A WEST END SHOWSTOPPER
The story of Scotland’s Home of the Year is one of rags to riches. In the hands of interior designer Hugh Berry this grand Glasgow townhouse has found a new lease of life, discovers Nichola Hunter
From rags to riches, Scotland's Home of the Year has been brought back to life in exquisite fashion
When Hugh Berry first viewed his Glasgow home it was no contender for Scotland’s Home of the Year, the accolade it won in 2020. Indeed, it would not have looked out of place in Great Expectations. Nearly five years ago, Hugh decided it was time to leave his London interiors business and return to Scotland. While his heart was willing, the universe had other plans and finding a property he liked wasn’t easy.
‘I bought a little flat in Dowanhill and continued to work in London,’ he begins. ‘It was okay as a stopgap and I loved that I could leave my car outside my flat and in 30 minutes be in the mountains. Then I hosted friends and realised I needed a bigger place.’
Just before Christmas 2016, Hugh was on a recce mission to a view another property with a friend when he first came across an intriguing Victorian town house in Park Circus.
‘The property we had viewed was way too big for me, but I was with a friend who is very knowledgeable about Glasgow architecture and as we were walking home he pointed out this property, commenting that the hallway still had the most beautiful, original, Victorian ceiling.
‘I was captivated by the bay window because the curtains were all ripped, and the windows were filthy; it was so Dickensian. I’m sure if I’d peered in, I’d have seen Miss Haversham. It had certainly fallen on hard times, but I was drawn towards it.’
“It was so Dickensian – I’m sure if I had peered in I would have seen Miss Haversham
The following April, Hugh was still commuting to London and still searching for a new home. ‘I remember saying: “God, I know you’re busy looking after the planet but if you have a minute can you help me find my next home?”’ Divine intervention pointed the internet in Hugh’s direction. ‘The next time I turned on my laptop for a property search I came across a very interesting, two bedroom flat in Park Terrace and it was having an open day. I jumped in a taxi and as it pulled up outside, I saw the For Sale sign, the ripped curtains and that bay window…’
Internally the property was as dilapidated as it was from the outside. ‘There were about 25 viewers when I entered, and one by one they left, commenting that it was too broken. I knew my solicitor would advise against the purchase, but I was having it.’
The previous owner had recently gone into care, but his nephew owned a property upstairs, and he was delighted at
“
I knew my solicitor would advise against the purchase, but I was having it