About Shadi
Shadi Joseph holds a BA (Hons) in Architecture and a Master’s in Light and Lighting from UCL. Trained in both architecture and lighting design, she brings a rare blend of aesthetic sensitivity and practical expertise.
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After completing her studies, Shadi worked in New York and London as a project manager, overseeing designers, clients, and contractors to deliver beautifully executed projects—on time and on budget. Her hands-on experience on site, combined with working alongside leading designers, has shaped her thoughtful and collaborative design approach.
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Shadi’s design philosophy is deeply rooted in lighting. She begins by exploring how to maximise natural daylight—how sunlight enters, moves through, and animates a space. She then layers in artificial lighting to bring atmosphere, depth, and soul to the interiors during the darker hours.
Approach to Interiors
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Great interiors begin with understanding the true potential of a space—its proportions, its natural features, and the way light moves through it. My approach focuses on enhancing these fundamentals, creating a beautifully organised and thoughtfully designed shell before any furnishings are added. When the bones of a space are right, everything that follows becomes easier, more intuitive, and more harmonious.
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I work with natural and sustainable materials wherever possible, choosing textures and finishes that bring warmth, authenticity, and longevity. The aim is to create interiors that feel effortless: functional, calm, and elegant, yet flexible enough to be dressed to each client’s individual taste.
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A well-designed foundation allows the personality of a space to emerge naturally. With the architecture, flow, and materials carefully resolved, the furniture and styling can be selected with clarity—resulting in interiors that are both timeless and deeply personal.
Approach to Lighting
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The most successful lighting schemes are considered from the very earliest stages of the design process. Lighting should be felt more than it is seen; the era of scattering spotlights across every ceiling is long gone. Instead, lighting is thoughtfully integrated into the architecture—working with the form, materials, and character of the building so the illumination feels natural and intentional.
Good lighting is discreet, understated, functional, and atmospheric. It enhances the architecture rather than competing with it. Most importantly, it creates a feeling—welcoming, calming, and comforting. The right lighting should feel like a warm hug the moment you step into the space.
Designers own home
A full redesign and project management of my own family home.
We moved in when the children were young and carried out a major refurbishment and extension while living on site, which gave me a clear understanding of how we used the space and how to maximise the south-facing light.
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We excavated the garden by around 10 metres to create room for an extension and patio, and introduced a central courtyard between the dining area and two bedrooms. This brought natural light and ventilation into what had been the darkest parts of the home.
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After nine months of work, the result is a bright, airy, and practical home— beautiful, but never precious. A relaxed space that works effortlessly for our family, friends, and the constant flow of children.
