Sophie Burke Design have been shortlisted in The International Design and Architecture Awards 2023. Read more about Principal, Sophie Burke below:

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Name: Sophie Burke

Company: Sophie Burke Design

Position within company: Principal

Website: sophieburkedesign.com

Tell us a little about your background in design:

A Vancouver-native, Sophie finished her undergraduate degree in BC, before moving to London to study interior design. She then landed a job with the legendary Terence Conran at Conran and Partners. Working on projects in London, Paris and Tokyo cemented her love for classic, contemporary elegance and provided the backdrop for her refined design sensibility. Upon her return to Vancouver, she launched Sophie Burke Design, which blends the aesthetic she honed while abroad with the singular beauty of the Pacific Northwest.  

How would you describe your personal interior design style?

Our interiors take cues from nature; deep colours, rugged textures, and natural materials; but dovetail with a global perspective.  Sophie believes that design should always be functional and liveable, with an inherent warmth and sense of ease. SBD designs have a timeless aesthetic, distilling the essence of a space, and focusing on tactile and natural materials that don’t feel rooted in a single moment in time.

Where does your design inspiration come from?

SBD marries modern and classic design while taking cues from the environment of the Pacific Northwest around us.  There is never a one-size-fits-all formula, each home bears a unique personality that reveals the very essence or nature of the people who reside in them. Influences have changed over the years; these days it’s Australian and Belgian design.

In what direction do you feel that design is moving towards in a general sense?

Personal well-being, consciousness around environmental impact, personalized spaces that support clients’ lifestyles.

Name five key themes to consider when approaching design in 2023 and beyond.

Sustainability,

Sourcing from values-based vendors,

Originality (in an era of Pinterest and Instagram),

Longevity,

Functionality.

If you could offer one piece of advice when it comes to interior design schemes, what would it be?

Be really clear on what your concept is – it can be tempting to try to mix lots of concepts into one space, but the most successful projects have a single, defining concept as the north star. This helps you make decisions as you go along and ensures that you end up with a really cohesive design.

How important are The International Design & Architecture Awards?

They’re important! They provide global exposure and an opportunity to network with firms we may not necessarily get to connect with.

What projects are you currently working on?

We’re working on a mountain home, a beach home on a local island, as well as some new builds in the city. We just started a character restoration project that we’re excited about as well.

What was your favourite project to work on and why?

A home for Sophie’s twin sister. I know her so well and she put so much trust in us, which allowed us to do our job really easily. 

What was your most challenging project to work on and why?

We did a project on a private, remote island where the clients were responsible for bringing in all new infrastructure. All materials, trades, and furnishings had to be barged in and so the logistics of the job were complicated.

Which products/services could you not live without when designing?

Lately we’ve been utilizing rendering programs like Enscape which really help clients to visualize their project.

What are your aims and goals for the next twelve months?

We’d like to collaborate with local makers to develop some SBD products.

Final thoughts; tell us a little more about yourself and your daily inspirations:

Your most treasured possession?

Although they aren’t ‘possessions’ I would have to say my three kids. I couldn’t live without them.

Your favourite holiday destination?

London – I love wandering through all the different neighbourhoods, coming across interesting shops, creative spaces, great restaurants and cafés. It’s such an energizing, inspiring city.

Your favourite hotel, restaurant & bar?

Hotel: The Laslett in Notting Hill.

Restaurant: Nook, a cozy neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Vancouver.

Bar: Hotel de Russie’s courtyard bar in Rome – it’s a great spot for people watching.

Your favourite book, film & song?

Book: Atonement by Ian McEwan.

Film: About Time. 

Song: The Story by Brandi Carlile.

Your favourite food and drink?

A really great pasta. A whiskey sour.

Your favourite way to spend an afternoon?

Reading a book at my cottage, looking out at the ocean.

If you weren’t a designer, what would you be?

A florist.

Anything else interesting?

I am an identical twin.

Sophie Burke Design

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If you think you have what it takes to compete in The International Hotel & Property Awards, submit your application by clicking here.

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