Six Questions For: Sophie Robinson

So, if you have any interest in interiors AT ALL then you will be pretty damned impressed that I've managed to harass the lovely Sophie Robinson for long enough that she agreed to answer my six questions. Interior stylist, designer and television presenter Sophie has won our hearts with her love for vintage, her fabulous use of colour and her natural design flair. As a self confessed colour lover, pattern clasher and cushion hugger (her own words), her enthusiasm and passion for her art really shows in her on screen presence. It's always so inspiring to see and hear from people who really, really love what they do. Plus, she really does come across as a very nice person indeed and always looks quite frankly amazeballs.

Sophie first hit our screens as an on screen designer on the ITV show, 60 Minute Makeover, following this up with Cowboy Builders on Channel 5. Since 2014, she's been a co Judge on BBC2's Great Interior Design Challenge, a show that has brought out the best of British emerging design talent and has made us all want to get out the paint brushes and make a difference in our own spaces.

Sophie with her co Judge on GIDC, Daniel Hopwood.

Sophie is married to Tom who has a thriving building business, Ark Builders, and together, they've undertaken countless house renovations and projects. They have a four year old son called Arthur and live in Brighton on the South Coast. With 20 years in the business and masses of experience, Sophie knows what she's talking about interior wise so I was super excited to hear what she had to say.

How did you start your career in interior design?

I studied BA Hons in 3D Design with an ambition to be a designer maker. After graduating, I got a studio at Cockpit Arts in Holborn. I made a collection of lighting and even got commissioned by Liberty London but soon realised this career path wasn't very financially rewarding! So to make ends meet, I started to assist an interior stylist. I quickly fell in love with the whole process, designing room sets for photography. You get to work with great creative teams and I loved the quick turnaround. After assisting for three years, I then got a staff job at BBC Good Homes magazine. After three years in the editorial department, I left to go freelance and that opened up a whole world of opportunities.

Sophie's sitting room - such fab riot of colour.

How would you describe your own personal style?

I love being creative with colour and pattern and a signature style of mine is to put bold brights against darker, inky shades. I love to see a riot of clashing pattern and a loose, bohemian style suits me. I collect a lot of reclaimed and vintage items yet have a very contemporary aesthetic.

A woman after my own heart.  A colour coder. — A woman after my own heart. A colour coder.

What are your favourite two pieces in your home and why?

I love my birds lamp. It was unfeasibly expensive but I bought it at a time in my life when I knew I deserved it. It's quirky and makes me smile. I love my deep velvet sofa because it's soft, cosy, yet glamorous too.

What's your top interior design tip?

Go for it.

Sophie as we know her best.  Surrounded by colour. — Sophie as we know her best. Surrounded by colour.

What is your greatest achievement?

I think life is made up of many great little achievements, it's hard to pick one. I look at my gorgeous son each day and feel he is a pretty awesome achievement. Getting to a point in our lives where my husband and I could buy our dream house in the country feels like a massive achievement and yet there is so much we want to do with it, I know there will be many more achievements to come!

What would be your absolutely ideal day?

On one hand, I'd say to relive my wedding day. I'd love to get that many people all in one place again and relive all the fun of organising it. But on the other hand, I seek some peace and quiet. So a luxury beach resort with someone massaging my feet would tick the box right now!

With many thanks to Sophie Robinson, the Queen Of Colour, for taking the time to answer my questions. All photographs courtesy of Sophie's website and Instagram page.

You can keep track of what Sophie is doing by clicking the links below.