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08 Jun 17

My amazing time on DIY SOS

DIY SOS team Nick Knowles, interior designer Sophie Robinson and Jules

Well tonight, 8th June on BBC One, just before the nail biting election results, the country got to see what we can really achieve when we put other peoples needs in front of our own and go all out for the greater good of our community. Rebuilding the Ratcliffes home, on the Isle of Sheppey with the DIY SOS team was my debut appearance as the interior designer and as it was their biggest build to date yet, I felt like I’d been well and truly thrown in at the deep end!

Some of the nicest people in TV

Being part of DIY SOS is a life changing experience. If you ever get the chance to volunteer then do it! I had no idea how heart swelling it would be, to be surrounded by so many generous, hardworking, altruistic and generally top blokes and blokesses. Working on this production is totally levelling. There’s no makeup artists, winnegegos, all ego’s are well and truly parked up. Nick Knowles drives himself to location (un unbelievably rare occurannce for his staus of celebrity) and everyone can be seen picking up a shovel. It’s because this is bigger than telly. This is real life and it takes a Herculean effort to pull something like this off. It all starts at the offices of BBC Bristol where the supberb production team work tirelessly through the planning stages that enable us to take off something as extraordinary as building a five bedroom house from the ground up in just nine days. I say it was unbelievable if I wasn’t there.

THe Ratcliffe family from DIY SOS, Isle of Sheppey

So first up lets talk about this incredible family. Kyle and Garry are up for dad of the year awards in my opinion. My husband and I are halfway through the adoption process and it is beyong gruelling, and these guys have done it an astonishing three times. The personal scarifices they have made for these beautiful kids blows my mind, but I know they wouldn’t have it any other way. I found them inspirational

the hardest working decorators in Sheppey

It’s the vast amount of volunteers that give up their valuble work and family commitments to do something for someone they haven’t even met. So inspired they are by the families plight and the incredible things that DIYSOS make happen.

I was so commited to making the kids rooms look as magical as possible and these boys amde it happen. They made the incredible cabin beds and stayed with me to the very end hanging pictures and building flat pack dolls houses at 3am in the morning.

Introducing the hard core crew. These boys stayed up with me into the small hours of the morning putting the finishing touches together

It’s without doubt the most swe inspiring, heart swelling, humbling project I’ve ever been involved in. While I drove away after the nine days were up I felt different. I felt dfferent about the working class white can man and the size of his heart. I felt different about great design and how it can totally transform ordinary peoples lives. And I felt one very lucky lady.

DIY SOS HQ. The hub of where the magic happens.

I got to hand around with alot of heavy machinery

This man is a human dynamo

The planning that goes into each project is epic. The design elements calmly managed by Gordon Whistance

This is Scott the carpenters vinatge Landy. Its a mobile wood workshop. Genius

There was alot of paint involved and these guys even helped me mix my perfect pink

Got the boys working into the wee hours building flat pack dolls houses. It was their biggest challenge yet!

Chris the electrician. Mostly on my case but this is the rare time I got him to laugh! Total top bloke.

the amount of beautiful objects, furniture and artwork that were donated for this project just blew me away and allowed me to make the schemes so individual

Ren from the design team polishing the floors on her hands and knees seconds before the reveal

 

If you missed the liove broadcast you can see it here and check out my other post, featuring the big interior design reveal

 

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comments

Sarah on 09.06.17

Awe inspiring, humbling and totally wonderful.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 12.06.17

It was a total privilege to be part of it and the family are just gorgeous!

Reply
Hayley on 07.01.18

Hi Sophie

The big build from Yapton West Sussex – where is the turquoise sofa from? Love love love what you did there x

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 11.01.18

The sofa is the Bluebell in Amazon velvet from Sofa.com

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CREDITS walls painted Sage and onion and windows in Lamp black @littlegreenepaintcompany . Blind made by @willowbertinteriors in Textile under Ekvatorn by Joseph Frank’s @svenskttenn . Table is old IKEA. Vintage Eames chair @vinestreetvintage Cushion @fannyshorter Seagrass flooring @alternativeflooring 
#thegreatindoors #podcast #interiorspodcast #wfh #homeoffice #greenroom #threemugs #desksetup #homestudio
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Thanks to @franklybold for this insanely fabulous pair . When times gets tough, the earrings just get bigger! #gift 

#colourlover #banthebeige #earrings #bigjwellery #bigearrings #lockdown #lockdownlife #lockdown2021
Friday! 🤩 It’s all about the small wins and Friday! 🤩 
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#gift #colourlover #banthebeige #lasninastextiles #haulternativefashion #sustainablefashion #colourlover #lasninastextiles #whomadeyourclothes #dresslikeyoudecorate #dresslikeyourhome #ihavethisthingwithcolour
Who’s back at their desk this week with big plan Who’s back at their desk this week with big plans for their home in 2021! I’m thrilled and excited that my online course Colour Psychology for interiors is open for enrolment TODAY! 🛎🛎🛎 By far the most popular course to date this is a deep dive into how colour works on a deeper more emotional level. Discover how to blend colour harmoniously in your schemes and understand which palettes are perfect for you. Because we all have very different connections to colour and design and finding out what your authentic palette and style is is fundamental to creating a home you love. I’ve spent years honing my own style but with this course you can nail it in a matter of weeks! And it’s a beautiful deep dive into self discovery and creativity while  helping you gain clarity, confidence and cut through the overwhelm. Because there is enough of that going around already! 🤪 I’ll be back here at 6pm tonight on an Instagram live to tell you more about the transformational power of Colour Psychology for interiors so please join me and ask any questions! Bring on the colour joy! 🌈🌈🌈

📷 @aluncallenderphoto #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #backtowork #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiorsesignschool #interiorsesignonline #houseofhackney #newyearnewhome #homegoals #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfulhomevibe #mycreativeinterior #nesttoimpress #stylishhomevibes #atmine
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📷 @aluncallenderphoto flowers @sageandco.floraldesign baubles @rockettstgeorge.co.uk lamp @pookylights walls in lazuli @zoffanyfw artwork @alexmayhughes 

#houseahome #colourlover #banthebeige #marchtothebeatofyourowndrum #homesweethome
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📷 @aluncallenderphoto  #colourlover #banthebeige #newyearseve #bye2020 #greatindoors #bbbinteriors 
Dress is @stinegoyastudio at @sirene.boutique ( bought last year)
Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas t Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas time, having long lie ins, reading loads, and on that subject currently ‘Think like a monk’ by @jayshetty is PERFECT right now for a mental reset. I’m resisting thoughts of 2021, of work or ‘real life’, for just a couple more days. I see lots of people clearing down the decorations and getting the house feeling fresh, but I’m keeping the twinkle a little longer. But I can feel the batteries are recharging and boy they needed too! I meant to do my yearly vision board today but couldn’t get motivated to do that either! . How are you all doing. Anyone feeling ready to take on the new year yet?  #tapfordetails 
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#twixmas #newyear2021 #colourfulhomevibe #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #gidc #sodomino #credenza
All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reali All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reality I’m in my joggers peeling a mountain of root vegetables but living the dream on the grid just for you! Thanks so much for all of you who have spread the joy and magic of Christmas on these squares. I’ve loved the colour, the creativity and the joy it’s bought. Wishing you all a special Christmas however you are making it work for you, which probably wasn’t  what you’d ever have expected. A special heartfelt virtual hug going out to all of you struggling at this time. See you on the other side! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto . Garland by @sageandco.floraldesign . Dress @roksandailincic ( not an ad obvs but I know your gonna ask!) 

#christmasdecor #colourfulhomevibe #colourfulchristmas #banthebeige #colourlover #fireside #christmasgarland #christmasgarlanddecor #woodburner #countryliving #countrylife #countryinteriors
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