‘Colour is a passion, as are flowers,’ says Maxine Harrison Sloss, deadheading the pink roses that line the grassy paths of her walled garden, adjacent to her home in the Scottish Borders. The garden has been a work in progress since Maxine and her family moved to the Georgian house eight years ago. ‘When I was little, my favourite book was The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. Discovering this beautiful place, with its own walled garden, reminded me of that story. The joy of exuberant plants and the sense of being healed by nature will never leave me,’ she says.
From Antique Textiles to Interior Design Success
Having always worked in interior design, Maxine was well-placed to decorate and furnish the house. One of her first jobs was working at Nicholas Herbert’s showroom, where she developed a love for antique textiles. During her time there, she took a chance and wrote to the New York-based designer, David Easton.
An Unexpected Call that Changed Everything
It was an era long before mobile phones, so Maxine put her home telephone number on the letter. ‘The only person I’d told about applying for the job was my brother, who I shared a flat with,’ says Maxine. ‘One evening, I answered the phone, and a man with a deep voice and distinct drawl said his name was David Easton, and he was calling from New York to discuss my job application. I thought it had to be my brother playing a joke on me and told him, in no uncertain terms, where to go.
Roaring with laughter, the man said he wasn’t expecting that sort of response, then it dawned on me that maybe I’d made a hideous mistake.’ After a three-month trial, David took Maxine on permanently and, four years later, she was asked to transform an apartment bought by the son of one of David’s clients. Taking on the project in her spare time, an Elle Decoration photoshoot at the apartment resulted in a string of her own interior design commissions.
A Georgian Home in the Scottish Borders Restored with Heart
Fast forward to 2025, and the rather different setting of Maxine’s house in the Scottish Borders, built around 1815 by the architect George Elliot. ‘The house had been renovated by the previous owners, who preferred a minimal look, whereas my taste is the complete opposite,’ says Maxine.
‘When it came to choosing furniture and fabrics, although I’m not a purist, I was guided by the period and the scale of the rooms.’ Many of the fabrics were selected from the Tissus d’Hélène showroom, along with designs from Claremont, Soane and Lewis & Wood. ‘I do love a good paisley, and I’m also a keen recycler. My bedroom curtains came from our former home in Edinburgh, as did the curtains and blinds in the children’s rooms on the top floor.’
Mixing Antique Finds with Bespoke Furniture
For furniture, Maxine went to Christopher Howe in London’s Pimlico to buy bespoke pieces, including the curved sofa in the drawing room, and vintage armchairs. Other items, such as the kitchen table, came from Devon dealers P&A Antiques, while rare textiles like the 1920s embroidered panel in the drawing room were sourced from Esther Fitzgerald in Hampstead, around 12 years ago.
‘At the time, I was frantically seeking a piece for a New York apartment, and everything had to be sent to the shippers that afternoon. Somebody told me to call Esther, so I did. She told me to get in a taxi and come right over. I arrived at 10am that morning and found the perfect piece, but was having so much fun that I didn’t leave until 4pm – having picked out a number of things for my own home, too.’ The collection of blue and white china, along with jugs and vases of all descriptions, plus a selection of table linen, was inherited from Maxine’s grandmother, who owned a North Wales hotel. ‘I add to it all the time, thanks to vintage shops and car boot sales,’ she explains.
The embroidered Laos Hmong throw is from Straight Lace in Berwick-upon-Tweed. - Andreas von Einsiedel -
Balancing Family Life, Creativity and Purpose
As the founder of a literacy charity, The Superpower Agency, Maxine travels regularly to work with children who attend schools in some of Scotland’s most disadvantaged areas. At every opportunity, she can be found cajoling and encouraging potential benefactors, as well as the young people themselves.
‘Edinburgh is an hour away, so I spend quite a lot of time on the road, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Coming home to the beautiful Borders is always a pleasure, and my four children love being here as much as I do. It’s very much their family home; whenever there’s a break from school, university or work, they’re back for some R&R.’
Plans for a Creative Retreat in the Scottish Borders
Maxine’s big plans for the house and garden include making it a base to host retreats for young writers and artists. ‘I love seeing talented people inspired by the plants and atmosphere,’ she says. ‘This is a place that needs to be shared.’
