The final of BBC Northern Ireland's House of the Year is set to air on Monday 9 February at 8pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland. Presented by design expert Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, the programme was filmed in Custom House Square, Belfast, and will see five unique homes compete for the title.
The judges—architect Jane Larmour, interior designer James Fairley, and interiors business owner Patricia McGinnis—have narrowed down 15 properties to a final shortlist. The five homes range from a transformed 1970s bungalow to a contemporary art-filled house in south Belfast.
Among the finalists is Wildwood Manor near Holywood, County Down, originally a 1970s bungalow on top of a garage. Homeowners Niamh and Stephen gave it a complete makeover, with Niamh drawing inspiration from her time living in Australia. Another contender is a new-build near Ballymena, featuring reclaimed floors from an Amish barn in Pennsylvania and old-world charm, built by homeowner David, a joiner and building contractor.
The Gallery in south Belfast is an art-filled contemporary home created by Bernard, a retired dental surgeon and gallerist, and his wife Sinéad. The house was designed around a 65-foot-long painting and built at the end of their garden. Hillside Haven, a semi-rural new build near Dundonald, County Down, was a compromise for Jason and Kate, who demolished a tumbledown cottage to create a modern country home.
The final property, The Novel Georgian near Lisburn, is a bright new build with classic Georgian style, designed by Helen, who has a background in interior design, and her husband Philip. The house features symmetrical windows, a stone-clad garage, and secret doors to a children's playroom.
The judges had difficult decisions throughout the series, with occasional disagreements. In episode four, James described one home as having 'slavish adherence to a particular style', but Patricia and Jane felt the architecture was robust enough to withstand changing interiors. The final episode will see the judges meet the homeowners for the first time and decide the winner.
