Sonia Bourruel
1. Please give us a brief bio of yourself and your design background.
I am Sonia, founder of Sonia b design, half French half Spanish and London has been my home for many years now.
Before re-training and creating my interior design practice in London I pursued a career in risk management and strategy in financial services. You would think that I fell quite far from the tree, but these two worlds are not that far apart.
For me, design is all about understanding your client and finding the solutions to meet their needs, whether these are wellbeing, health, space, adding value, safety or making a space unique and different.
I completed a diploma in Applied Interior Design at KLC School of Design and am an associate member of the British Institute of Interior Design.
2. What made you become/why did you choose to become a designer/artist?
Interior design is in my blood. I grew up in the world of construction, property and design and am inspired by my grandfather, a builder and property developer who set-up a family business in bathroom and kitchen design.
Designers can really make a difference to how people live and work. Inclusivity and accessibility are key parts of this and of upmost importance to me. I decided to take the opportunity to re-train as an interior designer. After a year supporting other practices mainly as a freelancer, I set up Sonia b design end of 2021.
For me, design is all about understanding your client and finding the solutions to meet their needs, whether these are wellbeing, health, space, adding value, safety or making a space unique and different.
3. Tell us more about your agency/company, job profile, and what you do.
Sonia b design is an interior design practice based in London. We work on both residential and commercial projects in hospitality, events and offices supporting property developers, private and commercial clients.
It is really rewarding to work on such a variety of sectors whether it is by helping people with their business strategy and create a space where they can implement it or delivering someone’s vision and needs for their home.
Our approach is all about you, all about trust, all about planning.
4. What does “design” mean to you?
A process whereby we enhance people’s experience of a space by bringing solutions to clients’ needs and aspirations.
Accessibility is extremely important to us. We always intend to consider different needs in our designs and make sure that everyone can have an enjoyable experience in commercial spaces and that a space is adapted to specific needs of a client in residential projects.
5. To you, what makes a “good” design?
A design that is unique to the people we design for and that focuses on what is meaningful to them, make them feel comfortable in a space, rather than following trends.
A design that delivers on two fronts – 1. functionality and practicality 2. Being uplifting
6. What was your main source of inspiration for this design?
Bars and restaurants I have been to during my travels and in London as the client wanted a Members Club look and feel for his home. Nature is a large source of inspiration for me when developing a design, specially for the minute details as nature is unpredictable and always bring unexpected ideas.
7. Do you think your country and its cultural heritage has an impact on your design process?
Absolutely. I am half French half Spanish. Each of these cultures have their very specific traits but they both have life principles and design characteristics that I strongly embrace and always seek to bring to the designs I develop. Natural materials are a key part where ceramics, terracotta particularly play an important part in Spanish interiors. Respect the history and know how to be playful. Both France and Spain have beautiful historic architecture where cities such as Paris and Bordeaux, showcase striking Haussmannian buildings and interiors where original features are preserved and enhanced by carefully chosen features such as dramatic furniture and decorative lighting. When it comes to being playful, Spain certainly demonstrates how we can bring the unexpected, modernity while featuring a striking historic architecture with the likes of Gaudi. I feel very lucky to be able to express these principles, in the UK, my home for the last 15 years, such a rich and open minded country where history and modernism work hand in hand beautifully. The city of London is a great example of this.
I am a great believer that design should be about your lifestyle, not looking to be overly curated, not following trends but instead let people’s memories, cherished items bring a space to life. Most importantly, there are no rules, embrace imperfection.
8. Congratulations! As the winner of the London Design Awards, what does it mean to you and your company and team to receive this award distinction?
It is an honour to win this award. It is a fantastic boost to always seek for new challenges. This award is a recognition of the hard work and care that goes in our designs and for our clients. Very importantly, it is a recognition of teamwork where suppliers and specialists we collaborate with show the same level of hard work, support, care and play a key role in every project. A big thank you to the team involved in this project.
9. Can you explain a bit about the winning work you entered into the London Design Awards, and why you chose to enter this project?
The Club house project was a comprehensive refurbishment of a Victorian house and optimising it for a young professional. The brief was to create a members Club atmosphere and therefore bringing hospitality design into a home while focusing on the comfort of a home which has been a truly exciting design journey.
An important part of this project was the strong focus on restoration, community support and reusability which are all extremely important to us.
10. What were the main challenges you faced during the design process, and how did you overcome them?
“Surprises” that we uncovered during demolition, that often come with period properties and the need for unplanned substantial work. Building Control were extremely helpful which enabled us to progress promptly with the additional works required. Despite the challenges and the extra work required, the team completed the project on time.
11. What are your top three (3) favorite things about the design industry?
Each project is unique and offers the opportunity for a fresh start.
Collaboration
Constant evolution
12. Where do you see the evolution of design industry going over the next 5-10 years?
Increased focus on human centric designs while leveraging developments in AI in the way we work and communicate with clients.
13. What resources would you recommend to someone who wants to improve their skills in the design industry?
Design is a constant learning, and we need to keep at it whether it is through CPD and professional trainings but also by meeting people! Be open, engage, socialise. We have so much to learn from each other whether it is within or outside the design industry. Take inspiration everywhere, from nature, exhibitions, a movie, books.
14. Who has inspired you in your life and why?
My grandparents. My nan particularly. Strong, resilient, hardworking, risk taker, open minded, inclusive and ... a rebel!
15. What is your key to success? Any parting words of wisdom?
Challenging the status quo, hard work and always focusing on the clients needs and aspirations.
