Home of the Year RTE 1 - 8.30pm Tuesdays

Sunny Dayz

Have to say I really liked the second home - apart from the bike on the wall. It looked really lived in and comfy.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120422228#Comment_120422228

Yeah I wouldn't have the bike either.

I loved the idea of having a "mini flat" downstairs. That would be so perfect for the messy creature that's me....I'd live there and keep upstairs clean for guests 😂😂

I did like the winning house better though. Though tbh I'm having trouble remembering what it was like....but I liked it!

appledrop

I would have preferred the semi-detached house in Dublin as winner to be honest.

The other house won for the amazing views etc but that's easy to do if you have the site are can build whatever you want.

It's much harder to refurbish a house on small plot and make it work for a large family, like the Dublin house did.

Also these one off houses are not good for environmental reasons, much better to refurish a house in a central location near to all amenities.

Mo Ghile Mear

Yea I thought the Dublin one was fab too. It looked like all the other houses from the front, but when you went it … wow.

They were all lovely in fairness but it is definitely easier to create a stunning house when you’re building from scratch.

That’s it for this year!

Princess Calla

No I loved the house that won.

It was that one are Kilkenny one with the dark interiors for me.

Man Vs ManUre

The new series will be called ‘Homeless of the year’ to reflect the current situation in Ireland.

recipio

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120496642#Comment_120496642

Ha Ha. The programme has expanded to the Welsh and Scottish homes of they year, going out on SKY. The houses look much more affluent and interesting.

Sunny Dayz

A little off topic but I recently discovered Scotland Home of the Year - somewhere on my skybox. Missed the first 2 episodes but enjoying the rest. Beautiful scenery and it's interesting how they make use of their outdoor living space in their weather. Think I've one or 2 more episodes left to watch.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120607536#Comment_120607536

I think it's Thursday on rte 2 I think around 7:30/8.

freshpopcorn

Well what did you guys think?

Summer2020

Where in Dublin was the second house ?

jos28

Very surprised at Amanda's reaction to the West Cork home, I wouldn't have thought that was her style at all. I must google the artist, I loved his work. I really liked the house with the swimming pool, fabulous house in a fabulous location.

GAAcailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121794738#Comment_121794738

Me too, really surprised by Amanda’s choice. She normally goes for white, sterile and completely uncluttered spaces!

jos28

https://www.ianhumphreys.ie/

Princess Calla

I had a big spiel typed out and lost it 😡

So Clare house, gorgeous but interior design catalogue. Didn't see a whole lot of personality in it, very much a Pinterest storyboard. Now I wouldn't say no to it but just lacked something.

Dublin house, lovely, but absolutely no way I'd have a shower in the middle of the bedroom, for one I like my privacy even from my partner and 2 from dampness it can't be a good idea. Rest of the house a lovely family home.

Cork house a perfect mish mash of everything. I wouldn't be a fan of second hand furniture (or anything really) but it all worked. A house that was very much comfortable in its own skin, if that makes sense. I'm shocked that the uptight one loved it so much! It was my favourite and I think , probably because I'm a messy creature, I'd feel most at home in as I wouldn't be afraid of creasing the sofa.

Good opening episode!

funkey_monkey

What sky channel are the Welsh and Scottish versions on?

Sunny Dayz

A good opening episode.

I liked the exterior and location of the Clare house. But wasn't a fan of the interiors, especially the kitchen. But the stove was fab.

The second home in Dublin I wasn't mad about - I didn't like the black frame glass doors for some reason. But liked their concept for an "outdoor room" flow at the back. You can tell they put what they really wanted and desired in the house. Like others I wasn't mad about the shower being totally visible in the centre in of the master suite, a nice curved tiled or glass brick wall would have given some privacy.

So glad the last house of the night was chosen for the final. It makes a change not to have a shiny new looking house on it, but one that looks lived in, mature and comfortable. Some lovely features inside with the stonework and panelling. Nice to see bits and pieces about the house as opposed to many other uncluttered homes on the show. The home and its owners were very much their unapologetic selves and it strikes me as a welcoming home.

Really enjoyed it! Loved the first and last one! His artwork was gorgeous!

the bathroom in the bedroom in the second one was awful!

grand designs home of the year is on rte 2 at the moment and the houses are incredible if anyone hasn’t seen it, think it’s a few years old

https://www.rte.ie/player/series/grand-designs--house-of-the-year-s06-e2/SI0000005571?epguid=AQ10001714-06-0002

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

That Amanda bone makes my teeth grind… god she’s a pain in de hole…

L1011

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121794853#Comment_121794853

BBC Scotland (that's the channel name) and BBC One Wales.

Its a Norwegian format that RTÉ licenced rather than an Irish format that others copied; RTÉ just did it a long time before the BBC.

Princess Calla

First house, certainly a very much loved house. I could deal with all the furniture, though I suspect hoovering is a pain in the hole, but jaysus all those patterns, they even had wallpaper on the ceiling. Nope, not for me!

Loved the second house, very understated. Though from experience I wouldn't have a shower downstairs, it's an absolute nightmare!

Third house, gorgeous, but felt very interior designer. I also didn't like the fact it was a "celebrity" house, so glad it didn't go through.

Sunny Dayz

First house - a beautiful building inside and out. And I thought my house was cluttered! There was so much furniture, different patterns, there was just too much going on. She had some beautiful pieces of furniture, lovely features in the home - but you just couldn't see them properly.

Second house was nice. It's the type of house where if you wanted to get away from it all for a few days, you would totally AirBnb it - put on the fire, curl up with a book.

Final house - while it was very nice, it was very much a "we paid for an interior designer" type house.

Princess Calla

The first house could probably comfortably fill 3 similar houses with all the furniture.

I liked the furniture as it was in keeping with the age of the house etc....though I'd certainly like a snug room with really comfy couches for tv....just the patterns and colours were way too much.

I'd love to know what they do for employment as absolutely nothing in the house was cheap, plus 6 kids probably all in private school.

jos28

The right house won in my opinion. It was fabulous and I'd happily sit in front of that fire. I loved the first house but the clutter was horrendous. I'd hate to have to clean all those ornaments and stuff. The last one was nice and definitely made the most of the site. It annoys me everytime I see a kitchen with presses right up to the ceiling because I'm really regret not doing that with our kitchen.

Princess Calla

Oh sweet Jesus the first house!! Someone taking style tips from McGregor. They obviously have a huge amount of dosh and fair play to them but a tad too much for me.

Second house, looked so bleak from outside, a few planters or something around the house to break up the sharp profile. I thought it was an ok house, wouldn't be a fan of the wallpapers etc.

The last house was my favourite, I love the idea of a mezzanine. It's a shame they didn't go through.

freshpopcorn

First House looked like Lotto winners to me.

GAAcailin

Wasn’t mad about any of the houses this evening, think the best one overall won.

anyone where the first house was located in Dublin?

Sunny Dayz

First house looks nice from the outside. And it was finished to a high standard on the inside. But personally, many elements weren't for me, I actually thought it was a bit tacky. It felt a bit show-offy, look at how much money I have and brought me back to peak Celtic Tiger era. I've no doubt the couple love their home but it wasn't to my taste.

The second house was a bit hit or miss. There were elements of it I did like, like the main living room/ drawing room downstairs with that lovely wallpaper, and the blue entrance hall, the kitchen. But other parts of the house felt a bit much. The coloured panelling in some of the rooms was nice. But then it also had a strong patterned wallpaper and I think it should have been one or the other - let it have it's moment and feature rather than both panelling and wallpaper battling for attention. Didn't like the other staircase with the strong wallpaper and disco balls. The outside of the house looked neglected which was strange, a lick of paint and a few flower pots would have done wonders.

The final house was lovely, it was perfectly nice but it didn't blow me away. Actually plenty of space inside which you wouldn't think from the outside. I didn't like the high ceiling in the bedroom, I think a bedroom should feel a bit more cosy and warm and intimate.

headtheball14

the Instagram from rte has links to owners businesses. I did go back to first series as they mentioned their sister being in that before passing away..her house was just gorgeous. very different but so much fun and personality.

it also highlighted how boring and formulaic the show has become since then. everything is just samey..first season the judges were so much less staged and the homes were so different .

Princess Calla

Loved all 3 houses.

My only complaint, the kids bedrooms in the third house. Extremely tight especially for two boys heading into teenage years. I actually rewinded, was there only one bedroom upstairs? Then the big bathroom? I wouldn't be a fan of being so far away from my kids rooms especially when they had their own patio doors....ideal for sneaking in or out in a couple of years time!

I get the kids had their own "den" but I don't know, the house just felt very adult centric and the kids will have moved out in a couple of years so no point giving them big bedrooms.

Good episode tonight! Jees the first one was gorge!

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121885500#Comment_121885500

I sometimes feel these home don't look like they've kids in them when they do. I suppose they've all toys locked away but they don't have that family home vibe I'd know.

I loved the first house tough!

Sunny Dayz

Liked the first house. Loved how they retained the outside of the original house and yet the dark wood extension went great with it. I didn't really understand why they had almost identical sofa areas in the one room. Also where the favourite spot was, the gorgeous fancy fireplace was partially blocking the view of the tv. But the rooms were done up really well, I don't remember seeing a main bathroom. But a lot of "ooh" and "wow" from me watching it. And the couple seemed lovely and really happy with their house (ah well aren't they all!).

Second house - loved the outside, the stone work, the windows, the garden. The inside was nice, felt quite big and spread out, loved the kitchen. It strikes me as one of those houses you rent on Air Bnb for a family gathering or a hen. That favourite spot was fab - give me a comfy seat, a good book and a hot cuppa and I'd stay out there for hours. And a really lovely, down to earth couple.

The last house - loved the front of it. Wasn't a fan of the style of old and new elements in the house eg the green dresser in the kitchen. Liked that there was lots of greenery in the house. I agree with comments about the kids living quarters - they seemed quite far away from the parent's bedroom and they were quite cramped and small. How are two strapping 16 year old lads going to be able to share that little room? I know they probably felt the rooms are just for sleeping in but teenagers like to chill out in their own room, listen to music, chat to their friends on socials, watch netflix in comfort.

Deeec

I loved the first house last night. I loved most of the second house - only part I didnt like was the hall. I thought the kitchen was lovely and homely though. I would happily live in either of the first 2 houses.

I hated the third house however. It just seemed to be made of of small spaces which I couldnt live with. I agree with Freshpopcorn - it looked like no kids lived there at all. The house must have been cleared out for the cameras! The rooms were so small that it would end up being annoying living there. It just seemed a cold, clinical, impractical house to me. I would think the owners will sell in the next few years as it wont work for them. I admit though that the owners did come up with some clever space saving ideas especially in the kids bedrooms. I think it could just be a showpiece for the owners design skills rather than a forever home.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121885886#Comment_121885886

Well you'd know what day they are filming so I'd say lots of stuff gets fired up into the attic etc.

So not seeing the 100 cuddley toys, the stacks of Lego, footballs,hurls, dolls houses and buggies etc doesn't overly bother me. However when the architecture doesn't lend itself to kids it raises questions for me anyway.

The rooms last night were tiny. For one child they were tiny but for two boys it was really pushing it. There's walk in wardrobes bigger than those bedrooms. They talked about designing the house with the needs of triplets , didn't really see that tbh.

Like another poster said , it was an interior designer showcasing her work.

freshpopcorn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121887520#Comment_121887520

I'd hope all the stuff gets fired away but sometimes I wonder do these people actually live like a show house to keep up appearances.

Sunny Dayz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121885886#Comment_121885886

Yes I've noticed that about this season. Where are all the "bits"? Maybe my home is cluttered but where are the photos, the kids artwork, the toys, the sky box, games console, books, stuff that is sentimental and has memories and makes your house your own.

One of the houses last week had magnets on the fridge and it was nice and normal to see.

Princess Calla

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121887731#Comment_121887731

That's why I loved the "gallery" house as it was very much a working home.

Even the house with all the patterned furniture was a lived in home.

The first house last night was absolutely spotless but I'd actually expect that from two gay guys living together (massive stereotype there but it is kinda true)

However the interior design magazine houses just make me itch.

Princess Calla

For once an architect and interior designer house didn't bother me. I liked the interior of the house, but I thought the extension could have been more sympathetic to the old bungalow on the exterior.

Second house was lovely but very little personality to it, it looked like an interior design magazine.

Third house I actually felt sorry for Amanda, she was really uncomfortable in it. I did think it was lovely though , her granny's chairs were fab. However it certainly could have been dialled down a notch or 5!!

Final next week.

Sunny Dayz

Agree with a lot of your comments Princess Calla. The outside of the first house would have been lovely if the extension was done like a convert large outhouse with the same red roof and whitewashed stone walls. That said the house was lovely inside and like the reconfiguration of the original house.

Second house was very much a "man's house". I'd have liked a bit of colour and personality. That said - the furniture looked high standard and the house was well finished.

The final house was too much even for me who likes all her bits and pieces about. Too much colour, every surface covered, every wall covered. I did like the reupholstered chairs in the favourite spot. I'm not a big fan of seeing children's bedrooms on these shows but it was nice to see a child's room with personal effects, books etc on display, a proper lived in bedroom.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

jaysus…. Samatha bone is such a monumental pain the hole. Looking at the final now. 🙈🙈

Quazzie

Gave up watching this as it's less about the "House" and more an interior design show now. They barely even show the exterior of the house anymore, or comment on anything architectural, but instead it's all about that sack Wallace and his BS views regarding colour everywhere.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand

I preferred the house that the father and son did plus the gate lodge in Tyrone, the one that won was the worst of the three with an ugly wall/flower bed plonked in front of it but there ya go

PressRun

Winner looked like a tacky hotel interior or something. Very ugly.

jos28

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998832#Comment_121998832

That's exactly what I thought. My favourite was the father and son house followed by the gate lodge

GAAcailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998933#Comment_121998933

deffo well preferred the father and son house. Did enjoy the series overall

appledrop

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121998832#Comment_121998832

Yep didn't like it at all compared to the other two. The gate lodge was my favourite though just totally original and homely.

The father and son one very clever aswell but a bit too masculine for me.

GAAcailin

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121999364#Comment_121999364

thought there was a lovely dynamic between the Father and son, just a nice change from the other wannabes and their fashion accessory kids

Deeec

Last nights winner was clever design wise but a pain to live in I would think. I didnt like the dining area or the walkthrough kitchen - not that practical. Nice house but shouldnt have won.

I was sure the old schoolhouse owned by the artist would win. All 3 judges loved it and it really was a 'home' rather than a design piece.

Out of the 3 finalists the gate lodge should have won. It was timeless. I did like the father and sons house but a bit too stark for me but I can see it would be an easy and practical house to live in.

Sunny Dayz

It was refreshing that the 3 finalists were smaller houses - 2 terraces and a gate lodge. My choice of the 3 was the gate lodge but I can see why the winner was chosen. They rejigged the layout downstairs, separating the rooms but yet not having any doors. I know it wasn't to everyone's taste but it worked for them as a couple. I felt there was a bit more originality and homeliness about the finalists this year - a move away from "showhouse" or "interior designed" type houses towards houses that are practical and look lived in.

In terms of the series as a whole, I'd like to see Amanda replaced. Throughout the series she seems to go into the homes looking for something to dislike or turn her nose up at. And when it came to the deliberations in the final she was in straight away with negativity and arguments.