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Sophie Robinson
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29 Dec 16

Colour Crush: Black weatherboard

black cabin in the woods

I’ve become obsessed with Black weatherboard cladding. I started researching ideas for cladding when it came to designing our annex conversion. The existing brick structure was ugly as a toad, and really needed taking down but with a tight budget we needed to find an affordable way to make it look pretty.

Cladding an existing building in wooden weatherboard is a tried and tested way to give an ugly house a face-lift. So I started my Pinterest journey to seek out ideas on how we could remodel our place. I love the way the dark exterior of black weatherboard looks against surrounding vibrant greenery. I also think its bingo perfect for our home, surrounded by woodland, although it also looks rocking in urban areas too.

Image source

We’re going uber modern with our build. Due to budget and the limitations of the existing building we are opting for a flat roof structure so the over all effect will be very sleek and modern. Like a black cube set into the woods. To accompany this we’re teaming it with wide aperture Velfac windows, colour matched to the black wood stain. This creates a really simple and minimal apprearance that I think really celebrates the beauty of the woods texture.

Image source

I’m loving the vertical planks as they give a build a more modern twist than the classic overlapped look. This look also has a more agricultural and industrial look that suits the brutalist appearance  of a flat roof build. I think it’s going to be perfect for our little house in the woods. You can see loads more of my black weatherboard colour crush over on my Pinterest.

black weatherboard house with wood cladding in the woods

Image source

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

There was a time when I thought the big milestones There was a time when I thought the big milestones in life were meant to come in neat little packages. Rings, romance, the whole shebang. Life had other plans, and honestly, I am quite glad it did.

Because what I kept, what I built, and what I still wake up grateful for every day is my beautiful colourful home. This house has seen me through the joy and the heartbreak. It has held me, inspired me, pushed me to be braver with my creative ambitions and clearer about what truly lights me up. It is my safe place, my creative lab, my technicolour sanctuary.

So yes, some women want diamonds. I want a home that feels like pure joy.

If you feel the same, you are absolutely in the right place.

Tell me… what’s the one thing in your home that makes you feel most like yourself?
AD There’s no better time than Christmas to go all AD There’s no better time than Christmas to go all out with colour and creativity. When I lay the table, I see it as a chance to build layers of joyful, jewel-like colour that make everything come alive. In true maximalist spirit, I clash pattern and contrast tones so the table feels like a real celebratory riot.

Texture plays its part too – glistening glassware, beaded runners and flickering candlelight all add that touch of magic. I adored creating this collection for Dunelm, which perfectly captures my “more is more” philosophy. Because if there’s ever a time to embrace abundance, it’s Christmas!

So layer up the colour, the pattern, the flowers and let the candlelight do its thing. Who else is excited for Christmas?

Enchanted Garden dinner plates and pasta bowls, £8. Enchanted Garden side plates £6. Enchanted Garden serving platter, £25. Pack of 2 scalloped placemats, £12. Midnight Garden tablecloth, from £35. Wine goblet, £10. Tumbler, £8. Twisted candlestick holder, £8. All Sophie Robinson x Dunelm.
November Roundup. As winter gently settles in, her November Roundup. As winter gently settles in, heres what i’ve been up to lately.

1. Brighton seafront colour spotting.
	2.	A visit to Voysey House to see the team at @harlequin_fw.
	3.	So excited to be creating fresh brilliance with the @harlequinfw creative team Claire Vallis and @floraisabelledaly 
	4.	The Beaver full supermoon lighting up the sky spectacularly. 
	5.	I made a pact to see at least one live gig or theatre show each month. @ejthackray is a phenomenal act.
	6.	My other pact: to wake early, walk, and watch the sunrise instead of scrolling in bed. The rewards have been glorious.
	7.	A festive dash to my local @dunelmuk to stock up on Christmas decorations before they sell out. 😬
	8.	My heart spills over seeing my glorious tableware collection stocked on the shelves. I can’t wait to style it all up for Christmas.
	9.	Welcoming guests into my home for the final At Home design retreat of the year. Beautiful connections made while discovering the magic of creating a beautiful heart felt home.
	10.	A new restorative yoga class in this gorgeous barn with the wonderful @theacupuncturist .
	11.	@theacupuncturist always curates such a nurturing inspiring space as we shift into the season of rest.
	12.	The family tradition of picking our Christmas tree, a little earlier than usual this year.
	13.	Another amazing night out, dancing to @brandnewheavies with my partner in groove @shelleymariathasanholland 
	14.	Shooting Christmas at home means beautiful chaos reigns.
	15.	Fresh hair and a little sparkle thanks to new earrings from @loelandco 
	16.	Packing for something very exciting… my Interior Design Retreat at @elfennmarrakech 
	17.	A magical evening at @wakehurst_kew for Glow Wild with Mum and Arthur.
	18.	The light show was utterly spectacular this year, we all loved it!
	19.	Arrived in @elfennmarrakech  unpacked and excited to welcome our Retreat guests for a week of creativity, colour and mouthwatering design inspiration. ❤️ 
20. Sunday night Moroccan style. Lamb tagine in front of the fire. Feeling blessed 🙏
AD Decorating the tree has always been steeped in AD Decorating the tree has always been steeped in nostalgia for me. As a little girl it was the highlight of the season, helping my mum unwrap the decorations we’d made and hanging them with great care. These days I honour that same tradition with Arthur, who still insists on choosing the tree and always gets stuck in helping me decorate.

I bring out my old decorations like old friends every year, adding just a few new ones from my Christmas collection with @dunelmuk to give it a fresh look.

Here are my tried-and-true tree styling tips:
1. Always a real tree for me. Nothing beats that pine scent filling the house.
2. Warm white lights only. I actually fancied multi coloured this year but Arthur put his foot down!
3. Tinsel for sparkle. Nestle it deep into the branches so it catches the light and shimmers in the back ground.
4. I’ve used haberdashery trims as garlands this year. They add such pretty texture and something unexpected.
5. Go big with bows. A few oversized decorations add instant drama.
6. Mix in sentimental pieces collected over the years. I treasure my grandmother’s vintage glass baubles and Arthur’s early nursery school creations.
7. Finish with giant paper decorations tucked under the lower branches to fill the gap before the presents arrive.

And there she is… full of colour, sparkle and nostalgia. Just how Christmas should feel.
AD Some people want diamonds… I just want colourfu AD Some people want diamonds… I just want colourful gifts under the tree!

My top Christmas picks from my @dunelmuk collection, full of joy, colour and festive cheer. The kind of presents that make you grin before you’ve even opened them. Available in store and online but selling like hot cakes! Let me know if Santa will be popping any these under your tree this Christmas! 

Ban the beige Mugs £8, Wine glasses £10, Resin coasters £14, Twisted candlesticks £8, Six Dining candles £10, Cake stand £22, Notebooks from £5, Snug as a bug cushion £22, Joy Scented Candle £11, all Dunelm x Sophie Robinson 

##SophieRobinsonXDunelm #ad
AD Continuing the Christmas joy, here is another l AD Continuing the Christmas joy, here is another look at my collection with @dunelmuk . This time it is all about the power of paper which fills me with childhood nostalgia. I wanted to create pieces that feel sculptural, sustainable and utterly theatrical and delivered all the impact to transform your home into a festive jewel box this season.

The hanging balls and star fans look wonderful strung from a mantlepiece, down the banisters, or above the dining table (TIP: use command hooks to secure). I love stuffing the balls in the gap under the Christmas tree before the presents arrive. The paper wreath makes a striking statement on an indoor door or hung in front of a mantle mirror, and the crackers are a riot of pattern and colour that will add pizazz to the table... what else would you expect? I’ve included a family favourite of mine, a ‘who am I’ game that works with the stylish Christmas crowns.

These paper decorations are lightweight, easy to reuse and designed to add instant impact. If you have been struggling to find my range in store, remember that everything is available online, so there is still plenty of time to gather your favourites. I loved designing this paper collection and I hope it brings a great big dose of joy to your Christmas styling.

Pack of 5 paper balls £22, Set of five paper star fans £28, Set of three paper trees £16, Prism paper wreath £20, Set of six maximalist crackers £12, all Dunelm.
Lose yourself in the colour and chaos of Marrakech Lose yourself in the colour and chaos of Marrakech, a city that ignites every sense and fuels pure design inspiration. From the souks to the riads, the tiles to the textiles, it’s a feast for creative souls. Come discover it all with me as your guide — taste it, touch it, feel it, live it. ✨

We still have a few spaces left 1-5th December if you feel like being crazy and spontaneous! Bring a friend and have an unforgettable experience, with @elfennmarrakech  as the back drop or snap up one of the last places on our january retreat 12-16th. All links up in my bio or comment RETREAT and i’ll send you the link to find out more. It’s a colour lovers paradise and i’d love to see you there! ❤️
AD I think this is my first mention of Christmas t AD I think this is my first mention of Christmas this year and what a way to begin. I popped into @Dunelmuk yesterday and could hardly believe it... my Christmas decorations were already flying out of the store. The whole section was practically sold out which felt incredibly joyful to see. If you cannot find them in store, do not worry, everything is still available online so there is plenty of time to get your favourites.

This collection is filled with colour, sparkle and the kind of beautiful details that make Christmas decorating feel extra special. Think beaded motifs, mirrored glass, soft velvets and pieces that catch the light in the most magical way. It is all designed to look luxurious, feel indulgent and bring a real sense of festive theatre to your home. I loved creating every single decoration and I hope they bring your tree and table that same joyful glow.

Beaded hanging decorations £4. Glass baubles, £3. Prism stripe large bow, £10. Joy stocking £14. Set of three candy cane stripe bows £12.
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