A renovated property was deemed “the perfect home” to take top marks on RTE’s Home Of The Year this week.
Judges Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove hit the road to visit the Dubin terraced home as well as a country cottage in Co Wicklow and a coastal home in Co Cork last night.
But in a tight competition, it was the refurbished property in the capital that came out on top.
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When owners Sarah Duggan and her fiance Ian McNamee first saw the red brick house, they saw its potential.
They stripped everything out, reconfigured the stairs and raised the ceiling up to the roof apex to allow light to flood into the home.
Giving it top marks, Amanda said: “This is a great example of how considered, contemporary design and detailing can compliment and transform a period home. I’m delighted to give this home a 10.”
Hugh added: “It’s a tour de force of great design and style.”
The house scored 28 points and will go through to the final next month. Elsewhere, the judges visited engineers Emma Kelly and Ciaran O’Sullivan, in Co Cork, who live in their coastal home with their children.
The design expert couple found the home, which was a 1970s bungalow, and fell in love with its location and coastal views.
The first thing they set about doing was to reorientate and repurpose the space to create a south facing aspect with the main living spaces focused towards the sea.
The family love the sense of light in their home and the double vaulted windows in the open plan living/dining/sitting room that give such a wonderful connection to the views.
And in Co Wicklow, interior designer Emma Edmonds lives in her country cottage along with her Maltese terrier Maxi.
When she bought the property it was in good condition but needed updating, so she ripped out the interior, replacing it in her own style.
Emma loves antiques and mixing new with old. She uses texture and colour in each room and loves that her home is always evolving with her.
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