A renovated Dublin city period house was deemed ‘the perfect home’ as it won top marks on RTE’s Home of the Year this week.
The Home of the Year judges Hugh, Amanda and Sara hit the road to visit a country cottage in Co. Wicklow, a coastal home in Co. Cork, and a renovated property in Dublin this evening.
And whilst the competition was tighter than ever with just one point between the final two, it was a renovated home in the capital that came out on top.
When Sarah Duggan and her fiancé Ian McNamee in Co. Dublin saw their property, they were able to see the renovation 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.
Sarah, who works in fashion, was inspired to decorate her home in a minimalist style, using clean silhouettes and lux fabrics to create a bright, airy and calm atmosphere.
And the judges loved it, describing it as a ‘perfect’ home and ‘sophisticated city pad’.
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: “This home is a tour de force of great design and style.”
The house scored a huge total of 28 points and will go through to the final in April, where the winner will be crowned.
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 toward 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.
Emma Edmonds, an interior designer and colour consultant, who lives in her country cottage in Co. Wicklow along with her Maltese terrier, Maxi was up next.
When Emma bought the property it was in good condition but needed updating, so she ripped out the interiors, replacing them with her own fun no rules 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.
