At Home with Kelly McGuill

A peek inside the interior designer’s self-designed sanctuary.

There is no better way to understand an interior designer’s style than by exploring their home. For Kelly McGuill, owner and lead designer of Kelly McGuill Home, the renovation of her home illuminates the magic that lies within an unencumbered creative spirit.

When she purchased the home in 2020, she envisioned it as a gathering place for their growing family, which includes her two adult sons and their wives and children. The home would be the McGuill family’s year-round sanctuary.

Nestled on a quiet street overlooking the Bass River, the Cape Cod retreat was the perfect location—the house itself just needed some TLC.

“The direction the house was originally built was not really taking the view into consideration,” she recalls. With a closed floor plan and simply not enough bedrooms, the home required extensive changes, which McGuill mapped out alongside Lewis Bay Builders.

(Photography: Erin Little Photography)

From carving out an open floor plan on the main level and adding cozy and comfortable guest suites, to weaving in her favorite finishes and decor, every decision was a deliberate step towards creating a comfortable home that resonates with her soul.

Beloved carrera marble graces countertops and backsplashes throughout the home. Intentionally placed light fixtures—including gallery lighting, Italian sconces, and Santa Barbara pendant lights—effortlessly elevate each room. In the living room, a cozy yet elevated wood burning fireplace anchors an array of neutral furnishings that provide the perfect canvas for interchangeable throws and pillows. "I knew everything that I wanted," she affirms. “I got to use the things that I’ve always admired and loved in the design business.”

(Photography: Erin Little Photography)

White walls provide a crisp and neutral backdrop for her proudly displayed heirlooms and collectibles, many of which were gifted to her by her aunt, mother, and sisters. Original artwork by her sister is displayed throughout the home, complemented by artworks she has collected throughout her life. Antique pieces mingle harmoniously with modern furnishings, creating a timeless blend of old and new that speaks to her knack for mixing artisanal relics with contemporary pieces.

(Photography: Erin Little Photography)

“I love the art of having things displayed in a way that doesn’t get too busy,” McGuill notes. “Just really simple and pretty.” A lover of layering, McGuill allowed her well-honed styling talents to roam free, cleverly juxtaposing objects that each tell a story of their own, all while maintaining a sense of flow, which is essential to her design ethos.

(Photography: Erin Little Photography)

“There’s this really great flow throughout the house, which is something I do with most houses,” says McGuill. “There is a thread that carries through every room.”

(Photography: Erin Little Photography)

Above all, this highly personal project represents more than McGuill’s design savvy. It  symbolizes a newfound sense of creative freedom, where every detail reflects who she is as both designer and human being.

(Photography: Erin Little Photography, Interior Designer: Kelly McGuill Home, Builder: Lewis Bay Builders, Original Artwork: Susan Farrington - www.susanfarrington.com)