A pop art penthouse
Enjoy the bright side of life in this colourful city duplex, says Paul Drury
It IS not known if Andy Warhol ever visited Scotland but if he did, the American pop artist would be very much at home in this penthouse. No two walls are the same colour, with blues crashing into reds plus the odd dollop of orange thrown in for good measure.
then there is the art – it is everywhere, and it almost always depicts the human form.
Yet anyone passing the exterior – a traditional blonde sandstone building in Glasgow’s West End – would never expect such a dramatic colourfest could be found within.
Despite its period appearance, part of Queen’s Gardens in Dowanhill was built by Westpoint Homes in 2003. the bay windows and decorative stone balustrading were designed to fit in with the genteel Victorian streetscape.
But the properties are much more suited to 21st century living r ather t han f amilies being constrained by rooms designed in the 19th century.
James Young’s three-bedroom duplex home occupies the two upper floors of this impressive building, linked by a funky, wooden spiral staircase.
the bold colour scheme is not an amateurish attempt at recreating a New York loft apartment.
Mr Young is a director of successful Glasgow design agency D8, which carries out work for clients all over the world.
If you see a still image of Fiona Bruce, holding an Antiques Roadshow vase on the BBC, chances are it was produced by Mr Young’s company. Oh, and as for art, he also works for the V&A.
He said: ‘I can’t think of anything worse than a flat decorated uniformly in grey. Why would you buy something that is not going to do anything for you?
‘Life has not had much colour in it this year, has it?
‘I like spaces to be clearly defined. I like shapes – squares, rectangles and triangles.’
there’s a secure entry system before you access a communal entrance and stairway. the flat opens to a bright reception hall, which takes you to the th southth facing lounge, dining kitchen, utility room and two of the home’s three bedrooms.
the lounge is particularly well illuminated because it is double height, connected to the upper floor by a spiral staircase.
Upstairs, there is a study/gallery space and master bedroom suite with wardrobe space and access to a south-facing balcony.
there is another balcony on the floor fl b below, l reached h d th through hd doors from the lounge.
the immediate area is said to be very quiet, despite its proximity to shopping and nightlife attractions. And on Great Western Road there is a Farrow & Ball showroom. Now where did I put that paint colour card?