Northern Ireland 'House Of The Year': Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen leads BBC search

-Credit: (Image: BBC)
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


Fifteen homes are in the running to be crowned Northern Ireland's 'House Of The Year'.

In a new BBC property series, design expert and TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen leads the search.

This six part series, airing on BBC iPlayer and BBC Northern Ireland, showcases 15 "very different" homes competing for one of five places in the grand final where they could be named winner.

READ MORE: See inside NI property with impressive interiors and outdoor space

READ MORE: See inside detached family home on the market for £825K

Laurence said: “One of the big things about this new series is the fact we have been incredibly diverse with the housing stock, and it is not just about that one glass box on a cliff that I think people associate with modern property programmes.

“What really matters is how much heart and soul our owners have poured in to making their house a home.”

He added: "I had such tremendous fondness for the series in its first iteration and have such great memories. The idea of coming back and revisiting the property landscape of Northern Ireland was a very exciting prospect as far as I am concerned."

Laurence continued: "I have always loved the energy the Northern Irish give to their buildings. There is a real sense of ‘can do’ that I think is enshrined in the architectural traditions of being able to construct buildings and make spaces that not only reflect needs and use, but very much reflect personality."

The TV personality also told what viewers can expected from the series.

He said: "We go from very small to very big, from old to new and minimalist to maximalist and I think this is the one thing viewers are going to enjoy."

House Of The Year starts on Monday, September 23 -Credit:BBC
House Of The Year starts on Monday, September 23 -Credit:BBC

Laurence is joined by three expert judges who will decide which homes make the final shortlist - award winning architect Jane Larmour, James Fairley, who runs an interior design practice with his partner, and Patricia McGinnis who, alongside her sister, wins a Belfast-based interiors boutique.

A BBC statement said: "Throughout the series, Laurence and the judges visit a variety of properties, including a Victorian terrace, a new build bungalow, a courtyard cottage that has been reimagined with accessible design at its heart, and a rental property where the tenants have added their own unique decorative style.

"From ‘colour drenching’ to ‘wrinkly casualness’ our judges reveal the trends that, in their opinion, can make or break a space and Laurence meets the occupants to chat about their own unique design choices that have made their house a home.

"In episode one, the judges are tasked with choosing between a bohemian bungalow where the owner has brought a touch of Hollywood glamour to Lisburn, a quirky family home in the Belfast Hills that houses an eclectic mix of upcycled and vintage furniture, and a lovingly restored 1850s villa in Holywood, County Down."

Later episodes also feature homes in Bangor, Ballymena, Belfast, and Co Armagh, Co Tyrone and Co Down.

House Of The Year starts Monday 23 September on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Norther Ireland. The first five episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer after episode one airs on Monday 23 September. The grand final will broadcast Monday 28 October on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our Be lifestyle newsletter for all the latest showbiz, fashion, beauty, family features and more.