02 Jan 17

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year you gorgeous bunch! I marked it with a fabulous house party thrown by one of my oldest friends and then we hosted a Bonfire and walk on the woods on New Years Day. A bonfire is the perfect way to see in the new year. Time to throw your old cares into the fire and set New Intentions. I’ve just used the bank holiday to make a clean sweep throughout the house. I love the sense of light and space you feel at home when all the Christmas decs are taken down.

So New Years resolutions anyone? Because I’m practically perfect in every way, I don’t need to give anything up! Due to health reasons I gave up alcohol, gluten, dairy, sugar and caffeine 18 months ago. I suppose I could give up quinoa! Anyway it’s winter, its cold outside. I don’t subscribe to giving yourself a hard time by abstaining. Much better to goal set!

Every few years I do a vision board. Some people call it a treasure map. This is where you tape images of your aspirations onto a board and look at it everyday until it subconsciously comes true! Sounds wacky but it works I’m telling you. Books I’ve read that have made a real difference to the way I look and forecast my life are The Secret by Rhonda Byrne and The Success Principles by Jack Canfield. Both are very American/schmaltzy/cringey in places but you need to get past that because the message is so powerful! If you’re not much of a reader you can pick up both as audio books. My husband and I listed to the Success Principles whilst on a road trip in South Africa on the car stereo in 2010 and it kick started both our businesses onto a whole new level. If you have any good books that have helped motivate you to get the best out of life and business- let me know! I eat them up; I can’t get enough of that stuff.

It’s very exciting times at Sophie Robinson Interiors. I’ve got a new redesigned website being launched this week. I’m so excited to share it with you. It’s the perfect platform to bring you guys piping hot colour and design inspiration fresh to your inbox every week. My intention is to grow the brand and deliver you guys inspiring posts, fresh videos and drool-worthy instagram pics. I’ve also got some super-boss colour courses in the pipeline for this year so keep your eye on my courses page for new listings. And even though I’ve ducked out on The Great Interior Design Challenge I’ll still be popping up on your TV screens. First up I’m still very much part of the GIDC family and will returning, with giant earrings in tow, to judge the final alongside my old chum Daniel Hopwood and deisgn juggernaught Kelly Hoppen. Fabulous lady but design wise we rarely see eye to eye. I’m looking forward to seeing how they edit it! If you missed my post on why I’m not returning, you can read it here.

Then more exciting is my first episode of BBC1’s DIY SOS is already in the can and waiting to air later in the Spring. It was the most incredible experince. We helped an extraordinary family by rebuilding their home from the ground up in just two weeks. And I had just two weeks for the interior design of a five bedroom house. Move over Great Interior Design Challenge!

Then there’s all the work going on at our own home. I’ve opened up a new Instagram account called My House in the Woods to share with you all the goings on here and follow our renovation and life journey as we have moved out of the city and getting used to country life. We’re aiming to get my Mum into the Annex by March and then I’ll be looking in earnest at our own project. Which will be a colour fest for sore eyes I promise!

And my biggest ambition is to get the life work balance in balance. After stepping off the career super fast highway last summer it’s made me realise that its so important to live in the now. Connect with our friends, (both virtual and from the olde worlde real world). It’s a constant struggle that I know a lot of you share, trying to run a career and a family. This blog has introduced me to a wonderful tribe of passionate people who are keen to share their love of design. I’ve loved following you all on Instagram, reading your comments on Facebook or meeting you at one of my design courses. You are all such a hugely inspiring, generous and supportive bunch and just make me want to make more of this blog, so we can all come together. This year I want to make more of these connections and continue to wave the flag for the design democracy. We believe that great design isn’t about following the big brands, or god forbid experts (Ha!). I say anything goes, and I urge you to follow your creative heart and make a home you love. I know I will and I’ll be sharing it all with you on here! hang out here and lets enjoy the ride!

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