Home of the Year is back and we honestly think of a better way to spend our Tuesday nights.
We love to have a little nosey into some of the most gorgeous houses on this island!
We got a look at our first three homes this week and the gorgeous schoolhouse that scored top marks with the judges.
Ian and Sarah, Cork
Ian and Sarah live in a stunning old school house in the Rebel County that was originally built in the 1900s with their son.
They purchased their dream home in 2019 and worked tirelessly to create the ideal interior.
They wanted to really bring out the character in the house and they certainly did just that.
“I am just blown away. I think it’s amazing I’ll stop now before I start crying,” Amanda Bone said as they explored the home.
“The artwork provides the story, provides the character; it is the lifeblood of the home.”
“This schoolhouse conversion was done with such attention to detail but also whimsy. It wasn’t precious, but that living room was just magical and that artist’s studio, a really special space,” Sara Cosgrove added.
The judges were absolutely in love with the house, with usually harsh Amanda giving the home a score of 10, Sara a nine, and Hugh an eight.
Meaning that the home had a total of 27 points.
John and Kasha, Clare
John and Kasha live in their eco-minded self-build home in Co. Clare with their daughter.
They built their home in 2021 which features a grass roof and a place for bees so they can be as eco-friendly as possible.
They wanted to incorporate traditional Irish homes with Kasha’s native Polish heritage.
After spending time in Sweden, they designed the inside of the house, choosing a 20-foot-high ceiling in the main room and incorporating the stunning scenery outside into the interior.
Sara enthused the house has a “wonderful aesthetic and is nestled in its surroundings. The main palette of finishes is consistent throughout.”
Sara and Amanda both awarded the home nine points, while Hugh gave it an eight. This means that it totalled to 26.
Aoife and Tim, Dublin
Then it was off to Dublin to meet Aoife and Tim who live in an end-of-road 1960s semi-detached home with their two young daughters, teenage son and four dogs.
And they certainly make the most of their space.
They completely gutted the inside of the house to create a new layout that works for their family and day-to-day life. The couple was inspired by hotels when it came to designing the interior of their homes.
However, this design choice did not go over well with the judges.
“It’s obviously heavily influenced by hospitality, but hotels are made for one or two nights, not forever,” Sara admitted.
Hugh gave the house a score of nine while both Sara and Amanda scored it an eight. This brought the total up to 25.
