AT HOME WITH
Interior designer Anthony Ray has 30,000 followers on Instagram, with his audience continuing to grow. After being selected as one of the Top 10 designers on BBC One’s Interior Design Masters , he went on to launch his own interior design business, Anthony Ray Design. He talks to Lynda Clark about getting on to the property ladder, renovating homes, his career journey and shares his advice for first time buyers
At home with Anthony Ray
FTB: Tell us about your first step on to the property ladder? AR: We bought our first flat in Ealing in 2014. It was really tiny and had originally been a mental asylum before it was converted into apartments. We immediately saw so much potential in it. The proportions of the rooms were fantastic, and it still had some beautiful original features, including sash windows and original flooring. One of the biggest selling points was its location, just moments from what would become the Elizabeth Line, which was still under construction at the time. We decided to compromise on space because we knew we could add value through renovation and make a profit. Luckily, we were both busy with work and the Elizabeth Line was delayed, so we held on to the property longer than expected. We eventually sold it in 2018 and made an incredible £120,000 profit. By then, prices for two bedroom properties had risen significantly and the area was seeing huge investment, so it turned out to be a very wise move. I have friends who are paying more in rent than they would on a mortgage, so if you have managed to save a deposit and you are ready to buy, I would say go for it Our next project was a three bedroom mid-terrace house in the centre of Hanwell that had been sitting on the market for well over a year. As an interior designer, I could immediately see the potential, so we decided to make a cheeky offer. It was on the market for £595,000, and we offered £540,000.The sellers rejected it, but we did not panic. We left it for three weeks before they came back
14 First Time Buyer October/November 2026
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