Ep 2. Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary

Room to Improve is a popular Irish television show that follows home renovation expert Dermot Bannon as he transforms homes across Ireland. Season 12, episode 2 takes us to Borrisoleigh, Co. Tipperary where Dermot is tasked with transforming a traditional 1930s house into a modern, functional family home while still maintaining its unique charm and character.

As the episode begins, we meet the homeowners, Marie and Liam who have lived in the house for over 20 years. They love their home but it has become outdated and doesn't meet their family's needs. They want to create an open-plan living space that allows them to spend more time together and entertains guests. They also want a new kitchen, more practical storage space, and a home office.

Dermot's initial visit to the house reveals a beautiful but tired property in need of some TLC. The house has a lot of potential but is in need of a major overhaul to bring it up to date. Dermot's challenge is to retain the unique character of the house while creating a modern, functional space.

The homeowners have a budget of €140,000, and with Dermot's expertise, they begin to plan how best to use this money. Their first challenge is to decide where to locate the new kitchen, which is the heart of the home. Dermot's suggestion is to move it into the current dining room and create an open plan kitchen-diner-lounge. This will require removing a wall to open up the space and allow for a more fluid layout.

Next up is the home office, which will be located at the front of the house. Dermot suggests renovating the existing sunroom, which has spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, into a modern office space. This will involve knocking down the current walls, installing new doors, and replacing the outdated windows with modern energy-efficient ones.

Storage space is another crucial element in the design plan, and Dermot proposes some innovative solutions. One solution is to convert an existing coal bunker into a cloakroom. This will provide practical storage for coats and shoes and free up space in the hallway. Another solution is to install built-in storage under the stairs, which is both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Dermot also has a few surprises up his sleeve, including a special feature wall in the living room. He suggests that the homeowners create a unique wall by using a high-resolution photograph of the surrounding landscape on a mural as wallpaper, providing an easy way to bring the outside in.

As the renovation gets underway, we see the challenges, frustrations, and excitement that come with modernizing a house of this age. There are many obstacles to overcome, including the discovery of dry rot, which means that more plasterwork and structural updates are required.

Throughout the renovation process, Dermot works closely with the homeowners to ensure that they are happy with the changes being made. He also provides guidance on choosing finishes, lighting, and furniture to complement the new interior.

Overall, this episode of Room to Improve showcases how

a thoughtfully designed renovation can breathe new life into an old home while retaining its original charm and character. It highlights the importance of retaining timeless features as well as the right balance of modernisation. The transformation of this 1930s house into a modern, functional home offers inspiration for viewers looking to update their own properties.