This year’s HOTY highlights …
RTÉ’s popular show Home of the Year, presented by the late Hugh Wallace since its inception, features 21 stunning homes spanning Dublin to Donegal. From restored period homes and reimagined semi-detached houses to architectural new builds, the series always inspires viewers with a diverse range of design styles and creativity from across the country.
Award-winning judges, architect Amanda Bone of DTA Architects and interior consultant Siobhán Lam, April and the Bear founder, visit three exceptional homes weekly for two months to score them out of 10 on individuality, functionality and clever design. The home with the highest score in each episode advances to the grand final this month when one lucky homeowner will be crowned the winner. For the first time, each judge awarded one Golden Key to bring a runner-up straight through to the final. Who will scoop the trophy this year?
In 2005, Lorcan and Adrian built their forever home on family land in Kildare. Inspired by two traditional farm style buildings, the couple worked together with their architect to create a unique space that’s true to them.
The house features an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary elements, inspired by their travels.
Both are involved in floristry and horticulture, so the garden is a passion and very much an extension of the home, with hidden rooms to make the most of the space.
Áine, an architect, designed this A1 rated newbuild house with an exhaust air heat pump, PV solar panels and underfloor heating. The house is brick built and a contemporary interpretation of the existing 1930s redbrick terraces in Dublin.
The home was built on a side garden plot and carefully designed to maximise the site, with the unique quality of having sunlight all day long. Amanda Bone used her Golden Key for this home.
Built in 2023, Toni and Fionán’s home in Kerry is their pride and joy. The build is open plan with design details inspired by their time travelling and working together.
They started by replacing the existing floors as the ground was not level, switching the heating system from oil to gas and adding a much-needed skylight to the kitchen to provide more natural light downstairs.
The pair embraced their mutual love of nature and texture to create a welcoming home full of character. They recently started a homestead, getting eggs from their chickens and honey from their bees, and they love that they’ve created such a sustaining place for their son to grow up.
This former gate lodge in Co Down lay empty for over 30 years, with extensive renovation required as the cottage had no running water or electricity, with the ceiling on the verge of collapse.
The house was gutted and transformed into a cosy cottage, featuring a blend of traditional and personality pieces that bring joy to owner Tara.
When Marie and Jo bought this 20-year-old neo-Georgian house in West Cork, it was structurally sound, but in need of updating.
The family took on the work and designed every inch of the property, mixing classical style with artisan quirks, highlighted by Marie’s own artwork. Hugh Wallace used his Golden Key for this home.
Karen and Paul’s apartment in the heart of Dublin city was redesigned to create an open-plan layout with a real sense of space and flow.
The interior design is rustic with an earthy edge, described as a mix between the charm of a countryside retreat with the polish of a bright city abode.
When Robert and Grace found this property in Dublin, they knew they wanted to add space for their family of four. By extending the house to the boundary wall and knocking a large shed that took up space in the garden, they maximised access to the garden, connecting the inside to the outside.
Grace describes the interior design as refined and timeless with an understated touch of luxury.
Finbarr and Gareth have spent the last few years renovating their two-storey brick house in Dublin in stages, with Finbarr taking lead on the design.
With hard work and some handy YouTube tutorials, the couple crafted a relaxing and creative space that is full of personality, reflecting who they are and what they’re passionate about. Siobhan Lam used her Golden Key for this home.
The last finalist is Laoise, who lives in a turret style home in Galway. The house is a top-down property, featuring an upstairs kitchen and dining area to make the most of the view, with two bedrooms downstairs. It was not in a liveable condition when Laoise moved in, so she carried out a deep retrofit to gut the building, only leaving the internal doors and fireplace.
The house now has an open plan living area while the interior style is classic with minimal pieces that Laoise believes will stand the test of time.
Catch the finale on April 21 at 7pm on RTÉ One and catch up on RTÉ Player.
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