As someone endlessly fascinated by the art of making a house a true reflection of its inhabitants, I relished the chance to sit down with interiors specialist at Cooks and Company – Sophie. Known for her thoughtful layering of textures, and a refreshing approach to modern living, Sophie brings a vibrancy to design that feels both aspirational and completely attainable. Over coffee, we dove into the trends shaping our homes, and the little details that turn spaces into stories. I am delighted to launch the first in our Cooks in Conversation series; a closer look into the creative minds of our colleagues and clients, and a celebration of the passion and personality that make Cooks & Company truly one of a kind. Here’s what Sophie had to say:
PAST & PRESENT: INTERIOR DESIGN TRENDS
Looking back, what trends truly defined the 2010s and early 2020s?
“Accent walls were everywhere. Now? Not so much. People became braver, embracing full-room wallpapering instead of isolating a single wall, and I couldn’t be happier. Also, grey and yellow…‘millennial’ to a fault. We’re finally bidding farewell to the grey, though yellow is enjoying a renaissance.”
Are any past trends making a refined comeback in 2025?
“Absolutely. Fashion and interiors are so intertwined. If it’s on the runway, it’s coming home soon. Fashion trends always go full circle, jeans were low rise in the 2000s, then ultra high rise in 2010 and now… they’re low again.. So all the trends are coming back at some point. In 2025, expect a resurgence of ’70s color palettes: dusty reds, rich burgundies, golden yellows.”
What’s one design trend you’re happy to see fading away?
“Millennial Grey. She’s flat, she’s gone. Good riddance.”
Have client preferences changed post-pandemic?
“Definitely. Home offices are now must-haves. As a society our outlook on working life as employers and as employees has changed drastically.We’re tucking writing desks into kitchens, crafting hidden nooks. We recently designed a bifold door system for a secret desk, it’s actuallygenius.”
THE FUTURE: PREDICTIONS FOR 2025 INTERIORS
Describe 2025’s design aesthetic in three words.
“Well it’s going to be slightly more than three plain words… I would say a Nancy Meyers level of pretty will be big. People young and old are thrifting and upcycling now more than ever and Nancy Meyers set designs show how this can be stylish and create a more personal space. Another word would be… culinary, colours named after foods for example, butter yellow (Kitchen Aid’s colour of the year), pistachio green, ganache brown, a lot morepeople are hanging food inspired art and paint by numbers in their homes. Finally I want people to know wood is gonna be big, in kitchen design as well as throughout the home, I don’t know why it left us for a bit there but I’m glad it’s coming back.”
Are there particular materials, textures, or finishes that you foresee dominating interiors in 2025?
“Well we’re in full-on spring season now and I think ginghams will take hold over this season to come in strong in summer. I’m a year round sucker for jutes and linens, even in winter they work if mixed with a heavy fabric like velvet, they just have that classy, British country feel. I love a jute or rattan rug, in any room they can look high end- they are surprisingly versatile.”
What about colors—are there specific palettes or hues that you think will be everywhere next year?
“Oh yes. Like I mentioned before, those food inspired colours, butter yellow and aubergine purple, cherry red was a big one there in winter 2024. I think we’re liking the link between delicious foods and delicious colours to make them even more yummy to look at. Don’t get me wrong, I think there’s limits and choices to be made when naming the colours, chocolate brown will always sound more appealing than broccoli green for example.”
How is technology influencing 2025’s interiors?
“I hate how ridiculous it sounds, but the rate at which we are having to design cupboards and designated spaces for air fryers is crazy. Everyone has one. There isn’t one pretty enough to have on display so we’re designing ways to make them accessible for everyday use whilst being hidden away. Also, it’s not a trend but it’s definitely noticeable that when clients come in with their inspiration to hand, it’s no longer magazines, or even pinterest, it’s tik tok or instagram.”
Who’s inspiring you right now?
“Personally I feel inspired by Shea McGee, she gives luxury and her use of antiques is so tasteful and well-done that the luxury feel is still there. Banjo Beale and his upcycling really inspires me, every object you might want to throw away may still have some love left to give you if you just put in some work and give it some love first. Really, I look to different people for different rooms or clients – Martin Brudnizki is a perfect point of inspiration when working with a glamorous client that wants pazazz, he wouldn’t necessarily do for someone wanting to spruce up their rustic barn conversion.”
PERSONAL STYLE & PHILOSOPHY
How would you define your personal design aesthetic?
“I’m a neutrals and rustic kinda gal. But I know that sounds very beige; I like to accentuate those neutral, natural tones with textures and a mix of and new décor and furniture pieces to add contrast. There’s potential in neutrals that I think is untapped if they’re not paired thoughtfully with other colours or textures, or patterns.”
If you could only decorate a space using three key elements, what would they be?
“First and foremost – function, Dieter Rams had it right when he said form should always follow function in any aspect of design. Secondly, layer, layer, layer – this is the only way to achieve real depth in a space, and don’t be scared either of layering patterns that at first glance you think may not go because then when you zoom out and look at the space as a whole, more often than not, they work. Finally, originality goes a long long way, unique finds from charity or thrift shops, or bespoke made pieces of furniture will always help you feel more connected to your home, it helps to make it feel truly your own and uncopied and uncopyable.”
One design rule you swear by—and one you love to break?
“Neutral doesn’t have to be boring! And the old adage red and green never to be seen? Yeah, I think we can break that, it can look great you’ve just got to experiment with tones and hues to get the right balance.”
Do you have a dream project—something you’d love to design but haven’t yet?
“Oh yes – I’ve got two; the dream would be a quintessential cornish cottage, I’d fill it to the brim with rustic, nautical pieces. I could really hone in on my Banjo Beale inspiration there, his lobster crate light would be a non-negotiable. Otherwise, and nearly on the other end of the spectrum, a maximalist, eclectic London Hotel full of colour, clash and pattern. Oh, and leopard print.”
If you could design a home for any celebrity or historical figure?
“Elton John, without question. His interiors should be as flamboyant and fabulous as his wardrobe.”
What’s the secret to making a home feel effortlessly luxurious?
“The advice I would give is to find the balance between curating your house to feel like a home while also making it a display of you. Essentially the client is the centre of the design process and they should feel like their interior speaks to them while simultaneously representing them, it’s the same with finding clothes, I’m sure a personal stylist would give the same advice.”
What are some simple styling tricks that anyone can use to elevate their space without a full renovation?
“With a living space it’s as easy as changing up the cushions, new colours, new textures and patterns can revive a space, even putting a bolster cushion where once there was a small rectangular cushion and slight tweaks like that can keep an interior moving with the times. But what I would love is to redo an entire house using stuff that’s already there, you know? Turn curtains into cushions, white wash a lamp base, paint a picture frame or piece of furniture, or go thrifting and upcycle something.”
Are there particular investment pieces—furniture or décor—that you think are always worth splurging on?
“It sounds like a plug but I feel very strongly about this – Tetrad is 100% an investment worth splurging on. Sofas are an investment anyway, and going Tetrad is a smart decision. The loose cover ones are completely machine washable and you can buy the covers separately so if you want to replace the color in 5-10 years you can do so without buying a whole new sofa. They’re also just nice to sit on, like a hug but in sofa form.”
What’s one piece of advice you give all your clients when starting a new project?
“Be open minded. It sounds small but people get stuck with what they’ve always had or known,or just old rules that just aren’t relevant anymore… who said bedside tables need to match each other, they don’t! Go in with a fresh mind and prepare to learn how good interior design makes you feel.”
QUICK-FIRE ROUND
Favorite interior trend of all time?
“Blue and white – Portuguese tile inspired patterns.
One home décor item you can’t live without?
“Lamps – no one likes the big light.”
Dream city or location to design a home in?
“Cornwall.”
Maximalism or minimalism?
“Maximalism.”
If your home had a signature scent, what would it be?
“Fresh linen – it works year round.”
