Interior designer Sophie Ashby has opened her first international studio in Cape Town, expanding her London-based practice while strengthening her connection to a city she considers home.
A studio rooted in personal history
Ashby’s ties to Cape Town are long-standing. She grew up between South Africa and the UK, and her professional work in the city began in 2014 with the renovation of The Robertson Small Hotel. That project coincided with the launch of her design studio, which has since become known for interiors that blend eclectic warmth with enduring sophistication.
The new studio is housed in a 19th-century building on Loop Street, where original features—a Georgian spiral staircase and yellowwood floors—complement modern updates. Ashby chose the space for its historic charm and prime location. “We were drawn to the space for its old-world character, beautiful finishes, and brilliant central location,” she said. The surrounding area thrives with galleries, restaurants, and design studios, offering a lively creative community.
Design as conversation, not control
Ashby avoids imposing a fixed style on her projects. Instead, she focuses on proportion, texture, and mood, allowing each space to develop through thoughtful adjustment. This method aligns with Cape Town’s design environment, where natural elements encourage simplicity over decoration.
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The new studio represents more than geographic growth. It serves as a base for the artists, makers, and artisans who have long contributed to Studio Ashby’s work. “The Cape Town office will allow us to be in the same city as so many of our favorite collaborators,” Ashby explained. “It brings me such joy.”
The practice’s international projects include private homes, hotels, and commercial spaces, from a London townhouse to an upcoming hotel in Majorca. The Cape Town location, however, feels particularly meaningful. The studio marks the practice’s first international outpost, working in tandem with its London base while supporting a growing portfolio of local projects, including the Tamodi Estate & Polo Reserve in Plettenberg Bay.
The studio’s opening also marks a return for Ashby. Its presence on Loop Street is both a professional achievement and a personal homecoming, embedding her work in a city that has influenced it from the beginning.
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