Architect Hugh Wallace shares secrets to the ideal living space

Eve Kelliher talks to the 'Home of the Year' star (with a little input from his RTÉ co-presenters Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove) 

Green spaces are important to architect Hugh Wallace, pictured admiring a sculpture by artist Fidelma Massey in the Victorian sunken garden at Cork's Montenotte Hotel. Picture: Darragh Kane

Hugh Wallace, Amanda Bone and Sara Cosgrove are cruising through County Waterford on a Saturday morning.

They’re all jabbering away at the same time, just like the birds outside in the countryside whizzing by them.

Hugh describes it all as I’m on the phone to talk about his home and all the spaces that bring him joy.

But as he squabbles happily with his small-screen siblings, he sounds as if his seat in that car, hurtling through the Sunny South East, is the place he’d most like to be right now.

This is one of hundreds of road trips he’s completed with his co-judges from RTÉ’s Home of the Year. He and fellow architect Amanda and interior designer Sara are en route to a house that will feature in the upcoming series, due to air in early 2024, they tell me.

Hugh with his fellow RTÉ Home of the Year judges Sara and Amanda.

Of the filming, Hugh says: “We take in one house per day, as we snoop, digest and cogitate.”

Amanda interjects: “And disagree.”

Hugh and Amanda’s opposing tastes on the show have become a running joke.

At the moment, Hugh and his husband Martin Corbett are also busy creating their own dream home.

“I’m allowed to look after the building, Martin is going to do the interiors — unfortunately,” says Hugh.

“Amanda is going to do the interiors with Martin — because they both share the beautiful taste of the minimalist whereas Sara and I love opulence.”

Architect Hugh Wallace with colour consultant Jane Witter at the Dulux Heritage Interior Design Hub at this weekend’s Ideal Home Show.

Our conversation takes place just as he is about to offer ideas on interiors, retrofitting and design to the thousands of visitors to the Permanent TSB Ideal Home Show in Dublin over the past week and weekend. 

Hugh and Martin currently live in a property they are renting, next door to the house they are renovating, on Clanbrassil Street in Dublin’s city centre.

They plan to move in once the work is finished in May.

The Ideal Home Show took place the RDS from October 20-22.

As for the period residence itself? The TV architect — Hugh also presents RTÉ’s The Great House Revival — says he and Martin were always determined to maintain the original character of the Georgian property.

“It’s a two-bedroom home, and the inside layout is all done,” he says.

The couple are working on future-proofing the building, which Hugh believes is key to the project.

“The spare room is downstairs, the living room is downstairs, and in the future, it means we can have a bedroom — also for me when I can’t get upstairs!” he says. “You don’t want to have to move out of an area that you love. People need to consider that.”

This entire neighbourhood could be considered Hugh’s “happy place”.

“I’m very lucky. Martin and I have moved into a very lovely community. People have such pride in the street where we live,” he adds.

“A lady on our street, Pat, comes down to me with the street brush and the bleach so that I can clean the weeds and the rubbish that have accumulated. You don’t expect the council to do everything.

“There are two little parks, one is a sort of themed village with little houses. The community maintains the two little parks, spaces which all the neighbours got together to fill with plants — and with fairy lights at Christmas.”

Q&A

Where is your happy space at home?

We’re very lucky to have a private garden and outdoor terrace facing southwest, both where we are renting now and in our new house. If we wanted, we could go outside with nothing on and no one would be able to see us!

How would you describe your home/interiors/renovation?

Just think about what Amanda loves — Martin loves that as well! They are minimalists. I love opulence — wallpaper, texture, colour, vibrancy, everywhere! (Amanda’s face has gone very odd, she’s very upset. Plantation shutters — I should add that because they are another no-no for Amanda. They are also very big in Home of the Year this year!).

Do you share your living space with pets?

Our fabulous next-door neighbour Carol’s cat Missy has adopted us. Missy is really beautiful. She comes in and sort of mooches around — “Yeah, you can pet me”, or “No, I’m off.” Ten o’clock is her witching hour. She gets up, and it’s as if to say: “That’s it, I’ve had enough.”

Any secret that we’d be surprised to know of from Home of the Year?

Plantation shutters play a big role this year, as does ribbed panelling.

Your best-ever bargain?

I don’t know about the best bargain but the worst thing I’ve ever bought was a portable steam iron I bought for Martin. He nearly tried to hit me with it. It was the size of a big mobile phone. What was worse was I’d put it in a Louis Vuitton bag. That nearly upset him more.

Biggest extravagance in your home?

Twenty years ago, I bought a sheepskin coat where the inside had been cut really tight. It was beautiful and it cost €2,000. I lost six stone and I got it taken in. It’s great. I still wear it.

What is your favourite household chore?

I love cooking. I do all the cooking and Martin does all the washing and ironing. I think that’s the perfect relationship.

What’s your signature dish?

Roasts, nothing too fancy. Martin’s a country lad, that’s what he loves. Whenever I do fish, I’m told: “My mother made it better.” Competing with the mother-in-law? You’re on a losing streak.

Least favourite task?

I just can’t cope with washing machines and steam irons.

Are you a DIY whizz?

Not at all — I couldn’t put a nail in the wall, sure I’m an architect!

Ideal guest: Greg O'Shea.

Who would be your ideal dinner-party guests?

Apart from Sara and Amanda, Greg O’Shea. I keep inviting him for dinner but he never replies; I’m gutted.

What would you save from your house in a fire?

Apart from family mementoes, I’d save paintings and books.

Any favourite moment from Home of the Year to date?

Home of the Year is just amazing because the houses are really stunning. At the end of this filming, I’ll have seen 225 homes and every one of those will have been memorable — for the good or for the bad!

Hugh Wallace at a garden sculpture exhibition at Cork's Montenotte Hotel. Picture: Darragh Kane

• Hugh Wallace is one of the ambassadors for the Permanent TSB Ideal Home Show, which took place this weekend. He gave advice in recent days with fellow show ambassadors Jo Linehan, celebrity chef Neven Maguire, and quantity surveyor Patricia Power at the autumn 2023 event at the RDS Simmonscourt 
• See Idealhome, Facebook: @IdealHomeShowDublin, Instagram: @idealhomedublin