LIVE: VISION BOARD MASTERCLASS - LIFE IN COLOUR - 21ST JANUARY

Sophie Robinson
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14 Jul 14

Colour Blocking. The playful way to decorate

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Image by dailymail.co.uk

Image by dailymail.co.uk

Injecting colour into a room scheme is my all time favourite way to decorate.

In my view, an all-neutral scheme is just desperate for a bolt of colour to breath life into it. Take this view to the extreme and your looking at decorating in bright bold colours. ‘Colour blocking’ was a big catwalk trend a few years ago and whatever sashays down the catwalk is often soon seen walking into our homes and I’m beginning to see homes popping with vibrant colour.

The key to successful colour blocking is to use bold colours of the same tone and saturation. This is a look that will instantly loose impact if you start adding pastels or dark hues, so hold your nerve!

For the scheme to work well I’d recommend going for a maximum of three colours. For example pick one for walls, another for large items of furniture like a sofa or wardrobe and the third as the accent, like cushions or an occasional chair. This will give the room some pace and keep the scheme looking playful, rather than childish. Black, white and grey can appear as a neutral but the key is to go bold, or go home!

With colour blocking the emphasis is on block colour, so avoid busy patterns. A bold geometric or stripe could work or just one decorative element like a cushion, but flat blocks of colour is what’s required to make this style work best. Let the colour do the talking rather than fussy patterns adding to the chatter.

Have fun thinking of places to add the colour. In an alcove, the back of a book case, a headboard, rug, or recover the seat pads of your sofa. This look is all about making big bold statements for a fun interior bursting with personality and vitality.

Think about how you can colour block, it can be as easy as covering sofa cushions

Think about how you can colour block, it can be as easy as covering sofa cushions

Choose saturated brights for a modern look

Choose saturated brights for a modern look

Colour blocking bedroom

Image from www.marieclairemaison.com

Image from www.marieclairemaison.com

Image from David Hutton interiors

Image from David Hutton interiors

Image from Decopad.com

Image from Decopad.com

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Think Maximalism is ‘too much’, too messy, or only Think Maximalism is ‘too much’, too messy, or only for other people? 

I’m here to tell you: maximalism isn’t chaotic. It’s just misunderstood.

Once you understand how colour and pattern work together, decorating like a maximalist stops feeling intimidating and starts feeling instinctive. Your home starts feeling like you.

If you want to design your home with confidence, my Ultimate Interiors Bundle is exactly what you need. It includes three self-paced online courses that take you inside my design process, teaching you how to use colour and pattern so you can make bold choices that actually work, again and again. 

Right now, the Ultimate Interiors Bundle is a massive 60% off. Buy now, enjoy the saving, and start whenever you are ready to create a home that is completely yours.

Comment ULTIMATE and I’ll DM you the link to find out more.
Welcome to my witchy era! Who else wants to harnes Welcome to my witchy era! Who else wants to harness the Year of the Horse and use this dynamic energy to manifest your best year yet! 

A vision board is like a compass that will lead your goal settings and intentions with total clarity. To prepare i like to take lots of long walks and meditate on what it is so want more of in my life while gratefully letting go of what no longer serves me. 

Join me Wednesday for a live webinar on how to I create a Vision board that will ignite your passion and motivation to live a bold, creative and colourful life! Comment VB26 for the link.
Dark and moody colours can feel intimidating, but Dark and moody colours can feel intimidating, but my TV snug shows just how well they can work. The deep tones soften the space and create a calm, cocooning atmosphere, perfect for evenings spent watching TV, or retreating from the day.

Contrary to what you might think, this room really comes into its own in winter. Low light and long evenings make the colour feel enveloping and cosy. It’s a space that invites you to slow down, sink in, and make yourself comfortable.

I sampled so many different paints but Cordoba by Little Greene was the perfect choice for this room. It’s full of depth and warmth, and just the right amount of drama. 

And if you’re thinking about taking the leap yourself, my tip is: don’t fight the natural light you have, lean into it. Don’t be shy about colour drenching walls, woodwork and ceiling so the room feels seamless and intentional. In my snug, that richness is what makes it feel cosy and complete.

There’s no place I’d rather be on chilly evenings.
How do I explain this feeling to a minimalist? To How do I explain this feeling to a minimalist?

To some people this might look like too much, but for me, maximalism isn’t excessive, it’s pure self expression. I decorate my home to reflect the way I live and that’s full of bold uplifting, joy-giving colour. Every patterned textile, every artwork, every joyful little object earns its place because it makes me feel happy. 

And if I’m being honest a neutral room doesn’t make me feel calm, it makes me feel slightly depressed. My home lifts my mood, fires my creativity and gives me a little thrill every single day.

Now tell me… are you Team Minimal or Team Maximal? And what makes your heart sing at home?
There’s something about walking that has quietly h There’s something about walking that has quietly held me together this past year.

When life threw its challenges my way, my anxiety went into overdrive. I lost clarity, my head was foggy, and the overwhelm shut me down. But walking, one step in front of the other, slowly moved me in the right direction.

We all know walking is good for the body, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools for the mind. Moving helps process stuck emotions, those steady steps soothe racing thoughts, and the changing scenery opens up fresh ways of thinking. Being in nature grounds you. And the best part is, it’s free.

Whenever I’m preparing a new vision for my year or any creative project, I always start with a long solo walk. I take my journal, let the thoughts tumble out, and begin to find a clarity and direction again. Next step is to use my creativity to create a powerful vision board full of images that resonate with how I want to feel and who I want to be. Less of a to do list, more of an emotional reset. This works for me as it brings in the light, and more importantly keeps me inspired and motivated.

If you’re ready to gently clear the fog and get clear on what you want more of, my ‘Life in Colour Vision Board Masterclass’ is now on sale. I’m hosting on the 21st January, 7pm GMT (with a recorded replay available). Comment VB26 below and I’ll send you all the details. 

Can’t wait to see what we can create together this year!
If you want to create a reality, you first need a If you want to create a reality, you first need a vision of what that reality feels and looks like. And a vision board is a tool that’s backed by real science and powerful psychology.

Our brains process images up to 60,000 times faster than words, which means they land instantly. It’s called the ‘picture superiority effect’. Pictures are remembered more easily because they speak directly to emotion and imagination. They help us feel something deeper, which is why images move us in a way that words or lists never can.

When you fill your board with images of your hopes and dreams, your brain starts getting to work:

💡 You activate the same neural pathways that light up when you’re actually living that experience, so your brain begins to believe it’s possible.
💡 Your Reticular Activating System (RAS) filters the world around you, spotting anything that helps bring that vision to life.
💡 And you connect emotionally with your goals, which keeps you inspired long after the January motivation fades.

Every image you choose is a tiny declaration of intent. A signal to your brain about what matters and where you want to go next. So vision boards are literally neuroscience in action.

Join me for my Vision Board Masterclass Webinar on 21st January at 7pm GMT, and I’ll show you how I create a board that doesn’t just look beautiful, but genuinely helps shape the year ahead.

Link in bio or simply comment VB26 and i’ll send you the link to sign up and start building your 2026 vision.
Marrakech. Go for the interiors. Come home with a Marrakech. Go for the interiors. Come home with a whole new wardrobe.

Marrakech’s design scene is having a serious moment and alongside the riot of interiors, the fashion just keeps getting better. So much of it draws on Morocco’s extraordinary textile and artisanal heritage, then gives it a contemporary twist that feels fresh and joyfully colourful.

My first stop is always the @elfennmarrakech boutique. Creative director @yannrehaan has an impeccable eye and that rare talent for mixing bold colour, riotous pattern and beautiful textures in a way that feels effortless but considered. It is all with the celebration of the handmade, bohemian and yet quietly glamorous. Everything I love about this city in one beautifully curated space.

I like to visit in the cooler winter months. Fewer crowds, softer light and the perfect temperatures for mooching through souks and markets without wilting by lunchtime.

Style here is all about layering and not taking it all too seriously. Think Adidas track pants under a pretty cotton dress or a pair of sandals picked up from the souk with a flowing silk gown for the evening. Anything goes, as long as it makes you feel relaxed and a little fabulous.

I love Marrakech for this special bohemian air, not to mention the colour, and always leave slightly more flamboyant than when I arrived. Honestly, how could you not.

This weekend I’m heading out to @elfennmarrakech to host our Interior Design Retreat, but just know that the dressing up is all part of the experience! 

Here are some of my favourite fashion labels
@lallamarrakech 
@hanoutboutique 
@owlmarrakech 
@resipsausa 
@ourikathelabel 
@topolinashop 
@kitan_marrakech 
@mademoisellesahana
@enshallainsta
@oubaichmarrakech
Happy New Year! Let’s do 2026 in full colour! Mar Happy New Year! Let’s do 2026 in full colour!

Marrakech interior design retreat at @elfennmarrakech next week, with more inspiring retreats and creative workshops coming soon.

My new Spring Summer @dunelmuk homewares collection has just gone live, with more launches ahead.

My Vision Board live webinar is on the 21 January. Join me to discover how i find Clarity, Creativity and Motivation that carries  me through the year with momentum.

You’ll also find me on Substack, ‘A Life in Colour’, and I’m exploring creating a Facebook group as a hang out for colour lovers. What do you think?

If you’re ready to design your life and home with confidence, joy and creativity, you’re in the right place.  Tell me what you’re excited about this year?!

You can find links to everything i’ve talked about above up in my bio 👆
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