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10 Jun 21

Bring the indoors outdoors and the art of tablescaping, Podcast show notes S11 Ep5

Hello and welcome to my show notes for the latest episode of the Great Indoors podcast, as always you can listen to it in full here, and don’t forget about our ever-resourceful and inspiring Facebook group. I can’t quite believe we’re almost at the end of series 11 already with over 1.5 million downloads to date – time flies when you’re having fun! Firstly though a huge thank you to our colour loving sponsor Harlequin for supporting the series.

On with the show… today we talk about outdoor furniture and how to bring a sense of the indoors outside and we also explain the new trend I’m seeing all over instgram for elaborate ‘tablescaping.’

Taking the indoors outdoors

Go for a rug that you would choose for indoors, Nani Marquina Oaxaca Outdoor Rug at Go Modern

I think we can all agree that over the last year we have come to appreciate and enjoy our outdoor spaces more than ever before. In terms of interiors we have heard about bringing the outside in, but what about the other way round? So essentially it’s about creating another room outside – perhaps a comfortable living room. As Kate points out it’s time to move away from rickety old deckchairs or sunloungers that somehow manage to fold you in two- it’s all about comfort and the best starting point is an outdoor sofa.

You can always rely on Samuel & Sons for fabulous trimmings, including high-performance ones! Cushions from left, Brush Fringe; Stripe Border; Saisons Cord with Tape; Seat Cushion, Faux Bois Border, all from the Saisons collection.

On a recent visit to a garden centre, I couldn’t believe the sea of generic grey woven wicker furniture – where’s the colour?! One way to add a pop of colour to the garden is with outdoor fabrics and trims which you can buy by the metre. If you want to follow trends, then there are plenty of faux woven rattan and bamboo furniture around which is basically woven/twisted plastic and the good thing is they come in different colours – hooray, I am saved!!

Why not go for the rattan French-inspired bistro chair, Anthropologie

One of my favourite garden furniture brands is Fermob as their pieces are available in 24 colours – all of which are mainly metal. Also, check out Jennifer Newman for colourful powder-coated steel furniture – these are budget options but they will stand the test of time.

Salsa low table; Surprising low teak armchair; Somerset bench; Salsa pedestal table, all by Fermob

If you fancy a vintage option then try, Merchant & Found. Paul Middlemiss of the emporium rescues tons of chairs from cafes around Europe and then brings them back to recondition them, how fab is that! Remember you can go for things that echo your own sense of style and you don’t have to choose the generic grey ‘garden centre’ look. Just because there is no ceiling or walls, you can still create a stylish space.

According to stat queen Kate, there have been considerable rises in garden-related searches – for instance, outdoor rugs up by 400% following the Meghan and Harry interview with Opera, outdoor cinemas have grown in popularity, searches were also up by 400%. Made.com did a survey and discovered that searches for garden bars were up by 122%, a spin-off from the outdoor kitchen, of which, searches are up by 60%.

Fingers crossed we will be starting our extension plans in the autumn and an outdoor kitchen is on our wish list. Our garden designer Sarah Mitchenall says to keep everything as close to the house as possible as you won’t want to be traipsing to the end of the garden and back several times!

We would love to hear your garden tips, you can get in touch with us on Instagram @sophierobinsoninteriors and @mad_about_the_house

Tablescaping

The ultimate tablescape by @emilymillerdecor although do you think place names are a step too far?

I was keen to cover this topic as we look forward to once again being able to entertain and why not mark the occasion by dressing our tables to the max. It’s all getting a bit competitive over on Insta, with napkins, place settings, beautiful handwritten menus and flower displays, all with maximalist vibes.

Kate spoke to Sophie Richardson at Cheffins auction house who told her that the value for patterned dinner services from brands like Spode, Davenport, Wedgwood, etc have gone through the roof. So it does suggest that formal dining is returning, I remember my Mum in the 80s dinner party era with canapes and the various plates, bowls, spoons etc for every course! 

Along comes Jamie Oliver and the trend for large white dinner plates and wooden serving boards and a more casual supper vibe took over and has dominated the last twenty years. However the trend pendulum swings once again and I’m seeing patterned tablecloths, perfectly tied napkins,  flowers and a maximalist opulence overload.

You may not want to shop at auction so try Etsy for vintage china and search for #spode and #antiquechina on Instagram

For inspiration take a look at the fabulous settings by @Matthewwilliamson at his Majorca pad.

Another place for inspo is @fionaleahydesign who is the go-to person for designer parties and again lots of colour and attention to detail. Layering of plates, pattern on pattern, twinkling glassware, napkins and pretty flower arrangements are all order of the day.

All about the details, Fiona Leahy

I’m definitely going to raid my mum’s china cabinet this summer. Even though she’s downsized to her two bedroom annex she couldn’t part with her much loved dinner service. My tip is to buy vintage where you can but blend it with new pieces. I think the tablecloth is everything. Have a look online for fabric by the meter  or even a bolt of dressmaking fabric and make sure you have a long run of it so it drapes beautifully. The palin white table cloth just won’t cut it!

Names to look out for according to Cheffins:

Look out for Spode, its growing popularity

Masons Imari, another popular one that has lots of deep blues, oranges and pinks with intricate designs. 

Wedgwood

Minton

Royal Worcester 

They also suggested the Willow Pattern is still very affordable and if you keep an eye out you can still find big boxes of it.

Remember – you may want these gorgeous Victorian dinner services but they certainly won’t be going in the dishwasher!

A huge thanks to Harlequin for supporting the series, our wonderful producer Kate Taylor of Feast Collective and of course our lovely listeners.

Image at top by Designers Guild.

 

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Interview with Stephen Westland, Professor of Colour Science, Podcast show notes S11 Ep6 House tour with Sophie Ellis Bextor, Podcast show notes S11 Ep4

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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
- How to plan and budget
- How to source all the materials
- How to save time and money
- How to burst open your creativity

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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