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07 Feb 16

My week 1st February ’16

sophie robinson hair on bbc breakfast

Well what a week! It all culminated with me crying all the way through yoga on Friday.  Well when I tell you whats being going on this week- you’ll understand!

It all kicked off with the start of series three of The Great Interior Design Challenge. After a grueling summer last year filming it all, its great to see it finally hit the screens. This week we saw Holly, Frankie, Sharon and Jane thrash it out for a place in the quarter finals and I went up to Studio Lambert , the production company, to watch the first episode with some of the crew and my TV hubby.

Sophie Robinson and Daniel hopwood watch The grear Interior Design Challenge

There were plenty of tears and tantrums throughout, some hideous upcycling, some triumphant colour schemes and some pretty happy home owners, so it was a great start to the new series and it’s gone down a storm on twitter using the hashtag #GIDC. Everyone has an opinion. After the way Holly rough shod over her homeowners in Kent I thought she’d have few fans but how wrong was I?! Such a big fan base- loving that Girrrrl Power! And she totally redeemed herself with the beautiful job she did in Scotland. But Frankie finally showed us he wasn’t just about quality soft furnishings. He pulled his finger out and showed us he could be innovative too. What a superstar. Now Steam punk, that has to be a GIDC first. Still not sure what it is, check out my Pinterest board. Either way all four were a seriously talented bunch and it truly made mine and Daniels job of judging all the more harder. Did you think we made the right choice? Let me know your thoughts on how the first week went in the comments box below. And for anyone who thinks Dan and I have it easy while everyone else is working hard, here’s Dan managing his Interior design business from a smart phone in a corridor in Peckham. Oh the glamour.
If you missed out on the first three episodes you can catch up here

Daniel hopwood on the great interior design challenge

Tuesday I had a live broadcast for ITV This Morning. I was invited to do a Scandi style makeover on their green room. In true TV fashion I only got told this the Thursday last week. But the great PR teams helped pull in lovely bits of furniture and accessories from Habitat, Heals, H&M, Marks and Spencer, Ikea, John Lewis, and House of Fraser. Such great stuff on the high street, made it really easy for me to pull this look together fast.

Then it was time for me to get a makeover. It was totally thrilling to be at ITV studios on the Thames. I arrived at 8am for rehearsals, then went into makeup with Jennifer Ellison and Rory McGrath on either side of me! Tad surreal.

Sophie Robinson in makeup in ITV This Morning

Now the paired down all neutral Scandi scheme totally isn’t my vibe, so I made sure I wore a neon pink jumper and leopard print shoes! I’ve put all the photos, details, including the products I’ve used on the blog. You can see the live makeover from ITV This mornings website  here. And I can confirm that Holly and Philip are the nicest people in TV! And do you recognise the decorators? That’s Wayne from The Great Interior Design Challenge and Steve from 60 Minute Makeover.

ITV this morning crew

This week has also been great for press. We’ve been published in the Daily Mail, I had my home in the Telegraph and I had a tongue in cheek piece published in the Guardian. The 715 comments of outrage are the best part of that article!

sophie robinson and daniel hopwood from the great interior design challenge on BBc Radio London

Then Wednesday Dan and I were in London doing radio Interviews. We were live on the Jo Good show for BBC London, then did some pre records for BBC Cornwall, Oxford and Manchester, before traveling up to Salford for an early start, an interview with BBC Breakfast. More hair and makeup- I could get used to this! We got to meet the gorgeous Louise Minchin and Charlie Stayt. They grilled us about the new series and asked us to bring some scatter cushions with us next time to cosy up their rather hard and uncomfortable red sofa.

Sophie robinson and Daniel Hopwwod from The Great Interior Design Challenge at BBc Breakfast

Last thing to report is I launched my first Vlog on my Youtube channel this week. You can take a look here. Its a totally new thing for me but I plan to share some styling videos once a week. I’d love to know what you think or what you’d like me to talk about next. Please leave a comment in the comments box as I want to make sure I’m answering your questions.

Shophie robinson youtube channel

You can see what I’ve been up to over on my  instagram feed- plenty of celebrity selfies this week!

Finally I’ve posted some dates for some Masterclasses coming up this Spring. I’m running some Interior Design Master classes with Daniel Hopwood and some Colour workshops with my friend, fine artist Becky Blair. Check them out, I’d love to see you there. All dates are on our Eventbrite page.

So there you have it. Absolutely elated yet exhausted in a pile of tears in my yoga class on Friday! Don’t worry though it was a great release! I’m now having a relaxing weekend, with my two best boys (although I’ve got 8 coming round for a roast this Sunday afternoon!)

Have a great week folks and remember The GIDC is back on the box Monday at 7pm!

Love Sophie x

Disclaimer: Apologies for spelling mistakes, typos and any other grammatical crimes. I’m writing this at midnight!

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Catch Sophie In All Her Colourful Glory On Instagram

July, you were a joy. Long, hot days spent slowing July, you were a joy. Long, hot days spent slowing down, dancing at festivals and celebrating Mum’s fabulous 80th birthday. Rounded off with a full moon and a little more magic and manifesting. ✨

1. only one thing for it, resting up in my hammock from @dunelmuk 
2. resting and rejuvenating at Brightons seafront @beachboxbtn 
3. Picked Dahlias from my garden 
4. All from a box of tubers from @dahliabeach 
5. dining out with my bestie @sophieabbottartist at The Blue Man in Brighton
6. Moroccan mezze is delicious 
7. Mum proudly showing off  her veg garden prize rewards!
8. Lucy looking cheeky, caught in my bed again 
9. Celebrating Mums 80th at home
10. Laying the table with Mums original wedding china 
11. Hosting a fabulous art talk with @vanessagbranson and @jonathan_brook at @broadwicksoho 
12. Catching up at @broadwicksoho with my colour collective 
13. Looking at palettes for an exciting new project 
14. Sunshine calls for yellow nails
15. with my girls at @lovesupremefest 
16. Cold beer on a summer’s day 
17. Catching up with the team at @harlequinfw 
18. Still sticking with it and loving it @teamyo_weight_training 
19. New love affair with all things red. trousers @zara trainers @addidas bag @essentielantwerp 
20. Buck full moon magic for manifesting what comes next!
Every time I share even the smallest glimpse of th Every time I share even the smallest glimpse of this house on Instagram, my inbox absolutely fills up. Where did that come from, what’s that colour, how on earth did you do that so I thought it was finally time to pull together the questions I get asked most and give you the honest answers! 

I’ll never get tired of answering these questions, so keep them coming. And if there’s one thing about this house you’re still curious about, tell me below!

Comment ‘BLOG’ for the full run down!
It takes a village to make a collection… and thank It takes a village to make a collection… and thankfully mine is full of ridiculously talented people.

From the designers and makers to the photographers, stylists and glam squad, this shoot was the grand finale after months of hard work. My favourite bit? Seeing everything come together in front of the camera.

You might spot my brother @edwardrobinsonid in this reel too. He’s a stylist and Design Producer on Interior Design Masters, so pinching him for the day always feels like a result. A proper family affair.

This is my very first solo bed linen and cushion collection and I honestly can’t wait to share it with you.

Coming soon…
One of London’s best interiors secrets… Chelsea Ha One of London’s best interiors secrets… Chelsea Harbour Design Centre ✨

It’s where interior designers go to discover an incredible selection of fabrics and wallpapers, helpfully all under one roof. And the good news? It’s open to everyone!

You can:
• Explore the latest collections
• Spot emerging interiors trends
• Pick up free samples
• Source fabrics and wallpapers for your home
• Get free expert design advice
• Find help with measuring and ordering

And while you’re there, pop into the @sanderson1860 showroom, where you’ll find my own collection of wallpapers and fabrics created with @harlequinfw . 

Go and have a look - I’d love to know what catches your eye!

Save this Reel for your next interiors day out and share it with someone planning a decorating project.
One of the questions I’m asked more than any other One of the questions I’m asked more than any other is, “How do you choose the right paint colour?” My answer is always the same… please don’t rely on those tiny paint cards! They’re simply too small to judge a colour properly.

For my mum’s annexe makeover, we started with the inspiration, not the paint chart. She wanted to bring the magic of her garden indoors, so green was an obvious choice. I suggested introducing pink too because it’s one of my favourite colour combinations and always feels fresh and uplifting.

Once we’d shortlisted a few shades, we ordered tester pots and painted large A3 swatches. Trust me, this one simple trick will save you a lot of expensive decorating mistakes. Tape the samples to the wall, move them around the room and compare them together in different light before making your final decision.

We also used a beautiful painting by @sophieabbottartist to refine the palette. I love building colour schemes from artwork because the colours have already been thoughtfully brought together.

The final colours? Slaked Lime, Pea Green and Hellebore by @littlegreenepaintcompany 

Now it’s time to get the paint on the walls… come back soon to see the transformation.
June has been one of those months that fills your June has been one of those months that fills your creative cup. From inspiring days wandering London’s galleries and catching up with the design world at WOW!house and the Maison&Objet dinner at The Mandrake not to mention the coming together of my two favourite hotels in a design collaboration . But the summer heat called for slower moments with long lunches in the garden, sea swims and soaking up the sunshine. A beautiful reminder that inspiration often comes from balancing creativity with rest.

1. Hanging out in my favourite London spot @broadwicksoho 
2. and always head for the loos. top marks to @martinbrudnizki 
3. Hanging out to the Wow House @designcentrech with @mad_about_the_house 
4. Enjoying @interiordesignmasters and a close final between @liagoldinteriors @shaginterior 
5. Shop opening for @liefcollectivelewes in my local Lewes celebrating the wonderful jewellery designers @rawsolace  @vivienne.ridley 
6. London weekend on the south bank fuelled by coffee
7. Mesmerised by the colour palettes of @hurvinanderson at @tate 
8. Moved to tears by the big @traceyeminstudio retrospective 
9. Time for a big clear out and new mini makeover in one of the spare bedrooms pending ….
10. Wonderful lunch with friends hosted at the stunning home of @annastandish.interiors 
11. The only way to deal with the heat wave along the south coast was to hit the beach 
12. Pool party and a triple Sophie threat @sophieabbottartist @sophie_darling_ 
13. Hosted a Summer solstice celebration at home which involved making wild flower crowns…
14. … and a beautiful cooked lunch at home 
15. Reaping the rewards of Mums vegetable patch 
16. Planning a big colourful makeover in Mums annex inspired by her favourite @sophieabbottartist painting 
17. Celebrating the @elfennmarrakech x @broadwicksoho rooftop collaboration with @vanessabranson
18. The iconic @elfennmarrakech red and white stripes and Moroccan lanterns take over the London roof terrace at @broadwicksoho 
19. Celebrating women in design with @maisonetobjet at @themandrakehotel 
20. Beautiful dinner hosted by @maisonetobjet at @themandrakehotel  with sensational hotel interiors by @talafustokstudio
After a few very busy weeks and all of this unbeli After a few very busy weeks and all of this unbelievably hot weather, I need to remember sometimes to simply be more Lucy. 

Her Sundays are like nothing else. Curling up on my colourful cushions, finding the cosiest spots and always inserting herself into any task that requires no dog. Never underestimate the power of doing nothing and focusing on the things that fill your cup!
Marrakech is one of my greatest creative inspirati Marrakech is one of my greatest creative inspirations and one of the best places in the world to shop if you love colour, craft and beautiful things that tell a story. I’ve been visiting for years, leading retreats and filling embarrassingly large amounts of luggage, and I still come home buzzing every single time.

This city has never subscribed to the idea that less is more. It is pure, glorious, unapologetic abundance and if you are a maximalist at heart it will feel like coming home.

Swipe for my little black book of favourite shops, rug dealers, ceramicists, fragrance makers spontaneous finds - the places I return to again and again and recommend to everyone who asks.

And yes - bring an extra suitcase and fill it with things that just make you smile!! You will not regret it.

Comment ‘Maximalism’ and I’ll send you my recent blog post with web links and addresses. happy shopping!

@soufnyartgallery 
@studiolidmarrakech 
@pophamdesign 
@maison.blaoui 
@heritage.berbere 
@cotebougiemarrakech 
@elfennmarrakech
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