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17 Oct 18

Interiors podcast launch- The Great Indoors

The Great Indoors Final2

So when Kate Watson Smyth- my good friend who writes the formidably successful Mad about the House blog, and author of the best selling book of the same name, called me up and asked “Fancy doing a Podcast with me” , I said, yeah of course- will be fun. Just talking innit?

I must admit I had no idea of the herculean task it would take to bring it to fruition, but here we are on launch day! As our podcast goes out into the podiverse I’m like an expectant mother with a mixture of emotions; bursting with pride and trembling with anxious anticipation. Will anyone listen to it? Will it be any good? Either way, we have had a tonne of fun making it.

Interior designer Sophie Robinson and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth The Great Indoors podcast, pink velvet sofa in garden

The Palace sofa from Dfs in blush pink velvet

One thing’s that’s really amazed me is how much we have to share and how quickly you can rip through half an hour when talking about something you love and are passionate about. And oh how we can talk. For our first episode we recorded well over two hours of fabulous content and producer Kate Taylor worked her magic and tailored into a lively 30 minutes but not missing out any of the value or heated debate.

It’s been a fascinating process working with Kate and discovering what we agree on and more intriguingly how much we disagree and that’s what I really love about interior design. It’s not a science, it’s an art and there is so much anxiety about getting it right but when the experts can’t agree that’s when you know you have to throw the rule book out and follow your gut!But needless to say with over 50 years experience in the business between us you can count on tonnes of tried and tested advise as well as some out of the box ideas.

Interior designer Sophie Robinson and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth The Great Indoors podcast, pink velvet sofa in garden cushion fight

Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth, The Great Indoors podcast, photographed by Alun Callender

So as for format, our intention in this first series is to share some topical discussion about interiors, the latest news, launches and trends and then finally take one room in the house and share our ideas on how to best plan and decorate it. We’ve signed up to six episodes in the first series, going out every other week and most excitedly within that, episode 4 is a live recording in which you can be in the audience.

Our sponsor, Dfs, is holding a pop-up event The Staying Inn, in Bermondsey London on the 30th October, and we will be hosting a live audience podcast recording as part of that event! It’s a relaxed affair, glass of wine, get comfy on the sofa and have your interior design questions put to the experts face to face. The Staying Inn event features five inspirational living spaces, designed by our chums 2LG Studio, and a swanky bar for eats and drinks. And as staying in is the new going out, I’m very much looking forward to it. If you’d like to join us and be in the audience, it’s a small intimate affair, you can buy tickets and find more details here.

 

Interior designer Sophie Robinson and journalist Kate Watson-Smyth The Great Indoors podcast, pink velvet sofa in garden cushion fight

Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth, The Great Indoors podcast, photographed by Alun Callender

Finally I must share how we’ve managed to launch in such a short time. We have a real whizz bang team behind us. Our producer Kate Taylor has been instrumental in guiding us through the podcast publishing maze. The technical bits – as well us helping us to produce a format that offers something to everyone with an ear for interiors, keeping it light and entertaining while packed with information. DFS have been a dream sponsor in so much as they’ve supported the series but have given us total editorial freedom to talk about the stuff we really care and know about. Then my photo shoot A -team came to the house for our publicity shoot, Alun Callender behind the lens and Jade Farmilou on hair and makeup. Alun really captured the fun that Kate and I have had making this podcast and was patient while Kate managed to repeatedly fall off the back of the sofa. . Finally a massive shout out to Aye Oo at Headlight designing for our logo and the wonderful Maria for keeping the whole project on track.

Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth photographed for The Great Indoors podcast, photographed by Alun Callender

So what’s coming up? We launch with the first episode where I challenge Kate with the news that grey is dead as a decorating trend, followed by our round up of some of the key design trends we spotted during London design week. We throw in a few design crimes (you are going to love them!) before finishing off with discussing how to plan a kitchen. Moving swiftly onto episode two and we revel the new paint colours that have recently launched, discuss colour psychology, followed by how to plan a bathroom. In which we discuss strategic positioning of mirrors a lot!

So if any of that tickles your earlobes then hop on over and have a listen. You’ll find us on Apple podcasts,   Tune In,    Spotify,   Stitcher,   Pocket casts,   Acast.

See you in the Great Indoors!

 

 

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The WOW!house at dcch is one of my favourite event The WOW!house at dcch is one of my favourite events in the interiors calendar. Think of it as the design Olympics, where the industry’s biggest names are given free rein to dream big, push creative boundaries and showcase the very best in craftsmanship.

This is where you’ll find extraordinary fabrics,  wallcoverings, breathtaking joinery, sculptural lighting and decorative details that make your heart skip a beat. Budget takes a back seat and unbridled creative ambition takes the wheel.

What I loved most this year was the sheer diversity of design. From full-fat maximalism to serene minimalism, every room had its own unique story to tell. Yet a common thread emerged: retreat, cocooning and comfort. Rich deep colours, layered super soft textures and immersive spaces designed to help us slow down and escape the noise of modern life.

Here are a few of my favourites. The exhibition runs until the end of the month and I can highly recommend a visit. I never wanted to leave.

#WOWHouse26

@benjaminmooreuk 
@younghuh 
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@studioduggan 
@studioenass 
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An exclusive interview with the WINNER of @interi An  exclusive interview with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters !

The fabulously talented @liagoldinteriors joins me to share her highlights from the show, her high speed creative process and the deep friendships she made on the show. 

Look out for her new collection  with @nexthome which drops tomorrow and stay tuned for her podcast launching next month with @jonniknightdesign called ‘Until design do we part’

And let’s all like round here for an Italian supper club full of her maximalist colour and flair! 

Congratulations Lia. Can’t wait to see what you do next x
It’s the FINAL of @interiordesignmasters tonight 8 It’s the FINAL of @interiordesignmasters tonight 8pm and I’ve been having some fascinating conversations lately about the role the show plays in the world of interior design.

I passionately believe that great design should be for everyone. Whether you’re building a career in interiors, decorating your own home, styling content, designing products or simply transforming a room you love, creativity belongs to all of us.

The world of interiors is so much bigger than the traditional design studio which is why I’m not a fan of gatekeeping. I want more people to discover the confidence, joy and magic that comes from creating beautiful spaces, and TV while it always aims to entertain first, has the power to inspire millions to get involved.

I have nothing but admiration for the contestants who put themselves out there on one of the biggest platforms in British television. To share their creativity, ideas and vision and put themselves up for being judged, not just by the judges but everyone sat on their sofas at home takes real courage.

Tonight, one designer will be crowned the winner. But in many ways, the most exciting part starts now. Interior Design Masters has launched many successful careers in interior design, styling, content creation,  product design and television, and I can’t wait to see what these finalists go on to achieve.

I’m incredibly proud to play a small part in this journey.

Tune in tonight on BBC One and iPlayer, then join me here tomorrow at 7pm LIVE when I’ll be interviewing the winner!

So tell me… who’s your money on? @liagoldinteriors and @shaginterior will be joined by @jonniknightdesign and @bensmithinteriors  which i’m so beyond excited to see return! Wishing  them the best of luck!
The WOW!house at @designcentrech is THE date in ev The WOW!house at @designcentrech is THE date in every designer’s diary. Think of it as the interior design Olympics where the biggest names and most prestigious brands come together for some seriously competitive room dressing.

Maximalism was out in full force, with gloriously colour-drenched, pattern-layered, personality-packed interiors around every corner. Think upholstered silk walls, tassels the size of a small child, and enough backlighting to rival Mariah Carey’s dressing room.

Another consistent theme was designs that felt in deep conversation with heritage and culture while making something that felt completely alive and of the moment.

I came home absolutely bursting with inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of great design. It’s open until 2 July, so if you’re in London, do yourself a favour and go - soak it all up. Your creative batteries will thank you and a portion of every ticket goes to United in Design, which is doing brilliant work opening up the industry to underrepresented talent.
This week on @InteriorDesignMasters with @chattyma This week on @InteriorDesignMasters with @chattyman, our designers took on the challenge of transforming bland corporate hospitality boxes at Brighton’s Amex Stadium into spaces worthy of Premier League passion.

Local legend @officialfatboyslim outlined the brief was all about celebrating football fandom while bringing a sense of luxury, style and occasion to the experience. Not an easy balance to strike but @liagoldinteriors @shaginterior @emmely  gave it their all 🙌

From bold colour palettes and clever layouts to unexpected design details, each designer approached the challenge in their own unique way. I’m decoding the colour schemes and highlighting the ideas I think were particularly clever.

But the best part of the show? We never all agree! Did you agree with the judges’ decisions this week? Let me know in the comments below…

And if you missed the show you can catch up on @bbciplayer. And next week the FINAL and I’m thrilled to announce I will be interviewing the winner live HERE on Instagram the day after the show. ⭐️
May you were magnificent! 1. wearing green. 2. May you were magnificent! 

1. wearing green. 
2. celebrating @chattyman 50th
3. @sophieabbottartist open artist house
4. Daytime Dancing at @brightonsundae 
5. New moon meditation at @alexadecastilho 
6. Artists pin board at @sophieabbottartist open house
7. Bought a painting! @beckyblairartist 
8. Visited @rhschelsea 
9. Enjoying Brighton Festival 
10. Lunch at home
11. Time out in my hammock
12. Dad turns 81
13. Love my Mum and bro @edwardrobinsonid 
14. Lucy in a heat wave
15. Working at my desk in a bikini 
16. working out with @teamyo_weight_training @charlottetsw 
17. Sea swimming with @beckyblairartist @sophieabbottartist 
18. My ❤️
19. Keeping cool watching the wildlife 
20. sunsets
I love nothing more than entertaining at home and I love nothing more than entertaining at home and this weekend we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather to celebrate my brilliant dad’s 81st birthday. My brother cooked the most glorious food, and I brought the colour - naturally! - with the table laying. I am obsessed with tablescaping and for this one I layered floral motifs throughout, mixing my Dahlia Bunch fabric from @harlequinfw with my classic Willow Bow china that only comes out for special occasions, armfuls of flowers from the supermarket and my Moroccan cups and jugs and my napkins from @mollymahonblockprinting It was so easy to put together and I love it because I think it’s the colour that creates the visual feast, while my brother brought all the yummy food.
This week on @interiordesignmasters with @chattyma This week on @interiordesignmasters with @chattyman , the designers were split into two teams and challenged to create two very different retail spaces in the book-lover’s paradise of Hay-on-Wye.

You might not be planning a guitar shop anytime soon, but there were still plenty of brilliant design lessons to take away. From clever zoning and lighting to the transformative power of colour, every scheme showed how great design can instantly communicate a mood, tell a story and shape how we feel in a space.

I’ve decoded the key takeaways in this week’s carousel. Which design was your favourite?

your quarter finalists: 
@duran.yucky 
@emmely 
@shaginterior 
@liagoldinteriors
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