Beyond the Moodboard: The Business of Interior Design with Sally Wallace

Linda Barker on Timeless Interiors & Designing Better Homes

Interior designer and television personality Linda Barker joins us for Episode 5 of The Detail by iSteel, filmed at her beautiful Georgian home in the East Yorkshire countryside.Best known for Changing Rooms, Linda reflects on her journey from fine art graduate to one of Britain’s most recognisable interior designers, sharing stories from her television career alongside her thoughts on timeless interiors, craftsmanship, honest materials and what truly makes a home feel special. In this episode, we discuss: – Behind-the-scenes stories from Changing Rooms, including the infamous teapot disaster – The rise of disposable interiors and why longevity matters – Designing homes that feel authentic rather than staged – The details that instantly elevate a space – What makes something feel genuinely premium – Architecture versus decoration – Steel and glass doors from a designer’s perspective – Creativity, confidence and building a lasting design career We also talk about cold water swimming, television, and the lessons Linda has learned about how people truly want to live in their homes. The Detail is the podcast by iSteel — exploring craftsmanship, architecture, interiors and the people behind beautifully designed spaces. If you enjoyed the episode, don’t forget to like, comment and subscribe.#LindaBarker #InteriorDesign #ChangingRooms #TimelessInteriors #LuxuryInteriors #Architecture #TheDetailPodcast #iSteel

Matthew Hutton - Russell Hutton Kitchens

In this episode of The Detail by iSteel, Stephen sits down with Matthew Hutton, founder of Russell Hutton Kitchens, a Sheffield-based studio specialising in bespoke in-frame kitchens and cabinetry. Matthew shares his journey into the industry from building studies and surveying to learning his craft on the workshop floor and explains why the best kitchens begin not with furniture, but with planning, layout and flow. Together, they explore the value of true craftsmanship, why classic British design continues to resonate, and how thoughtful detailing elevates both everyday use and long-term satisfaction. The conversation also looks beyond the kitchen itself, touching on pantries, boot rooms, media cabinetry and open-plan living and how glazed steel doors and screens [https://www.isteel.co.uk/products/] help define spaces while maintaining light, connection and flexibility. Matthew explains what led Russell Hutton to specify iSteel doors [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/] in their showroom, and why slim profiles, shadow gaps and consistency across systems make a meaningful difference. In this episode, you’ll learn • Why great kitchen design starts with layout and spatial flow, not just furniture. • What makes bespoke in-frame kitchens so difficult to mass-produce. • How craftsmanship shows up in frames, hinges, fit and finish. • Why classic, homely kitchens are thriving again and how they stay relevant. • How pantries [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/domestic/fluted-glass-pantry-door-bespoke-black-steel-design/] and cabinetry can become design features, not just storage. [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/domestic/domestic-nottingham/] • How to zone open-plan spaces without losing light or openness. • What to look for when specifying glazed steel doors [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/fire-rated/fd30-fire-rated-slim-steel-glazed-doors-beaconsfield/] within kitchens and living spaces. Key Topics Covered • Matthew’s career path: surveying, workshop experience, and founding Russell Hutton Kitchens. • The role of planning, layout and flow in successful kitchens. • In-frame cabinetry, time-intensive build processes and premium detailing. • Advancements in modern fittings, mechanisms and CNC accuracy. • Classic vs contemporary kitchens — and finding a British design balance. • Pantries [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/domestic/domestic-client-sheffield-3/], boot rooms and social cabinetry around the kitchen. • Open-plan living: zoning, snug spaces and family use. • Why Russell Hutton chose iSteel: slimline profiles, shadow gaps and fire-rated options. • Creating continuity across doors and spaces within a home. • Collaboration with architects, interior designers and specifiers. Guest Bio Matthew Hutton is the founder of Russell Hutton Kitchens, a Sheffield-based studio creating bespoke in-frame kitchens and cabinetry rooted in craftsmanship, proportion and thoughtful planning. With hands-on experience across both workshop and showroom environments, Matthew designs kitchens that balance classic British detailing with modern layouts. Russell Hutton’s work often extends beyond the kitchen into pantries, boot rooms, media cabinetry and whole-home joinery — creating cohesive interiors shaped around how clients live. Quotes & Highlights (pull-ready) • “Great kitchens start with planning and layout — it’s about getting the space to flow.” • “There’s a difference between designing a space and just putting boxes in a room.” • “It’s very labour-intensive — that’s how you get the detail for the finish.” • “Comfort is what people like… something you’re happy to live with for many years.” • “Pantries are top of people’s wish lists — glass doors make them a feature.” • “With glass, you can define areas but still keep that open feel.” • “Those little details… not everyone can explain them, but they make the difference.” Resources & Links • Visit Russell Hutton Kitchens [https://www.russellhutton.co.uk/] — Bespoke kitchens and cabinetry, Sheffield • Follow Russell Hutton Kitchens [https://www.instagram.com/russellhuttonengland/] on Instagram • Explore iSteel [https://www.isteel.co.uk/] luxury glazed steel doors (sliding, hinged, screens & fire-rated) • Follow iSteel: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/isteeluk/] | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/isteeluk/posts/?feedView=all] | Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/isteel/] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@iSteelUK] | Pinterest [https://uk.pinterest.com/isteel_co_uk/]

From Finance to Renovations: Nicola George on Managing High End Home Projects

In this episode of The Detail, Stephen sits down with Nicola George, founder of NGPM Ltd — a London‑based project management firm specialising in full residential renovations. Nicola shares her journey from a decade in corporate project finance to steering complex home projects end‑to‑end: from planning applications and structural works to interiors, finishes, landscaping and aftercare. We unpack how she guides busy homeowners through intricate builds, her approach to budgeting and managing trades, and how she balances creativity with clearstructure. From handling tricky clients to keeping programmes on track, Nicola offers candid insight into what it really takes to bring a dream home to life. We also discuss her experience specifying iSteel doors [https://www.isteel.co.uk/products] —including bronze sliding glass doors [https://www.isteel.co.uk/projects/domestic/luxury-sliding-steel-doors-in-anodised-bronze-london/] — and how the right details elevate function and form in both modern and period homes.

Beyond the Moodboard: The Business of Interior Design with Sally Wallace

In this episode of The Detail by iSteel, host Stephen chats with West Yorkshire–based interior designer Sally Wallace about her journey from a high-flying career in fashion to creating interiors that are as unique as the people who live in them. Sally shares how growing up with a creative, entrepreneurial mother shaped her drive to run her own business, why she’s passionate about mixing old and new, and how travel, textiles, and personal history influence her work. From tackling awkward layouts to guiding clients through budget realities, Sally’s approach blends practicality with personality — ensuring every space not only looks beautiful but works perfectly for the people using it.

Growing a Modern Fabrication Business in Covid Pandemic

In this debut episode of The Detail by iSteel, host Stephen sits down with Pete Imielski, Head of Operations at iSteel Fabrications, for a deep dive into what it takes to run a growing UK-based fabrication business in today’s design and construction landscape. Founded in 2020 — at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — iSteel Fabrications was created to solve a key problem: the need for a reliable supplier to support iSteel’s luxury glazed steel door business. Fast forward to today, and Pete leads a full-scale fabrication workshop producing bespoke architectural steelwork for high-end residential and commercial projects across the UK.