Face Time: Bryan Batt

Most people remember Bryan Batt from his memorable turn on “Mad Men” as closeted gay art director Sal Romano. But the Broadway veteran also owns a popular interior design shop and business in his native New Orleans. We caught up with him as he published the new decor book “Big, Easy Style: Creating Rooms You Love to Live In” ($35, Clarkson Potter).

How is New Orleans’ decor different from style in other cities?
It’s got an accessibility and a sense of fun. These are rooms you can live in without overdesigning.

How are acting and home design different?
Designing a room is kind of like creating a character. Everything in our world has been designed.

What inspires your designs?
Everything from nature. When I did our new home, this New Orleans cottage, I focused on the beautiful light from the French doors. And the focal point is this wonderful painting with metallic elements.

A lot of rooms in this book use antiques, but they aren’t grannyish. What’s the key to that?
One way to bring antiques up to date is to use a great, modern fabric. You can also strip the wood on something like a Louis chair. And don’t do any room that’s too period. Mix in iconic pieces from different eras, and you won’t go wrong.

How can you get these kind of rich looks on a budget?
Use all the discount fabric stores there are, and you can get really good deals. You can find great buys anywhere! The sofa in my living room right now came from the Salvation Army, and I had it covered in very affordable fabric. It’s just about training your eye.

You love to use color at home. How do you not overdo it?
Find colors that you look good in and use them at home. In my New York apartment, I made the mistake of painting my bathroom bright, apple green. The next morning I walked in, and I looked like something from a zombie movie!

Are there any mistakes people make with color?
Well, it’s a fallacy that lighter colors will make a room look bigger. Painting a room white doesn’t make any statement.

What are your favorite colors right now?
I love pale teal, which has been around for a while. And I’m into gray right now.

You show many collections in the book. How do you display them without junking up a space?
Well, first, a collection needs to be something organic that you really enjoy, something you are naturally drawn to. It’s a personal stamp, and when collections are displayed well, it tells a little story about you — where you’ve been, who your parents are.