Well, at the time, it was the most terrifying thing in the entire world. But I think that’s for all of us because it means so much to us. And genuinely, you know, that Michelle just wants you to do the best. And she knows our potential. So, it’s her job to make it uncomfortable and for us to stretch ourselves.

Crumbling bothy on tiny Scots island with no power

With his own interior design business on the Isle of Mull, his home with husband Ro for the last eight years, and as the frontman for the popular BBC 2 TV show Designing the Hebrides, his style has captured the hearts of many.

The Isle of Mull – the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland – has been home to Banjo for over eight years with his husband Rohan, a cheesemaker, who often helps out on the show. But it’s perhaps not an ideal place to launch an interior design business? Especially when he has the world at his feet after winning Interior Design Masters. Christine Leach tells the extraordinary story of the Beatons of Pennyghael, physicians to chiefs and kings, while Sir Lachlan MacLean, chief of Clan MacLean of Duart, will be joined by Ray Canham to explore the life of his ancestor Sir Fitzroy MacLean. BB: When we were filming my television show, Designing The Hebrides, we didn't have any money whatsoever really to do these spaces. It was about what we could find for free and how resourceful we could be. So, I think the best price is free. On Saturday, guests can join world renowned novelist, poet, librettist, playwright, member of the Really Terrible Orchestra, all-round polymath and raconteur, Alexander McCall Smith as he dissects his latest books with Anna Marshall, author of the 44 Scotland Street Cookbook, followed by dinner.

TV interior design guru Banjo Beale launches new book

In this warm and characterful new series, Banjo and his friendly team of tradespeople travel across the Scottish islands using their craft skills, energy and creativity to bring Banjo’s Hebridean design dreams to life. Designing the Hebrides will air on BBC Scotland, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer later in 2023. Banjo Beale Banjo’s passion for design, and his love of island life really does shine through in Designing The Hebrides, as he breathes new life into properties across the Islands.BB: I'm kind of over bobbles and bubbles. So, bubble shelves, bubble lamps. Anything bubbly or bobbly isn't for me. Are you green-fingered? Over another mouth-watering lunch, John Goodlad will explore how salt fish from Shetland became a staple food for Europe, powered an economic boom and inspired artists, writers and musicians.

Wild Isle Style by Banjo Beale | Waterstones

No, I think I’m inspired by literature, by film, by my own imagination and by nature. When I was on Interior Design Masters, I used to create a character for all of my designs. Because it’s boring when you’re doing it for yourself, but on the island, the locals are the characters. The weather is unpredictable, the locals are straight talking, the budgets are lean and you can’t just run to the shops to buy supplies - you have to be resourceful!”Banjo Beale is an Australian Interior Designer based in the Scottish Hebrides. Winner of Interior Design Masters, Banjo is the host of Scotland's Home of the Year on BBC, author of a forthcoming book and star of a brand new TV series premiering in Summer 2023. With no power in the bothy, a candelabra is added using old boat pulleys to provide a "warm light", while the beds are converted to box beds—covered by curtains make from blankets to retain warmth and add a cosy atmosphere. Meanwhile, the bothy's battered walls are covered in white limewash paint to brighten them up. But he said locals in Mull, where he lives with cheesemaker and cafe owner husband Rohan Christopher, were entirely underwhelmed by his new-found stardom. As part of our interview series, My Happy Home , we talk to Banjo Beale about his worst decor trend, life on the Isle of Mull and why his yellow kitchen is his 'little bit of sunshine'.

My Happy Home: Banjo Beale - House Beautiful

Banjo's client wanted a sleek 'British members' club' vibe. Banjo admitted that he'd never been in such an establishment in his life. The winning result? Elegant, understated and so impressive, the bar's owner has now asked Banjo to restyle his own apartment. Banjo found his way to the big smoke, working in advertising, eventually landing the plum role of 'Ideas Director'. He was quite literally in charge of coming up with ideas, a role that suited this perpetual dreamer. Designing The Hebrides is a DSP production (a Banijay UK company) commissioned by Steve Allen for BBC Scotland and Catherine Catton, Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Events. The Executive Producers are Donna Clark and John Featherstone. The Commissioning Editor is Clare Mottershead.I'm kind of hoping I can find that perfect balance. Doing the winner's project, [to transform a self-catering beach retreat in Watergate Bay in Cornwall], taught me a lot. I was almost an apprentice. After turning something around in two days on the show, it was quite different to do a four-month project, with an entire production team and a hefty budget. I'm really pleased with the result – it's just a space that's Banjo, sustainable and natural and reflective of the environment. Clare Mottershead, Lead Commissioning Editor, Factual Entertainment and Events, adds: ‘Banjo’s originality, warmth and wit made him a favourite with our Interior Design Masters audience so it’s great to be able to share the next chapter of his story as he brings his infectious passion for design to his adopted Hebridean home.” Six-part series, Designing The Hebrides, will see the expert and his team of tradespeople doing up unique spaces, from a family-owned fish shop in Tobermory to a bookshop on Skye. And Banjo said his favourite part of the process was the people they encountered. Designing The Hebrides is a DSP production (a Banijay UK company) for BBC Scotland and BBC Two. The series is part of the BBC’s co-commission strategy to increase portrayal, delivering high quality content from across the UK. All six episodes of Designing The Hebrides will be available on BBC iPlayer from Monday 12 April. The publisher says: “Living on the remote island of Mull has inspired Banjo to be resourceful and inventive in his design outlook. With sustainability and budget in mind, he combines vintage finds with clever design and re-purposes the old, re-imagining it into something new.