We were delighted to feature Iona Crawford and Margot Paton in our Saturday Note, exploring the inspiration and craftsmanship behind their work. A selection of pieces from the collection was photographed at the iconic 1 Park Circus, currently for sale through our West End office, where the property’s elegant proportions, intricate architectural details and beautiful natural light provided the perfect backdrop.

We caught up with Iona and Margot to discover the story behind the collection, the influence of Glasgow’s creative heritage and what makes the city’s historic homes so special.

Tell us about your new Glasgow Girls collection. What was the original inspiration behind it, and what story did you want to tell through the pieces?

Iona: “New Wave Glasgow Girls is a collaboration between Iona Crawford Atelier and Chelsea McLaine Interior Design, bringing together art and interior design through a collection of fabrics, wall coverings and rugs inspired by the iconic Glasgow Girls painters.”

“For Margot and I, it began with a shared admiration for these bold, creative Scottish women, whose work hasn’t always received the recognition it deserves. We wanted to shine a light on their contribution and introduce their creativity to people who might not yet know their story.”

“The collection is our way of paying homage to them through a contemporary interpretation, bringing that inspiration into homes where it can be lived with and enjoyed every day.”

Glasgow has such a distinctive architectural identity, from its grand Victorian townhouses to its tenement flats. What makes Glasgow homes so special to you?

Margot: “Glasgow homes have such character. Whether it’s a townhouse or a tenement flat, there is often a wonderful combination of generous proportions, expansive glazing and intricate, often highly decorative, architectural detail.”

“Those features provide such opportunity for a designer, and a property with good bones invites a wide range of design directions for consideration.”

“What I particularly love is introducing a warm, welcoming interior within the grandeur of these properties. A beautiful Glasgow home can feel elegant and impressive, but also comfortable, personal and very much a family home.”

1 Park Circus is one of Glasgow’s most iconic residential addresses. What was your first impression when you walked into the property?

Iona: “The light was the first thing that struck me. It floods the reception rooms and brings such a beautiful quality to the space. When you work with colour, fabric and pattern, light makes an enormous difference to how you experience them.”

“We both felt immediately that it would be the perfect backdrop for the collection. The architecture gave the fabrics and wall coverings a wonderful setting, while the light allowed us to capture their detail and texture beautifully. Then you look out over Park Circus, and that adds another lovely dimension.”

As interior designers, what do you love most about 1 Park Circus?

Margot: “From an interior designer’s perspective, it’s the opportunity it offers. Whoever makes it their home has the chance to create something quite exceptional in Glasgow’s beautiful Park district.”

“The proportions are particularly attractive. The rooms have grandeur and presence, yet they still feel manageable and sufficiently intimate to create a sumptuous, cosy family home. There’s room to entertain stylishly and also to make spaces where everyone can kick back and relax.”

“The original decorative cornicing and plasterwork provide such a rich starting point. With thoughtful furnishings, lighting, furniture and considered pieces, you could create an exquisite home with real wow factor that also feels wonderfully welcoming.”

If you could choose just three pieces from the Glasgow Girls collection to style a home at 1 Park Circus, which would you choose and why?

Margot: “I’d begin with a pair of feature chairs upholstered in Silk Dress velvet. They would make a striking focal point in one of the reception rooms, bringing the collection into the space in a way that feels both expressive and inviting.”

“Then I’d use Wee Check in grasscloth as a wall covering in the hallway. It would create a memorable and inviting arrival and sit beautifully alongside the staircase and original architectural details.”

“My third choice would be Bluebell, introduced through soft furnishings to add an additional layer of pattern. Together, those choices would demonstrate how the collection can work throughout a home, creating a subtle connection between rooms and giving each space its own character and identity.”