Entering through an elegant tiled hallway, one suspects that behind the front door of Colin Lipsey’s home will be a traditional, possibly slightly stuffy, ground floor apartment. But one couldn’t be more wrong. Chameleonlike is one way to describe this home; vibrant and full of colour, another. Indeed, although Colin moved into this west end property in Glasgow in 1983, it has had regular reincarnations – almost every season in fact.

It’s not surprising, considering that Colin’s background is in design. He started his career with Habitat and today runs his own company, Display Works along with business partner Pat Canning. Like the house, Display Works, has evolved over the last 20 years, as Colin explains: ‘When we started, we designed, built and installed window displays for small, individual retailers. Over the years our company has grown, and although we still have many individual retailers we also have many larger companies as clients.

Our client list has included Visit Scotland, Rangers Football Club, Reebok, Oakley, and Timberland, and we set up The Greg Norman Merchandising Academy – to train and help the golf industry improve their retail presentation. ‘The event design side of our business happened completely by chance. After we’d been in business for about five years, one of our clients had a 40th birthday on the horizon, and his wife asked if we could help in organising a party. She wanted a ‘40s theme and to hold the party in her home. So we did it as a one off, but it caused a bit of a sensation, and this one event led to another, and now events are an integral part of our business.’ Unlike some designers who favour the plain and the neutral for their own home as a result of being bombarded with so much visual stimulation in their day jobs, Colin never switches off.

He’s constantly trying out new ideas for events and displays in his own home. Luckily his partner, Mark, doesn’t mind that Colin has the urge to change the décor at the drop of a hat. ‘Mark’s more practical, logical, good on layout,’ says Colin. ‘He’s better maximising our storage space, or dealing with technical issues, and he sees things from a different angle, which is great. However, we can’t ever decorate or work together; it’s a nightmare!’ The current look, hot cerise and purple in the living room, vibrant oranges and shades of chocolate and cream in the bedroom, hints of turquoise and mauve in the stairwell and sage and lime green in the kitchen, ensures that this is a property full of colour.

Tranquil space

Surprisingly, it’s also a very tranquil space. By keeping the flooring neutral throughout the property and only using one wall of bold colour in the lounge and bedroom, colour accessorises rather than dominates. Colin’s ideas come from everywhere: ‘I love clothes, homewares – and over a broad spectrum of design. I never switch off even when I go on holiday, to the theatre or the movies. I’m influenced by the sets and costumes and I’ll remember things subconsciously. I can get a spark from any one particular thing – it could be just a colour, or one specific object, and that’s it. ‘The pink theme in the living room started with an oblong perspex vase which I bought in Habitat.

I was attracted by the colour, and I put it on a table, and the light shone through, and I loved it. I think that started the subconscious move towards pink. When I was in London I came home with two pink cushions from Heal’s. The wallpaper is Designers Guild, and that was a bold step, but it’s quite self contained because it’s only in the alcove, so if we get tired of it we can change it easily. I’ve already seen another wallpaper that I’d like; its lime green and cream! We’ll have to change all the accessories again! Mark is having a fit. ‘In the bedroom, the orange theme evolved from a few pieces that I already had.

The chandelier came from Urban Outfitters and the collection underneath reflects the colours above, so it’s telling a story. However, I also like to have things that mean something to me – silver that my mum left us, gifts with sentimental value, given to us by family and friends, and that sort of thing.’ This is one of the aspects that make this property special. It may be immaculately styled, but it is a home. There are lots of fun accessories and personal touches that make it a lovely place to relax in. Colin and Mark have fun in this home, and it shows. If only we all had the style to pull a new look together with such ease...

fieldfacts

Colin can be contacted by email colin@displayworks.co.uk or visit. www.displayworks.co.uk