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06 Jul 22

How to choose a wall mural

Harlequin Diane HIll 018 1810x

I love creating interiors that make a splash, that are bold, brave and head turning. One way to get instant impact is with a decorative wall mural. These are wallpaper designs that make up one complete image rather than the typical drop repeat pattern that you get with traditional wallpaper. Murals have a rich history in interiors and have adorned the walls of palaces and stately homes for centuries. However modern digital printing techniques means murals are increasingly easy to purchase and install, and better still, you don’t need a princely sum to have one. Prices start at around £30 per sq m, so while they are still an investment, I’d argue that you get a lot of bang for your buck in terms of creating visual impact.

Mural artist Dianne Hill has just recently launched her own range of murals with Harlequin. The image above showcases her Florence mural with a botanical landscape wrapping around the room. Diane’s hand-painted murals are exquisite and have been highly sought after. How exciting that you can now install one of her incredible designs for a fraction of the cost, anywhere in the world.

 

Sundance Villa Azure mural, Mind the Gap

set your style

Choosing a striking mural usually creates quite the focal point in a room, and the consequent look, style and colour palette for the rest of the room hinges on it. Start off by getting inspiration for your scheme. Pinterest is a great first step for getting a feel for what style and design of mural will work best for you but remember that a mural is only part of the puzzle. This delft tile design in blue and white sets the scene for a Mediterranean inspired dining room and is photographic in its details so could fool you to think it is the real thing.

Timepiece mural in amethyst, Graham & Brown

integrate your scheme

So the mural doesn’t sit out like a fly on a wedding cake, it’s essential to think about other colours in the room and aim to pick a mural with accent colours that will work tonally with the items in the space- for example, large pieces of furniture, rugs, flooring and any drapes you install. My advice is always call in a sample, if possible. This won’t be a guide on what the full scale mural will look like but can give you an indication of the colours to match paint colours for example. I’m always banging on about how Brilliant white should never be the go-to for walls, and in the case of matching a paint colour with your mural, it works better if you can integrate it with the rest of your decorative palette. You can take any colour from the mural to roll out on the other walls, from the lightest to the darkest- depending on the effect you want to create. I love how this deep burgundy has been used on all woodwork and walls, setting off a dramatic backdrop for this modern mural, that rather than wrapping around the wall creates a bold feature wall.

 

Oasis mural, Woodchip & Magnolia

get the SCALE right

The scale of the mural is all important. Some companies make murals to order so you can give them the size of the wall, and they will resize the design to fit. Otherwise, you need to check that the scale of the mural will fit the height and width of your space. With off-the-shelf murals, you can quite often get away with trimming some off the top or bottom to help the mural fit. The measurements will be available at the point of sale and sometimes you can buy a couple of murals to join together. Alternatively, you can create a frame out of beading (timber strips) that will help frame the mural.

 

Raspberry teal, Photowall

consider the position

Some murals work better as a feature wall, like a blown up work of art on one wall, while others look fabulous wrapped all the way around the room. If you choose it for a feature wall, know this will set the stage and draw the eye towards it. If you go for the wrap-around mural, the effect will be immersive. I love using murals in small rooms, as they can give a big personality to a small space. Don’t assume that because the room is small, it cannot take a large scale design, but don’t be tempted to add too many other design statements otherwise the room quickly becomes a hot mess. While there is a case for less being more,  you can mix in other patterns with aplomb, hang artwork on top of your mural, and even combine with other wallpapers, but ensure your vision for the overall maximalist scheme is clear and your colour palette is tight. I love how this boudoir has been covered with toile wallpaper on all walls and mural in this case, has been used on a room divider to bring the feeling of flamboyance to this fabulous dressing room.

Where to buy

Finding the right mural for your scheme is a huge commitment but will pay you back in spades of joy! Here is a round up of some amazing maximalist designs along with my directory on where to source the murals perfect for your scheme.

Bagatelle Reglisse Wallpaper, Designers Guild                                         Coordonne Neo-Tea Garden, Beut

Artemis climbing walls, House of Hackney                                                 Verdure Tapestry, Cole & Son

Harlequin roses, Rebel Walls                                                                           Palm tree lips, Surface View

Wild Flowerland Wallpower Multi, Pip Studio                                           Botanique Jungle sol, Graham & Brown

Directory

Woodchip & Magnolia

Wallsauce

Rebel Walls

Surface View

Graham & Brown

Milton & King

Munks & Me

Beut

Photowall

 

 

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DESIGN CRIMES - BUSTED! After years of designing DESIGN CRIMES - BUSTED!
After years of designing homes and helping people fall in love with their spaces, I’ve noticed a few design mistakes that crop up time and again. So, I’ve rounded up 5 of the most common design crimes that I see all too often, and how to fix them!

From towering TVs to short curtains (just… no), these little tweaks can make a big difference to how your home looks and feels.Which ones have snuck into your home?

I want your confessions below, or share your own design crime story. Let’s swap notes and make our homes the best they can be 💛

#DesignCrimes #InteriorDesignTips #SophieRobinsonInteriors #HomeStyleHelp 
#ColourLoversUnite #MaximalistStyle #TVStylingTips #DesignWithPersonality 
#Maximalism
Feeling stuck on how to make your home flow - with Feeling stuck on how to make your home flow - without it all looking the same?
You’re not alone. One of the biggest challenges with bold, maximalist decorating is getting that sweet spot where every room feels unique and still sings in harmony with the rest of the 
house.

This week, I opened up my home to guests at my VIP Masterclass — and since it was looking unusually spick and span(!), I thought I’d give you a rare peek too. What you’ll see is 
colour, pattern, and personality in every corner… but behind the scenes? There’s a very intentional design process holding it all together.

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions, unsure where to start, or terrified of making a mistake, my online course ‘How to Create Maximalist Interiors’ is designed to take that fear off your shoulders. I’ll guide you, step by step, through how I create spaces that 
feel joyful, cohesive and so very you.

✨ Want to see what’s possible — and learn how to make it happen in your own home? Comment MAYJOY25 and I’ll DM you the link. The course is 25% off throughout May, so it’s a brilliant time to dive in.


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Don’t underestimate the potential of small space Don’t underestimate the potential of small spaces. While we are a nation obsessed with knocking walls down and living in open plan (echoey) spaces, I’d go so far to say, when it comes to decorating, small rooms are my absolute fave! Little rooms are where you can really turn up the dial, because at face value they are bland, underwhelming and quite often overlooked. But turn your mind to creating jewel-box fabulousness, inject plush textures, fabulous patterns and standout accessories and the transformation isn’t only fast but exceeds all expectations. 

Here are a few small spaces I’ve designed, that may be small—but they pack a serious punch.

#SmallSpaceStyle #InteriorDesignTips #MaximalistInteriors #SophieRobinson 
#BoldNotBeige #ColourLover #DesignWithPersonality
You’re in the right place. 💛 Around here, we You’re in the right place. 💛
Around here, we don’t do beige boxes or design-by-numbers. This is a joyful, all-inclusive space where colour is celebrated and self-expression is the whole point.

I believe every room in your home should make you feel happy, positive, and 
unapologetically you. 

If that sounds like your kind of vibe, follow along!
✨ Save the ideas that make your heart sing
✨ Explore the joy of colour with confidence
✨And when you’re ready to dive in… there’s 25% off my incredible course How to Create a Maximalist Interior - all through May. Just use comment MAYJOY and I’ll send you the link.

Because great design isn’t just about how it looks - it’s how it makes you feel.


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If like me you hate your shiny white UPVC windows If like me you hate your shiny white UPVC windows then this tip is for you!

I painted all of ours, inside and out, and it totally transformed our home (costing hundreds of pounds on paint rather than thousands of pounds replacing them with more traditional timber that would suit the Victorian character of our house better). 
The best thing about painting UVPC is with the right primer, there is no sanding or lengthy preparation. It’s important to make sure the frames are clean and dry, and then on with the All Surface Primer, which then ensures that the exterior acrylic eggshell, in a colour of your 
choice, can easily go on top. For many the beauty of UVPC windows is they don’t need decorating or maintaining, unlike timber windows. However, while these have not flaked or scratched yet (three 
years in) I know they will need a lick of paint at some point. But UVPC is a more stable substrate to traditional timber which cracks and swells, so the maintenance will be far less. 

And heres the best bit… you can’t tell the difference!

Works on Front doors and conservatories too! Would you try it? Let me know in the comments!

We used an All surface primer, mixed to match the top coat, of External eggshell in Lamp Black. Walls painted in masonry paint, in Lamp Black. All products @littlegreenepaintcompany 

#paintedwindows #upvcglowup #budgetrenovation #windowmakeover #diyhomedecor
I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I I don’t know who needs to hear this today, but I’ve needed to hear it again and again this past year.

This little affirmation has carried me through some of the hardest moments of my life; navigating a divorce, facing the possibility of losing my home, and somehow still showing up for my business, my family, and my creativity.

And here’s the thing: I didn’t lose my home. 🏡 I’m keeping it. 🙌 That’s the biggest takeaway for me. Because in the midst of fear and uncertainty, I held on to hope. I kept creating. I kept believing.

Stress and anxiety can really crush creativity. They make us shrink, second-guess, and settle for less than we deserve. But when we give ourselves even the tiniest flicker of faith,  that’s when the magic can return.

So if there’s something you’re holding on for, don’t let go. Keep the faith. You’ve absolutely got this.

And if someone you love needs that reminder too — feel free to share this with them. 

#CreativeJourney #InteriorTherapy #DesignAsHealing #MyHomeMyStory #HomeInspo #LifeLately #PersonalGrowth #ThisIsRealLife #WomenSupportingWomen #OvercomingObstacles
Can you believe this unexpected May sunshine? It’s giving me total garden party vibes, and with that in mind here’s how I set the table outdoors, in my maximalist style!
- Layered pattern textiles, joyful colours, coloured glass, and flowers spilling over with abundance… because when the sun shines in spring, it calls for a table that celebrates more is more.
Everything here is from my new collection with @dunelmuk where I worked to create a collection that you could effortlessly mix and match, that way you can be creative and make it your own style statement. From furniture to tableware, textiles to glassware it’s a full more is more collection! Let’s hope that sun keeps shining as I think we are in for a beautiful summer!
Before ➡️ After From beige to boom! My bathroo Before ➡️ After
From beige to boom! My bathroom is now full of colour, joy and serious personality. Proof that interior design can totally shift your mood and how you feel in your home.

Want to do the same? My online course ‘How to Create a Maximalist Interior’ gives you the tools to design boldly and beautifully — your way.

Get a whopping 25% off all May just comment MAYJOY and I’ll send you the link 🙌
Because design should feel amazing and I can’t wait to show you how.

#MaximalistInteriors #BathroomGlowUp #BoldDesign #ColourLover #SophieRobinsonInteriors #FeelGoodDesign
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