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20 Nov 14

How to decorate with bold colour

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Dominic Blackmore

As anyone who knows me will attest, I’m mad-bonkers-all-for decorating with colour. Its simply one of the most affordable and transformational ways to update your home, and better still all you have to do is invest in a tin of paint. Daubing a new hue on the walls is without doubt the easiest and yet most dramatic way to instantly inject a new look, a new mood or just simply add interest to your home. And why not try painting the walls yourself- (I’ve heard) it can be like therapy. Nothing seems more exciting than seeing a new colour roll out and onto the walls.

So it’s widely agreed that colour has the power to change the mood, set the theme, even alter the perceived size of your room with visual tricks. So as an interior designer, or home improver, you’ve gotta learn to Love Colour, Colour is your friend!

Living room Image from Marks and Spencer

Image from Marks and Spencer

But the subject of decorating with colour is a huge topic, and I’m not about to write my thesis on the matter here. So for the sake of this blog post, I’m going to talk about decorating with Bold tones. To my delight the trend in interior design is behind decorating with bright hues. We’re seeing a move away from the washed out Scandi hues in favour of some zingy brights that carry some punch as well as desperately dark and murky hues.

Photograph by Joanna Henderson

Photograph by Joanna Henderson

Now, I understand decorating in this palette takes some guts, and it feels daunting with the worry of getting it wrong and then having to invest time and energy applying plenty of coats to block it out again. I’ve got some tips to give confidence in getting it right.

First up the trick to decorating with bold colour is to balance the look with contrasting neutrals. Whether that’s smart black and white for a up scale look or the softer natural tones of wood, creamy white or sultry grey.

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Dominic Blackmore

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Dominic Blackmore

Next add some natural accents. This could be some green foliage (I love ferns) or a little natural wood to counter balance the bold colours. Natural colours also add warmth, which can be a welcoming touch when you’re using strong acid brights or dark moody hues. A wooden floor, a leather armchair or an oak side table could be just enough.

Living room designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Living room designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Simon Whitmore

Think about Colour Blocking (I have written a post on the very subject here)  as there is no rule that says you have to go for out and out colour on all four walls (although I’d urge you to every time!) A fabulous feature wallpaper or one wall painted in a punchy colour can do the job. For example I love deep azure blue next to soft dove grey or a screaming canary yellow next to smokey black.

 Found on escapadeblog.com

Found on escapadeblog.com

Also, colour doesn’t just apply to walls. Add colour in other ways, on furnishings and accessories. This is particularly relevant if you’re renting. A bright jewel coloured sofa in a pale grey room looks wonderful or a bright punchy pink headboard can create a dazzling focal point in a bedroom.

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Dominic Blackmore

Designed by Sophie Robinson for Ideal Home. Photograph by Dominic Blackmore

I think it works well when you add an accent colour or two to your bold colour scheme (plus your neutrals). For example choose one colour as your dominant choice-this might be on the walls or sofa, then mix in some neutrals and naturals, then add the last 5% as an accent. This gives the look some pep and a little extra edge. My tip for success is to keep them all the same hue or saturation.

 Found on bhg.com

Found on bhg.com

Don’t be afraid to add pattern to your bold colour scheme- but I think bold prints work best as they can muscle up to the bold colours. Bold silhouettes, geometrics and large scale florals work well.

Photograph by Joanna Henderson

Photograph by Joanna Henderson

So where to start and find inspiration. You can start with a swatch of fabric or wallpaper and then pick out your colours from that with the knowledge that they all sit nicely together. Check out Harlequin, Designers Guild and GP & J Baker for some fantastic bold designs. For me, I love to decorate with a bold dark hue on the walls and then have fun collecting bright coloured artwork, fabrics and accessories that contrast dramatically.

Image from tallbox.org

Image from tallbox.org

You can watch me talk more on the subject of decorating with colour along with slides of my own projects on the housetohome website.

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comments

Found This Painted That on 20.11.14

Fantastic examples on a fantastic post. I too am a colour lover so, you sing it, sister!

Reply
This Peaceful Home on 20.11.14

Beautiful post (and blog!). I’m a fellow drama/colour lover, and love your aesthetic!

Reply
dyorzurc on 20.11.14

Reblogged this on ROYD CRUZ.

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 21.11.14

Great to find a fellow colour lover! Thanks for your kind comments

Reply
Tracy on 08.01.15

Hi Sophie, thank you for spending your time writing this post! I wonder if you could help me? I understand the concept of using colors of the same saturation. I am confused how to add bold color to my open plan room when the kitchen cupboards are a muddy brown orange with a very low saturation (laminex sorrel). Its complement (a low saturation pale blue) looks great against it, but I hoped to use color with more zest than pastels. Is this possible when any stronger color I choose will be markedly different to such a prominent element?

Reply
Sophie Robinson on 13.01.15

Yes, I think you can add a punch strong colour with your soft brown and soft blue. My advice would be to go 60% brown, 30% pale blue and then for the last 10% go very bright but only add a sliver. You can choose the right hue but maybe tangerine or lime would work? Just use as an accent in accessories like lamp shades, vases or an occasional chair. Also balance with some fresher neutral like a bright white. Good luck!

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

According to some recent research 24% of us look t According to some recent research 24% of us look to friends and family for design Inspiration, 21% to makeover tv shows and 18% to instagram. But while it’s great gathering ideas and opinions, ultimately creating a stylish home has to come from you if you are going to love the home you live in. The extraordinary Colour Psychology framework helps you unlock the colour palette that is perfect for you and gives you the superpower to create rooms that feel as good as they look. Suddenly other peoples opinions, trends, and influencers no longer hold sway. Creating a home is deeply personal, an exploration of what makes YOU happy. For me it’s all about the pattern, texture and plenty of intense colour. Tasteful grey interiors leave me feeling flat, I love the energy of a colour clash! If you want to understand your relationship with colour and how to design schemes that affect your emotions in a positive way, this is the last weekend to enrol in my online course, Colour Psychology for interiors. You can find the link to learn more up in my bio. It’s my most popular course to date and has transformed the way thousands of people feel about their interior spaces. 
Let me know what your happy colours are down in the comments below. 

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📷 @aluncallenderphoto styling @katemcphee #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #banthebeige #ihavethisthingwithcolour #myeclectichome #patternclash #maximalistdecor #colourcourse #mycolourfulinterior #punchyhome #cosyhome #countryliving #bedroom
Did you know 50% of people use social media to fin Did you know 50% of people use social media to find inspiration on how to decorate their living rooms? I’m definitely one of them! That’s according to a study by Sky Glass, the streaming TV from @sky_uk . I’ve been investigating the latest interior trends we are lusting after, and how our living rooms are changing- as we say goodbye to three piece suites, and hello to sustainable vintage furniture, statement rugs, wall prints and cosy-ing up the sofa with throws and cushions. As you can see I’m all over the trends! If you head over to the @sky_uk channel today, I’ll also be answering some interior design questions all about styling your TV. Would love to hear what you think are the living room trends to watch. 
 #skyglass #ad 

#banthebeige #colourlover #livingroomdecor #livingroom #maximalistinteriors #livingroomdecore #livingroomdecorideas #homestyle #instahomedecor #chintz #colourmyhome #colourmehappy #cushionlove #styleithappy #florals #gallerywall #berberrugs #ihavethisthingwithpatterns #ihavethisthingwithcolour
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. 
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📷 @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
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