From bold colour choices to fearless animal prints, the latest series of BBC Interior Design Masters kept us thoroughly glued to our screens. Sophie Newlands earned recognition as a brilliant runner-up and the creative force behind Shag Interior.
Celebrated for her distinctive “rock ‘n’ roll maximalist” style, Sophie joins us for a behind-the-scenes chat. Read on as we get an insider’s look at her creative process, inspirations, standout moments from the show, and how to successfully inject major personality into your own home.
1. What’s your background in interiors, and what first sparked your passion for design?
Credit: Alex Voss
I moved house 9 times in 8 years, and many of those properties were rentals, so I got very good at personalising my spaces; making them feel like home even when I was thousands of miles away from my family.
When I moved in with my husband, I began renovating our house and subsequently taught myself to paint. That’s how I started Shag Interior!
2. How would you describe your signature interior style in three words?
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I would say atmospheric, layered, and sexy.
3. Looking back on Interior Design Masters, which space or challenge are you most proud of, and what made it so special?
Credit: Interior Design Masters / DSP / BBC One
It’s a close call between my winning spaces earlier in the series and the grand final. But I think the final just tips the scales because I got to design an entire holiday cottage at Longleat, and I genuinely loved every single room. Getting to truly unleash my signature style on the world felt incredible.
4. Every designer faces setbacks. What was your toughest moment on the show, and what did it teach you?
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I kind of lost my groove at the midway point, and then my confidence crashed. After week 3, when we lost Ben and Kate, the competition suddenly became very real, and I think I just panicked. I stopped trusting my gut, but fortunately I was given the chance to realise that trusting my intuition was all I needed to do.
5. What are your top tips for elevating a space affordably?
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First off, figure out what kind of home will make you happy and go from there. Stay away from some high-street trends as they can come and go in a flash. Upcycling existing furniture and decor is a great way to be sustainable and save money.
6. How do you keep your creativity fresh? Are there any unexpected places, people, or experiences that inspire your work?
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I am constantly inspired by the things around me. I love getting the chance to travel, particularly in Europe, as the architecture and interiors out there are so beautiful. But I am inspired by everything from music and fashion to art and nature.
7. Great design needs to look beautiful and work for everyday life. How do you balance style with practicality when designing a space?
Credit: Adam Grüning
I always start with finding out how the space is used and what the user wants from it. This will dictate the functionality and spatial planning as well as highlight any problem areas.
Something I always try to do in every design is ask how can this be done differently? Sometimes a great idea will then present itself; I love to challenge the norm and improve how a space works. When it comes to aesthetics, I usually already have a strong idea before I have even picked up a fabric swatch.
8. If someone only had a weekend and a limited budget to transform a room, where should they focus their efforts first?
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DECLUTTER! It’s amazing how much stuff we have that we don’t actually need, and I say this as a maximalist! Once a space has been purged, it’s much easier to begin a transformation. With a limited budget and timeframe, I would say you can’t go wrong with a colour drench to update a space. And a top tip, use a matt finish for walls and ceilings and eggshell for woodwork so the room doesn’t look too one-dimensional.
9. Are there any colours, materials, or design trends you’re particularly excited about right now?
Credit: Adam Grüning
I steer away from anything that trends, as my business ethos focuses on longevity within design. Shag Interior’s signature is known for rich colours, clashing prints, and layered textures and for me, that’s a timeless style.
10. Was there a piece of feedback from a judge that really stayed with you or changed the way you think about design?
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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen told me to focus on the small details, and I now spend a lot of energy on those finishing touches for my clients. I always knew I was a “big picture” designer and the styling was something I needed to work on.
I have learnt to start thinking about those final details before we have reached that stage in the design process so I am able to factor them into my client’s budget. This is something that didn’t come naturally to me prior to the show, so I think this advice has been really valuable for me working professionally.
11. Have you stayed in touch with any of your fellow contestants, and are there any collaborations you’d love to pursue in the future?
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I regularly speak to Lia, Kate, Ben, and Ajeet. Frankie also pops in to say hello whenever she’s passing by on her adventures! Kate and I have been chatting about collaborating on something exciting, but I can’t reveal what yet, so watch this space!
12. If you could choose one Oak Furnitureland piece as the starting point for a room scheme, what would it be and how would you style it?
Definitely the Zara armchair in the beautiful mustard colour! It would be a gorgeous feature piece for a living room or reading nook that you can easily build a scheme around. To style it, I’d drape a leopard print throw over one arm and add a velvet bolster cushion.
13. What’s next for you now that the show has finished? Are there any exciting projects on the horizon?
Credit: Adam Grüning
I am currently working on some exciting projects. I’ve designed an office for an architect’s practice which was incredible because they’re based on the first floor of an old Georgian property, dreamy! And at the end of this month I’ll be starting work on my biggest project to date, a cafe-bar on the Las Vegas strip!
14. What advice would you give to aspiring interior designers who are hoping to turn their passion into a career?
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Network as much as you can, discover your interests, and read lots. Learn as much as you can about your craft. Interior Design is a huge world with many areas of expertise, so discovering where your talents and potential lie is essential; when you’ve done that, double down on it.
Curious to see where Sophie Newlands’ design journey leads next? Explore her latest projects and inspirations at www.shaginterior.co.uk, and follow along on Instagram @shaginterior for a behind-the-scenes look at her evolving creative world.
For more BBC Interior Design Masters inspiration, check out our interviews with previous contestants, Rita Millat and Matt Smith-Wood.
