Scotland’s Home of the Year judge Banjo Beale says Scots have real design flare

He’s the larger-than-life star of two hit BBC shows and now interior designer Banjo Beale is getting ready to headline this weekend’s Ideal Home Show.

The Aussie stylist, who is a judge on Scotland’s Home of the Year and fronts makeover series Designing the Hebrides, says being asked to grace the main stage at the exhibition is a dream come true.

And Banjo, 37, who lives on Mull with his husband Ro, reveals he will be spilling behind-the-scene secrets from the TV shows that have made him a household name.

He said: “As a little boy growing up in the middle of nowhere in Australia I never imagined that one day I would be a judge on SHOTY, have by own design show and be asked to grace the main show at the Ideal Home Show.

“I’ll be spilling secrets on Scotland’s Home of the Year and Designing the Hebrides and I’ll share advice on how to create designs that don’t cost the earth. I’ll also be giving tips on how to add heart to your home.

“Interior design doesn’t have to cost a fortune. The trick is decorate don’t renovate. Scratch the itch by playing with paint colours, rearranging furniture, cleaning your home from clutter and curating your collections by colour or shape or size. You don’t have to knock down walls or build extensions to create new, interesting spaces.”

Banjo, whose book Wild Isle Style was a bestseller, added: “I can’t tell you how excited I am about appearing at the exhibition especially as Keith Brymer Jones from Pottery Throwdown will also be there and I am a total fanboy. We both cry at the drop of a hat so it could be an emotional rollercoaster.”

The presenter, who has travelled the world, moved to Scotland ten years ago and says when it comes to interior design the Scots have it nailed.

Banjo, who shot to fame after winning BBC series Interior Design Masters in 2022, said: “I’ve been so lucky to travel Scotland with a new book exploring Scottish style. I think the world has been sleeping on this place for too long. Our spaces are heavily influenced by history, our Nordic neighbours and a wit and whimsy I haven’t found anywhere else.

“I’ve lived in Scotland almost a decade now. Half my adult life. I love the people the most. It’s a pure joy and honour to be invited into peoples homes to snoop and into their living rooms on their TV to spread a bit of design love.”

He added: “I learned that the term tongue in cheek originated from Scotland, so they say. It’s what us Aussies and Scots have in common, we don’t take it all too seriously.”

Banjo, who is on our screens every Monday night on the current series of SHOTY, thinks this season of the show is the best yet and says new judge – architect Danny Campbell – is a big kid just like him.

He said: “This series has raised the bar. The houses are so unique to their owners. What I set out to look for this year were homes that, when I walked in the front door I immediately got a sense of who they were, the way they live, their dreams. I’m blown away by their creativity and bravery.

“Having Danny on board this year is just lovely. We’re like naughty brothers and our mum is keeping us in check. Danny likes using big architectural terms and flexing his muscles, physically and metaphorically. I like taking the mickey and having fun. We have a lot of fun filming.”

The second series of Designing the Hebrides is out later this year which sees Banjo tasked with transforming an array of island businesses.

Banjo, who has a new book – A Place in Scotland – coming out in October, said: “We are even more intrepid this year, we take on the outer Hebrides, tackling croft shops, apothecaries, pubs, ice cream vans and honesty boxes. It’s a rollicking adventure with my motley crew beside me rolling their eyes every step of the way.

“My rescue lurcher Grampa is definitely the star of Designing the Hebrides – he’s a total diva and gets more fan mail and presents than me. He’s the star of series 2, along with the rest of my animal squad, including Ferdinand, my duck who dramatically broke his foot during filming.”

Banjo, who, as well as filming and writing books, runs his own interior design practice, admits he lives off adrenaline.

He said: “Amongst filming and books, I have an interior design practice. I’m currently doing two gorgeous grade one listed, five story Georgian townhouses in Bath, a 22 room Jacobean Manor House in Wiltshire and some secret island projects.

“Honestly, my schedule is anxiety inducing. But my anxiety is my super power. It propels me to do more, pursue my dreams and lean into the madness. I want to say yes to every opportunity that comes my way because I’m so grateful to do what I do, in a place I love, with people I admire.”

Banjo, who has been asked to re-design a restaurant in the old Terry’s Chocolate Orange factory in York, added: “I would also love to be a mentor or host on a creative show or it would be a blast if someone wanted to make a show following me around Europe buying treasure.

“A big part of what I do is reclaimed and salvage and the real adventure is being a little truffle pig hunting down bargains, crazy pieces and meeting the colourful characters along the way.

“In the meantime I’m looking forward to meeting the colourful characters at the Ideal Home Show.”

– Ideal Home Show Scotland takes place from Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27 10am to 5pm, at SEC, Glasgow. This year, the Dream Home makes its debut, showcasing the most innovative property features. Tickets also include free entry to The Eat & Drink. For more information visit: www.idealhomeshowscotland.co.uk