EXPERT ADVICE

Angus Buchanan’s tips for creating interiors

with drama and personality

1 A bathroom is a great place to experiment with pattern and colour. We’ve just tiled our children’s bathroom in pink, cream and mustard tiles in a combination of stripes and checks. I tend to use strong colour and

pattern in smaller spaces.

2 Natural materials and reclaimed objects

are the building blocks for my design process. I especially love marble. It feels simultaneously traditional and modern. I like to contrast textures – gloss with matte, rough with smooth. Blending opposites creates a harmonious tension that’s very pleasing. 3 Mixing old pieces with new makes a space feel authentic, suggesting that you have accumulated them over time. It also gives an insight into your personality, which

makes a home more interesting. I love to combine really aged antiques with modern lacquered furniture. The new elements make

the old ones all the more impressive.

4 Plants add character and make a space feel lived in. I use dried flowers a lot, as well as living greenery. People can feel restricted about using plants indoors, but there are no rules: trees are often reserved for large living rooms, but they also look amazing

in smaller bathrooms.