10 Questions for Big House Little House presenter Aidan Keane

WALK in to most new restaurants, hotels, offices or clubs across the world and the chances are Aidan Keane’s had a hand in it.

Based in London, Dubai, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, he has become one of the world’s most wanted designers.

He also presents Channel Four show Big House Little House, helping owners renovate their homes.

Which renovation in the series pleased you most?

A single mum who spent £750 on her bathroom. It increased her house value by more than £12,000. She spent the least money in the whole series yet she was the most memorable.

Were you sensible with other people’s money?

I think so. We have a couple who spent £175,000 renovating a mill house but they got a huge increase in property value, too. I’d say 95% of our renovators saw an uplift in house value.

Is there such a thing as bad taste?

Oh yes, but it’s not about differences of opinion or culture. In the Middle East they prefer really gaudy colours to cut through their daily desert beige. That doesn’t make it bad taste, though.

What influences the UK’s choices in colour?

I haven’t thought about that before. I guess if I look at the colours in my own home it’s probably our landscape. The green of our gardens and the colours we get in our flowers.

What would your house tell me about you?

That I have a lot of personalities. That I’m a mature man who refuses to grow up. I don’t preen my house, it works and it will last, though you can get bored of that eventually, of course.

Do you get the time to reflect “the boy did well?”

No – because I’m always interested in the next big thing. I usually have 40 projects live across the world. I need to move on.

Why are folk so interested in design now?

Because of social media. People make themselves a virtual life online with photos of their new sofa, or bedroom, or the restaurant they’re in, and it has to have wow factor. It’s changing design.

You used to be a club DJ. Were you any good?

Let’s just say I was completely obsessed. My sisters were disco queens and I grew up wanting to provide a soundtrack for people’s Saturday nights out. I miss it terribly every single day.

What drives you?

The older I get the more I want the next project to be even better. I believe that you’re only as good as your next job.

You have 24 hours left to live. How do you spend it?

I hold the world record for playing racquetball longest. It was 28 hours, nonstop. So I could easily spend the whole 24 hours playing racquetball with a thumping, big soundtrack of my old club music blaring out.