In our How She Does It column, we talk to inspirational mothers about work-life balance, their favourite travel destinations, travelling with children, and how they really do it all. This month we sat down with Sophie Paterson, founder of her eponymous interior design studio.
One of London’s most successful interior designers, mother-of-two Sophie Paterson is about to launch her own academy, helping others realise their career dreams within the industry. Here she tells us how she built her business and why she wants to pass on her knowledge and skills, and how she does it all alongside carving out time for family, travel and the things that make her the happiest.
Tell us about yourself?
I’m Sophie Paterson, founder of Sophie Paterson Interiors. I’m an interior designer, product designer, wife and mother of two. I started my company in 2008. I’ve always loved interior design – even as a child – and recognised the impact that good design can have on your enjoyment of day-to-day life. In the last eight years I’ve also designed product lines in collaboration with leading brand partners in the design industry: we have cushions, fabrics and wallpaper with Andrew Martin; home accessories with Addison Ross; mirrors and handles with Armac Martin; furniture with Loom; hand-painted wallpaper and art with Fromental; and doors with SWD bespoke. This has been such an enjoyable addition to my career – I’m constantly discovering gaps in the market of what we and our clients want but that doesn’t exist. It’s so fun to create a design concept and then see it come to life. I enjoy the business aspect as much as the design side and feel very fortunate to have found my niche.
For the last year I’ve been developing our online interior design academy – Sophie Paterson Academy. This was born from the recognition of how difficult it is to enter our industry; how closely guarded trade secrets and suppliers are and how many of the courses out there don’t prepare you for designing in the real world. I consistently see people make the same mistakes over and over again. That coupled with my audience on social media (950,000 across Instagram, YouTube and TikTok) who ask me things everyday, like how to start, how I do things, where I get things from, can I help them with their project? That’s what drove me to undertake this huge mission. It’s been a lot of work with over 40 video and photoshoots combined in the course but we are launching at the end of June and I’m so excited to share all my secrets and help others fulfil their interior design potential.
Tell us more about your working life?
I started my own company because I couldn’t even get an internship with another design firm – my background is a degree from Bath University in international management and Spanish. Running a business from such a young age has really formed me as a person. I’ve learnt to not undersell myself or think I’m not good enough to try and go for a goal that seems too big. I always have multiple projects/collections/goals I’m working on, as I believe it’s important as a business to diversity, but also as a person not to put all your eggs in one basket. That way if something fails or you get rejected you don’t waste any time worrying about it but move straight onto your other goals.
What inspires you in your career?
My audience. They often ask me the same questions over and over again or show interest in bespoke products we have designed which helps me know when there is an opportunity and a need to fill. My clients on the interior design side of the business are also some of the most inspiring people I’ve met – a handful over the years have developed into really close friends. Often, they are strong, successful and independent women. Emotional intelligence is something I really value in a person, and I love working with like-minded people. I am drawn to women who aren’t scared to be strong and firm in their convictions; standing up for what they feel is right whilst still retaining a sense of fun and softness. We don’t have to pigeonhole ourselves or label ourselves as anything. You can be in boss mode 9am to 6pm, but that doesn’t make you bossy or tough. You have to adjust to whatever you are dealing with. If I’m feeling low energy or uninspired, a walk in the countryside with my miniature Dachshund can instantly lighten my mood. Exercise and being outside are key for me to function.
The three things that help you juggle everything?
My husband: he made me believe in myself enough to do this. He is so supportive and gives the best advice when I’m feeling stuck. My nanny: I couldn’t run my business without her. She’s been with us since Ava was three and before Oscar was born. My phone and laptop: I’m continually on the go – visiting sites and travelling – and so I do 90 per cent of my work whilst I’m in the car/in between meetings/on the plane. I haven’t left my laptop at home for the last three months while I’ve been reviewing the final cuts of our video modules for the academy.
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mum?
I’m more selective than ever about what I spend my time on. If it takes me away from my children then it has to be worth it. That said my ambition and the things I feel capable of taking on has grown exponentially in the last two years. Turning 40 and realising how quickly it all goes by makes me seize opportunities when I see them and feel compelled to take them. I don’t procrastinate. The world is changing so fast that if an idea or opportunity is a good one right now you need to move, in 24 months the moment might be gone.
If you could give your past self one piece of advice about being a working mother what would it be?
I think about this all the time. You don’t know if you’re doing a good job until they are all grown up. The best thing I’ve started doing is talking to Ava – who is eight – like an adult, not talking down to her, but involving her in decisions. She has responded to it so well. Talk to your children about your life, their life, emotions, shows you have seen – relationships with our children are no different to any other relationship: we all want to be listened to, involved in each others lives and respected. I’ve surprised myself with how interested they are in my life and work. You don’t have to keep the two things separate. I just tell myself to share things with them and show them aspects of our lives as their parents as much as possible, rather than waiting until they are older and thinking that at this stage we just need to do kid-centric things.
If you had the power to change one thing for working mothers, what would it be?
Remove the guilt. I don’t know any working mothers that haven’t had it at some point in their career. I have a large proportion of working mothers in my company and we have also always had a policy of flexible working arrangements, adapting their roles and hours to suit them as a working mum. I feel the government should have more support in place for working mothers as we are moulding the next generation while supporting the economy, and there isn’t enough support.
If you have a day to yourself, what do you do?
Go for a walk, go to Pilates, go for lunch, have a sauna and a massage.
Heading ‘out out’ – where is your favourite spot?
I had a great night at Le Petite Maison this week with a girlfriend. I love fresh light food and good lighting! I’m not into bars or clubs, but I love food. I also love Zuma – it’s an oldie but a classic. In Surrey I love Grapelli for fresh fish and delicious pasta.
Tell us about the best holiday you’ve taken with your children?
As a family of four, I prefer to stay in villas. We often rent a villa with a couple of friends who have kids the same age. We’ve stayed in Mallorca and Marbella, and this year we are heading to Puglia. But when my husband turned 40 I took him and our daughter (who was a baby at the time) to Las Ventanas in Cabo, Mexico. It was so relaxing and that’s where I discovered I love Margaritas and Mexican food! They had such wonderful service and even had a little monogrammed pillow and teddy for her in the cot when we arrived.
Favourite hotel ever – with or without children?
Le Saint Géran in Mauritius is amazing. We went on our honeymoon 17 years ago and I’d love to go back with our children. Closer to home, Plum Cottages are great. There is one in Surrey that I love to escape to for a night with my husband: there is no phone reception and a little log fire. I come back so relaxed, as if I have had a two-week holiday!
What are your tips on things to do with children in London?
I’ve realised it’s not about the fancy destinations with my children. They love going on the train, going on the bus or scooting through Hyde Park. My daughter often drags me into Zara and inevitably we eat outside somewhere on the King’s Road or Duke of York Square, often in Manicomio because they are dog friendly. Ava is now at the age where she’s really into fashion and she loves to people watch and point out ladies that she thinks have cool outfits (that apparently I need to dress more like!). We’ve done all the museums, but they love wandering around Covent Garden, walking and popping into shops that catch their eye and trying out different cuisines. That said my daughter loves a West End show too and we often take her to them. Favourites include Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Mrs Doubtfire The Musical. Oscar loves animals and food so he’s happy anywhere.
Travel essentials with kids?
They carry their own little ruck sacks, but the real essentials include an iPad for long haul travel. For meals out without a screen we take Uno everywhere which we get competitive about.
Travel essentials without kids?
With or without kids I always take AirPods with some podcasts downloaded, and a magazine. If I’m travelling long haul I take all my mini toiletries and give myself a little sheet mask and red light mask on the flight to counteract the dehydration.
How do you think travel benefits your children?
We feel so connected without distractions on holiday. I particularly love going to the US where with the time difference, no one will be trying to email me after 1pm so I can really switch off. We have a very fast-paced life at home so on holiday we like a mixture of chilling at the beach, eating at restaurants and a little bit of culture. Our children are really good travellers and I love how adventurous they are with trying different food and learning about different countries.
Any top tips for travelling with kids?
Pack more snacks than you think any one could possibly eat. My kids get very snacky on flights and so I have an endless supply. We always factor in a lazy day the day we get there so we can recover and try not to over-schedule ourselves.
Where are you off to next as a family?
Our next holiday is to Elie in Scotland to stay with my lovely in-laws and see our Scottish friends; my husband is Scottish and our children really love and feel connected to Scotland. I’m blessed to have the most fabulous and kind mother and father in-law; they cook us delicious meals, give us drinks and entertain our children – so it’s heaven! We are, however, driving with our dog for the first time – it will be interesting having eight hours in the car. Straight after that we are flying to Puglia to stay in a villa with friends and their kids.
The best advice you would give to other mothers?
As long as you get it right 60 per cent of the time your kids will be ok. None of us are perfect, we all get tired and ratty and so don’t compare yourself to people who portray themselves as so online.
Are there any women who inspire you?
So many! On the work front I really admire how Aerin Lauder, Gwyneth Paltrow and Shae Mcgee have built their brands and companies. Women I know that impress me include my friends and fellow designers Natalia Miyar, Amelia Carter, Bunny and Emma from Turner Pocock as well as the incredible, talented and hard-working women in my team.
How do you do it?
Lots and lots of help. It’s not possible without lots of support and it’s really important to be honest about that so we don’t set up other women to feel like they aren’t doing enough. I have a great team who I can delegate lots to at work, a PA, a nanny, a housekeeper and a hands-on husband.
I also go to therapy. This has really helped manage how much I take on as I can have perfectionistic and workaholic tendencies. Then lastly exercise – I either do weights at home with my husband in our gym, the peloton, or Pilates. Those things keep me sane. Even with all that I still sometimes feel like I’m not doing enough, I can feel overwhelmed (thank you perimenopause) or like I haven’t got the right balance. We can’t do it all, all of the time but I have phases: right now I’m working towards a deadline and am more focused on work, and then after that I’m going to take some time off to have more time for me and to focus on family time. Balance is what you achieve over a longer period such as a year or month, you can’t get it perfectly balanced every day or week.
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Any Questions or Tips to add?