We recently completed a feature about a gorgeous self build in the Highlands for Ideal Home and it appeared in the February 2024 issue -

The owner of the property, Marie Storrie, documented the whole process of building her beautiful home on Instagram and can be found @storries.scottish.steadings Marie’s openness, her creativity and willingness to share the ups and downs of the build has earned her 500,000 followers in a very short space of time. The soothing reels that she posts of the final results of all her hard work, show the beauty of both the interior and her home’s stunning location.

When the article was published she kindly shared with her followers a little bit about the process of creating a feature: how we connected; what Ideal Home were looking for from her and how the shoot day went. It was really interesting to hear about her experience from the owners point of view and she answered a lot of FAQs from people.

A magazine like Ideal Home is looking for homes that are both relatable and aspirational. Readers do not really want to see homes that have obviously been done up as a property investment, or an holiday let. They want to see real family homes that they can relate to. Marie has five children, although only the youngest two still live at home, four grandchildren so far, and a beautiful blue Great Dane, so a busy life.

When it comes to interior design she really goes the extra mile, which fulfils the requirement for the house to be aspirational. Marie loves the outdoors and goes running in the hills that surround her home, nature is her inspiration. She wanted the setting of the house and the interior to reflect each other, so she has chosen to stick to very palette of pale, creamy colours and natural materials such as linen, stone and wood. By committing to this approach she has created a very strong look and let the outside and inside flow into each other.

For a home to work as a feature, commitment to a look is really important: whether you choose a colourful scheme with lots of clashing patterns, or a soothing, pale interior scheme does not really matter, the important thing is that your do not compromise, once you have made a decision, stick to it and take your chosen style as far as you can.

The layout of Marie’s home is ingenious: welcoming and spacious; simple with an excellent inside/outside flow. People often ask her about the plans, so she has decided to offer them for sale to anyone seriously interested. You can find more details here on her website.

Marie also runs a business renting out a gorgeous Shepherds Hut in the grounds of her home, in a sheltered hidden corner…

It is available to rent on Airbnb a fabulous break for anyone in need an escape!

The key to Marie’s success, as a designer, and an instagrammer is her commitment to a look that truly works throughout her home. She researches every detail and finds solutions that are achievable and beautiful, without compromising. She does not accept second best, and would rather go without a key item than buy something that was not right. I admire her integrity and imagination hugely - such a creative lady!