GET THE REPLAY OF THE VISION BOARD MASTERCLASS - LIFE IN COLOUR

Sophie Robinson
  • Home
  • Workshops
    • Marrakech Retreat
    • Home Masterclass
  • Online Courses
  • Collaboration
  • Podcasts
  • Blog
  • About
    • About me
    • Work with me
    • Press
  • FAQs
  • Contact
  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
  • Lifestyle
  • My House
08 Dec 16

Shiplap bathroom inspiration

BlackwallsinthePowderBath StudioMcGee

This post is all about why I’m lusting over shiplap.We’re thick in the throws of designing the bathroom in the annex and during my daily drools over Pinterest I’ve come across a lot of Shiplap, which I am LOVING! Check out my board here for all my Shiplap inspiration. It’s a very American thing,  and talented design duo Studio McGee use it alot. (Check them out they have a lovely style to their projects). Probably because timber houses are common over the pond, but I think it’ll look perfect in our Timber new build. A lot of the Pinterest pins talk about Shiplap hacks, where you glue super thin strips of wood onto the wall to mock the effect. But as we’re designing from the build up I can do the real thing.

Black+shiplap+walls,+cement+tile+and+wood vanity Studio McGee

Image from Studio McGee

We’re going to plaster board the room out first and then pin 15 x 145mm planed pine planks all around the room, but here’s the thing, horizontally instead of vertically. In our small bathroom, which is 2200 x 2600 but 2600 tall, it will help to re proportion the space. My theory on small bathrooms is that you want to have as few finishes as possible to help create the calm. You also want to homogenise the space as much as possible in order not to clutter up the eye line. The most obvious way to do this is with tiles and large-scale tiles give fewer grout lines so are often a good choice for small bathrooms. But for me wall-to-wall tiles feel cold so I jumped on the idea of wall-to-wall timber cladding instead. Painted in an acrylic eggshell, it’s durable enough for above the sink and bath but not the shower, so that will be a tiled area.

Patterned+Floors+and+Shiplap+Walls+--+Studio+McGee +sophie+Robinson

Image of bathroom designed by Studio McGee

I bought the planks from the local timber merchant Wenban Smith and they’re fairly standard dimensions. They’ll need treating with knot solution, primer undercoat and top coat before we fit them as the wood will be prone to moving, so its best to seal it with paint first. A topcoat can then be applied when it’s in position.  But the most exciting bit is I suggested to my Mum that we paint then a charcoal grey/ black as it’ll look really sleek and cosy, and with the John Cullen lighting design, will look sooo effective. The tiny bathroom has got no less than 10 light fittings going in it. If you’re going to go dark then the lighting really comes into play. Anyway and she’s totally gone for it! Squelas of excitement, I might have even done a little cart wheel. Suddenly this little bathroom is the room I’m most excited about. It’s great how colour can do that. Follow our progress in my new instagram feed @myhouseinthewoods

If you have any tips for small bathrooms I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

 

Save

Save

Save

  • Interior Design
  • Interiors
  • Lifestyle
  • My House
Colour Crush: Pantones Greeney Do you need to be posh and rich to be an Interior Designer?
  • Christmas
  • Interiors
    • colour crush
    • colour psychology
    • DIY
    • dream home makeovers
    • Home Office
    • Home Tours
    • Interior Design
    • Interior Styling
    • podcast
    • Sophie Robinson X Dunelm
    • Sophie Robinson x Harlequin
    • trends
  • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Fashion/Beauty
    • Life
    • My House
    • Nosh
    • Travel
  • Rooms
    • Bathrooms
    • Bedrooms
    • Kids rooms
    • Kitchens
    • Living rooms
    • Outside
  • Videos
online influence award winner 2019
Interior Design Winner Sophie Robinson Insta
Videos

Listen

Listen Here

Online courses
by popular demand

Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

I was recently asked what career advice I’d give m I was recently asked what career advice I’d give my younger self and it really got me thinking. At this time of year so many teenagers are deep in exams be it mocks, GCSEs and A Levels, carrying so much pressure about getting life “right”.

Careers, especially creative ones, are rarely linear.

Since leaving school I’ve had the most extraordinary journey through interiors, magazines, television, product design, podcasting and social media. There have been twists, turns, setbacks, surprises and dead ends along the way, but I’ve loved every single chapter. Building a career in the creative industries takes courage, resilience and self belief. You have to stay curious, work hard, keep learning and trust your instincts even when the path ahead feels unclear. But it’s so worth it! 

What advise would you give your younger self? Let me know in the comments below...
Episode 4 of @interiordesignmasters threw our desi Episode 4 of @interiordesignmasters threw our designers into uncharted waters as they tackled the mess decks at RNAS Yeovilton for young trainee sailors. A seriously tough brief with so many practical considerations around layout, storage and usability, all while creating spaces that felt welcoming, uplifting and fit for purpose. 

As always, the designers rose brilliantly to the challenge with plenty of clever decorating ideas and creative problem solving along the way. Which space was your favourite this week? Where you as shocked as me at this weeks eviction?! 😳

Catch Interior Design Masters on BBC ONE and iPlayer Tuesdays at 8pm.

Follow the designers here:
@jonniknightdesign 
@liagoldinteriors 
@byajeetjugnauth 
@duran.yucky 
@emmely 
@shaginterior
There is something so magical about peeking inside There is something so magical about peeking inside an artist’s home. As part of the Brighton Festival Artists Open Houses, my best friend @sophieabbottartist is opening the doors to her beautiful house this weekend and it is every bit as soulful, gentle and expressive as her paintings.

Artists are so intuitive with colour and Sophie’s home is a masterclass in subtlety. The softest chalky pinks layered upon dusky peach create a space that feels calm, nurturing and full of love. Her paintings sit so effortlessly within the interiors because the whole house feels like an extension of her creative spirit.

Its softness enhances the light yet still feels warm and inviting. I find her colour palettes hugely  inspiring.

If you’re in Brighton this weekend, do go and visit. Part of the joy of the Artists Open Houses trail is not just discovering incredible art, but stepping inside homes bursting with personality, creativity and heart.

Open this weekend only…
 
Fri 8th 11-4 pm
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th 11-5pm .
27 Hollingdean Terrace , Brighton , BN1 7HB
Episode three of @interiordesignmasters took us to Episode three of @interiordesignmasters took us to @passagecharity in Victoria, central London, and honestly… it was a powerful one. I felt so honoured to join @chattyman and @michelleogundehin for this very special episode. 

Run by the most extraordinary volunteers, their belief that everyone deserves a place to call home really stayed with me. It was a beautiful reminder of how design isn’t just about how a space looks, but how it makes people feel and live within it.

This week, the designers absolutely poured their hearts and souls into these schemes, and with good reason. They too felt moved and compelled to make a difference and as a result the four designs were of an exceptionally high standard. What a joy to see so many bold, creative and innovative  ideas, both practical and creative, bought to life across the four very different rooms.

I’ve decoded the designs for you here, but I’d love to know… what are you taking away from this episode? Which space stood out the most?

Catch Interior Design Masters on BBC One and BBC iPlayer Tuesdays at 8pm. Missed it? Go and catch up, then come back and join the chat.
AD Drifting off… in style! My new stripey hammoc AD Drifting  off… in style!

My new stripey hammock with @Dunelmuk is here and she’s bringing all the boho, tasselled, sun-drenched vibes. Bank holiday weekends are usually full throttle… DIY projects to be tackled, home renovations underway, or long boozy lunches that turn into late nights. We go hard, in the best way.

This is your sign to take a pause. Tuck it into a quiet corner, climb in, and give yourself a moment to switch off and drift away. Because even on the busiest weekends, you deserve a little escape.

Sophie Robinson sunset stripe hammock £99 available online.
April, you’ve been the reboot I needed! And it’s April, you’ve been the reboot I needed!

And it’s been a month of firsts…
First sea swim (bracing but invigorating)
First time as a mum to a 15-year-old (how did that happen?!)
First sunglasses of the year went on
First washing out on the line
And… my first proper deadlift at the gym 💪

I’m feeling full of that gorgeous spring energy now. Light, optimistic and ready for what’s next as May comes galloping in.
Who’s feeling it too?

1. Arthur’s birthday table setting
2. New bike taken out for a trip along Brighton sea front 
3. I’ve been cooking a lot for friends and family this month! Just to prove I can
4. Attended a fabulous Designers dinner to celebrate the new @wmorrisandco 
5. First deadlift with @teamyo_weight_training 
6. @interiordesignmasters is back on the box!
7. Waiting for the oak trees to break out into leaf
8. Finally got the washing line out!
9. Breathwork session with @wildwillowwellbeing @theacupuncturist 
10. New moon meditation at the fabulous home of @alexadecastilho 
11. Easter table setting 
12. . 
13. The brilliant @joshuaidehen live at @chalk
14. Movie nights
15. Suns out on Brighton Beach
16. First sea swim with @sophieabbottartist Was bracing! 
17. Mini makeover using my latest collection with @dunelmuk
18. @sophieabbottartist house ready for Artist Open Houses and Brighton festival 
19. Hair and makeup by @jadefarmiloemua 
20. It’s a wrap! Phew!
AD Sun’s out, the garden’s calling… and I might ha AD Sun’s out, the garden’s calling… and I might have just the thing! 🌸

If your outdoor space is feeling a little lack lustre, the quickest way to bring it to life is through colour, pattern and personality. You don’t need a full redesign. Just a few joyful prints, some feel good colour and you instantly shift the mood.

From bold tasseled parasols and squishy bench pads to playful outdoor lighting and characterful wall décor, my collection with @Dunelmuk is designed to make it easy and affordable. Whether you’ve got a tiny city terrace or a sprawling country garden, these are the pieces that instantly elevate a space and make it feel special.

I had so much fun creating this range, inspired by my travels to Marrakech, and seeing it come to life in real homes and gardens is always the best bit.

If you’re near Brighton, you can experience it in person as part of the Brighton Festival.
My best friend Sophie is opening her home for Artists Open Houses on the 8th, 9th, 10th May
from  11–4pm. Drop her a DM for details @sophieabbottartist 

Otherwise, you know where to go… pop into your local Dunelm or shop online and bring a little joy outdoors this bank holiday.

So Tell me, which piece are you adding to your garden first?

Beldi Parasol £89
Outdoor wall art  flowers £18
Beldi and Ourika Bench pads £45
outdoor cushions £22
Pavilion chair £69
Raid star tray £30
Mint jug £8 glasses £2.50
It’s Interior Design Masters episode 2 and this we It’s Interior Design Masters episode 2 and this week things got romantic!

The task was castle hotel bedrooms, all centred around a “romantic retreat” brief… and what I love most is how wildly different each interpretation turned out. Some designers ran with the medieval theme while others left it at the turret and went full whack whimsy. From bold and playful to soft and serene, it’s a showcase of diverse design aesthetics and proof that one style certainly doesn’t fit all.

As always, it’s not all just paint and pillows. Add in 4m-high ceilings, tricky stone mullion windows and some very traditional furniture that needed a fresh twist, and it’s no small feat. Once again I take my hat off to the amateur designers and am in awe of their creativity and ingenuity given the time and budget constraints. 

So… which room are you checking into? Let me know below 👇

@interiordesignmasters 
@frankieratford 
@jonniknightdesign 
@byajeetjugnauth 
@bensmithinteriors 
@duran_deedee 
@emmely 
@our_bears_home 
@liagoldinteriors 
@shaginterior
Follow on Instagram
Sophie Robinson
  • © 2025 Sophie Robinson

    /
  • Contact/
  • About/
  • Design by MW

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar

MG0001 Magnet Sophie using Tap 021 copy

You're almost inside!

Leave me your best email to sign up for the Webinar