The Emerald lounge

The Emerald lounge The Emerald lounge is a creative business where you discover the power of designing your interior space - by YOU.

22/03/2026

This project began with a beautifully simple brief:

Community.
Connection.
Belonging.

The client .co.uk asked for the Dolserau Hall hotel interiors do something quite powerful.
To bring people together, to encourage connection, and ultimately to create a genuine sense of belonging.

I knew then they are not after fancy esthetics - music to my ears 💚

So how do you design a hotel that helps people feel that?

Set within the extraordinary landscape of Snowdonia, this 1863 Victorian Hall already held some kind of magic.
The surroundings feel almost cinematic, something close to a Narnia movie set.

On the day of the photoshoot, it was all there, a beautiful Welsh spring day.

🦉A resident owl keeping watch.
🦇Protected bats tucked away waiting for dusk.
🐎Wild horses moving across the fields.
🐿Squirrels darting between trees.
🐑Sheep and lambs feeding on fresh grass.

I wanted to pay respect to the building — its history, its presence, its setting and let nature seep inside through every window and door with interiors that feel like home from home, with just enough playfulness to help guests relax.

Because when people feel at ease, connection follows.
And from that, belonging naturally grows.

All in all, under the watchful eye of its wild neighbours,
this has become a destination that feels a little like a holiday made in heaven and I couldn’t be more pleased to see this beautiful place step into its new chapter.

The hotel is now open — you can book a stay and read more via the link in my bio.

Hi, I’m Jana—the creative mind behind The Emerald Lounge, a self-confessed colour lover and nature enthusiast 🌿. For the...
09/11/2024

Hi, I’m Jana—the creative mind behind The Emerald Lounge, a self-confessed colour lover and nature enthusiast 🌿.
For the past five years, I’ve been bringing my “eternal optimist” approach to my clients’ homes.

With a “natural energy” toolkit and a commitment to nurture, harmony, and sustainability, I truly feel I have the perfect job.

And you can experience a little bit of that nature magic too💚

I’ve written 4x free issues of A Place To Be, my digital magazine packed with inspiration and practical steps to add a touch of design magic to your home. You’ll find everything from biophilic elements to colour inspiration ready for you to explore. Find it via the link in my bio, dive in and let me know which creative step you’ll try in your own space.

This year, my work has expanded to adapted living projects, creating thoughtful spaces for people of all abilities. It’s been a true calling, bringing together everything I believe in and ensuring accessible design with style.

Say hi, ask a question, or share your design triumphs. I’d love to hear from you!

11/09/2023

Biophilic design for people living in adapted homes - part 4 - Bathroom, Cost & Outside_In

"You need to design this right because you are designing my prison" - sobering words from one of Anava's clients, director of Design for Independence, a private housing occupational therapy company.

Imagine spending up to three hours in a bathroom, a time when vulnerability is often heightened but what if you could have a bathroom that helps you escape?
We frequently overlook our connection with the outdoors, yet we should strive to bring nature closer to those who spend the majority of their time indoors and bathrooms are no exception.
Anava's wise words" If all the rooms are the same - white and full of equipment - and there is nothing reminding you of the outside world then we are not really changing the client's environment. We are only moving them from one room to another in our heads but they all look and feel the same."

I am here to help create an environment that entices people to move from room to room, encouraging a variety of activities from socializing to creativity and this is done through selecting colours & materials that are not only familiar to us but also stimulating and evocative of nature.

So far, this episode is my favorite, especially the ending 😉.

Collaborator: @ Design for Independence Ltd.
Designer: Jana
Editing: Joe
Video: Paul @ Design for Independence Ltd.
Images: Lee







29/08/2023

Biophilic design for people living in adapted homes - part 3 Colour

In part 3 of this mini-series with from Design for Independence, we dive deeper into the significance of colour within our environment. Colour happens to be one of my favorite topics as it subconsciously evokes memories, influences our behaviour and above all can be harnessed to our advantage.

Through my Seasonal Personality Profiling document, we uncover which colours naturally resonate with you more than others. Colour is an inherently personal facet of interior design, and discovering your affinity for certain hues is always an enjoyable journey. So whether you lean towards vibrant and bold shades or prefer the subtlety of pastels, there's a colour palette for everyone. No need for white/ grey or beige interiors any more.

And what occurs when there are different personality traits in a household, each with varying colour preferences from yours? By offering a space for both parties to share their preferences, often unexpressed before, I blend their inputs to create a personalized colour scheme.

Anava's team is dedicated to crafting adapted homes that seamlessly align with their clients' daily requirements, and colour further enhances the desired atmosphere within each space.

By opting for the colours in your home that bring you joy and understanding their positive traits, you can begin integrating colours you have always loved but might have been uncertain about how to achieve a seamless balance.
Are you curious what colour says about you?

Collaborator: Design for Independence
Designer: JANA ROBINSON
Editing: Joe Higham
Video: Paul Groves Design for Independence








22/08/2023

Biophilic design for people living with disabilities - part 2
How do you transform a functional, adapted new build into a home that not only serves your practical needs but also aligns with your aesthetic preferences? 's team at Design For Independence excels in crafting functional spaces for their clients but with one additional step, we can ensure your highly functioning new build doesn't end up feeling like an uninspiring white box that leaves you uncertain about how to engage with it.

This is where biophilic design truly shines. It not only fosters a sense of personal fulfillment within a space, reflecting your individual values but also acts as a guide for shaping the anticipated ambiance of each area.

As an interior designer, my approach involves delving deep into your preferences and inclinations.
One simple question often reveals much: "How do you enjoy entertaining?"

This seemingly unrelated inquiry reveals a lot about a personality but our exploration doesn't stop there. We'll swiftly engage in creative dialog, navigate through your vision and make your newbuild home an environment to thrive in.

Full video on my Youtube channel.

Collaborator: Design for Independence
Designer: JANA ROBINSON
Editing: Joe Higham
Video: Paul Groves Design for Independence







Oh you tropical beauty!If only we could have more glazed courtyards like this, if only we had the same amount of light, ...
21/08/2023

Oh you tropical beauty!
If only we could have more glazed courtyards like this, if only we had the same amount of light, if only we could have Monsteras growing outdoors. Dreams, dreams, dreams 😊

With all honesty, Monstera is on of my favorite plants but I could not tell my Mabel about her "siblings" I saw in Lanzarote looking lushesly green with leaves as big as duvets and pretty impressive leaf perforations.

For now though, I am scrolling through hundreds of photos from Lanzarote, planning another trip ✈️ 🌞




So what's been happening the last  2 months I hear you ask?  A LOT!I have been:✅asked if I would like to feature in a li...
02/03/2023

So what's been happening the last 2 months I hear you ask? A LOT!

I have been:
✅asked if I would like to feature in a lifestyle magazine ( I said yes😉)
✅ landed my biggest residential job - a 5-bed house with all the trimmings (the 3D model is mega!)
✅ continued work on my commercial project in Norfolk
✅ making of a dream collaboration deep diving into accessible design (short videos out soon)
✅ started work on a 2-storey office refurb project in St Neots (I know, crazy!)
✅ updated my website with a crystal clear message (go and check it out)
✅ nearly got around to putting images from the December photoshoot of my Rickmansworth project on the website (work in progress on that one🤔 )
✅ making new friends & continue to manifest happiness 💞
✅ lastly, I have a new freebie on my website if you fancy dipping a toe into the world of biophilic design (download it today)
... that's quite enough to take down a horse but I am still standing with the help of🌞 .

So, I think I am back on the grid 🥂 . I look forward to reconnecting with old accounts and finding some new & inspirational people to keep the creative world spinning.

Have a fabulous day everyone x

...and this is how we roll. I provide the inspiration, you absorb it and the results are confident decisions without any...
10/11/2022

...and this is how we roll. I provide the inspiration, you absorb it and the results are confident decisions without any more second-guessing and inconvenience of returning purchases. Wanna feel like that?
Come and see me at my first
Design surgery 11. & 12.11. , even if it is just a mooch of Karen's gorgeous products 😉
More info on my website (link in bio)🥂

Over to my client:

"Also I just wanted to say that you have taught me sooooo much, if you scroll to the very beginning of my ‘bedroom’ Pinterest board my original idea was plain navy walls with plain white bedding, then you can see the change into more colour/pattern/texture- that was a result of all your teaching 😊 "

One inspirational image with plenty of spirit can be the making of a home that gives you the right energy and inspiratio...
05/11/2022

One inspirational image with plenty of spirit can be the making of a home that gives you the right energy and inspiration to experience your own adventures.
I can't lie, this pic is so me, sadly not of me 😉 Everything in it makes me smile with plenty of information to put together a few slides should I need some inspo if we were to ever move again.
DESIGN NOTES:
1. Find an image of what truly makes you happy
2. Find an image if a room that relates to those feelings (at least 5)
3. Choose your wall finishes
4. Choose your hard finishes
5. Have some fun choosing your accessories
6. Tie it all together on one sheet/board just to check you are still happy and all is aligned with your inspirational images
7. Use my handy checklist
8. Call me if you still need help 😊

The wallpaper? One of my "go to" wallpaper houses - love their designs.

Address

Saffron Walden
CB102AX

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+447792003574

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