Jana Isaza-Smith from Studio Isaza
Jana Isaza-Smith, founder of Studio Isaza, shares her creative journey, and how life in the Northern Rivers influences her design approach.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Lisa Sorgini & Victoria Aguirre
Jana Isaza-Smith—interior designer, stylist and founder of Studio Isaza. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Narooma House by Studio Isaza. Photo: Victoria Aguirre
Narooma House by Studio Isaza. Photo: Victoria Aguirre
‘I think the casual and playful side of the Byron Shire has shaped my work. There’s a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere here, which is reflected in a lot of my projects.’ Photo: Lisa Sorgini
“The notion of creating interiors with intentional design had always been an obsession that I hadn’t truly tapped into until I began studying and working within that space.”
Design details inside Narooma House by Studio Isaza. Photo: Victoria Aguirre
New Brighton River Retreat by Studio Isaza. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Hello Jana—can you introduce yourself?
I’m Jana Isaza-Smith, interior designer, stylist and founder of Studio Isaza. I am a Kiwi/Colombian, married to an English man. We live on the outskirts of Byron Bay with our two lovely sons, Jackson, who is 11, and Oscar, 8. In 2019 we moved to our sleepy seaside village, after thirteen years in Melbourne.
Take us back to the beginning—why were you pulled to pursue a career in interior design?
I have worked within various creative spaces: make-up artistry in London and Melbourne and project management in the film and television industry. After my first son was born, I found that returning to the film and television industry proved more than challenging for our family, and I had to reimagine my career pathway. While investigating practical and creative pathways a friend asked me, ‘What do you want to be doing in 20 years time?’ That question prompted great soul searching and resulted in the study of interior design.
Where I grew up in rural Waikato, Aotearoa, interior design wasn’t presented as a viable career pathway, yet I was always drawn to design and creating spaces that made you feel good. The notion of creating interiors with intentional design had always been an obsession that I hadn’t truly tapped into until I began studying and working within that space.
Do you remember the first moment interior design made a memorable impact on you?
It was probably watching my parents renovate our farm house as a kid. I did a lot of sanding timber walls, furniture and painting ceilings from a very young age. My mum restored a lot of family treasures and created a dreamy completely timber bathroom that I adored. When I told my mum I wanted to study interior design, she laughed and reminded me that when I was 8 years old I was obsessed with tan leather sofas, so much so that I’d worked out a budget to buy one and had drawn up my future dream lounge room to put it in—so there’s been a spark since childhood!
Where do you mainly go for inspiration?
Gosh, inspiration is everywhere and anywhere. Where we live nature provides abundant inspiration. My husband laughs at how I fixate on design details in movies that he doesn’t notice, and that I pay more attention to that than the plot line… sorry Nic! The list includes film, architecture, any design show or documentary I can find. Fashion and nature inspire great texture and colour combinations. Instagram and blogs are a continual source of inspiration as I keep up to date with all the incredible designers and architects out there—I’m constantly inspired by the world of interior design.
What’s a design element you feel is most important in your work?
That’s a hard one… maybe colour? Colour is such a powerful tool when creating a mood or atmosphere in a space. It’s also a great way of making a home feel unique to the client, as it’s such a personal preference. If a colour makes them feel great, then it’s a complete game changer.
Do you think living in the Northern Rivers has an influence on your work?
I think the casual and playful side of the Byron Shire has shaped my work. There’s a relaxed, unfussy atmosphere here, which is reflected in a lot of my projects. There are a huge number of local creatives that I’m influenced and inspired by, and who I love working with. It’s exciting and fulfilling to collaborate with local designers and makers wherever possible.
‘Our goal was to create a home that blended modern functionality with a deep respect for the home’s Queenslander heritage—preserving the character and charm of the original house was at the forefront of our design decisions,’ says Jana Isaza-Smith of Paperbark Cottage. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
Paperbark Cottage by Studio Isaza. Photo: Lisa Sorgini
What makes you feel a sense of purpose most?
I love being a conduit for amazing creatives and trades coming together and creating beauty that makes everyone have a sense of satisfaction within the client’s brief. Those joyful collaborations and product development is one of the favourite elements of my job.
The most rewarding part of your job?
When you reach that beautiful point in a project when you start to see it all come together and the client sees how lovely their new day-to-day is going to be—more functional, more joyful and filled with beauty. That really gets me… I love to help people elevate my clients’ domestic spaces, it makes a huge difference to their overall wellbeing.
And the most challenging?
The balancing act of being a self-employed mother. There’s no ‘switching off’, which at times can be really hard.
What’s a piece of advice you would give someone starting a career in the interior design industry?
I’m in what feels like the fledgling stage of my business so I’m not sure I’m one to give advice but I would say, lean into what you love, challenge yourself creatively to get out of your comfort zone and be ever open to learning. Try to find a mentor (paid or otherwise) and foster a design community who will be your guiding light over the years. Having people around you who get it are worth their weight in gold.
The first design element you notice when you walk into a room?
Light—both natural light and ambient lighting is always an element that I notice immediately. Is the space softly lit with layered lighting that makes you feel relaxed and cosy or is it overly lit with excessive downlights? Light has a substantial impact on the mood of a space.
What do you love to do most in your down time?
We live within walking distance to the beach so a swim is always my favourite family down time. My partner and I share an office space and we often try to walk the kids to school and then head for a swim before sitting down to work—we feel really grateful to be able to start our days this way.
What’s coming up for you in 2025 that you’re most excited?
There’s a commercial space that I’m excited to be starting work on soon. There’s something liberating about nobody having to live in the design, so you can really lean into the drama and moodiness, which is super fun. I’m excited to share a few completed projects and get them out into the world and also complete some lovely spaces I’m working on at the moment.