Sophie Franks Designs is a London based interior design studio offering a unique service ensuring that every detail of a project is managed from concept through to completion, delivering the clients design preferences whilst maintaining a cohesive but individualistic space.
Specialising in both residential and commercial interiors, the team at Sophie Franks Designs create magnificent schemes that are not just beautifully crafted but also functional spaces that tell the clients’ story. They work alongside a team of talented designers, architects, and project managers to ensure clients receive a professional yet personal service.
From interior design and architecture to bespoke cabinetry and furniture design, the team work closely with each client to exceed expectations. Offering a range of interior design services, from early concept design to a full interior design package.
Here, Founder Sophie Franks, discusses how her eponymous studio approaches bespoke joinery and furniture within a project, as well as sharing some exciting updates from the studio.
Where does the conversation start with the client with regards to furniture?
We always ask our clients what they are looking for from their furniture – how do they want to use the space and what is the purpose of each room? Everybody has a very personal and unique approach to the way they live in their homes and therefore the furniture around them has to feel cohesive to this and reflect this aesthetic. For example, some clients like to fall into a sumptuous sofa featuring generous deep seats and sinking in for comfort, whilst others much prefer a more formal and firmer feel to sit and enjoy. This is exactly why our design experience is completely tailored to the client’s preferences. Depending on their budget, lead times and comfort requirements will depend on whether we need to procure bespoke items for the client or whether we can use our wonderful and expansive supply base to help us find the right furniture piece to fit within the proposed scheme.
What is the biggest challenge when designing bespoke joinery and furniture for a project?
The biggest challenge with bespoke furniture procurement at the moment is continuing to push the boundaries on material sourcing and trying to expand the clients expectations of how these materials can work within the rest of the scheme installed. This is a challenge but we like to push the client out of their comfort zone to deliver something that they wouldn’t have achieved without working with us on their project.
How do you tackle issues surrounding sustainability in the interior design industry in your own studio and processes?
Sustainability is such an important issue that we continue to highlight across all of our projects whether residential or commercial. We try and consolidate deliveries, work with sustainable fabric houses for use across the schemes as well as reduce waste and recycling from sites wherever possible. We want to do whatever we can to continue to help in any way we can both personally and professionally. We have even used recyclable fabrics and materials across our projects with key suppliers, for example installing rugs made from recycled materials with Holmes Bespoke, which are not only beautiful but hard wearing and reduce the carbon footprint.
What are you focused on for the rest of 2024?
We are working on so many residential and commercial projects at the moment, all exhibiting different design perspectives and we cannot wait to show what we have achieved over this year. We have just had an exciting move to a larger studio which we cannot wait to show our clients. We have another two co-working studio buildings opening this year as well as 10 more residential projects to be completed before the end of the year. Stay tuned!
