Home of the Year RTE 1 - 8.30pm Tuesdays

awanderer · 17-02-2021 01:48AM

I watched the programme and I must say that I don't miss Peter at all. To me he seemed to be a charicature of architects. I have come to believe that in Ireland, all architects come from the same school where they are cloned and from which they emerge with one single collective way of looking at what makes a house worth praising (windows must be big, you must bring the outside in, colour is the enemy, bare is good...). I still remember Peter seeing a small room that had been made into a library/reading room and stating that the room was missing a big window, when it was obvious that the owners had wanted to create a space where they could isolate and coocoon:rolleyes:. That said, the dark hair lady is just as bland as he was. So not better but probably not worse either.
On the other hand, while I believe that Deirdre was warmer and more likeable than the blonde lady that replaced her, I was very pleasantly surprised when that lady gave a 7 to the first house and stated the obvious "she couldn't see the personality of the owners in that house". Who knows, when she is more at ease, she might turn out be a positive addition to the programme:).
I love houses with a black exterior so I am biaised. I was quite happy that the last house won. Once the first house didn't win, I would have been happy with any result:p.
I can't imagine any of these houses winning house of the year though.
None of them were exceptional.

Sunny Dayz · 17-02-2021 11:30AM

I'm not sure yet about the two new judges - it may take a while to get used to them. I miss Deirdre and also the Northern Irish male judge from a few years ago.

First house I didn't really like. It was grand, not much colour, it ticked certain boxes ( big windows, high ceilings, etc etc) but it wasn't wow.

Second house I did like - this is along the lines of what I'd like to see more of on this show - a standard build house which the owner has put their own personal stamp on it. While some of it wasn't to my taste but I love how they made it their own. How simply clever painting, good use of colour, pieces of furniture etc can make a house more individual.

Last house I liked also, the owner was so passionate about it. Good use of colour, furniture and textiles IMO.

recipio · 17-02-2021 12:28PM

awanderer wrote: »

I watched the programme and I must say that I don't miss Peter at all. To me he seemed to be a charicature of architects. I have come to believe that in Ireland, all architects come from the same school where they are cloned and from which they emerge with one single collective way of looking at what makes a house worth praising (windows must be big, you must bring the outside in, colour is the enemy, bare is good...)..

Well, they all spend five years learning good design and construction theory so in a sense they all come from the same school. Its an architects job to optimise house design or to be blunt, to save a client from making stupid mistakes.
Peter ( Crowley ) has often said on the programme that his priority is to introduce light into a house in line with the technological advances in glass manufacturing.
Who can argue with that ?
I personally like a spare minimalist look and can't understand the reasoning behind the last house for instance who mixed 21st century design with 18th century furniture.Its like playing Hard Rock and Mozart all at the same time.:eek:
I'm surprised his architect agreed to that.

awanderer · 17-02-2021 01:26PM

recipio wrote: »

Well, they all spend five years learning good design and construction theory so in a sense they all come from the same school. Its an architects job to optimise house design or to be blunt, to save a client from making stupid mistakes.
Peter ( Crowley ) has often said on the programme that his priority is to introduce light into a house in line with the technological advances in glass manufacturing.
Who can argue with that ?
I personally like a spare minimalist look and can't understand the reasoning behind the last house for instance who mixed 21st century design with 18th century furniture.Its like playing Hard Rock and Mozart all at the same time.:eek:
I'm surprised his architect agreed to that.

Having lived with an architect (who won a few international awards) for 20 years and still having him as my best friend, I know that they do not all believe that good design means big windows, high ceilings and sharp angles. It means windows, ceilings, furnitures, that fit the purpose and use of the space.
As it happens, I do not assiociate light or bringing the outside in with good design unless the house/appartment is located in a city. I love where I live, enjoy the drive along the sea to come home, the walks in the countryside... but I only want some rooms to have view of the sea or the coumtryside. Because when it is windy/rainy... I like parts of my house to feel like a nest/cocoon. As for white walls and bare space, I believe they represent architects ego trips or at least lack of confidence in what they do: they do not want aything to distract from their design. I believe that when high ceilings and big windows are what you remember about a house, that house has failed its purpose.

appledrop · 17-02-2021 07:58PM

Just catching up now.

I really liked the modern farm house, thought it was done very well and space + light was beautiful.

For me personally I hated the second house. I couldn't sit in that dark sitting room and pink bedroom was horrific. Like something a small child or teenager would have. They must have separate bedrooms no way husband would sleep in a room like that and bed looked very small. Also saw a brief view of a horrendous bathroom.

Architectually I thought the black house was outstanding inside and outside but didnt like the homeowners style. Think the judges called it ' eclectic ' nah it was just really a mess of all different styles and pieces of furniture and piano beside kitchen presses was a joke.

So onto new judges, we'll I'm not impressed. The blonde one is just an attention seeker. How can you take her serious when she rocks up wearing love heart sunglasses? All about her and dressing up, no time for that I'm here to look at the houses.

I loved Peter as I prefer a minimalist style and liked the way he was well able to stand up Hugh. The new judge just seems to bland.

They gave out scores that were too high aswell.

Please bring back Peter + Deirdre!

Quazzie · 17-02-2021 08:51PM

I heard Hugh described as a "Design Legend" on the show. I know nothing about him, can anyone fill me in what qualifies him as a legend?

Clue Girl · 17-02-2021 10:14PM

recipio wrote: »

You would certainly miss Deirdre and Peter. At least they offered a decent critique
of the architecture. Its not good enough to be gushing about everything as the ladies are.
Having said that the black house was the winner IMO although having a piano in the kitchen was daft.:rolleyes:

I liked when Paddy (Grand Designs container house) was a judge also.

Posy · 21-02-2021 01:46AM

Quazzie wrote: »

I heard Hugh described as a "Design Legend" on the show. I know nothing about him, can anyone fill me in what qualifies him as a legend?

I wondered that myself. The three judges are described as an "interior designer", "architect" and "design legend". I'm almost positive only 2 of them are actual real things!

recipio · 21-02-2021 11:03AM

Posy wrote: »

I wondered that myself. The three judges are described as an "interior designer", "architect" and "design legend". I'm almost positive only 2 of them are actual real things!

Can't understand why anyone would hire an interior designer. Are you not buying into someone else's design instead of your own. ? I'd love to know why Deirdre and Peter actually quit the show but they are probably bound by some 'gagging clause' ?

Quazzie · 21-02-2021 05:02PM

recipio wrote: »

I'd love to know why Deirdre and Peter actually quit the show but they are probably bound by some 'gagging clause' ?

Would you work alongside Hugh if you didn't have to?

recipio · 21-02-2021 06:54PM

Quazzie wrote: »

Would you work alongside Hugh if you didn't have to?

Oh..........a bit harsh.! I don't mind his attempts at humour but he seems more influenced by the decor rather than the overall design. If only he would leave the pink jersey at home.:rolleyes:

Quazzie · 21-02-2021 06:57PM

recipio wrote: »

Oh..........a bit harsh.! I don't mind his attempts at humour but he seems more influenced by the decor rather than the overall design. If only he would leave the pink jersey at home.:rolleyes:

Imagine studying in University for hair a decade. Starting your own architectural firm. Becoming an expert in your field. Then you've Hugh belittling your opinion constantly because he values the color of the cushions more than the architectural merits of the house.

Caledonia · 21-02-2021 09:02PM

He’s lucky he didn’t get pulled for bullying.

liam7831 · 23-02-2021 08:36PM

These two new judges are just terrible

The Princess Bride · 23-02-2021 08:40PM

Fabulous garden.

pjohnson · 23-02-2021 08:44PM

That house is a cracker!

The Princess Bride · 23-02-2021 08:56PM

Delighted that the cottage won.

jos28 · 23-02-2021 09:00PM

The Princess Bride wrote: »

Delighted that the cottage won.

Me too, it was fab and the use of space was so clever

Muahahaha · 23-02-2021 09:15PM

Quazzie wrote: »

Imagine studying in University for hair a decade. Starting your own architectural firm. Becoming an expert in your field. Then you've Hugh belittling your opinion constantly because he values the color of the cushions more than the architectural merits of the house.

Incredible isnt it. You would hardly think Hugh is an architect at all because he seems way more interested in the colour of the cushions than the actual form of the building. But the firm he is a partner in is a serious outfit
https://douglaswallace.com/projects
Maybe the Douglas chap does the actual drawings and Hugh looks after the interiors

Also Im not sure if it is the editing but they seem to be making out the judge with the black hair as a bit of a weapon with all her grimaces on camera.

Princess Calla · 23-02-2021 09:25PM

The Princess Bride wrote: »

Delighted that the cottage won.

So am I.

Loved all the clever storage solutions they used and while the house was tiny it certainly didn't look small. ....I'd love her to come to my house to give it an overhaul.

I'm kinda bored at seeing big "country houses" plonked in the middle of no where. ......yes they are lovely, bright and spacious. All open plan lots of glass etc. It's like grand design and room to improve all rolled together.

The majority of us live in suburbia or commuter belts etc which was why I loved the cottage , a terraced building not a massive garden to allow for an extension on top of extension etc.

Princess Calla · 23-02-2021 09:27PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Also Im not sure if it is the editing but they seem to be making out the judge with the black hair as a bit of a weapon with all her grimaces on camera.

Probably to make Hugh look less of a d1ck!!!

jos28 · 23-02-2021 09:29PM

The chimney light panel was a brilliant idea too. It was much more interesting to see a 'normal' house and how it dealt with normal issues. I loved the history behind the house too.

Deeec · 23-02-2021 09:29PM

Muahahaha wrote: »

Incredible isnt it. You would hardly think Hugh is an architect at all because he seems way more interested in the colour of the cushions than the actual form of the building. But the firm he is a partner in is a serious outfit
https://douglaswallace.com/projects
Maybe the Douglas chap does the actual drawings and Hugh looks after the interiors

Also Im not sure if it is the editing but they seem to be making out the judge with the black hair as a bit of a weapon with all her grimaces on camera.

The programme though isn't about architecture - it's about what makes a good home. It's about function and decor, and how a home feels. Alot of architectural designed houses don't actually make good homes.

retro:electro · 23-02-2021 09:35PM

jos28 wrote: »

The chimney light panel was a brilliant idea too. It was much more interesting to see a 'normal' house and how it dealt with normal issues. I loved the history behind the house too.

Love what they did with the chimney. It was a fab cottage. It looked tiny from the outside but surprisingly spacious inside. The only thing I wasn’t mad about was the disco loo but loved the rest. The first home annoyed me for some reason, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s too perfect

Princess Calla · 23-02-2021 09:51PM

retro:electro wrote: »

The first home annoyed me for some reason, I don’t know why. Maybe it’s too perfect

The owners came across abit smug. Plus when they say the owner is an interior designer or an architect I'm already deducting points as it's an ego trip for them.

I did like the house though. I don't think I'd be brave enough for the trampoline , my youngest would find away to mangle himself on it and land in the hall. Was a cool idea though.

The kids bedrooms were lovely and fun too.

Still preferred the cottage though.

appledrop · 23-02-2021 09:56PM

Absolutely adored the cottage. Every single thing I was ohhh and awwwing!

It was just so clever. That bathroom was to die for! It just goes to show you can manage in small home if its designed well.

I did like first house but last one was very bland.

retro:electro · 23-02-2021 09:58PM

Princess Calla wrote: »

The owners came across abit smug. Plus when they say the owner is an interior designer or an architect I'm already deducting points as it's an ego trip for them.

I did like the house though. I don't think I'd be brave enough for the trampoline , my youngest would find away to mangle himself on it and land in the hall. Was a cool idea though.

The kids bedrooms were lovely and fun too.

Still preferred the cottage though.

Yeah the netted thing would have me a bit anxious. Grand in soft play when there’s sponge underneath if you fall through, but tiles :eek:
The divil in me was hoping Hugh would collapse the whole thing

heebusjeebus · 23-02-2021 10:00PM

Cottage is one of the Gulistan cottages in Rathmines.
Amazing area to live, even if it's a small home.

Princess Calla · 23-02-2021 10:00PM

retro:electro wrote: »

The divil in me was hoping Hugh would collapse the whole thing

Denny61 · 23-02-2021 10:03PM

liam7831 wrote: »

These two new judges are just terrible

Ya I can not warm to them what so ever...please bring back the other two....

Home of the Year RTE 1 - 8.30pm Tuesdays

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