Sophie Morel, the interior designer who blends heritage with modernity

This Lyon-based interior designer breathes new life into historic buildings, marrying respect for the past with contemporary vision. Her distinctive approach creates exceptional spaces where aesthetics and technical expertise go hand in hand.

Honouring the past whilst embracing the new

From the very beginning, Sophie Morel has championed an approach built on harmony between what exists and what’s possible. Trained in the nuances of interior architecture alongside her father, Raymond Morel, she learnt to both respect and elevate spaces whilst bringing them into the present day. After completing her interior design degree in Lyon in 2018, she spent a formative year in the city before returning home.

The Hôtel Normandy became one of her first major projects, where Sophie Morel put her philosophy into practice: preserving the soul of a place whilst modernising it. “We went back to the building’s fundamentals. We wanted to rediscover its identity whilst adding the Morel signature,” she explains. This thinking led to bold choices, such as reimagining toile de Jouy for the bedrooms. At Château de la Cordelière , a neoclassical building created by the founder of Moët & Chandon, she refined this vision further. “To avoid overwhelming a space already rich in mouldings, we painted it in a monochrome shade of blue and created a monolithic green marble bar.”

Light as the defining element

Hôtel Normandy Le Chantier ; Kollectors

For Sophie Morel, light is essential to celebrating heritage. At the Prieuré Saint-Jean de Bébian in Pézenas—a historic building transformed into a hotel and wine estate—she’s developed a distinctive sensory approach. “We work extensively on enhancing materials through light,” she explains. This technical mastery expresses itself through indirect lighting effects and carefully calibrated intensities, all designed to enhance the character of each space.

Her collaboration with Kollectors, a lighting designer and scenographer spanning several years, has proved invaluable. “On projects like hotels or restaurants, Kollectors saves us enormous amounts of time. Their technical expertise is a real asset when presenting to clients,” the designer notes. Together, they develop sophisticated lighting schemes, such as in the Normandy offices, where each space can be tailored to its specific purpose. This partnership means constant dialogue—from initial lighting plans through to the finest technical and aesthetic details. The result? Bespoke solutions for clients, from customised hotel room lighting to adaptable atmospheres in meeting spaces.

Creating spaces that stand the test of time

Sophie Morel ; WeAreKollectors

This designer with her discerning eye excels at the art of considered contrast. In the offices of the Normandy—headquarters of the Parisian hotel group—she combines traditional elegance with contemporary demands. “I like bringing a homely feel to workspaces to create warmer environments,” she says. Her method involves pairing noble materials with modern technology, exemplified by the bespoke spotlights integrated into workstations, developed jointly with Kollectors. She confidently combines heritage elements with carefully curated contemporary touches, creating atmospheres that feel both unique and harmonious. Her ability to unite tradition and innovation transforms each project into a reinterpretation of the past through a resolutely modern lens.