Glamorous home from home in the city

Feb 7 2008 by Debbie Johnson, Liverpool Daily Post

Debbie Johnson looks at a wonderful pied-a-terre in Liverpool’s Unity Building

WHEN your working world revolves around glamour, it makes sense that you would need a glamorous place to live, too.

And the ladies from Age Perfecting Treatments in Liverpool have certainly found that with their apartment in the Unity Building, in the city centre.

The “medi-spa”, a favourite with Liverpool’s celeb glitterati, has an elite dream team of specialists who can give you anything from a Hollywood smile to a facial.

The business’s founder, Dr Tracey Bell, is based in the Isle of Man, and the company also has clinics in Manchester and London. So having a place in the city is ideal for a variety of uses.

The “pied-a-terre” in the city is used by Dr Bell and her team when they are in the city, and also by visiting guests and staff who work late at night.

It offers a home-from-home sense of security and comfort to all who stay there, according to APt’s laser practitioner, June Clements.

June, who specialises in using lasers to help with issues such as tattoo removal, skin damage and facial thread veins, describes the apartment as “absolutely gorgeous”.

The open-plan living room and kitchen is bright and airy, with off-white walls and stunning views over the city.

She says: “You can see the Liver Birds and right down to the Albert Dock; it is fantastic, really. And in the bedrooms there are huge windows and you can watch the boats on the water, see the world go by from the comfort of your own space.”

The lounge area is clear and uncluttered, with a leather corner suite sofa and large TV. The walls are hung with abstract artworks in deep reds and maroons, which provide a splash of colour in the otherwise neutral room.

The kitchen has high-gloss black units and black granite surfaces, along with integrated appliances. June says: “The kitchen also comes with all the essentials if you are a woman staying here – wine, Diet Coke and milk for your tea.”

The main bedroom has an en-suite bathroom done in grey mosaic tiles, and offers those gorgeous views of the river.

There is also a bed done in brown suede, with unusual matching side drawers. The colour scheme is again neutral, with splashes of red and brown brought in through the soft furnishings.

The second bedroom is also large, with cream carpets and walls. June says: “It is a lovely room, with all pine furniture. There is some artwork on the walls in a kind of lime green that matches the pillows and bed furnishings, and the whole room is just really bright because of the large windows.”

The main bathroom is again done in grey tiles, and also has a walk-in shower and spotlights in the ceiling – perfect for putting on your make-up in the morning.

June says: “It is a great place to have. Tracey always stays here, and when we have guests they stay here – for example, we had a guest from America to give us some training and she stayed in the apartment.

“Plus, if you work late, you can stop over.”

The city centre location makes it ideal, as does the security and 24-hour concierge.

June says: “It makes you feel very safe, which is always nice for women, if you are on your own or it is late.

“It does have a real woman’s touch to it, the way it has been decorated and furnished; it somehow combines feeling safe and homely with being really stylish and modern. It’s like a home from home for anyone staying here. Even though different people come and stay here, it feels really welcoming.”