A splash of colour: Hugh Wallace, Home of the Year judge

ARCHITECT Hugh Wallace is in rude health but he is not about to take it for granted. Six years ago he weighed in at 23 stone and was struggling with weight-related diabetes and asthma. He was also dealing with debilitating alcoholism and depression.

Fri, 16 Mar, 2018 - 00:00

By Irene Feighan

It took years to turn his health around. “Now I hover between 16 and 17 stone. Ideally, I’d like to be a stone lower. It has to do with what you eat and when you eat. I don’t eat after 8pm or before 12 noon. I’ll wake up and have my black coffee in the morning and that’s it,” says the 61-year-old who lives in Dublin 8.

He takes tablets to keep his diabetes under control but the prospect of injections no longer looms. Also, he used to use his inhaler twice a day. “Now I only use it 12 times a year.”

And he no longer struggles with depression and alcohol dependence. “I respect and fear alcohol now,” he says.

One of three judges on RTÉ’s Home of the Year, he is unapologetic about looking into every nook and cranny in search of design excellence. The series covers some of the most dramatic houses in the country, many of which make a big impression.

“What’s amazing is the capability of people and homeowners to use colour. Some of it shouldn’t work but it works perfectly. We’re an island — lots of water, big mountains — it’s all a bit rough and ready. The colour adds that bit of spontaneity.”

And his own favourite colour? “If there has to be spot colour I just love Chinese burnt orange. In a very limited amount, it’s an amazing colour.”

Home of the Year, RTÉ One, Tuesdays, 8.30pm.

What shape are you in?

I have my car garaged for the winter. It’s amazing when you get rid of car because all of a sudden you say, ‘Ah sure I’ll walk’. It’s usually quicker. I love that crisp cold weather. I like going up the Wicklow Mountains. There are great walks around Glendalough and up Three Rock and the one I really like — if there’s a bit of wind — is the Great South Wall walk.

What are your healthiest eating habits?

I like to prepare fresh food — I usually spend Saturday doing that. I put it into the fridge so that during the week you can just quickly reheat it. I love stews and pies — one-pot wonders. And I have a soup maker that I really love. We’ve no microwave — you don’t need them.

What are your guilty pleasures?

I love After Eights out of the fridge — god, they’re fabulous.

What would keep you awake at night?

Sleep patterns go a bit off when I travel to Oman, where we’re working on a €100m development project — mixed retail, restaurant and offices. Douglas Wallace Consultants did all the design work for it.

How do you relax?

I love cooking on a Saturday. I also like going to the opera, theatre and shows. There is an amazing play on in London at the moment, called The Ferryman. It’s about Northern Ireland in the ’80s. The language is foul but appropriate.

Your ideal dinner party guests?

I want to have guests who are convivial, good fun but must play poker afterwards. The betting is very small — just 20c openers. And nobody’s allowed to bring 10c if they bring 10c to the table they get slapped and asked to leave.

What would you like to change about your appearance?

The extra stone I’d love to get rid of. I’m 6ft — I blame my bones for being heavy.

When is the last time you cried?

Probably about a week ago. I was cleaning out stuff at home — my mum and dad are dead since the late ’80s and early ’90s — and I came across all sorts of photographs of us on holidays during my childhood. I was an only child. It was just memories of them — very happy memories.

What traits do you least like in others?

People turning up late — I just can’t tolerate it. Also people who don’t have time to chat or engage. The person that I find most interesting and annoying is the one who talks at you and never asks how are you or how is your family. You are not sure why the want to talk to you.

What traits do you least like in yourself?

Sometimes I talk too much. Also, not having time sometimes for friends.

Do you pray?

No. But funnily when I’m in a church, I always light a candle for friends who might be in my thoughts. I’m not religious at all but [in a church] I find a calmness and a time to reflect that’s fantastic.