HOME OF THE YEAR SERIES 6 – EPISODE 5
House 1
Architect Dualta Jones and his wife Francesca Griffin converted a former shop into a clever family home. As an architect, Dualta always wanted to design his own home and understands the fundamentals of good light in a home. He put the kitchen living area on the first floor and knocked out the back wall so they could put in a large glass door to allow light in from the terrace. They describe their style as industrial with lots of personality. They both love the aesthetic of birch plywood so have used that throughout their home. They think their home is a good representation of their characters. They both fell in love with the idea of sticking to a shop front theme so the exterior of their home is made different by the addition of perforated corten steel which gives an element of privacy while also letting lots of light in. They are happy with the unique family home that they have created.
House 2
Laura Dixon and Mike Holmes were very hands on in re-designing their 1930s semi-detached home in Belfast. They retained a lot of the original features and added a two-storey extension to the back of the home. Laura and Mike have a lot of furniture that is upcycled, second hand and with items that they have made themselves. They think a lot can be done on a budget. They love how each room has its own personality. Laura and Mike like old unique furniture and to upcycle. Their home is eclectic in style, homely and bursting with personality.
House 3
Ethna Dorman’s lives in a 19th century converted carriage house and hay loft in a picturesque courtyard setting in county Dublin. When Ethna’s husband William passed away she converted the house into her own retirement home. She restored the building and created a partly open plan living room and kitchen, separated by the old stable wall screens and retained the original wainscoting on the walls. She lowered the floor upstairs in the hayloft to give enough room for the bedrooms and bathrooms. Most of the furniture in the house was made by her husband William. Ethna wanted the style of her home to reflect the journey of her life. She says her home is a peaceful sanctuary for her and she is very proud of it.
SERIES OVERVIEW:
What makes a House a Home?
Championing creativity, individuality and clever design, Home of the Year features homeowners around Ireland who have done something special to the place they call home.
The hugely popular series Home of the Year is back for a sixth series. Over 8 weeks, 21 homes will compete for the Home of the Year title in 2020, with three very different properties featured each week. From restorations, new builds, renovations and re-design Home of the Year features people who have created their dream home. The series showcases very different homes located all over Ireland and homes in this series include a lighthouse keepers’ cottage, converted buildings such as a former carriage house and a former shop, re-imagined semi-detached homes, architectural homes, DIY homes, restored period homes and new builds. The judges making the tough decisions are three expert judges; design legend Hugh Wallace, interior designer Deirdre Whelan and architect Peter Crowley. Looking for individuality, functionality and clever design, the judges will individually score each of the homes out of 10, the home with the highest combined score in each programme will go through to the final, where the ultimate winner will be crowned. Home of the Year is produced by ShinAwiL for RTÉ ONE.
More information on the three judges below:
Hugh Wallace MRIAI, MIDI
Company: http://douglaswallace.com
Hugh Wallace is a well-respected award-winning architect and founding partner of Douglas Wallace Consultants. Hugh has been a judge on the series every year for six years. He loves working on the show and says “this year I was gob smack by the creativity and passion every home owner showed. They just get better and better every year.” Hugh has a passion for creative design that engages with its audience to create conversation and comment. He believes that good architecture is essential to create social cohesion and enhance our enjoyment of our landscape and living environment whether in the city or country side. He loves homes that create a sense of place, belonging and smile on your face. Hugh has over 30 years’ experience in the interior design industry, and is world renowned for his insight and knowledge as a leader in design. In 2014 he received a life time achievement for this contribution to the Design Industry in Ireland.Graduating in architecture from Dublin’s Trinity College in 1980, he immediately set up in practice with his then business partner Alan Douglas, a conservation architect. Hugh was past president of Institute of Designers of Ireland and is a member of the R.I.A.I.
Peter Crowley – MRIAI
Company – https://pacstudio.ie/
Peter Crowley is back for his second series of Home of the Year and he says ‘this year’s journey around Ireland brought myself, Deirdre, and Hugh to a fantastic mix of unique homes, amazing locations, and great creativity.’ He is a founding director of award-winning architectural firm PAC Studio, a design-led practice where environmental considerations are central to making places and spaces that feel good. At PAC Studio Peter is currently working with the team on large social and private housing projects, public and commercial fit-out’s, high-end retail design, and some of the most prestigious domestic projects in the country. Peter believes that the fundamentals of great architecture are quite simple – the best buildings respond to their context and environment first and foremost, and create sustainable, warm, bright, healthy spaces to live, work and relax in. Peter is a Member of the Royal Institute of Architects.
Deirdre Whelan-BA Design Interiors & Furniture
Company: https://www.stwarchitects.com/
Deirdre Whelan is an award-winning interior designer based in Dublin. Deirdre has over 25 years’ experience in the interior design industry in both residential and commercial projects. After 20 years of private practice she is now an associate in one of Dublin’s highly respected architectural practices, Scott Tallon Walker Architects. She and her colleague Raffaella Roncoroni run the Interiors Department in there. Commercial interiors are her forte, and range from hotels such as the Gibson and the Marker, office fit outs for some of the big law firms, healthcare, and occasionally some high end residential. This is Deirdre’s fifth year as a judge on the series.