The new colour REVOLUTION!

BBC’s Sophie Robinson on how to bring your home alive for spring with bold textures and bright colours

As a judge on BBC Two’s hit show, the Great Interior Design Challenge, interior designer Sophie Robinson, above, is known for championing bright colour schemes.

According to Sophie, painting your walls in a bright colour is one of the cheapest but easiest ways to create a whole new look.

‘There’s a lovely idea that when the budget is tight, ramp up the colour. If you haven’t got much money to spend, then colour creates more interest – it brightens the mood. Painting the walls freshens up the look of the things: it’s transformational,’ says Sophie.

GREEN IS HAVING A MOMENT

Don’t know where to start? Green is where it’s at this spring.

‘I’m seeing lots of green interiors, from deep, dark, foresty greens through to jewel-like emerald greens on to perky, limey Golden Delicious-apple-type greens. It’s a colour that represents nature and wellbeing,’ says Sophie.

But don’t feel you have to paint the whole house green.

‘It’s a great accent for existing colour schemes,’ says Sophie. ‘It’s a perfect accompaniment to a neutral scheme, against greys or layered against bare wood.

‘I’d be careful of it as a wall colour, personally, as it could be oppressive, but it looks great against neutral walls. Ikea have a great emerald-green sofa which is a perfect way to buy into the trend.’

Sophie’s advice is to go with what you love. ‘People are sometimes wary about trends and often ask me things like, “Should I repaint my whole house grey because it’s fashionable or will it suddenly go out of fashion?” ’ she says.

‘My answer is: trends come and go – they are there to make you buy things and to

inspire you. Go for things you love. If your heart skips a beat when you see that green sofa – you’ll love it for ever. You know in your heart of hearts if you’re being swayed by trends or if it’s something that genuinely makes you giddy with joy. Be bold – if everybody worried about something going out of fashion, life would be very boring. It’s why we have so many beige homes.’

Sophie looks to bold wallpaper designs to inspire her colour schemes.

‘Personally I’m about all the colours, all at once! I’ve just moved to the country and the whole house needs renovating. We’re working love with a jungle-leaf-print wallpaper that I though I just had to have for the house. Then I took a step back. It’s a farmhouse and this wallpaper is not quite right for that. You’ve got to think about where you are.’

If colour isn’t your thing, how do we translate this into our homes without going OTT? ‘I think if you’re nervous of colour, you need to lighten up and not take it too seriously,’ says Sophie. ‘Interiors should be playful and fun. Rooms can always be repainted. You can paint a room in a weekend. If that’s too nerve racking, play around with accessories. Go neutral for your big-ticket items like your beds and sofas if you’re worried and then experiment with your cushions.’

MIX IT UP WITH TEXTURES

‘Textures are really important if you’re not a fan of colour,’ says Sophie. ‘If you’re more make sure that you still provide entertainment for the eyes. Think about mixing up rough and natural textures, woodgrains and sheepskins, metals and soft velvets.’

‘Layering contrasting textures is really for your scatter cushions, adding a throw, accessories – a mixture of wood, glass, metal and ceramic. Leather next to wood next to brass. Woven wall hangings are great for adding texture and part of the craft trend. They’re a celebration of the handmade. People love to have things in their home that suggest someone has put a lot of time and

‘The trend now is towards luxury materials – lots of brass and marble. Things have got a bit glossy and there’s a move away from the rustic, rough-hewn look.’

UPHOLSTER A STATEMENT PIECE

Recovering an item of old furniture, such as an armchair, sofa or chaise longue, in a signature fabric, is a particularly hot trend at the moment. ‘Choose a fabric that is boldly or geometric. Anything goes. Something really lairy. The rest of the room might be plain and neutral but the reupholstered piece makes a statement,’ says Sophie.