Reading resident, Sheila Clarke has been hired to be the lead designer for an episode of “House Hunters Renovations” on HGTV. Her magazine-quality style home, which she renovated and decorated herself, exudes the passion and talent that led her to launch M&H Interiors in 2016 and to create a portfolio that attracted the producers at HGTV.
“I started M&H Interiors because I enjoy helping other people get excited about their projects instead of dreading them,” said Clarke. “After buying and renovating three houses of my own to date, I’m familiar with how frustrating and intimidating both construction and design can be. But with each project, I learned a little bit more and became more confident.”
Clarke, not one to walk away from a challenge, agreed to meet with the producers from HGTV and was hired on the spot despite having been in business for only a year.
Clarke has served on the Reading Economic Development Committee and is the chair of the Reading Fall Street Faire. Both of these committees have given her the chance to help make Reading a better place to live and work. Through these experiences Clarke has become known as a person who could get things done.
The HGTV program features childhood sweethearts renovating the kitchen of their first home in Swampscott, Massachusetts. Clarke’s role was to guide the couple in making thoughtful interior design and renovation decisions while ensuring the couple’s dream kitchen came to life. “I knew from the first meeting that this was going to be a fun and interesting project just by the personalities involved,” commented Clarke. “Working with clients has taught me a bit about “designer therapy” and since this was the couple’s first home, there would be a lot of uncertainty in the decisions being made. Having never been a cast member of a television show was a challenge, so I had to prepare myself to meet that expectation as well. I was lucky though, HGTV allowed me the freedom to work with the clients and make the suggestions myself. It was a professional and respectful work environment. No divas at all!” The program aired Saturday, November 18 at 10:00 pm on HGTV. A sneak preview of the show can be viewed on hgtv.com/shows/house-hunters-renovation.
Clarke is humbled by the experience while being just as proud of other projects she has completed, including the recent lobby renovations at the Burbank YMCA. “The Y was an incredible personal experience for me. I sat in the lobby watching my boys take swim lessons and thought about how I would want the space to feel for families like mine. I wanted to honor the Reading residents who made the Y possible, including Mr. Nelson Burbank. So I created a bright, comfortable and welcoming space with couches and a place to gather, or do homework. The lobby now has a real sense of community reflective of the Y’s mission and the town of Reading.” No project is too small or complicated for Clarke.
Clarke would like M&H to continue to work with clients and transform any environment; home, office, or studio into the place of their dreams. Her client base spans from New England to New York City. “Regardless of scope or scale, I collaborate from concept to installation, within your budget and your timeline,” says Clarke. “When you walk into your home, you should love it. It’s that simple. Whether it is a design consultation for a room refresh, project management for a full renovation, or staging your home to get top dollar, I am confident that I can build the space you want to be in.”
Always busy and always involved, Clarke also plans to chair the 2018 Reading Fall Street Faire and continue her quest to make Reading better. “I have a passion for my town, family and good design, I truly love where I live and what I do,” exclaimed Clarke.
House Hunters Renovations can be seen on HGTV on Saturdays at 10 pm. To learn more about M&H Interiors visit its Houzz and Facebook pages.
