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
  • Home Tours
  • Interiors
  • podcast
19 Mar 20

House tour with Orla Kiely, Podcast show notes S6 Ep6

Before we get started, I wanted to say on behalf of Kate and I that we know you, like us, are probably pretty concerned about the coronavirus. It’s a strange and worrying time and at a time like this chat about cushions and paint might seem a bit trivial. But, on the other hand, it might be just the escapism and cheer we all need. So in that spirit, we particularly hope you enjoy this podcast.

Well, I can’t quite believe that we have reached the end of series six of the Great Indoors podcast. A huge thank you to our sponsors Topps Tiles for helping us to get this point, our fabulous producer Kate Taylor and of course you, our lovely listeners. Don’t forget to join our wonderful interiors community on Facebook and please do rate and review as we do read each and every one!

On with the show, (listen to the full episode here) This episode is all about our love affair with pattern and colour and our house tour with Orla Kiely delivers on all fronts! Pattern is popular appearing everywhere, walls, floors, sofas – you name it, you can stick a pattern on it! Kate thinks that tiles are a great way to introduce pattern on a small scale and that less is more – of course, I couldn’t disagree more – more is more! So whatever your tastes check out Topps Tiles‘s plethora of designs where there’s something for everyone.

Orla Kiely’s iconic stem prints went on to be one of the most recognisable motifs and is responsible for the introduction of adding bold pattern to handbags which really wasn’t that much of a thing before Orla came on the scene. Now her fabulous retro-inspired designs adorn furniture, wallpaper, textiles, homeware and accessories and even a limited edition of Citroen cars!

Orla’s South London home certainly packs a pattern punch and is a riot of colour too. I loved visiting her and getting an insight into how she decorates. We started off in the lovely open plan kitchen, dining living area on the lower ground floor of her Victorian terrace which clearly has a modern mid-century vibe although still works well in the Victorian home. Orla strived to keep the original Victorian features throughout the house, although in the basement there weren’t any to speak of, so she had full reign on how to design her kitchen/dining space and it has a much more modern and midcentury vibe as a result, complete with concrete floor, walnut frame windows and a dug out floor.

Orla cleverly used the same flagstones as the outside ones so when the doors are fully open the space flows perfectly.

The space is also unified by the use of walnut wood panelling from the back door frames, along the walls as a cladding and into the kitchen units. A really clever use of how a material can link an open plan space. Look at that wallpaper, one of Orla’s early designs, it seems I’m not alone in my passion for yellow as it’s also her go-to colour for it’s happy and bright character.

 

The working parts of the kitchen is cleverly tucked away from view

The hidden pantry in olive, green and yellow – Orla’s three core colours.

On the way up to the ground floor, we pass this idyllic library nook – I just adored the way this area has utilised a small space and the gloss yellow is heaven! I could quite easily make use of this space! Orla says her three hero colours are yellow, orange and olive and you see these repeated throughout her home which brings real harmony and so when she does pop the colour in unexpected places, the colour doesn’t feel random.

On to the large living room, which houses Orla’s fabulous collection of midcentury furniture and really oozes her unique sense of retro-meets-modern style. All of the original architectural Victorian details like the ceiling roses and cornicing are rightfully celebrated, but it was the huge picture window at the far end that got most of my attention. It was part of an addition from the previous owners but Orla had the large glass picture window installed to a very James-Bod esque effect! Also, note the walnut wall panelling again – a lovely red thread moment throughout the house.

I happened to mention what a gorgeous wall colour to which Kate happily pointed out is GREY! Orla feels a dark ‘grey’ is the ideal background for her brighter colours to pop, and I have to agree it really works in her setting as the perfect backdrop to get textiles and collection of art and ceramics.

Whilst there is a strong mid-century feel to this house it is not contrived or forced as all the pieces were carefully chosen by Orla because she truly loved them and suit her style and family needs. Combined with the tight colour palette throughout the house, it helps unify the home and creates consistency. Orla sits happily in the maximalist camp, and there are a variety of patterns, but all with her signature 60’s influence.

Onwards, up to the next floor but we’re stopped by what appeared to be some modern artwork, a resin set of panels but it’s actually a hidden door….

… concealing a fab shower with a glass ceiling so you’re bathed in natural light. Genius!

The tiles are Orla’s design and her tip for using patterned tiles is to plan down to the last detail and the smaller the patterns and tile the easier it is.

 

Upstairs to the master bedroom, and behind Olive’s (her 12 year pooch) chair is – what I thought was a floor to ceiling mirror – is actually glass separating the bedroom and bathroom creating more light in both.

The red thread continues with Orla’s tile design also used in the kitchen and shower with co-ordinating gorgeous ‘milk chocolate’ brown plain tiles.

I’d like to thank Orla so much for having us visit her beautiful home, which felt just that, a home. If just a very stylish one too! The two Kate’s and I have devised a way to continue recording the podcast remotely and have full intention to keep broadcasting every other week. So we’ll see you in the Great Indoors!

 

  • Home Tours
  • Interiors
  • podcast
Home Happiness special – Podcast show notes S7 Ep1 Kate’s new book, wallpaper and retoxing, Podcast show notes S6 Ep5

Leave a Comment

Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published.

  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • colour psychology
    • DIY
    • dream home makeovers
    • 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

Online courses
by popular demand

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

Ah @the_rhs Chelsea! What a feast for the eyes! In Ah @the_rhs Chelsea! What a feast for the eyes! Inbetween biblical downpours, thunder and lightning, it was a wonderful day of colour, design and chatter with some wonderful women! I’m slowly falling in love with gardening and my phone roll is full of inspiration after being immersed in natures finest. Thanks @michelleogundehin and @hazelgardinerdesign @thesohoagencyuk for the company. And a big congratulations Hazel on this stunning floral installation. And don’t forget if you want to hang out and be inspired by all things colour then my FREE live webinar is on tonight (25th) at 7pm tonight! Hop on to my profile for the link to sign up. Cannot wait to share some inspirational colour filled time with you all 

#rhschelsea
This is the first room we decorated after our reno This is the first room we decorated after our renovations. The entrance to your home creates the first impression. It’s also the room you walk into first thing in the morning and when you return home at the end of a long day. It needs to create the right welcome and what that feels like is hugely personal. For me I chose my favourite colours, this powerful cobalt  blue has always been a colour I’m drawn to. My wardrobe is full of it. And the bright pink is another one that always makes me instantly happy. Together they are a striking combination and I think anyone who walks through my front door, immediately gets a sense of what I’m about. I’m passionate about creating interiors that authentically  reflect the people who live there. Studying the psychology of colour made it so much easier for me, giving me a deeper understanding on the affects of colour and streamlining my process. If you’d like to know how to unlock your colour super power, join me for a free webinar this Wednesday evening (available to up for 48 hours after). It an introduction into colour psychology for interiors and my hope is it inspires you to have the courage and conviction to know what’s right for you.  And for a deeper dive my online course Colour Psychology for interiors has opened for enrolment. All links to sign up are in my bio on my profile @sophierobinsoninteriors 
What does your hallway say about you? 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 
CREDITS walls in lazuli by @zoffanyfw stair runner @roger_oates floor tiles @claybrookstudio door painted in rose ash @sanderson1860 

#colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebiege #punchyhome #hallway #boldcolourinteriors #colourlover
My kitchen, the heart of my home. The smallest, da My kitchen, the heart of my home. The smallest, darkest room in the house with no view, but that’s old houses for you! You’ll often find the kitchen in the worst place. So to amp up the joy I chose a forest green (hunters green by @zoffanyfw) for the cabinets to mirror the woodland outside. We sourced reclaimed school science lab work tops and I wrapped the room in one of my favourite papers, Rubarber by @borastapeter. Tom put in retro fit underfloor heating and we used reclaimed terracotta tiles from @ca_pietra_  so the floor looks as old as the house but feels so warm! . For the ugliest darkest room in the house it’s become our favourite because of the colours, patterns and rustic textures.that’s the power of great interior design! 
Next up in my series of posts about the psychology of colour is the Autumn personality. You’ll have a love of rich deep warm Colours, natural finishes, nature inspired patterns and period features. The autumn palette is warm, earthy abs rich and perfect for making spaces feel cosy and inviting. 
To learn more about the autumn personality, hop on up to my bio and click the link to be taken to the blog. And you can sign up to my FREE webinar I’m hosting next Wednesday if you’d like to learn more about this powerful framework. 
Meanwhile have a gorgeous weekend! 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto Styling @katemcphee 

#colourpsychology #banthebeige #autumnpersonality #colourpsychologyforinteriors #kitchen #greenkitchen #countryhomesandinteriors #countrykitchen #ihavethisthingwithcolor #myeclectichome #maximalistdecor
Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology Come and join my FREE webinar on Colour Psychology next Wednesday 25th at 7pm GMT 🤩 hop on up to the link in my bio @sophierobinsoninteriors to register.
My brilliant online course, Colour Psychology for Interiors, is open for enrolment this month, so if you fancy finding out a bit more about this utterly game changing framework I’d love to have you join. It’s SO MUCH more than ‘ red is energising’, ‘blue is calming’ stuff you’ve all heard before. This is a deep dive into discovering how colours work, how to harmonise them and discovering your own unique and authentic style. Only then can you create a home you live and one that supports you emotionally. I LOVE teaching this stuff because the feedback I get from students is mind blowing! Don’t take my word for it, sign up for the free webinar today! 😍 and if you’ve already done my course, please share in the comments below what you loved about it. 

#colourfulhome #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourlover #confidentcolour #confidentcolourscheming
Have you found your design mojo? Do you gravitate Have you found your design mojo? Do you gravitate towards a style of interiors that just feels so ‘you’. Making a home is so much more than creating beautiful squares for Instagram. It has to FEEL right and this is where the psychology of colour comes in. Colour is light, it has an energy which directly impacts your brain and emotions. And we all have a unique relationship to it. So rather than follow the crowd, be swayed by trends it’s so important to understand your own authentic relationship with colour. Over on the blog today I’m starting a series of posts all about the seasonal colour personalities. First up is spring which is all the joy, uplift and energy. My bathroom, pictured above, is very ‘spring’ with light reflecting walls, energetic patterns and bright colours. The mood  is uplifting, fresh and feel-good. Hop on up to my link in my profile to read the blog post in full and discover if you are a Spring personality and how to create rooms that reflect this joyful mood. 
Tap for credits
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 

#colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #colourfulhome #colourlover #ihavethisthingwithcolor #spring #springbpersonality #colourfuldecorchallenge #homedecor #myeclecticmix #bathroom #bathroominspo
So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who o So proud of mr best mate @sophieabbottartist who opens her house this weekend to showcase her artwork in her home as part of Brightons artists open houses. She’s always been a creative whirlwind and keeps the joy of colour alive in her paintings inspired by the sea, and the local woodlands that surround her home in Brighton. For Sophie, colour gives her life, she’s the ultimate joy monger and I’m so blessed to have her as my side kick in life. If you get a chance today, pop round to heed for a bolt if the feel good vibes

#artistopenhouses #brighton #colourlover #banthebiege #ihavethisthingwithcolour
When you find the palette of colours you love, you When you find the palette of colours you love, you just wantto surround yourself  in every part of your home! This painting by @studiocoverdale really hits the mark for me, with all my favourites on one place. Today I’m opening my most popular online course, ‘Colour Psychology for a interiors’, ready  for your enrolment. This is my most popular and indeed  powerful course. It gets to the core of how colours work in harmony , how they effect you emotionally and how to bring all the design and pattern  elements together to make your home and your heart sing! I’m a Spring personality, and with that I adore all the busy patterns, bright and vibrational colours, plenty of pretty details and preferably all at once! While typical spring personalities prefer a more delicate and soft colour palette, my secondary season is Autumn, which prefers richer and punchier shades. Combined together my home is unique and perfect for me. I honestly rarely want to leave the house! And while this framework is an amazing tool for interior design, it’ll also give you colour confidence in every area of your life including your wardrobe. I can’t recommend it enough. When I started implementing this framework  in my own design practice six years ago it was absolutely game changing! While I’ve  always been confident with bold colour, this insight gave me the clarity to speed up my design process and get it right every time! Hop on over to the link in my bio to find out more. 
📷 @aluncallenderphoto 
#colourpsycholgy #colourlover #banthebiege #colourfulhome #colourmyhome #maximalistinteriors #boldbravebeautifulinteriors #dopaminedressing #dopaminedecor
The power of paint! I’ve been extolling it’s v The power of paint! I’ve been extolling it’s virtues my entire career. Roll a bold new hue on your walls and voila! Game changer. But on our recent podcast @mad_about_the_house explored the wider impact of paint on the environment. An astonishing 50 million litres makes it into landfill each year so it feels like, as serial decorators, we could all club together and do our bit to bring that figure down. 
It’s a minefield but over on my blog today I sum up my tips on how we can easily use less of it and round up the paint brands who are doing their bit to tackle the issues. From the ingredients in the tin, to recycling waste paint, to using pouches rather than tins, there is plenty of innovative ideas. Choosing natural paint feels like a good option and if you’re hooked on designer paint colours, it’s no more expensive. Last year I painted my bedroom Turquoise by @edwardbulmerpaint and I’m thrilled with the colour, quality and durability. Just goes to show lovely paint doesn’t have to cost the earth. Hop onto the link in my profile for the full post and if you know if a paint brand who are tackling the environmental issues raised, please give them a mention in the comments below.

#ecopaint #ecodecor #ecohome #paint #turquoise #bedroom #podcast #banthebiege #colourfulhome #colourlover #itsonlypaint #interiordecorating #interiordesign #colourscheme
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar