01 Mar 24

DFS x Sophie Robinson: My new colourful sofa collection

Big drumroll moment…my first collection of colourful sofas has just hit the high street! It’s been two years in the making but it’s something I’m super proud of and a great measure of confidence to have DFS, the biggest upholstery retailer in the UK, get on board with bold colour and flamboyant pattern in this way. The colour revolution is underway!

The collection saw me working with the design team to create a capsule collection that gives you the confidence to opt for that bold bright colour that your heart desires, but with the additional confidence and along with my expertise, on how you can build up a coherent yet interesting look from there. You should never buy a sofa in isolation, and indeed the scatter cushions, accent chair and footstool are all integral parts of pulling a living room together. I’ve drawn on 25 years of design experience to offer you a range of sofa shapes in a range of colours that I know work beautifully. And yet my core intention was also to offer a collection which you could enjoy putting your own stamp on. We’ve achieved that with the exciting range of scatter cushions and accent pieces so you really can do your own thing. Want to take a look….

The collection consists of three styles of sofa, an accent armchair with beautiful contrast piping, some generous coffee table sized  footstools including some with storage, plus an amazing array of scatter cushions – perfect for anyone wanting to add some dashes of bright, happy colour to their homes. More on those later!

Back to the sofas.  The shape is all important, and actually I like simplicity in a sofa, it’s the foundation to build the look around, rather than being the star of the show. The Wakehurst sofa (pictured above in Fuchsia) is named after one of my favourite gardens for botanical design inspiration – Wakehurst Place, close to my home in East Sussex. This sofa has a classic traditional shape that would suit a period style, but the choice of seven bright velvets (and two more neutral) that’s available give it a modern twist.

The Standen, another beautiful open house and garden close to where I live,  (pictured above in Buttercup) is a modern mid-century style that delivers all the comfort whilst being efficient on space. I love that it is still deep enough to pile on the scatter cushions while still having neat proportions. Available in varying sizes including with a chaise or cuddler option it’s a shape that I feel is super versatile suiting most styles of interior or period of property.

Then we have the Fairlight (pictured above in Aqua) which is a new shape that I am particularly thrilled with, it’s super pretty. It has neat pleated arms and a beautiful wave to the armrest which makes it rather elegant, understated and yet still looking fresh. All three styles are raised on turned legs which I always prefer as it helps make a room feel more spacious and the sofa more stylish. We have really thought about the environmental impact of our designs, so have included velvet made from 100% recycled yarns and removable covers making it easier to reupholster when it needs a new lease of life. The frames are also built from sustainably sourced wood.

Wakehurst sofa in Fuchsia velvet. Cushions from L-R; Scatter Plain Fringe in Cobalt, Scatter Honeycomb in Cobalt, Scatter Wildflower in Midnight, Scatter Bolster in Dappled Dot Fuchsia, Scatter Floral Bloom in Midnight; all DFS x Sophie Robinson.

So with three sofas in a choice of nine velvets (yes there is a biscuit and silver option for those who prefer a more muted back drop) there are also 22 scatter cushions to choose from!  Think bright colour, think florals, think fringing, think velvet, think contrast piping, think stripes, think geometrics… this collection has it all! You can see the full range here

With such an extensive scatter cushion offering I can help you personalise your sofa, your own way. Many people I talk to purchase a sofa and then later think about the cushions to go on top, but my intention is to give you a complete menu of options in terms of pattern and design so you can curate your own pattern story, with the confidence it’ll work. You may be drawn to all florals, prefer a stripe or want a combination of both with a plain chucked in for good measure. I worked hard with the design team to create a harmonious palette of colour that you can feel confident will mix and match with ease, and also tie in with the sofa colours. It’s enough for you to get creative with, without the overwhelm! I like to mix florals, stripes, geometrics and plains – of course I do! What about you?

You can shop the scatter cushion collection here.

The final element that makes this collection special is the accent pieces. We have the gorgeous Pashley accent chair which comes in a choice of two patterns, Dappled Dot or the Deck Chair Stripe, or in any of the Plain Jane velvet fabrics. I really wanted to bring my nerdiness for fine upholstery details to this high street collection, so you’ll see contrast piping, brush fringe trims and even a pop of pattern inside the Standen footstool. This creates a premium feel to the collection and it’s this attention to detail I think that really elevates the collection and will also elevate your entire room scheme. While I’m all about the big splash, the devil is most definitely in the detail!

Pashley armchair in Dappled Dot Cobalt with Plain Jane Fringed Scatter Cushion Fuchsia, both DFS x Sophie Robinson. Wonderland wallpaper by Harlequin x Sophie Robinson. Wood work painted in Lazuli by Zoffany. Lamp by Pooky. Rug by Tate and Darby.

I’ve always preferred a footstool to a coffee table in the living room, mainly because it offers up another opportunity for colour and pattern! I also like the softness they bring and they double up as an extra place to perch too. Not to mention their original intention, a place to rest your feet! They easily double up as a coffee table with a large tray on top to host your mug of tea. The Fairlight footstool would work well in a smaller space, and while it looks petite it has oodles of storage inside. And don’t forget that unexpected pop of pattern!

The Fairlight foot stool has the pleasing surprise of Honeycomb velvet fabric on the inside. Fairlight sofa in Rose pink, DFS x Sophie Robinson. Wiggle wallpaper in Peridot, Ribbon stripe curtains in Ruby, both Harlequin x Sophie Robinson. Rug by Tate and Darby.

I’ve got so much more to share with you about this collection and how it can help you embrace bold colour, enjoy playing with pattern and ultimately create a home you love. Don’t forget to let me know what you think in the comments below…

Do you want to discover your style and get confident with colour? My online courses will help you navigate the incredible world of interior design with ease and inspiration. Click here.