Meet Sheila McKain: Fashion Designer and Interiors Inspirer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sheila McKain and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sheila, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Whenever I approach an idea that requires any degree of risk, I always try to listen to my intuition, and question how I would feel if I didn’t choose that path. I firmly believe that what stops most people is the inability to take the first step forward and I have taught myself not to overthink every detail. Somethings, like so much of life, are figured out on the journey.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think every person is a jumble of life experience, choices, ideas and luck. How those things have manifested in me over time is not something I could have ever predicted. I grew up in a small village in Kansas and had a romantic idea of life in New York. I finished university and packed a suitcase and hopped on a plane and moved. I had no place to live, no job and about $800 in my bank account. There were definitely moments when I had no idea what was next for me, but I have learned not to give in to fear. I would say one of my greatest assets is my tenacity. I have a very strong work ethic and really believe anything is possible.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I now live in London in a neighbourhood called Marylebone. It full of wonderful little cafes my favourite is called Boxcar on Crawford Street. I would start my day there and then stop by the organic farmer’s market, go for a bike ride in Regents Park and grab lunch at Le Fromagerie, the most decadent cheese shop in the city and finish the day with London’s best Indian food at Trishna. If I had an entire week and was visiting London, I would also be sure to wander through Soho and area of wonderful boutiques and stop at Bao for lunch and a milk foam tea before heading to an exhibition at the Royal Academy and finish at Liberty of London one of the city’s gems for a little shopping.
I would also spend a day in East London, visiting the neighbourhoods of Shoreditch and Hackney and in non-covid times would venture to either Broadway market an outdoor food and veg market or to Columbia Road flower market which is lively and full of colour and energy. I also love the area near Kings Cross. It is right along the canals and has a stunning building designed by Thomas Heatherwick which houses beautiful shops and my favourite Mexican restaurant called El Pastor. Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Without a doubt I have the most amazing friends and family a person could ask for. When you know someone has your back, it makes the leap forward a lot less risky and the book You Are A Badass by Jen Sincero. I heard her speak on a podcast, devoured her books and re- read them about once a year.

Instagram: @roam.interiors

Image Credits
@roam.interiors @sheilamckain