Flitting between her studio and the tile showroom sometimes with tea in hand and puppy at her heels, but always with a smile, is Sonya forever on the go but always happy to stop and talk tiles with any and everyone!! As the new year fast approaches we thought it would be most fitting to end the current one with some insights from Sonya herself and it truly does make for a beautiful glimpse into Sonya’s ever-inspiring, colourful design mind and thoughts, enjoy!!

AS THE YEAR DRAWS TO A CLOSE WHAT DO YOU FIND YOURSELF REFLECTING ON, THINKING ABOUT, AND CONSIDERING IN RELATION TO THE WHIRLWIND OF THE PAST YEAR? 

Well, this year has been a whirlwind of initially, fear and doubt, uncertainty and the unknown to a more familiar chaos, flow, and craziness! This year has reconfirmed to me how important the home is to mankind. The home has become “the place to be”… with the freedom of traveling curbed the home has been put up on a pedestal as it should be. Usually, I travel for work a few times per year and this is the first year in many that I have stayed at home and appreciated where we live, where I live. I love my home and I love the work that we have done around the home that we would not normally have had the time to do (and complete). I feel that this year has given the home new importance. Travel is out… home is in… so make it comfortable and make it a place you love to spend time!!

WHAT INSPIRES YOU AND HOW DO YOU REMAIN INSPIRED?

I have always drawn a lot of my inspiration from my travels so this year rather than being inspired by the outside world I have actually gained a lot of inspiration from what is happening in my home. My children…. are my greatest inspirations! All at home and all creative and all constantly creating. They keep me inspired.

HOW DO YOU CULTIVATE THE MOOD OF A NEW TILE DESIGN? WHAT IS YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS?

Starting a new tile design is not something I just sit down and do. I usually need a spark to be ignited with something I see and then the process starts. There has to be a moment of YES! and nothing happens until that moment happens. When it strikes it is pen to paper ( which involves many scribbles) and then with the help of my graphic designer, it is converted into a computerised format.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ROOM TO TILE? 

My favourite room to tile would probably be the bathroom. The bathroom is such an important room in the home. Walking into a beautiful bathroom makes you feel good. It’s the place you groom yourself and get yourself ready for the day, a place of self-care. Whenever I book a hotel, Air BNB, or guest house the bathroom is one of the deciding factors in which property I choose. Space definitely affects your senses and although a bathroom may be considered a practical necessity in a home, I truly believe a bathroom that’s enticing and captivating really does nurture your soul…. especially if there is a nice bath!!!

IF YOU COULD PICK JUST ONE, WHICH OF YOUR AMAZING TILES IS THE BEST REFLECTION OF YOU? 

I would have to say at the moment the tile that is the best reflection of me is the Pink Jaffa… it is busy, colourful, and also a little shy. Its colours are bright but muted and its design is intricate and hectic ( in a strangely soft way). I am loving pinks and blues at the moment so right now… Pink Jaffa reflects me best.