The Journal

A place we share tips and advice on decoration, architecture and interior design, as well as studio news and inspiration.


Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

How to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

When temperatures rise, a few thoughtful changes can make all the difference to how your home feels. Many of the most effective ways to keep a house cool are surprisingly simple, and often work just as well in a listed property as they do in a modern home.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

Ten Days in Western Crete

One of the things I enjoy most about travelling is noticing how strongly a place expresses itself through colour, materials and atmosphere.

Crete was full of those moments. Sun-warmed stone, chalky plaster, terracotta and faded blues seemed to emerge naturally from the landscape itself. Nothing felt imposed. Everything belonged.

It was a reminder that the most enduring interiors are often those rooted in authenticity, character and a strong sense of place - qualities that never go out of style.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

Ten Years of Middlethorpe Interiors

As Middlethorpe Interiors celebrates ten years, we're taking a moment to look back on the homes, people and stories that have shaped the studio. From period cottages to full renovations, every project has been built on understanding how people truly want to live.

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Studio Insights Ann Allan Studio Insights Ann Allan

Inside Our April Design Clinic at Middlethorpe Hall

A look inside our recent Spring Design Clinic at Middlethorpe Hall, where guests explored the latest Spring 2026 fabric and wallpaper collections from GP & J Baker, Colefax & Fowler, Nina Campbell and Lewis & Wood. Set within the historic surroundings of Middlethorpe Hall, the morning focused on materiality, craftsmanship and the value of seeing fabrics properly in person when planning a home.

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Studio Insights Ann Allan Studio Insights Ann Allan

Spring Design Clinic at Middlethorpe Hall, York

An invitation to experience the Spring 2026 fabric and wallpaper collections at Middlethorpe Hall in York.

This intimate design clinic offers the opportunity to see colour in natural light, explore texture and pattern, and begin to consider how a room might come together with guidance from leading fabric houses and Middlethorpe Interiors.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

Featured by SBID - The Residence, York Project

Our Penthouse project at The Residence set within the Grade II listed former Terry’s Chocolate Factory in York, has recently been featured by the Society of British & International Interior Design.

The project reflects a considered interior design approach, shaped around scale, proportion and the way our clients live.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

How to Choose the Right Interior Designer

Choosing the right interior designer is an important step in any home renovation or design project. From understanding a designer’s process to recognising the value of thoughtful planning, this guide explores the key things homeowners should consider when selecting an interior designer for their home in York, North Yorkshire or beyond.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

Do I really need an Interior Designer?

Do you really need an interior designer when inspiration is everywhere? From Pinterest boards to AI tools, ideas are abundant - but successful homes rely on structure, sequencing and considered decision-making. In our latest article, we explore when professional interior design adds true value, helping protect your investment and create a home that feels calm, cohesive and thoughtfully resolved.

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Studio Insights Ann Allan Studio Insights Ann Allan

A considered evening in York: Celebrating the opening of Wyse London on Stonegate, York, North Yorkshire

Ann of Middlethorpe Interiors was delighted to attend the opening of Wyse London’s new store on Stonegate, York. Set within a historic building in the heart of the city, the evening celebrated thoughtful design, quality craftsmanship and brands that value longevity, calm confidence and considered detail - principles that closely align with Middlethorpe Interiors’ own design philosophy.

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Design Tips Ann Allan Design Tips Ann Allan

A New Year, Celebrated at Home

A new year doesn’t need fireworks to feel meaningful. This piece explores the pleasure of celebrating at home, sharing simple food with good company, and taking a moment to reflect on the spaces we live in - with a favourite canapé recipe from Feasting by the Barn.

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Studio Insights Ann Allan Studio Insights Ann Allan

A True Yorkshire Christmas: Five Stunning Places to Visit in and Around York

A True Yorkshire Christmas gathers five of my favourite festive places in and around York — the kind of outings that feel thoughtful, atmospheric and wonderfully unhurried at this time of year. From Castle Howard’s imaginative winter transformation to candlelit tours, quiet corners of the Minster and slow wanders through the city’s historic streets, it’s a guide to the places that capture the season’s charm without the bustle. If you’re looking for inspiration over the Christmas break, it’s a lovely place to start.

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