At home with Q&A with Scarborough artist Tracy Savage

How would you describe your home? It is a 1950s bungalow that was extended in the 1980s. It sits back from the lane in an acre of garden and paddock. Although it wasn’t love at first sight for the bungalow, the location ticked all the boxes. I look onto green fields from every window, which is a constant joy in all seasons. Inside, I surround myself with things I find attractive or appealing.

As the house is on one level, I think it is important to keep a balance of space and light and I make a conscious effort not let it get cluttered. We moved here four years ago and major work hasn’t started on the bungalow yet, as time has been taken up with demolition of outbuildings and the design of my art studio and workshop. We are building the studio ourselves with the help of a friend as well as running our busy gallery in Scarborough.

What is on your interiors wish list? First on the list is to redesign the kitchen, which is large and open plan to the dining area. While we can enjoy the beautiful rural setting from

every window, we want to bring the sky in by adding skylights. The aim is to have the house and studio similar in appearance so they both sit together in harmony with the landscape so the windows and doors will be a heritage aluminium style to mirror the studio.

Which household items could you not live without? Hands down it has to be the dishwasher. It allows me to get on with more important things. A close second is my coffee machine. A good strong coffee first thing in the morning before sitting at my easel sets me up for the day.

Which designers do you most admire? I have always been a fan of mid-century design. I love the simplicity and functionality of this era. Husband and wife team Charles and Ray Eames and Arne Jacobsen are my favourite furniture designers. Frank Lloyd Wright would be my choice for architect and I would be happy to reside for a month or two in the beautiful Falling Water house in Pennsylvania, which he designed in 1935.

What is your favourite building? It is a house called Farrago built in 1909 in Hornsea by master builder David Robinson. Farrago means medley or hotch potch. It is colourful and humorous and is covered in decorative tiles that make it very exotoc and complex.

Is there anything exciting you in terms of design? I am excited about the interior design and layout of my new art studio. For the past year I have been involved with every aspect of this self-build. The light source was of paramount importance so we opted for huge heritage, industrial style windows and glazed doors to allow light to flood in. The studio faces north so it has ideal lighting conditions for painting and working in.

Artificial light is also a consideration and so daylight adjustable lighting will be used on darker days or when I am working late into the evening. Combining contemporary and reclaimed materials is something I find attractive. I like materials that have a history with scratches and marks from previous use combined with neat, clean lines and surfaces.

What are you most proud of? The comments and responses I get from my work as an artist and the enjoyment my art brings to others.

Who would you most like a socially distanced drink with? My late father, my friend, who I miss dearly.

*Contact: The Tracy Savage gallery in Scarborough is at 18 St Nicholas Cliff. Visit www.tracysavage.co.uk

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you'll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you

James Mitchinson