Step Inside | Lorraine McGill’s Ashfield House
Want to know what it looks like inside an interior designer's home? The wait is over...
By Beverley Park
Owner of interior design company Willow and Maine, Lorraine McGill has lived at Ashfield House, situated in Ryton – for seven years with her husband Paul, daughters Kate and Emma and Indie – their Bichon Frisé.
Lorraine’s sense of style, professional eye and ability to make the most of natural light and features can be seen in her own home transformation. It’s light and bright, with a lived in, cosy feel.
Your current home is beautiful; what was your previous property?
It was a four bedroom detached new build, although I’m definitely more of a character home type of person!
Have you undergone any major renovations at Ashfield House?
Phew, where do I start?! We’ve redecorated every room at least twice! There was a dilapidated double garage at the bottom of the garden which we have renovated – well, half rebuilt – and turned into a garden room with a practical utility – it’s perfect for the girls. We also converted our third floor into a master suite with bathroom and walk-in wardrobe. Next we’ll be rebuilding our sun room to extend it and adding a new kitchen.
As an interior designer how do you resist the urge to not be constantly redecorating?!
I don’t! It does help with buying though – I can get my buying fix from sourcing accessories for clients instead.
What are your professional interior tips for giving a room a refresh for Spring?
With the focus now on sustainability, shopping your own home has become quite the thing – taking an item or items you no longer like or use in one room and utilising them in another. I recently moved all my home accessories from downstairs into one room and put them back in different places – it gave a very different feel. Plants are a great accessory, pastel colours and dark colours are continuing to be popular, as well as wallpaper which is a great way to give a room a great new feel.
What kind of interior design projects have you completed?
I’ve done many different projects which are all quite varied, I did a full cottage in Prudhoe, a hall, kitchen and lounge at Darras Hall, Number 9 Bistro in Ponteland and I recently staged a home to sell in Lintzford Mill.
What are your top three home stores for furniture and accessories?
Dyvels at Corbridge
Bridgwater Interiors at Bradley Gardens
Barker & Stonehouse for furniture.
What about your favourite current interior trend?
I do love the dark interior trend and I particularly love Hague Blue from Farrow and Ball, I used it in a client’s home recently. My own home is quite dark so I use lots of white combined with textures.
If you’re looking for interior inspiration pop over to @willowandmaine or visit www.willowandmaine.co.uk.
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