INTERVIEW WITH SOPHIE GIRARD OF SOPHIE GIRARD DESIGN
Today we are featuring the work of one of our talented fellow Collabers, Sophie Girard, Principal and founder of Sophie Girard Design, a full-service design studio specializing in creating serene residential interiors with timeless appeal.
by Gianna Marzella
April 2, 2021
The live edge, floating shelves bring warmth and character to this modern white living room. Chelsea, NY residence. Photography by Alina Gozina
These unique sconces help to further define this dining area in this stunning, open concept space. Chelsea, NY residence. Photography by Alina Gozina
Sophie was born in Paris, France and brings her European sensibility to each project. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from the New York School of Interior Design. She was the recipient of a Angelo Donghia scholarship award and participated in a Study abroad design program in Scandinavia. She also earned her Certification with the National Council for Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ). She worked for various interior designers and architects in New York City before founding her own design studio in 2012. Sophie currently lives in the Hamptons with her husband, two children, and one very private cat.
Get to know Sophie a little better by reading our Q&A below.
When did you know you wanted to become an interior designer? What inspired you to become an interior designer?
I grew up in France and my parents moved around a lot. My mom is an avid decorator and she gut-renovated each of our homes. We lived in a farmhouse in Normandy, an Art Nouveau townhouse in Nancy, and apartments in Paris. Two of my uncles were furniture antique dealers. Interior design and home remodeling was a big part of my upbringing. After I moved to New York, I felt I needed a fresh start and decided to change my career path.
Who is your design icon?
There are so many architects and designers that I admire! Among them, two of my favorites are British designer Isle Crawford for her thoughtful beautiful designs and French architect India Mahdavi for her bold colors.
What do you become most focused on with when designing?
I love bringing in natural materials and textures into my designs: linens, jute, plaster, lime wash etc... I am obsessed with rattan panels in furniture and cabinetry.
Tell us something people don’t know about you that surprises them.
When I was a little girl, I lived in Gabon, Africa with my family for three years. I keep fond memories of driving through the jungle, the heavy tropical rains and the local fauna and flora. It was an amazing experience.
Are there certain types of projects that you like to work on in particular?
My Design Studio specializes in Residential design. I love working on the furnishings and finishes of a new home or on the remodeling of an existing space. I particularly like designing custom kitchens and bathrooms. My approach to designing a space is very hands-on and detailed oriented. I find that the most successful projects are the ones where the clients have hired me in a full-service capacity where I can oversee every aspect of the project and make sure the initial design vision is brought to life. These are the projects that are the most rewarding to me. I think the initial design concept is a very small part of the process, the execution of the design vision is really 99% of the work. Too often people underestimate the amount of time and dedication that design development and execution requires.
Notice how Sophie book matched the quartz backsplash to hide the seam in this airy and dramatic backsplash. Chelsea, NY residence. Photography by Alina Gozina
We love the sophisticated stripes in this bathroom at Sophie’s Chelsea residence Project. Photography by Alina Gozina
What is your approach to options? Do you like to show your clients many options or do you like to go in with one clear favorite?
I carefully curate and edit down the options I propose to my clients. Too many options can be overwhelming and confusing. Less is definitely more.
How do you stay inspired?
I find so many different sources of inspiration everyday, in nature, art, architecture, movies, books and travels (real or imaginary).
What do you love the most about being an IC member?
Being part of this community of like-minded designers, sharing ideas and finding support.
What is the best piece of advice you’ve gotten from fellow Collaber?
There are many. One that struck with me was when Gala (Magrina) made an analogy between the creation of Earth and creating a space from scratch. She was saying how multi-hyphenated and complex our work can be and how we should not forget or underplay our value as designers and what we bring to the table.
What design challenge has come up for you in a project that you were able to turn around into a unique opportunity?
I ordered window treatment hardware and did not realize that because of the large span of the windows, the multiple brackets would interfere with the closing of the draperies. My vendor helped me rectify the issue and it all worked out in the end.
Can you tell us a little more about the project we are featuring today?
This project was a residence in Chelsea, NY. The scope of work was the renovation of the entire apartment, remodeling and designing of a new kitchen, lighting design as well as all new furnishings and finishes. The challenge was a very tight schedule: the clients were getting married and needed to have the apartment ready in time to host their family who were flying in for the ceremony. We worked with an amazing general contractor, Amaro Construction, who made it all possible and delivered beautiful craftsmanship within the tight time frame. One of my favorite parts of this project is the new kitchen backsplash and island back panel: we used a durable quartz (Neolith Estatuario) that was installed and bookmatched in such a way to conceal the seam and create a beautiful pattern. Another tactile detail in this project is the live edge organic walnut shelf installed below the TV in the Living room. It brings warmth and character to this modern white living room.
This light and airy bedroom is cozied up with an inviting, textural blanket at the foot of the bed. Chelsea, NY residence. Photography by Alina Gozina
Sophie Girard
“Too often people underestimate the amount of time and dedication that design development and execution requires.
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Sophie is taking project requests. If interested please contact her by clicking the button below.
contact form listed within profile
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