Each week on RTÉ Lifestyle, we'll be giving Home of the Year fans a chance to re-visit three competitors' homes from the comfort of their own couch the morning after the show has aired. You can watch the full episode back on RTÉ Player.
The series this year features a diverse mix of homes including converted mills, a converted schoolhouse, apartments, bespoke architectural new builds, re-imagined cottages and bungalows, DIY homes, restored period homes and vernacular buildings.
On last night's episode, we had a peek inside Richard Rodgers' restored schoolhouse home in Co. Down.
Richard Rodgers lives in a restored 1800s schoolhouse in Co. Down.
The house which was part of an old mill, had been in abandoned state for many years when Richard came across it.
All the properties that were part of the mill development had been bought by a local builder in 2006.
Each one was to be restored and brought back to life, however the financial crash meant 'The School House 'and a neighbouring property remained unfinished and unsold.
In 2013, Richard accidently discovered the schoolhouse and after making enquiries and meeting with the builder he purchased his home. It was originally a boy's school.
Richard is a retail interior designer who decorated his home himself, from choosing the kitchens and bathrooms, furniture selections and all soft furnishings to even tiling bathroom floors himself,
He wanted to be sympathetic to the age of the building, but also felt it had to reflect the modern age.
He incorporating family antiques with modern Italian furniture, making it the finished home that it is today.
Watch Home of the Year on Tuesdays at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
