PICTURES: BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year judges really do dig Highlands’ Earth House
The judges of the BBC Scotland’s Home of the Year have heaped praise on Earth House by Aviemore.
They awarded the stunning property by Loch Pityoulish a maximum 30 out of 30 points in Monday night’s episode for the Highlands and Islands.
But despite falling in love with the property owned by Dianne Dain and Salem Avan, the three judges still had a tough choice to make after a very unusual dead heat.
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The trio of Anna Campbell-Jones, Banjo Beale and Danny Campbell also awarded the maximum possible total to the lovingly restored Newlands Croft House on the Isle of Lewis.
But in the end Earth House won through thanks to the deciding votes of Campbell-Jones and Beale, with a little bit of arm-twisting for new judge Campbell.
The property now goes through to the grand final feature all of this series’ winners which airs on Monday, June 10.
And from the judges’ fantastic comments, Earth House will surely be one of the favourites to take the overall title.
The trio were blown away by the property which stands in extensive grounds and has seven en-suite bedrooms.
Dianne’s favourite spot - placing the show’s famous red heart - is the conservatory and she explained: “I sit here and watch nature and love to watch the birds go in and out.”
Campbell-Jones, giving her first impressions on entering the house, declared: “Wow, it is absolutely stunning.”
Beale said: “It is rock star, isn’t it? It’s crazy, it’s monastic, it’s monotone, it is so sparsely decorated but all of those pieces are just classy.”
Campbell-Jones was full of praise for the interior design, and pointing to the mantlepiece described it as ‘a masterclass in styling’.
Beale quipped: “I just want to meet these people.”
He described the ‘money shot’ as the view from the couple’s bedroom down to the River Spey.
And later on during a visit to the incredible bathroom, the Mull based designer said: “I am having a moment, I need to sit down.”
Going into the scoring, Campbell-Jones said: “It is a sprawling home but the first adjectives that come to mind are humble and generous. This is not a look-at-me home. It is something much deeper.”
Awarding a 10, Campbell said: “I have been totally blown away by this home… there is a real playfulness in how the arrangement has been put together.
“I really feel that these home owners see themselves as custodians of this building and that comes through in the quality of the design itself.”
Beale called the home ‘a masterclass in design’
He summed up: “There is something really remarkable about this home.
“I can not pick what it is but there is something really special and personal and that makes this home magical.”
With the two homes tired on the maximum points, the judges alikened making a final decision ‘as picking a favourite child’.
Beale said his heart was telling him to go with Earth House.
And Campbell-Jones was equally enthusiastic.
She said: “Earth House touched me on a visceral and emotional level which I have very rarely experience.”
Although the judges do not get to meet the owners until the grand final, Dianne and Salem were introduced to the show’s viewers.
Dianne told the cameras: “Salem is the genius behind this whole house.
“Home to me is a sense of belonging. I was abandoned as a baby at a Salvation Army Hospital.
“It is more a sense of belonging and more a sense of love.
“Combined we have six children and we have five grandchildren so it is a busy house which to be honest is what the house wants - the house loves laughter and children and it’s a beautiful thing.”
The Highlands and Islands episode can still be watched on BBC iPlayer.
