The Home of the Year judges love a modern home so it was a surprise when they were head over heels for a Belfast home that was over a century old.
Peter and Eileen McGuigan moved into the Edwardian home in Belfast with their two young sons in 2019 knowing just how much work they would need to do to make the house a home.
They focused on making the home light-filled with Eileen saying: “We wanted it to feel like a period property but in a way, it’s unrecognisable from the rear.”
The couple were keen to ensure “clean lines and a minimal look” and to keep everything “slick and functional”.
Architects Amanda Bone and Hugh Wallace and interior designer Sara Cosgrove awarded the home the highest score of 28 as they gushed about the design features.
“I was interested to see how the old would meet the new — this home was a tour de force,” Hugh said.
On the opposite end of the spectrum was a new build in Kilkenny where Seán and Róisín Cummins lived with their three young sons.
The couple built their home on land belonging to Seán’s dairy farm and Seán and Róisín designed the home, along with Seán’s brother Mark, to blend into the landscape.
“It was a dream for us to build our home here and see our kids grow up here,” says Seán.
The judges did love the home with Hugh saying: “I don’t think I’ve ever sat in such a perfect spot.”
The judges gave this home a score of 26.
Last but not least were Vickey and Oliver Nolan who lived in a modern home in Meath with their daughter, Leia and their dog, Gino.
They bought the site in April 2020 with a plan to build their family home. Oliver designed the house to match the couple’s lifestyle and with a vision of clean and modern lines throughout.
The couple were helped by their families, in particular Vickey’s father, who worked on all the cladding of the home.
“The homeowners are very brave because it’s rare that you walk into a room that has a double-height kitchen with a connection to another floor,” Amanda said before the judges scored the home a 26.
Home of the Year continues on RTÉ One every Tuesday at 8.30pm
