We have three new designs for this spring summer - Rose, Olive, and Sunflower. They all have their own unique take on summer and have been influenced by bringing the outdoors into the home. I love being able to reconnect indoor and outdoor living spaces at this time of the year and I feel these designs do just that. We’ve also extended our best-selling designs, including Bees, Dragonfly and Strawberries – adding styling stoneware, gardening essentials and perfect picnic pieces.

 

Oh, since I can remember. I’ve always loved drawing and painting ever since I was a little girl, and I knew I wanted to do something creative when I grew up. I was lucky as my parents always encouraged me to follow my passion from a young age.

 

Everything around me inspires my designs. I live in the countryside, in Lincolnshire, and we are surrounded by so much wildlife and nature, which is so lovely to see every day. I focus my designs on the little things that make me smile, from bees and dragonflies to some of my favourite flowers.

 

My father always advised Jem (my brother) and I to do something we love and make the most out of every day.

 

As a child, I wanted to be an illustrator or a PE teacher! 

 

It was when I was asked to be a demonstrator at a country fair, I was painting flowers at the show, and customers wanted to buy my unfinished artwork. I thought I ought to have something to sell, so I designed a few cards, which was a huge success. It all went from there really. I’d always wanted to run my own business and so did my brother Jem, so we decided to join forces and work together.

 

It’s so lovely to see our products and designs in people’s homes. Since the beginning, I just wanted to make things that made people smile, allowing people to fill their lives and homes with the things we all love. I bumped into a lady in a bakery who had one of our bags once, and I told her I liked her bag, of course, she didn’t know who I was, but she smiled and said thank you. It’s those little moments that mean so much.

 

One of my career highlights is that I was once commissioned to create a painting for King Charles lll, back in my 20s. I always wonder which room it might have ended up in!

 

 

At the kitchen table with the dogs at my feet. 

A mix of both really – I’m a busy mum, so quite often I’m up and on the go, and it’s so lovely to sit down and draw. 

Everything around me, from the hares hopping across the fields to the flowers blooming in the garden.

Creative, positive and a Mother! 

My family – they have always been so supportive. 

Do what you enjoy. 

How to Kill your family by Bella Mackie! I’m a huge fan of Gregg James. 

Water, Murray mints, Sophie Allport camera bag - stuffed full of all sorts of little goodies!

Coffee – it’s the best way to start the day. 

Reading, TV, Music – in order.

Music, Reading and TV. 

To celebrate the launch of Katie Fforde's new book One Enchanted Evening, Sophie Allport has partnered with Penguin Random House and De Vere Hotels to offer the chance to win a 2-night stay at a luxury De Vere Hotel, plus a signed copy of One Enchanted Evening, and a £200 Sophie Allport voucher!  

To enter, simply answer the question and fill out your details here. This competition closes on Monday 3rd April 2023. Terms and Conditions apply.

Sophie has also had a Q & A with Sophie asking the questions to Katie this time. Feel free to read it HERE