THE GREAT INDOORS PODCAST IS BACK - RELAUNCH ON THURSDAY 19TH JUNE

Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
    • Home Masterclass
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Bedrooms
  • dream home makeovers
  • Interiors
  • Rooms
26 Jan 22

Aye & Josh’s budget bedroom – Dream Home Makeovers

Sophie with Aye and Josh 1

I love a challenge but when Aye and Josh set me the task to totally transform their master bedroom into a Dream Home Makeover with a budget of £500 and just one weekend to do it in, I just had to rise to it!

SPOILER ALERT, if you haven’t caught up on Dream Home Makeovers on MY5 yet, look away now, and come back for pictures of the reveal and a list of products featured.

My mantra when working to any tight interior budget is “When the cash is tight, go hard on colour!” You can create amazing transformations with paint. For the cost of a tin you get the biggest bang for your buck. But for this show we have to go beyond a simple freshen up. I decided get my inspiration from the current interiors trend for colour blocking. This is where you use around 2- 5 contrasting colours to create bold blocks of colour, in overlapping shapes, that tessellate like a jigsaw all the way around the room. It’s all about cloaking the room in colour, so you take the paint across the walls, wood work, architectural details and the ceiling too.

Before…

While I love the colour, Aye and Josh’s bedroom lacked style

I worked with designer Barbara Ramani who created this sensational three dimensional colour block mural that visually took this space from zero to hero. The whole transformation undertaken with just three tins of paint. Wow!

After…

The colour blocked design wrapped around walls, joinery, furniture and ceiling. Their existing fitted wardrobes, bed, carpet and light fitting remained.

Along with Aye and Josh, we chose three colours in a fashionable lilac, rich emerald and moody navy blue. Josh is a set painter and knows his paint and was very particular about the colour and the quality! The paint from Benjamin Moore is colour mixed so you can get the exact colour you are after, and better still, it is also an all-surface product, so we could use the same tin of paint for walls, woodwork and radiators which made the whole job a lot easier.

We had our carpenter Steve make a couple of floating bedside tables and a trainer tower that could be coated in the colour block colour. And Josh updated an old vintage side board in graphic black and white chevron stripes.

The £500 budget was spent on paint and timber. Walls painted in Green Meadows 2040-20, Wishing Well 1389, Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20, all Benjamin Moore

The key to a successful colour blocking scheme is to go bold with your colour choices and pick three different tones. The lilac was the palest shade, followed bu the bright emerald green and then the dark moody navy cuts through the two brighter colours. Next take the colour over walls, doors, fitted furniture and the ceiling too.

I love how this very modern paint effect wraps around the original victorian door and architrave. This look would work in both period and modern homes.

It’s quite a full on graphic look, so to soften it I added plenty of potted plants, soft fabrics and hand thrown pottery into the mix. While Josh loves bold graphic designs, Aye prefers a softer more boho vibe so the macrame plant hangers (which we made by the way!) and the wicker and tufted textiles bought a softer feel that she prefers.

The old vintage side board gets a whole new look with painted chevron stripes. Mauve sky Painting, Sophie Abbott. 

The neutral tones of the wood and wicker also calm down the bold colour. I love using saturated brights but to stop it becoming too ‘play school’ I think timber tones and natural woven textures calm the whole thing down a touch.

Aye loves plants and so we dotted them around the room to soften the bold colour scheme. San Miguel vase; WA Green San Lorenzo vase; Green strØm bowl, Oval white candlestick;  Simple green planter, all WA Green.

 

Aye had a massive declutter and clear out before the makeover which then allowed us to bring in a few well chosen accessories to dress the space. Apartment round wall mirror, Dunelm. Lucite purple and white large pill by Jonathon Adler,  WA Green

 

To complete the new look we splashed out on a new set of wall lights, bed throw and cushions to elevate the bed. This was in addition to the £500 budget. Ogilvy swing arm wall lights, Made.com. Diamond tasselled tufted cushion in black and natural; Connection waffle bedspread in navy, all Dusk

 

I’ve never been more amazed on how the power of colour and paint has to totally transform a room. If you want to update the look of your home, and even on a budget, my online design school is here to help. And this month I have a fabulous 50% saving on my Ultimate Interiors bundle offering three fantastic courses, all at half the price. Sign up to these courses and you’ll have more than enough guidance and inspiration to get your dream home makeover underway. Find out more here.

 

PRODUCTS FEATURED

DECORATION

Walls painted in Green Meadows 2040-20, Wishing Well 1389, Gentleman’s Gray 2062-20, all Benjamin Moore

Cabinet painted in Snow white 2122-70 and Black 2132-10, all Benjamin Moore

Bed painted in Green Meadows 2040-20, Wishing Well 1389, Benjamin Moore

BED

Malm bedframe, Ikea

Cambridge duvet cover and pillowcases; Diamond tasselled tufted cushion in black and natural; Connection waffle bedspread in navy, all Dusk

Regency Green velvet cushions, Habitat 

Sakamoto throw, WA Green 

ACCESSORIES

Stockholm Rug, Ikea

Mauve sky Painting, Sophie Abbott

Ogilvy swing arm wall lights, Made.com

Apartment round wall mirror, Dunelm

Hanging planters made in chandlery rope, GP Barnes 

SMALL ACCESSORIES

On sideboard:

San Miguel vase; WA Green San Lorenzo vase; Green strØm bowl, Oval white candlestick;  Simple green planter, all WA Green

On shelves:

Small Green zig zag pot; Medium Berry Zig zag pot; Green Strom vase; Glitter vice cannister in purple; Secrets vice cannister; Love vice cannister; Female body candle, all WA Green

On side tables:

Lucite purple and white large pill by Jonathon Adler’ Bottoms up lilac candle, both WA Green

All other items, owned by Aye and Josh. 

 

  • Bedrooms
  • dream home makeovers
  • Interiors
  • Rooms
Anna & Peter’s open plan living space room – Dream Home Makeovers Arabella and Mark’s hallway and living room- Dream home makeovers
  • Christmas
  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • colour psychology
    • DIY
    • dream home makeovers
    • Home Office
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • Sophie Robinson X Dunelm
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos
online influence award winner 2019
Interior Design Winner Sophie Robinson Insta
Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Online courses
by popular demand

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

Before and after! This room took me on a real jour Before and after! This room took me on a real journey.
At first, I thought I needed a calm, blank space to focus… so I painted it all white. I know - can you believe it?! I told myself it was for clarity and creativity, but the truth is, I hated it. I felt flat and totally uninspired.

So, I ripped up the rulebook and went back to what I know works for me: bold colour and big pattern. I painted the whole space in my favourite cobalt blue (Lazuli by @zoffanyfw) and installed the ‘In the Woods’ mural from my @Harlequinfw collection - and now it’s everything I wanted and more.

I feel creative, energised, and completely connected to the beautiful garden just outside the window. A daily reminder to trust your instincts, feel from your gut and be brave. 

#OfficeGoals #CreativeWorkspace #BoldInteriors #BeforeAndAfter #SophieRobinsonStyle 
#CobaltBlue #HarlequinWallpaper #ColourLovers #InteriorDesignUK #InTheWoodsMural 
#DesignForJoy #MoreIsMore
A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨ It was such A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨

It was such an honour to guest judge the Interior Design Masters final alongside the fabulous @michelleogundehin and wow, what a finale it was!

The setting? The magical village of Portmeirion.
The challenge? Transform a bland holiday cottage.
The winner? The brilliant @john_cooper_design and what a winning design it was! 

John’s scheme was a glorious celebration of colour and perfect  storytelling. I loved how  he used bold Mediterranean hues and motifs from room to room which cleverly held this maximalist vision together. It felt like being whisked away to a land far far away. And thereby perfectly capturing the spirit of Portmerion. Honestly, it felt magical to be there!

I’ve unpacked all Johns clever ideas and design takeaways over on the blog (link in bio) — but I’d LOVE to hear what you thought.

Was John your winner?
What design moment caught your eye?
Could you stay in a house like this?

Tell me in the comments 👇

#interiordesignmasters #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #portmerion #colourlover #banthebeige
Longing for a life-changing escape? You’re not a Longing for a life-changing escape?
You’re not alone. Our next Discover Colour Retreat at @elfennmarrakech just sold out in just a few hours, snapped up by our incredible subscriber community who said yes to more colour, creativity, and the trip of a lifetime. 💫

If you missed out, don’t panic, we’re already planning more dates in this dream of a design destination. Think: bold design, deep connection, sun-drenched inspiration, and the kind of joy that lingers long after you get home.

Want to be first to hear?
Comment ‘ELFENN’ below and we’ll send the link with details + the option to add yourself to the VIP waitlist.

Because beautiful things come to those who wait…
and this one’s worth every second. 🌺

#elfennmarrakech #discovercolour #designretreat #marrakech #moroccanstyle #designinspo
Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically YOU?

For me it’s about bold joyful colour, striking pattern, and those magical touches that light you up every time you walk through the door. This isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about crafting a home that celebrates the uniqueness of who you are and how you want to feel. 

In my exclusive online course How to Create a Maximalist Interior, I’ll guide you through my step-by-step design process—so you can confidently design a space that’s full of heart, soul, and style.

🎉 25% OFF ends TONIGHT! 🎉
Comment MAYJOY below and I’ll send you the link.

And yes, you’ll get a personal tour of my own technicolour home, so you can see exactly how I bring it all together.

Let’s unlock your dream home. One room at a time. 💥
EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignm EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters ! 

Thankyou @john_cooper_design for a beautiful LIVE taking a deeper look into your amazing experience being on the this most loved show. We all loved watching you grow and develop as a designer and your collection with @johnlewis is an absolute triumph! Cannot wait to see what you do next 🙌
All the Finale feels ✨ What a joy was filming t All the Finale feels ✨
What a joy was filming this series of @interiordesignmasters with @michelleogundehin , @chattyman , not mention this year’s insanely talented finalists @john_cooper_design 💙 @ritamillat ❤️ There is a lot of love and positive energy that goes into making this show.

And it doesn’t end here…

TONIGHT at 7pm I’ll be going LIVE right here on Instagram with this year’s winner… SPOLER ALERT….

@john_cooper_design 
I cannot wait to chat all the behind-the-scenes design insights, and what it really takes to win Interior Design Masters. What a smashing journey John has been on. Wow his final design blew me away, it’s was soo well executed and his vision was perfectly in step with the flamboyant eccentricity of Portmerion. Top marks! 

Come join us and ask your questions during this exciting Live event or come back later and watch the replay! 👀

Missed the show? Catch  up with @bbcone  Interior Design Masters on @bbciplayer 

#InteriorDesignMasters #IDMFinal #DesignShow #BehindTheScenes #InteriorDesignUK
Beware of listening to the ‘experts’! I get i Beware of listening to the ‘experts’!
I get it though, designing a house is hard, especially if your taste leans towards the 
maximalist style. There is every chance you’ll feel overwhelmed or stressed about getting it wrong with the end result one hot mess. However here are some of those common ‘design rules’ that I absolutely disagree with! Would love to know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and fully embrace creating a home that truly reflects you, my specially designed online course has everything you need to keep you falling into any more traps. I’ll guide you through uncovering your unique style, choosing colours with confidence, and mixing patterns like a pro, all while making it feel beautifully cohesive and creative. And the best bit? It’s 25% off until the end of May! That’s right, just a few days left to pick up a massive discount.

Just comment MAYJOY and I’ll pop the link over in your DMs.


#maximalisthome #colourfulhome #interiorinspo #designmyths #interiordesignadvice 
#patternclash #dopaminedecor #banthebeige #maximalistdecor #interiorstyle 
#colourmyhome
Ready to step into your best life? Start with the Ready to step into your best life? Start with the place that holds it all. Your home.

I’ve always believed that a joyful, soul-filled home isn’t just a reflection of who you are… it’s a catalyst for who you want to become. When you’re surrounded by colours that lift you, patterns that energise you, and decor that tells to your story, something magical happens.

You feel confident, calmer. More you.

And if you’re ready to design a home that feels like you, my brilliant online course is here to help.

I walk you through how to bring your personal style to life — from choosing colours and mixing patterns, to making it all beautifully hang together. And right now, it’s got a whopping 25% off — but only until the end of this week! 🏃‍♀️

Simply comment MAYJOY and I’ll DM you the link to find out more.

Because great design isn’t just about how it looks — it’s how it makes you feel.

And that feeling? It ripples out into every part of your life. 💛🌟

#FeelGoodDesign #JoyfulHomes #MaximalistInteriors #ColourConfidence #InteriorInspo #DesignWithSoul #SophieRobinsonInteriors
Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2025 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar

MG0001 Magnet Sophie using Tap 021 copy

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar