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'.

Book festival inspires words of praise - The Oban Times

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: Oh, yes I am. I absolutely love plants – I have far too many. And then I continue to buy too many. But plants are like friends, you can never have too many. Did I just say that? Ha ha. 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.He read the poem out loud at the festival’s gala dinner night on Saturday at the Western Isles Hotel. Banjo combines unique finds with clever design to create sustainable, characterful and collected spaces for his interior design clients and TV projects. Steve Allen, Commissioning Editor, BBC Scotland, says: “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.” The following year, Chris invited Ro and Banjo to lease the café and farm shop - a gorgeous vine filled barn erected by the Reade family in the 80's. Ro was the cook and bookkeeper and Banjo, the stylist behind every plate, picture and latte art. The Glass Barn is a playground of curios and collections and a constant canvas and it was here that Banjo learned the art of reimagining whatever was at hand, into something useful or unusual. ​

BBC iPlayer - Designing the Hebrides BBC iPlayer - Designing the Hebrides

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. Donna Clark, Executive Producer and DSP MD says: “When Banjo told us that he wanted to start his interior design business on the Isle of Mull, we knew that we had to follow him on his next adventure. It’s been a real pleasure to film with Banjo in such a breathtakingly beautiful locations and bring his idiosyncratic design work to the screen.” And if that wasn’t keeping him busy enough, Banjo also runs a café and a shop on island and finds it the perfect way to immerse himself in the local community.Left: Banjo Beale on Designing the Hebrides. Right. Rubha nan Gall lighthouse, north of Tobermory, is one of Banjo’s projects. Photos: DSP/ BBC Scotland / BBC Two Becoming a judge Interior Design Masters winner Banjo: 'I've decided that interior design is 99% logistics and 1% design' I’m staying with my friend in Herne Hill, south London. Before the show started I only had one friend in London. And I have nine friends in London now… Do you get recognised in public now?