RTE Home Of The Year viewers have all been left making the same remark after an “over the top” Cork home left one judge riled up.
The RTE series that showcases Ireland’s most jaw-dropping houses made its return to the small screen last week.
This year the returning judges were architect and founding partner of Douglas Wallace Consultants Hugh Wallace and award-winning architect Amanda Bone.
And tonight, RTE introduced a new face to the judging panel, Siobhan Lam, who is the founder of the popular interior store April and the Bear.
Looking for individuality, functionality and clever design, the three judges will each score the homes out of 10 and the home with the highest combined score in each programme will go through to the final, where the winner will be crowned.
Tonight’s episode saw the judges headed to Cork, where married couple Angela showcased their one-of-a-kind family home.
The pair bought the house as a new build in 2000, but it looked almost unrecognisable to what it was all those years ago.
Through a combination of structural changes and, more importantly, upcycling and DIY elements, Angela created a quirky home that gives her a great sense of pride.
Upon entering the home, Amanda immediately remarked: “The layout works, but if you are going for a design like this, you have to have a contrast, but here it doesn’t; this is too much, they have gone too far with it.”
Hugh jokingly asked: “Do you think it’s a bit extreme?”
Amanda looked at Hugh with a shocked expression and sarcastically replied: “Extreme? A bit extreme!”
However RTE viewers all seemed to have the same reaction as they took to the comment section.
Patrick wrote: “I agree with Amanda, it’s over the top.”
Claire said: “I love a bit of dark drama but there was too much going on in that house.”
Sarah joked: “Jesus, welcome to the jungle.”
While Anna added: “This house is a serious overkill.”
IMPRESSIVE RENOVATION
After some intense scrutiny, the Cork home still managed to score a high mark of 24, with Hugh awarding 10 points.
But, in the end, it was the stunning 1962 Wicklow home which made it to the final, as they received the highest vote at 26.
Married couple Lynne and Nick’s home was formerly used as a nursing home.
The nursing home had been left vacant for nearly a decade until the couple bought the house in 2022 and with it, took on a massive project.
Over the next two years an extensive renovation took place where they demolished the entire rear, built an extension, replaced all windows with appropriate period style sash windows whilst retaining any original features they could.
