decorations

and original gifts from gorgeous garlands

and beautiful baubles, to glassware, scented

candles and stylish cards. Arts and craft

lovers can pick up haberdashery, ribbons,

fabrics, sewing kits and craft essentials –

everything required to get seriously creative

this Christmas.

The perfect day out wouldn’t be complete

without a relaxing glass of fizz. The Viking

Cruise Champagne Bar is a great place

to review purchases, plan the rest of the

day’s shopping or just relax with a glass of

Champagne.

To book tickets call 0844 581 1385 or

visit countrylivingfair.com/ticket-prices.

WIN! Westender Magazine has

eight pairs of tickets to be won!

For your chance to win go to

westendermagazine.com and click

on competitions by the 8th Nov’18.

RRI

I

Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Competitions | 7

by John Parker

t’s nearly Christmas and what a year it’s

been for us at Rainbow Room International.

We recently received the fantastic news

that Paddy McDougall from our Rainbow

Room International George Square salon

received the ‘It Guy’ award at this years

‘Most Wanted’ It List Awards 2018. We will

also be attending the British Hairdressing

Awards in London where our team is up for

three awards including the prestigious British

Artistic Team of the Year. And for the first

time our very own Designer Stylist, Summer,

will be attending.

Summer started as an assistant at our

Great Western Road salon and has worked

her way up the promotion ladder and is now a

Designer Stylist at the salon and a part of our

Rainbow Room International Artistic Team.

She is a testament to our Rainbow Room

International brand and a prime example of

how you can join as an assistant and work

your way up the ranks.

We are currently looking for new

assistants in the salon, so if you are

interested in being a part of our Rainbow

Room International team please do get in

touch; give us a call at the salon.

follow – Rainbow Room GWR

Rainbow Room International

607 Great Western Road G12 8HX

0141 337 3370

rainbowroominternational.com

WIN! Rainbow Room International

are offering one lucky reader a hair

makeover in their Great Western Rd

salon. For your chance to win go to

westendermagazine.com and click

on competitions by the 31st Dec’18.


Photography

Stylist

Make Up


Gregor Reid

Jacki Clark

Terri Craig

‘tis the

season



cape, Catherines of partick

jewellery, nancy smillie

dress, Top shop

shoes, office

Dress, zara. SHoes, office. bag & jewellery, liquorice tree

www.westendermagazine.com | 11 9

12 10 | www.westendermagazine.com

dress, asos. bag, pink poodle. jewellery, liquorice tree. shoes, office

www.westendermagazine.com | | 13 11

dress, asos


dress, biba @frasers. Bag, pink poodle. shoes, office


model neesha graham

MUA terri craig, terricraig.co.uk

stylist jacki clark, jackiclark-stylist.co.uk

photography gregor reid, gregorreidphotography.com

shoes, office

bag, top shop

necklace, liquorice tree.

dress, catherines of partick


skirt, top, choker & shoes, top shop

necklace, nancy smillie

jacket, pink poodle

opposite page - dress, asos. necklace, nancy smillie


Location jordanhill bowling club

model ellie hunton @coloursagency.com

Hair and MUA terri craig, terricraig.co.uk

stylist jacki clark, jackiclark-stylist.co.uk

photography gregor reid, gregorreidphotography.com

18 | Westender www.westendermagazine.com

Magazine Promotion

What’s in BETTY’S Wardrobe?

Eyewear brand IOLLA are putting all eyes

on you. With the launch of their new

Eyewear Wardrobe campaign, the

brand is putting the spotlight on the IOLLA

community to share what inspires their

eyewear choices each day. Whether it’s for

different sides of your personality, different

seasons or purely for comfort, there’s no

perfect rhyme or reason to which frames you

should wear each day. IOLLA believes your

choice of frames should be just as unique as

you are.

Choosing which pair of glasses to wear

each day is a statement of style, which is why

IOLLA are continuing to make the process

as fun and as easy as possible with their new

Eyewear Wardrobe case. And with space

for four pairs of glasses, it’s the perfect

companion for storing all of your favourite

frames, almost like a mini walk in wardrobe

for the short and long sighted.

To coincide with the launch of the Eyewear

Wardrobe, IOLLA are teaming up with Forever

Yours Betty, who will be hosting four styling

days in their showrooms and inviting you to

come along and ‘Be Styled By Betty’.

Throughout November, you will have the

opportunity to gain some invaluable styling

advice from fashion blogger and style editor

Sheri Scott, who is known for her eyewear

collection and impeccable style. If you are

unsure of which frames may suit you, this true

Scottish style icon will help you to expand

your Eyewear Wardrobe, and you’ll be sure to

have fun doing it!

If you haven’t heard of IOLLA before, it’s

a brand that focuses on bringing fashionable

eyewear within the reach of everyone. Gone

are the days of having to choose a singular

frame to go with every outfit. At IOLLA, the

frames are stylish and affordable. Costing

a flat rate of £65 no matter which frame

you choose (that includes frame cost,

prescription lenses, coatings and even lens

thinning), shopping for a new pair of

glasses has never been easier.

With a wide range of unisex styles to

choose from, there’s something for everyone

at IOLLA. Whether you prefer big, small, bold,

tortoiseshell, cat-eye, metal or round frames,

you’ll be sure to find something that fits

your fancy. Available to purchase

online or instore at their Finnieston

and Stockbridge showrooms,

there’s plenty of choice to create

your own personal Eyewear

Wardrobe. After all, life’s too

short for only one pair!

Westender www.westendermagazine.com Magazine Promotion | 19

BE STYLED BY BETTY

Thursday 15th Nov & Thursday 29th Nov, 5-8pm 1313 Argyle Street, Finnieston G3 8TL

Thursday 8th Nov & Thursday 22nd Nov, 5-8pm 22 North West Circus Place EH3 6SX


LIVE

November

Kacey Musgraves

Friday 2nd November 6.30pm

SEC Armadillo, sec.co.uk

LGTBQ rights, futurism, Acid?

You don’t have to be a dedicated

student of Nashville’s history to

know that this is not the usual fare

dished up by Music City’s mainstream

stars and Kacey Musgraves is

definitely a different kind of outlaw

country music starlet. Born 30 years

ago in Texas, this controversial and

prolific country singer/songwriter

wrote her first song aged nine, had

forged a successful career playing

Texas Swing music by her teens and

in her 20s had established herself

as a prominent artist in the global

country psyche.

She is out promoting her seventh

studio album 'Golden Hour'.

Choice Tracks:

Kacey Musgarves 'Lonely Weekend'

Soul II Soul

Saturday 3rd November 6.30pm


As soon as you hear that Graham

Central Station drum sample on Soul

II Soul’s iconic 'Back To Life' you're

immediately transported back to the

summer of 1989. Ah, those heady days

how I miss them so.

1989 was a good year for Soul II

Soul, they had top ten hit singles on

both sides of the Atlantic and their

debut album went on to sell over

five million copies worldwide. Soul

II Soul (Jazzy B, Nellee Hooper and

singer Caron Wheeler) proudly put

British soul music firmly on the map

back then and they are still doing it

now.

We’ve played with them at a few

festivals this Summer and Soul II

Soul are a great live experience that

deliver their own distinct brand of

sophisticated, atmospheric, funk

jazz hip hop.

Choice track:

Soul II Soul ‘Keep On Moving’

Danny Goffey

Sunday 18th November 7.30pm

The Hug and Pint, thehugandpint.com

Danny Goffey is the drummer from the

band Supergrass, who’s singer Gaz

Combes also released the brilliant

'World’s Strongest Man' album earlier

this year. Go have a listen to it.

They’re a prolific lot this bunch from

England’s green and pleasant land…

Eton, Oxford.

But I’m not going to hold that

against him because Danny Goffey's

music is lyrically well thought

out, rhythmically assured and very

cleverly produced with hints of Beck,

Blockheads and Blur.

His offerings are much more playful

than his bandmate’s solo efforts,

but no less compelling. Big Audio

Dynamite comes to mind too when

listening down to his latest album

'Schtick'. Good stuff.

Choice Track: Danny Goffey

'Let It Happen'


by Greg Kane

December

Courtney Pine & Omar

Wednesday 12th December 8pm

Òran Mór, oran-mor.co.uk

Multi instrumental jazz musician

Courtney Pine presents ‘Black Notes

from the Deep’ featuring guest

vocalist Omar.

This very special project brings

together two of the UK’s finest jazz

and soul talents composing, recording

and performing new original material

together for the first time.

With ‘Black Notes from the Deep’

Courtney Pine returns to the tenor

saxophone and features the vocal

talents of UK soul star Omar, whose

1992 hit single ‘There’s Nothing Like

This’ established a truly unique and

instantly recognisable ‘signature’

sound.

These two sound great together and

hopefully this is the beginnings of a

long and fruitful collaboration.

Choice track:

Courtney Pine Feat. Omar 'Rules'

Paul McCartney

Friday 14th December 6.30pm


One of my Beatles loving friends

always asks, ‘why doesn’t McCartney

just have Ringo on drums, Jeff Beck

and Clapton on guitars, Rick Wakeman

on keys… put a supergroup together to

play all those amazing songs?… it’d be

brilliant!'

Good question. Well, he doesn’t even

employ a real string section to play

'Yesterday' or 'Eleanor Rigby' or a real

horn section to play 'Got To Get You

Into My Life' or 'Lady Madonna'. Weird

that. A clue as to why may be found

in the story that one of his session

guitarists’ tells of Paul handing him

a tenner and asking him to go and get

fish suppers for everyone during a

break at a rehearsal at his studio in

Campbeltown. There were over twelve

people to feed! Seemingly he’s tight is

oor Paul.

Nevertheless, it’s PAUL MCCARTNEY.

In Glasgow. Live. You Have To Go!

He’s out promoting his new solo album

'Egypt Station', which is really very

good indeed.

As you can probably tell by now

my answer to the 'who is your fave

Beatle?' question is always Lennon.

Choice Track: Paul McCartney

'Jenny Wren'

Madonna Pop Discoteque

Saturday 22nd December 11pm

SWG3, swg3.tv

The best Madonna tribute night in the

world is coming to Glasgow. The 'Into

The Groove Tour' rolls into town just

in time for Xmas.

'…Prepare to be catapulted from the

80s , 90s , 00s and back again as you

take a 'feel good' journey with the best

pop and disco classics blended with

the greatest hits from Madonna…'

With the party coming right at the

height of the festive season, you can

be guaranteed that this will be one of

the biggest nights of the last weekend

before Dec 25th.

Aw come on, IT’S XMAS!

Choice track: Madonna 'Like A Virgin'


Top Things To Do

in the West End

by Tracy Mukherjee

Top for Autumn Magic

Our dear Botanic Gardens have always been

magical to the thousands who flock through

their gilded gates each day. But come nightfall

in October and November, the gardens will take

on a whole new mystical glow. Running until

the 11th November, the GlasGLOW event will see

the Botanics transformed into a fantasy realm

with an ethereal light and sound show. Walking

around, the familiar grounds will take on a whole

new form: a fantasy world of dragons, fire pits

and much much more. The magical journey will

take around 90 minutes but you are welcome to

hang around for a hot toddy or warming bite to

eat. There will even be the opportunity to toast

some mouthwatering marshmallows. I very much

doubt it will be on a dragon’s fiery breath, but I

could be wrong…

GlasGLOW, Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Sat 27th Oct – Sun 11th Nov

fffitison.com/glasglow

Top for Theatre

Spoiled for choice is the term that comes to

mind in terms of theatre events this winter.

In November Websters Theatre presents The

Cripple of Inishmaan. This lilting Irish comedy

relays the story of the real life events of a

Hollywood production being filmed on the

island of Inis Mor in 1934 with the fictional life

of a young disabled man desperately wishing

to be part of the documentary. For its 2013 run

in London’s West End the play starred Daniel

Radcliffe. The Giffnock Theatre Players proudly

present their interpretation of the play for three

nights at Websters.

In terms of Pantos, Oran Mor’s offering this year

is The Lying Bitch and the Wardrobe. Written

by Morag Fullarton, this is the rousing tale of an

evil Empress ruling with an iron fist the mythical

kingdom of Escozia. Banning all wondrous

delights (even tablet!) her subjects can take

no more when, horror of horrors, even singing

is vetoed! It’s up to a select band of heroes to

overthrow the evil Empress and get her exiled to

Goolag Achiltibuie…

The Cripple of Inishmaan

Webster’s Theatre 1st – 3rd November

fffwebstersglasgow.com

The Lying Bitch and The Wardrobe

Oran Mor, Mon 26th Nov – Sat 29th Dec

ffforan-mor.co.uk. Adult themes 14yrs+

Top for Christmas Festivities

It simply isn’t a Glasgow Christmas without a

clootie dumpling, a Broons annual or indeed

a good old family fight on Christmas Day. Add

to that the regular Glasgow Loves Christmas

events and you have the recipe for a perfect

Weegie Christmas. The annual Light Switch On

in George Square is on Sunday 18th Nov with

those lucky folks who get picked from the public

ballot watching the square burst into life. If you

aren’t lucky enough to see the lights on that first

evening, fear not. There will be plenty of other

reasons to visit the city centre over the festive

period. Glasgow’s Style Mile Carnival on the 25th

of Nov is an event not to be missed. The carnival

will see a host of festive fairytale costumes

with acts and performances throughout the

afternoon getting Glasgow well and truly into

the holiday spirit. The Christmas Markets also

make a welcome return to St Enoch and George

Square, bringing a touch of Weihnachtsmarkte

to our Scottish shores. And for those scrooges

who even question the existence of St Nick? Well

they better watch out as the Glasgow Santa Dash

and Santa Bungee will see more Santas grace

the Glasgow streets than Range Rovers outside

Glasgow Academy at home time! Sometimes

there is an excuse to leave the West End and the

city events at Christmas are great to support.

Glasgow Style Mile Carnival, Sun 25th Nov

2.30-3.30 commencing St Enoch Square


Top Things To Do

in the West End

Glasgow Christmas Markets

St Enoch Sq Fri 9th Nov – Sun 23rd Dec

George Sq, Sun 25th Nov – Mon 31st Dec

Glasgow Santa Dash, Sun 9th Dec

fffglasgowloveschristmas

Santa Bungee, Riverside Museum

Sat 1st – Sun 2nd Dec

fffglasgowchildrenshospitalcharity.org

NB. Keep an eye out for more information

on the Byres Road Tree Lighting Ceremony,

on the 25th November: unavailable at time

of going to press.

Top for Festive Night Out

Head to Cottiers to hear renowned Celtic band

Bahookie 'The Fire and The Fiddle'. This recent

tour has taken the band all over the world. These

prestigious musicians blend folk/ceilidh music

with urban dance and rock, producing a unique

Scottish sound. With these guys at the helm,

those dancing feet aren’t going to stay still for

long.

Finally, oh the sparkle of a Christmas party

dress! It’s one of the highlights of the year,

getting dressed up for the annual knees up. We

know that The Gatsby Club ball is a huge event

in the summer. But the Winter Ball? Well that’s in

a whole other league. Scotland’s biggest 1920’s

themed event is a heady mix of cabaret and club,

where the dress code is go big or go home! Once

in your life you have to attend this candle-lit

event and immerse yourself in a bygone age.

And at Christmas? I can’t think of a more perfect

time to don a flapper dress and shimmy away to

the Charleston.

Bahookie: The Fire and The Fiddle,

Cottiers Theatre, Fri 7th Dec 7.30 – 1pm

fffcottiers.com/events

The Gatsby Club Winter Ball, Glasgow

University Union, University Avenue

Sat 24th Nov, 7.30pm -2am

fffthegatsbyclub.co.uk

Top for Unusual Gifts

More often than not Christmas comes around

and we have no idea what to do for that oh-so

rare commodity, an original gift. But Santa’s

elves, otherwise known as the West End’s ever

so talented crafting community have Christmas

sewn up with a host of market dates for you to

pencil in the diary. First off, the regular Granny

Would Be Proud marketeers will be displaying

their wares throughout Nov and Dec. This market

has a strong focus on retro and vintage items as

well as promoting local, talented crafters.

Along the road, the institution that is Byres

Road Makers Market will be holding their last

monthly market before Christmas in November

so be sure to note the date. This boutique market

showcases everything from jewellery and

cushions, to handmade lampshades. Heading

towards Woodlands, Nice Markets will be

hosting eco friendly gift markets in Nov and Dec.

Pop along to the market and pick up a no guilt

gift, with little packaging, sure to reduce your

ecological footprint. Finally, Tea Green Festive

Markets return to the Botanics in Nov/Dec.

A contemporary craft and design and fine art pop

up event, these gifts are sure to bring a smile on

Christmas morning.

Granny Would Be Proud

Hillhead Bookclub, Vinicombe Street

Sun 26th Nov, Sun 17th Dec, from 12 noon

ff/Granny Would Be Proud

Byres Rd Makers Market, Hillhead

Library Sat 24th Nov, from 11am

ff/Byres Road Makers Market

Nice Markets, St Silas Church, Park Road

Sat 3rd Nov, Sat 15th Dec 11am – 4pm,

ff/Nice Markets Eco-Friendly Focus

Tea Green Festive Market, Glasgow

Botanic Gardens, Sat 3rd – Sun 4th

Nov, Sat 8th – Sun 9th Dec, 10am – 4pm

ff/Tea Green Festive Market


'Learning Through Play'

Places available.

To book your visit call Maureen on 0141 357 0231

www.derbystreetnursery.co.uk

maureen@derbystreetnursery.co.uk

1 Parkgrove Terrace, Glasgow G3 7SD

PI ATES

*Flexi-Class passes available * One-to-ones

* Relaxing *Suitable for Beginners & Advanced

Great for Runners, Cyclists, Golfers, Desk Workers..

*Post Natal * Botanic Gardens, Partick & Hyndland

www.pilatesglasgow.com 0787 647 3381

kerrystewart07@hotmail.com


Endmum’s

West

notebook

by Michele Gordon thelanguagehub.co.uk

As many of you know, Christmas is my

favourite holiday of the year: the

excitement of things to come,

the lights and decorations, the smell of

Christmassy things, to see the children

bursting with anticipation for days on end

and to have a little extra time to do things as

a family – all this makes me smile and look

forward to December.

I admit, it can be a very stressful time, but

I say it’s all a matter of planning. I am part

German after all! I try to buy presents well in

advance, have a list of food and drink I need

to buy and reduce the amount of Christmas

cards I post. This way, I try to make ensure

that we actually enjoy advent too, not just

Christmas Day.

At The Hub, we will be celebrating the

first of advent (2nd December, 2 – 4pm) with

an event for everyone. There will be singing,

arts and crafts and lots of yummies to eat.

Two weeks later on the 15th December we

will be holding our Christmas party at Partick

Burgh Halls from 2 – 4pm. All our students

get the chance to present a little something

in another language to the audience (if they

want).

But there are plenty of other events for

families to choose from in the West End,

starting at the end of November. Join one of

the many Christmas lights switch on events

in and around Glasgow. The one on Byres

Road will be on the 25th of November on

Vinicombe Street. Then, on the following

weekend, 1st and 2nd of December, the

Riverside Museum will be hosting its

Christmas Festival with a Santa bungee

event for charity. The festival is free to attend

between 11am – 5pm on both days.

Or maybe you prefer to go to the Scottish

Mask and Puppet Centre (8-10 Balcarres

Avenue). On the 1st of December at 12pm

they will be showing ‘The Snow Child’, £5.95/

ticket but there are also Christmas themed

shows scheduled on the 8th, 15th and 21st

of December. And if, by the 8th of December,

you are still in need of some gifts visit the

Tea Green Festive Market at the Botanic

Gardens between 10am – 4pm which

promises to ‘showcase the best of Scotland’s

Independent creative talent’.

For those who are looking for Christmassy

music a little earlier in December, check out

this year’s Christmas Carols at Wellington

Church (77 Southpark Avenue) on the 13th of

December at 7.30pm, £10/ticket.

On the 21st, we will be taking the kids to

Websters Theatre to see this year’s panto

‘About Britney and the Beast’. We have been

going here for a few years now and really love

the shows. The panto will run from 1st Dec

2018 to 5th Jan 2019, if you’re lucky, grab a

table and have a bite to eat before the show.

However, you can also just buy drinks at the

bar and take them in to the theatre with you.

I’m not sure if we’ll manage any of the

Christmas Markets this year, I’m personally

not keen on masses of people in the city

centre. I’m still hoping that one year there

will be a small, cosy market on Mansfield

Park. Christmas Markets are great for getting

you into the mood however: lovely smells,

Christmas music, mulled wine and lovely gift

buying opportunities.

This year, we will be spending the festive

period with my entire family – the first time

ever since I met John and had two children.

I’m looking forward to it and hope you all

have a lovely time with friends and family too.

Frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Start ins

neue Jahr!


Merry Christmas from SPiRiTO!

Rustic bunting £7.99; Lights £20; Prosecco snow globe £17

* gifts * decorations * cards *

317 - 319 Crow Road, G11 7BU 0141 337 3307 www.spiritogifts.com


Your Glasgow Contact

Luxury Lifestyle Management in Glasgow and across Scotland

Ready for Santa yet? Panicking about

just the right gift for that very special

someone, or have an event you just

don’t have the time, or indeed the headspace

to organise? Liz at The Glasgow Contact

could just be your new best friend!

With an extensive background spent

working in the Contracts and Procurement

arena for a major global FTSE 100 company,

Liz is used to delivering solutions to meet

customers’ needs, expectations, values and

deadlines. The training and development

invested in her by such an employer are also

highly transferable to her new venture.

So it’s time to get your lifestyle organised

to ensure Christmas is not the usual last

minute panic – have a look at Liz’s website,

give her a call or email, you won’t regret it.

Of course it’s not just for Christmas, and

there are many more lifestyle services The

Glasgow Contact can provide, but this

would be a great time to try this company to

enhance your life.

Maybe help with a special gift would

lessen the stress? Liz can supply a suitable

list tailored to your requirements and

budget for your selection. Need it bought

and wrapped? Not a problem. Dressing the

house, sourcing the right tree for the height

and size of your room, and not having to deal

with tricky tree lights or pesky needles are

amongst the services The Glasgow Contact

can provide. The main reception room, or

indeed the whole house can be dressed for

your arrival, or if you prefer, the tree up but

decorations left ready for you and your family

or friends to enjoy putting on yourselves, with

mulled wine in hand, of course!

Visitors arriving for the Festive period?

Get Liz involved now and have suitable

accommodation organised early, with

maybe some music, cultural events or visits

to historic landmarks included to keep all

entertained while visiting our exciting city or

beautiful country. Need suitable transport

organised? Your Glasgow Contact can

source that too with connections to a top

Scottish car fleet service – including limos.

Event organisation takes time, effort and

attention to important minutiae. Maybe it’s

not where your talents lie? Liz offers a great

service for people who are either too busy,

simply want to do something else with their

time, or just need some help.

It’s a bit of luxury for sure, but life’s for

living, so let The Glasgow Contact take the

strain and let you get on with living your life

to the full.

The Glasgow Contact

theglasgowcontact.com

liz@theglasgowcontact.com

07530 344645


This boutique Makeup School is

produced and ran by Westender’s

own makeup artist Terri Craig.

YOU School of Makeup offers a wide range

of courses from private makeup lessons

to Beauty Guild accredited short courses.

We are celebrating early this year by

offering Christmas gift vouchers to

Westender readers.

Just email and quote Westender and

you will receive your gift voucher which

allows you to buy one course and

get the second half price!

Email: hello@youschoolofmakeup.com

Call: 07710 413906

For latest offers please see Facebook

and Instagram

YOU School of Makeup

@youschoolofMakeup


Images I Gregor Reid

Christmas arrives at Hyacinth House

When you have twenty years of

landscape gardening experience

under your belt, have completed a

two year floristry course at Langside College

and spent two years working at Helensburgh

Flowers: what do you do when you see a

former garden centre unit come up for sale

in your old neighbourhood in Anniesland?

If you’re Gary MacLean – you go after the

dream and set up your own business.

‘We knew the potential of this old unit

and jumped at the chance to rejuvenate the

building and space,’ says Gary. ‘After the

refurbishment work was completed previous

customers would come in and say it “was

like meeting an old friend again”, customers

old and new are delighted with what we’ve

achieved with the space.

‘We are florists

and have a

strong wedding

flower business,

but house

plants are really

on trend right

now and I have

always loved

cacti and other

succulents

– a hangover from my horticulture days –

so we have an expanding stock of indoor,

and outdoor garden plants which are great

gifts too.

‘With plans in the pipeline to convert

the side building to a cake and coffee shop

we are buzzing with ideas! For now we are

setting up dates for our Christmas wreath

making and decorating classes and our large

stock of Christmas trees arrive the last week

of November. This is very much a well-loved

community space and everyone is welcome.’

Christmas Wreath Making Classes

Wreath Making £45: 29th November

& 6th December

Wreath Decorating £45: 30th November,

1st, 7th & 8th December

Maximum number per class: 8.

Price includes materials, glass of fizz and

nibbles. Call or email to book.

Quote WESTENDER and receive 10%

discount *excludes wreath making classes

Hyacinth House Floristry

950A Crow Road, Anniesland G13 1JD

hyacinth-house@outlook.com

0141 571 3517

Find the perfect present this christmas AT


1103 Argyle Street, Finnieston, G3 8ND

Come and discover our SHOPS, MAKERS, FOOD, STUDIOS AND MORE.

OUR LANE IS OPEN 7 DAYS, FIND SOMETHING DIFFERENT EVERY VISIT.

EXTRA FESTIVE FUN AND CHRISTMAS TREATS ON THESE DATES:

24TH NOVEMBER, 1ST DECEMBER AND 8TH DECEMBER.

LATE NIGHT OPENING EVERY THURSDAY THROUGHOUT DECEMBER.

PLEASE CHECK ONLINE FOR MORE INFO ON INDIVIDUAL OPENING TIMES.

www.thehiddenlaneglasgow.com

Find us on Facebook and INstagram, Show us what you’ve found! #IFOUNDTHEHIDDENLANE


Christmas

a merry west end

Gift Guide

for home

Still Game Tree Decs, Set of

two £6, Bonnie Bling

Fallen Leaves Scented Soya Wax

Candle £21.99, Cassiopeia

Cabinet by Mustard Made

£129, CoLab Store

House Doctor Angel £6

Hoos

Gold Cone, £19, Multi-flashing Baubles

(8 on wire) £15, The Store Interiors

House Doctor Xmas Car £17

Hoos

Katie Loxton Diffuser £22

Papyrus

Abraham Moon Blanket £79.95

Nordic Outdoor

Pom Pom String Lights £34

Spirito


for her


Reindeer Christmas Socks

£16, Spirito

Festive Duke Necklace

£40, Bonnie Bling

Four Ones Necklace

£150 CoLab Store

Front & Rear Bike Light Set £20

Bikechain

Eyewear Wardrobe Case £35

Iolla

Katie Loxton Bracelet Cracker

£16, Papyrus

Green Agate Set On Gold Plated

Steel Cuff, £39.50, Cassiopeia

Dale of Norway Seefeld Sweater

£219.95, Nordic Outdoor

Busy B Perfect Planner Diary £16.99

Liquorice Tree

Bairn Mini-messenger available in 5 colours

Handmade in Scotland, £135, Trakke


Contemporary Garden Rooms designed and built in Glasgow

that can be tailored specifically to your space or budget!

Garden office, extra bedroom, art/music studio

or teenage space, just a sample of the uses for

our highly-insulated and fully-finished Rooms.

They don’t require planning permission so are a

fantastic alternative to an extension. Call 0141

370 6102 to arrange a free quote and site visit.

www.outsideingardenrooms.co.uk

outsideingardenrooms

for him


Scottish Candle Range £20

Spirito

TrueConnect True Wireless

Earbuds £149.95, RHA Media

Pig & Hen Camouflage Bracelet

£49.50, CoLab Store

Harris Tweed Flask and Cufflinks Set

£36.99, Cassiopeia

Bramble Scotch Whisky Liqueur £9 for

100ml, Demijohn

Dale of Norway Myking Hat


Men’s Emergency Kit Harvard Tie

£9.99, Liquorice Tree

Chilly’s Water Bottle £20

Papyrus

Bannoch Backpack Handmade in Scotland

£260, Trakke

Raleigh Motus from £1650

Bikechain


GRAPHIC ARTS &

FINE STATIONERY

GRAPHIC ARTS &

DRAW

FINE STATIONERY

DRAW

BOTANIC

GARDENS

BOTANIC

BOTANIC

GREAT WESTERN ROAD

GARDENS

GREAT WESTERN ROAD

GREAT GREAT WESTERN WESTERN ROAD ROAD

BYRES ROAD

BYRES ROAD

CRESSWELL LANE

HILLHEAD

HILLHEAD

SUBWAY

SUBWAY

GRAPHIC ARTS &

FINE STATIONERY

DRAW

CRESSWELL LANE

BYRES ROAD

CRESSWELL LANE

DE COURCY’S

DE COURCY’S

✎

HILLHEAD

SUBWAY

DE COURCY’S

DRAW drawartstore.com art store

drawartstore.com

DE drawartstore.com

COURCY’S ARCADE

drawartstore

FIRST FLOOR

DE COURCY’S CRESSWELL drawartstore

ARCADE

LANE

GLASGOW G12 8AA

FIRST FLOOR

DE COURCY’S ARCAD

CRESSWELL 11:00 - LANE 17:00

TUES FIRST - SUN FLOOR

GLASGOW G12 8AA

CRESSWELL LANE

DE COURCY’S

✎

ARCADE

✎

✎

ARCADE

ARCADE

ARCADE

✎

✎ DRAW art store

DRAW art store

GLASGOW G12 8AA

HILLHEAD

SUBWAY

GY COMPUTING

Microsoft Specialist

Evenings and Weekends

Home Visits

Competitive Rates

Fully Insured

No Call Out Charges

20%

off computer repairs when

you quote ‘Westender18’

Check out my reviews on

Gregor Young | 07398 715157

hello@gycomputing.co.uk

www.gycomputing.co.uk

for kids


Jellycat ‘Drake’ Dragon

£39, Papyrus

Newborn Hat £16

Spirito

Children’s Mittens £20

Cassiopeia

Sophie la Girafe Christmas Set

£29.99 Cassiopeia

Raleigh Atom from £120

Bikechain

Light My Fire ReKit


Doudou et Compaigne Licorne

Glitter Unicorn £28.99, Liquorice tree

Olliella Strolley £79

Hoos

Banana Bumbag Handmade in Scotland

£50, Trakke

MA390 Wired Headphones £19.99

RHA Media


FINE, SEASONAL PRODUCE

Fresh fish and shellfish,

poultry, game,vegetables

and deli selection.

Open Tue-Sat 8am-5pm

Christmas orders accepted

till 8th December

10% discount to Westender

readers till 31st Dec 2018

WILSONSCATCHOFTHEDAY.CO.UK

71 HOULDSWORTH STREET G3 8ED (NEAR SKYPARK)

T 0141 204 4456 M 07732 101843

for foodies


The Liqueur Gift Box £90.55

Demijohn

Highland Coo Glass Chopping Board

£25, Cassiopeia

Sipsmith Gin Truffles £15

Spirito

Wild Fig Chutneys, Sauces and Marmalades,

£5.45 – £5.95, George Mewes Cheese

Plant n Grow Proseccolicious Botanical

Growing Kit £16.99, Liquorice Tree

West End Suppliers

Bikechain 1417 Dumbarton Road G14 9XS bikechainglasgow.co.uk

Bonnie Bling Studio 15 Argyle House The Hidden Lane 1103 Argyle Street G3 8ND bonniebling.co.uk

Cassiopeia 165 Hyndland Road G12 9HT cassiopeiaonline.co.uk

Demijohn 382 Byres Road G12 8AR demijohn.co.uk

George Mewes Cheese 106 Byres Road G12 8TB georgemewescheese.co.uk

Hoos 715 Great Western Road G13 8QX hoosglasgow.co.uk

Iolla 1313 Argyle Street G3 8TL iolla.com

Liquorice Tree 431 Great Western Road 0141 339 0648 liquoricetree.com

Nancy Smillie Shop 53 Cresswell Street G12 8AE nancysmillieshop com

Nordic Outdoor 687 Great Western Road G12 8RA nordicoutdoor.co.uk

Papyrus 374 Byres Road G12 8AR papyrusgifts.co.uk

RHA Media rha-audio.com

Spirito 317-319 Crow Road G11 7BU spiritogifts.com

The Store 26 Munro Place G13 2UP thestoreinteriors.co.uk

Trakke trakke.co.uk


let’s go for a walk down

Clarence Drive

In an age when high streets up and down the country

are struggling in an ever changing and harsh economic

climate, how heartening to see new, and established,

businesses opening and thriving. A walk down Clarence

Drive convinces Suzanne Martin that hard graft, passion and a unique

product or service spells success in the West End.

WORDS SUZANNE MARTIN IMAGE GREGOR REID

The last few years have seen numerous

changes on the short parade of shops

on Clarence Drive. Units have closed

down and new businesses have come in to

serve a discerning West End community that

loves its independent retailers. So who’s who

and what are they bringing to the area?

Matthew at The Good Spirits Company

was my first port of call. With two city centre

stores already under his belt when the old

Peckham & Rye unit came up he jumped at

the chance: perfect location and licensing

already in place! With an eclectic range

and knowledgeable staff, Matthew has

achieved what he set out to create – the kind

of store he’d like to shop in full of exciting

and delicious products not found in the

supermarkets.

With bottles open to taste at the weekends

as standard, in the run up to Christmas

Matthew and his team will be holding a

further series of inhouse pouring sessions

with select suppliers. Check out their social

media for more information nearer the time.

With every single bottle hand-picked by

Matthew there’s scope for some truly exciting

and usual gifts. The team are currently

refining their own Christmas cocktail recipes

to bottle as the perfect stocking filler – I’d

be delighted with that in my stocking come

Christmas morning.

Next door Llicorella Deli is reaching

its first anniversary as this edition hits the

streets, and owner James wouldn’t be

anywhere else. With a passion for cheese

unsurpassed by anyone I’ve ever met before

James keeps a small discerning stock in

the deli but can order anything special in

with 24 hours notice. With three different

cheese suppliers each with unique cheese

not found elsewhere, including the winning

goats’ cheese for 2017 – James can keep you

happily chatting on his favourite subject.

With fourteen years in catering, many

of those as a sommelier, James had the

contacts he needed to open his own deli

when the opportunity arose. With fresh

fruit and vegetables delivered every day

he’s open, the made-to-order gourmet

sandwiches he serves are fresh and served

with his own fig glaze or herb dressings and

on his own bread. Getting in to work every

day at 6.30am to mix and prove his own

bread for that day’s fresh loaves and lunch

rush is part of James’ day. After which he

heads home to walk his daughter to school

before making it back in for 9am and the

coffee and cake crowd.

The 16th November sees Llicorella and

The Good Spirit Company teaming up for a

Wine Fair at Hughenden Rugby Club – it’s

a ticketed event so remember to book via

either store. James will host a cheese stall

and be taking orders for cheese hampers

for Christmas. These will include cheese,

great coffee and vouchers to be used in both

Llicorella and The Good Spirit Company.

At the other end of the longevity scale

Hely Hair Studio first opened at 25 Clarence

Drive in 1944 – and moved back in 2013! With


three generations of hairdressers, starting

with Robert Hely back in 1924, current

owners, siblings Gary and Sindy Hely, are

part of Glasgow Hairdressing royalty.

Open seven days a week Hely Hair Studio

is a hive of activity with twelve full and parttime

stylists working from the premises. Gary

is passionate about hairdressing and only

works with the best people and products in

the industry.

With an Express Pamper Bar by La

Biosthetique in addition to the hairdressing

services Gary and his team offer, clients

can enjoy a make-up refesh after a cut and

colour to head straight out into town. And

booking couldn’t be easier with their 24/7

online booking service. Gary uses Paul

Mitchell in-salon products and Schwarzkopf

Professional for colour finding clients are

much better at looking after their hair

than before and demand the best in-salon

treatments.

As a resident Westender moving salons

back to the West End from Sauchiehall Street

was a no-brainer: Gary and Sindy love the

community feel in Hyndland.

Next door to Hely is clothes boutique

Solo – a Hyndland stalwart long on Hyndland

Road. Since Samantha took the reigns back

in 2012 fashion lines have included Marc

Cain, Jane Luchka and Herno Coats, among

others, to appeal to the fashion forward

professional woman. With a background in

fashion buying for a major chain in London,

Samantha came to Solo with fresh ideas

for her new venture. Six years on she offers

a personal shopping service and style

consultation in-store – though these must be

booked first.

With long serving and knowledgeable

assistants looking after valued clients

the future for Solo on Clarence Drive

looks rosy.

Newcomer Campbell’s of Hyndland

has caused a quickening of pulses since

Crawford opened its doors back in August.

With a 35 year pedigree of cheffing in such

illustrious venues as London’s two Michelin


We are playing with the theme

of Bold and Blush wash colouring

from Schwarzkopf this coming

season to add shine and

sparkle to your party look.

Express yourself with one of the

Intense Bold colours for brown to

blond hair or a softer look with the

pastel shades of Blush Wash for

Blondes. Let us Inspire and brighten

up your festive season.

Bold & Blush

Hair Salon of the Year 2018 - Glasgow

2018 Scottish Enterprise Awards

helyhairstudio.co.uk

0141 332 6068

25 Clarence Drive G12 9QN

HYNDLAND

Services Available

7.30am–10pm Open 7 Days

Mail: Drop & Go / Parcelforce Express Services

Driving: Vehicle Tax

Travel: Foreign Currency / Travel Insurance / Travel

Money Card / National Express - Tickets

Lotto prize payments / Lotto ticket sales

Hyndland Post Office & Premier

37-39 Clarence Drive G12 9QN

0141 337 6227


starred Pied à Terre, Crawford was ready to

move back to his home city of Glasgow and a

new challenge. After a successful year down

in Partick the opportunity arose to expand to

Hyndland and the rest as they say…

Before setting up either venue Crawford

spent four months travelling right around the

coast of Scotland speaking directly to the

fishermen whose produce he liked the most

and setting up accounts with only the best.

Now we can enjoy Loch Fyne oysters and

kippers, Shetland salmon, and haddock, cod

and lemon sole directly off the boats as they

come in at Peterhead – provenance is all.

From the 1st of November Liz at the

Hyndland shop can take orders for their new

home delivery service – invaluable for older

residents in tenement flats. Simply order

before midday and supplies will be delivered

by 5pm that day. Also launching the same

day will be Crawford’s cook-at-home packs

for home chefs. With all the ingredients from

fish, shellfish, or meat, to vegetables, spices

and sauces: everything will be contained with

the recipe method for a great tasting home

cooked meal from a Michelin trained chef.

Now that is pretty special.

Also very upbeat is Paulo next door in the

local chippy. Having been on Clarence Drive

for twelve years it’s only Paulo’s and pizza

bar Casa Blanca that have survived the test

of time. Over the past year Paulo has seen

a definite rise in footfall on the street and

can only see that improving with the new

businesses coming in and no empty units.

With top quality whiting and angel

haddock on offer, Paulo’s does a roaring

trade at lunch time with the local high school

kids. Praising the school and the great kids

there Paulo even began opening before break

to supply hungry learners with top breakfast

stalwarts – a roll and square for me please.

Always testing the demand Paulo began

opening on a Sunday four years ago to test

the uptake and now is open seven days a

week to keep locals in their fish and sausage

suppers. He puts his success down to always

buying the best stock and having really nice

regulars.

Newest kid on the block is

a local branch of Subway –

causing much excitement

amongst Hyndland

Secondary school kids.

I haven’t seen it but

apparently the queue at lunch-time is the

stuff of legend. Now, not everyone loves a

chain but Harpreet and his team are serving

up salads, wraps and baguettes and snackloving

locals are buying it up.

Longest serving member of the Clarence

Drive business community accolade goes to

Farhad at Casa Blanca. With 15 years on the

drive selling his freshly made pizzas, pastas

and barbequed meats, Farhad’s love of the

area and its community really comes across.

When his first child was born regulars came

in with cards and gifts and Farhad was really

touched by the network of clients, and now

friends, he’d won with his food and friendly

personality.

Casa Blanca was born out of a desire to

produce restaurant quality Italian food as

a great quality takeaway option. The idea

that takeaway food is merely ‘junk food’ was

wrong to Farhad and all of his pizza bases

are made freshly in-store every day, as are all

his pasta sauces. With pizza topping choices

of parma ham, artichoke and sun dried

tomatoes Casa Blanca’s restaurant standard

fare has kept Westenders coming back for a

decade-and-a-half and long may it continue.

Generally lovely guy to be around,

Gurdeep at the Hyndland Post Office

and Premier Store, is an advocate for the

Hyndland community and his great staff –

a sentiment generally shared.

Gurdeep’s children went to

Hyndland Secondary School so

when the opportunity to buy the

Hyndland Post Office arose he

was quick to see its potential in

such a lovely area. Prior to

Gurdeep coming onboard

six years ago the branch

was actually up for

closure and upset locals

had to set up a petition

to keep it open. Now a


major refurbishment later and the post office

service and Premier store are booming.

Open seven days a week and with full

post office services available from 7.30am to

10pm, the same as the store, Gurdeep has

gone from offering euros only to a full foreign

exchange service of 28 currencies. He is very

proud as he relates this to me, and so he

should be – it’s a major achievement when so

many other small businesses are struggling

and being consolidated into much bigger city

centre based units. Gurdeep is keeping it

local and Hyndland locals vote with their feet,

straight into his store.

Last visit is to Shannon, one quarter of

the all-female management team at The

Hyndland Fox. Part of the G1 Group under

Stefan King, The Fox has a relaxed vibe

just right for the casual brunch crowd, great

coffee for the young mums, and a casual

dining atmosphere as the lights are dimmed

and candles lit for the evening diners – it’s a

real community go-to space.

Shannon has been at the venue for two

years and knows all the regulars but notes

there has been an upturn in new faces as

fresh businesses have opened on the road.

This bodes well for their busiest time of the

year – the festive period. With loads of events

and offers planned it’s her favourite time of

the year, though the working hours are long.

Shannon plans all the events from the live

sets on a Friday and Saturday evening to the

Gingerbread Man Decorating classes coming

up for families. Keep an eye out on Facebook

and Instagram for more details and loads of

Festive special offers – including their popular

Twelve Offers of Christmas each day from

the 1st to 12th of December. With the Festive

Cocktail list and Winter Warmers primed and

ready and a 20% discount card for Hyndland

locals Monday-Fridays, the team at The

Hyndland Fox have Christmas sorted.

Speaking to all the businesses on

Clarence Drive one thing in particular is

clear – they all really do like each other, a lot.

Shannon at The Hyndland Fox will pop into

Gurdeep at the Post Office for change, James

at Llicorella will send customers next door to

The Good Spirit Company for a wine pairing

with one of his speciality cheeses. It’s a nice

thing. It should be celebrated.

CRAFT BEERS & ALES

WINE & CHAMPAGNE

SHERRY, MADEIRA & PORT

FINE WINE

WHISKY, BOURBON, GIN

VODKA, RUM, TEQUILA

CIGARS & BRANDY

21 Clarence Drive, Glasgow G12 9QN

0141 334 4312

thegoodspiritscoclarencedrive

@GoodSpiritsCoCD

goodspiritsclarencedrive

clarencedrive@thegoodspiritsco.com

www.thegoodspiritsco.com

Hyndland

Train Station

@

Nonya


Image I Gregor Reid

Reviewed by

Roberto Parrucci

Discovering Nonya’s menu reminded

me of what my personal food guru

Anthony Bourdain used to say about

East Asian cuisine, ‘the crunchy and tender,

the sweet and salty, the hard and soft, the

warm and cold – all mixed to emphasize

the philosophical orientation behind Asian

culture’.

The interior is beautifully laid out, with

classic Southeast Asian touches that really

give a sense of how much work has gone into

achieving the best of west meets east.

From the mottle-green table tops to the

backroom with fluttering palms and classic

rattan lighting, I instantly had the feeling

of being one of Graham Greene’s stuffy

European expats supplanted in a foreign

land.

Helped by the attentive waiting staff I

opted for some spinach and bamboo shoot

dumplings with chilli soy sauce on the side.

Aside from being massive, the dumplings

on their own were delicate in texture with

crunchy bits of bamboo shoots giving bite

among the tender spinach.

I followed with grilled coconut chicken

with gravy and rice on the side. I must say,

in terms of spice, I expected ‘the beast from

the east’, but a storm of flavour didn’t quite

materialise. Yet, I also appreciated the quality

of the ingredients. The chicken was perfectly

grilled, with the gravy and relish on the side

adding a beautiful oriental touch.

My choice of desert was the definite

standout here. Sticky rice pudding topped

with mango strips sprinkled with sesame

seeds and served with coconut cream on the

side. Not overly sweet, and with a multitude

of textures on one plate – a real delight.

Each dish comes with its own separate

sauce, which aren’t removed after each

course. You can either choose to find it

confusing, or open your mind to the new

possibilities in front of you. It’s a potential

food orgy in prospect; leave your keys in the

bowl at the door.

Chatting with the waitress while drinking

a Jungle Love (mekhong, citrus, pandan,

whites and poppy seeds) I asked about

where all these taste inspirations came from.

She explained that Nonya is the ‘little baby’ of

a half-Asian owner together with a half-Thai

partner who supervise the cuisine, borrowing

the best their childhood flavours and tastes

have to offer.

It struck me that this is the real recipe for

making great food. Passion in what you do is

essential if you want others to buy into your

idea and keep coming back time and time

again.

At Nonya you get just that – a cultural

fusion baked in with a wonderful dance for

the taste buds. When all is said and done,

everyone likes a dance, right?

Nonya

10 Claremont Street G3 7HA

0141 221 6200

nonyaglasgow.co.uk


Guilty Pleasures from Westender’s American in Glasgow

Guilty Pleasures from

Westender’s American

in Glasgow

Image I Gregor Reid

y Liberty Vittert

K

Method


decorated

sugar cookies

Okay, it’s chubby Liberty time. I’m so excited.

Holiday parties are here, Christmas is around

the corner, and don’t even get me started on New

Years. Haul out the sweaters ‘cause it is time to

cover those 6 pack abs in a nice winter coat (of

sugar obviously), and boy are these cookies the

way to go. Simple as can be to make, can sit in the

refrigerator unbaked for up to five days or in the

freezer for three weeks! Keep the dough sitting

there and haul it out anytime you have unexpected

guests (hello in-laws!) or are off to smush the

hostess with the mostest into her tinsel tree when

you outbake her with these babies. Get the kids

involved with decorating or be a kid

at heart and do it yourself!

SPIRITO

SPECIAL

OFFER

Shopping List

For the cookies:

235g unsalted butter

200g sugar

1 egg

2 tsp vanilla

2 tsp baking powder

350g plain flour

For the icing:

220g icing sugar

6 tbsp hot whole milk

food colouring

sprinkles / decoration

cookie cutters

L

1. Preheat the oven to 200C and line a

baking tray with baking paper.

2. Cream the butter and sugar very well

(about 6 minutes).

3. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.

4. Mix all the dry ingredients together

and slowly add to the butter mixture

until just combined.

5. Mould the dough into a ball, cover

with cling film and refrigerate for 30

minutes (or up to 3 days).

6. Roll out the dough to about 1cm

thickness using icing sugar to reduce

stickiness (instead of flour).

7. Using cookie cutters, or your own

imagination, cut out shapes.

8. Bake on tray for 8 minutes.

9. When cool, mix the icing sugar and

milk, add food colouring as desired and

ice/decorate away!

£30

Slate Serving

Tray with

Copper Handles

RRP £36

*Exclusive offer for

WESTENDER readers

at Spirito,

317-319 Crow Road


BROOMHILL LAUNDRETTE

& DRY CLEANERS


THERE ARE SO MANY

WAYS TO LOVE

JOIN // HOST // SHOP

For more information:

www.stelladot.co.uk/lorainepatrick

lorainepatrick1@me.com

Stone Pine Tree Care

Undertaking all aspects of tree work

including:

∙Pruning ∙Felling ∙Tree planting

∙Hedges ∙Habitat creation

Fully certificated and insured

Please contact Thomas with enquiries

07922941887

Festivities at Tulipané

As Tulipané heads towards its first

anniversary owner Lesley Murray

reflects on what a great year it has

been meeting old faces and new. ‘With the

help of great staff, suppliers and customers

Tulipané has come so far and continues to

develop into the vision I had at the beginning,

– a neighbourhood cafe and take away

selling fresh local produce and beautiful

plants. It has been hard work but so worth it,’

says Lesley.

As the festive season kicks off Tulipané

is available for private functions and events

in the evenings. They also offer outside

catering, including corporate breakfasts

and lunches. ‘We have lots of gift ideas with

loads more to come for Christmas, including

vouchers,’ says Lesley. ‘We have also teamed

up with a fab new business, Eddiewood, who

create bespoke logs, both decorative and

practical for indoor and outdoor use. Good

Health and Merry Christmas when it comes

to all our loyal customers!’

SPECIAL OFFER! 15% discount off

pre-ordered Tulipané jute shopping

bags filled with fresh produce from

Freedom Bakery, Oven Bird Coffee,

Corrie Mains Farm Eggs, Wild Flours &

Huckleberry Cakes & Pastries, Plants

and Flowers. Quote WESTENDER.

Tulipané

682 Dumbarton Road G11 6RB

0141 339 2223

tulipane.co.uk


Hi I’m Dale and I can help you

achieve your goals.

I am a coach specialising in Positive Psychology. Positive Psychology coaching

is a style of coaching grounded in evidence-based psychological techniques

which draws on the research of the science of well-being.

Is there something about your life you’d

like to change. I can help.

Are you fulfilling your potential at work?

I can help.

Do you suffer from anxiety?

I can help.

Do you find it difficult building

meaningful relationships?

I can help.

Are you struggling to adapt to a change

in life circumstances?

I can help.

For a limited period only, I am offering a free introductory no obligation session.

Just quote #westender when you contact me at hello@daletodd.co.uk

Dale Todd | Positive Psychology Coach

w: daletodd.co.uk | m: 07739 381625

Vaccinate your boys

Private HPV vaccination service

We offer a doctor and

pharmacist-led service to boys

and young men who would like

to be vaccinated. This will be of

interest to those who are too

old to get it as part of the

new NHS programme

to be introduced in 2019.

HPV (human papilloma virus) causes

cervical, mouth and throat cancers,

penile and anal cancers as well as genital

warts. Girls are offered the vaccine and from

August 2019 boys in S1 will be offered

it too. Older boys may also be keen to

get vaccinated and we can provide this

privately. Boys under 15 years old at

first vaccination require two vaccines.

Boys over 15 years need three. Each

Vaccine is £155.

We are based at Clinetix, 169 Hyndland Road, Glasgow, G12 9HT

For more information or to book an appointment

email: hpvvaccineforboys@outlook.com

@

Bank

Street


Image I Gregor Reid

Reviewed by

Emily Donoho

I’m a regular at Bank Street, it being one

of the few pubs in the West End open

until 1am. When you want that final quiet

pint after the other bars close at midnight,

it’s a prime location. At least on weekdays

it has atmosphere but isn’t too busy and it

never plays overly ear-shattering music or

overwhelms you with the television, so you

can chat to your friends, the point of pubs,

as far as I am concerned (though others will

have different ideas). With two floors, upstairs

above the bar and downstairs, you can

usually find a place to sit.

Like many of its neighbouring

establishments it has that postmodern

sparse decor, that mix of old and new, with

the exposed bricks on one wall, the colourful

mural representing the West End on another

wall, and the metalwork on the chairs and the

railings. The place has the feeling of lightness

and space which means it never feels too

crowded or claustrophobic.

The beer choices are pretty good too.

On tap they have a wide range of beers, both

local ones like St. Mungo’s and Joker IPA,

Tennents, and from further afield, Blue Moon,

Staropramen, and guest European lagers.

For the cider lover they sell craft ciders from

the Sharp Brewery. It prides itself on its

cocktails so you can order just about any that

you want (including an expresso martini), and

it carries the standard selection of Scottish

whiskies and local gins. For a West End pub,

their prices are reasonable. Every pint is

less than £4. More than the Beer Bar further

along Bank Street but less than Stravaigin on

the other side of Gibson Street. They don’t

have cask ales on draught but you can’t have

everything.

Bank Street is more than just a drinking

venue. It caters to everyone, from those who

want a cocktail and a snack to those who

want a pub lunch or affordable dinner. They

have a food menu, mainly burgers, pizza, and

curries. And they offer some great deals like

£5 for a pint and a veggie pakora, or £8 for

a pizza and a glass of prosecco if you show

up on a Thursday. I have not tried their pizza

but a pakora at half-twelve at night is pretty

satisfying.

Throughout the year they hold events

like pub quizzes (often with themes from

TV shows or movies) and a Burns Night

meal, and they encourage the attendance of

university clubs for Christmas dinners and

other socials.

Bank Street is open from 10am to 1am

Monday to Sunday.

Bank Street

52 Bank Street G12 8LZ

0141 334 4343

bankst.co.uk


1

BY BRIAN TOAL

WESTENDER’s

COVER TO COVER

For Christmas crime you could do a lot worse than

‘Never Proven’. This is Daly’s fourth book in the

Inspector Anderson series and it’s a real page turner.

Never Proven

by Bill Daly

I was gripped by the plot from

the start, opening with the

brutal murder of John Murdoch, a

former teacher accused of sexual

relations with a young male pupil.

However, the case was not proven,

that ‘bastard verdict’ as Walter

Scott called it, which neither

satisfies the accused nor the

complainant.

Readers will be familiar with

a lot of the locations as the

murder takes place just outside

Cottiers and a lot of the action

darts back and forth between

Pitt Street and the West End.

The descriptions of The Calton

and the bars and characters there

is gritty and realistic, whilst the

Glasgow criminal underworld is

described warts and all. Jim Colvin

is a gangster you wouldn’t want

to meet or be indebted to. In this

fast-paced thriller we are even

taken to Edinburgh on the train to

check out an alibi, although you’ll

be glad to hear that Anderson

didn’t stay to ‘have his tea’ but

returned late afternoon, obviously

knowing that no offers of repast

would be forthcoming.

The central character of DCI

Anderson is months away from

retirement and is not keen to take

on any high-profile or complicated

cases. However, fate has other

ideas as the deceased was well

known due to the media interest in

the sexual misconduct court case

and is fuelled by the involvement

of Glasgow’s own Avenging Angel, a vigilante who claims credit

for ‘ridding the streets of vermin’. Another complication is the

fact that Anderson’s right-hand man, Tony O’Sullivan, is dating

Anderson’s daughter, so no tension there then. The mundanities

of dating, playing football with your grandson and getting home

in time for your dinner and a whisky before bed are interspersed

with brutality (nailing a hand to a cubicle door) and sexual

shenanigans.

The pace is kept brisk by short chapters and short sections

within each chapter, literally causing you to turn pages at a faster

rate. Some more astute readers may guess the culprit before the

end but you can still sit back in smugness as your suspicions are

confirmed. As an addition to the juggernaut which is Tartan Noir,

‘Never Proven’ is highly entertaining, in your face and full of pace.

If you’re planning on getting yourself some Christmas crime for the

long wintry nights, this will definitely fit the bill.


To Throw Away

Unopened

by Viv Albertine

2

Those of us old enough to

remember punk will know Viv

Albertine from The Slits. This is

her second autobiographical

offering and deals primarily

with the death of her mother

and all the guilt, memories

and family drama which is

inextricably bound up with

these occasions. If you think

your family is dysfunctional,

take a break from the

Christmas family drama and

tune in to the drama that is the

Albertine family.

The discovery of her father’s

diaries provides the writer

with a very different view

of her childhood, whilst the

discovery of a bag of papers

in her mother’s wardrobe

following her death only serves

to muddy the waters even

more. ‘Truth is splintered’, as

the writer states. The chapters

are cleverly structured, all

beginning with ‘the present’

as the writer copes with her

mother’s impending death,

physically fighting with her

sister over her dying mother’s

bed and invoking serious

injuries in the process.

Following these sections we

have older memories sparked

by whatever is happening

in the present, the Proust’s

madeleine approach, which

seems fitting given her French

background. Pictures of

locations and objects germane

to the story are beautifully

shot and really bring to life the

narrative. The many quotations

peppered throughout the book

are insightful and thoughtprovoking.

Albertine has

fought for most of her life –

against her sister, her father,

male oppression, societal

expectations – and has come

out the other side. This is a

powerful punk of a book.

After making a hilarious

self-diagnosis which proves

not to be so fatal after all,

Grace Dart has a new lease

of life and is determined to

live it to the max. She makes

a bucket list and, following a

very stressful year studying for

her GCSEs, she is determined

to experience all that life has

to offer away from the stuffy

confines of her bedroom, her

books, post-its, highlighters

and cue cards.

Her journey takes her

to Paris with her gran, on

a death-defying swing on

Brighton beach and thrusts

her into a variety of new

relationships. Grace is a

teenage girl who has striven

most of her life to please her

parents and suddenly finds

herself with a summer ahead

of her where the only agenda

is to have fun.

This book is hilarious in

parts where Grace lurches

from one crazy experience to

the next. However, there are

also important life lessons

embedded within the novel,

although delivered with a

light touch. Vallance depicts a

teenage girl in full existential

crisis whilst at the same time

providing highly entertaining

material which all teenage girls

will be able to relate to.

The crises range from

careers, studying, parenting

and death to friendships,

sexuality and relationships.

It’s a whirlwind ride, like the

amusements on Brighton

beach, but it’s full of poignant

moments and teenage angst.

Give your teen a break this

festive period and buy this

book!

You Only Live Once

by Jess Vallance

3


Magazine Promotion

Legal Matters

Words from Donald Reid, chairman at Mitchells Roberton:

No one ever means themselves when they say ‘there is one born every

minute’. We all believe we would not fall for a scam but research suggests

that intelligence and ability is no inoculation against becoming a victim of

a confidence trick. For the vulnerable in our society, the risks are greater

still. To find out more, read on, or contact us at the below address for a

free information leaflet (please enclose a cheque for £1,000 to cover

postage and packaging...).

Nigerian princes, Spanish prisoners,

and the lottery of love

Private Eye’s medical columnist recently

wrote: ‘Many older people resent

being called vulnerable, but to scammers

they can be easy prey. While car theft and

house burglary have become harder due

to improved technology, there has been a

massive growth in relieving older people

of their money’ through financial fraud and

scams.

Looking at the redirected post into this

office from our older clients or recently

executries, clearly some found themselves on

‘Suckers Lists’; receiving endless mailshots

from the unscrupulous selling dubious

products, lottery scams, and odd spiritual

services. Upsetting research from Professor

Keith Brown of Bournemouth University

found cases where older people actually

accepted unsolicited sales calls, or knowingly

purchased unnecessary items by post, due to

loneliness. One man reported ‘the 10 or more

items he received every day by special postal

delivery were the highlight of his day’.

In cyberspace, many are trying to

separate you and your money, from the nowfamous

Nigerian princes (other nationalities

are available) wanting to share $35million

with you if you could only fund the transfer

fees, to Facebook lotharios ready to snuggle

provided you pay their airfare.

There are legal remedies for most financial

frauds, providing you can locate the fraudster

(which is often impossible). For unsolicited

goods or sharp business practices, some

recourse can be obtained, such as through

distance selling regulations and Unfair

Contract terms legislation. If you suspect

something awry, deal with it as soon as you

can (whether speaking to Trading Standards

or the Police, or your solicitor).

All of these are all significantly less useful

than avoiding being a victim in the first place.

First, educate yourself on the likely scams

and warning signs. Second, look out for

the elderly and vulnerable whom you know.

Perhaps they need help dealing with their

financial affairs or should grant someone a

Power of Attorney. Third, and most cynical, if

you are suspicious about

how someone is handling

the affairs of a vulnerable

person, take legal advice

or contact the Office of the

Public Guardian.

If Joel can help please

email him at

jmc@mitchells-roberton.co.uk,

or call 0141 552 3422.

Mitchells Roberton Solicitors

& Estate Agents

George House

36 North Hanover Street G1 2AD

0141 552 3422

www.mitchells-roberton.co.uk

Accountancy

Matters

by Bruce Wilson & Simon Murrison


It’s full steam ahead for HMRC’s

Making Tax Digital

Are you ready? From April 2019

VAT registered businesses above the

VAT threshold (over £85k) will be

expected to comply with Making Tax Digital

(MTD). In other words it’ll be compulsory

to use HMRC approved record keeping

software that talks digitally with HMRC.

What is MTD for VAT? If you are VAT

registered you will be obliged to keep all VAT

records digitally. You are also required to

submit VAT return information electronically

using approved software instead of HMRC’s

VAT portal.

In 2020 every VAT registered business

(including voluntarily registered) will become

part of the scheme. Finally, every accountant,

book-keeper and registered tax payer will

have to exchange financial records with

HMRC digitally.

1/4 of VAT registered businesses are still

relying on paper and excel spreadsheets.

If you run a paper based business we urge

you to switch to digital now. It’s a strategic

investment that will save time and money in

the long run.

Replacing spreadsheets with accounting

software removes the headache of dealing

with the taxman. Plus the day to day running

of your business becomes simpler and more

manageable:

• Predict VAT bills

• Assist in investment

• Assist in cash flow planning

• Real data for strategic forecasting

• Avoid financial penalties

• Less paperwork

How can my business go digital?

• Speak to a tax expert

• Use approved bookkeeping software

• Change business processes for collecting,

storing and exchanging data.

Get in touch for a free consultation,

fixed and competitive fees on

0141 290 0262 or email

info@muwca.co.uk or visit

www.muwca.co.uk for free tax

guides.

Murrison & Wilson, CA is a full service

accountancy firm specialising in

business and tax planning for private

individuals, self-employed and small

to medium sized businesses.

Murrison & Wilson Chartered Accountants

10 Newton Terrace G3 7PJ

0141 290 0262

info@muwca.co.uk

muwca.co.uk


Homes & Interiors

by Susan

Robertson

Farrow & Ball

Creative Kitchen

Clearout

At this time of year, our kitchens can take a bit of

a battering. Between the oven overloads for big

roast dinners and the extra mouths to feed over the

festivities, people still tend to gravitate to the kitchen

at parties, and so we shouldn’t neglect what’s often

referred to as the heart of the home.


If you’re looking to invest in a kitchen redesign,

there are experts on hand locally and you can

always pop into the Wee Kitchen Shop for

inspiration and expertise. Or, if your budget is tight

or you’re feeling creative, there are plenty of great

ways to make a big difference for a small output.

Start with a clear out. Do you actually know how

to use half the gadgets you have? When was that

juicer honestly last used? Go through all the tins

and jars and check the dates on the stuff at the

back. And have your plates and cups seen better

days? Clear the decks so you can see the space

freely.

Make sure not to waste anything. Odds and

ends can go to charity shops, or sentimental bits

and bobs can be made into something beautiful.

We have a mish mash of mugs that have

chipped and cracked over the years, but mugs

are something we always buy each other in our

family, so I can’t bear to throw them out as they

all have stories attached – my current project is

making a mosaic creation from the bits of broken

crockery. This would work well around a picture

frame or mirror for a simple statement in your

refreshed room.

We also have a huge big gravy boat which

is really colourful but I’d rather look at it than

use it, so this is now pride of place on top of

the cupboards with a plant now living happily

inside. Or put up a little shelf just for herbs,

paint it brightly and use your old cups and

mugs to house your basil and sage pots, great to

keep your favourite bits on view and handy for

keeping some fresh herbs close to where you’re

stirring the pot or brewing a mint tea.

Another craft I love just now is glass painting.

I had a host of old glass bottles and storage jars

that I’ve now painted in multicolours and filled

up with stones and fairy lights as eye-catching

book ends. Great on either side of your recipe

books covered in colourful fruit and veg, or

painted with stars and rainbows as a nightlight

for little ones. The recipe books are another

world of creative opportunity. For years I

struggled to resist buying them and I have a

ridiculous hoard of books that I will likely never

refer to so I plan to use them to paper a feature

wall in a future kichen refresh.

So once you’ve cleared away all the extraneous

matter, give everything a good old scrub and

see what state it’s in. Try and look with a fresh

eye to identify the weak spots. It might be the

most random of changes that make the biggest

impact, for example, have the years of teabags

taken their toll on your sink? Fresh taps and a

replacement sink can make a huge difference


Homes & Interiors

for relatively small outgoing. It also has the

added benefit of allowing you to replace some

kitchen piping to keep everything free flowing.

If you have wooden units, you can do a lot

with them. A lick of paint can totally transform

your room, and a colour change on the walls can

make a huge difference. Go bold and steer clear

of traditional muted kitchen colours to have

some fun with it. Hot pink cupboards look great

with white walls and candy stripe accessories.

Or stick to white and natural wood for the units

and opt for a dark navy wall. Red and green are

brilliant in a kitchen, or find a vibrant patterned

washable wallpaper.

Don’t embark on the door painting lightly

though – I speak from experience in saying that

this can be a bigger job than it might first seem

so consider getting help to do it, or replacing the

units, or simply focusing on one large item, a

central kitchen table for example or an island

unit that can bring the room to life without

taking you, and your kitchen out of action for too

long. Or, you can commission a local artisan to

make you something for this purpose, or take

your kitchen chairs to Up on Dumbarton Road

and see what magic they can work with them.

Then you can use your crockery and

accessories to make style statements, as well as

holding your Sunday roast. Treat yourself to a

proper full set of matching dinnerware, and

have it out on display, and easily to hand. And do

you have a full set of glasses for people visiting?

Nancy Smillie

We never seem to have more than two the same

of anything, but a small investment in kitting

your kitchen out properly will be well worth

it over the festivities and through the winter

season when we’re hosting at home much more.

The home is where the heart is, and the

kitchen is the heart of the home, so let’s show it

some love this season.

Spirito



The Store Interiors, 26 Munro Place, Anniesland, Glasgow, G13 2UP

0141 950 1333 | www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk

Email: sales@thestoreinteriors.co.uk

READERS

OFFER!

FREE

Gas Certificate

PAT Test

Legionella

Assessment

Are you a Landlord?

Thinking of Letting?

Changing Agent?

TheStore - HIS - Emma.indd 2 07/12/2017 09:48

When you quote

Westender

The Store Interiors, 26 Munro Place, Anniesland, Glasgow, G13 2UP

0141 950 1333 | www.thestoreinteriors.co.uk

Email: sales@thestoreinteriors.co.uk

“ Problem Solved”

Call or email for a free market appraisal

TheStore - HIS - Emma.indd 2 07/12/2017 09:48

E: glasgow@zoneletting.com T: 0141-333-0990 W: www.zoneletting.com

SERVING: GLASGOW • EDINBURGH • LONDON

Homes & Interiors

Highland Hideaway


Although we’re happy West End city-dwellers, autumn and winter

in Scotland often conjures up more rural images of wild rugged

landscapes, sipping whisky next to roaring fires, while the wind and

rain batter at the windows of the cosy highland bothy. Thanks to the

lovely suppliers on our doorstep, we can recreate this ambience in our

homes, no matter where we are.

Cath Waters Cushion,

£55, Cassiopeia

Uisge Beatha Candles,

from £15, Shearer Candles

Tartan and Tweed Throw,

£215,

Nancy Smillie Shop

Balmoral Orkney Moss Chair,

£275, The Store Interiors

Antler Candle Holder,

£35, The Store Interiors

Cassiopeia, 165 Hyndland Road, 0141 357 7374, cassiopeiaonline.co.uk

Nancy Smillie, 53 Cresswell Street, 0141 334 4240, nancysmillieshop.com

Shearer Candles, 388 Byres Road, 0141 357 1707, shearer-candles.com

The Store Interiors, 26 Munro Road, 0141 950 1333, thestoreinteriors.co.uk


Homes & Interiors

‘Tis the season of goodwill, we’re

enjoying family gatherings and festive

holidays. It’s a time of celebration and

togetherness, so what better excuse to

bring some glamour into our West End

havens.

Farrow & Ball

Farrow & Ball

Glorious

Glamour

CoLab Store

by Susan Robertson

Create your festive

haven, start to pick up

a few accessories in the

shiny tones you prefer!

One of the key interior colour trends for

autumn and winter this year is to go dark.

Think deep chocolate browns, soft blacks, or

sooty greys. Another great colour in this world

is dark inky navy, a real timeless favourite

of mine. Pairing these deep, dark colours

with bright, vibrant accent colours can be

really contemporary and eye-catching, but

sometimes just one dimensional colour can

feel slightly flat. To really bring this look to life,

these dark tones work perfectly with a touch

of bling. Think dark navy or brown with pale

silver, teals and shiny glass for a really wintery

feel. You’re in Narnia straight away. Or warm

it up by using brassy gold, or shiny copper for

a really extravagant contrast which works so

beautifully with sumptuous ruby velvet and

thick faux fur.

Not only does this palette suit the season,

but it has a longevity too. To top that off,

it’s a wonderful backdrop for Christmas

decorations. So rather than thinking of

completing a full look before you then bring

out the baubles, why not use the Christmas

decorations to test your palette and organically

develop your look.


Start by choosing the dark wall colour. Take

into account factors like the ceiling height, and

natural light sources so that you can get a feel

for how a dark colour would work. Sometimes

dark can work equally well in larger and

smaller spaces but it depends on the room. It is

important to balance it with the colour used for

the floor, ceiling, skirtings and doors, and often

these work well in contrasting pale colours or

white, or so that you create drama and impact

rather than a gloomy cave.

Then decide whether you want to layer the

dark with navy or teal sofas or if you might

make a statement with a vibrant cherry red

velvet wingback or a bright green sofa. Then,

you can use the decorations to decide on your

preference for accent styles. For example

get your tree in situ and consider whether

you want to go for warm, soft white lights

and golden, brassy tones in the baubles and

decorations, or whether you’re leaning towards

icy bright lights with blue undertones and light

silver tones.

Your inclination in this process will really

help determine where you take the ambience

of your room to next. And as you create your

festive haven, start to pick up a few accessories

in the shiny tones you prefer, and that way you

can add these into the room, as you take away

the Christmas decorations, keeping that sense

of glitz and glamour well into the New Year.

If you also choose a statement accent colour

such as the green or the ruby red in a sofa

or armchair, bring this through in your

decorations. They’re bold, contemporary looks

on their own, but couple it with some holly

and berries, or poinsettia and it will really

sing Christmas to you as soon as you walk in

the door. Obviously, a roaring fire in the grate,

some mulled wine warming on the hob, and

some carols in the background would all pull

the picture together perfectly.

Whatever elements of this wintry haven

work best for you, can be intertwined with

fairy lights and shiny baubles as you decide day

by day what colours complement, and which

others clash. Look at everything in different

lights and think about creating soft lighting

pools in dark corners as there’s little natural

light to rely on at this time of year. Stick to the

warmer tone lights and lower level bulbs, but

find a balance and make sure you create cosy

and warm, not gloomy and grey, so use plenty

of light sources and vary direction with lamps

and uplighters.

To keep the festive feeling fresh throughout

the winter months, make sure you invest in

some fragranced candles. Cinnamon and

clove, spiced berries and pine all help to create

that festive feel and elongate it well into the

New Year as you gradually unveil your ideal

glamorous home.

Cassiopeia

Amber & Black


Westender Magazine

Interiors & All Trades

Keeping your home working for

you. Whatever you need whenever

you need it – find reliable local

tradespeople here.

Deco Builders are a local, well established,

reliable and trustworthy building company with

over 15 years of experience. We are based in

West End, Glasgow, covering all Glasgow and

surrounding areas.

We are experts in:

- Kitchens & Bathrooms Renovations

- Plastering, Decorating

- Flooring, Tiling

- Flat & House Renovation

FOR A FREE QUOTE CALL:

07810 728 025

www.decobuilders.co.uk

We’re your local experts in all

aspects of painting and decorating,

interior, exterior and specialists in

hanging designer wallpapers.

for a Free No Obligation Quote

call Kevin on 07984 880199

or Derek on 07525 202102

or email us at

bespokedecor@yahoo.co.uk

T: 0141 321 1012

2/2 1758 Great Western Road,

Glasgow G13 2TL

Painter & Decorator » Plaster Skimming

Ames Taping & Coving » Period Windows

Hand-painted Kitchens

Call Frank – 07906 395341 / 0141 945 3975

francisscullion@yahoo.co.uk


Before

Do you have cornice

in need of repair?

After

www.reproplaster.co.uk | Tel: 0141 7761112

Visit our showroom at Period House, 5 Campsie Road, Kirkintilloch, G66 1SL

Experts in the repair of ornamental plasterwork | Comprehensive product range also available

With over 25 years’ experience,

we offer a wide range of plumbing,

gas & building services.

➤ Central heating installations

➤ Gas installations & repair work

➤ Landlord gas safety certificates

➤ Plumbing & emergency repair work

➤ Bathroom/kitchen installations & upgrades

➤ Specialists in renovation & building projects

➤ All trades supplied

➤ Gas Safe registered

Quote ‘Westender Magazine’

for a 10% discount off new

boiler installations.

0141 301 1180 | 07949 092 475

www.bsmithplumbing.com

info@bsmithplumbing.com


Magazine Promotion

The Wee Kitchen Shop

Specialising In Beautiful Shaker Kitchens

When you call yourself the WEE

Kitchen Shop – you know how to

fit really wee kitchens, right? After

reading about The WEE Kitchen Shop in a

previous edition of Westender, Irene and

Ronnie from Hillhead, decided to put theory

to the test with their compact kitchen space

in the heart of the West End.

‘The tenement we are in was built in

1880 and we wanted a kitchen in keeping

with that era yet with all the mod cons,’

Ronnie explains. ‘We read about Greg in the

Westender and really liked the quality of the

cabinetry we saw. Greg is so approachable

and has great ideas – he just seemed to

understand what we wanted and spent lots of

time coming over to discuss the plans.

‘To save having a kettle on the worktop

Greg suggested a 3 in 1 ITHO boiling hot

water tap which is such a timesaving device!

We also love our Siemens single oven with

microwave, saving on the space of a separate

microwave oven.

‘The biggest job was to relocate the

washing machine to a cupboard beside the

bathroom to free up space for a slimline

integrated dishwasher,’ continues Ronnie.

‘I cannot praise the plumber and joiner that

work with Greg enough. The quality of their

work and their “can do” attitude is a real

testament to the team he has surrounded

himself with. Work began back in June this

year and in six weeks it was all completed.

‘Irene’s favourite spot is the single window

seat Greg came up with to hide where

the gas and electric enters the house and

maximise the light – Irene calls it her wine

seat! Everything is very functional and exactly

as we had hoped, we can’t recommend Greg

and his team highly enough.’

30% off Silestone, Corian & Granite

worktops ordered before the end of 2018.

Please call ahead for a FREE consultation

appointment at The Wee Kitchen Shop.

The WEE Kitchen Shop

304 Crow Road, Broomhill G11 7HS

0141 334 4747

www.theweekitchenshop.co.uk

info@theweekitchenshop.co.uk

Images I Gregor Reid


Reseal Service | Professional Tile Installation | Waterproof Bathrooms

The no.1 Tile Installation and Restoration

Specialist in Central Scotland

We are a fully insured, reliable family run business with over

40 years combined experience. We use the best and most up to date

products and materials and pride ourselves on our attention to detail

and excellent customer reviews.

BEFORE AFTER BEFORE AFTER

Our Reseal Service can restore your tiles by carefully

removing all of your existing grout and sealant using

non-abrasive chemicals and high precision diamond

technology. Specialist chemicals are used to wash

your tiles to remove soap scum, body fat, mould and

mildew. Antimicrobial grouts and sealants are then

professionally applied

Our Reseal service includes;

// Sealant Applications

// Bonded Bath & Shower Seals

// Chemical Sealants

// Re-grouting

// Two-part Sealants

// Waterproof Tanking Systems

FROM ONLY

£150

SUPPLIED

& FITTED

Bonded Bath and Shower

Seals – Our unique and

most popular product.

T / 0141 611 9534 M / 0781 782 8681

E / info@resealscotland.co.uk W / www.resealscotland.co.uk


'

WebNovDec18

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?