A Belfast home has been described as having an “explosion of art and colour” as it was announced as the latest nomination for Northern Ireland’s House of the Year.
The Art House in east Belfast is a barn-like build situated on the surrounding hills with excellent views of the city and Belfast Lough.
Despite being silhouetted in a black metallic cladding, the property’s interior is layered with paintings and sculptures.
Host of BBC NI’s House of the Year Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, described the home saying: “Inside the chic black wrapper is an explosion of art and colour.”
The Art House, which is situated high up in the hills overlooking Belfast, is the fourth home to take a place in the House Of The Year Final. Pic: BBC NI/Elyse Kennedy
Homeowner Heather works in healthcare and bought the original property in 2010.
But it would be a decade later before the house would take its final form as we see it now.
Heather said: “It was a fight to try and get an architect to create your vision, to make it something different and spectacular without being ridiculous.
“They had to put extra steel because the wind coming up that hill, the windows are so heavy because they’re extra insulated.”
The Art House commands expansive views over Belfast – a feature that Heather is very fond of.
“You can see the whole city, there’s hawks there and kites there,” she explained.
“It’s amazing, it’s just like watching the TV. And the light chops and changes. Sometimes you walk down in the morning and the house is completely pink.”
The Art House, which is situated high up in the hills overlooking Belfast, is the fourth home to take a place in the House Of The Year Final. Pic: BBC NI/Elyse Kennedy
The entrance hall leads into a large open space, which has a lounge area and an office in the corner.
Continuing along the ground floor you’ll find ceiling-to-floor windows shining natural light into the kitchen.
Heather said: “Because kitchens can be boring. I put the art stripe in, that’s just electrical tape in it. So sometimes it’s pink sometimes it’s blue.”
A utility room lies on the far side of the kitchen with a bathroom next to it.
Various styles of furniture are topped with plants of different shapes and sizes.
The home is peppered with a range of colourful paintings and sculptures that Heather has picked out.
She said: “The whole idea of the house is to make it feel like an art gallery. So it’s concrete floors, white walls and just the art.”
The Art House, which is situated high up in the hills overlooking Belfast, is the fourth home to take a place in the House Of The Year Final. Pic: BBC NI/Elyse Kennedy
Judge of the show Patricia appreciated the effort put into the interior’s design.
“I love the plants and how not all the art has been put up but is just leaning against the wall. There’s just so many interesting bits and pieces in here,” she explained.
“They obviously trust their instinct. I really get the sense the homeowner doesn’t worry too much about what people think. I think it’s just super successful.”
Upstairs, a yellow staircase leads up to a bright and open landing with two en-suite bedrooms.
Both bedrooms also have a walk-in wardrobe and dressing area.
The Art House, which is situated high up in the hills overlooking Belfast, is the fourth home to take a place in the House Of The Year Final. Pic: BBC NI/Elyse Kennedy
Llewelyn-Bowen took a particular liking to the upper floor’s layout.
“The view from the big picture window might be Belfast but actually up here in this space we could be in some kind of New York art loft from the 1960s,” he said.
Judge James Fairley added: “The architecture is really heavily influencing the interior. This beautiful sculptural piece of steel for the staircase.
“I wonder does the yellow colour kind of make a little nod back to the shipyards that we can see.”
The owner chose to incorporate natural light features throughout the property, brightening up the home’s interior.
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Jane Larmour gave her compliments to this design choice.
“It’s a really strong architectural character, although it’s very understated and quite modest looking,” she said.
“And then you come inside and it’s really relaxing, it’s got light coming in from different directions.”
Despite the initial difficulty in bringing the house together, Heather was glad to have completed the build.
“I love it and I love living here,” she said.
The first five episodes of House of the Year are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. The grand final will broadcast Monday, October 28, on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland at 8pm.