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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

AD It’s not too late!!! My exclusive collaboration AD It’s not too late!!! My exclusive collaboration with @dunelmuk is coming to an end but it’s not too late to snap up some of my uniquely designed pieces online or in store. This has without doubt been quite the career highlight, sharing my love of bold colour, unapologetic pattern and more-is-more aesthetic with this leading UK high street retailer to bring you my maximalist tool kit. So if you’ve had your eye on anything within my exclusive collection this is my reminder to snap it up now, while stocks last. 

Please let me know what have been your favourite pieces from this collection. I love to learn how they have been used in your own home. 

And take a little comfort, I’ve got plenty more exciting product launches planned this year and beyond so watch this space!
The WOW!house at dcch is one of my favourite event The WOW!house at dcch is one of my favourite events in the interiors calendar. Think of it as the design Olympics, where the industry’s biggest names are given free rein to dream big, push creative boundaries and showcase the very best in craftsmanship.

This is where you’ll find extraordinary fabrics,  wallcoverings, breathtaking joinery, sculptural lighting and decorative details that make your heart skip a beat. Budget takes a back seat and unbridled creative ambition takes the wheel.

What I loved most this year was the sheer diversity of design. From full-fat maximalism to serene minimalism, every room had its own unique story to tell. Yet a common thread emerged: retreat, cocooning and comfort. Rich deep colours, layered super soft textures and immersive spaces designed to help us slow down and escape the noise of modern life.

Here are a few of my favourites. The exhibition runs until the end of the month and I can highly recommend a visit. I never wanted to leave.

#WOWHouse26

@benjaminmooreuk 
@younghuh 
@blackedition_byromo 
@studioduggan 
@studioenass 
@zardi_and_zardi 
@seansymington 
@martin_kemp_design 
@roisinlafferty 
@schumacher1889 
@max_rollitt 
@salvesengraham 
@perennialssutherland_uk 
@fettledesign 
@elicyon 
@nucleus_av 
@russellsagestudio
An exclusive interview with the WINNER of @interi An  exclusive interview with the WINNER of @interiordesignmasters !

The fabulously talented @liagoldinteriors joins me to share her highlights from the show, her high speed creative process and the deep friendships she made on the show. 

Look out for her new collection  with @nexthome which drops tomorrow and stay tuned for her podcast launching next month with @jonniknightdesign called ‘Until design do we part’

And let’s all like round here for an Italian supper club full of her maximalist colour and flair! 

Congratulations Lia. Can’t wait to see what you do next x
It’s the FINAL of @interiordesignmasters tonight 8 It’s the FINAL of @interiordesignmasters tonight 8pm and I’ve been having some fascinating conversations lately about the role the show plays in the world of interior design.

I passionately believe that great design should be for everyone. Whether you’re building a career in interiors, decorating your own home, styling content, designing products or simply transforming a room you love, creativity belongs to all of us.

The world of interiors is so much bigger than the traditional design studio which is why I’m not a fan of gatekeeping. I want more people to discover the confidence, joy and magic that comes from creating beautiful spaces, and TV while it always aims to entertain first, has the power to inspire millions to get involved.

I have nothing but admiration for the contestants who put themselves out there on one of the biggest platforms in British television. To share their creativity, ideas and vision and put themselves up for being judged, not just by the judges but everyone sat on their sofas at home takes real courage.

Tonight, one designer will be crowned the winner. But in many ways, the most exciting part starts now. Interior Design Masters has launched many successful careers in interior design, styling, content creation,  product design and television, and I can’t wait to see what these finalists go on to achieve.

I’m incredibly proud to play a small part in this journey.

Tune in tonight on BBC One and iPlayer, then join me here tomorrow at 7pm LIVE when I’ll be interviewing the winner!

So tell me… who’s your money on? @liagoldinteriors and @shaginterior will be joined by @jonniknightdesign and @bensmithinteriors  which i’m so beyond excited to see return! Wishing  them the best of luck!
The WOW!house at @designcentrech is THE date in ev The WOW!house at @designcentrech is THE date in every designer’s diary. Think of it as the interior design Olympics where the biggest names and most prestigious brands come together for some seriously competitive room dressing.

Maximalism was out in full force, with gloriously colour-drenched, pattern-layered, personality-packed interiors around every corner. Think upholstered silk walls, tassels the size of a small child, and enough backlighting to rival Mariah Carey’s dressing room.

Another consistent theme was designs that felt in deep conversation with heritage and culture while making something that felt completely alive and of the moment.

I came home absolutely bursting with inspiration and a renewed appreciation for the transformative power of great design. It’s open until 2 July, so if you’re in London, do yourself a favour and go - soak it all up. Your creative batteries will thank you and a portion of every ticket goes to United in Design, which is doing brilliant work opening up the industry to underrepresented talent.
This week on @InteriorDesignMasters with @chattyma This week on @InteriorDesignMasters with @chattyman, our designers took on the challenge of transforming bland corporate hospitality boxes at Brighton’s Amex Stadium into spaces worthy of Premier League passion.

Local legend @officialfatboyslim outlined the brief was all about celebrating football fandom while bringing a sense of luxury, style and occasion to the experience. Not an easy balance to strike but @liagoldinteriors @shaginterior @emmely  gave it their all 🙌

From bold colour palettes and clever layouts to unexpected design details, each designer approached the challenge in their own unique way. I’m decoding the colour schemes and highlighting the ideas I think were particularly clever.

But the best part of the show? We never all agree! Did you agree with the judges’ decisions this week? Let me know in the comments below…

And if you missed the show you can catch up on @bbciplayer. And next week the FINAL and I’m thrilled to announce I will be interviewing the winner live HERE on Instagram the day after the show. ⭐️
May you were magnificent! 1. wearing green. 2. May you were magnificent! 

1. wearing green. 
2. celebrating @chattyman 50th
3. @sophieabbottartist open artist house
4. Daytime Dancing at @brightonsundae 
5. New moon meditation at @alexadecastilho 
6. Artists pin board at @sophieabbottartist open house
7. Bought a painting! @beckyblairartist 
8. Visited @rhschelsea 
9. Enjoying Brighton Festival 
10. Lunch at home
11. Time out in my hammock
12. Dad turns 81
13. Love my Mum and bro @edwardrobinsonid 
14. Lucy in a heat wave
15. Working at my desk in a bikini 
16. working out with @teamyo_weight_training @charlottetsw 
17. Sea swimming with @beckyblairartist @sophieabbottartist 
18. My ❤️
19. Keeping cool watching the wildlife 
20. sunsets
I love nothing more than entertaining at home and I love nothing more than entertaining at home and this weekend we were blessed with the most gorgeous weather to celebrate my brilliant dad’s 81st birthday. My brother cooked the most glorious food, and I brought the colour - naturally! - with the table laying. I am obsessed with tablescaping and for this one I layered floral motifs throughout, mixing my Dahlia Bunch fabric from @harlequinfw with my classic Willow Bow china that only comes out for special occasions, armfuls of flowers from the supermarket and my Moroccan cups and jugs and my napkins from @mollymahonblockprinting It was so easy to put together and I love it because I think it’s the colour that creates the visual feast, while my brother brought all the yummy food.
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