158: Finishing Touches

This week, we’re talking all the bits that bring a room to life... the cushions, the lamps, the art, the knick-knacks. It’s the final episode before the big Listener Style Surgery and we’re wrapping up our Back to Basics series with a real joy bomb. Kate explains how to use a red thread to create flow through your home, while Sophie makes the case for a “disruptor colour”... something bold and unexpected to shake things up. There’s top chat about painted lampshades, curvy shapes, colourful towels and how to make even the tiniest bathroom feel fabulously you. From scatter cushion strategy to why your radiator might need a macramé makeover, this episode is all about personal flair. Forget perfection... finishing touches are where the fun begins. Come chat on Instagram @thegreatindoors.podcast Fancy more? Sophie's design school is at sophierobinson.co.uk and Kate’s on Substack with house tours and all the extras Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode 157: Colour Scheming Sophie and Kate are back with the fourth part of their Back to Basics series… and this one’s all about colour. Some people are all for bold Crayola vibes - others prefer a calming neutral. Either way, this episode has you covered. Sophie shares her go-to method for starting a scheme (hint: it usually begins with a cushion) and explains how to layer colour in a way that feels personal and pulled together. Kate flies the flag for powerful neutrals… even if it did take her five repaints to land on the right greige! Laughs, colour mishaps, and loads of brilliant advice on undertones, contrast, and how not to choose your wall colour from a tiny swatch. Oh, and Sophie’s hatred for beige carpets is very real. Join the chat over on Instagram @thegreatindoors.podcast @sophierobinsoninteriors and @mad_about_the_house. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re talking brass tacks in Episode 156! It’s all about designing on a budget. Where to spend, where to save, and how to make your money go further without losing style or impact. Sophie and Kate roll up their sleeves and get stuck into the juicy details... from when it’s worth splurging on designer paint and when it really isn't, to budget-friendly alternatives for tiling, taps, lighting, and even furniture. Plus, a big reminder about contingency planning and those pesky renovation surprises that can swallow your budget whole. Sophie shares her genius hack that saved thousands by painting over UPVC windows rather than replacing them, and Kate talks sensible socket placements and why your mattress or desk chair might be worth a bit of a splurge. And yes, we do kick things off with our brand new segment The Feisty Fifteen, where we get a few things off our chests… this week? Beige. Bland or brilliant? It’s packed, it’s practical, and it might just save you a fortune. Got a question for Listener’s Style Surgery? Send it in to [email protected] — we love a voice note too! Find us on Instagram @thegreatindoors.podcast @sophierobinsoninteriors @mad_about_the_house You can also watch this podcast on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLvhI9iX_bs&list=PLDfF7mwP3vj7PrNm-3-UP04KsTfP8eP42 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ep155 - Plans in Place We’re still going strong with our Back to Basics miniseries and this week’s chat is all about the planning phase... and trust me, it’s a juicy one! Before you even think about picking up a paintbrush or splashing out on tiles, you need to tackle the layout. Sophie and Kate get properly stuck into how to make your space work for your lifestyle… swapping rooms around, rethinking doorways, and deciding if your sofa really needs to be pushed up against the wall. Expect tales of sliding doors, repurposed pantries, and a solid rethink on the whole extension obsession. There’s even a Wordle tangent and some seriously good tips for anyone working from home. It’s practical, packed with inspiration, and full of laughs. This episode might just save you a ton of money and help you fall back in love with your home. Got a question for the Listener’s Style Surgery? Email it to [email protected]. We love a cheeky voice note from your phone! Follow your hosts on Instagram: @sophierobinsoninteriors @mad_about_the_house Don't forget, you can watch our podcast on Youtube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDfF7mwP3vj7PrNm-3-UP04KsTfP8eP42&feature=shared Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re back to basics! Where to start with your home redecoration, and it’s not what you think.
 Ep154 We’re back! And we’re kicking off this new 6 week season by asking the big question: where should you actually start when redecorating your home? Spoiler... it’s not picking a paint colour. Sophie and Kate unpack the emotional side of interiors, why mood comes first, and how to plan your layout before splashing the cash. Expect some strong feelings about lighting grids, a surprise colour consultation during an ultrasound, and Lucy the dog stealing the show as usual. Funny, fabulous and full of practical tips… this is your essential starting point for any home makeover. If you have a question for our upcoming listeners style surgery, please email it to [email protected]. We love a voice note which is very easy to do from your phone, before emailing it in. You can follow your hosts over on Instagram @sophierobinsoninteriors @mad_about_the_house       Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wrapping up this mini-series Kate and Sophie interview each other and get under the skin of their own design philosophies. What is it about brown that turns Kate on? Did Sophie’s parents hide away the colouring crayons leaving her with an unmet need to cover everything in rainbow bright shades? Indeed why do we decorate our homes the way we do. A fascinating insight into how we form our own design DNA that forms our own tastes and sense of home. A huge thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this episode of The Great Indoors. Naturalmat are delighted to offer The Great Indoors listeners 10% off their first order by using the code THEGREATINDOORS either online or in one of their showrooms. Valid until 30th November 2024. https://naturalmat.co.uk/ Join in on the chat and become a member of our vibrant private Facebook community here. We’d love to hear the stories that have shaped the way you decorate https://www.facebook.com/groups/363976081184669/ Please submit your questions for our style surgery my emailing your voice note to [email protected] You can follow Kate and Sophie over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophierobinsoninteriors/ https://www.instagram.com/mad_about_the_house/ A huge thank you to our producer Sarah Cuddon of Feast Collective for producing the podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's podcast we pass the mic over to you our lovely listeners to ask Kate and Sophie your much agonised design dilemmas. From the perils of planning your lighting for an open plan space, to designing a rainbow themed bedroom for your 4 year old ‘client’, we have you covered with a myriad of options and advice. We cover budget hallway makeovers and decorating ideas for a north facing bathroom. Submit your style surgery questions to [email protected] A huge thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this episode of The Great Indoors. Naturalmat are delighted to offer The Great Indoors listeners 10% off their first order by using the code THEGREATINDOORS either online or in one of their showrooms. Valid until 30th November 2024. https://naturalmat.co.uk/ Join in on the chat and become a member of our vibrant private facebook community here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/363976081184669/ You can follow Kate and Sophie over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophierobinsoninteriors/ https://www.instagram.com/mad_about_the_house/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This year is the 60th anniversary of Habitat and today we are thrilled to be chatting to Andrew Tanner, head of design at Habitat who heads up a team of 28 designers who have all been super busy re-issuing and updating iconic archive products as well as creating exciting new ones. We all have our own fond memories of the high street store that delivered exciting fresh designs. At one point it seems everyone had the iconic Tord Boontje garland light. Taking over the legacy laid down by the late Sir Terence Conran, is a big one, but Andrew, who also heads up the design teams at Argos and Sainsburys, is uniquely placed to understand the challenges it has faced in recent years which is how, perhaps we can now say Habitat is back! A huge thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this episode of The Great Indoors. Naturalmat are delighted to offer The Great Indoors listeners 10% off their first order by using the code THEGREATINDOORS either online or in one of their showrooms. Valid until 30th November 2024. https://naturalmat.co.uk/ Join in on the chat and become a member of our vibrant private facebook community here https://www.facebook.com/groups/363976081184669/ Please submit your questions for our style surgery my emailing your voice note to [email protected] You can follow Kate and Sophie over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophierobinsoninteriors/ https://www.instagram.com/mad_about_the_house/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

And we are back! Well almost, as this return episode was recorded during the summer break, so why not take our holidays as interior inspiration. Kate is inspired by the pastel palette of Italy which has inspired her new paint range with Graphenstone while Sophie takes a great escape to Bali for some blue skies and jungle greenery. And perhaps the odd snake, spider and lizard thrown in too. And if you haven’t managed to get away this summer, don’t despair. We talk about our favourite TV shows that we’ve been binging, and which sets are influencing our own designs. A huge thank you to Naturalmat for sponsoring this episode of The Great Indoors. Naturalmat are delighted to offer The Great Indoors listeners 10% off their first order by using the code THEGREATINDOORS either online or in one of their showrooms. Valid until 30th November 2024. https://naturalmat.co.uk/ Join in on the chat and become a member of our vibrant private facebook community here https://www.facebook.com/groups/363976081184669/ Please submit your questions for our style surgery my emailing your voice note to [email protected] You can follow Kate and Sophie over on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sophierobinsoninteriors/ https://www.instagram.com/mad_about_the_house/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s our last episode before we go on a break so we take the time to reminisce about the last five years and 149 episodes of interior design debate, advice, guests, fun and a lot of laughter. From our popular Design Crimes, Style Surgery and touring the houses of some fabulous guests it has been a whirlwind! If you want to keep in touch with what we’re doing, you can follow and subscribe to Kate on Substack for weekly interiors inspiration and expert interior design advice, plus all you need to know about the popular design retreats coming up in Italy. Check out Sophie’s Online Design School for amazing courses and sign up to Sophie’s newsletter to be the first to know about in person events and a possible Marrakech retreat at the end of the year too! The podcast will be back at the end of the year! Join our private Facebook group and let us know what you think of the show here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thegreatindoorspodcast For daily updates follow Kate and Sophie on Instagram: Kate: www.instagram.com/madaboutthehouse Sophie: www.instagram.com/sophierobinsoninteriors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices