Internationally acclaimed interior designer, TV presenter, and BBC Design Masters winner Banjo Beale is visiting Dublin to participate in Irish Design Week 2025. The Australian creator, who has built a devoted following through his warm and infectious energy, will be sharing his unique approach to design that combines storytelling, sustainability, and personal expression.
On Thursday, Beale will deliver a keynote presentation focusing on circular design and creative living, exploring how small design choices can create significant impacts not only on our homes but also on our planet and communities. "It's kind of a diplomacy mission," he explains. "I'm speaking with another local designer and we're going to share war stories."
Having relocated from the "giant island" of Australia to a "tiny island" off Scotland, Beale brings valuable insights about design approaches used in dramatically different climates, which he plans to discuss during the event. "The theme of the talk is past, present and future," he elaborates. "So I'll give some background into how I got to the islands, what I've been working on, and what the future might hold. It's all rooted in design and, for me, that means resourcefulness and creativity and using what you already have to transform it into something new."
With sustainability at the core of many of his projects, the author of "A Place In Scotland" encourages his clients to create narratives through their living spaces. "You can't just go down to the shops and buy materials," he emphasizes. "You have to improvise and work with what you've got." To get started, he recommends sourcing vintage and second-hand pieces to let your imagination flourish, thinking about the previous owners and future possibilities for these items.
"It's about trying to put meaning into objects, otherwise it's just pointless," he adds. "It's fun to create stories in our spaces - even if you have to reverse engineer the story or make it up! I'm not opposed to that approach." When describing his personal design aesthetic, Beale says he aims to create a "rustic but refined" look. "I like things that are a little bit wobbly and warped but pulled together in an unexpected, more refined way," he reflects.
Beale prefers using unexpected materials while ensuring the final result doesn't look obviously repurposed, but rather reinterpreted in a fresh way. "I don't even like 'upcycling', I call it downcycling," he laughs. "I like making things look even older. I don't like painting wood, I just like wood looking like wood."
Regarding climate differences and their impact on design, Beale notes that in warmer climates, it's easy to "rest on your laurels" because abundant natural light floods into homes, naturally bringing the outside in. However, in colder countries like Ireland, residents are constantly seeking warmth and light. "I'm always desperate to bring warmth into my space with lighting, materials, and texture - anything that gives you that cozy feeling," he explains, adding that you can never have too many candles or lamps.
Looking ahead to 2026, the interior designer anticipates seeing more natural finishes such as lime plaster and clay plaster, noting that "pared back" interiors are likely to become increasingly popular. However, his most important advice centers on breaking free from social media influence.
"Stop looking at Pinterest and Instagram," he urges. "I think we're stuck in this loop, you know, clients come to me to create an image that they've already seen. We're consuming more than ever, and our spaces are looking more the same. Just go on a bit of a detox from social media, and if you are designing a space don't look to other spaces. Chase the feeling."
Instead of copying images, Beale suggests asking deeper questions: "What's your favorite city or hotel or café? Is it warm and cozy or light and bright? Do you want it to be eccentric? Who is your muse? That's another question I like to ask my clients." More information about Irish Design Week is available at dcci.ie.
