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05 Jul 17

13 interior design crimes and how to avoid them

Interior designer Sophie robinson shares her interior design crimes. black and white striped dress, neon pink tights and leopard print heels

Last weekend I did a 14 hour round trip to deliver a talk at the Essential Edinburgh Life and Style event. The organisers asked me if I’d talk about what I consider the worst design crimes and well, I had a lot of time to think about it! Here’s my top 13 (because I couldn’t stop at 10), and just to be helpful, I talk about how to avoid them too. It’s all a bit tongue in cheek as I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of a few of these but now you can’t say you’ve not been told.

Design Crime number 1: Tasteful interiors

Rather controversially I’d rather be offended and outraged by an interior design scheme rather than well, not moved by any emotion at all. In my view interior design is a great way to express creativity, and celebrate design. So yes, have an opinion, and I don’t care if you don’t like it. But lets not have boring copy-cat Pinterest-porn schemes. Good design is all about tapping into your inner interior design goddess. Dare to be different and push the boundaries.

An example of show home chic. The ultimate design crime in my view

Design Crime number 2: Beige

No one who follows this blog is going to be surprised at this one! But in all seriousness, beige interior schemes literally kill me off quicker than a Night Walker from Game of Thrones. However if you are going to live your life in neutral- then please watch my video on how to decorate with neutrals here, because all too quickly beige falls into bland.

Design crime number 3: Neglected hallways

Fist impressions count and never were truer than when considering the entrance to your home. Sure you want to create a lovely welcome for guests but you also want to be met with a good vibe as you walk through the door and I’m astounded how unloved our front porches and hallways are. Recycling bins, scooters and heaving hallways stuffed full of coats and shoes have a lot to answer for. So get some systems in place, use the wall space, build a shed for the bins and paint your hallway an eye- poppingly happy colour!

purple hallway designed by daniale hopwood

Image source: Daniel Hopwood

Design crime number 4: Clutter

Now this is a very modern day problem and as we are the generation of rabid consumers and our homes are straining to cope. The pain is very real and results in more family arguments than is worth any box set collection of DVD’s.  If you’re redecorating this is the perfect time to be ruthless- because I promise you your newly decorated room will fail spectacularly as soon as you put all the clutter back. No amount of tasteful Farrow and Ball paint will disguise it. So plan in some sufficient storage and if it don’t look pretty; hide it behind some cupboard doors.

Design crime number 5: Ma-hoo-sive TV’s

Interior designers have always grappled with this far from perfect problem. As much as we chatter on about rooms requiring a focal point- we never meant it to be that gawping big black hole. But TV’s are not going anywhere and they sure ain’t getting smaller. So aside from hiding it inside cumbersome cabinetry, its best I think to try and disguise it. Painting the wall behind it a dark colour, works a treat.

Place the Tv against a dark wall and camaflage in in a gallery wall of pictures

Image source: Westelm

Design Crime number 6: Yellow bedrooms

Don’t get me wrong, I love yellow. It’s perky and positive, uplifting and activating. So you really don’t want it in your bedroom do you. Also it makes your skin look a funny sallow colour. Pick a pink or nude neutral- so much more flattering!

Design crime number 7: The feature wall of fear

It’s been a thing for a while, the idea of painting or papering one wall in something that you’d dare not do otherwise. But those timid days are behind us and the trend now is to very much go for it and paper the whole room or paint the whole space in a bold, pulse quickening deep colour. Or god darn it why not paper the ceiling too while you’re at it! In fact I think feature floors have taken over from feature walls, as seen in the droolworthy home of Erica Davies.

Green stair runner and black and white patterned cement tile floor in the home of fashion stylist Erica Davies

Image source: The Edited

Design crime number 8: The lonely pendant light

This is especially serious if said pendant light has a drum shade with a sad little light bulb burning down on everyone’s crowns, washing the room in an indiscriminate glare of light. So if you are going to have a pendant light, hang it down low, especially over a coffee or dining table but then layer the light with wall lights, lamps, pendant lights, even a bevy of fairy lights if you must, to create some depth and moodiness to your space.

Design crime number 9: Messy bookshelves

So I know books are a great way to accessorise a room and make it feel like a home which is what I’m all for. But sometime you need to take a little stock take. Do you really need to keep every tatty holiday paperback book, every lonely planet guide? Surely that DVD collection is now available on Netflicks? Better to create library nook or fit shelving on the landing or study. Book cases need to be curated, and part of the display. And the jury is very much still oput on whether you’re allowed to colour code the spines.

Interior deisgner sophie robinson styles her shelves with books and family photos. She even goes so far as colour coding the books on the book shelf for a fully styled look

Image source: Sophie Robinson

Design crime number 10: Short curtains

Unless you have a quaint country cottage you aren’t allowed anywhere near short curtains EVER. All curtains must touch the floor. End of. It looks elegant. And if you combine with a blind that you can draw in winter, you get over any heat-piling-out-of-the-window- radiator angst. Although my mum used to always tuck them up over the top of the rad, which is a particularly special look.

Design crime number 11: Titchy rugs

Like almost everything in design you can apply the ‘bigger the better rule’ again here. A large rug that fits under 2 thirds of the bed really anchors the room. In the living room a rug should be large enough for the front feet of the sofa to sit on ideally and in the dining room get all the chairs over it. Otherwise you’re just creating a desert island. And while we’re at it a rug is a great opportunity to create a feature floor (see number 7)!

use a large oversized rug in your living room

Image source: The Rug company

Design Crime number 12: The catalogue look

This is where a look has been lifted straight out of the page of the  catalogue. You know the one, with curtains that co-ordinate with the cushions and there is a ready to buy collection of vases and accessories that ‘get the look’. You buy it all in one go and move in and never feel you have to change anything ever again. So repeat after me, though shalt never indulge in the overly mathcy-matchy. That goes for three-piece suites and co-ordinating ranges of furniture too.

Design crime 13: Pictures hung too high

Artwork is one of my favourite ways to add style and personality to a space and I think it’s really worth investing in. My preferred method is a galley wall because it’s fluid and organic so you can add and subtract over time and it makes a striking focal point in the room. Failing that, again go big. Nothing sadder than a little picture, hung too high bobbing around on its lonesome in the middle of the big bad wall.

Velvet green sofa sits below gallery wall, as styled by interior deisgner Emily Henderson. Twin pink tub armachirs and a multi coloured rug are perched under the mid century modern coffee table

Image source: Style by Emily Henderson

Crikey- well that all felt good to get off my chest. If you’ve got any more to add, pop them down in the comments below. I’m sure I’ve missed LOADS out!

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comments

Jen on 06.07.17

The perfect list Sophie, love this. I’m also driven crazy by a lack of lighting, and the insistence on using one single ceiling light to light the space . Aargh.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Haha! Do you think it’s only interior design nuts who go so crazy about these things? We need group therapy

Reply
Sara on 06.07.17

Oh my word.. have lost the battle with my man regarding the enormooooose TV.. you have inspired me!!!

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

I feel your pain. It’s a battle we will never win I feel. And they’re just getting bigger all the time!

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Danielle on 06.07.17

You’ve nailed it, ah the matchy-matchy look is the worst! And yes for feature ceilings and floors!!

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Paint It White on 06.07.17

Great read and love the idea of a feature floor!

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

It’s the new thing I tell you!

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Vicki on 06.07.17

I’m guilty of the feature wall in my new living room design but then Prism is far too busy for the whole room! I agree with the matchy matchyness, I’m trying to pursuade friends and family not to do it. It’s an ongoing battle!

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

You caught me out! I have a feature wall too but you can’t ever say that that Prism wallpaper is a feature wall of fear!

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Karen on 06.07.17

Love this! The thing I see in holiday homes all the time is the short curtain thing! It immediately says “cutting corners” and that’s not the impression to give at all!. Also the pictures hung too high bugs me sooo much. As does one (or two) titchy pictures hung above the bed.

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

I could do a whole blog post on the crimes of holiday lets!

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Stacey on 07.07.17

Please do! Me and my husband are in the process of buying a Cornish holiday home and it’s so hard to know how best to style it to be attractive to all but true to ourselves!

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

I own two holiday lets and i let rip with the decor. I think when people are holidaying- they are much more likely to pick a house thats a little decortaively out of their comfort zone. They can live with it for a week- but maybe not for life. Also helps you to stand out in the listings

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Kimberly ~ Swoon Worthy on 06.07.17

Oh I love this!!! I did a post last summer with my own design pet peeves and many of yours made my list too – also included? Artwork hung too high (cringe), the ‘Dr’s Waiting Room’ look and forgetting to accessorise! I tried to include the link here but I was told my comment was too spammy (ha!) so you’ll just have to take my word for it!! lol xxx

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Oh sorry about my over zealous spam bot! Would love to check it out- I’ll have a dig. Great minds think alike!

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Christine on 06.07.17

I am guilty of the feature wall so I may extend my wallpapering. I also have a gallery wall, but having seen the image above I’ll be adding a few more.
With curtains, I have short curtains that hang just below the windowsill, above the radiator. Am I right in thinking you suggest floor length curtains that remain open and a blind to close as needed?

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Radiators are a nightmare as they’re often below windows. If the window is small I’d put a nice interlined roman blind. Otherwise, then yes, combine the two and don’t draw the curtains when the radiator is heating the room

Reply
Liz on 06.07.17

I love this post, it’s made me laugh and cry at th same time! May I add new flat pack furniture made to look aged with paint effects, argh! It never looks convincing!

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Do people really do that!!!!

Reply
Cara - Caradise on 06.07.17

I totally agree with all of these (even though I’m guilty of a couple of them myself-eeek), especially number 1. I’d much rather think someone’s interior is bonkers or weird than bland and generic-at least they’ve been adventurous and put their stamp on it! xx

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Yay! Here’s all to designing homes with soul

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Rebecca Darlington on 06.07.17

You’re the best! Love this. I just moved into a new 1000 sq ft apt in NYC. Dealing with no pantry so put doored shelves in hallway – half door, half glass from –yikes– IKEA. Doing my best here with the budget. The hall is only 36 inches wide but runs the whole length of the apt. Any suggestions for the welcoming entrance? That doesn’t crowd it too much?

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Wow your hallway sounds amazing- and perfect opportunity for some drama. I’d avoid putting any furniture in the psace and either go for a really bright colour on the floor, or cover the long walls in artwork and mirrors. Hope you get a great statement light in there too.

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Kevin Box on 06.07.17

Excellent blog, love the line “But in all seriousness, beige interior schemes literally kill me off quicker than a Night Walker from Game of Thrones.” haha

Also, love the skirting board and architrave in the hall shot.

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Yes the skirting is a nice detail isn’t it. Hes got an eye for design that Daniel Hopwood

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Lynne on 06.07.17

It’s No, No, No to the catalogue look for me. Especially when you know the owner oozes character, it ties in with matchey matchey. I think it’s important to be yourself and enjoy your home.

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Hallelujah! Thats what I love about design- it can be so individual

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Gigi05 on 06.07.17

It’s No, No, No to the catalogue look for me. Especially when you know the owner oozes character, it ties in with matchey matchey. I think it’s important to be yourself and enjoy your home.

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Sophie Robinson on 06.07.17

Its one of the biggest sins isn’t it!!!

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Ms Pink on 06.07.17

Cheap door handles, poor doors are often forgotten in a beautiful room. Hence why ours are all abstract neon geometric. Also, painted our living room floor recently with stripes so don’t want to cover ny hard work with a rug!

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Striped floor?! Sounds amazing!

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susie finnegan on 06.07.17

With you on all 13 Sophie although presently having a picture crisis because I got the drilling a bit wrong.
Also I love arranging my books according to spine colour. It drives my husband crazy as he can never find the one he’s after…

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Our poor long suffering husbands!

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Mandy Winters on 06.07.17

Love this ! Agree with just about all of it. All I would add is that I have full length curtains next to radiators and I always pull them over. Looks fab and doesn’t stop the heat.

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

That’s great to hear! Full length all the way

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Elsje Visser on 06.07.17

Great list! Beige (and grey in th Netherlands) makes me almost angry and such a missed opportunity. Pictures hung too high is a commonly made mistake and such a pity.
I would add letters or texts in an interior. Soulless solution to lack of personality and rarely adding any esthetic value

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

yes the Typography trend has died a death too!

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Amanda on 06.07.17

My pet peeve are those ‘ironic’ deer heads that are in every interior-designed/styled house. Why does everybody have them????

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

Oh yes those! Styling chliches will make another great post i think!

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Nici on 06.07.17

Lovely – thanks Sophie and totally agree with these although would a wall that acts more like a headboard back drop made from coordinating but different strips of wallpaper count as a ‘feature’wall cuz that’s what I’m planning for my bedroom!? 🙂 Nici

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

I’m being very unfair on the good old feature wall! I like your patchwork wallpaper idea- sound cool!

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Nici on 07.07.17

I know what you mean though but I do like these big mural walls you can do now, I think they add a real statement to the room and can look fab in the right room. Totally loved that botanical mural wall you did on Diy SOS, I was nervous for you though when you said how much it cost! Yikes!

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Rachel on 07.07.17

Love this all so true, especially the pictures being hung too high, this has always bothered me immensely when visiting friends houses!
May I add net curtains and those awful vertical office blinds?

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Sophie Robinson on 07.07.17

You may! They need to go into room 101 as well!

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ablockofchocolate on 07.07.17

I hate our net curtains- can you suggest how to block out nosey neighbours while still letting in light? (I’m in an old cottage that is right on the footpath)?

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Sophie Robinson on 09.07.17

You can get some lovely decortaive window film these days. Take a look at Brume

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Sarah Mailer on 07.07.17

This post is spot on Sophie and so many points rang true with me (although do love a neutral palette)! Hanging artwork really high is such a pet peeve of mine, yet so many people are reluctant to go lower, forgetting that the eye-line is key. This, along with wall sconces and pendant lighting going up too high! I also have a massive aversion to spot lights! Nothing worse than going to a dinner party and basking in over-lit, one-dimensional spot-light vibrancy. Totally kills the atmosphere, doesn’t it?!
As someone a bit yellow-obsessed, I have to admit I recently accented a teenage boy’s bedroom with playful yellow accents. (The evidence is on the CONTACT page of my GIRL ABOUT HOUSE blog). I feel it works in this instance – small doses. Can we retrieve it from Room 101 please?!

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

I think yellow accents is totally allowed. That’s not nearly as energising as out and out yellow walls. Sounds lovely, I’ll check it out!

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Adam on 07.07.17

Absolutely nailed it… matchy matchy curtains and cushions and short curtains…. my absolute pet peeves…..!
I’m all for ‘balls out’ colour and paper too….

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

Yay! Welcome to the colour club

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Ron on 07.07.17

I work for a new homes builder and just want to get my hands on the showhomes! The same colour scheme through the whole house… we have matching curtains, cushions and arm chairs in one!

I would love to do these myself and actually design something that isn’t your “standard showhome”

Great work Sophie! ❤️

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

Go for it! Show home chic is my pet peeve!

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Nan on 08.07.17

Great list, Sophie! I’d add having too many exposed legs on tables, chairs, sofas. It is difficult to avoid with a mid century modern, contemporary, or industrial scheme. However, skirting chairs or a sofa, even a table adds texture. When the front, back and sides are done in different patterns, you can promote further the personality of the design you are aiming for.

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

Sounds like a lovely idea! Athough I’ve never heard of anyone having an aversion to legs on furniture before! That’s a new on one!!

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Lizzie Owen on 08.07.17

Ugh….Sophie…yet again you’ve just inspired me! I’ve let my bookshelves go, and was thinking of going taupe in the hallway/stairs/landing…I’m now styling my Homebarn shelving and ridding old CD’s….yes…CD’s!!! WHOOO?!!

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

CD’s….seriously!!!! Its good to have a onceover on all the clutter we own once in a while. And..er whats with the taupe lady?!!!

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Nicola on 10.07.17

I completely agree about short curtains…..however I’m having a dilemma in my Edwardian terraced house as two rooms (main bedroom and living room) have the longest radiators ever, running the full width of the rooms (I think due to the low sills of the windows), with the windows sat in the middle. I’m considering roman blinds however not sure if the windows are too big and would like to be able to soften the look and window edges with curtains, but they would constantly hang over the radiators. Help!

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Mo Rachidi on 12.07.17

Fab blog – love it twice, 1 for ‘no titchy rugs’ and 2 for ‘no biege’. x

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Sophie Robinson on 14.07.17

and a beige titchy rug would probably tip me over the edge!!

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Will Baker on 28.07.17

A little late reading this post, but these points are so relevant. Point 8 on lighting is huge and makes a massive difference to a room, but normally means chopping the plaster out of walls to run cables, Its hugely rewarding, but a big pain. Got any work arounds that you’ve used for this?

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Tabither on 01.08.17

Great list – totally agree with the catalogue home. It’s easy to end up with a living room that looks like an IKEA set up and feel totally alienated from them, it’s important that your interior design reflects you – that’s the best way to create a natural, expressive space – and reprinting a page out of IKEA’s monthly range is not going to reflect you no matter how much it speaks to you.

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Sophie Robinson on 01.08.17

So true. Sometimes you just have to go slow and accumulate furniture and decorations over time

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Sarah on 07.08.17

I totally agree that too often our vision of a ‘perfect’ home is a home without personality: beige, empty, “tasteful”, as you so well put. There must be a subject to this “taste” – it should be our own, personal taste, that we search out and cultivate and absolutely adore. The wealth of images given by home shows on TV, and Instagram and Pinterest means that we condense these into one clean, white image that, in reality, is the dullest version of home decor one could create.

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Sophie Robinson on 08.08.17

Great sentiment. The internet is great but I fear it also encourages to many copy cat pastiche’s which lack real soul and depth

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Cloe Mor on 21.01.21

I loved the purple interior

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Praveen Kumar on 16.04.21

Informative and insightful post on what interior design errors/mistakes to avoid. Thanks for writing and sharing this post with us.

Reply
Priya Dharshini on 05.05.21

Loved reading this blog, Sophie! I too hate messy bookshelves and it is a BIG NO for anyone! I always keep it organized and decluttered.

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No decorations are allowed in the house until the No decorations are allowed in the house until the first of December and we start the morning with Arthur’s advent Calender! That’s as far as I’ve got in the hallway I’ll be honest as this grid post is a hark back to a previous year. But I’ll be decorating it the same way I do every year. I like to use a mixture of colourful baubles I’ve collected over the years, paper  honeycomb balls for maximum wow and plenty of foliage. I keep the ribbons year on year and rarely buy anything new. The repeated tradition is part of the charm. 
On the podcast @mad_about_the_house and I talk all things Thrifty Christmas. It’s been a really challenging year for most so we invited guests @rocketandsquash and @hazelgardinerdesign to share their money saving ideas to make sure you don’t bust the bank account and yet still have a lovely treaty time. Ed has some lovely ideas for feasting around Christmas that crucially cuts down on waste and avoids unnecessary expensive ingredients. And Hazel loves to use foraged foliage in her floral displays so has plenty of ideas on that. 
It’s a peach of a show jam packed with creative inspiration. Listen on your podcast app, and why not leave a comment below on how you will be being thrifty this Christmas 👇 

#1stdecember #itsbeginningtolookalotlikechristmas #hallway #hallwaydecor #christmasdecor #thegreatindoors
Who is looking forward to the weekend! 🙌 Welc Who is looking forward to the weekend! 🙌 

Welcome to a rare tour of my home! Since every room looked tidy, I grabbed my phone to show you around. 

You can see how I have lots of colour and pattern in every room but still the house has flow. I use the same palette of colours through which helps make it all hang together. But it takes more than that to make a maximalist home sing. Repeating the same materials, design motifs, styles and shapes helps to create a feeling of cohesion.

For the ultimate insight into how to decorate in a way that supports you emotionally, flexes your creativity and leaves you loving your home, check out my interior design school where I teach you  everything you need to know. 

- how to harmonise colours
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And this weekend you can enjoy 25% of ALL COURSES across my entire design school by using the code BLACKFRIDAY25 at check out. Click on the link in my bio or visit courses.sophierobinson.Co.uk ☝️

#housetour #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #colourlover #colourfulhome #maximalistinteriors #eclecticdecor #onlinedesign #designschool
It’s podcast day on The Great Indoors and we hav It’s podcast day on The Great Indoors and we have a very special guest! @banjo.beale is a BAFTA award winning TV star, winner of series 3 @interiordesignmasters_tv , interior designer and recently adding author to his rosta of talents. While reality TV launched Banjo’s stellar interiors career we managed to bag him for a chat while he took a short beak from sourcing vintage for his second series of Design The Hebrides. 

This is an opportunity to listen to this whirlwind of a design mind, with insights into what it takes to win a TV completion, how living on a remote island in the Scottish Hebrides has made him ultimately resourceful and his unique design process. 

Listen to The Great Indoors, whoever you get your podcast. Hit that subscribe button and come back here to let us know what you thought! 

#thegreatindoors #banjobeale #designingthehebrides #interiordesignmasters
This is the perfect time of year to up level your This is the perfect time of year to up level your bedding. With the autumn chill on its way I’d rather hike up the tog count than whack up the central heating. 

Beautiful bedding and linen is the ultimate luxury and at this time in my life 👵🏻 my bed is up there as my absolute favourite place to be and my sleep is honestly my favourite pastime! So making it the most comforting, soothing, replenishing experience possible is my priority. 😴

I recently up-levelled my duvet and pillows  to @naturalmatuk goose down products and here is my unbiased review. The pillows are the like sleeping on an actual cloud! Along with the 9 tog duvet I’ll stay cosy all winter, and leave the thermostat turned down.  @naturalmatuk only use natural, sustainable materials, organic cotton and responsibly sourced feathers, which all support a good nights sleep. With a hectic lifestyle, my bed is my ultimate sanctuary 🥱

What’s your self care routine and secret to the perfect pampered night sleep? 

#ad PR product 
#naturalmat #bedroom #bedlinen #bedroombliss #bedlinen #pillows #bedding #bedroomdecor #bedroom #pamperyourself #pampernight
What a dress! When @benjaminfoxdressmaker spotted What a dress! When @benjaminfoxdressmaker spotted my new collection with @harlequinfw they wanted to make a dress in it! Now I actually match my decor! 

This dress shape is so perfect. I love the big sleeves, that goes so well with a fine knit underneath and the long gathered skirt looks perfect with boots, both of which I bought recently at @cosstores . Team with my signature big earrings ( these are old ones from @anthropologieeu ) and I feel a million dollars! Happy Monday folks! We can do this 👊

#ad - pr product. 
#dresslikeyourhome
I hosted an event this week to show off all the ha I hosted an event this week to show off all the hard work we’ve done in the house and showcase the new collection with @harlequinfw . It was a wonderful opportunity to fill the house with laughter, great conversation and celebrate our mutual love of colour! Since the pandemic I work more and more from home and it felt good to open the door and let people in. 

The guest list was a mix of writers, artists, gardeners, cooks, designers and fashion stylists but one thing we have in common is embracing the joy of colour and celebrating how our homes are the foundation for a happy and fulfilling life. 

However getting the house ready for such a group of discerning eyes was rather exhausting! I had to hide under the duvet yesterday! But I’m so grateful to everyone who came, their positivity and inspiration. Most of whom I met here on instagram. This is a special place to make like minded connections, yet it was great to actually have an excuse to get together in real life! 

And this weekend Tom and are are celebrating not doing any house DIY for the first time in ages! 

Special Thanks to @mad_about_the_house @erica_davies @hillhousevintage @andrea_childs_journo @theottohouse @clairevallis @michelleogundehin @mollymahonblockprinting @sophieabbottartist @gemswholesomekitchen @edwardrobinsonid @dahliabeach for making it such a wonderful day 

 Thanks to @gemswholesomekitchen fir feeding us! 

thanks to @benjaminfoxdressmaker fir the custom made dress!

#harlequinxsophierobinson #athome #colourlover #banthebeige
#AD Admit it! I can’t be the only one beginning #AD Admit it! I can’t be the only one beginning to plan for Christmas. Conversations about the menu for the big day has started with gusto in my family. But my focus is always around creating a magical table setting. This year I’ll be incorporating these classic Christmas tree plates from @by_spode  that set the festive scene without the need to add loads of other fiddly decorations. I’m all about maximum impact, minimum effort this time of year, and I love how this traditional design (85 years old this year) is the perfect touch of nostalgia to accompany my bright Paper straw stripe tablecloth and colourful gloss candle sticks. I then just add simple flowers by snipping some hydrangea heads and popping them in tumblers dotted along the table. Finally bring it all to life with plenty of candlelight. And voila, it’s the perfect table setting for a fantastical festive celebration. Oh, how I wish the Christmas lunch was this easy to prepare! 

#byspode #spode #christmasdecor #christmastable #christmastablesetting #layingthetable #tablescape #christmastablescape #christmastree #christmasdecor #christmasinspiration #banthebeige #colourfulchristmas
I’m so excited to present my new ready made cush I’m so excited to present my new ready made cushion collection, in collaboration with @harlequinfw sold exclusively at @johnlewis 
👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Cushions have long been an obsession of mine and I’m so thrilled with this capsule collection for @johnlewis because it combines all the pattern and colour so you can get an instant hit of maximalist spirit by creating any combination that works for you. There is the iconic Sherbert stripe, sitting amongst luxurious embroidered designs and heavily patterned velvets. My personal favourite is the deeply colourful jewel bug design🪲 Which ones yours?!

#cushion #cushioncover #maximalist #maximalistinteriors #bbbinteriors #colourmyhome #colourfulinteriors #colourfuldecor #sofaupholstery #sofaupgrade #livingroomdecor #interiorstyling #interiordesign #harlequinxsophierobinson
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Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

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