banjo beale - Character in every corner

Some interiors have an immediate sense of personality, and this beautifully renovated Georgian townhouse is very much one of them.

Photographing spaces like this is always a pleasure, particularly when there’s such a strong relationship between the architecture, the design and the person behind it. Banjo Beale has brought an unmistakable sense of character to the house, embracing colour, pattern and texture while remaining sensitive to the original proportions and historic details.

What I particularly enjoyed was the balance throughout. There are moments of real boldness, where colour and pattern take centre stage, alongside quieter details that allow the house to breathe. Art, collected objects and considered material choices sit naturally within the architecture, giving each room its own identity while maintaining a lovely sense of continuity as you move through the house.

For me, these are the details that make an interior genuinely interesting to photograph. Not simply how a room looks, but how it feels. The interplay of light, the contrast between old and new, and the small, unexpected moments that reveal something of the person who lives or works within the space.

There’s a real warmth to this project. Despite its confident use of colour and pattern, nothing feels overly styled or contrived. The house retains a sense of history and familiarity, with a design approach that feels instinctive, expressive and entirely personal. It’s a reminder that the most memorable interiors don’t necessarily follow a formula, they come from understanding a building, trusting your instincts and allowing a little personality to shine through.

Banjo’s work as an interior designer, presenter and author is well known, from Interior Design Masters to the BBC’s Designing the Hebrides. What comes through so clearly in this townhouse, though, is the individuality of his approach and a willingness to be playful with design while respecting the character of the spaces he works with.

A wonderful project to spend time photographing, and a reminder of just how rewarding it is to work with interiors that have a story to tell.

design - banjo beale

architects - nash partnership

build - wraxall builders

kitchen - Devol kitchens

A man with glasses and a beard sitting on a wooden stool in a dimly lit room with dark, forest-themed wallpaper, a bar with glassware, and a large potted green hydrangea on a marble-topped counter.
Rustic kitchen with a wooden dining table, black chairs, and open shelving with vintage pottery, books, and artwork. A farmhouse sink with a brass faucet is set into a red countertop, with a plant and kitchen essentials nearby. Vintage sliding doors
Rustic farmhouse kitchen with a wooden dining table, black chairs, a black cabinet, open shelves, a fireplace, and copper pots hanging from a brass rod.
A vintage-style bar with a black cabinet, a white marble countertop, and a wooden shelving unit displaying various glassware and bottles. A lamp with a yellow lampshade and a potted plant are on the bar. The wall behind has a dark, scenic mural of tr
Interior of a room with a green sofa, a round marble table, three wooden chairs with green cushions, a large window with white frames, a wall mural of a forest landscape, and a potted plant with green hydrangeas.
A rustic kitchen corner with yellow cabinets, wooden shelves holding ceramic pitchers and jars, a potted green plant, a farmhouse sink, brass faucet, and a curtain covering the lower part of the counter.
Interior of a rustic kitchen with open wooden shelves holding vintage containers and bottles above a wooden countertop with a small white sink, brass faucet, and a beige curtain covering the lower part of the counter.
A cozy interior with a yellow wall, a stone fireplace with ornate black detailing, a wooden mantel with three ceramic vases, a framed floral painting, and a rustic wooden table with a pottery bowl in the foreground.
A rustic kitchen with black chairs around a large wooden table, vintage white cabinets, copper pots hanging on a brass rail, and an off-white distressed door and wall panels.
A cozy bedroom with a bed that has green pillows and a striped blanket, an old-fashioned lamp on a wooden nightstand, a window with green shutters and checkered curtains, and a wooden dresser with plants and decorative items.
A bedroom corner featuring a wooden side table with a chrome lamp, a bed with green and checkered pillows, and framed artwork on a light-colored wall.
A cozy living room corner with a beige sofa, a potted plant on a stand, a colorful abstract painting, a green door, and a unique multicolored ceiling light fixture.
A bedroom with a black bed frame, beige bedding, and brown pillows, a white fireplace, green plants, a small black side table, and a large potted plant. Exposed wooden ceiling beams and a skylight ceiling are visible.
Colorful wallpaper with horse-drawn carriages, flowers, and people in traditional clothing, along with a green and striped headboard, a yellow checkered pillow, and a window with curtain on the left side.
Interior view of a small bathroom with a yellow wall, a large window with a yellow frame, a white sink, and a mirror with two wall sconces.
A vintage bathroom with a clawfoot bathtub, a dark green upholstered armchair, a small side table with a potted plant, a painting of a hunting scene, a decorated wall sconce, and a patterned area rug on wooden flooring.
A cozy living room corner with a white ornate fireplace, a framed abstract artwork above, a yellowish sofa with a patterned ottoman holding books and a pink flower vase, a white armchair, and built-in shelves with decorative vases and flowers, all wi
Bright living room with two large windows framed by blue and white striped curtains, a white armchair, a side table with a pink flower bouquet, a wooden side table with books and a ceramic decorative piece, a large wooden lampshade, and various plant
Kitchen with rustic wooden table, white farmhouse sink, black lower cabinets, beige wall with open shelves holding pottery, books, and decorative items, pendant lights hanging above, potted plant on countertop.

“Photographing spaces like this is always a pleasure, particularly when there’s such a strong relationship between the architecture, the design and the person behind it. Banjo Beale has brought an unmistakable sense of character to the house, embracing colour, pattern and texture while remaining sensitive to the original proportions and historic details.”

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