It was such an honour to welcome Sophie Paterson onto the podcast. Sophie is someone I’ve admired for a long time, not only for her incredible design work but also for the way she has built her business with such clarity and intention. In our conversation, she so generously shares her journey into the world of interiors, from her passion for aesthetics to the strategies that have shaped her success.

What struck me most was how insightful and inspirational her advice is, from the importance of photography and branding, to building a strong, supportive team, to the role of client relationships in creating truly successful projects. We also spoke about her exciting new venture, the Sophie Paterson Academy, which is empowering both aspiring designers and homeowners to approach design with confidence.

This episode is full of wisdom, from finding balance between work and life, to understanding what it takes to create a career that’s both successful and fulfilling. I’m so thrilled to share this conversation with you.

Takeaways:

• Sophie Paterson's journey into interior design was unconventional, starting from a passion for aesthetics.
• Investing in photography and branding is crucial for building a successful design business.
• Social media has transformed the way designers connect with clients and showcase their work.
• Building a strong, stable team is essential for maintaining quality and consistency in design projects.
• Effective communication with clients can significantly enhance project management and client satisfaction.
• Having multiple revenue streams can provide stability and growth opportunities for design businesses.
• Collaborations with brands can be a fruitful way to expand product offerings without the burden of logistics.
• The Sophie Patterson Academy aims to bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world design application.
• Understanding client needs and preferences is key to successful project outcomes.
• Work-life balance is vital for sustaining creativity and passion in the design industry.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Sophie Paterson
• 05:12 The Journey to Becoming an Interior Designer
• 11:25 The Role of Marketing in Design Success
• 17:54 Building a Strong Team and Company Culture
• 24:25 Client Relationships and Project Management
• 32:18 Revenue Streams and Collaborations
• 39:44 Launching the Sophie Patterson Academy
• 46:44 Reflections and Future Aspirations

✨ Links:

• Sophie Paterson Interiors: https://www.sophiepatersoninteriors.com/
• Sophie's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiepatersoninteriors/
• The Business of Interiors: https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/
• The Business of Interiors Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebusinessofinteriors/

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of If These Walls Could Talk, I sit down with Helen Bygraves and Jenny Weiss, the visionary duo behind Hill House Interiors. From starting as friends with a shared love of design to building a globally recognised studio with offices in London and Dubai, Helen and Jenny share their journey of nearly three decades in the luxury interiors world.

We talk about navigating friendship and business, the organic growth of their studio, the value of investing in photography and PR, building strong in-house teams, and the challenges of scaling a design business internationally. Their insights into procurement, marketing, and running large-scale projects are invaluable for designers at every stage of their career.

This is a conversation filled with humour, wisdom, and a rare honesty about what it really takes to sustain a thriving interior design practice.

• How Helen and Jenny turned a friendship into a 28-year design partnership
• The early days of Hill House Interiors and their “six-month trial” as business partners
• Growing organically without the push of social media in the early years
• Why investing in professional photography was pivotal to their success
• The role of PR in establishing credibility and building momentum
• Expanding into Dubai and managing international projects
• The importance of in-house teams: design, architecture, marketing, and finance
• Procurement challenges post-Brexit and how a dedicated team can streamline efficiency
• Insights on balancing creativity with financial rigour in a design practice
• Honest reflections on the realities of running a global studio

✨ Links:

• Hill House Interiors: www.hillhouseinteriors.com
• Hill House Interiors Instagram: @hillhouseinteriors
• The Business of Interiors: www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk
• The Business of Interiors Instagram: @thebusinessofinteriors

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this engaging conversation, Rachel Usher speaks with Philippa Thorp, a seasoned designer with 40 years of experience in the industry. Philippa shares her unique journey into design, the challenges of building a successful business, and the importance of understanding client relationships. They discuss the dynamics of teamwork, cultural differences in design practices between the UK and the US, and the significance of collaboration within the design community. Philippa emphasizes the need for designers to be adaptable and to foster strong relationships with clients to achieve successful outcomes. In this conversation, Rachel Usher and Philippa Thorp delve into the complexities of running a creative design business. They discuss the importance of understanding the balance between creativity and business acumen, the challenges of pricing and client expectations, and the significance of fostering loyalty within a team. Philippa shares her insights on longevity in the industry, emphasizing the need for continuous learning and the emotional investment in each project. The conversation concludes with reflections on legacy and the future of design, highlighting the importance of supporting creative crafts and nurturing the next generation of designers.

Takeaways

• Philippa identifies as a designer, passionate about the arts.
• Celebrating 40 years in the design industry is a significant milestone.
• The journey into design can be unconventional and serendipitous.
• Understanding client relationships is crucial for successful design.
• Teamwork is essential in managing client expectations and projects.
• Cultural differences impact design practices and client interactions.
• Collaboration within the design community fosters growth and support.
• The importance of being adaptable to client needs and preferences.
• Designers must be taught the necessary skills and tools of the trade.
• Fear of competition should be replaced with collaboration and understanding. Nobody really needs educating in how to design.
• The model has changed a lot; everyone wants a discount now.
• You’ve got to give service and be humble when mistakes happen.
• Our industry doesn't make a lot of money; it's tough.
• You have to charge for your time; it's essential.
• You need to have a crystal ball for client budgets.
• Dig deeper in every project; learning is continuous.
• Fostering team loyalty is crucial for success.
• You must take responsibility for your job to be good at it.
• Legacy is about ensuring current work is great and supporting future designers.

Connect with the host: @thebusinessofinteriors

Thebusinessofinteriors.com

Buy tickets to the Business Of Interiors 2025 Community Summit: https://www.thebusinessofinteriors.co.uk/2025-community-summit

Connect with our guest: @thorp_design

Website: https://thorp.co.uk

This podcast is sponsored by Usher & Co Interior Design.

If you enjoy this podcast please could we ask that you leave a review.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.