INTERIORS
Today, JT Interiors has a team of eight, working flexibly between the office and home – now the norm since the pandemic. One of the company’s most significant relationships is with University of Oxford, which owns a vast portfolio of properties. “We started with a Common Room at Jesus College. I was nervous as it was my first commercial job, but we got to grips with the regulations for a commercial project and things went from there.” Since then, JT Interiors has worked with 28 Oxford colleges, transforming student accommodation, common rooms, offices and even Provost lodgings. They also continue to work on rental properties, show homes and private residences across Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties, with plans to expand further afield through their growing show home arm of the business. One of their most memorable projects took them far from home – to the Isles of Scilly, where they redesigned the beautiful Tregarthen Hotel. All thanks to a chance reconnection with a university acquaintance, who had seen a LinkedIn article about a large scale project JT Interiors had just completed. “It was a huge undertaking logistically, but the result was so worth it and the loyal customers of the hotel loved the transformation.” Jill credits her success to her team. “Everyone is incredibly engaged. Roles aren’t rigid – one team member is exploring how AI can assist us, another manages our social media and so on. I encourage everyone to undertake training courses and grow their skills. When people focus on what they’re good at, they thrive.” Looking ahead, in addition to show homes, Jill hopes to expand on their growing role of helping returning expats and visiting academics set up homes in the UK. “Teams and Zoom have opened up the world. We currently have clients in the USA, Brazil, India and Hong Kong – it’s amazing what you can now achieve without leaving the UK.” Charitable work is also close to her heart. “We have done sponsored walks, and hosted tea dances at the local care home, but that only raises relatively small amounts – where we can really make a difference is by leveraging our supplier base.” One example is the renovation of The Little Room at Helen & Douglas House, a children’s hospice in Oxford. The space, used by bereaved parents, was stark and unwelcoming. “They couldn’t afford to renovate it, so we took it on. Trades donated their time, suppliers donated materials, and JT Interiors designed and project managed everything for free. We delivered £40,000 of goods and services for free and created a beautiful, comforting suite.” A similar project followed for Homeless
a space feel safe and comforting in the moments people need it most in their lives.” Recently, the team were finalists for SME of the Year at the Oxford Business Awards; an achievement that has energised the whole company. “It’s an exciting time with so much happening. I can’t wait to see what the future brings.”
Oxfordshire’s Her Way Home project, an eight-bedroom property for displaced women seeking refuge. Again, JT Interiors donated time and rallied suppliers to furnish the bedrooms and communal spaces. “I think it is important to recognise that interior design doesn’t have to be for the rich and famous – it can simply be about making
First Time Buyer August/September 2026 13
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