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

Our architectural lighting design services are integral and woven into the berh fabric of our interior design services.

11/06/2026

CHOOSING STONE

From seamless shower walls to statement splashbacks and hardworking kitchen surfaces, the stone we choose plays a huge role in both the look and functionality of a space.

Natural stone remains one of the most beautiful and timeless options available. Each slab is unique, bringing depth, texture and character that simply can’t be replicated. We often use natural stone for worktops, where its beauty can really be appreciated. Its thickness and weight can sometimes make it less suitable for wall applications.

Quartz is a popular choice for busy family kitchens thanks to its durability and low-maintenance qualities. Resistant to staining and everyday wear, it offers a practical solution without compromising on style. We use quartz in projects where we want a surface that will perform well whilst maintaining a clean and elegant aesthetic.

Dekton is a man-made surface available in large slabs and thinner profiles than many natural stones. Highly resistant to heat, scratches and stains, it’s particularly well suited to kitchens. We have also used it behind baths where space was limited and additional tiling would’ve felt too busy. Its slim profile allows us to achieve a seamless finish without sacrificing precious space.

Neolith is another large format stone that works beautifully in bathrooms. It can be installed in large panels with minimal joins, creating a clean and contemporary look with very little grout. We’ve used Neolith in showers and behind baths to create a more luxurious, spa-like feel while also making cleaning and maintenance easier.

Porcelain is available in a huge range of colours and finishes, it can replicate the look of natural stone while offering excellent durability. Depending on the size of the space and installation requirements, there may be more visible joins than with materials such as Neolith or Dekton.

Make sure you sign up to our mailing list on our website via the link in bio, where this month we will be discussing kitchen design and layout.

Interior design ISLA JAMES INTERIORS/ Jo Calver
Lighting design

04/06/2026

BATHROOM DESIGN

One of the most common bathroom layout mistakes we see is positioning the WC directly in sight when entering the room.

Whilst it may seem like a small detail, thoughtful layout plays a huge role in how a bathroom feels and functions. The most successful bathrooms aren’t necessarily the largest - they’re the ones that have been carefully planned from the outset.

When you first walk into a bathroom, your eye should ideally be drawn towards a beautifully designed vanity, statement mirror and feature lighting. These elements create a sense of calm, luxury and intention, helping the room feel more like a retreat than a purely functional space.

Where possible, we recommend positioning the bath beneath a window to maximise natural light and create a stronger focal point within the room. We also often incorporate stud walls to conceal toilet cisterns and pipework, creating a cleaner, more streamlined aesthetic. Not only does this help the space feel calmer and more luxurious, but it also provides opportunities for practical recessed niches within the shower or above the WC for discreet storage.

If space allows, we always recommend locating the WC in the least obvious part of the bathroom, ideally within a separate room or enclosed area. Where this isn’t possible, clever positioning or partial screening can still make a significant difference to the overall feel of the space.

It’s often these small architectural decisions that elevate a bathroom from standard to exceptional.

Thinking about renovating your bathroom? Save this post to help you make smarter design decisions and get the most out of your space.

Interior design
Lighting design

02/06/2026

OPEN PLAN LIVING

The biggest mistake people make with open plan living? Treating it as one large room.

Without thoughtful design, large open spaces can often feel disconnected, noisy and lacking the warmth that makes a house feel like home. The most successful open plan interiors strike a balance between openness and comfort, creating spaces that feel inviting, practical and effortlessly cohesive.

When we’re designing an open plan living space, we focus on creating distinct zones while maintaining a seamless flow throughout the home. Furniture placement, lighting, materials and scale all play an important role in ensuring each area has its own purpose while still feeling connected to the wider space.

A few simple design principles can make all the difference. Using rugs helps define different zones without interrupting the flow of the room, while layered lighting creates atmosphere and function throughout the day. Repeating materials, colours and finishes across the space helps establish cohesion, while carefully considered furniture layouts encourage natural movement and conversation. Incorporating soft furnishings and textured finishes adds a sense of warmth and comfort.

The beauty of open plan living is that it allows families to connect, entertain and relax together, but achieving that balance requires thoughtful space planning and attention to detail. When done well, an open plan home feels both spacious and intimate, with every area working beautifully together.

Great open plan design doesn’t stop at furniture layouts and zoning. Thoughtful lighting is essential to creating atmosphere, functionality and flow. Visit for our guide to lighting open plan spaces.

Interior design
Lighting design

27/05/2026

WENTWORTH RETREAT GARDEN DESIGN

At our Wentworth Retreat project, we were asked to design an outdoor space that could be enjoyed well beyond the height of summer - somewhere the family could relax, entertain, dine and gather comfortably throughout spring and autumn too.

The brief centred around creating a series of inviting outdoor spaces, including relaxed seating areas, dining, fire features and even a bespoke putting green, all designed to feel like a natural extension of the home rather than a separate garden.

Large glass doors open directly onto the outdoor entertaining space, while wide connecting steps create a seamless transition between inside and out. We incorporated miniature lights along every other step to create a subtle, magical glow as daylight fades and the garden begins to transform in the evening.

To maximise both comfort and usability, we designed a bespoke overhead canopy that provides shelter while also allowing us to integrate electrics and layered lighting throughout the space. The lighting is fully controlled through a computerised system, helping to create different moods and atmospheres from day into night.

The garden itself was carefully zoned to balance entertaining, relaxation, and recreation. A bespoke putting green introduces a playful element to the landscape, while the outdoor dining area was designed for long lunches, evening drinks and relaxed gatherings with family and friends.

Two separate fire features help extend the use of the garden during cooler months - a real open fire beside the dining area for atmosphere and warmth, alongside a gas fire within the seating space that provides instant heat for more relaxed evenings outdoors.

Materiality and lighting played an equally important role in shaping the overall atmosphere. Layered textures, warm architectural finishes, and soft ambient lighting create a space that feels elegant yet relaxed - luxurious without feeling overly formal.

Save this post for inspiration for when you next decide to create your dream outside space.

Interior design
Lighting design

Address

Unit 4, Enterprise House, 41 Reading Road
Pangbourne
RG87HY

Telephone

+441183346900

Website

http://islajamesinteriors.com/

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