BACK TO ITS BEST
Throughout the renovation of her home, Amanda Bradley has respected its history while giving it a modern edge
An Edwardian semi in Glasgow has been returned to its glorious period splendour
After years living away, a job relocation led biology teacher Amanda Bradley back to her hometown of Glasgow. ‘When a great job opportunity came my way, I was quite excited by the idea of moving back to my old neighbourhood after years of living and working away,’ recalls Amanda. ‘I’d been living in a Victorian town house in Newcastle and was keen to find a similar property as I love the character of old buildings and appreciate the craftsmanship and attention to detail that went into them.’ Amanda was thrilled to find an Edwardian sandstone house with many of the elegant, original features still intact, such as the Minton tiles in the hallway, the architrave, skirtings and ceiling roses and even the original doors and handles. ‘I was keen to restore and enhance the character of the house but there was also scope for improvement,’ she says. ‘The kitchen was tiny and outdated, and I could see the potential to extend.’
That was almost 20 years ago and during that time Amanda has renovated as budget has allowed, always trying to respect the integrity of the building and sympathetically restoring as many of the architectural details as possible. ‘I’ve replaced the old lath-and-plaster ceilings and cornicing and substituted the fireplaces with better cast-iron fire surrounds and fitted a multi-fuel burner in the living room,’ she says. On the practical side, the boiler was replaced and the bathroom suite updated, along with new double-glazed
INSPIRATION ‘I gravitate towards a reduced and restful colour palette – it ensures a cohesive and understated backdrop, allowing architectural features to speak for themselves’
sash windows. ‘But the old kitchen still needed to be addressed and was always in the back of my mind,’ she says. Finally, in 2018 an architect was instructed, planning permission for an extension granted and good builders found. ‘I was wise enough to realise I didn’t have the time or expertise to manage the project as I’d seen too many people in over their heads, overwhelmed by sourcing materials, making decisions and having to keep to the budget and time frame, so I left it in the professionals’ hands,’ she says. As a result, the build was completed on time and within budget, resulting in a kitchen that almost tripled in size. ‘When growing up, I was surrounded by the style of the time, clashing colours and patterns, which was a sensory overload,’ says Amanda. ‘A trip to Connecticut as a student opened my eyes to a fresh, simple approach to interiors. With their picture-perfect porches, oak floors, Shaker kitchens and white walls covered in tasteful artwork, it was a far cry from the swirling wallpapers and carpets of 1970s Glasgow.’ Amanda stresses how important a calm, timeless and cohesive style is for her and admits to being a little obsessed by the influence of light during the day and over the seasons. ‘The need for sufficient light has definitely impacted many of my decisions throughout the house,’ she says. ‘By working with the natural attributes of my home and sticking to a simple, understated style, I’ve created a comfortable and elegant home that I absolutely love living in.’