The winners of Home of the Year have revealed fans of their home are doing 'drive-bys' since winning the RTE show.
Amy and Eoin Martin were crowned this year’s winner for their 1970s “upside down home” in Limerick, where they live with their two children.
But Amy revealed that since becoming finalists on the hit show, the family have noticed a few drive-bys since opening up their home to cameras.
She told us: “Absolutely. We live in a Cul de sac. And yes, we've had some drive-bys, which is kind of funny. You've noticed we don't generally sit in here until sort of later in the evening or whatever, but you do see a car go by, and we can just peek our heads up, but they can't see us. And Eoin and I were walking the dog yesterday, and in our tracksuits like, and someone passed and stopped the car and rolled down the window and said, ‘We saw you on the TV.’
“We’re part of our neighbourhood Whatsapp group. The residents who've been here since the 70s are saying, you know, for a Cork woman to be talking so nicely about Limerick, you know, we're delighted. We're so proud. And thank you so much. And, yeah, so it's fantastic. Very nice. Well-wishers everywhere.”
This series saw the introduction of interior designer Siobhan Lam and Amy – who also works as an interior designer – would love to follow in Siobhan’s footsteps some day.
She said: “I'm a nurse by trade, but I suppose, since after COVID, when the boys were young, I sort of stepped out of nursing for a while, looking after my mum, and then really went, right, this is my time to study interior design, and I've been doing little bits for family for years before that.
“So, you know, putting together, meeting the person being in Siobhan shop, and then she's the judge, and now she's judging. You know, I just think it's fantastic.
“I absolutely love looking into people's homes, whether it's on the TV or walking past looking at the outside. I would love it,” she admitted.
On Tuesday night, judge Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Siobham Lam crowned Eoin and Amy this year’s winners.
The couple fell in love with this 1970s built house and set to work completely gutting and renovating the home and bringing it from a D3 BER rating to an A3.
The 1970s home is an upside down home with the main living area and kitchen on the first floor making the most of their spectacular garden and the natural light.
Speaking afterwards, Amy told us of her shock at the win. She said: “We can't believe that we're actually able to talk about things today. It's been six months.”
Amy admitted she believes her home stood out because it showed the family’s personality and their “quirkiness”.
She said: “I suppose it is how our personality is evident. You know, we've all had a hand in planning rooms or positioning of rooms and decorating of rooms, and it's very personal to us.
“Our pictures on the wall, our holidays and memories, just like everybody else's house. But I suppose we try to bring a bit of a fun twist to it.
“And, you know, other artworks on the wall are posters from our holidays and things. And I just think they liked those little details that. And I suppose, I guess that I'm creative that, you know, I've made a lot of the things around the house, ottomans and reupholstered cushions so I think they really appreciate that sort of quirkiness or individuality."
Eoin added: “I think the colours are maybe a little bit different as well. You know, there's a lot of, you know, strong colours, but a mixture of bright and kind of moody colours as well. I think that kind of helped as well,” he added.
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