The new build – named Knots Landing – is one of 15 homes to be visited by TV presenter Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen for the BBC NI programme.
Knots Landing is the work of retired chief executive Collette and her husband, joiner and contractor David.
The couple demolished a bungalow that was originally on the site in March 2009 and completed their four bedroom home in December 2009.
“We had a vision from the offset and the same taste in the actual build of the house,” Colette said.
Knots Landing secures the second place in the House Of The Year Final. Photo: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy
The couple live with their two children, Ella and Matthew.
Knots Landing was featured in the second episode of the show alongside The Wild Hide in Saintfield and Atlantic Lookout in Ballycastle.
Llewelyn-Bowen was joined by his panel of expert judges — architect Jane Larmour, interior designer James Fairley and co-founder of furniture store Maven, Patricia McGinnis – to choose the second finalist in the show’s latest season.
“That this house is a new build with old world sensibilities is obvious from the outside but inside you’re hit by waves of pine-scented Neo Romanticism,” Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said.
Knots Landing secures the second place in the House Of The Year Final. Photo: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy
“What I love about this place is it’s definitely showing there’s another way to do a new-build and, in fact, there’s nothing wrong with using traditional techniques.”
Many of the features in Colette and David’s home have been upcycled, including their flooring which is from a local reclamation yard.
“It was 150 years old from an Amish barn in Pennsylvania. We thought that would give us a lot of character,” David said.
“We asked for everything he had in stock,” Colette added.
“And it actually covered the whole house, bar the kids’ bedrooms.”
Knots Landing secures the second place in the House Of The Year Final. Photo: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy
During the programme, the judges admired the upcycling across Knots Landing.
“Genuinely this is the first time, I’ve seen an island unit that is illuminated by jam jar,” Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen said.
“This very much sets the tone, this lovely kind of romantic but traditional homespun place.”
Knots Landing secures the second place in the House Of The Year Final. Photo: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy
David explained he wanted to showcase his joinery style throughout the house.
“As a joiner you are able to joist the house, roof the house, skirting boards, architraves, doors.
“It’s just great to be able to do so much myself and I had other great tradesmen to bring in and help me finish the job.”
On the ground floor, Knots Landing features an open-plan kitchen, dining and living area, bathroom office, guest bedroom, living room and sun room.
Upstairs features a main bedroom with an ensuite and dressing room, two double bedrooms and a family bathroom.
The family’s utility room is outside, in a building, attached to a gazebo.
Knots Landing secures the second place in the House Of The Year Final. Photo: BBC NI / Elyse Kennedy
“I love the sun room because that’s sort of the relaxation at the end of the evening and then I look out to the happy place, the gazebo,” Colette said.
Laurence praised Colette and David’s ability to blend a range of traditional styles.
“It feels so Irish, that lovely lush green landscape there but then you go back this way and it feels like a French farmhouse with all the wood,” he said.
Ballymena home appears in BBC – House Of The Year Final
House Of The Year continues Monday 19 January at 8pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and BBC iPlayer.