McCarthy Stone homeowners are set to enjoy new interiors to reflect a bright outlook and vibrant life
Meet Margaret Kingsley-Smith from McCarthy Stone’s retirement living development Hewson Court, Hexham.
Margaret has made her new home distinctictly her own with the help of Emma Valerio from the John Lewis Home Design Service.
Margaret describes her journey from blank walls to a new vibrant colourful interior.
“I’ve always loved making my home as lovely as possible but being able to work with Emma enabled me to take it to a whole new level,” she explains.
“As soon as I met Emma, we had an instant rapport. We had a coffee and a chat and then hit the shop floor!
“Emma asked me to pick out cushions that I liked to give her an insight into my colour and style preferences, and from then on it was go, go, go!”
“We had a lot of fun working on the project together, it was full on, but in the best way. Emma encouraged me to try all the different paint samples on different walls within the same room, to see how the light affects them.
“Together we chose the most beautiful colour palette of midnight blue, teal and blush. We settled on a colour called ‘Goblin’ for the sitting room and kitchen.
“We were both on the same page with everything, but her expertise really helped to steer my choices, as well as encourage me to try things I might not have considered.
“Emma also encouraged me to use wall art and even a mix or artificial and real plants. I used to be a stickler for real plants, but I’m a convert now!
“I also adore the wallpaper in the second bedroom. It’s a subtle pink with a darker floral design, so catches the eye as soon as you walk in the room.
“My absolute favourite piece, however, is a beautiful chandelier in the second bedroom (pictured above). I’ve never seen anything quite like it before and as soon as I saw it, I knew I had to have it. It truly is my pièce de résistance. Everything else just had to fit in.
“I had two pieces that I was adamant about keeping, a lovely chest of drawers in my bedroom and a Scandi display cabinet where I keep photos, the children’s Denby Dream Weaver mugs and some wooden carvings my late husband bought for me from Rio.
It’s an eclectic mix but Emma helped make sure it all fitted seamlessly into the new look and feel of the apartment.”
Margaret has moved several times in the last seven years since her husband passed away but is now finally settled in her new home at Hewson Court as she explains:
“I didn’t know where I wanted to be before. I tried living in many different places and have enjoyed a social life wherever I’ve been, with friends all over the place.
“I knew Hexham quite well and had heard about the lifestyle McCarthy Stone offers via friends, so decided to take a look at Hewson Court. It’s a lovely, contemporary building and appealed straight away as a place to settle down.”
“I like the security Hewson Court offers and it gives me the freedom to spend my time doing all the things I love as well as find new passions. I don’t have to worry about maintenance, as the House Manager is always on hand to help sort anything out. She’s very proactive and helpful if something needs looking at.”
The location of Hewson Court appealed to Margaret too.
“I have everything I need within easy reach, a Waitrose, Marks & Spencer, a lovely local cinema and park,” she explains.
“The public transport is brilliant too, with connections to Newcastle and beyond. It ticks all the boxes.”
The location also supports Margaret’s busy lifestyle.
“I lead a very active life and love living it to the full. I can’t think of anything worse than not being busy.”
Margaret has three young grandchildren living in London who she sees regularly, and a fourth grandchild who lives in Charleston in the US.
“My new apartment is just fantastic and I can’t wait to start showing it off,” Margaret concludes.
“I’ve had one friend visit already and she was absolutely blown away. I’m going to have a wonderful time inviting them all over to see it!”
Take a look around Hewson Court.
WIN A £20,000 JOHN LEWIS HOME MAKEOVER WITH McCARTHY STONE!*
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