· Architecture&Design · 22 December 2022 · T. Joana Rebelo

Sofia Andrez

«The pandemic period forced an increased appreciation of spaces»

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Marco Santos

With a degree in Business Management, the field only served her as a complement to thrive in the world of design. 12 years have passed since Sofia created Atelier Sofia Andrez Interiors. With a portfolio marked by creativity and energy, the CEO brings together a team of 24 members, remaining loyal to the concept she defined from day one: elegance, timelessness and discretion. Among a series of subjects, Sofia addresses the emergence of a new concept of home, as well as the surprising evolution of the atelier in the middle of a pandemic. Keep abreast of the interior design universe with Sofia Andrez and her top tips.

Tell us how the adventure of Atelier Sofia Andrez Interiors has been.
It has been a very interesting and motivating journey, with continued strong growth, and that is due to the fantastic team we have been building. The company was created in 2012 by myself and, since then, we have been growing. Meanwhile, my daughter Joana Andrez decided to join the team in 2017 and today we have 24 fantastic members!

Describe your design process.
Our main goal, in every project we propose to do, is to create a unique and distinctive concept that meets the client’s expectations. To this end, we try to get to know them a little more so that we can create environments that make sense in their daily life and that correspond to their family, social and working life. Most of our projects are residential, so this immersion in the client’s life makes perfect sense. Our ideas are always presented through a digital base (Concept Board and 3D images) and a physical base (fabrics/finishes). In most projects, we enter at a very preliminary phase of the architecture, in order to choose all interior finishes, which allows us to create a decoration concept integrated into the interior architecture, creating a more cohesive result.

Where do you find your sources of inspiration?
Inspiration, nowadays, can come from the most varied sources. However, the main ones continue to be the trips we often make, either for leisure or for work, and the main international interior design, furniture and lighting fairs.

Marco Santos

Do you think people value their homes more today?
Definitely, yes. The pandemic period forced an increased appreciation of spaces. The time spent using a house has become an integral part of people’s lives, and ended up drawing attention to things that before would have gone unnoticed. In general, there is a greater awareness of the need to invest in the quality and comfort of the various spaces we use, and outdoor spaces have become an indispensable requirement.

What materials do you like using most?
All kinds of materials make sense, when applied in the right space. However, our design line is very much about natural and handcrafted materials. There is an increasing demand for what is national, which makes perfect sense, given the country we live in. It’s impressive how many materials we have access to that are designed and produced in Portugal - from mosaics, tiles, wood, fabrics, etc. We try to choose timeless materials, with a lot of elegance and discretion.

Is sustainability already a maxim in your atelier? If so, in what way?
Yes, it is a reality in our atelier, especially in large-scale projects. We try to use national products, which pursue the use of sustainable materials and conscious production.

«We try to choose timeless materials, with a lot of elegance and discretion»

Sem Asa Photography

In terms of decoration, what can a home not go without?
Comfort, elegance, harmony and energy.

Which objects and colours should you never mix?
Considering interior design an art form, there is little that can be considered right or wrong. A good interior design project is determined by the diversification of materials, textures, styles, colours and patterns used in harmony.

A project needs dedication. On average, how long does a design project at Atelier Sofia Andrez Interiors require?
It may require a minimum of three months and can go up to one or two years of project, depending on the size of the project and the stage at which we start developing it.

«Around 90% of our clients are international».

Sem Asa Photography

What has been the greatest challenge of your career, so far?
The greatest challenge of my career is constantly evolving to exceed clients’ expectations, which are higher and higher. At the same time, maintaining a cohesive and motivated team, which is undoubtedly a constant priority.

Is it essential to keep up with trends?
It is always very important to keep up with trends, although there is a very own and natural style in our team of designers, which ends up combining with the various trends over time. We strive to create timeless environments with current details.

What are the greatest difficulties for an interior designer in Portugal?
Around 90% of our clients are international, which allows us to let our imagination run wild. However, the greatest challenge a designer can have is to convince the client to take a risk, because there is always an implicit fear of not liking the result.

With regard to the future, what are your plans?
We want to keep the team consistent to continue embracing unique and distinctive projects in our country, so that we can reflect all our creativity and commitment in them.

22 December 2022

T. Joana Rebelo