fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
    • Masterclasses
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Business
  • Interior Styling
  • Interiors
  • Lifestyle
19 Nov 18

Conscious shopping for your home

Interior Designer Sophie Robinson hosts the Etsy Good Store pop up event

Buckle up folks! With the biggest festival of consumerism on our doorstep I’m swooping in with a very timely topic; Conscious consumerism. I was recently invited to host a panel debate at an Etsy pop up shop in central London in Covent Garden on this subject and it was fantastic. Now while this isn’t an area of speciality (I’m good at the consumerism half of the equation), I jumped at the chance to be involved for a few reasons. First of all making more conscious purchases is something that I think we are all getting more and more aware of, I know I am. No more plastic shopping bags, only paper straws in our drinks, no more fast fashion that’s only worn once on a Friday night (especially after watching Stacey Dooley’s recent BBC documentary “Fashions dirty secrets‘). In preparation for the event, and as someone who is never backwards in coming forwards when telling people how they should be furnishing their homes, I wanted to think hard about this one and I canvased you guys on my instagram stories and the insight was really fascinating. It’s something we are all thinking about it would seem. And since I’m currently bringing LOT’S of things into my house at the moment while we totally refurbish, there’s currently plenty of shopping opportunities to consider.

First up my Google ponderings took me across the term Lagom. (Which is another one of those clever Scandinavian concepts like Hygge). The concept is all about the joy of living within your means and finding satisfaction in not filling our homes with lots of necessary clutter or general toot. *who me?!*. It urges us to recycle, re-use and up cycle, to not waste food or electricity and to buy responsibly and sustainably. After shrinking at the abundant sight of all my currently unpacked boxes of ‘stuff” I found this concept rather inspiring. It all feels quite simple and easy and generally common sense. So less stuff. Sounds good. I’m in. What’s next.

My previous flat in Brighton was crammed with stuff I love. An old car boot sale bench was given the up-cycle treatment by being covered in a patchwork of needle point tapestries.

So first up the best way to design your home with minimum impact, that I could think of, was to “shop at home!” Literally, have a massive sort out, chuck some stuff out and look at re-styling the objects you already own. Top tips for me is to think about gathering things in groups. Either cluster some objects and ornaments to create pleasing tableaux, odd numbers and differing heights works well. Another great idea is to gather up your collections of pictures, mirrors and artwork and make a gallery wall on one wall to create a stunning focal point.

I found these set of six original ercol chairs at the car boot sale for £40. I bought them home, cleaned them up, re-glued and painted them to give them a new lease of life.

Next up consider buying vintage or second hand furniture. I’ve done this in every house I’ve owned as not only does it save furniture from landfill, it saves on the budget and I’d argue that it also imbues a new scheme with a little personality and provenance. I also love up-cycled furniture for the stories that they tell and that they are also one off pieces in favour of anything mass-produced. I have lots of old things. Some are inherited and have a little sentimental value. But I’ll be honest most is because it’s just not fiscally possible to go out and buy everything new. And the planet thanks us for that!

This tapered single plank Tip Toe bench is made from sustainable British timbers in English Oak, Elm, brown Oak or Ash and the legs are available in a choice of eight colours

This tapered single plank Tip Toe bench is made from sustainable British timber in English Oak, Elm, brown Oak or Ash and the legs are available in a choice of eight colours, £595, TedWoodDesigns

One of the other reasons I love vintage furniture and pieces in my home is that they were often built for life. Mass manufacture has been amazing, making design affordable to the masses but the down side has been poorly constructed furniture, made cheaply that doesn’t stand the test of time. Much of the flat pack furniture can’t even survive moving house so often ends up in landfall while it falls apart. So buy vintage or invest in a piece of well made furniture or home wares that you can enjoy for years to come. Etsy is a wonderful site to find fantastic craftsmen. I met Ted Jeffris of Ted Wood Design at the Etsy panel event. Ted makes beautiful solid wood tables using traditional techniques. Because he is the man selling his wares, you can have a conversation direct with the designer, with the opportunity to customise. Ted argues that the end price isn’t as much as people imagine as you are cutting out the shop mark up. Ted is fastidious in his selection of wood, using sustainably  British grown. It is Ted’s fond hope that, through his work he will create a counter balance to the throwaway culture of modern society. We can all sign up to that with our cheque books surely!

 

At the Etsy event I hosted a mini style workshop to help people learn the process of owning your own look and nailing your own colour palette.

So if you are making some investment purchases that last the test of time then it’s really important that you know your own sense of style. What stops most people making brave commitments is fear of conviction in their own taste. The courses that I run are specifically designed to help people to take this journey and learn more about themselves and their design preferences so they can have even more awesome interiors. So I was thrilled that Etsy invited me to host a little mini style workshop during the event. I always love to see what they reveal and see people tap into their colour loving potential. But the main aim is it’s a win win. Know what you love, invest in it, keep it, be happy ever after.

Interior Designer Sophie Robinson's loft apartment in central Brighton, open plan colourful living and dining

The open plan space in my old Brighton flat was a treasure trove of artwork and objects that firmly stated my sense of self and style

All of this is moving perfectly in the direction of owning your look and creating an interior, a home, that really reflects you, your family and resonates on a deeper level. And in order to do that I love to invest in pieces that really tell a story. I absolutely love to support creative designers and small business entrepreneurs. They are essential at keeping my industry feeling creative but also give a deeper sense of soul to your home. And your money is going towards someone who is truly passionate about what they do and we are spreading the economic love to small support small business as well as big. Georgia Bosson who I met at the Etsy event is one of those highly passionate designers. And a fellow colour lover it turns out! Through her I learnt that cotton fabric is one of the most high impact fabrics on the environment due to the amount of water consumed in its process. Flax is a faster growing and hardier fibre than cotton, and therefore uses less water and pesticides to produce. She also has a social enterprise part of her business employing women in prisons to manufacture her products as part of a rehabilitation scheme.

Interior Designer Sophie Robinson hosts the Etsy Good Store pop up event

Medium round screen printed plywood tray – Coyoacan, Georgia Bosson

But Don’t get me wrong, I love our high street brands. They bring us great design at a price we can afford and I’m all for that, but I’m equally passionate about supporting the small people too; recently graduated students, part-time mums, the master craftsmen. Buying local gives the same feeling as it’s feeding back into your local economy. And cutting down on airmails yadda yadda you know the drill! Now buying local doesn’t mean you should feel pressurised into buying some dreadful home made soap from the local WI committee. Increasingly there are online platforms that showcase talent and you can find out where things are made and sourced. So just do a minute’s research before you press click, but I do love how Etsy have made it easy with their specially curated online Good Store.

And the good news about all this is that hand made has never been so fashionable! Fabrics that are hand dyed, batik, wax relief, woven or screen-printed are all at the top of any designers wish list. We are lusting over the gentle imperfections that hand made items have, the thumb print of the maker, the line of the chisel. After all a hand thrown ceramic mug feels so much lovelier in our hands than a mass manufactured mug. Yes even if it does say “best Mum in the world’!

Interior Designer Sophie Robinson hosts the Etsy Good Store pop up event

Etsy Good Store is dedicated to mindful shopping with a carefully curated collection

So in summary. Buy a bit less, and if you must buy something, consider buying from a real person with a real story and help celebrate their creativity. Etsy’s platform has been specifically designed to make it easier to find those small designers that are all too willing to make us something special, although, I’ll be honest I still find mega websites tiring to navigate. Which is why it’s so awesome that you can have a poke about the specially curated Etsy Good Store collection online, available during November and December.  Items chosen for this pop up shop cover all basis; Sustainability, Wellness and Craftsmanship. I’m still no expert, it’s a massive topic but I’m so chuffed to have been involved and to meet the inspirational Ted and Georgia face to face.

  • Business
  • Interior Styling
  • Interiors
  • Lifestyle
Designer Spotlight: Molly Mahon Staying in is the new going out

comments

Victoria Nicholson on 20.11.18

A very interesting and well written read. As a KonMari consultant I always remind my clients about buying consciously, repurposing items they already have and treasuring the pieces in their home that make their hearts sing.

Reply
jane Smoczynski on 23.11.18

I really enjoyed reading your post Sophie. For many years I have followed this ethos, buying locally when I can, supporting quality arts and craft makers and my family and I make handmade Christmas presents for each other. It’s great to see that more people are moving in this direction and with your post, I hope this encourages more people to make conscious purchases.

Reply

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • DIY
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos

mailing
list

Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Bedlinen range

Shop

Colour Psychology for professionals

book your place!

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Dri How’s your Monday? Did you get to the shops? Drink a beer in a pub garden?! I’ve attempted train travel today  and three cancelled trains later I’m wishing I stayed at home! Anyone else not ready for this new normal yet! I’ve grown very attached to my sofa and cosy clothes this past few months! 

CREDITS Cardigan @jumper_1_2_3_4  Trousers @me_andem Trainers @nike Sofa @sofaworkshop (discontinued) in magnolia @gpjbaker  Tiger print cushion @trashvelvetuk pink cushion @grahamandgreen Flowers @sageandco.floraldesign Curtains @habitatuk (discontinued) 

#nonewnormal #banthebeige #colourlover #myhomevibe #noplacelikehome #pink #ihavethisthingwitpink 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto
I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are eve I do love some HEAVY PETAL action. Florals are everywhere in my home and it gives me full on joy to see them layered up on walls, on furnishings and my latest edition this hollyhock cushion. But they don’t  love me. As the blossom is bursting out this spring my hay fever is in full flow. 🤧sending love and tissues to my fellow sufferers! 

CREDITS Wallpaper is Artemis @houseofhackney . Painting by @beckyblairartist . Side board is vintage from @vinestreetvintage . Vases and chair are @grahamandgreen . Hollyhocks heavy petal cushion @houseofhackney . Flowers by @sageandco.floraldesign . Wall light @pookylights . Floor is intenso parquet @quickstepfloors 

#heavypetal #floralwallpaper #floraldesign #flowerpower #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #mycolourfulinterior #mycolourfulhome #howivintage #sodomino #interiors123 #interiordesign #countryinteriors .
Had a very busy day filming today and I got my mak Had a very busy day filming today and I got my makeup done all fancy and put on some pretty clothes. I’m exhausted because it was hard work but I also feel like I’ve had a real boost to play with some all the pretty things in all the pretty colours. Like these new pumps from @roguematilda which are giving me life! And they are flat so my feet are happy to. 😍

Thanks @swainy2021 for the style inspiration and @jadefarmiloemua for the eye bag hack! (See my stories)
It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_abo It’s podcast day! And on today’s show @mad_about_the_house and I discuss the pitfalls of shopping online, because admit it, we’ve all fallen down one! Whether it’s find out your forest green sofa is shiny teal (mentioning no names Callum) to discovering the dining room chandelier is no bigger than one of pat butchers earrings. 
Swiftly moving on we interview the fabulous @_paintgirl , creative director of paint brand @littlegreenepaintcompany who explains why there is a thirst for neutrals right now and how to pick the perfect shade. I’m currently giving my living room a refresh and for one nano second considered a neutral for the walls. 😳 But then I had a chat with myself and remembered that leopard is a neutral. There, I feel so much better! I hope you love the show, it’s the last in the current series. Kate and I will be having a short lie down and then back with a bang on 15th of April. I can promise you an awesome series we have planned with some know guests! So make sure you subscribe and why not leave us a little review if you get a moment. We read them all you know! Thanks to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#leopardisaneutral #banthebeige #thegreatindoors #thegreatindoorspodcast #livingroom #interiorrefresh #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistinteriors
Interior design masters final is TONIGHT! I’m be Interior design masters final is TONIGHT! I’m beyond thrilled to be invited back to help @michelleogundehin judge this final along with the rather fabulous @matthewwilliamson and the ever dashing @chattyman . Hasn’t the entire series just been incredible? The extraordinary talent, innovation, grit and determination that has been on show week after week has been an inspiration and credit to our industry. And tonight will not disappoint. The designers @lynseyforddesign and @interiorcurve have a whole house to design and get to bring back their favourite past contestant to help them with the challenge. Delighted to see @moneypennyinteriors and @amywilsoninteriors return for one night only. Buckle up for some serious interior design mastery. See you on BBC2 at 8pm. 

Dress is @stinegoyastudio 

# interiordesignmasters #interiordesignmasterstv
Everyone talks about a room with a view but making Everyone talks about a room with a view but making a view through to a room is just as satisfying. It’s something I always think about when designing a house and I love the way colour and pattern can link one room into the next. I use repetition of pattern, colour and materials to help a home have flow. This gorgeous blue is my main linking colour, rolled out in the hall then picked up in the ticking stripe fabric in the curtains and Artemis wallpaper. When you have maximalist tendencies like me, having a tight palette helps make it all work, and repeating colours and similar patterns help make a rather eclectic home feel cohesive. I’ll be sharing more insights into how to make the maximalist style work on my live masterclass on Thursday evening. Come join me, link up in my profile to book your place because once you embrace the maximalist in you, you open up to the pleasure of decorating from your hearts desire!

Tap the pic for any credits. 

#banthebeige #colourlover #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #bbbinteriors #ihavethisthingwithcolour #colourisaneutral #colourmyhome #interiordesign #interiordecor #interiorinspo #sodomino #apartmenttherapy
Happy Sunday! I’m relaxing on the sofa enjoying Happy Sunday! I’m relaxing on the sofa enjoying the view of one of my favourite paintings by my dear friend @bethpartridgeart . Filling your home with wonderful artwork is a great way to bring the colour joy, create a stunning focal point and help your home feel unique. Installing a striking piece of art in my room schemes is integral to helping a room hang together. This piece has the most incredible palette of colours that link to other parts of the room, like the fabrics and furnishings. I love the neon pop of yellow and pink you can find amongst all the beautiful inky blues. You don’t need to match you artwork to your colour scheme but it can help to make the whole thing really sing. Picking a piece of artwork you love can be the starting point to creating something wonderful. So big love to all you amazing artists out there for making our homes feel wonderful. 

#artforyourhome #artforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #focalpoint #interiordesign #interiorstyling #interiordecor #interiorinspo #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfullivingroom
Morning! I’ve got so much work on at the moment Morning! I’ve got so much work on at the moment I’ve got up with the birds to tuck a few hours in before the weekend starts. Sat here listening to the birdsong I could not  feel more blessed! Here’s a little insight into the creative chaos that is my office! Happy Saturday everyone x

#morning #birdsong #colourlover #banthebeige
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!