Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen on storage, colour flirting and gold cufflinks

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is the personality behind dozens of home-makeover shows and programmes about décor and style. He is known as being flouncy, flamboyant, wearing shirts with huge cuffs and having a big flop of hair. When I met him in a London club in Mayfair, where he was promoting his latest book - Decorating with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen - he was totally charming...

Q: Why did you write this book?

A: I realised that there were lots of books about living in the south of France, but no real books about the basics of home decorating. I wanted a book which was part home décor and part DIY manual. I wanted to write something really useful.

Q: Is it our imagination or are homes getting more colourful?

A: When there was a property boom, everyone wanted everything to be bland, so that their homes could sell easily. People were also scared of making mistakes, so they stuck to beige and magnolia walls. It was really boring. Nowadays people want to turn up the volume and use bright colours.

Q: Is it possible to be too flamboyant?

A: Only if you don't like the designs that you are using. I think people enjoy flirting with very bright colours and loud patterns. People like things to look posh. Posh sells! Posh is classless! People want ornate mirror frames. It's all about imposing your personality on your environment. Besides, people like having patterns that will irritate their parents! A few large swirls is a great idea.

Q: Is Britain a stylish nation?

A: We have some wonderful high street shops. But we don't have that beautiful crust of stylishness that people have in Italy and France.

Q: Are you concerned that some of the homes you design are a bit cluttered?

A: I don't think there's anything wrong with clutter. We keep being told that our lives will be better if we get rid of things that we love. I like sentimentality and having lots of old things around me.

Q: Wallpaper is becoming trendy these days. Do you have any hints for using wallpaper?

A: Firstly, never strip wallpaper if you can possibly help it. I always try to paper over wallpaper, even if the walls start to look a bit lumpy and uneven. I like wallpaper with big patterns. If you use small patterns, it looks too busy. Patterns should be big enough so they repeat about five times going down the wall. If you've got big patterns, you need paintings that are equally big.

Q: Isn't it all a bit kitschy

A: Yes, I think people are enjoying a bit of kitsch. We're using wallpaper that reminds us of the flock wallpaper that we used to see as children. Perhaps we are becoming our parents.

Q: In your book, you do some DIY - drilling holes and putting up shelves? Isn't this out of character?

A: When I'm doing the work I'm still wearing my frilly cuffs. I don't mind doing DIY as long as I don't have to change my clothes.

Q: You're wearing large cufflinks. Are they solid gold?

A: Yes, but they're not as heavy as they look.

Q: Would you ever change your appearance radically?

A: I don't want a makeover. Why would I want to compromise? I wear what I like. I don't want short hair.

Q: In your book, you say that you don't like the energy saving lightbulbs. You're not very ecologically sound, are you?

A: You really have to question the credentials of green alternatives. The big issue is turning the lights off - not the type of lightbulbs that you use. The greenest thing you can do is to get properly made curtains and fitted carpets. They will really save fuel. Also buy antiques or get things at auction: that will really reduce your carbon footprint.

Q: Some of the decor ideas in your book don't look as if they'll last very long - all those spray painted screens and decoupage look as if they'll wear out in a couple of years. Is this practical?

A: Most people redecorate their homes every two years, so it should be OK. I'm encouraging people to take risks and do something interesting. I want them to express their own individuality.