It’s my favourite time in my blog schedule, when I shine a light on my incredible clients by way of my The Proust Questionnaire feature. Today we have fabulous Sophie Kost, Founder and Lead Designer at My Beautiful Abode.
The Proust Questionnaire by Sophie Kost
What is your idea of perfect happiness?
I often find myself basking in happiness when I notice the light at magic hour. It might be when I’m a passenger in a car on a long country drive, or out walking, again, in the countryside or some open space. Add in the perfect music for the very moment and we have created my perfect happiness.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My art collection; while small is still very much a personal luxury. As a person who can draw and paint a little bit, buying art is a real treat, I admire artists who really put themselves out there.
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
I think it would be describing inedible things as delicious. That rug looks delicious. Those cushions, delicious. That colour, so delicious.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I’ve been thinking about this, and I think it’s driving a truck earlier this year to deliver furnishings to a country project. It’s not really about the truck driving, but more about me being an independent woman who can see something through from beginning to end; the brief, creative process, implementation of a project, the management, and then delivery without having to always wait for someone else to get things done.
Where would you most like to live?
My husband and I often talk about whether we would like to be beside the ocean or in the mountains and I’ve decided that I would like to have both; mountains by the sea.
What is your most treasured possession?
A recipe given to me by long departed grandmother. It’s one of those recipes that is more a guide written on a scrap of paper than a true recipe, (a pinch of this, mix it a little bit and if it’s too dry add a splash of that) but somehow every time those biscuits come out of the oven, it’s like she is with us again.
What is your most marked characteristic?
Surely that’s something someone else needs to answer, not me! I’d like to think it’s my practicality delivered with warmth.
Who is your hero of fiction?
As a child, I read my mum’s copy of Little Women and loved Jo. It was one of those cloth bound books with pictures from the movie with Elizabeth Taylor in it as Amy. I also loved Anne of Green Gables. Independent girls with big imaginations.
Who are your heroes in real life?
People who can say what they want to say in the heat of the moment. I’m one of those people that need to go and think about something for a minute (or a day or two) and gather my thoughts, but I always marvel at people who know exactly what to say right then.
What is your motto?
I don’t have a conscious motto. It’s probably be good, try and be better.
What’s your story?
I’m Sophie, and I’m the Founder and Lead Designer of My Beautiful Abode. We are an interior design and styling consultancy focused on helping people to make their homes beautiful inviting spaces. You’ll find me sharing my latest wonderful treasures and client projects mostly over on Instagram.
I love shining the spotlight on some of my clients and colleagues. If you’d like to know more about my work, or would like the full 35 questions from the Questionnaire, please shoot me an email or give me a buzz, and I’ll respond in a jiffy.