Latest news with #AnnaCampbell-Jones
Scotsman
11-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Lucky Swallows: Made in Scotland from recycled ocean plastic
BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones and Ally Mitchell, founder of Ocean Plastic Pots, have teamed up to create a striking new collection of wall-mounted swallows — each one made with recycled plastic collected along Scotland's coast. The Lucky Swallows are decorative, meaningful and sustainable, combining design-led craft with environmental impact. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Each swallow is hand-finished in Scotland using marine plastic sourced from fishing nets, rope and harbour waste. They're lightweight, easy to hang and available in a range of colours and textures, depending on the salvaged material. Sold boxed with the story behind their creation, they make ideal gifts — thoughtful, symbolic and rooted in place. The design is inspired by a vintage enamel bird that has hung in Anna's home since she was a child. A modern take on a classic motif, the swallows carry the traditional associations of hope, homecoming and resilience — themes that resonate today more than ever. By reimagining the form in recycled plastic, the project brings new meaning to an old icon: celebrating heritage while directly tackling marine pollution. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Anna and Ally met by chance at a climate conference in Glasgow. Over coffee, they discovered a shared passion for sustainability, storytelling and design. A conversation about seabirds and recycled pots sparked an idea — to create something simple, beautiful, and made entirely from waste. What began as an experiment quietly launched on Instagram and took off overnight. Lucky Swallows Ally Mitchell commented: 'What started as a coffee and a scone, and a one-off project, has flourished into something much bigger. I've really enjoyed working with Anna, a professional designer and I've learned a lot from her approach to design. We both share a passion for the sea and sustainability which has led to a great working partnership.' Anna Campbell-Jones said:'It has been an absolute joy to see the incredible reaction to these little symbols of hope and home, and to hear the touching stories of those who have already bought them, and who even continue to add to their flock with every new colour we bring out. Anna added, 'It has been both sobering and inspiring to hear first hand from Ally the extent of the impact of ocean plastic waste and how he has taught himself how to process it to create products that show us one solution.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Now stocked by the V&A Dundee, sold online and in select independent shops including Uly & Ro in Forres, Britton Scotland in Dornoch, Mixo in Gourock. The Lucky Swallows have found a loyal audience among design lovers, eco-conscious shoppers and corporate gifters. Stylish, practical and made with purpose, each piece offers more than decoration — it tells a story, starts conversations and gives plastic waste new life. One swallow doesn't make a summer — but it might just help change how we think about waste.
The Courier
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Broughty Ferry's Tree House misses out on Scotland's Home of the Year title
The Tree House in Broughty Ferry missed out on being crowned Scotland's Home of the Year. The finale of the popular BBC property show aired on Monday night. Hilltop House near Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire was crowned Scotland's Home of the Year. The Tree House was one of six episode-winning properties to make it to the finale of the show. Filmed at Glasgow's House For An Art Lover, the final episode brought together the six finalists for the first time, giving them the chance to see each other's homes. Hilltop House is a contemporary home built on the footprint of a farm steading. Home to Jessica Zanoni and husband Chris Labrooy, their teenage son Chase (18) and dogs Enzo and Dino, Hilltop House fuses together mid-century and Californian cool styles. Designed by the couple – who run their own art business – it's filled with colourful statement pieces from bright yellow sofas to a pastel pink bathroom. The SHOTY judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale, and architect Danny Campbell – crowned Hilltop House the winner of Scotland's Home of the Year 2025 from a shortlist of six finalists from across Scotland. Anna Campbell-Jones said of Hilltop House: 'This home managed to feel perfect in every way whilst still feeling like a place where real people live. I particularly loved the way their art was reflected in their choices of colour and furniture, managing to create the perfect balance between playfulness and sophistication.' Fellow judge Danny Campbell was equally blown away: ''This was a home that manages to be both deeply personal and architecturally ambitious,' he said. 'There's a clarity of vision that's rare: every corner feels considered, every material honest, every space deliberate and thought through. It felt like the building was completely in tune with the people who lived there, which is especially impressive for a conversion.' The owners were delighted the judges picked Hilltop House as the winner. Jessica said: 'Every home is distinctive and unique because of the people that live there. So, our home is different because we are different. 'With me being from California and Chris being an artist, I think our tastes are just naturally a little bit unique. There isn't really anything in our house that we found at shops near us. Everything was specially sourced.' Chris added: 'I feel the home's location and east-facing gable give it a special character. I love the sunrises here – so much so that I'm up before 6.00am every morning just to take them in. I work from home so I really appreciate the quality of light throughout the day. It's a very easy going home to live in.' The six homes that reached the final of Scotland's Home of the Year included the Tree House in Broughty Ferry, which is owned by Paul Durrant and his wife Jackie McKenzie. Paul said he and Jackie were delighted to make the final: 'We had such a good day in Glasgow. We loved meeting the other finalists and hearing the stories of their homes. 'We weren't at all disappointed not to win. It really was a bonus to reach the final and to appear alongside so many amazing homes.' The 7th series of Scotland's Home of the Year featured 18 properties from all over Scotland – including four in Tayside, Fife, and Stirlingshire. Reflecting on the season, Danny Campbell said: 'This year's line-up was outrageously good. From bold conversions to quirky self-builds, every home had its own personality and inspirational touches. 'It felt like homeowners across Scotland have taken things up a level — not just in terms of design, but in how fearlessly they made their homes truly their own. It was a joy (and a nightmare!) to judge.' An 8th series of Scotland's Home of the Year has been commissioned and will begin filming across the country later this month. Season 7 of Scotland's Home of the Year is available on iPlayer
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Scotsman
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scotland's Home of the Year 2025: Inside ‘elegant' Edinburgh flat going for glory in BBC grand final
After travelling the length and breadth of the country from visiting 18 worthy contenders in the West, the North East & Northern Isles, East, Central & Tayside, Highlands & Islands and the South, the judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale along with architect Danny Campbell – must choose which of the homes will be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year 2025. The six finalists vying for the title are: 'Sandstone Bungalow' in Giffnock, 'Hilltop House' in Aberdeenshire, 'Wee City Nook' in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area, 'The Tree House' in Broughty Ferry, 'An Cala Cottage' on the Isle of Skye and 'Craigmount' in Dalbeattie. Ahead of the grand final (BBC One Scotland, 8.30pm), take a look through our gallery to see inside Wee City Nook - and the other five finalists. 1 . Sandstone Bungalow Home to Pamela and Gordon, their son Caleb and Rosa the Irish Setter, the 'Sandstone Bungalow' blends together old with new, whilst retaining the beautiful original 1930s details. The couple design choices bring the 'Sandstone Bungalow' up-to-date with a bright and modern kitchen, dining and living spaces. | IWC Photo Sales 3 . Sandstone Bungalow Sandstone Bungalow, Giffnock was the winner in episode 1, West | IWC Photo Sales 4 . Craigmount A Victorian semi-detached house near Dalbeattie, home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding a tasteful extension to the original granite building. Boasting a bold and colourful interior, the family entered Craigmount as Grace's late gran loved Scotland's Home of the Year. | IWC Photo Sales
Glasgow Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
See inside the 2025 Scotland's Home of the Year finalists
Giffnock, Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Broughty Ferry, Isle of Skye and Dalbeattie all feature in the series finale of BBC Scotland's series on Monday, June 2. After visiting 18 contenders in the West, the North East & Northern Isles, East, Central & Tayside, Highlands & Islands and the South, judges – interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale along with architect Danny Campbell – will now choose which of the six homes will win. The finale is filmed at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover - designed by the architect Charles Rennie MacIntosh. This year's SHOTY search showcased a variety of styles from period properties to modern new-builds, cosy cottages to bespoke flats, farm steadings to contemporary abodes. This year's finalists are: Sandstone Bungalow, Giffnock Home to Pamela and Gordon, their son Caleb and Rosa the Irish Setter, the Sandstone Bungalow blends together old with new, whilst retaining the original 1930s details. The couple design choices bring the Sandstone Bungalow up-to-date with a bright and modern kitchen, dining and living spaces. Hilltop House, Aberdeenshire Situated on the outskirts of Pitmedden in Aberdeenshire, Hilltop House is home to Chris, Jessica, their son Chase and dogs Enzo and Dino. The couple designed their bright, contemporary house around the original footprint of the farm steading, fusing mid-century and Californian style to create their dream home. Wee City Nook, Edinburgh A first-floor traditional tenement in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area, Wee City Nook is home to Devin and Max. The couple combined their creative skills to design and rebuild each room in this small-but-perfectly-formed home, creating storage solutions, maximising every nook and cranny. Together, they have created a bold, bright and colourful abode. The Tree House, Broughty Ferry A modernist 1960s property in Broughty Ferry, The Tree House is home to Jackie, Paul and their cats Mirren and Kaja. READ MORE: Jobs lost as luxury Highland spa goes bust amid 'mounting cost pressures' The couple fell in love with this neglected house which had laid empty for five years, breathing new life into it whilst preserving the original architect's vision. Amongst their changes, they reworked the upstairs space to create their bedroom of dreams overlooking the treetops. An Cala Cottage, Isle of Skye An Cala Cottage is home to Caroline, Lee and their dog, Nuala. This traditional cottage was brought back to life on a budget, with the couple incorporating charming charity shop finds with a creative use of colour throughout. They took inspiration for their interior design from the coastal and mountain views which surround, creating a cosy and relaxing home. Craigmount, near Dalbeattie A Victorian semi-detached house near Dalbeattie, home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding an extension to the original granite building. The family entered Craigmount as Grace's late gran loved SHOTY. Interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones said: 'As always, we have a set of finalists that are each uniquely different from each other, from restored modernist dreams to handcrafted miniature perfection there's inspiration for everyone. When we film the final we are never sure who the winner will be - it could genuinely be any of these amazing homes. "Through debate, much discussion and not a little heartbreak, we gradually whittle them down to one that we all agree has that magical edge - the home that best exemplifies what home means.' Isle of Mull-based Interior Designer Banjo Beale praised the 2025 finalists: 'Each home's bursting with personality - bold, beautiful, and a real labour of love. The finale of SHOTY is the big emotional payoff - surprises, stories, and a stunning winner that'll take your breath away.' Architect Danny Campbell adds: 'This year's finalists are an eclectic celebration of design adventures — bold, heartfelt, and unapologetically individual. Each home tells a story of its owner's passions, priorities and aesthetic DNA, from slick architectural statements to soulful reimagining of traditional spaces. "The finale is always a head-spin - equal parts tension and celebration. Viewers can expect impassioned debates, inspiring interior insights and that brilliant moment where we finally agree on a winner!' The finale will be aired at 8.30pm.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Every stunning house that has been crowned BBC Scotland's Home of the Year
Scotland's Home of the Year is back, with the six finalists for 2025 now revealed Scotland's Home of the Year has become a beloved fixture in the country's TV calendar since it first arrived on the scene in 2019, shining a spotlight on creativity, character and charm in homes of all shapes and sizes. Each year, judges Anna Campbell-Jones, Banjo Beale, and Danny Campbell crisscross the country in search of standout properties that reflect the unique spirit of Scottish design and living. Now, the wait is nearly over as the six finalists for 2025 have been unveiled. Competing for the coveted title are: Sandstone Bungalow in Giffnock; Hilltop House in Aberdeenshire; Wee City Nook in Edinburgh's Stockbridge; The Tree House in Broughty Ferry; An Cala Cottage on the Isle of Skye; and Craigmount in Dalbeattie. These homes, chosen from a pool of 18 standout contenders, will go head-to-head in the grand finale, airing Monday, June 2, on BBC Scotland. With a mix of architectural styles, personal flair and inspired interiors, each finalist brings something distinct to the table. We take a look back at every home that has claimed the title of Scotland's Home of the Year since the series began. Scotland's Home of the Year winner 2024 Scotland's Home of the Year winner 2024 Scotland's Home of the Year winner 2023
