Name: Sophie Ford
Company: Pringle and Pringle Interiors Ltd
Position within company: Director
Website: pringleandpringle.co.uk
Tell us a little about your background in design (education, experience, etc)
I received my BArch in Architecture from The University of Sheffield and went onto achieve a Certificate of Design from KLC School of Design. I previously worked as a Designer for Turner Pocock.
How would you describe your personal design style?
Playful, with a variety of textures, lots of colour, pattern and art to create diverse environments that are exciting yet harmonious to live in.
Where does your design inspiration come from?
It stems from Human experience and everyday surroundings. Observation, travel and referencing interiors both past and present
In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?
More individuality and personality.
Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2019 and beyond.
1. The starting point of interior design should always be function.
2. Eclecticism, mixing styles, period pieces, colours, patterns and art
3. The design industry’s impact on the environment, encouraging designers to be more aware of their supplier’s corporate social responsibility.
4. Architects and interior designers working together as one. Designers often look to the mid-century architects for inspiration who often did their own interior and product designs as well as the architecture. In recent decades there has been more of a divide between architects and interior designers but it feels like we are moving towards a new era of collaboration.
5. Design should be fun, you want it to create amusement for those who live in it or visit a space.
If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to design schemes, what would it be?
Push boundaries it’s always more exciting.
How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?
Important for raising profiles of talented designers from around the world and recognising the different fields of design.
What projects are you currently working on?
Four town houses in West London, Two in North London, a newbuild in the New Forest and an office in central London
What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?
To launch our product range
Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:
Your most treasured possession?
Anything that holds a memory whether it is something to do with my children, a gift or a bespoke crafted product. Used to be my piano until it died.
Your favourite holiday destination?
Skiing in the Alps or bareboat sailing in Greece
Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?
I love all the Firmdale hotels particularly Hams Yard, Clemente Alla Maddalena in Rome we had one of the most memorable meals there on our honeymoon, Corkage in Bath is a great bar and
restaurant offering a wine experience without the snobbery, soaking up the owner’s incredible knowledge
Your favourite book, film & song?
A Frame for Life by Isle Crawford
Too many great films, a new favourite The Upside, based on a true story, funny
and there is a beautiful apartment to draw your design eye in!
Hey You by Pony Pony Run always puts a skip in my step
Your favourite food and drink?
I love Middle Eastern food, particularly Persian food. Wine.
Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?
Sailing with my family to a picnic spot, playing games, reading my magazines and a swim in the sea
If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?
A nutritionist
Anything else interesting?
As a child I loved designing. I used to draw detailed bedroom plans and even got a £20 voucher from GAP when I sent my clothes designs to their headquarters aged 9!