Cannock-based interior designer Sophie Newlands has finished as runner-up in the latest series of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters.
The founder of Shag Interior made it to the final of the seventh series of the popular show hosted by Alan Carr, which saw her go head-to-head with fellow finalist Lia Gold to transform rental cottages on the grounds of the Longleat Estate.
Although she narrowly missed out on the programme’s prize of a commercial contract with Next, Sophie says the experience has helped her develop as a designer, while her social media following has ‘increased massively’.
Over the previous seven weeks, Sophie tackled high-pressure transformations including beach huts on the Dorset coast, a shop in Hay-on-Wye and a studio apartment in Leeds.
Specialist painter Sophie is known for her maximalist style and has been praised by industry experts for her eye for colour and texture.
She described the final challenge as her ‘dream brief’ because it allowed her to go ‘full on Sophie’ incorporating jungle prints and layers.
The 36-year-old, who grew up in Newcastle-under-Lyme and attended Wolstanton High School, told Daily Focus: “I was really excited for the final. I had been a nervous wreck all the way through, but something changed. I knew I could go to town with my signature style and told myself to enjoy it. I had the most fun. The final was just amazing.”
Sophie had previously begun an application for an earlier Interior Design Masters series but put it on hold to establish her own business first.
Before the show aired, Daily Focus reported that she has won a contract with a café bar in Las Vegas after her work was spotted on her Instagram page. That project – her biggest to date – begins in the summer.
She has also secured a speaking slot at the Painting and Decorating Show coming to the NEC and hopes the show will lead to more commercial work, event speaking and brand collaborations.
Sophie, whose husband runs a barber’s business in Stafford, said: “My confidence has soared since the show. Putting myself in a competitive environment has done me the world of good.
“I showed massive diversity as a designer and that I can still take on briefs that [aren’t to my signature style], but I can deliver.”
She added: “I’ve had so many lovely comments and messages from friends, family and clients. Everyone is really proud of me. I love that I have been able to show people what I can do.”
Congratulate Sophie in the comments section below and, if you watched the show, let us know your favourite part of the series.
