Senior Interior Lighting Consultant
quellenbach Ltd
Light isn't just about visibility — it's about how a space feels when the sun goes down and the evening settles in. That's where real comfort lives.
Eleanor discovered her passion for lighting design whilst renovating a Victorian cottage in the Scottish Borders fifteen years ago. She was experimenting with various warm lighting techniques to combat those long, dark autumn and winter evenings — the kind that define British seasonal living. It's where everything clicked for her.
After completing her Interior Architecture degree at Edinburgh College of Art in 2010, she spent five years with a specialist lighting design firm in Edinburgh. But what she really wanted was to focus on residential comfort — the everyday spaces where people actually live. That's when she went independent, concentrating specifically on ambient atmosphere and cosy interiors.
Her breakthrough came in 2017 when a feature on fairy light arrangements for a Grade II listed cottage went viral. Suddenly she was fielding commissions from across the UK — London townhouses, Edinburgh flats, Cotswolds country homes. Each project taught her something new about how light works differently in different spaces, in different seasons, in different regions.
Since joining quellenbach Ltd in 2019, she's authored over 80 articles on cosy home lighting, hygge-inspired interiors, and practical ambient design. Her approach blends traditional British sensibilities with Scandinavian hygge principles — not copying one or the other, but creating lighting solutions that feel authentic to how we actually live in British homes. She's particularly passionate about helping renters and flat dwellers create warmth without permanent installations.
Graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a focus on residential interior design and spatial planning. Started experimenting with lighting solutions in personal renovation projects.
Five years working with a dedicated lighting design practice in Edinburgh. Gained experience with heritage properties, commercial installations, and residential retrofit projects across Scotland and northern England.
Established independent practice focusing on residential comfort and ambient atmosphere. Worked on diverse projects from Victorian cottages to contemporary London flats. The viral fairy light feature in 2017 significantly expanded her reach across the UK.
Authoring in-depth guides on cosy home lighting, hygge-inspired interiors, and ambient design solutions. Over 80 published articles helping British homeowners create warm, welcoming spaces. Continues to take on select consultation projects for high-profile residential properties.
Fourteen years of practical experience solving real lighting challenges in British homes across different regions, seasons, and property types.
Creating warm, layered lighting systems that work for British seasonal living. She doesn't just recommend bulbs — she designs entire lighting strategies for cottages, townhouses, and period properties that feel natural and authentic.
Blending Scandinavian comfort principles with British interior traditions. Her approach feels authentic to how people actually live in UK homes, not like copying Scandinavian design wholesale.
Practical guidance on selecting, installing, and arranging fairy lights for gardens, patios, and indoor spaces. She's developed methods for renters that don't require permanent fixtures — a real gap in the market she fills.
Specialising in compact urban living spaces where permanent lighting upgrades aren't possible. She's solved countless challenges for flat dwellers wanting to create warmth in small, rental-restricted spaces.
Understanding the unique challenges of heritage properties — low ceilings, period features, listed building restrictions. Her Victorian cottage restoration experience translates directly to practical advice for owners of older homes.
Seasonal lighting strategies that acknowledge British autumn evenings and winter darkness. She's worked through countless UK seasons and knows exactly what works when daylight disappears at four in the afternoon.
Recent guides and in-depth articles on creating cosy, well-lit homes across the UK.
April 18, 2026
Practical methods for selecting, arranging, and maintaining fairy light installations in gardens, patios, and indoor spaces. She covers everything from wire types to power solutions to aesthetic placement — the kind of real detail that's missing from most guides.
April 15, 2026
Creating depth and warmth in compact urban spaces without permanent rewiring. She breaks down the three-layer approach to lighting and shows how renters can achieve professional results with portable solutions.
April 12, 2026
How Scandinavian comfort principles actually work in Scottish properties. She explores the cultural differences, the seasonal challenges unique to northern Britain, and how to adapt hygge without it feeling like a design import.
April 10, 2026
Understanding colour temperature and selecting the right bulbs for different rooms and times of day. No jargon — just practical guidance on what actually matters when you're shopping for bulbs.
Years of Professional Experience
Published Articles & Guides
UK Homes Transformed
Interior Architecture Degree, Edinburgh College of Art
Eleanor's work has been featured in homes across Edinburgh, London, and the Cotswolds. She's worked with heritage properties, contemporary flats, and everything in between. Her approach combines formal training in interior architecture with over a decade of hands-on residential experience — not theory, but practical solutions that actually work in real British homes.
Eleanor's available for consultations, questions, and collaboration. Get in touch through quellenbach Ltd to discuss your project or request guidance on creating a warmer, better-lit home.
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