HOME OF THE YEAR SERIES 6 – EPISODE 7
House 1
Paula and Dale Feathers designed their new build home in county Tyrone. They took inspiration from gate lodges and they used rough plaster throughout their home. Dale says they appreciate a modern home but it is not their style. They describe their home as being full of character, rustic and quirky. To add character to the house they hand cut the roof slates and Paula’s Dad made the barge boards. They wanted a home that showed their personalities and say that everything in the house tells a story. They sourced all of their furniture from salvage yards and vintage shops. They also have a lot of handmade furniture and sentimental furniture items. They say the home is marmite and you either love it or hate it but they love it.
House 2
Architect Loic DeHaye lives in Cork with his two daughters in a house that he re-designed. Loic wanted a blank canvas to work with. He bought his home in 2017 and it was nearly derelict so he gutted, renovated and extended it. He kept most of the walls and partitions including the structure, and the two-storey extension was built in timber frame for a sustainable approach. He kept the good room because it’s nice and snug. The extension is bright and open plan, it extends out to the garden connecting the outside with the inside. Loic describes the open plan room as the hub of the family. Original features have also been preserved including the staircase and the doors to give more character. Loic says functionality, simplicity and elegance are important to him. It has minimalist interiors and his personality is evident throughout with artwork and personal objects from his travels. Loic says his home has a positive impact on the people who visit it as it creates curiosity and surprise plus it is a great place for gathering with family and friends.
House 3
Sarah and Barry Battle live in a new build bungalow with their three children in the countryside in county Mayo. After finding the perfect site they completed the build of their home in 2018. They describe their home as contemporary with a traditional mix. They have high ceilings throughout and introduced some period style features. They wanted to make use of natural light as much as possible so they have an impressive courtyard built into the centre of their house. Sarah says the décor is very neutral and the colours compliment each other well. They wanted a house that works for their family and they have a playroom near the kitchen, and the outdoor play areas are visible from the kitchen too.
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.