This Life Lisa Trainer
Homes & Interiors Scotland|November/December 2017

A better work-life balance was all it took to make the interior designer fall back in love with her Glasgow home

Catherine Coyle
This Life Lisa Trainer
 Every time Lisa Trainer used to look out of the window of her apartment in the west end of Glasgow, she would dream about living in the house across the road. There was something about it that she just loved – so when it was put up for sale, six years ago, she jumped at the chance to buy it. When she viewed the interior for the first time, she immediately felt at home – and it didn’t take her long to figure out why. “The house had been renovated by Bill Crichton, the same architect who had built my old home on the south side of the city,” she smiles. “I recognised aspects of his work straight away.”

That house had been a new-build in the suburbs; but here, in the cosmopolitan west end, Lisa had found the best of both worlds. “What I have now has the scale of a traditional house, but with all of the modern elements that appeal me,” she says.

Adding to her good fortune was the fact that her new purchase had already been completely remodelled and all she had to do was decorate it. As an interior designer (she is the director of Red Door Interiors), however, she could see that making just a few minor adaptations, in addition to dressing it with colour and charm, would make this place all her own.

The double-height kitchen, on the basement level, is where the family spend most of their time. The stairs that lead up to the floor above have glass balustrades, and there are openings leading to the rest of the house, giving a sense of the rooms flowing into one another. The kitchen units themselves were well designed and functional, and there was no reason to change them, as Lisa explains: “The kitchen had been installed by the previous owners and I think it’s a great example of a timeless classic that will last.”

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HOMES & INTERIORS SCOTLANDView all
Escape BOATH HOUSE
Homes & Interiors Scotland

Escape BOATH HOUSE

An inspirational Georgian manor house in the north-east offers sanctuary to artists, poets and the curious of spirit

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
Escape THE LOOKOUT
Homes & Interiors Scotland

Escape THE LOOKOUT

Sun-drenched interiors, right on the beach - it's hard to believe this is Scotland

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
"It still feels like home. Just nicer"
Homes & Interiors Scotland

"It still feels like home. Just nicer"

The owners of this house in Edinburgh didn't intend to give it a complete makeover, but once they started they just couldn't stop

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY
Homes & Interiors Scotland

A SCOTTISH LOVE STORY

You need passion to persevere through a lengthy restoration project. Thankfully for this rambling old lodge in Highland Perthshire, its new owners were already head over heels

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
CLEAN AND POLISH
Homes & Interiors Scotland

CLEAN AND POLISH

Ten years in the making, this one-time dental surgery in Portobello has been reshaped as an elegant, practical family home

time-read
5 mins  |
July - August 2024
MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN
Homes & Interiors Scotland

MEET THE MAKER RACHEL MACLELLAN

You might think the process is purely creative, but designing knitted textiles requires a deep understanding of geometry and pattern calculations. It is intricate and often mathematical. I have learned that knitting demands a constant balance between artistry and engineering. Creating a new textile involves not only selecting colours and yarns but also considering the tensile strength, elasticity and drape of the material. That way, I ensure the final product is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. To me, this blend of creativity and technical precision is a fascinating aspect of knitted textile design.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES
Homes & Interiors Scotland

IN THE KITCHEN AT PARTIES

It's all in the details for this slick and multifunctional entertainment space

time-read
2 mins  |
July - August 2024
JUST A HINT OF PINK
Homes & Interiors Scotland

JUST A HINT OF PINK

This family-orientated Georgian kitchen gets an upgrade in both footprint and finish

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
BEHIND CLOSED DOORS
Homes & Interiors Scotland

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Beauty and the best of Scotland on the shores of Loch Ness

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2024
LAURA THOMAS
Homes & Interiors Scotland

LAURA THOMAS

The environmentalist has become a very successful entrepreneur whose products are stocked by Scotland's best hotels

time-read
6 mins  |
July - August 2024