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.

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