Scotland's Home of the Year 2024 winner crowned as 'electric dream' bungalow

An "eclectic dream home" in Dunbartonshire with a floor made from an old school gym has been named Scotland's Home of the Year.

The Milngavie bungalow was highly praised by judges in the BBC Scotland show for its one-of-a-kind interior and unique style.

In the finale of Scotland's Home of the Year (SHOTY), filmed at Glasgow’s House For An Art Lover, the quirky 1960s one-of-a-kind family home took the title after reaching the final along with five other properties.

A new, seventh series, of the popular property show, will begin filming locations around Scotland in July and applications are open now.

The winning property belongs to Anna McClelland and her partner Harry Kinloch who live there with their children Lexie, 11, Marley, 9, and Bob the cat.

The couple, both Glasgow School of Art graduates, use their house as an outlet for their creativity, with the property boasting clever decorating techniques and reclaimed materials including school gym hall flooring complete with colourful markers.

The SHOTY judges interior designers Anna Campbell-Jones and Banjo Beale and architect Danny Campbell crowned the winner from a shortlist of six finalists from across Scotland.

Showcasing stunning properties from Banchory to Dunblane, Moffat to Milngavie and Aviemore to Linlithgow, this year’s search boasted a variety of home styles including cosy cottages to colourful pads, period renovations to mid-century abodes.

Homeowner Anna is thrilled her 1960s Bungalow won the coveted title and said “It’s very flattering to be named Scotland’s Home of the Year - especially considering some of the other homes involved.

"Our home is distinctive and unique because it’s like the inside of our heads and that’s also what makes it homely to us…but maybe not for lots of other people! It’s been a really positive experience taking part in SHOTY.

"Apart from anything else, entering the show meant Harry had to finish doing DIY in the house finally!”

Harry added: “We were genuinely shocked to win. We weren’t expecting it all. I’ve finally made my mum proud!”

Judge and interior designer, Anna Campbell Jones said: “This electrically eclectic creative home exemplifies what it means to truly make your home unique to you.

"It was fun and playful - an absolute dream family home to spark children’s imaginations and keep that same feeling alive in any adult who has the good fortune to experience it first-hand.”

She continued “It felt like being inside the very souls of the people who lived there, rarely have I had that sense so strongly in a home.

"I was so impressed by the ingenious use of ’normal’ things in extraordinary ways, patterns made with electrical tape, inexpensive Zebra carpet given a whole new cool context, colourful decals on plain tiles & light switches…I could go on!

Interior Designer Banjo Beale shared a similar opinion: “Unlike any home I have ever stepped foot in, the 1960s Bungalow was a work of art and a living canvas for its creative owners. The home was bold, brave and unapologetically 100% them.

"The owners created this home just for themselves. When you walked in, you got a sense of who they were. From the duct tape art to a smiling loo, it didn’t take itself too seriously. It is a home for big and little kids alike.

“I loved the art gallery wall in the extension. Bright and light, with a bold curation of really interesting contemporary art. The old gymnasium floor, ping pong table and mural made this space burst to life.”

Architect and lecturer Danny Campbell also said: “The carefree abandon to which the homeowners had turned their home into their family curated artwork, but also, how cleverly they remodelled it.

"This one had it all - there were double front and rear dormers, a split-level kitchen and reconfigured internal layout, a large rear extension and landscaped garden – I was in architectural heaven.

"The new spaces they created were elevated by the commitment they had to their vision and how expertly every detail had been turned into artwork.

The seventh series of Scotland’s Home of the Year will begin filming over the summer. For more information on how to enter, please head to bbc.co.uk/shoty for full terms and conditions. Applications are open until July 5.

Scotland’s Home Of The Year , the full seven-part sixth series, is available to view on BBC iPlayer.

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