At home with Victoria Patterson
Real estate developer and interior designer Victoria Patterson resides in Northern Ireland, where her beautiful coastal home features a grand hallway with a stone fireplace and mirroring staircase. Not to mention an exterior that’s a marrying of neo-classical and art deco style – with a modern twist.
She shares her journey in the industry and insights around how to afford and add value to your dream home.
EH: Tell us about your upbringing and how this has shaped who you are today.
VP: I grew up in a family of serial entrepreneurs, beginning with my grandparents. Our family dinner table conversations usually revolved around the cut and thrust of business. I love the down-to-earth and friendly nature of our way of life in Northern Ireland.
EH: What are you first, a real estate developer or an interior designer?
VP: Real estate developer, definitely. I’ve always believed that the quality of the construction should shine through and the design comes after. Functionality over style.
EH: Any wise words that have stuck with you?
VP: In today’s world, we are surrounded by quotes and wise words from the truly great to the present day nonentities. Therefore, I just listen to my granny. She keeps me right [on track].
EH: You have achieved a Mini MBA and took a course in the economics of real estate and finance. Can you tell us about your experiences with both?
VP: I completed my Mini MBA about three years ago, through the William J Clinton Leadership Institute at Queen’s University. This came through a fellow partner of our company and has helped my career progression. [The latter] was online with the London School of Economics during the Covid-19 lockdown. It was a little longer than the Mini MBA but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
EH: Would you agree that real estate is a lavish industry?
VP: I think this is a misconception born from social media. There’s a lot of hard work and graft that goes on behind the scenes, but this doesn’t usually site well on a polished Instagram grid. Real estate can certainly be lucrative rather than lavish, but like anything in life, you have to work hard to achieve this.
“I’ve always believed that the quality of the construction should shine through and the design comes after. Functionality over style”
EH: Encom is a new renewable energy venture. Can you share any further details about this project and your involvement with it?
VP: Encom is a venture though our Harrier Investment Fund. We’re super excited about the prospects with Encom and are beyond busy working behind the scenes to get things launched later this year. I don’t want to give away too many details but stay tuned.
EH: Tell us about your beautiful home…
VP: My favourite part of our home is the entrance and hallway, leading into the open plan living area. I adore the coastal view, which is probably my favourite aspect.
EH: City life or country life?
VP: City life in the winter, country life in the summer.
EH: You’ve previously said you’d like to move to California. What is it that attracts you?
VP: My dream place to live would be Newport Beach – you get the best of city life with the quiet of country life at the same time. The weather is a massive bonus, [which allows for] hiking, swimming and surfing. I love the people and laid-back approach to life.
EH: You deal with the luxury side of property development. What is your advice to women who can’t afford their dream home?
VP: I’ve always been an advocate of hard work. If you have a dream in life, then push as hard as you can to achieve it. I would suggest initially looking at an investment property and also making some personal sacrifices in order to save for the deposit for this purchase. Another tip would be to look at buying a property that has multiple doors. And a good way to build a substantial deposit is investing in a ‘buy to sell’ – renovate and sell it at a higher price.
EH: What five homeware pieces or design elements do you feel would add value to every modern women’s home space?
VP: 1. Adding a wall TV to your bathroom.
2. Creating an open plan living area with a breakfast bar.
3. An instant hot water tap. My favourite would be Quooker but there are other affordable options.
4. Wall panelling always affords a luxurious feeling.
5.You can’t go wrong with a modern fireplace.
EH: What’s the oldest homeware piece in your home?
VP: Our glass and steel iron dining table
EH: And what’s the newest?
VP: A Baccarat chandelier
EH: If you weren’t in property development and interior design, what would you be doing?
VP: I would love to be either a wine taster or a hotel and destination critic.
EH: How do you avoid making mistakes with home design?
VP: Say ‘no’ to things more than you say ‘yes’. You can always go back to revisit things later on down the line.
EH: You’ve previously said your personal goal is to get a private pilot’s licence. Is this something you’re actively pursuing, and can you share any other goals outside of work?
VP: Yes, it is, but I know it’s a long process to achieve. I also really want to improve my horse riding and to always keep up with my reading.
EH: If you could wear only one outfit to work, what would it be, including your hero workbag?
VP: On site, it would be my black Caterpillar boots, a polo neck and an oversized Puffa jacket. This doesn’t always work well with my black box Birkin bag!
EH: What do you need from your work space to inspire you?
VP: Coffee and internet access.
EH: What’s on your bedside table?
VP: I have a photograph of my family, a salt lamp and a notepad to capture any ideas or to-dos that come to my head when I’m unwinding.