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24 Jul 18

Update your bedroom with a patterned carpet

AlunCallenderPhoto SophieRobinson 004 0100

Rolling out your own renovation can feel overwhelming, emotional and exhausting. My husband and I have been in a stalemate over our windows for six months now (wood v aluminium v UVPC v will-to-live) and it’s holding up the whole progress of the house. It’s time to get things moving. But we’ve got an epic job on our hands. Replacing windows and laying a new underfloor heating system throughout the ground floor have to happen before we can start with the decorating (you can tell I’m married to a builder, soooo sensible!). But I’ve been stockpiling tins of paint and rolls of wallpaper in readiness, so it will probably all come together in a big flurry at the end, in true TV makeover style!

Alternative Flooring rug in the bedroom of interior designer sophie robinson. Liberty flowers of thorpe summer garden rug by Alternative flooring in a deep blue berdoom painted smalt by little greene.

Rug made by Alternative flooring in liberty flowers of thorpe summer garden. Walls painted Smalt by Little Greene. Dazzling blue bed linen by Secret linen store. Play cushion by Bluebell gray. Zig zag cushion by Punica. Framed limited edition prints by Studio Coverdale. Crescent Lamp from Pooky. Photography by Alun Callender

So I’m thrilled to reveal to you the latest little addition to my house. It’s a new bespoke made rug from one of my favourite retailers, Alternative flooring. I’ve been drooling over their Quirky B patterned carpet collections for ages, trying to decide if I can summon the courage to go for one of their mouth watering jazzily patterned fitted carpets. You have the divine stripes by Margo Selby, digging the geometrics by Ben Pentreath or craving the retro style of Ashley Hicks. But hark! Their brilliant rug service is the perfect solution.

Alternative Flooring rug in Summmer flowers at Thorpe garden by iberty frabrics with detail of pink shoes with tassles in the home of interior designer sophie robinson

My favourite pink suede tassel heels, old but from Boden. Photography for Sophie Robinson by Alun Callender

I’m obsessed with patterned rugs and I already have to admit to quite a large collection, sourced from the high street as well as some lovely well worn vintage finds. However I often get frustrated trying to find rugs BIG enough. This is my biggest design tip to you thus far- go big with rugs. In the living room they look best if the feet of the sofas and your armchair sit on them as it really pulls the room together, rather than a smaller rug that creates a kind of island in the middle. And in the bedroom I like to go massive too, so you can sit the whole bed on it. This is what I have done here. Because the Make Me A Rug service at Alternative flooring means you can specific the exact size you want you can get something proportionate to the room. It’s not a new idea, it’s what the Victorians did before fitted carpets. They were a clever bunch. I like to make the rug big enough that you have enough ruggage (yes it is a word spellcheck!) either side of the bed to step on out to and enough to make a statement at the end of the bed. You can also opt for a contrasting border with this service which looks particularly smart framing the bed too.

Alternative Flooring rug with interior designer sophie robinson dog Lucy

There’s a good reason that pattern carpets are featured in many a pub decor. They hide a multitude of sins so ideal for busy families. And dogs This is Lucy my mini english bull terrier. Photography for Sophie Robinson by Alun Callender

The choice made for my bedroom was this incredible Flowers of Thorpe Summer garden carpet by Liberty Fabrics for Alternative flooring. It really is like walking on a lawn of flowers and it incorporates all my favourite colours which means I can pull in other textiles and artwork that all hang together. You can check out my Pinterest board for the room design inspiration here.

Alternative Flooring rug detail in the home of interior designer sophie robinson

The Liberty fabrics design is like walking on a field of flowers. The design and colour palette is intrinsic to how I decorate the rest on the room. Photography for Sophie Robinson by Alun Callender

It’s made me lust after designing my own range of patterned carpets- wouldn’t that be the ultimate thrill! I don’t think we see nearly enough pattern or colour on our floors but making them into rugs is the winning solution!

All photography by Alun Callender.

(Editors note. This is an impartial review and not paid for advertised content. I did receive the rug free of charge in return for this review)

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Before and after! This room took me on a real jour Before and after! This room took me on a real journey.
At first, I thought I needed a calm, blank space to focus… so I painted it all white. I know - can you believe it?! I told myself it was for clarity and creativity, but the truth is, I hated it. I felt flat and totally uninspired.

So, I ripped up the rulebook and went back to what I know works for me: bold colour and big pattern. I painted the whole space in my favourite cobalt blue (Lazuli by @zoffanyfw) and installed the ‘In the Woods’ mural from my @Harlequinfw collection - and now it’s everything I wanted and more.

I feel creative, energised, and completely connected to the beautiful garden just outside the window. A daily reminder to trust your instincts, feel from your gut and be brave. 

#OfficeGoals #CreativeWorkspace #BoldInteriors #BeforeAndAfter #SophieRobinsonStyle 
#CobaltBlue #HarlequinWallpaper #ColourLovers #InteriorDesignUK #InTheWoodsMural 
#DesignForJoy #MoreIsMore
A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨ It was such A masterclass in maximalism! 🌈✨

It was such an honour to guest judge the Interior Design Masters final alongside the fabulous @michelleogundehin and wow, what a finale it was!

The setting? The magical village of Portmeirion.
The challenge? Transform a bland holiday cottage.
The winner? The brilliant @john_cooper_design and what a winning design it was! 

John’s scheme was a glorious celebration of colour and perfect  storytelling. I loved how  he used bold Mediterranean hues and motifs from room to room which cleverly held this maximalist vision together. It felt like being whisked away to a land far far away. And thereby perfectly capturing the spirit of Portmerion. Honestly, it felt magical to be there!

I’ve unpacked all Johns clever ideas and design takeaways over on the blog (link in bio) — but I’d LOVE to hear what you thought.

Was John your winner?
What design moment caught your eye?
Could you stay in a house like this?

Tell me in the comments 👇

#interiordesignmasters #maximalistinteriors #maximalistdecor #portmerion #colourlover #banthebeige
Longing for a life-changing escape? You’re not a Longing for a life-changing escape?
You’re not alone. Our next Discover Colour Retreat at @elfennmarrakech just sold out in just a few hours, snapped up by our incredible subscriber community who said yes to more colour, creativity, and the trip of a lifetime. 💫

If you missed out, don’t panic, we’re already planning more dates in this dream of a design destination. Think: bold design, deep connection, sun-drenched inspiration, and the kind of joy that lingers long after you get home.

Want to be first to hear?
Comment ‘ELFENN’ below and we’ll send the link with details + the option to add yourself to the VIP waitlist.

Because beautiful things come to those who wait…
and this one’s worth every second. 🌺

#elfennmarrakech #discovercolour #designretreat #marrakech #moroccanstyle #designinspo
Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically Ready to create a home that feels unapologetically YOU?

For me it’s about bold joyful colour, striking pattern, and those magical touches that light you up every time you walk through the door. This isn’t about playing it safe, it’s about crafting a home that celebrates the uniqueness of who you are and how you want to feel. 

In my exclusive online course How to Create a Maximalist Interior, I’ll guide you through my step-by-step design process—so you can confidently design a space that’s full of heart, soul, and style.

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And yes, you’ll get a personal tour of my own technicolour home, so you can see exactly how I bring it all together.

Let’s unlock your dream home. One room at a time. 💥
EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignm EXCLUSIVE Live with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters ! 

Thankyou @john_cooper_design for a beautiful LIVE taking a deeper look into your amazing experience being on the this most loved show. We all loved watching you grow and develop as a designer and your collection with @johnlewis is an absolute triumph! Cannot wait to see what you do next 🙌
All the Finale feels ✨ What a joy was filming t All the Finale feels ✨
What a joy was filming this series of @interiordesignmasters with @michelleogundehin , @chattyman , not mention this year’s insanely talented finalists @john_cooper_design 💙 @ritamillat ❤️ There is a lot of love and positive energy that goes into making this show.

And it doesn’t end here…

TONIGHT at 7pm I’ll be going LIVE right here on Instagram with this year’s winner… SPOLER ALERT….

@john_cooper_design 
I cannot wait to chat all the behind-the-scenes design insights, and what it really takes to win Interior Design Masters. What a smashing journey John has been on. Wow his final design blew me away, it’s was soo well executed and his vision was perfectly in step with the flamboyant eccentricity of Portmerion. Top marks! 

Come join us and ask your questions during this exciting Live event or come back later and watch the replay! 👀

Missed the show? Catch  up with @bbcone  Interior Design Masters on @bbciplayer 

#InteriorDesignMasters #IDMFinal #DesignShow #BehindTheScenes #InteriorDesignUK
Beware of listening to the ‘experts’! I get i Beware of listening to the ‘experts’!
I get it though, designing a house is hard, especially if your taste leans towards the 
maximalist style. There is every chance you’ll feel overwhelmed or stressed about getting it wrong with the end result one hot mess. However here are some of those common ‘design rules’ that I absolutely disagree with! Would love to know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and fully embrace creating a home that truly reflects you, my specially designed online course has everything you need to keep you falling into any more traps. I’ll guide you through uncovering your unique style, choosing colours with confidence, and mixing patterns like a pro, all while making it feel beautifully cohesive and creative. And the best bit? It’s 25% off until the end of May! That’s right, just a few days left to pick up a massive discount.

Just comment MAYJOY and I’ll pop the link over in your DMs.


#maximalisthome #colourfulhome #interiorinspo #designmyths #interiordesignadvice 
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#colourmyhome
Ready to step into your best life? Start with the Ready to step into your best life? Start with the place that holds it all. Your home.

I’ve always believed that a joyful, soul-filled home isn’t just a reflection of who you are… it’s a catalyst for who you want to become. When you’re surrounded by colours that lift you, patterns that energise you, and decor that tells to your story, something magical happens.

You feel confident, calmer. More you.

And if you’re ready to design a home that feels like you, my brilliant online course is here to help.

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Simply comment MAYJOY and I’ll DM you the link to find out more.

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

And that feeling? It ripples out into every part of your life. 💛🌟

#FeelGoodDesign #JoyfulHomes #MaximalistInteriors #ColourConfidence #InteriorInspo #DesignWithSoul #SophieRobinsonInteriors
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