How would you define the style and personality of your home, and what do you hope it communicates to anyone who walks through the door?

I would describe our home as layered, lived in and quietly characterful. It is not about perfection or trends, but about creating a space that feels comforting, expressive and personal. I love mixing old with new, texture with colour, and letting rooms evolve over time rather than feeling finished, which is probably just my way of saying we have still got loads to do. But I try not to put too much pressure on myself and instead enjoy the process.

More than anything, I hope it communicates a sense of ease. I want people to walk in and instantly feel relaxed, welcomed and at home, like they can put the kettle on, curl up on the sofa, and stay a while. It is a space that reflects slower living, creativity and warmth, and that is exactly how I hope it makes others feel too.

What is the story behind your current home, what drew you to it initially, and what made it feel like the right fit?

This is actually our third home, and we moved three times in three years, which sounds a bit mad when I say it out loud. But every move taught us more about what we really wanted, and Shawlands kept pulling us back. We love the Southside of Glasgow so much, the sense of community, the green spaces, the cafes, and the feeling of being properly rooted in a neighbourhood.

When we first viewed the property, it was in quite a bad state. The garden was completely overgrown and the house itself was very much a blank slate, a bit chaotic, honestly. But we immediately saw the potential. It had great bones, beautiful proportions and that unmistakable feeling of being a solid, well loved home beneath the surface.

What made it feel right was being able to imagine what it could become. We could picture bringing it back to life slowly, layer by layer, and creating a home that felt calm, characterful and truly ours. It felt like a place we could grow into, rather than rush to finish, and that is what ultimately made it the right fit.

Have you made any design decisions that felt like a leap of faith at the time but ultimately shaped the space for the better?

I definitely experience decision fatigue at times, especially during renovations. There were moments where I felt real pressure to make choices, tiles, colours, finishes, bathroom suites, and sometimes those decisions were made right down to the wire.

The bathroom is probably the best example. The fitters were booked in, and I still had not fully made up my mind, so I was very much put on the spot. In the end, I stopped overthinking it and went with my gut, trusting my instinct rather than trying to second guess myself.

Looking back, I think that approach really paid off. The space feels cohesive, calm and considered, and it is a good reminder that sometimes your first instinct knows exactly what it is doing, even when the pressure is on.

How has living in Shawlands influenced your design or lifestyle choices?

Living in Shawlands has really shaped both our lifestyle and the way we approach our home. There is such a strong sense of community here, and a slower, more considered pace of life that naturally encourages you to be more intentional about how you spend your time and how you shape your surroundings.

Being close to green spaces, independent cafes, and local shops has made everyday life feel richer and more grounded, and that is something we have wanted to reflect indoors too. Our home has become a place that supports that way of living, calm, comfortable and designed for real life rather than show.

Shawlands has reinforced the idea that home is not just about aesthetics, it is about how a space makes you feel and how it supports your day to day life. That influence has definitely guided our design choices, favouring warmth, longevity and a sense of ease over anything overly trend led.

If you were to describe your perfect weekend in Shawlands, what would it look like from morning to evening?

A perfect weekend in Shawlands starts slowly at home, coffee in hand, the dogs nearby, and no real agenda for the day. Being a stone’s throw from both Pollok Park and Queen’s Park makes it so easy to get outside, and we will often head out for a long walk to clear our heads and ease into the weekend.

We love wandering through Queen’s Park and over to Zennor for a coffee, then taking the scenic route back. Sundays often mean mooching around Shawlands itself, charity shopping along Kilmarnock Road, popping into little independent spots, Starter Culture, FRANKIE, Bochka, Honey Trap, and maybe grabbing a doughnut from Kitty’s on the way home.

What I love most is how walkable everything feels. You are never far from somewhere lovely, whether it is Strathbungo, Battlefield or Newlands, and that sense of being connected to so many pocket neighbourhoods makes weekends feel relaxed and full without being busy.

Evenings are usually kept simple, cooking at home or heading out locally for a relaxed dinner and being back early for skincare and a night in front of the TV, well, projector. It is that balance of greenery, community and ease that makes weekends in Shawlands feel so special.

Can you remember what first sparked your love for Scandinavian design, and how that inspiration has evolved?

I think my love for Scandinavian design started with how it made me feel rather than any one specific aesthetic. I was drawn to the calmness, the emphasis on light, texture and functionality, and the idea that a home should support everyday life rather than feel overly styled.

Over time, that inspiration has evolved. What began as a love for clean lines and neutral tones has softened into something more layered and expressive. I still take a lot from Scandinavian design, the focus on quality, longevity and thoughtful details, but I now mix that with bolder colour, characterful pieces and a more lived in feel.

It has become less about recreating a specific look and more about embracing the underlying principles: warmth, simplicity and intention. That balance has allowed our home to feel both calm and personal, which is what I am always aiming for.

What are you most looking forward to this Christmas?

This Christmas, I am most looking forward to slowing down. It has been a busy year, and the idea of spending time at home, enjoying the space we have created, and being present with family and dogs I love feels really special.

I am excited for the simple things: cosy mornings, long walks, good food, and evenings spent at home with candles lit and the house feeling calm and festive. More than anything, it is about rest, connection and appreciating the quieter moments, which feels like the perfect way to end the year.

And finally, what is one hidden gem in Glasgow you think deserves a lot more attention?

I would say the Southside as a whole is still a bit of a hidden gem and has a real neighbourhood feel that can sometimes be overlooked.

It is not about one specific spot, but the way everything connects. You can walk from parks to cafes, independent shops to quiet streets, and it all feels very lived in and local. It is a part of Glasgow that rewards taking your time, and I think that slower, more considered way of living deserves a lot more attention.

At its heart, Shauna’s story is a reminder that a home does not need to be perfect to be meaningful. It is about trusting your gut, embracing evolution, and allowing your surroundings to reflect the life you actually live. Whether she is walking the dogs through Queen’s Park, slowly deciding her interiors, or looking forward to a quiet Christmas at home, Shauna’s Shawlands life is defined by intention, comfort and connection, proof that the most beautiful spaces are often the ones that invite you to slow down and stay a while.

By
Halliday Hemmings