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10 Sep 20

Dulux colour of the year, interview with Skin, Podcast show notes S8 ep5

DULUX Colour of the Year 2021 BRAVE GROUND Expressive Palette 7

Hello and welcome to my show notes for the penultimate episode in the 8th series of the Great Indoors podcast. We’re still recording remotely via our duvet dens but there is a promise to get out soon! A huge thank you to our sponsors Neptune and our producer Kate Taylor for making a wonderful episode for you to enjoy.

We haven’t quite said goodbye to summer just yet on this episode as we have a few design tales to share from our travels and our guest interview comes straight from the beautiful island of Ibiza. We’ll be talking to Skin, singer, songwriter and DJ, best known for being the lead vocalist of the band Skunk Anansie, but it’s little known that she studied Interior architecture and is a bit of an design obsessive. We also chat the hotly anticipated Dulux Colour of the Year for 2021. 

Design highlights from August

For those of you who follow Kate in Insta (@mad_about_the_house) would have seen many a beautiful image of her travels through France before settling in Italy for her wedding anniversary road trip. You may remember from the last episode a conversation on my bathroom renovation where I revealed that I would love to hang a ‘skirt’ of fabric around the basin, much to Kate’s disdain. So low I was beyond astonished to see pop up on her instagram feed – nothing other than a skirt around the kicthen sink in the Italian 15th Century converted olive mill where she stayed. Kate defended the use of a skirt in a kitchen but maintains it’s a crime in a bathroom- well that particular kitchen at least as it featured lots of marble, stone and vintage pieces so it was allowed! Contrary is all I’m going to say!

Now that’s a carpet – leading the way to the swimming pool at La Folie Douce Hotel, Chamonix, France.

On the travel home, they stopped at the La Folie Douce Hotel in Chamonix, next to Mont Blanc, a very popular skiing resort and this particular hotel, known for the entertainment and dancing on tables didn’t stop Kate and the mad husband enjoying their stay. The highlight for Kate was the Wes Anderson’esque feel and this showstopper of a carpet did not disappoint.

TRENDS

With the new season comes new collections and normally at this time of year we would be reporting back on all the new trends via the trade shows and events but obviously things are different this year. So we thought we would delve into the subject of trends and whether they are still relevant.

First, though comes the announcement from Dulux on the release of their Colour of the Year for 2021. The colour is Brave Ground and it’s …… brown. Now whilst it’s not a colour I would use, in terms of colour psychology, any shade of brown is deeply grounding – it’s the colour of the earth after all, which nourishes growth so it is sending out a positive message I think. A few months ago I interviewed Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director of Dulux and she the colour of the year does reflect what’s happening in the world around us, to emphasise on that she says:

“The colours on our walls are the backdrop to how we live our life. For many of us, lockdown has served to emphasise how important our home environment has become, it has been the place where we work, learn, relax. It can lift us up, nurture us, comfort us.

“We continue to live through uncertain times. In 2021, the warm and grounding tones of Brave GroundTM will allow us to find certainty in the strength from the very ground beneath our feet, emboldening us to go forward and begin to live again and giving us the flex to adapt to the ever-changing circumstances we face.”

As you can guess I won’t be donning my walls with any shade of brown any time soon, and will continue to enjoy my beloved brights. As I have said before it’s all about choosing the colours that personally resonate with you and for me brown isn’t doing it for me.

Dulux also release a palette of complementing colours

Are trends still relevant?

Following months in lockdown, it does beg the question of whether trends are still relevant? Perhaps we don’t need to know about what the new colours or designs are, as we are generally more confident about our own homes and our choices. Having said that, this may not apply to everyone, there are some who need a little guidance whether that’s from blogs, magazine or the high street to help find their own style. When you shop online you are not greeted by colour co-ordinated products and beautiful displays, as you are in a store, created by the visual merchandisers – I think many of us have missed that aspect of shopping.  Instagram and Pinterest have been a great alternative in terms of instilling confidence and inspiration – will the trends come from these from now on?

Laura of @nofeaturewalls showcases her love for #cottagecore in her beautiful home.

Take a look at the recent trend for #cottagecore on Instagram initially created by a group of young women who just love the chintzy, nostalgic English country style and it is huge. Who’s to say we won’t create our own micro-trends as it’s all about inspiring one another and finding things you love. We’ve said before that you shouldn’t be driven by trends as you have to go with your gut and what resonates with you, although trends are a good starting point for some of us. One thing I have found whilst trying to finish off my house is the lack of availability for new pieces due to so many manufacturers closing during lockdown. So, I have taken the vintage and second-hand route, which I love doing anyway, to hunt down furniture and lighting – I’ve got a long shopping list!! So this end of fast fashion shopping has been forced on to us because of the pandemic and in turns creates a slow, organic way of decorating and not to mention a more sustainable way. Trends or no trends we will continue to chat all things interiors and do check us out Facebook group where thousands of interior obsessive share their views, insights and inspirations.

My happy place complete with my new Sofa Workshop sofa. Photographed by Alun Callender

Personally, coming out of lockdown it has helped me slow down and re-evaluate my principles – not just my decorating choices. It’s made me stop and think about what is important within my home and I can only say that that’s a positive outcome. I think it’s safe to say that many people have become more confident with their choices, or confident in what they don’t like, which is a great place to start.

Interview with Skin

Skin’s new book, It Takes blood and guts, published on 24th September. Photo by Angela Improta

You may know Skin as the lead vocalist for rock band Skunk Anansie, but did you know that she studied interior architecture and computing and is very interior savvy? We wanted to know how her distinctive look and style translates into the world of interiors. Kate caught with her via her Ibiza pad – Skin not Kate that is, Kate was in her North London bedroom!

She has a small three-bedroom finca which has lots of land to enjoy as she says, you spend 80% of your time outdoors in Ibiza. “This house has a bit of a two-tone feel because indoors is very modern, white with clean lines and simple furniture and outside it just looks like an old cottage. I like the idea of my house blending into the hill and the countryside but when you step inside its very high tech.”

Q. In your music you like a contrast between loud music with the softer sense of the lyrics. Does that also apply to your interior design style? 

“Absolutely. I have this feeling that you don’t have to stick to one thing all of the time and you can be interested in different styles at the same time – it’s all about how you do it. You can have a modern interior with an old exterior, I’ve kept all of the original features I haven’t lost the wooden beams, I have lost the terracotta floor as I think it’s lovely for outside but inside it looks too ye olde. I’ve gone for furniture that is indoors/outdoors but not hyper-modern. Some of the houses and villas in Ibiza are beautiful but can be very ‘Miami’ and I wanted to keep the authenticity of being in Ibiza and a cottage lifestyle.

Q. We’ve seen the recent trend for #cottagecore and now Jamaican Nan cottage style which both have a maximalist approach and in influences from Jamaican Nans. Do you have any influences from growing up?

“I love that style and think its really fun. Personally, I’m second generation British so have a little bit of everything and not at all a maximalist and only have things serve me visually, emotionally or functionally. Although I have flying ducks on the wall as I think it’s hilarious. It’s the English in me and I think it’s funny to walk into a sophisticated interior and then have flying ducks on the wall. They make me giggle, no-one else gets it but me, and that’s fine.”

The beautiful outside space in Ibiza

When you moved to Tulse Hill, it was the first time you had your own bedroom and you talk about Pierrot wallpaper and curtains..

” It looked like Pierrot had just vomited around my room. There was no money to change it all, I couldn’t just tell my mum I didn’t like it so I just had to live with it. It was the first time I had any choice in what my environment would look like and I went with one uniform thing.  It’s a lesson I’ve learnt – if at any time I think I’m falling for one thing I stop myself and say no, remember Pierrot.”

Q. You are known for your distinctive, fabulous sense of fashion, do you see a link between how you dress and how you decorate?

There is a strong link because it’s really about personality, feeling and charcter and making sure it’s you and authentic. When people walk into one of my houses they know it’s mine as there are certain things I always buy and I know what works. I like clothes that make me feel good but with a twist, I love Comme des Garçons and McQueen for instance. Taking something beautiful and classic and giving it an edge, making it yours, I like to add my touch/weirdness to it.

Skin is known for her activism and it started at quite a young age. She once worked at the furnishing department within BHS and tried to educate them on the political stance they should have been taking.

“At that time it was a pivotal moment and people were beginning to understand what Apartheid meant on a day to day level for black people in South Africa. It really affected me and I just couldn’t believe like that and in a very naive way, I thought that maybe they (BHS) didn’t know they were selling South African goods and I thought that if I just explained it to the manager they would say, of course, we’ll stop buying them!  That job didn’t last for very long after that.

Photo by Marco Ovando

We’ve spoken before about diversity on the podcast and one of the things that came through, again and again, was that if you don’t see yourself it’s very difficult to put yourself into that career. What advice would you give others?

Seeing myself was never my thing and I was never trying to see someone else doing it. I would say that if you don’t see yourself you should do it anyway. It’s great if you see yourself and even if you don’t, do it anyway. In some ways, we need to go into areas where we are not seen and make ourselves seen. It’s wonderful to be an example and inspiration but it’s really important to be the first one to do it and forge ahead and do it anyway and don’t let other people get in your way.”

You say that you were living out of suitcases for about three years, is there now an element that means your home?

“As a touring musician, you’re always trying to make everywhere feel a little bit like home, so you always carry certain items with you. Feeling at home and having a house is a more spiritual and emotional thing than it would to most people. I’ve had many houses but not homes and I think the only place I feel at home is my house in Ibiza. It’s the only house I’ve had for a long time and had the same things around me for a long period of time.”

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

Feeling stuck on how to make your home flow - with Feeling stuck on how to make your home flow - without it all looking the same?
You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges with bold, maximalist decorating is getting that sweet spot where every room feels unique and still sings in harmony with the rest of the 
house.

This week, I opened up my home to guests at my VIP Masterclass — and since it was looking unusually spick and span(!), I thought I’d give you a rare peek too. What you’ll see is 
colour, pattern, and personality in every corner… but behind the scenes? There’s a very intentional design process holding it all together.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions, unsure where to start, or terrified of making a mistake, my online course ‘How to Create Maximalist Interiors’ is designed to take that fear off your shoulders. I’ll guide you, step by step, through how I create spaces that 
feel joyful, cohesive and so very you.

✨ Want to see what’s possible — and learn how to make it happen in your own home? Comment MAYJOY25 and I’ll DM you the link. The course is 25% off throughout May, so it’s a brilliant time to dive in.


#HouseTour #SophieRobinsonStyle #ColourfulHomes #InteriorDesignUK #MoreIsMore #BoldInteriors #PatternLover #HallwayGoals #KitchenInspo #HomeStyle #CountryModern #FloralKitchen #MaximalistHome
Don’t underestimate the potential of small space Don’t underestimate the potential of small spaces. While we are a nation obsessed with knocking walls down and living in open plan (echoey) spaces, I’d go so far to say, when it comes to decorating, small rooms are my absolute fave! Little rooms are where you can really turn up the dial, because at face value they are bland, underwhelming and quite often overlooked. But turn your mind to creating jewel-box fabulousness, inject plush textures, fabulous patterns and standout accessories and the transformation isn’t only fast but exceeds all expectations. 

Here are a few small spaces I’ve designed, that may be small—but they pack a serious punch.

#SmallSpaceStyle #InteriorDesignTips #MaximalistInteriors #SophieRobinson 
#BoldNotBeige #ColourLover #DesignWithPersonality
You’re in the right place. 💛 Around here, we You’re in the right place. 💛
Around here, we don’t do beige boxes or design-by-numbers. This is a joyful, all-inclusive space where colour is celebrated and self-expression is the whole point.

I believe every room in your home should make you feel happy, positive, and 
unapologetically you. 

If that sounds like your kind of vibe, follow along!
✨ Save the ideas that make your heart sing
✨ Explore the joy of colour with confidence
✨And when you’re ready to dive in… there’s 25% off my incredible course How to Create a Maximalist Interior - all through May. Just use comment MAYJOY and I’ll send you the link.

Because great design isn’t just about how it looks - it’s how it makes you feel.


#dopamindecor #boldinteriors #interiorinspo #joyfulhomes #colourmyhome 
#interiordesigncourse #maximaliststyle
If like me you hate your shiny white UPVC windows If like me you hate your shiny white UPVC windows then this tip is for you!

I painted all of ours, inside and out, and it totally transformed our home (costing hundreds of pounds on paint rather than thousands of pounds replacing them with more traditional timber that would suit the Victorian character of our house better). 
The best thing about painting UVPC is with the right primer, there is no sanding or lengthy preparation. It’s important to make sure the frames are clean and dry, and then on with the All Surface Primer, which then ensures that the exterior acrylic eggshell, in a colour of your 
choice, can easily go on top. For many the beauty of UVPC windows is they don’t need decorating or maintaining, unlike timber windows. However, while these have not flaked or scratched yet (three 
years in) I know they will need a lick of paint at some point. But UVPC is a more stable substrate to traditional timber which cracks and swells, so the maintenance will be far less. 

And heres the best bit… you can’t tell the difference!

Works on Front doors and conservatories too! Would you try it? Let me know in the comments!

We used an All surface primer, mixed to match the top coat, of External eggshell in Lamp Black. Walls painted in masonry paint, in Lamp Black. All products @littlegreenepaintcompany 

#paintedwindows #upvcglowup #budgetrenovation #windowmakeover #diyhomedecor
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I’ve needed to hear it again and again this past year.

This little affirmation has carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life; navigating a divorce, facing the possibility of losing my home, and somehow still showing up for my business, my family, and my creativity.

And here’s the thing: I didn’t lose my home. 🏡 I’m keeping it. 🙌 That’s the biggest takeaway for me. Because in the midst of fear and uncertainty, I held on to hope. I kept creating. I kept believing.

Stress and anxiety can really crush creativity. They make us shrink, second-guess, and settle for less than we deserve. But when we give ourselves even the tiniest flicker of faith,  that’s when the magic can return.

So if there’s something you’re holding on for, don’t let go. Keep the faith. You’ve absolutely got this.

And if someone you love needs that reminder too — feel free to share this with them. 

#CreativeJourney #InteriorTherapy #DesignAsHealing #MyHomeMyStory #HomeInspo #LifeLately #PersonalGrowth #ThisIsRealLife #WomenSupportingWomen #OvercomingObstacles
Can you believe this unexpected May sunshine? It’s giving me total garden party vibes, and with that in mind here’s how I set the table outdoors, in my maximalist style!
- Layered pattern textiles, joyful colours, coloured glass, and flowers spilling over with abundance… because when the sun shines in spring, it calls for a table that celebrates more is more.
Everything here is from my new collection with @dunelmuk where I worked to create a collection that you could effortlessly mix and match, that way you can be creative and make it your own style statement. From furniture to tableware, textiles to glassware it’s a full more is more collection! Let’s hope that sun keeps shining as I think we are in for a beautiful summer!
Before ➡️ After From beige to boom! My bathroo Before ➡️ After
From beige to boom! My bathroom is now full of colour, joy and serious personality. Proof that interior design can totally shift your mood and how you feel in your home.

Want to do the same? My online course ‘How to Create a Maximalist Interior’ gives you the tools to design boldly and beautifully — your way.

Get a whopping 25% off all May just comment MAYJOY and I’ll send you the link 🙌
Because design should feel amazing and I can’t wait to show you how.

#MaximalistInteriors #BathroomGlowUp #BoldDesign #ColourLover #SophieRobinsonInteriors #FeelGoodDesign
A monthly round up of a very busy April. Mostly ma A monthly round up of a very busy April. Mostly made up of Easter and plenty of birthday celebrations. Love how this time rolls in fresh optimism and joyful colour!
1. Spring flowers bringing all the joy. 
2. I just invested in a sonic cleaning brush and attacked all the grout. Result! Kicking off the season for Spring cleaning and sorting!
3. Celebrating the launch of my new doll! Courtesy of the latest AI viral trend! 😂
4. Bracing sea swims under the blue skies with @sophieabbottartist @jothornephotography 
5. Easter table. featuring the stunning Dhalia Bunch Fabric from my collection with @harlequinfw
6. Easter eggs
7. Spring walks delivery all the feel good vibes
8. The bluebells are out!
9. My boy turns 14!
10. who remembers the joy of magic candles! 😂
11. Working with the jeweller @vivienne.ridley on a very special commission
12. The jewellers worktop! 
13. My bestie @sophieabbottartist turns 50!
14. Throwing a little surprise by spamming her house with bunting and glitter
15. working the red carpet at the @bafta craft awards
16. my gorgeous date for the evening @edwardrobinsonid 
17. The special @vivienne.ridley commissioned necklace for @sophieabbottartist birthday. including a sentimental family diamond, freshwater pearl and gold plated name tag.
18. Lunch at @burntorangeuk honestly the best food i’ve been served in Brighton 
19. My best girls @sophieabbottartist @attunedlandscapes
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