Fran Newman

We spotted this beautiful home when we first moved to Horncliffe, it is in the neighbouring village and for sale through Inigo sister business to The Modern House estate agency, but specialising in period properties rather than contemporary.

We were asked to photograph this amazing property for Period Living magazine. It has just been published and has added a vibrant splash of colour to their March issue.

We were delighted to find ourselves working for the first time with an organic flower farm, Ginger House Garden, located in Horncliffe. We have been using their beautiful, natural, locally grown blooms ever since.

The owners, Fran and Matt Newman, moved to this tranquil village on the River Tweed five years ago and took on a dilapidated property: a Victorian doctors surgery and adjoining living accommodation. Matt is a professional joiner and they both have a design background, so the project felt well within their comfort zone.

Fran turned the surgery into a small holiday let and sold it to fund the renovation of the rest of the house. Matt went on to get the job of project manager of the St James Quarter in Edinburgh, an extremely demanding undertaking.

Fran with her youngest daughters, twins, Willa and Bronwyn

So Fran ended up doing much of the work herself, as you can see, she did a sterling job, with five children in tow!

She is looking for her next project now, either another home for her family or interior design work, as her children are all growing up.

Fran has an amazing ability to visualise a space, in colour, bringing a vibrancy to her design work that you don't often see. Before she had children, she used her talent refitting nightclubs and restaurants in London, now that she has a family, she is hoping to turn her hand to more domestic spaces, using her experience in the commercial market to offer clients solutions that are truly unique as well as practical.

Watch this space - I cannot wait to see what she does next!