uFurnish.com Founder Deirdre Mc Gettrick sat down with Hannah Doran - 2025 uFurnish.com Home Awards Winner to talk all things interiors inspiration and advice for those on their own interiors journey.
Name: Hannah Doran
Instagram handle: @hannahdoraninteriors
Location: Leicestershire
Sum up your home interior style in 3 words or less: Authentic, Timeless, Textural.
What’s your favourite item in your home?: The reclaimed timber beams in the kitchen alongside the stand alone wall cabinet. They ground the double-height ceiling and provide a rustic counterpoint to the refined cabinetry underneath.
If your home had a theme song what would it be?: Better Together by Jack Johnson. Because this home is at its best when the kitchen is full of people, music, and the smell of coffee. The most important consideration, when designing our extension, was family and how we could all enjoy the new space together and I think we have achieved exactly what we set out to do.
Toilet roll over or under on the holder?: Over, always. I can't bear it when my kids turn them the wrong way!
Do you place your cups and glasses facing up or down in your cupboard?: Upwards, they are always being used constantly so there's little point in putting them any other way.
What inspired your home's interior style and how did you bring that vision to life?
I was inspired by the 'New Heritage' movement—the idea of creating a home that feels like it has always been here, but functions for a modern family. We live in a new build home but I love exactly the opposite - anything old and characterful. I brought it to life by emphasizing 'honest' materials: the raw texture of exposed brick, the warmth of reclaimed oak, and a tonal palette of soft neutrals that allows the architectural details to speak for themselves.
How did you balance design goals with your budget?
We spent where it mattered: on the structural elements and the 'forever' pieces like our deVOL kitchen. To balance that, we used clever DIY hacks like adding wall panelling to the living room and bedroom. It adds an instant sense of history and 'age' to a room for a fraction of the cost of architectural renovations. We also did a budget makeover on our bathroom which was going to be a temporary fix but it's worked out so well that I think it'll be with us for a good while yet.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Handling the scale of the high ceilings. To prevent the open-plan spaces from feeling too 'cavernous,' I focused on 'low-level' warmth. Using low-hanging pendants, putting lamps on kitchen counters, and layering rugs helps to pull the eye down and create a sense of cosiness despite the grand proportions.
One piece of advice for someone starting out?
Invest in the things you touch every day. A high-quality tap, a solid door handle, or beautifully made cabinetry makes a house feel like a home. You can always change your paint colour, but the quality of the 'bones' stays with you.
Is there a particular space you’re most proud of?
The kitchen. Seeing the new cabinetry sit alongside the original brickwork and those massive beams is a dream come true. It’s the perfect blend of practicality and beauty for us—it works hard but looks effortless.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I am a huge admirer of deVOL’s aesthetic and have had one of their kitchens on my wishlist for a long time—they have such a unique way of making a kitchen feel like a living room. I also look to other designers and content creators on Instagram, especially those who have a timeless English country style and also those that show how you can transform a new build home into something beautiful. For finishing touches, I love hunting through antique markets for unique pieces; I think every room needs at least one 'old' thing to give it a sense of soul.
What's the next interiors project?
Finishing the utility room. I want to continue the Shaker-style aesthetic from the kitchen but perhaps be a bit more playful with the details—turning a functional 'chore' space into a beautiful, organised sanctuary. I also want to use some rich colours and introduce some colour into the flooring. It's half way there but I'm now getting itchy to have it finished. Having 3 children and a puppy means we have a lot of washing in our home so having this space up and running will make a huge difference.
Each month we'll be interviewing one of our uFurnish.com Home Awards finalists asking them all about their home renovation journey, their inspiration and more so be sure to come back each month to learn more. Find out more about our Home Awards here, follow us on Instagram here for more inspiration and updates and subscribe to our emails here for weekly offers and more.