Studio Ashby's seven interior design lessons to live by
From international hotels to London’s most in-demand new homes, Studio Ashby is known for its refreshing use of art, colour and pattern.
Ever since Sophie Ashby established Studio Ashby in 2014, she’s ignited the interior design scene with her eclectic, globally-influenced taste.
With her Anglo/South African background, Sophie Ashby’s work reflects both heritages in a fresh, modern and welcoming way, and her Instagram is a treasure trove of cool interior design ideas.And if there's one thing we've learned from Studio Ashby's Instagram page, it's that bright colour and wild patterns is not just for kids' rooms.
Here are 10 ways the designer effortlessly punctuates rooms with her signature style.
1.Colour Block
Envelope an entire room in the same colour to zone a space.
Keeping to one colour palette is visually striking, but can also surprisingly create a calming feel.
For a zesty vibe, Sophie Ashby makes no secret of yellow being her favourite wall colour.
Be The First To Know
The Livingetc newsletter is your shortcut to the now and the next in home design. Subscribe today to receive a stunning free 200-page book of the best homes from around the world.
See more colour inspiration...Hot hues: experimenting with colour in the kitchen
2. Embrace Painted Furniture
Patterned furniture is an unusual and fun way to add interest to a space.
Personalise a piece at home by upcycling it yourself, or commission something bespoke.
3. Take cover
Upholster a favourite old piece of furniture in a wild fresh fabric, or snap up a designer piece like the daybed below.Make it stand out by keeping the rest of the room more neutral, or take a maximalist approach and go all out with pattern.
The outdoors is also a great place to infuse pops of colour. You can create a hotel feel by covering outdoor cushions in a fun fabric, or creating bespoke seating.
See more colour inspiration...CROWN PAINT COLOURS FOR 2020
4.Murals can be a marvel
The scale of art can be one of its most impactful things. Go big with an artwork as big as a room can take – or even better, make the walls the canvas.
The style and colour of the pattern will set the tone for the rest of the room.
Don't have the space to paint a whole wall? Using a door as a canvas an be just as effective.
Mural wallpapers like scenes by DeGournay are also a great way of transforming a space and giving a focus point.
See more mural inspiration...Our Pick Of The Best Wall Murals For 2019
5. Choose your headboard wisely
Going to the trouble of upholstering a headboard? Take the opportunity to pick a fresh print, then tie together the scheme with complementing prints in the same colour palette.
Headboards are also a great opportunity to play around with different shapes and styles. The headboard below creates a very modern vibe...
... while this scalloped yellow headboard would be perfectly at home in a country house hotel.
See more headboard ideas...Statement headboards – big and clever
6. Gallery Walls Never Go Out Of Style
Studio Ashby's design rule to live by is to start with art. Every project boasts an eclectic curation of art, often displayed in a gallery wall formation.
Artworks are an obvious way to add pops of pattern in complementing colours, and also help to create a more eclectic look.
7. Look to Nature
Stuck on ideas? Studio Ashby find a lot of their inspiration in nature...
Use nature to inspire new colour palettes, fabric patterns and paint ideas, or frame a large high res close-up for a personal masterpiece.
See more of Studio Ashby's recent work...Studio Ashby launches debut furniture collection
Lotte is the Digital Editor for Livingetc, and has been with the website since its launch. She has a background in online journalism and writing for SEO, with previous editor roles at Good Living, Good Housekeeping, Country & Townhouse, and BBC Good Food among others, as well as her own successful interiors blog. When she's not busy writing or tracking analytics, she's doing up houses, two of which have features in interior design magazines. She's just finished doing up her house in Wimbledon, and is eyeing up Bath for her next project.
-
After Trading in their Bachelor Pad, This Homeowner Now Embraces Calm and Collected Energy on the Upper West Side
GACHOT used deep colors, modernist sensibilities, and calm vibes in a serene home for a growing family with a penchant for get-togethers
By Keith Flanagan Published
-
The Best Carry-On Luggage for the Design-Conscious Traveler — So You Can Roll into the Holidays in Style
Whether you're looking for minimalist or instantly recognizable suitcases, we've rounded up our favorite hand luggage options for a stylish and comfortable trip
By Gilda Bruno Published
-
The simple way to a more sustainable and stylish life with Fisher & Paykel
This incredible new tech saves time, energy and has become the washing machine you need to know about
By Sponsored Published
-
Forget Cottagecore - Flora Fantasia by House of Hackney is Cottage hardcore
House of Hackney's Flora Fantasia collection blends the romanticised rural aesthetic with riotous punk elements
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Bert & May's new hexagon tiles collection is tapping into one of this year's biggest micro trends
Tap into the microtrend for hexagon tiles and make myriad patterns with this new collection from Bert & May
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Matthew Williamson’s tip for renovating a house on a budget is so simple, but incredibly effective
Renovating a house on a budget? See the savvy ways to control costs when managing an interior redesign
By Jacky Parker Published
-
The fabulous new Matthew Williamson furniture collection is a cocktail of color and print
This decorative Matthew Williamson furniture is the beautiful result of collaboration with Roome London
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Out & Out's new furniture collection is full of stylish storage solutions
This stylish storage will have your home organised in a jiffy - whatever its size
By Jacky Parker Published
-
Explore Sandra Bullock’s former coastal chic home in Georgia
Sandra Bullock has just sold her beautiful island beach house, giving us a glimpse at her coastal-inspired interior style.
By Lotte Brouwer Published
-
Stylish flat pack furniture - how this home design staple has suddenly got cool
Thought flat pack furniture was cheap and cheerful? FUZL Studio is proving otherwise with its new collection
By Jacky Parker Published