'I nearly fell off my shoes': What it's like to win Scotland's Home of the Year

Last year’s winner, interior designer and gilder Hugh Berry, has sent his support and encouragement to all of this year’s hopefuls.

He says coming out top in the Glasgow and Clyde Valley heat was in itself a moment of “great pride” for him, but he was “absolutely blown away” when his painstakingly restored Victorian flat in Glasgow’s West End was crowned Scotland’s Home of the Year in 2020.

“It was a big shock,” he said.

“I nearly fell off my shoes.”

Interior designer and gilder Hugh Berry was "blown away" when his painstakingly restored Victorian apartment in Glasgow's West End was crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020Interior designer and gilder Hugh Berry was "blown away" when his painstakingly restored Victorian apartment in Glasgow's West End was crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020
Interior designer and gilder Hugh Berry was "blown away" when his painstakingly restored Victorian apartment in Glasgow's West End was crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020

The 1850s property was built by celebrated Scottish architect Charles Wilson and once owned by famous ship-builder William Pearce.

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It beat off stiff competition from eight other finalists from locations across Scotland, including Kelso, Angus, Orkney, Perthshire, Sutherland, Edinburgh, Seamill and Stornoway.

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The Park Terrace apartment, which boasts two bedrooms, an ornate rotunda with a glass roof and stunning sitting room with hand-gilded cornicing, moved judge Anna Campbell-Jones to tears when she first stepped inside.

Judges Michael Angus, Kate Spiers and Anna Campbell-Jones unanimously agreed that Hugh Berry's Glasgow home should be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020Judges Michael Angus, Kate Spiers and Anna Campbell-Jones unanimously agreed that Hugh Berry's Glasgow home should be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020
Judges Michael Angus, Kate Spiers and Anna Campbell-Jones unanimously agreed that Hugh Berry's Glasgow home should be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year in 2020

She said: “It’s not often I’m lost for words, but the magical, fragrant beauty of Park Terrace knocked me for six.

“We wanted to recognise the generosity to not only create a beautiful home for yourself, for your friends or for your family, but also to contribute to the future of that building and the Park area.

“As you move through Hugh’s home, it gradually reveals such sophisticated layers of detail – continually rewarding you after that first ‘oh, my goodness’ moment.”

Mr Berry said the work he put in to transforming the flat brought back his “passion and love” for interior design and his efforts “pay homage to the men and women of yesteryear” who created period properties like his.

Hand-gilded cornicing and period styling in the living room impressed the judges, moving judge Anna Campbell-Jones to tearsHand-gilded cornicing and period styling in the living room impressed the judges, moving judge Anna Campbell-Jones to tears
Hand-gilded cornicing and period styling in the living room impressed the judges, moving judge Anna Campbell-Jones to tears

The Park Terrace area in Glasgow has always held a unique appeal for him.

“The size and scale of the houses are imposing, but at the same time do not intimidate – they give me a lovely feeling of connection and inspiration,” he said.

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“The area has a very calming feel. Even on a cold, wet and windy day, the sandstone houses always have that warmth, which never fails to lift my mood and spirit.”

Since appearing on the show, he has become something of a celebrity – he has even found himself signing autographs while out shopping in his local supermarket.

Hugh Berry says carrying out the work on his Glasgow flat reignited his passion for interior design and paid homage to the craftspeople of yesteryearHugh Berry says carrying out the work on his Glasgow flat reignited his passion for interior design and paid homage to the craftspeople of yesteryear
Hugh Berry says carrying out the work on his Glasgow flat reignited his passion for interior design and paid homage to the craftspeople of yesteryear

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