Isla James Interiors, Unit 4, Enterprise House, 41 Reading Road, Pangbourne (2026)

21/05/2026

HOME BAR

At our Wentworth Retreat project, this space was originally a dark and underwhelming hallway - disconnected from the surrounding spaces and lacking any real sense of purpose within the home. Rather than allowing it to remain an overlooked corridor, we saw an opportunity to transform it into something both functional and inviting.

The result is this fully integrated custom bar, recessed seamlessly into the wall so that it feels embedded within the architecture itself. A major focus of the design was ensuring the joinery felt refined, timeless, and functional without compromising the overall aesthetic.

Crafted in rich walnut and paired with marble worktops, the bar incorporates integrated fridge and freezer drawers - practical whilst remaining completely concealed within the joinery. A small drink sink is integrated into the marble surface, while fluted glass overhead cabinets with internal lighting creates a soft ambient glow that brings warmth and atmosphere to the space, particularly in the evenings.

We introduced a heavily distressed mirror splash back which reflects light beautifully while adding depth and texture to the overall composition. Every detail was carefully considered to ensure the bar felt cohesive and understated rather than overly ‘built in’.

The bespoke furniture was equally important in defining the experience of the space. We designed custom chairs upholstered in a rich deep velvet alongside a custom table to create a warm and inviting seating zone beneath the artwork.

What was once simply a hallway is now one of the atmospheric spaces within the home.

To find out how best to light your joinery, follow to see the post later this week where we will share our favourite joinery lighting details and tips.

Interior design
Lighting design

19/05/2026

THE JOURNEY OF ISLA JAMES

From growing up in Suffolk, to studying paediatric nursing, becoming a mum, and eventually discovering a passion for interiors through decorating our own family home - none of this was ever part of the plan.

What started with helping friends transform their homes eventually led me to study interior design at KLC School of Design before launching Isla James Interiors in 2015.

Fast forward to today, and what started as just me has grown into an incredible team of 11 talented people, with projects, achievements and opportunities I could only have dreamed of back then.

I’m so grateful to every client, follower, and member of the Isla James team who has supported this journey over the years. Thank you for being here 🤍

16/05/2026

YOUR FAVOURITE LIGHTING IMAGES
From our project catalogue

The 18th of May is the International day of Light ()

An invitation to celebrate the incredible power of light. A calling for one day to think about how we can make a difference in the fields of science, art, education, sustainable development, medicine, communications, and energy with the aim to unite them in search of a better world.

Light has always fascinated me. The power and impact it has on our wellbeing and the way that it makes you feel should never be underestimated.

We are seeing a shift in design with higher and higher expectations for light in high end residential properties. With private wellness centres being common place light is having to work harder, be more complex and deliver new realms of excellence.

With new technology we are able to influence the way you feel in your home. With computerised technology we can change the mood in a room at the touch of a button to reflect how you feel.

Dim to warm linear lighting means we can replicate your circadian rhythms with the lighting to balance your health and wellbeing and it’s only going to get more exciting in the future.

If you are building a new home or you are renovating on a large scale then the opportunity for you to create something really special with lighting design is exciting.

I host a live once per month called THE LIGHTING CLINIC. It’s an opportunity for you to join me and ask questions, get professional advice and find out how lighting can impact your interior. If you head to you can see in the bio when the next lighting clinic will be live and join us.

Interior design
Lighting design
Photography

15/05/2026

PANELLING

Panelling is one of those design elements that can completely transform a space whilst still feeling timeless. It adds instant architectural character, depth and texture, helping a room feel more layered, considered and lconnected. Whether traditional or contemporary in style, panelling has a way of bringing warmth to interiors that paint alone simply can’t achieve.

Across our projects, we use moulded and tongue & groove panelling in a variety of different ways, each tailored to the character of the home and the atmosphere we want to create. Some applications are subtle and classic, such as half-height moulded wall panelling that gently frames a room without overwhelming it. Others extend fully from wall to ceiling, creating a much stronger architectural statement and adding a sense of height and immersion.

Tongue & groove panelling has been used throughout our projects not only on walls, but also across ceilings and within bespoke joinery. We love how versatile this style of panelling can be - installed vertically it can help draw the eye upward and emphasise ceiling height, while horizontal applications create a wider and more relaxed feel. Incorporated into joinery, it introduces another layer of texture, helping functional pieces feel thoughtfully integrated into the wider design scheme.

Moulded panelling brings a completely different quality to a room. It introduces a more traditional architectural feel, adding structure and elegance to otherwise plain walls. In some spaces, we’ve chosen to highlight the moulded detailing further by painting the inside sections in contrasting or tonal colours. This subtle use of colour creates additional depth, drawing attention to the detailing without feeling overpowering. It’s often these quieter design decisions that have the greatest impact on the overall feel of a space.

What we love most about panelling is how adaptable it is. It can make large rooms feel more intimate, bring warmth to newer properties lacking architectural detail, or add texture and softness to minimalist spaces.

Thinking about adding panelling to your home? Save this post to look back on for inspiration.

10/05/2026

LAYOUT MISTAKES

This month we are talking ALL things layouts…

As interior designers, we see the same layout mistakes time and time again - and often, they’re the things that impact how a home feels the most. A beautiful room can still feel awkward, cramped or impractical if the layout hasn’t been properly considered.

From doors swinging the wrong way, to poor zoning in open-plan spaces, undersized vanities, awkward circulation routes and furniture that’s completely out of scale… thoughtful layout planning is what makes a home function effortlessly.

One of the biggest mistakes we see in bathrooms? Positioning the toilet directly in view. Ideally, if a bathroom door is left open, your eye should land on a beautiful vanity, mirror and lighting moment - not the WC. And whilst we’re on bathrooms… the bath should go under the window, not the toilet.

We also regularly see rooms with simply too much in them. Good flow is everything, and circulation space matters more than people realise. In larger homes, corridors and walkways should generally allow around 1100-1200mm so spaces feel comfortable and easy to move through.

Another common issue is sizing. Furniture is often far too small for the scale of the room, while beds are planned purely from mattress dimensions - forgetting the bed frame, bedside clearance and bedding overhang. These details make a huge difference to how balanced a room feels.

Storage is another one. Not enough cloakroom storage, WCs positioned awkwardly off hallways, laundries taking up valuable downstairs space when they could work better upstairs. All these decisions affect how a home functions day to day. We also love introducing more internal glazing to help natural light travel throughout the home.

Because great design isn’t just about how a space looks… it’s about how it works.

Make sure you are subscribed so you’re able to join the architectural layout chat. Here you can message in your plans, ask any questions, and see other people’s layouts and mistakes you can then avoid.

Interior design
Lighting design
Photography

06/05/2026

ARCHES

Arches are more than a detail - they create flow, frame views, and bring softness to architectural spaces. Across our projects, we use arches to enhance proportion, add character, and elevate everyday transitions.

The Old Notary, Berkshire-
A gentle architectural rhythm runs through the corridor, creating a sense of flow. This continues into the dining room, where a bespoke arched bar is integrated into the wall, combining functionality with timeless interior detailing.

Edwardian Country Home-
Within a grand hallway, the arch enhances the period property’s original character. Its elegant proportions and classic detailing complement the scale of the space, reinforcing a timeless, heritage-inspired design approach.

Georgian Townhouse, Surrey-
An arched porch creates a welcoming entrance, leading into a hallway where the form is repeated. These architectural arches add depth, symmetry and cohesion, enriching the spatial experience from arrival through to the heart of the home.

London Residence, Richmond Park-
Working with a lower ceiling height, we introduced discreet uplighting at floor level to visually lift the space. The arch connecting the hallway to the boot room becomes a key feature, drawing the eye upward and transforming a practical threshold into a statement.

Georgian New Build, London-
A thoughtfully designed arch leads from the hallway to the WC, introducing softness into a contemporary layout. This subtle architectural detail adds interest and brings a bespoke interior design feel to a functional area.

Maple House, Berkshire-
Arched shelving transforms built-in joinery into a sculptural focal point. The curved forms soften the cabinetry, balancing practicality with refined design and adding visual interest to the space.

A simple curve, endlessly versatile. Arches remain a defining element in timeless interior architecture.

04/05/2026

MAPLE HOUSE - traditional style interiors

If you are building or renovating do you know what your style is? Do you know where you site between traditional and modern?

Let me break this down for you. At IJI we don’t have one home that looks the same. This is because we design within a spectrum of style - from traditional country home - to contemporary Penthouse. So how do we know what style to use for a client?

At the start of a project we are on a mission to get to know the client’s taste really well. Often at this point, without knowing it, the client will have around 5 different categories of interior taste. Armed with this information and the style and period of the house we start to design a new style that is completely tailored to both the client and their home.

How to get a modern traditional style in your home:

1. Mouldings - if you want a traditional look then use architraves, coving, skirting and panelling mouldings.

2. Detailed joinery - we didn’t just stop at cupboard fronts - we added wallpaper for interest and texture plus a bobbin detail which truly lifts the look of the joinery

3. Hide the TV - this keeps the room feeling free of modern technology

4. Traditional homes are all about the details - we added curves and shaping to the joinery, with trims and piping to cushions and chairs

5. Patterned lampshades give that quintessential country home vibe and pretty up the room

6. Picture lights over art work give a stunning warm and cosy feel

7. Strong use of colour is essential for the traditional vibe here

Follow if you would like to see contemporary styles - they are coming up on our posts this week!

Interior design
Lighting design
Photography

02/05/2026

COUNTRY HOME STYLE

Are you renovating or building a home in the countryside and want a warm cosy feeling to your interiors?

This project is consistently one of the favourite country home looks that we created and I think there are many ingredients that made this home feel so welcoming.

1. Soft and warm colour palettes - we used colour ranges such as slaked lime from Little Greene to create a calm and serene look.

2. We used natural wood elements to bring texture and warmth

3. Bespoke joinery such as the curved bar in the dining space gave interest and a softness

4. We cladded the games room in wood to give a ski chalet vibe which totally transformed the room

5. We added wall lights and supported the feature lights with architectural lighting to get a warm and balanced look - even when the light levels outside were low

6. We added a glazed section above the opening in the hall to give more natural light to the bootroom - it also helped to zone the hallway.

To find out more about architectural lighting design head to where we post tips about how to light joinery and other elements of your home.

Interior design
Lighting design
Photography

Isla James Interiors

21/05/2026

19/05/2026

16/05/2026

15/05/2026

10/05/2026

06/05/2026

04/05/2026

02/05/2026

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