Interior design Q&A with Sophie Robinson

glammanana

Hi Sophie,I have been a big fan of soft furnishings in bold bright colours for many years,in fact well before it became "the trend" on a dull sofa I would throw an Indian type material to jazz up the room etc and double my voiles to give an extra effect to the window's.
My question is: Is it still acceptable to have just random pieces in different colours casually left about the room or has the trend gone back to everything matching. Thanks Glamma x

The current trend is very much about eclectic interiors that look like they have developed gradually over time, rather than what I call the catalogue look- where you go out and buy everything new and matching. That look lacks personality and originality and should be avoided at all costs! However it's a good idea to group your 'random' collections in a theme. For example a Vintage look, Art Deco or Colonial. Or tie them in together with a colour story. Otherwise quite frankly it just looks like a mess.

KatyK

Hi Sophie - We have a small semi (a long thin living/dining room) and seem to be OK at choosing furniture etc apart from three piece suites or sofas etc. We have had a few disasters in this department and wonder if you have any advice. We are very unhappy with the one we have at present and we are about to go in search of another. We measure up before we go shopping but still can't get it right. We try the sofas/chairs in the shop and got from one shop to another. We eventually choose one but when it is delivered it is wrong for the room or uncomfortable. Any tips? Thank you.

If you are short on space you need to choose slim-line furniture. The trend for mid-century modern furniture is a perfect look that is also slight on space. Choose sofas that are lifted off the floor on legs to create a feeling of space and make sure the arms are not big and fat as they take up unnecessary room. Also consider choosing a pair of armchairs with one main sofa rather than two sofas to be more versatile in your limited space. You can then make your sofas feel more comfortable by piling on the scatter cushions.

wearingthin

We are hoping to redecorate our lounge/dining room this Spring. Aim to have a plasterer smooth artex ceilings and 1 artex wall back to smooth. It's a small terrace house,open plan downstairs, kitchen to right. Hubby wants wallpaper on 1 wall in each room. He tends to be more innovative than me, who plays safe - preferring plain painted walls, but he is often right, adding personal touch. Room has quite a lot of furniture, esp dining area with his desk, guitar, CDs, books etc. Any suggestions re using colour or using wallpaper?
Many thanks

In open plan spaces it's a good idea to zone each space- this way you define each different area's purpose yet still make the entire space work as one. So if you want have a different accent colour in each area, make sure they are of the same tonal family and all sit well next to one another. I'd recommend decorating the same throughout- woodwork, walls, floors and then add your feature wallpaper or wall colour in sections. Feature walls look best when you choose one square wall- they lose impact where there are doors or fitted cupboards or alcoves to cut around.

Icyalittle

Please can you suggest a way to overcome 'boring'? My spare bedroom is only 8'10" wide, but 20' long, with a window on the short wall (ensuite at the other end). Because of the bed needing to be across the width, it always looks just boring and lacking character, but I want it to be comfortable and elegant too. All suggestions very gratefully received!

Sounds like you need a focal pint in this room- somewhere that arrests the eye when you walk in. Decide which wall will have the most impact and then go big. A big artwork or wall mirror could do the trick. Then don't stop there, pop a bold rug on the floor, a couple of striking table lamps either side of the bed and a new set of bedlinen, complete with sumptuous bed throw in your new accent colour, and voila, from glum to glam in an instant!

Tegan

I'm desperate to change my living room; it certainly needs a new carpet and the sofa has seen better days. However, I have a dog that lives in the kitchen but I don't want to not let her in the living room sometimes [it's impossible to keep her off the sofa] and I don't want my grandchildren to come here and have to worry about keeping everything pristine [they have to do that at home; I like them to be able to sit on the sofa and eat and paint pictures in the living room without worrying about getting paint on the carpet]. I loved the Design series [no I didn't love it I was addicted to it and I still haven't seen the final because I was out that night and my iplayer wasn't working] but some of the rooms had things in them that just didn't seem suitable for children [low light bulbs for lighting etc and I thought the fluffy cloud light was just a dust trap ]. How can I have a dog/child friendly living room?

Invest in a sofa that has loose covers, that way you can always take them off and have them washed when they start looking grubby. Choose a tough fabric like linen or twill cotton, in a mid colour. Pattern is great at hiding marks too! For the floor, you could consider a hardwood floor that's easy to mop up the spills and dog hair. Then choose a large area rug to make it feel soft underfoot. My recommendation is to go for a polypropylene rug rather than pure wool. The synthetic fibre resists stains and is easy to clean. They are also a lot cheaper than wool rugs so easier to replace.

Ymogirl

I'm about to downsize to a two bedroomed flat and, while I'm looking forward to de-cluttering and getting rid of a lot of stuff I really should have said goodbye to a long time ago, I do have 70+ years' worth of things I do want to keep. I know there are some really well designed and ingenious furnishing and storage ideas out there but how to find them? Can you point me, please, towards some good (but not too expensive!) sources?

My mum is doing the same thing at the moment and it's a minefield getting rid of what's not useful and reorganising new systems for what you want to keep. In this instance I'd recommend professional help. There are people who offer ‘life laundry’ services. I've just used a lady at www.judesorts.com who helps you work out what to throw away, how to dispose of it and then plan new storage systems for what's left over. The go-to place for clever storage systems is Ikea who have the largest range for every room in the home. Good luck!

inishowen

Every sofa we buy seems to get dirty quickly. I'm convinced the dye comes out of my husband's black jeans. Is this likely?

Yes, dark denim can stain sofas, but usually only when it's new as the dye fades with every wash. Time to get a throw or buy a black armchair for your husband!

suzied

I live in a 60s house and love midcentury design. Have some treasured ercol and Danish furniture which I have acquired and tried to bring together with funky vintage fabrics etc. however, I don't want to overdo it. Should I just keep my walls white as they are at the moment or should I be bold and add some colour/ vintage wallpaper? I feel I should do a feature wall but I don't want it to look a mish mash.

I think this is a perfect opportunity to inject some new design with a wallpaper and there are so many super modern designs with a mid-century modern look. Try www.minimoderns.com or Orla Kiely designs at www.harlequin-uk.com. For a more classic look check out the 50s range at www.sanderson-uk.com.

suzied

Another question, am currently planning a bathroom refit, what colour tiles would you choose for a small bathroom in my mid century house? The original bathroom was yellow and grey with a lot of Formica and Lino. Not sure if yellow is a good colour for a bathroom! also what about the flooring? What would you do? Am just having a white sink, loo and no bath just a walk in shower, but need to choose tiles and am overwhelmed with the choice.

Have a look at Marmoleum floors for the bathroom. They would have been used in houses in the 50s but are fashionable again and come in great colours. Think of the types of colours used in this era, like mustard, petrol blue and red, that also work with the other rooms in your home. I agree that yellow is a very poor choice for bathrooms. I think the ethos is midcentury modern, clean lines, honest materials and a utilitarian look is perfect for bathroom design. Follow this no fuss approach and go for plain tiles, wall hung cabinetry, floating shelves, and maybe just a simple block of colour, on the cabinet, floor, or tiled wall.

gillybob

You are right in saying the "tartan" effect sofa is back in fashion Tegan the interiors magazines were full of them at the end of last year and always look so warm, cosy and inviting. I am in love with a tartan armchair (in Next) that I would love for the study, but its quite expensive. I am seriously thinking about buying an old armchair and trying to re-upholster it myself using a red/grey tartan fabric I have seen. I wonder how difficult this would be?

I envy you the Ercol and Danish furniture suzied and I love the 60's and 70's designs that are around at the moment. Some amaxing feature wallpapers in wallpaper direct. I love wallpaper and actually find wallpapering very thereputic as long as I am left alone and don't have DH supervising .

Oh my I’ve no idea as upholstering an armchair is something I’ve never done. I do know that it depends on the complexity of the shape and the general condition of the chair you are doing. For example does the stuffing, strapping or springs need repair. And old wingback chair with scrolled arms would be very hard, whereby a simple tub chair would be easier. If you’re serious, I’d recommend doing a course and starting on something easier first.

matkey

My question is about sofas. They are so expensive that I am always a bit nervous about making a change. The other thing is that fashions change so quickly - and while I don't feel the need to be up to the minute I also don't want to choose something that will date very soon after. I'm not a fan of many of the classic styles and would like something a bit more modern

Sofas are a big investment so I think you should consider two things. Go for a plain sofa in a neutral colour- that way you can easily update the look of the room with scatter cushions. Secondly I think if you choose a very simple contemporary shape, that's not too 'designer' again it will stand the test of time.

florribob

We have been doing a major declutter but one thing I find very difficult to get rid of is books. I have always had a fantasy of a whole room with floor to ceiling book shelves on every wall - but living in a two bed flat this is never going to actually materialise sadly. Thing is - all our bookshelves are full with most shelves two deep in paperbacks and I have run out of storage ideas that will do the job but look great at the same time. help! (It's a period property if that makes any difference)

Paperback books are my total bugbear! The problem I have with them is they just don't look great, and I know most people will never ever read them again. They take up room, make the room look cluttered and I'd urge everyone to get rid of the whole lot! This would make space for you to have the library feel you have always wanted. Go to www.wallpaperdirect.com and type ‘book’ into the search engine and they're all there. Choose one of the latest bookcase wallpapers, and paper your whole room in it. You can still have a real bookcase but only for your precious hardbacks.

twentyto

Bedroom help please. Our room is large with two windows and a fireplace. It has a pale carpet and beigey walls which I don't like and would prefer to change to pale grey but alas the carpet and (nice) coffee/browny curtains wouldn't really work. Furniture wise we have a set of bed/bedside tables/chests of drawers in a sort of light oak veneer. Quite nice, would like to replace some time but don't see an opportunity but we can love with them so not the end of the word. My question is about the wardrobe which we inherited with the house. It's solid wood, freestanding and a good size/ But it's rather "pine" and we hate the finish. We have considered painting but have never worked out what colour would look ok with everything else. Bedding is plain white cotton. Paintwork is white eggshell.

So you're living with a lot of beige and brown, I feel your pain! You could take your wall colour to grey but choose a warm grey that will sit nicely with the browns you have. You could then paint the wardrobe and possibly the veneered furniture in a tone either lighter or darker than your wall colour. Or if you want a fresher effect, paint them a very pale grey, almost white, like the French. I think your room needs an accent colour though to perk it up. A nice soft duck egg blue would work on cushions, lamp shades and accessories.