Home of the Year judges Hugh, Amanda and Sara hit the road to visit a coastal home in Co. Cork, a country cottage in Co. Wicklow & a renovated Dublin property.
Emma Edmonds, Wicklow
Emma Edmonds, an interior designer and colour consultant, lives in her country cottage in Co. Wicklow along with her Maltese terrier, Maxi. 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 love antiques and mixing new with old. She uses texture and colour in each room and loves that her home is always evolving with her.
Emma Edmonds and her dog Maxi
What the judges had to say:
Amanda was intrigued by this enchanting cottage which although small was functional with clever storage. However, there was too much going on in most rooms for her taste and she scored Emma’s home 7/10, as did Hugh who felt that there was a lack of design continuity between the rooms. Sara gave the home 8/10 and felt that the homeowner’s passion for collection shone through creating an eclectic and characterful home. Total score: 22/30.
Emma Kelly & Ciaran O’Sullivan, Cork
Emma, an engineer and interior designer, lives in this coastal home in Co.Cork along with husband Ciaran, an engineer, and their children. The 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 Kelly & Ciaran O’Sullivan with their children
What the judges had to say:
Hugh gave this fun filled family home full marks and felt that it offered a great interior with its layered coastal theme. Sarah also gave a high 9/10 and she too loved the colour palette. Amanda felt it was a wonderful, magical home for a family to grow up in and scored 8/10. Total score: 27/30.
Sarah Duggan & Ian McNamee, Dublin
When Sarah and her fiancé saw this 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.
Sarah Duggan
What the judges had to say:
The minimal, sleek styling of this home appealed to Amanda who gave it 10/10. She felt it wa sa great example of how considered, contemporary design and detailing can complement and transform a period home. Both Sara and Hugh were also impressed by the style and design of this home and each scored 9/10. Total score: 28/30, which put this home through to the final!
Look back to Episode One here
Look back to Episode Two here
Look back to Episode Three here
Look back to Episode Four here
Photography: RTÉ/Shinawil 2021. Photography credit: Joe McCallion
