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
  • Bathrooms
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • podcast
27 Aug 20

Kitchen and bathroom special, Podcast show notes S8 ep4

Sophie Robinson's kitchen with hexagonal terracotta floor tiles pale pink metro tiled splashback and white kitchen chair with pink legs

Hello and welcome to my show notes for the latest episode of the Great Indoors podcast and a huge thanks to Neptune for sponsoring the series.  On this episode we are talking all things kitchens and bathrooms, with some great insights from Living etc’s Busola Evans. You can catch the full episode here.

The bathroom

I am so excited to have made a start on renovating my beige bathroom which has been a long 4 year wait. It’s the smallest room in the house but one of the reasons it’s taken so long to come around to it is probably because the bathroom is one of the most expensive rooms to renovate. It requires you to call in so many trades; plumbing, carpentry, electrics and then there’s the heating, tiling and decorating to consider too. We started off with the oh so small but perfectly planned wet room which is just 1m x 2m in the floor plan. I made the decision to get rid of the tray and screen and make it an open plan space which helps it appear so much roomier than it actually is.  I am so delighted with the result and I have certainly banished the beige and gone full-on colour. The scheme was kick-started by the fabulous Cape Town encaustic floor tiles by Ca Pietra featuring blue, pink and yellow and then I discovered that Burlington was doing pink sanitaryware so it was full steam ahead from here. Delighted that I got the go-ahead from my son Arthur. While he is nine now, he still maintains he loves pink!

Totally in love with my new wetroom. Blind in Sporty Stripes, pink by Ottoline De Vries; Seaton ceramic wall tiles in sunshine, Ca Pietra.

Yes, it’s bright and bold but I wanted it to spark joy and be uplifting as that’s what a shower room should do right? It’s a place to freshen up and set you up for the day. As Kate pointed out it’s the place you start and end your day so it’s key that you create the right mood. The bathroom is generally the smallest room so is the one place you can really add your own personality and go for it in the colour and pattern stakes.

For my main bathroom, I’m going to be dialling down the vibrancy as it will be the room with the bath. I need it to feel more relaxing and somewhere to unwind.

I wanted to design my new bathroom, in the same way, I would my living room, in order to create the same feeling. I’ve gone for wall sconces with silk shades, and get this, a fabric curtain around the basin – a step too far for Kate. The idea behind this was to soften the hard lines and surfaces and echo the fabric blind at the window. This is all about creating a room in which you relax while you bathe.

Lighting is key in a bathroom, again, it’s all about creating the right mood. Spotlights are great for the practicalities and I’m all for wall lights – on dimmers to create a relaxing vibe.

Spot the shower! Loving the all-over pattern wetroom at Bert & May

Bathroom tips:

  • If you are limited on space and you need to have a shower over the bath, go for a bath with a vertical end so it gives you more standing space and also try to source a thin design which will give more space internally.
  • An acrylic bath, often the cheapest, will flex when you stand on them over time and you could potentially end up with a leak between the wall and the join. So do think about a resin or steel option which will last longer.
  • Wall-mounted basins and loos in smaller bathrooms will create more floor space and not to mention much easier to clean.
  • Bath vs shower. If you have a tiny bathroom and don’t have room for both you could opt for a wetroom which will have a more luxurious feel rather than trying to squeeze in a bath. It may be controversial to lose the bath but decorate for how you want to live.

All about the curves @berg.interior

Associate editor of Living etc Busola Evans is a self-confessed kitchen and bathroom obsessive, check out her Instagram grid for some fab examples, @busolaevans. We thought we would get some insights into some bathroom trends from an industry expert. She says, curves have been big in interiors as a whole and have made their way into the bathroom. So we’re seeing more curved baths, sinks, mirrors and tiles, all of which help balance the straight lines and make it look more welcoming. There is a strong move towards textiles in the bathroom to soften the space and Busola has seen more relaxed curtains both as a window treatment and a ceiling-mounted rail above a free-standing bath -all to help make the bathroom less clinical and inject more personality. Finally, she says coloured sanitaryware! this has been a slow burner over the last couple of years and many brands are including them in their collections.

If you’re tackling your own bathroom update or just want some inspiration, there is tons of support and creativity over on the Great Indoors Facebook group.

The Kitchen

I take my hat off to the folks at Quirk & Rescue for their fearless colour choices, their Insta grid @quirkandrescue is a riot of colour!

As we embark on our potential extension and dream kitchen, I need to cleverly think of ways of introducing some pink to continue with my red thread as my husband has pleaded for no more pink! I had thought about pink and mustard for the kitchen but I’ve already gone with that colour combo for the bathroom so may well be a stretch too far.

We asked our lovely sponsors Neptune about what they are seeing in terms of kitchens and they said their best selling colour is a gorgeous dark navy, Ink. Which is interesting as we are seeing so many trends for lots of colour, but perhaps we are more conservative when it comes to the kitchen as it is such a huge investment and so many people will reign it in as it’s not something you will want to change in a couple of years.

Neptune’s best selling kitchen colour, Ink

They have also found that people are buying two different colours – so base cabinets in one colour and top cabinets or shelves in another. If you go dark on the bottom and lighter on the top it helps to make the room appear bigger, or why not try a different colour for the island – if you’re lucky enough to have space.

Neptune also reported that brass taps and handles are by far the most popular choice. Whilst Kate said that brass was a classic choice it has been somewhat of a trendy element recently. We perhaps fell out of love with brass as it tended to tarnish, although we are now loving the aged patina finish so it has come back round in favour. Kate, however, is loving a pink tap, (check out Dowsing & Reynolds) although it is still boxed up in the hope the mad husband will come round!

What does Busols say about kitchens…

Wall cabinetry – just as we’ve all signed up to open shelving the wall cabinet is staging a come-back but this time with different fronts to give the kitchen a similar airy feel. So, we are talking about glass, fluted, reeded and textured styles are all gaining popularity as well as mesh fronts. The key is to obscure the view inside the cabinets so it doesn’t restrict organising but it retains a feeling of space. If I get my dream kitchen in my dream extension is will be open to the living and dining room so part of me is thinking it might actually be quite nice to have things hidden away.

Larder love, Suffolk kitchen in old rose by Neptune.

Busola reports, there is a move towards more freestanding pieces to make the kitchen look less ‘kitcheny’ with the deconstruction of the standard fitted kitchen. Many of the brands she speaks to say that a walk-in pantry is almost always at the top of a customers wish list. If space is an issue then large pantry cupboards are a close second.

The other trend Busola mentioned was deeply veined stone. Striking veins on marble or quartz are making an appearance on worktops and islands.

We are certainly loving pink, so how about a fabulous pink worktop! Lagoa Pink Kitchen Island by Cullifords

So in summary, don’t chicken out on a bold choice, if you feel it in your heart and really want it, it means it’s right for you. You don’t want to look back in 6 months time and wish you had been a little bit braver. Yes, we know kitchens are expensive and an investment but because of that shouldn’t you go for something you truly love?


Huge thanks to Busola for all the trend insights and I’m sure it will make you want to re-design your kitchen soon! Thanks as ever to our fab sponsors Neptune, our producer Kate Taylor and to you, our lovely listeners.
  • Bathrooms
  • Interiors
  • Kitchens
  • podcast
Luisa’s kitchen renovation reveal Why you should buy a patterned sofa

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

Just jumping on here to high five all the parents Just jumping on here to high five all the parents who saw their kids off to school this morning after two long months of home schooling. While some are bouncing out the door my Arthur was full of anxiety this morning after so long at home, going back to school feels overwhelming. However I know that once he is reunited with his friends he’ll be back in the swing by the end of the week helped along by his amazing teachers who have just been incredible throughout this whole ordeal. 🙌  And I’m slightly giddy at the thought of reclaiming my office and being able to actually focus on work. Gosh it’s been hard hasn’t it but things are looking up! Have a gorgeously productive Monday folks! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto 

#backtoschool #homeoffice #workingfromhome
It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesig It was an absolute JOY to pop up on @interiordesignmasters_tv last night and I feel super lucky to have been part of the show and to meet the talented line up of designers that @michelleogundehin had lined up! Michelle is a rare gem in the design world. She’s 100% authentically committed to championing the power  of design to exalt our experience. Which has nothing to do with ego and everything to do with creating extraordinary and thought out spaces that make us FEEL GOOD. Nothing does this better than a pink polka dot beach hut in my view! 
It’s this little bit of magic that’s hard to translate on mediums like Instagram and TV. You have to take our word for it! 
And while I’m  here, so much love for my Mac, the DM’s have been insane! I bought it last year from my fave little boutique @sirene.boutique and the label is @muntheofficial . Glad it brightened up your screens! 🥰 

#interiordesign #interiordesignmasters #interiordesignmasters_tv
Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! Interiors Design masters is on the telly tonight! BBC 2. And I’m sidling up with the fabulous @michelleogundehin and hilarious @chattyman on a joint mission to bring you the best in interior design talent. The competition hots up at this half way point as the designers are given beach huts in tonight’s challenge. The perfect brief that demands full throttle on the creativity while throwing every practical problem at them too. A tiny multifunctional space, sea, sand, sunshine and rain storms. And two judges who want to feel transported to sunnier climes. What could possibly go wrong! If I wasn’t blown away by the high winds I was whipped away by the incredible talent of @moneypennyinteriors @interiorcurve @charlottebeevor @lynseyforddesign @micaelasharpdesign . Enjoy! It’s a real beauty of a show, see you tonight at 8! @interiordesignmasters_tv 

#interiordesignmasters #
DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the DAY 20 of #easywininteriors and I’m bringing the outside in! 20 days ago I was feeling heavy with lock down fatigue and endless grey skies, rain and endless mud. But as we reach the end of February the sun is coming out  and we’ve just been treated to the most beautiful blue skies and birdsong this weekend! It feels amazing that spring is around the corner, a time of rebirth, new life, hope and optimism. While this challenging period has highlighted to us the importance of home and our interiors have never mattered more, our outside spaces have also become fundamental to our wellbeing. I feel it’s really important to incorporate the great outdoors indoors. You can do this with a collection of houseplants and fresh flowers but also in the way your decorate. It’s no coincidence that we are drawn to floral and botanical motifs in our wallpapers, fabrics and artworks. They make us feel connected to nature and that makes us feel good. Nothing feels better than natural materials and indeed it’s been scientifically proven that when we touch real wood, it actively lowers our blood pressure. So if you don’t already, celebrate all of nature’s gifts and incorporate them in your schemes somehow.
So here we are, my 20 day count down to bring you to the doorstep of March has come to an end. I’ve loved seeing your #easywininteriors and getting a glimpse on how important our homes are to us and how they have the power to give us a little boost no matter how small. The wonderful  @kinteriorsuk has taken on the hashtag and will be posting daily for the next 10 days in March and so if you want to keep the easy win inspo  flowing, give her a follow, she has lots of ideas lined up for us all to get involved with. Thanks so much for following ime on this journey and hurrah for Spring! 

In the words of George Michael 
“I think I’m done with the sofa
I think I’m done with the hall
I think I’m done with the kitchen table baby
Let’s go outside!”🌷🌈😍 

#thegreatoutdoors #thegreatindoors #outsidein #happyinside #colourlover #banthebeige
DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost acro DAY 19 of #easywininteriors and we are almost across the finish line! Today my easy win to brighten up your home is artwork. I’m obsessed. I can remember the first piece of ‘art’ (as in not a framed poster) was back in 2000 at Battersea affordable arts fair and I bought a limited edition litho print of a blossom tree  and it felt so grown up! I still have it now, up in my hallway and it’s been in five different homes since I bought it. Collecting art, (as well as posters in frames) really makes a house a home for me and I love how certain pieces really make me remember particular times in my life . This is my latest piece, a portrait of my dog Lucy. I’ve discovered so many amazing artists here on Instagram but when I fell upon @georgiafiennesstudio I knew I had to have a piece of her work in my home. It’s just heavenly! I’ve never commissioned a piece before so it feels even more grown up but it’s just perfect because I love chintz and I love my dog and she bought both together. I’ve just got to wait to take it to the framers and then I can hang it in pride of place. I might have a switch about too and give the walls a new look while I’m at it. 🤩 

#easywininteriors #minibullie #minibullterrier #ihavethisthingwithchintz #ihavethisthingwithflowers #colourlover #banthebeige #artathome #portrait #countryinteriors
DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the DAY 18 of #easywininteriors and I’m getting the paintbrush out! Giving old and unappreciated brown furniture of coat of colour is not just easy but quick too and you get ooodles of satisfaction giving something a new lease of life. Since the sun is starting to poke it’s head out it’s the perfect opportunity to fling open the windows, roll out the dust sheet, and calm your senses with the therapeutic strokes of a paint brush. I transformed these battered old Ercol chairs that I found at a car boot sale with an undercoat of Zinsser and a top coat of eggshell so they really can withstand the knocks. ( here’s a tip, use a sash  brush for spindly furniture) I love how the pink legs pick up on the pink in the wallpaper. I’ve got a couple of pots of chalk paint waiting in the wings. This just might be the weekend to tackle the bedside tables at last! Have a wonderful weekend  and I hope the sun shines on you wherever you are! 

CREDITS Reclaimed terracotta tiles @ca_pietra_  Borastapeter Rubarber wallpaper @wallpaperdirect Clock @newgateclocks Doors painted in Rose Ash Light @sanderson1860 Everything else is vintage 

#easywininteriors #kitchen #countrykitchen #upcycle #upcycledfurniture #countryliving #countrylivingmodernrustic #countrykitchen #greenkitchen #greenandpink #interiorinspo #interiordesign
DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do DAY 17 of #easywininteriors is all about making do with what you’ve got and making it work. For most of us, decorating our home and choosing all the things we want to go with it is a long if not a life time journey and there are plenty of compromises along the way. One of the ways I make do with things I’m less happy about is with distraction. You can use colour to draw the eye and highlight the bits you do like and similarly blend away the areas that need to fade into the back ground. For me joinery, radiators and my unattractive windows all get painted in the same colour so they fall to the background and then the cushions and artwork can come to the fore and catch your eye. I painted these lovely old solid wood doors bright yellow on a whim with some left over paint. It was a quick and easy way to inject a burst of  colour joy. So don’t discount doors and architraves as a fun way to play with colour, but only if you have nice ones. 
On the PODCAST today @mad_about_the_house and I discuss more ways you can make do. I interview leading interior designer and queen of colour and pattern @nicolahardingandco who has amazing insights on how to go about planning your schemes, conjure mouthwatering colour palettes and work with what you’ve got. And our style surgery is from Callum who finds himself stuck with a shiny blue green sofa which he doesn’t love and doesn’t know what to put with. Obviously cover it with cushions and distract the eye with A bright yellow door Callum! 

If you have a question for our style surgery do please send it in as we are lining them up for the next series and we’d love to hear from you! Drop us an email to thegreatindoorspod@gmail.com.You can here all our ramblings and insights on today’s show The Great Indoors and thankyou to @katetaylorldn for producing the show. 

#thegreatindoors #bluesofa #yellowdoor #banthebeige #interiorspodcast #podcast #interiordesign #interiorinspo
DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling th DAY 16 of #easywininteriors and I’m extolling the benefits of an occasional chair. I’ve always loved occasional chairs primarily for their decorative function. I’m a patterned fabric addict and so an occasional chair I’d another opportunity to add more pattern, more colour and another cushion to boot! But during these extended periods of lock down and staying at home I’ve appreciated the quiet little corners they offer. I’m lucky enough to find a space for one here on my landing but they can also find a home in a bedroom, a home office, under the stairs or indeed #lifegoals in the bathroom. So rather than playing second fiddle to THE SOFA put your occasional chair in pride of place and grab yourself 5 minutes solitude! Most of mine are junk shop funds bought back to live with my hoarded stash of remnant fabrics. So it’s time to raid grannies attic and  create a seat that makes you smile . 🥰  use the hashtags #easywininteriors to share your favourite corners of escape.

#easywininteriors #vintagearmchair #armchair #occassionalchair #colourlover #banthebiege
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!