A renovated 1870s cottage with a barrel roof extension in Sligo proved to have winning style in RTE’s Home Of The Year this week.
The coastal family home even got top marks from judge Hugh Wallace on the night.
Hugh and his fellow judges Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove were back in business tonight with three more homes to visit.
This week, the three judges cast a critical eye over a split level home in Wicklow, a 1950s estate home in Dublin and a renovated 1870s cottage in Sligo.
And whilst the competition was stiff, it was Martin and Saoirse’s renovated family home in Sligo that came out on top.
In 2014 they were on the look-out for a coastal family home when they came across a cottage in need of renovation by the sea in Sligo.
The couple, along with their twin boys, turned the dwelling into a family home and later added a barrel roof extension with an upstairs open plan area that is situated to make the most of the front facing coastal views.
The interiors were decorated by Saoirse in an eclectic style and combine the antique furnishings in the original dwelling with modern furniture in the new extension.
The couple love the old cottage which is full of history and how the modern extension is full of light.
And the judges loved it too, with Hugh describing it as “one of the most spectacular family homes I've seen”.
Giving it top marks, head judge Hugh Wallace said: “I thought they made the most of this site by elevating that living dining kitchen area. A treasure.”
The house scored a total of 25 points and will go through to the final in April, where the winner will be crowned.
Elsewhere, the judges visited Padma, her husband John’s split-level home in Co Wicklow.
The couple bought the property as a new build in November 2017 and upon moving in, they utilised the spacious garden by adding a gazebo as well as an annex with a playroom, gym and bar.
Padma designed the interiors of the home using bright colours, a range of textures and unusual pieces of décor, she describes the style as a mix of contemporary and modern with an Indian touch.
Lisa Healy lives with her husband, Conor, and their children in a 1950’s mid-century estate home in Dublin.
They purchased the property in 2014, added a rear single storey extension in 2017 and in 2019 they completed their renovation by insulating the first floor and redecorating the upstairs.
The couple describe their home as ‘eclectic’, they don’t tend to follow any one particular style, they love how their house is individual to them and makes a happy home for their children.
