A Welcome from Lord and Lady Reay
Hola! magazine are welcomed at Whittington Hall, their magnificent 19th century mansion, in Lancashire, England, at the edge of the Lake District.
Mia and Aeneas Reay divide their time between London and Whittington Hall, a majestic Jacobean-style mansion in Lancashire whose history and elegance evoke the splendor of a castle. Designed in 1836 by renowned architect George Webster, the property has been in the Reay family since 1997.
Aeneas, who inherited Whittington Hall in 2013, is leading an ambitious restoration project with Mia that combines historic preservation with modern interventions designed by her. These transformations have made the mansion a model of timeless elegance and sustainability. Surrounded by lush gardens, lakes, rivers and sheep-filled hills, the immense mansion has 17 bedrooms, 20 bathrooms, three kitchens, four living rooms and a dining room with seating for more than 20 guests. Amenities include a huge heated swimming pool lined with landscape-painted tiles, a tennis court and one of Mia’s studios, where she finds inspiration for her work as a designer and artist, particularly in the creation of wallpaper and fabrics with exclusive designs.
The couple share this idyllic life with their three children – Alexander, Iona and Harry – and their faithful Labrador retriever, Basil. Aeneas Simon Mackay, the 15th Lord Reay, is a leading figure of the British aristocracy, hereditary head of the Clan Mackay and an active member of the House of Lords. He also holds the title of Baron Mackay van Ophemert and Zennewijnen in the Netherlands, underlining both his British and European heritage. For her part, Mia, originally from Finland, has a remarkable career that combines creativity with elegance. After spending her childhood in various countries and graduating from Cambridge University, she began her career in finance and luxury marketing, working for prestigious brands such as Hermès and Selfridges. However, her passion for painting, cultivated since the age of 12, led her to found Mia Reay Ltd, a company internationally recognised for its exclusive wallpapers.
Inspired by nature, history and global cultures, its designs, made with sustainable materials, harmonise tradition with modernity, and have been acclaimed in prestigious design publications around the world. Mia’s wallpapers and fabrics decorate homes in Europe, the United States and Latin America, reflecting her ability to transform inspiration into unique pieces that combine sustainability and artisanal aesthetics. Through her work, Mia embodies the perfect union of tradition, modernity and historic preservation. In addition to their professional success, Mia and Aeneas are custodians of Whittington Hall’s historical legacy and devote their time to their roles as parents and public figures. Mia, with her inexhaustible creativity and love of art, culture and travel, accompanies her husband to official events such as the State Opening of Parliament, symbolising a perfect balance between the personal and the professional.
INTERVIEW WITH MIA REAY
At what point does this wonderful house come into your family?
“Hugh, Aeneas’ father and 14th Lord Reay, acquired Whittington Hall after returning from the Netherlands with his step-mother, Victoria, where they had resided on the family estate Kasteel Ophemert. Their goal was to find a rural property in England, close to the Scottish border, that offered activities such as hunting and fishing, as well as a suitable environment for horses. They finally found what they were looking for in the rolling hills of Lancashire, in the picturesque valley of the River Lune. In 1997, they moved to Whittington Hall, making it their home.”
What condition was the house in when it came to you?
“When my husband inherited Whittington Hall, both the house and the surrounding cottages on the estate were, fortunately, in excellent condition. The house had been meticulously maintained and decorated by his step-mother, the then Lady Reay, Victoria, in collaboration with Piers von Westenholz, the interior designer to King Charles of England.”
What was your itinerant childhood like?
“I spent less than ten years of my childhood in Finland, although I have returned almost every summer since then, especially after the birth of my children. We moved abroad when I was nine years old, and my life unfolded in different countries and cultures, from Saudi Arabia to England. I was never in the same school for more than two years. My travels taught me to value and connect with diverse people and cultures, yet the constant movement also made me long for the stability that my friends had, whose families lived in the same place and house for generations. Although my mother always made our homes cozy, I lacked that “forever home” feeling. Therefore, establishing a long-term home and making it a warm and welcoming space became critical for me.”
What influence does this land, Lancashire, have on the production of your wallpapers?
“I transformed a barn into my office. Lancashire is known for its rich history in the textile industry and still has great textile and printing mills, which is very useful for me. I design, produce and print everything locally. What is a typical day in the field like? I spend my days working in my creative office, and then I take care of my children and Basil, our labrador. I spend a lot of time tending to lost sheep and facing other challenges typical of an English country house. In the evenings, I enjoy the warmth of the fireplace and quiet dinners at home.”
Your life is split between London and Lancashire, do you have an active social life in the city?
“As I also have another office and showroom in Pimlico Road, London, where I often spend several hours a day, Aeneas and I enjoy the company of our friends very much and are quite social. We host numerous dinner parties and attend many as well. My favorites, without a doubt, are the dinners at home. Also, I love my life in London, where there are always many interesting activities, from political events and book launches to art exhibitions. However, there is so much to do that it is impossible to attend everything as I try to balance work, travel, children and life in the country.”
Do you enjoy hosting guests at Whittington Hall?
“Whittington Hall is a huge house that comes alive when its rooms are filled with people, music and dinners. Whether it’s during traditional country pursuits, such as a weekend of hunting, or just enjoying a beautiful spring weekend with walks and dinners, we love hosting guests. It’s a wonderful way to reconnect with old friends, rather than opting for a quick dinner in London. In addition, we strongly believe in the importance of multicultural and multigenerational weekends. We often have guests from different countries, as well as teenagers, children and adults of all ages. We can’t forget my parents, who often come to visit us from Spain. They live in Malaga.”
Hola! Magazine, March 2025
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