GEMMA MACKILLOP
SHOWROOM MANAGER, ASHLEY ANN, THURSO

Growing up in Caithness I’ve always been intrigued by the many wonderful but run down buildings scattered around the countryside, and used to dream about how I could make them into something beautiful and new. I’ve always been very creative, and from building my first playhouse with my mum and dad to helping them on various renovation projects, I came to love interior design work.

I moved to Edinburgh at 18 to pursue my dream and qualified in 2003 as an Interior, Architectural and Spatial Designer. After nine years working in the industry I relocated back to Caithness and in 2018 I joined Ashley Ann. Managing the Thurso showroom is ideal for me, allowing me to apply my passion and love for design and work every day with a great team. It’s even become something of a family affair, with my two older sons working in the factory during their summer breaks from university.

Even my leisure time these days is taken up with design, as my partner and I share the same drive and joy in hands-on work. When we’re not spending our time decorating, landscaping or building something, our new baby boy keeps us busy.

Life can get a bit hectic sometimes, but I thrive on challenge and can’t imagine it being any other way.

View my designs