Banjo Beale: 'People drop off their dying plants at my door — and I bring them back to life'

The article presents an interview with Banjo Beale, the winner of BBC's 'Interior Design Masters,' creative director, television star, and author. He discusses his life on the Scottish Isle of Mull, his passion for interior design, and his approach to creating sustainable and meaningful living spaces. Beale shares insights into his personal life, including his relocation from Australia in 2014 and his current home with his husband Rohan and their dog Grampa on their dairy farm, Isle of Mull Cheese. The interview delves into Beale's career milestones, such as his win on 'Interior Design Masters' in 2022 and his subsequent appearances on 'Scotland's Home Of The Year' and 'Designing The Hebrides.' He has also authored two books, 'Wild Isle Style' and 'A Place In Scotland,' reflecting his design philosophy. A significant upcoming project involves transforming a crumbling mansion on the Isle of Ulva into 'Banjo & Ro's Grand Island Hotel,' which is slated to air on the BBC in 2026. Beale describes his home as a place of comfort and belonging, noting that he truly found his home in Scotland after moving from Australia. He expresses happiness when relaxing on his sofa with his dog, Grampa, and a blanket, even in their current temporary static caravan during a renovation. He recalls his childhood home in New South Wales, Australia, highlighting his early interest in drawing and designing imaginary homes and farms. His parents were not artistically inclined, and his childhood home featured brass furniture and Buddha statues collected by his mother. Regarding his entertaining style, Beale prefers large feasts, often featuring produce from their cheese farm, and enjoys eating with his hands, drawing from his experience living in India. He details his routine upon returning home to the Scottish farm, which involves shedding outdoor layers, cleaning himself and his dog, and changing into warm, comfortable clothing. His favorite room is his bedroom, where he maintains a calm, neutral, and clutter-free environment to relax his active mind. Beale reveals his preference for flowers over potted plants in his bedroom due to concerns about dirt, and he cultivates a botanical maze of flowers, including dahlias, for year-round blooms. His preferred homeware shopping destination is a charity shop on Mull, where he has discovered unique items. His decorating style emphasizes natural elements and a rustic, unfussy aesthetic, even for his current mansion renovation project, where he plans to embrace a 'faded grandeur' while ensuring comfort. He expresses a strong aversion to glass bricks, stating he does not follow trends. Beale recounts finding a dark green sofa for £100 at Dunelm, a store he discovered during 'Interior Design Masters,' and considers Belgian linen bedding his biggest extravagance. He is an avid plant collector, owning around 50, and offers to resuscitate dying plants brought to him by others. For a housewarming gift, he would give a plant with care instructions. He jokingly expresses a desire to snoop around Lisa Vanderpump's house from 'The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' and collects scents from his travels, such as incense from Vietnam. #BanjoBeale #InteriorDesign #IsleOfMull #ScottishIslands #HomeDecor #PlantCare #SustainableInteriors #BBCShows

4 weeks ago

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