fbpx
Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Ban the beige
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
  • My House
12 Mar 19

My hallway reveal!

At home with interior designer Sophie Robinson. Her bright and cheery hallway has dramatic bluewalls painted in Lapis by Zoffany, blue patterned tiles by Claybrook and a bright Rose stair runner by Roger Oates
Quite possibly my favourite room in the house right now, okay the only one that’s actually finished, is my hallway. Hallways can so often be overlooked, and kind of just painted out in some neutral shade of white at the end of a renovation because you’ve simply run out of money and inspiration. For my own renovation, controversially I decided to decorate the hallway first. The very clever builder husband was quick to point out the folly of my ways, as the hallway should on a practical level be decorated last. This is because it gets wrecked while you are trying to finish the other rooms in the house. Which this hallway did indeed get scuffed and battered as iron beds were carried up the stairs, dinging the paintwork and builders continued to get dust everywhere. Well, it had its second coat and paint and is ready to be revealed to you in all its glory.
But before we do that, we all love a good before and after, so let me tell you the full story behind my hallway reveal
The before shots…
The house when we moved in was a horror of magnolia. There were design crimes at every turn. The beige carpet, the short curtains, the fake brick slip wall, the naff black beams… the list goes on
Everywhere you looked there was fake character and no real character. And for a busy family home set in the countryside, the carpet was a nightmare. I’m completely baffled why anyone would want carpet in a hallway wherever you are. It’s really impractical and just wrong!
The original bread oven, from the early 1900s, was the first victim of my redesign. Cute detail it might have been it was pointless, hidden behind an open door most of the time and we needed the location to house the new underfloor heating system. So it got sledgehammered.
Next the staircase was up for the chop. The previous owners had bought an off- the -peg staircase, but didn’t seem to matter to them that it didn’t actually fit the house! Shall we add that to the list of design crimes!
Because we found rising damp throughout the ground floor of the old part of our house we had to hack off all the plaster. This meant all the radiators had to come off too. However, this did give us the idea to put in retro fit overlay underfloor heating, which wasn’t in our original plan. To read more about our underfloor heating system, which I have to say a year on is the best thing ever, then read my post here.
So are you ready for the big reveal…..!
At home with interior designer Sophie Robinson. Her bright and cheery hallway has dramatic bluewalls painted in Lapis by Zoffany, blue patterned tiles by Claybrook and a bright Rose stair runner by Roger Oates
Pick a colour scheme you love that will set the tone for the rest of the house
Where do I begin! Well, I began with the wall colour. Zoffany sent me their latest paint chart and collection of colours and this Lazuli just leapt off the colour card. At the time I was designing my mum’s house but I banked it and just knew I had to use it somewhere in my house. It has ended up being the perfect choice for my hallway, as I wanted something dramatic, that said “HELLO AND WELCOME HOME”  as you walked through the door and I find this colour especially spiritually uplifting. Notice too how lighter the hallway feels since we painted out the black beams.
You can also see our new staircase in this shot which we had built, designed and fitted by a local staircase joiner. It cost us around £3000 but we feel it’s a real investment in the house and my husband loves it. He worked with the carpenter to design the oak handrail, the newel post and the extended sweeping first step. Nothing off the peg was going to be right and Tom really enjoyed this design process. Which was fine by me as it left me to choose the paint colours!
Colour queen Sophie Robinson reveals her renovated hallway featuring vibrant blue walls painted in Zoffany's Lapis and a unique black sideboard with multi-coloured floral design
Create a feature floor
From this view, you get a real feel for the luxurious cement tiles. Again I agonised over these as investing in a patterned floor tile is a big commitment. However again I think a hallway is a great space to be a little experimental. This beautiful tile, called Old Havanna Bauta, fitted in so well with my scheme. I sourced them from Claybrook Studio and found their prices to be massively competitive so do check them out. Cement tiles are a labour of love to lay and need plenty of sealing while you are laying them, so they don’t go down fast. However, I think they are worth it and give an old house a feeling of provenance, which was important to me. You can read more about the pros’ and cons of cement tiles in my blog post here. I continued the classic blue and white story by painting the ceiling and staircase in Perfect White by Zoffany.
Colour queen Sophie Robinson reveals her renovated hallway featuring vibrant blue walls painted in Zoffany's Lapis and a unique black sideboard with multi-coloured floral design

Sophie Robinson’s Hall – at home with Sophie Robinson photographed by Alun Callender

Create a pretty display

This cabinet is an absolute favourite, and I sourced it from Rockett St George. However, I don’t think they are doing it anymore. You could easily get this effect by painting an old piece of furniture in chalk paint and adding decoupage flowers to the fronts of the drawers. If you aren’t crafty then I’d recommend Muck N Brass to make one for you. The Artur large table lamp in turquoise, with Empire gathered shade, is from Pooky and the framed March to the Beat Picture is by one of my favourite artists, Alex May Hughes

Factor in plenty of fitted storage
So now to the pièce de résistance, my show storage! There comes a point in your life where nothing can make you happier than a bit of well planned storage, and I am at that stage! After three years of living in a house that’s upside down in renovation, it makes me so happy that I am no longer tripping over shoes and boots. We asked our joiner Huw to make some storage to fit under our stairs that would fit all our shoes, boots and coats. The hats and scarves and dog leads etc all live in the chest of drawers.
Interior designer Sophie Robinson has re-designed and renovated her hallway into and bright and welcoming space with under-stair show storage and cupboard all painted the same colour as the walls

Sophie Robinson’s Hall – at home with Sophie Robinson photographed by Alun Callender

Disguise the large cupboards by painting them in with the walls
I worked with Huw to design this piece of carpentry. We worked out what would fit neatly under the stairs, also housing the underfloor heating system, and yet at the same time I chose not to block it all in, so the hallway still felt spacious. I painted all the joinery in the same colour as the walls so that it merges into the back ground and used the simple tongue and groove motif on the doors and drawer that I’ve also used on the kitchen cupboards, living room cupboards and internal doors. It helps to make a little visual link throughout the house which I enjoy. Its the white painted stairs and the pink runner which is the main focal point in this room. The cushions were very serendipitous. I owned a sofa once upon a time and had these covers made for it out of scarps of fabric remnants. Long after the sofa died, I kept the cushions, thinking they would be useful one day and here they are! This would be very easy to re create though by having foam cut to size and covers made by a seamstress.
The renovated hallway of colour loving interior designer Sophie Robinson features a bright pink stair runner by Roger Oates and Lapis blue walls by Zoffany

Sophie Robinson’s Hall – at home with Sophie Robinson photographed by Alun Callender

Go bold on the stairs
The stair runner in this amazing Bright Rose pink is the absolute show stopper in the room and gives me squeals of delight. Getting a good strong colour in a floor covering isn’t easy but Roger Oates have the best selection of stripes and plains. As I’d gone for a patterned floor tile it wouldn’t have worked with a contrasting patterned runner, so the plain Hadley stair runner is just perfect. I particularly love the gentle weave detail. So it’s shoes off going upstairs in our house now! The blue continues up te stairs and wraps around the landing. I’m still finishing off hanging our epic family gallery wall up there, so as soon as that is finished I’ll get it photographed and share the full reveal with you here!
SHOPPING LIST
Lazuli Elite Emulsion and Eggshell paint, Zoffany
Perfect White Eggshell, Zoffany
Light Rose Eggshell on door,  Sanderson
Old Havanna Bauta floor tiles, Claybrook Studio
Hadley stair runner in Bright Rose, Roger Oates
Artur large table lamp in turquoise, with Empire gathered shade, Pooky
Framed March to the Beat Picture, Alex May Hughes
For similar chest of drawers try, Muck N Brass
Thank you to Alun Callender for the photography
  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
  • My House
Colour Crush: Citrus yellow and how to decorate with it The Great Indoors podcast S2 Episode 5

comments

Miruska on 14.03.19

Absolutely amazing! It sets the stage for the rest of the house. I would be very happy to come to this hallway every day. Looking forward to seeing the other rooms as they are slowly finished.

Reply
Linda on 14.03.19

Awesome hallway ! There are so many different and flashy colours, and they blend together soooo well. Even the shoes and the bag match perfectly (is the handbag from “Essentiel” ? The belgian fashion brand ? I almost bought a similar one in the sales lost month).
I followed the complete reveal of your Mum’s annex, and i will follow your reveal too. Although i am not as colourfull as you (i am the Autumn type according to your Ban the beige session in October), i begin to add and mix more colour in my home. Thanks for your lovely advice and blogs and instagrams, they bring me instantly in the decoration mood. Linda from Belgium

Reply

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

We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little l We are back, it’s PODCAST DAY! After a little  lie down over Christmas Kate and I are rebooted and cuddled up inside our ‘duvet dens’ for remote recording Lockdown 3.0. . We have so much to catch up on including more ‘home office’ makeovers. Stop the press, Tom has finally been installed in his new green office that was previewed last series , pictured, and @mad_about_the_house is also having a complete reshuffle now that she has two large teenage sons living at home full time taking up all the space , and fridge contents by the sounds of it. 🍔. We discuss our exciting plans for the year ahead and share our thoughts on the trends for 2021. So for all this and more head on over to the podcast app and find us in The Great Indoors! 
CREDITS walls painted Sage and onion and windows in Lamp black @littlegreenepaintcompany . Blind made by @willowbertinteriors in Textile under Ekvatorn by Joseph Frank’s @svenskttenn . Table is old IKEA. Vintage Eames chair @vinestreetvintage Cushion @fannyshorter Seagrass flooring @alternativeflooring 
#thegreatindoors #podcast #interiorspodcast #wfh #homeoffice #greenroom #threemugs #desksetup #homestudio
How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might How you doing? Just a reminder that while it might appear like we are living the perfectly curated life  in these squares it’s a short swipe to reveal the reality! Lockdown has its unique stresses and I’m making a pact to be gentle on myself and everyone around me. Let me know what your coping strategies are right now. Mine today is makeup and big earrings. 
Thanks to @franklybold for this insanely fabulous pair . When times gets tough, the earrings just get bigger! #gift 

#colourlover #banthebeige #earrings #bigjwellery #bigearrings #lockdown #lockdownlife #lockdown2021
Friday! 🤩 It’s all about the small wins and Friday! 🤩 
It’s all about the small wins and I made it to the end of the week. But already 2021 has me feeling weary. I had such a lovely relaxing  Christmas break and this week has been full steam ahead with all kinds of 💩 thrown at me and I haven’t even started home schooling yet! 😫 But one thing that gave me a mood boost was dressing up in this magnificent gown from @las_ninas_textiles . I met fellow colour lover Nina on these squares and just adore her brand, her ethos and her fringe. Thank you Nina for your beautiful gift of colour joy! It really has shone a Latin rainbow on a dismal grey British week. This stunning indigo and huipil dress even has little threads of glitter running through it. 🌈 I’m pairing it with cosy leggings and my trusty @grensonshoes boots so I might never take it off! 
What do you do to cheer yourself out of the doldrums?

#gift #colourlover #banthebeige #lasninastextiles #haulternativefashion #sustainablefashion #colourlover #lasninastextiles #whomadeyourclothes #dresslikeyoudecorate #dresslikeyourhome #ihavethisthingwithcolour
Who’s back at their desk this week with big plan Who’s back at their desk this week with big plans for their home in 2021! I’m thrilled and excited that my online course Colour Psychology for interiors is open for enrolment TODAY! 🛎🛎🛎 By far the most popular course to date this is a deep dive into how colour works on a deeper more emotional level. Discover how to blend colour harmoniously in your schemes and understand which palettes are perfect for you. Because we all have very different connections to colour and design and finding out what your authentic palette and style is is fundamental to creating a home you love. I’ve spent years honing my own style but with this course you can nail it in a matter of weeks! And it’s a beautiful deep dive into self discovery and creativity while  helping you gain clarity, confidence and cut through the overwhelm. Because there is enough of that going around already! 🤪 I’ll be back here at 6pm tonight on an Instagram live to tell you more about the transformational power of Colour Psychology for interiors so please join me and ask any questions! Bring on the colour joy! 🌈🌈🌈

📷 @aluncallenderphoto #colourpsychology #colourpsychologyforinteriors #colourlover #banthebeige #backtowork #interiordesign #interiordesigner #interiorsesignschool #interiorsesignonline #houseofhackney #newyearnewhome #homegoals #colourmyhome #mycolourfulinterior #colourfulhomevibe #mycreativeinterior #nesttoimpress #stylishhomevibes #atmine
The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to The year we stayed at home. 2020 has taught me to care and love the simple things. And in many ways I’m blessed that being at home is often just where I want to be. The year ahead still holds so many unknowns and managing fears, expectations and anxieties will continue to be part of the battle.  But making a house a home can really help us feel safe and grounded. So here are some beautiful flowers, and rainbow baubles that go towards making my home feel the best it can. How do you make your home feel extra special and bring a smile to your face 😊? 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto flowers @sageandco.floraldesign baubles @rockettstgeorge.co.uk lamp @pookylights walls in lazuli @zoffanyfw artwork @alexmayhughes 

#houseahome #colourlover #banthebeige #marchtothebeatofyourowndrum #homesweethome
This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no wh This is becoming a habit! All dressed up and no where to go, AGAIN! Ha! Fairwell 2020! It’s been....an experience! Big love to all of you! I’ve LOVED hanging out with you all on these squares!🥰 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto  #colourlover #banthebeige #newyearseve #bye2020 #greatindoors #bbbinteriors 
Dress is @stinegoyastudio at @sirene.boutique ( bought last year)
Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas t Hello!!! How ARE you?! I’m loving this twixmas time, having long lie ins, reading loads, and on that subject currently ‘Think like a monk’ by @jayshetty is PERFECT right now for a mental reset. I’m resisting thoughts of 2021, of work or ‘real life’, for just a couple more days. I see lots of people clearing down the decorations and getting the house feeling fresh, but I’m keeping the twinkle a little longer. But I can feel the batteries are recharging and boy they needed too! I meant to do my yearly vision board today but couldn’t get motivated to do that either! . How are you all doing. Anyone feeling ready to take on the new year yet?  #tapfordetails 
.
.
.
#twixmas #newyear2021 #colourfulhomevibe #colourlover #banthebeige #bbbinteriors #gidc #sodomino #credenza
All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reali All dressed up and no where to go! Ha ha! In reality I’m in my joggers peeling a mountain of root vegetables but living the dream on the grid just for you! Thanks so much for all of you who have spread the joy and magic of Christmas on these squares. I’ve loved the colour, the creativity and the joy it’s bought. Wishing you all a special Christmas however you are making it work for you, which probably wasn’t  what you’d ever have expected. A special heartfelt virtual hug going out to all of you struggling at this time. See you on the other side! 

📷 @aluncallenderphoto . Garland by @sageandco.floraldesign . Dress @roksandailincic ( not an ad obvs but I know your gonna ask!) 

#christmasdecor #colourfulhomevibe #colourfulchristmas #banthebeige #colourlover #fireside #christmasgarland #christmasgarlanddecor #woodburner #countryliving #countrylife #countryinteriors
Load More… Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2017 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

Don't forget to join!